Well friend, while I’m really glad that we’re on the other side of economic catastrophe, we just barely averted a national and global financial crisis – which would have been a self-inflicted wound with massive implications.
But the hostage takers are still in office.
And the MAGA-In-Chief is still tweeting (or truthing, or whatever they call it). He’s still far ahead in the polls. Over 60% of Republicans actually believe the Big Lie that Trump won the election. (And believe it or not, that’s an improvement).
And as we await what appears to be the inevitable indictment of Trump for mishandling classified information, we heard last week that there is an audio recording of Trump boasting about a classified document relating to attacking Iran.
There’s an added problem: prosecutors apparently don’t have the document that was described. Trump’s lawyers say they don’t have it, either.
There could be an innocent explanation – like Trump was lying about the actual existence of such a document. He lies with every breath, so this is a very plausible explanation.
But both of these stories – not knowing the whereabouts of a highly-classified document, and the GOP’s willingness to play chicken with our economy, highlight a really serious concern. Something that when I was a kid I never, ever, thought I’d see in my lifetime.
Trust in America is faltering.
For allies, the safety of information they share is questionable.
For investors, the safety of our economy – and our willingness to pay debts – is also questionable.
The question in both cases is: who’s steering the ship? Or, more accurately, who will Americans choose to steer the ship? And how serious are Americans in making sure the adults in the room are in charge?
I was thinking about that when Jessica Piper, rural Democrat and Twitter phenom, tweeted about Blue Missouri (a joint project of ours) and invited people to join. And when they did join (which you can also do here), she personally thanked people by name – and then reminded them of something really important.
“You’re making a difference and every time I tweet out another name, the Missouri GOP sees it. I guarantee you.”
The Missouri GOP sees it.
That’s worth a lot on its own.
In those five words Jess said it all. What you and I do publicly, now and in the coming year and a half before 2024, is really important for both our friends and our adversaries to see.
It’s important to assure those that would have our back that we are worth backing.
It’s worth showing those who threaten democracy that we won’t let democracy die quietly.
It gives Republican showboats a reason to pause and wonder: what have they unleashed? And what else will they unleash if they continue down their current autocratic path?
In my mind, the more directly we can tie our activism and motivation to their threats to democracy, the better.
And that requires standing up publicly now – in whatever way you can. Maybe it’s shouting out on Twitter that you’re joining a pro-democracy organization. Maybe your organization starts using social media as a way to celebrate and call out new members who have joined because of Republican shenanigans.
Maybe it’s a letter to the editor. Maybe it’s a physical protest, or an art installation, or a letter writing campaign.
But I challenge you in the coming weeks to think of ways to stand up that are in the field of vision of both our adversaries and our allies. Let’s show them that there’s a whole ecosystem of activists who won’t go quietly.
Let Republicans see the actual consequences of their behavior.
And let our allies see that there’s a massive resource of people who are already on the front lines. All they need to do is join us, support us, encourage us.
We’ll take care of the rest.
Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of June 6, 2023
Bleep Bans: Join Vote Save America Tonight (Tuesday)
From VSA: From abortion bans to book bans to bans on gender affirming care, Republicans are trying to divide and scare and distract people because their actual agenda stinks.
To that we say, F*ck Bans.
Join us for our next Vote Save America Community Call where we’ll:
- Cover the current landscape of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country with special guests from the Campaign for Southern Equality
- Play a Pride x Vote Save America-inspired game with Crooked co-founder Jon Lovett
- Enter our Fight Back era and sign up to take action with New Virginia Majority, go over our social media organizing plan, and more!
This sounds like a super event, so join in the fun! It’s at 8-9pm Eastern (virtual). RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/crooked/event/564866/?_kx=zdU58pq8BqFvECHXots1DCj1WjlBqMUaL3ZxAu6dGd4%3D.UbWYQp
Feeling Weary? Join This Great Field Team 6 Event Wednesday:
From Field Team 6: Are you experiencing activist fatigue? You’re not alone!
Join Field Team 6 multi-hyphenate Czar (Postcarding, Mobilize, Zoom, Newsletter) Sharon Lord Greenspan and Field Team 6 super activist Cathy O’Krent, who will discuss strategies for remaining positive and active through the political adversity and general chaos we face every day.
This meeting of like-minded folks will leave you feeling refreshed, regenerated, and with the tools you need to get back to full strength… so you can get back out there, and kick some a$$ from a place of joy as we head into the 2024 election cycle!
PLEASE NOTE: All times listed are Pacific. Just to be abundantly clear, this event will take place at 5p Pacific/8p Eastern.
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/409295/
Join School Board School to Learn How to Help LGBTQ+ Students (Next Week)
From School Board School: Do you know why anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is being introduced/passed around the country? Have you wondered how to advocate for LGBTQ+ students?
During this session, you’ll hear from LGBTQ+ advocates and state legislators about what legislation is being introduced around the country, where it’s coming from, and why we’ve seen such an uptick recently. You’ll also learn strategies for how to most effectively communicate with state legislators about why LGBTQ+ students deserve to have schools that are safe and inclusive places to learn.
This is an interactive session (so we’re not lecturing you via Zoom!) with opportunities to contribute through polls and chats.
Wednesday, June 14 · 6 – 7:15pm CDT, sign up here for the free event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/supporting-lgbtq-students-whats-happening-at-statehouses-what-you-can-do-tickets-629545025117
Set Your Calendar: NDTC Event on June 15 – Pride in Focus Expert Q&A: Transgender & Nonbinary Campaign Experiences
From the National Democracy Training Committee: With a focus on centering the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary individuals, this month’s NDTC Expert Q&A will cover the ins and outs of navigating the campaign landscape while transgender or nonbinary and how everyone can be an active part in lifting the community up, supporting greater representation, and navigating the hatred put forth by the GOP.
Panelists include Rep. Brianna Titone, currently serving in the Colorado State Legislature, making her the state’s first transgender lawmaker. Alia Kapasi is the campaign manager for Danica Roem, the first openly transgender woman to both be elected and serve in any state legislature.
They will share challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned from the trail and in office. Bring your own questions from your lived experience and get ready to share with a community of fellow campaigners, candidates, and leaders.
June 15 at 1pm (eastern). Register here: https://traindemocrats.org/event/pride-in-focus-expert-qa-transgender-nonbinary-campaign-experiences-6-15-2023/?register=323452
WHEW! GO TEAM!
P.S.: Why don’t you make someone’s day and send this pep talk to a friend or two? I bet they need it.
If you’d like to sign up to get this pep talk and action list in your in-box each week, you can do that here. Welcome, friend!
P.P.S.: If you want to help support this work you can do so via Patreon at
https://www.patreon.com/smalldeedsdone or via paypal at https://www.paypal.me/smalldeeds
My deepest gratitude in advance.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for writing. I read and respond to every email! We’re in this together. Don’t you forget it.
Small Deeds Done 