Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/8
SCOTUS is broken.
Hi, all, and happy Monday.
Of course, it’s not super happy. We got a couple of terrible SCOTUS rulings this morning (here and here, if you haven’t yet seen them.)
The immigration-related decision, announced with no explanation, is especially heinous, as it gives ICE free rein to continue its policy of rampant racial profiling. This is in clear violation of the 4th Amendment, which protects everyone in the U.S. from “unreasonable search and seizure.”
It’s depressing stuff, and there’s no quick antidote to it. There is, however, a long term fix: term limits, court expansion, and ethics reform. Don’t let anyone tell you this is an insoluble problem—it’s not. It’s simply going to require a galvanized Democratic trifecta to get it done. I highly recommend checking out Demand Justice, the Brennan Center and/or the Alliance For Justice if you’d like to learn more about Supreme Court reform. There is hope!
In the short term, however, this decision is disastrous. There’s no sugar coating it.
So instead of digging into more news items I want to share, with permission, a note that subscriber Christopher T. Wood just sent me. I think it’ll inspire you and maybe lift you out of the doldrums a bit.
He said:
Disappointed with the election results in January, my wife formed a little group called the Tropical Meme Society (@tropical.meme.society). We met at our local coffee house, Café Tropical, in the Silverlake section of LA. A few folks gathered on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. We decided to do a few bridge drops (hang signs with pro-democracy messages) over the 101 Freeway.
One of our group is French and went home this summer for vacation. She noticed that all or most of the news outlets in France seemed to be voicing the opinion that while the Trump Administration had fascist tendencies, all or most Americans appeared to be fine with it.
Not agreeing with that assessment, she wrote in to her local paper in Bordeaux and told them about what our group and others had been doing in support of democracy, including the No Kings Day protests. She had pictures and video, so her local paper ran the story. [Here is the link.]
Within a day or so, all or most of the major news outlets had picked up the story about “La Resistance” in the US. No longer were the major media outlets of France saying all Americans were fine with what Trump was doing. The entire narrative had changed.
Why? Because a few people gathered in a small café in the Silverlake section of LA to talk about what they could do. My wife has shown us, never doubt what effect a few committed people can have.
Beautiful, right? Never forget—your voice has power. Every one of us is simply called to do what we can in this moment. Sometimes it will feel like our impact is minimal. Other times we’ll stumble into something that will create large ripples. The truth is we just don’t know how our actions will affect those around us, or, for that matter, history itself. It doesn’t matter. We take them anyway.
Ours is not to predict outcomes. Ours is simply to do the next right action, trusting that it will lead to some good. That’s what this group did, and look at the ripples their actions created!
One last thing before I go: I want to apologize for unknowingly posting misinformation in yesterday’s good news list. Chicago officials did not, in fact, use salt trucks to block ICE this weekend. The story that they did do that was—and still is—everywhere, but I should have fact checked it more carefully. I’ll endeavor to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
OK, folks. I’ll be doing my Substack Live at 4PM solo, so if you want to come for an update on all the day’s news and a pep talk, join me!
Now let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If Democrat:] Democrats shouldn’t provide a single vote to keep funding Trump’s repressive agenda this September. No compromises, no folding, no caving by Chuck Schumer. There should be no yes vote unless the White House guarantees, among other things, that funds will be distributed as appropriated, that there will be a 60-vote requirement for any recission, and that they will institute a ban on masked ICE/DHS agents without court orders. Democrats have power here. If they want to win back the voters who have abandoned them they’d better use it. Thanks.
[If GOP:] I’m disgusted by Trump’s threat to declare war on Chicago. And please don’t tell me he was quoted out of context. We all know he wasn’t. Declaring war on an American city is arguably treasonous and definitely grounds for impeachment. Trump is dangerous, he’s unfit, and he needs to be impeached and removed. I want to hear the Senator speak out clearly against this lawless attack on American cities. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I want the House to fully fund NIOSH [pronounced nye-osh] in 2026, consistent with the recent bipartisan Senate appropriations bill. I also want Trump and Kennedy to fully reinstate all NIOSH researchers who are still not back to work.
Second, I ONLY support a government spending bill that reverses Medicaid cuts and blocks tax breaks for the rich and big corporations. I oppose any package that doesn’t contain those two provisions.
[Only if Democrat add:] Finally, I want to put in a word of support for Rep. Monica McIver. I’m glad to see that the motion to censure her was tabled, and I want to see House Democrats continue to stand with her every time she’s attacked. She deserves our unqualified support. Thanks.
[Only if Republican add:] Finally, has the representative signed on to Rep. Massie’s discharge petition to release the full Epstein files yet? If not, I expect him/her to do so today. The House Oversight Committee is releasing redacted papers and things we’ve already seen. It’s gaslighting. We want to see the files. The victims deserve no less. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
The FTC is trying to attack gender-affirming care under the guise of consumer protection and the Christopher Street Project is trying to get as many public comments as possible to oppose their action. In order to make the process safer, they published a comment portal that they will use to submit on your behalf: christopherstreetproject.org/FTC.
Please help uplift the portal and this instagram post:
. We have until September 26th to make our voices heard!
Get Smart! 📚
WHY FASCISTS FEAR TEACHERS W/ RANDI WEINGARTEN
Tuesday, September 9, 7:30PM ET
Fascists fear education! Defunding public education, banning books, and censoring history are all part of the extremist playbook. It’s no wonder that teachers who empower students to think critically and ask questions are under attack. Join Red, Wine and Blue to hear from Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, as we talk about this coordinated assault on education and why concepts like curiosity and empathy outrage fascists. Learn what’s at stake, how these attacks hurt our kids and our country, and how we can fight back.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
Here are some key facts on Trump’s economic failures, courtesy of Defending American Democracy. Make sure to share widely!
Trump’s tariffs will cost families an additional $2,400 this year.
The U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, while June revisions revealed the economy actually lost jobs that month.
U.S. factory orders fell 4.8% in June and construction spending collapsed.
Trump says he will put a 100% tariff on semiconductors.
Beef prices are hitting record highs, rising nearly 9% this year.
Electricity prices rose 6.5% in the last year.
Trump’s tariffs are expected to impact 75% of U.S. food imports.
Vegetable prices increased by nearly 40% from June to July.
Get excited about campaign finance reform!
I just heard a presentation from someone at CAP Action about the Montana Plan, an initiative that can essentially overturn Citizens United without actually overturning it, one state at a time. It’s very exciting and it may start in Montana!
Attend a Town Hall—MICHIGAN! 🪧
The amazing folks are the Progressive Caucus Center are holding a Progress for the People Town Hall in Warren, MI, on Friday Sept 12 at 1pmET with Michigan Rep. Talib & Vermont’s Rep. Balint.
If you live in the area please join them to learn what the Republican budget law means for you, hear from your neighbors, and ask your questions!
Grab Your Wallet! 💳
Rolex sponsored Trump at the U.S. Open. It’s probably a moot point for most of us, but if you’re in the market for a luxury watch please choose a different brand!
Win Races! 🗳
Markers For Democracy and a coalition of grassroots groups are launching a series of four National Virtual Postcard Parties for Virginia. Join them weekly, when Virginia candidates will tell you what they are seeing and hearing in their districts. Write for the candidates of your choice, celebrate VA Dems running 100 candidates in 100 districts, and enjoy being with grassroots activists from around the country. More details here. Each evening has its own Zoom registration link:
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
From climate denial to pandemic disinformation, powerful forces are working overtime to undermine facts and delay vital action.
On Friday, September 12 at 7 PM ET, join Climate Action Now for an Action Party about the powerful forces fueling today's war on science—and what we can do to fight back. You’ll be joined by leading climate scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann, who will share powerful insights from his newest book in a conversation moderated by Climate Action Now President Tim Guinee.
Together, let's challenge disinformation, call for accountability, and stand up for science!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Coleman Rogers] [Text SIGN PMSILR to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
Donald Trump has crossed a constitutional red line. By threatening to unleash federal immigration raids, militarized crackdowns, and what he himself calls a “Department of WAR” against Chicago, he is not merely using inflammatory rhetoric—he is levying war against an American city. The Constitution defines this as an act of treason.
Trump’s “Chipocalypse Now” post, accompanied by an image evoking Apocalypse Now, was not satire or bluster. It was a declaration of intent to use the power of the federal government against U.S. citizens and local governments who defy him. This is authoritarianism, plain and simple.
The threat is also baseless. Crime in Chicago has been dropping sharply, with homicides down nearly 30% and shootings down over 40%. There is no emergency that could justify such an extraordinary federal assault. Local leaders have resisted: Governor J.B. Pritzker labeled Trump a “wannabe dictator,” and Mayor Brandon Johnson has barred city agencies from assisting with raids. Thousands of Chicagoans have protested in defiance, even as community events were canceled under pressure.
Congress cannot treat this as political theater. The stakes are constitutional and historic. When a president declares war on his own people, silence is complicity.
I urge you to:
• Hold hearings immediately to expose Trump’s threats as unconstitutional and potentially treasonous.
• Legislate strict limits on the use of federal forces and immigration agencies in domestic political disputes.
• Protect sanctuary jurisdictions from federal overreach and retaliation.
• Affirm the principle that no president can wield war powers against the states or their people.
This is bigger than Chicago. If Trump succeeds here, every city, every state, and every community is at risk. Congress must act now to defend the Constitution, protect American democracy, and stop Trump from levying war against his own country.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Excellent! And exactly what Ive been doing for months via my French relatives who are all over France…
International diplomacy and spreading the TRUTH!! Videos- articles- links…being passionate on the phone when speaking with them in France!
Merci Christopher T and Bernadette! Im a high school French teacher and was distressed to hear France thinks were not doing anything. Thank you mille fois for setting the record straight with them. Vive la Résistance!