I got through to John Thune's office yesterday, and used your spiel. THANK YOU. After ALEX'S DEATH, I was distraught. The video clip of him taken on a stretcher from the ICU, with the flag covering him, and the trumpet playing taps, as his colleagues saluted, (and one put his hand on his heart) made me sob. It is so hard to stick to the principles, and not be vindictive to others who also are traumatized and probably got into this job because they are victims of violence and trauma-bonded. Thank God for Minnesota solidarity and good people being good neighbors. Thank you for what you are doing to help us respond effectively to stop this.
Ben says that some people don't vote because they don't see how government and politics affect them... they don't think government does anything good. I agree that civics education is hugely important. It prepares us to be good citizens, to be engaged in the political process.
But I also blame the "click-bait" approach of the mainstream media. They don't educate the public. They don't explain the nuances of an issue. And I think their reporting sometimes makes people throw up their hands, say that both sides suck, and give up on the political process.
yes. agree with you. What I posted: They (non-voters) didn’t understand how the government worked. They didn’t want to make a mistake. They felt shamed for not knowing. (sic/Jess Craven)
Depriving people of a Civics Education IS Voter Suppression.
I grew up in Texas. In my public high school (mid-1970s), we were required to take civics, Texas history and American history. In my public university, civics and Texas history courses were again mandatory to graduate. When did that change?
Excellent! Thanks, Jess and Ben. I will follow Ben on Instagram and I’ll watch the PBS videos. It’s awful that so many states have dropped civics education! I think we definitely need it in the schools and we need to get more people to vote.
Thanks Jess and Ben! I so appreciate the information on Thune being able to separate the DHS funding from the budget bill. I made my call to Thune and copied your script and emailed to everyone on my email list (even the maga's) asking them to also call.
I just called my republican rep, vince fong. I doubt he will move an inch from trump's backside, but I keep asking him to stand up for his constituents and to speak out about the killings of Good and Pretti, as well as the harm of the detention centers. There's a huge one in or near his district in California. I also called Schiff and Padilla, my senators. And left a message for mike johnson telling to stop canceling House sessions and to resign for the good of the country.
Response below from my republican rep, vince fong, about the murder of Alex Pretti. He tries to downplay it to a "serious incident" and moves on to victim blaming by saying people are getting too "confrontational." Plus, I'm not sure he's telling facts about committee hearings and civil rights investigations.
fong:
Thank you for reaching out to me concerning the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-involved shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. This is a serious incident involving the use of deadly force, and there should be a complete and impartial investigation to determine all of the facts before conclusions are drawn.
Since this tragic incident, the House Committee on Homeland Security has requested an oversight hearing with ICE, CBP, and USCIS to review this incident. As a Member of this Committee, I support this decision. I take the safety of our communities and our federal law enforcement officers seriously. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind when this matter comes before me in Committee.
Additionally, the Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues its own use-of-force investigation to assess whether its agents followed established protocol. I support these efforts to ensure transparency and accountability are rooted in verified facts.
I am an unrelenting advocate of the First Amendment. All Americans deserve to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest. What we have seen in Minneapolis, however, has moved beyond peaceful into confrontation. Obstruction of law enforcement escalates danger for both officers and the public. I encourage Minnesota officials to act as partners, not obstacles, to federal law enforcement. These partnerships are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Rest assured, as your Representative in Congress, I will continue to pursue accountability rooted in facts – not speculation or political rhetoric – so that we can uphold both our nation's laws and our Constitutional freedoms.
Thank you again for contacting me. Hearing about what is most important to you and your family helps me represent California’s 20th Congressional District to the best of my ability. It is a great honor to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Should you have additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at my Bakersfield, Clovis, or Washington, D.C. offices.
If you would like to receive regular updates to learn more about my legislative work on behalf of our neighbors and communities, please sign up for my newsletter below.
Great interview and discussion -- especially the point that many people don't realize HOW EASY it is to phone our elected officials about issues that matter to us. About a month ago a 40ish fellow who was crewing for me (on my sailboat -- long offshore passage) repeatedly insisted that "all politicians are the same" and "they don't listen to us" -- UNTIL he overheard me calling my reps one day about some issue. He said, rather humbly, "I didn't know that you could just get their phone numbers and leave a message for them." BINGO!
I got through to John Thune's office yesterday, and used your spiel. THANK YOU. After ALEX'S DEATH, I was distraught. The video clip of him taken on a stretcher from the ICU, with the flag covering him, and the trumpet playing taps, as his colleagues saluted, (and one put his hand on his heart) made me sob. It is so hard to stick to the principles, and not be vindictive to others who also are traumatized and probably got into this job because they are victims of violence and trauma-bonded. Thank God for Minnesota solidarity and good people being good neighbors. Thank you for what you are doing to help us respond effectively to stop this.
Thank you for your note.
I sobbed too
Great discussion. Thank you.
Ben says that some people don't vote because they don't see how government and politics affect them... they don't think government does anything good. I agree that civics education is hugely important. It prepares us to be good citizens, to be engaged in the political process.
But I also blame the "click-bait" approach of the mainstream media. They don't educate the public. They don't explain the nuances of an issue. And I think their reporting sometimes makes people throw up their hands, say that both sides suck, and give up on the political process.
yes. agree with you. What I posted: They (non-voters) didn’t understand how the government worked. They didn’t want to make a mistake. They felt shamed for not knowing. (sic/Jess Craven)
Depriving people of a Civics Education IS Voter Suppression.
Why does Stephen fucking Miller get to take anything out of the bill? We didn’t elect him. WTF !
Fantastic interview!!!! I'm sharing broadly.
Californian here. 1964 Civics teacher had us all sign up to vote
I grew up in Texas. In my public high school (mid-1970s), we were required to take civics, Texas history and American history. In my public university, civics and Texas history courses were again mandatory to graduate. When did that change?
Jess. you are literally my hero.
Excellent! Thanks, Jess and Ben. I will follow Ben on Instagram and I’ll watch the PBS videos. It’s awful that so many states have dropped civics education! I think we definitely need it in the schools and we need to get more people to vote.
They (non-voters) didn’t understand how the government worked. They didn’t want to make a mistake. They felt shamed for not knowing. (sic/Jess Craven)
Depriving people of a Civics Education IS Voter Suppression.
Thanks Jess and Ben! I so appreciate the information on Thune being able to separate the DHS funding from the budget bill. I made my call to Thune and copied your script and emailed to everyone on my email list (even the maga's) asking them to also call.
I agree about civics education! What can I do? How can I help?
I just called my republican rep, vince fong. I doubt he will move an inch from trump's backside, but I keep asking him to stand up for his constituents and to speak out about the killings of Good and Pretti, as well as the harm of the detention centers. There's a huge one in or near his district in California. I also called Schiff and Padilla, my senators. And left a message for mike johnson telling to stop canceling House sessions and to resign for the good of the country.
And this is what he replied yesterday.
Response below from my republican rep, vince fong, about the murder of Alex Pretti. He tries to downplay it to a "serious incident" and moves on to victim blaming by saying people are getting too "confrontational." Plus, I'm not sure he's telling facts about committee hearings and civil rights investigations.
fong:
Thank you for reaching out to me concerning the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-involved shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. This is a serious incident involving the use of deadly force, and there should be a complete and impartial investigation to determine all of the facts before conclusions are drawn.
Since this tragic incident, the House Committee on Homeland Security has requested an oversight hearing with ICE, CBP, and USCIS to review this incident. As a Member of this Committee, I support this decision. I take the safety of our communities and our federal law enforcement officers seriously. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind when this matter comes before me in Committee.
Additionally, the Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues its own use-of-force investigation to assess whether its agents followed established protocol. I support these efforts to ensure transparency and accountability are rooted in verified facts.
I am an unrelenting advocate of the First Amendment. All Americans deserve to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest. What we have seen in Minneapolis, however, has moved beyond peaceful into confrontation. Obstruction of law enforcement escalates danger for both officers and the public. I encourage Minnesota officials to act as partners, not obstacles, to federal law enforcement. These partnerships are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Rest assured, as your Representative in Congress, I will continue to pursue accountability rooted in facts – not speculation or political rhetoric – so that we can uphold both our nation's laws and our Constitutional freedoms.
Thank you again for contacting me. Hearing about what is most important to you and your family helps me represent California’s 20th Congressional District to the best of my ability. It is a great honor to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Should you have additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at my Bakersfield, Clovis, or Washington, D.C. offices.
If you would like to receive regular updates to learn more about my legislative work on behalf of our neighbors and communities, please sign up for my newsletter below.
Great interview and discussion -- especially the point that many people don't realize HOW EASY it is to phone our elected officials about issues that matter to us. About a month ago a 40ish fellow who was crewing for me (on my sailboat -- long offshore passage) repeatedly insisted that "all politicians are the same" and "they don't listen to us" -- UNTIL he overheard me calling my reps one day about some issue. He said, rather humbly, "I didn't know that you could just get their phone numbers and leave a message for them." BINGO!
People should never miss an oppuurtunity to learn
Jess, you are such a great communicator! Thank you for all you do!
Senator Patty Murray of Washington state said she might vote for the bill with the increase 😡
She is flip flopping !!
I call lots of senators and Congress that aren’t even my district. I believe in flooding the zone no matter location !
Actually she made a public statement that she would NOT vote for the bill. Check where you get your info.
Can the Congress take some of the funding back? The BBB passed with $ for three years and this one was more.Can it be slowly taken back.