Today is one of those days that absolutely got away from me.
From the second I opened my eyes until now, my time’s been accounted for. I know you know what those days are like, so I hope you’ll give me some grace for not having as many words on the tip of my tongue. Or for not being as eloquent. Or, most likely, both.
But as I was on a quick walk around the neighborhood with my son, I started picking up the leaves that are just starting to fall. They’re so beautiful, with mottled scarlet and yellow and green…
As I collected them, I was thinking about how they’re the physical, tangible proof that life is ever-changing.
And it occurred to me: we’re in a season of change.
And I don’t mean autumn.
Things in the last few weeks have felt … different. Don’t you think?
Trump has been indicted multiple times. His lackies have been, too. That’s a welcome change, isn’t it? For far too long they’ve skated past culpability – now, at least there are attempts to hold them accountable.
Those who have been convicted for their involvement in January 6 are facing stiff consequences – not just a slap on the wrist. This past week, Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Others in his same orbit got between 10-18 years. Those sentences send a strong message and are a serious deterrent – which is even more important as we come closer to the 2024 election.
MAGA wingnuts continue to do what they do in Congress (today we learned they’ll launch an impeachment inquiry, because … well … um … err … because!), but it seems that independent voters are sick of their shenanigans and their extremism. That’s a welcome change, too. If we keep at it, hopefully more voters will see the impact Democrats’ policies have had on the economy and the country. That’s for you and I to take on in the coming months. (Stick a pin in that.)
People are getting serious about climate change. Once again a welcome, overdue, change. I’ve seen it in my newsfeed and I’ll bet you have, too – these extreme weather events are bringing the reality of climate change to Republicans’ very backyards. Their insistence on fueling fossil fuels doesn’t just look incompetent now. Now it looks like a suicide mission.
Grassroots folks are getting more and more involved in supporting democracy at every level. In the last week I’ve had, or will have, conversations with folks from 4 different states who are keen on fighting everywhere and want help in figuring out how to do it. I’ve been focused on state legislatures in red states since 2017, and I can’t remember this much enthusiasm about those downballot races.
So – there’s a lot of change afoot.
There’s one constant, though.
(Besides the need for more hours in a day!)
And that’s you. Yes, you. You, and me, and the folks who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us, even when everything looks depressing and impossible and like it’s falling apart.
So on a day like today, when I’m rushing from one thing to the next – know that I think of you when I stumble upon a pretty fall leaf that looks like it’s painted in maroon and emerald and gold. I appreciate you, friend.
Let’s get to work.
THREE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES HAVE NO SENATE CONFIRMED LEADER BECAUSE OF ONE SENATOR
I’m still beating this drum, because it keeps getting worse with every week. The Army, Navy, and Marines all now have acting (interim) leaders because Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville doesn’t like that members of the armed services are allowed up to three weeks of administrative leave for them or their dependents to travel for an abortion. Many states with the most restrictive anti-abortion laws have military bases – so ensuring that service members can get time off to obtain healthcare is critical Defense Department policy.
Tuberville has now blocked a whopping 300 confirmations. He’s a one-man assault on our military readiness, and we can and should ask our senators what they plan to do about it.
If your senator is a member of the Armed Services Committee, it’s time to give them a call and ask them what on earth they are doing to convince their colleague to step aside and allow these confirmations. It’s that simple of a script:
Script: Hi, my name is [name] and I’m calling from [zip]. I’m really concerned about the over 300 confirmations that are being held up by Senator Tuberville, and I want to know what Senator [insert name of your senator] is doing about it. This is obviously impacting our military readiness – and making us look weak in the eyes of the rest of the world!
Here are the members of the Armed Services Committee. Missouri folks, note that Senator Eric Schmitt is on the committee and deserves a call.
Majority:
Reed, Jack (RI), Chairman
Shaheen, Jeanne (NH)
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (NY)
Blumenthal, Richard (CT)
Hirono, Mazie K. (HI)
Kaine, Tim (VA)
King, Angus S. (ME)
Warren, Elizabeth (MA)
Peters, Gary C. (MI)
Manchin, Joe (WV)
Duckworth, Tammy (IL)
Rosen, Jacky (NV)
Kelly, Mark (AZ)
Minority:
Wicker, Roger F. (MS), Ranking Member
Fischer, Deb (NE)
Cotton, Tom (AR)
Rounds, Mike (SD)
Ernst, Joni (IA)
Sullivan, Dan (AK)
Cramer, Kevin (ND)
Scott, Rick (FL)
Tuberville, Tommy (AL)
Mullin, Markwayne (OK)
Budd, Ted (NC)
Schmitt, Eric (MO)
Read This: Wisconsin GOP Poised to Impeach New Justice
This is a must-read for anyone who is wondering what is going on in Wisconsin – and what the stakes are. In sum, because the GOP state legislature wants to keep wildly unconstitutional maps, it is planning to impeach the newly-installed Democratic justice before she’s even heard a case. Check it out here: https://popular.info/p/wisconsin-republicans-nuclear-option
JOIN INDIVISIBLE’S TRUTH BRIGADE CALL ON SEPT. 13:
From Indivisible: Disinformation poisons minds and prevents our society from moving forward to protect the people and the planet. Lies are spread to obtain unearned power — it’s as simple as that. Lies around voting and elections provide the path to that unearned power. Join us the second Wednesday of each month to learn where we are most vulnerable, and how we can and must disrupt disinformation. Leave each call inspired, clear-headed and focused on taking meaningful action. https://indivisible.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcOGtqzkvHdCqLbG-BsZW8AE5YQ-MCJBl#/registration
National Voter Registration Day Is September 19!
Next week is National Voter Registration Day! So head over to https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/ where you can check your registration and get some excellent resources.
They also have a calendar and map of voter registration events that are happening across the country. Check it out here: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/events/
Set Your Calendar: October 2 with the Civics Center:
The Civics Center is doing such a good job explaining how important it is to register young voters – who turn out in high numbers once they are registered. It’s getting them registered that’s difficult, because so many barriers are placed before them, and they often don’t know how to register (or where to register, if they went to college in a different state).
That’s why – especially if you are an educator or a parent with a student in high school – you should check out the Civics Center’s calendar here: https://www.thecivicscenter.org/high-school-voter-registration-week?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email and attend a virtual workshop.
And make sure to join in the workshops from October 2-6!
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 