First, a note of thanks for everyone who reached out last week. I’m still taking it easy and trying not to break my brain with news (not easy to do) – but I did have a few thoughts to share today. I hope you don’t me landing in your inbox again this Tuesday evening.
Because it occurs to me … Republicans keep making the messes that Democrats keep having to clean up. This dynamic has become so expected that onlookers blame Democrats when we can’t right their wrongs quickly enough.
Take the past week – when Republicans summarily fired the Speaker of the House – and Hamas terrorists attacked Israel.
Republicans are blaming Democrats for both.
Of course Republicans are the majority party in the House, even if only barely. And so it’s their job – not ours – to find a speaker to lead the body. But because they couldn’t coalesce behind the speaker they (barely) chose before, he was ousted.
For days, newspaper headlines rang out with questions as to why Democrats didn’t “save” former Speaker McCarthy from a fate that he brought on himself by catering to the deepest underbelly of his conference. Somehow Democrats were to blame for the current rudderless situation – even though it’s wholly caused by Republican incompetence.
And now, as the world takes in the brutality of Hamas’s attacks in Israel … Republicans are blaming the Biden administration.
I am seething.
We are less safe today, and less prepared today, because Republicans’ tantrums over the last two years have left us understaffed on the world stage.
Over 300 military promotions continue to be held up by Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who is holding them up because he doesn’t want the Department of Defense to give service members time off if they need to travel to receive abortion care. He’s refusing to lift his hold, even now.
Just stop and think about that for a second. A U.S. Senator is refusing to allow a vote to confirm over 300 military positions – including the 5th Fleet Commander and Deputy Commander; U.S. Central Command Deputy Command and Chief of Policy; U.S. Air Force Central Command Commanding General; and the U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations – while one of our closest allies goes into war.
How is this not front-page news?
He’s making the whole world less safe because he doesn’t want travel reimbursement for women that need healthcare – and his entire party has allowed him to get away with it.
That would be plenty, all on its own, if that was all Republicans had done. But it’s not all.
Diplomatic posts – including the ambassadorships to Israel, Egypt, Oman, Lebanon and Kuwait, have been blocked – primarily by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who’s holding them as leverage until his demands for documents about the origins of COVID are met. Bidens’ pick to lead the State Department’s Counterterrorism program has been waiting for confirmation for two years. The top human rights envoy position is unfilled, as is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which hasn’t had a top Middle East official in nearly three years.
These positions aren’t going unfilled because there’s some problem with the nominees that Biden has put forth – but because Republicans as a party have decided that putting a blanket hold on nominees is an acceptable strategy to get what they want.
Theirs is the reasoning of a child: let me have my way right this second, or I will break all of your toys … and you’ll be sorry.
But again and again, they get away with it – perhaps because holding up diplomatic and military posts hasn’t seemed all that interesting to the beltway media. But also because everyone expects them to break things.
Just as everyone expects Democrats to put things back together.
It’s as if we are constantly playing the role of the parents, swooping in after drunken toddlers have run amok, righting chairs and cleaning paint off the floor. Except it’s much, much more serious.
And now – now when we need a steady, reliable presence in the Middle East, we are less prepared.
I’ve been really heartened to see more people talking about these military and diplomatic holds in the last 24 hours. I hope that the pressure everyone (including you!) can bring to bear will end them.
We’ll be safer, and stronger, for it.
But in the longer term, we need to make sure these messes – these Republican failures – aren’t forgotten when it’s time to vote.
And on that note, friend –
Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of October 10, 2023
Call Your Senators: Demand Confirmations
Honestly, Jessica Craven from Chop Wood Carry Water wrote such an amazing script that I just had to share it. (Find her here – and sign up for her daily emails!). She’s 100% spot-on, and I was thrilled to see her focus on this same issue today!
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to demand that the Senate fill all national security positions immediately. This means Tommy Tuberville has to lift his blockade on military promotions—we have no senior military defense official in Israel because of him. We also have no Israeli Ambassador because of Rand Paul. We don’t have Ambassadors in Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, or Kuwait, either. We have no confirmed top USAID official for the Middle East. No State Department Coordinator to Counterterrorism. All because of Republican obstructionism. We are in a moment of crisis; these blockades are endangering our national security and hindering our ability to help our allies. Any Senator who continues to stop these confirmations in light of what’s happening should be censured and expelled. Thanks.
Call Your Representative: Demand Order
Hi, I’m [name] calling from [zip code]. I’m calling because the House needs to get itself in order. We have allies that desperately need our help, and we look weak and chaotic on the world stage with no Speaker and no way to bring legislation to the floor. What is Representative [name] doing right now to make sure work can get done in the House?
10/11: Join Indivisible’s Truth Brigade BIG TRUTHS: Campaign Launch
Join Indivisible on Wednesday for a virtual training: While trick-or-treaters knock on doors for candy, we’re gearing up to treat our neighbors to some tasty disinformation disruption! This year, we’ve talked about the impact of local lies on our schools, climate and health. Now we can — and must — speak out in our own communities. Join featured speaker Progress Now and Indivisible experts as we launch our first neighborhood disinformation debunking actions, including how to knock on doors for more than just candy. Register here: https://indivisible.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-GoqT0tHd3BZUgxRX8mSv3VPBW9e51G#/registration
10/11: Interested In Leveling Up Your Digital Skills?
On Wednesday, Arena is hosting an info session about their New Arena Academy 201: Digital Skills. This 2.5-day training will teach you about advanced digital campaign topics, including media planning; analytics, data, and testing; and the changing landscape of paid and social media.
It’s meant for experienced campaign staff who currently hold or are looking for digital positions as well as those who would benefit from understanding how to integrate digital into their programs. There is a cost to the traoining ($200) but scholarships are available.
During Wednesday’s info session, they will answer questions about the training and give you tips on how to make your application stand out. Learn more HERE.
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 