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Beth Kephart's avatar

I have no idea how long it takes you to compile this list—how you seek, how you find—but please know that I use this as fuel to get through my week and share it with friends and family consistently...letting them in on your light, encouraging them to subscribe. Thank you, Jessica Craven. Thank you and again, I thank you. Oh, and by the way: one of my many letters to John Fetterman FINALLY recieved a somewhat more relevant response. We're making progress. Little by little.

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Jess Craven's avatar

I’m so glad to hear this. I won’t lie: this newsletter is definitely the most labor-intensive of the week, but I wouldn’t stop doing it for the world. I also think it may be the most important one of the week.

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JustRaven's avatar

I have referred so many people to your newsletter, because you consistently provide action items especially the phone calls with scripts and the Resistbot petitions, and you make it simple for the average preoccupied American to participate in making their voices heard. This particular issue of Extra!Extra! is so uplifting and encouraging, thank you SO MUCH!!!!

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Jess Craven's avatar

I’m so glad.

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Richard Brody's avatar

I restacked today’s piece and heartily recommended it to my followers. Small list, but obviously very smart people! 🙃

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Jess Craven's avatar

Thanks Richard!

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samani's avatar

Just Raven, thank you for so beautifully saying all this about Jessica Craven’s newsletters. She’s amazingly resourceful and has provided me with practical action focus when I’m feeling lost in the what-can-I- Do wilderness now. And she’s a total original spunky person with a sense of humor! Irresistible:-) This latest letter lifted me wayyyy

Up this evening from feeling in the pits after reading too much shattering news in the morning. Thank you Jessica Craven 🙏🏼

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Lynette Mason's avatar

It actually did help raise my spirits after all the other news, necessary and real, that I’ve read so far today.

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Annrandom's avatar

It definitely is so important. I sometimes go a couple of days without reading any newsletters for my own physical and mental health, but I always end up reading yours first when I check back in.

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Feb 2
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Jess Craven's avatar

Always. It’s unbelievable. The stereotype that men are the strong ones is so ridiculous. (Sorry, guys.)

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michellefromchicago's avatar

🙋🏼‍♀️💪🏻 for sure!!!

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Delmom's avatar

Beth, I do the same thing. I save the Extra! Extra! and refer to it when I need some encouragement thru the week. I've still not heard a word from my R senators and only a two line acknowledgement each time from my D representative. I will persist though.

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Beth Kephart's avatar

It can take some time. I hear from Fetterman two weeks later. Only once was his form letter relevant. The most recent. He sounded a bit more democratic too. I never hear from McCormick. Or Thune. Or Johnson. Or Schumer and Jeffries. I do hear always from Chrissy Houlahan. On blue sky I am posting notes on rep sites more and more. Another way in. One could hope anyway.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Good for you!

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Avery McGinn's avatar

Thank you for taking these actions and sharing them with us. 💙💙

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James Evarts's avatar

Wonderful!!

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Theresa Echols Haack's avatar

I also

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Katie Voice's avatar

I have been unable to sleep for the unheaval and dangerous actions of Trump, Elon Musk and the Republican Party. Writing or calling my congressional representatives is one of the few ways I feel a return of quiet breathing and calm. We can’t let up. We need to keep working to save our economy, our freedoms and our world from the lawless and dangerous actions of this administration. Thank you for all the work you are doing to help us take action.

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cathy cmongeauart.com's avatar

Since there are no call

To make today I need to take some action to feel better. I’m

Baking cookies for the soup

Kitchen.

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Hope in Hard Times's avatar

I signed up to attend a community meeting with Indivisible tonight at 8pm Are you free to join me? I expect them to talk about the seizure of the Department of Treasury by Elon Musk and DOGE on Friday night.

https://mobilize.us/s/ODflL7

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Jess Craven's avatar

Yes I’ll be there too!

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Marnee Walker's avatar

Thanks for sharing! I just signed up

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Oldandintheway's avatar

Write to your elected representatives. Tell them to start IMPEACHMENT proceedings.

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Dianne Chrestopoulos's avatar

Will do, going to go for a ride first then do that! We do not cease our resistance and opposition.

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Feb 2
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Hope in Hard Times's avatar

Jess, any suggestions on creating a script for this?

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Jess Craven's avatar

Impeachment? I mean, I can write the script but honestly until we’ve got majorities in at least one chamber of Congress it seems a little bit like not the most productive use of our time

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

I agree. We haven’t tackled other things first and with a majority of MAGAs in the House & Senate, slim as they may be, I sincerely see impeachment, at this time, a moot point. BUT, you never know…maybe third time’s a charm!

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Shoshanna's avatar

Thank you so much for this. I’ve been having sleepless nights and daily palpitations, fearing for our country. Depression has set in - but reading this today has lifted my spirits for the first time since 1/20. Thank you, again (and thank you, Jason, for steering me here)!

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Richard Brody's avatar

Take a deep breath and relish in the fact that there are millions of people who agree with you and are working hard to fight the good fight. Still 1400+ days to go, sadly, but we’re in this together.

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Pat Robinson's avatar

I am interested in your comment about being steered here...I just figure almost everyone follows Jessica and look forward to her Sunday boosts that she does for all of us. I will start to make sure in all my comments on other substacks or youtube channels for folks to be sure to get in this group.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Thanks Pat!

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Shoshanna's avatar

Pat - The person who steered me here is Jason Berlin, the founder of Field Team 6, a non-profit dedicated to registering Democrats and saving the world from Trump. (Check it out at FieldTeam6.org)!

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Oldandintheway's avatar

The Democrats have to begin to call for IMPEACHMENT NOW!! Abuse of power, undermining the Constitution, a threat to national security, bribery, extortion, threatening innocent Americans, and needlessly causing suffering and death of vulnerable Americans.

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Louise's avatar

THANK YOU so much, Jessica, for all of your hard work and dedication putting together Chop Wood, Carry Water!

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Debra Boyle's avatar

Thank you for this. Your hard work has rescued my day. I just finished today's newsletter and am suddenly weeping. All of the stress buried over the past week is flying away, just reading that there are indeed good things happening. Hopefully, next week you will be able to talk about some action taken against Elon Musk.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Oh I sure will. And I’m genuinely so glad this list helped.

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Mitzi Pratt's avatar

There is a “decentralized, self-organizing” effort to protest at State Houses Wednesday Feb 5 at noon, local time. (See Reddit, r 50501, tap your state’s flair to communicate with others in your state. )We have to start being visible now and somewhere so this is a start.

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wendy moluf's avatar

Members of my local Indivisible group are protesting at a busy intersection on Friday evening. I’m hoping to go.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Yes, I’ve been hearing about this. I’m looking for a flyer.

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Barbara Moschner's avatar

Malcom Kenyatta and David Hogg are the Democrats' future! I am happy to know they won Vice Chair positions.

Also, in sharing the good news, I am getting feedback that this is helping people see there are good people out there!

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Jess Craven's avatar

Indeed!

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

That news yesterday just warmed my heart! I too, wanted Wikler but we have Martin now and we must back him up no matter what. Having young David Hogg and Malcom Kenyatta as vice chairs is all positive and I can’t wait to see what they all bring to the table.

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foreign affairs fed's avatar

AFGE is also suing over schedule F

AFGE | Public Service Unions File Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Efforts to Politicize the Civil Service https://search.app/kqG3RwSTbaXMz4zG6

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Jonas Berglund's avatar

Thank you as always Jessica for the tremendous work you put into these news letters, videos, and social media posts. I truly appreciate your dedication to the craft of informative news and political activism. Being a layperson in the area of politics, you have given me the courage to be more active and outspoken on topics that matter most to me and to many Americans.

I felt inspired the other day to do a bit of my own work, so I took it upon myself to reach out to the WH commentary line. It would seem their are not answering the number provided, so I emailed my commentary and critique of Trump and the current administration to the email address they provide. I’m not sure they will bother reading it, or if it will be received, but I felt great to write out my thoughts and send it off into the ether. I hope it is ok if I share it in the commentary.

This is what I wrote:

“To whom it may concern,

  To the white House and current administration, I am sending this message as a criticism of President Trump. I have attempted to relay my concerns via phone but it seems your line is down, switched off, or purposely being ignored.

  President Trump and his administration have been in office barely two weeks and there has been much fiasco and confusion. To say the current administration does not know how to govern would be an understatement; it is quite evident that their dithering is the root cause of much that has transpired as of late. There has been an alarming amount of dimwittedness coming out of the White House. A mere week and some days and the government has been bungled to the point of gross inefficiency. What has happened is not only insufferable, it is a blatant disregard for the laws and agencies that protect federal employees and American citizens. How much more will be lost by the actions of this administration? This is the unraveling of our democracy, to which this administration does not care one iota about. That much is evident with President Trump's illegal maneuvers that he has carried out. Which are not only a violation of the constitution, but also a violation of the law.

  The President has also made it evident that he cares not for the American people; this being further compounded by his lack of remorse for the American's that lost their lives in the tragic aircraft collision on Wednesday evening. The unnecessary loss of innocent lives could have been prevented had Trump not fired the TSA director and undone the FFA safety committee at the behest of Elon Musk. Naturally when such a national tragedy occurs, it is the duty of the President to console and give sympathies to those who lost family members. However, the first action President Trump took was to blame DEI for the accident, a baseless claim with no evidence to back up his assertions. The way he behaved is not only disrespectful, it is vile. To show no compassion or remorse, it is not only inhuman it is abhorrent. The President clearly has shown us all that he does not know how to govern, but he is willfully derelict in his duties and this administration is an accomplice to his actions.

  In closing, I reiterate my statement upon the opening of this commentary; this current administration is incredibly dimwitted and inept. Not only with governance, but also with human compassion and dignity towards others. There is a saying, "blessed is the mind too small for doubt", it implies that those who are too simple or lack the capacity for critical thinking are considered sacrosanct because they have unwavering faith and blind loyalty without room for doubt. This is that administration.

Regards,

Jonas Berglund”

I know it is a bit lengthy, so I apologize. Once again I truly appreciate everything you do Jessica. I’ve used your scripts several times and must’ve called the Capital switchboard too many times to count. Thank you!!!

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Jess Craven's avatar

Great job Jonas! Thanks for sharing!

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Jonas Berglund's avatar

Thank you Jessica! Doing what I can to hopefully make a difference. I appreciate you!

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Kathryn Clancy's avatar

Hi Jonas, may I suggest posting this to Facebook. I know it's a Zuck site, but it really does reach a lot of people. I've been posting all kinds of stuff on it.

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Jonas Berglund's avatar

Thank you Kathryn! I have made a post on FB, but perhaps not to the right audience. There are few groups that I am a member. Perhaps it would be better for me to post there instead. I appreciate the suggestion!

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Jane's avatar

Thank you so much for compiling this list. It truly brings me back from the brink of despair. 🙏💙

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Laura's avatar

reading your newsletter is a bright light on these dark days. Thank you for what you do

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Susan DeWitt Wilder's avatar

Thank you for the tip re DEIAtruth@opm.gov. I just sent a copy of my recent letter to the editor of the Carteret News Times here in NC to that address.

The last two paragraphs read:

"Sadly, I believe this next Trump presidency will drive us further apart from our neighbors, from the people we care for, and from those we should care for. Do not let this happen. Stand together.

I offer a simple way for us to think of DEI, Mr. Trump's bugaboo. Please keep this in mind as we move forward, once again, in troubling times. "Diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is an action, and belonging is an outcome.

--Arthur Chan."

Susan DeWitt Wilder

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Susan's avatar

Jessica, you are a true American hero. I was SO depressed this morning, but reading your list has lightened my heart. I still know that things are bad, but I now have the energy to fight it! God bless you.

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Jenny Donovan's avatar

I realllly needed this today. Thank you so much!!! Forwarding to friends who are also in need. 🙏💗

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