17 September 2020: Some uplifting news

I have no uplifting news about Lake Charles, BUT I do have some positive feedback about political fundraising.

I assumed I’d miss the Flip the Senate event I got to co-host because it occurred while I was in Louisiana, but fortunately, my phone had enough cellular service that Mom and I snuggled in bed and Zoomed in. It was such a fabulous event. More than 1,100 blue supporters tuned in and raised over $200,000 for the Jaime Harrison, Theresa Greenfield, Steve Bullock, and Barbara Bollier campaigns. It was such an inspiring event- we were especially fired up to hear from Jaime and Theresa.

A week later, Tom and I realized we’d both donated to the “Princess Bride Live Read” fundraiser for the Wisconsin Dems. Every original cast member who is still alive, minus Fred Savage, agreed to participate, and the replacement cast for those no longer with us, like Andre the Giant, were terrifically filled (Josh Gad played Fezzik). Tom and I and the boys were still in the midst of the nail-biter US Open men’s final when the show began. So we toggled back and forth for a bit, increasingly immersed in the utterly delightful cast party that was this read-through. As it turned out, thousands upon thousands of folks logged on to watch, and despite the fits and starts of bandwidth and location challenges, it turned out to be the ultimate escapist event of joy, nostalgia, teamwork and memory. And, it raised more than $4.25 MILLION. Mandy Patinkin, oh my heart. He was sweating as he reprised Inigo Montoya.

The very next night was the monthly NOPE Neighbors meeting. Each meeting welcomes at least one current candidate for a red-to-blue flippable district, encourages generous donation to said candidate and their co-ballot peers, and educates out the wazoo. Last month we raised more than $20,000 in short order for Elissa Slotkin and the MI slate. But at THIS month’s meeting with Hiral Tiperneni (AZ-6) and Marc Elias of Democracy Docket, we raised more than $75,000 for a large slate of candidates PLUS a slate of protect the vote efforts.

Because, HELLO! We desperately need to protect the vote and go blue. So, give what you can, volunteer, engage, help, vote, work at the polls. PLEASE. Everything depends on it.

7 August 2020: Daily

Friends, I’m starting to update all things Resistance here, so please do check the Event Calendar to learn more about three exciting opportunities, one in person, two virtual, this month and next., as well as the expanded Political Candidates info page. I will continue to apprise you of Get Out the Vote (GOTV) opportunities and other ways to make the most of the 87 days (86 if you read this in your email) until November 3. Please feel free to send me any events of interest, and I will happily add them to the calendar.

writing GOTV postcards for NOPE

Good news:

Let’s give a shout-out to New York Attorney General Letitia James for suing the NRA and Wayne LaPierre himself (+ three others) for rampant corruption and misuse of charitable donations over many years. As the NRA’s original charter was granted in New York nearly 150 years ago, Ms. James does have jurisdiction over it and is seeking to disband the organization. Excellent!

Meanwhile, slimy Jerry Falwell, Jr, Chancellor and President of Liberty University thought this was an appropriate photograph to share on social media:

and has just been asked to take an indefinite leave of absence from Liberty. Thoughts and prayers, motherfucker.

A giant cheer for these women:

Not good news:

No words needed.

A bit of zen:

Take care of and be kind to yourselves. Channel this cat’s zen.

Rep Raskin, Dem debate, article and book to read, calendar updates

I’m not going to say much about Tuesday night’s Democratic debate except to aver that it was a dumpster fire of epic proportion, and FFS, the most important thing, Dems, is to beat trump. There is nothing more important. Stop yelling at each other, calmly and proudly discuss your platforms, and Katniss, remember who the real enemy is.

This past Sunday, two dear friends and I co-hosted a fundraiser for Congressman Jamie Raskin to benefit his financial and on-the-ground support of Dem candidates in swing and red districts in VA, MD, PA, and beyond as well as his youth activist program, Democracy Summer. Besides scoring a jar of his Honey Dill Mustard, I know I speak for all who attended when I say that we deeply appreciated his optimism and determination. As y’all might know, Raskin has endorsed Elizabeth Warren (I have too, FWIW) as he believes she would be a profoundly unifying force for the Party. I love her progressive spirit, her incredibly well-thought-out plans, her fire, and her sincere desire to truly care for all Americans.

For those who think her proposals are too far left, too progressive, too anything, consider this: most are unlikely to pass in proposed form due to who actually comprises Congress. Nonetheless, she is helping push the conversation towards an America of greater justice and equality, one in which more and too-often-voiceless voices are heard and valued, one in which more people will live and age better. That is an America I would love to live in. Plus, IT IS TIME FOR A WOMAN PRESIDENT. WAY.PAST.TIME.

During the Q&A with Mr. Raskin, guests offered up a number of organizations in which you can get involved and/or investigate. All are geared towards fair and unsuppressed voting and voter outreach.

NOPE! Neighbors : founded in a DC neighborhood in opposition to the Trump administration and its allies in Congress. DC residents are in the unique position of having no representation in Congress so NOPE focuses on the actions that they can take as unrepresented citizens. They welcome people from DC, Maryland, Virginia and across the country who share their goals.

Movement Voter Project (MVP): serves to funnel donations to small, grassroots organizations working year-round in underrepresented communities.  These organizations generally don’t have access to national fundraising access, but they work year-round on issues important to low-income workers, African-Americans, Latinx people, LGBTQ people, and young people, including registering them to vote and building their political power.

FairVote : Founded in 1992, FairVote is a nonpartisan champion of electoral reforms that give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans. Today they are the driving force behind advancing ranked choice voting and fair representation in multi-winner legislative districts that will open up our elections to better choices, fairer representation and more civil campaigns.

Anyway, the news continue to be hideously depressing, and so I am thankful for friends and family, my garden, exercise, acupuncture, drinks, my cats, that Harvey Weinstein was found guilty on two counts (if you haven’t read both She Said and Catch and Kill, you MUST!), and for good reading. Right now, I’m ensconced in the very gorgeous, fairly mesmerizing Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips, and earlier today, I read this article about and excerpt from the soon-to-be-released memoir by Greta Thunberg’s mother. As soon as I finished, I pre-ordered the book. What an amazing young woman and family.

Lastly, do remember to check the events calendar for a variety of ways to learn and get involved! Your country needs you, desperately.