You and Heather Cox Richardson are a big help! I am cheered by the amazing community that participates in www.forcemultiplierus.org . We are all volunteer and in 5 years have raised 11 million dollars for federal candidates and voter empowerment orgs. We hold great events on Zoom for now. Our motto is “we do the research so you don’t have to.” We have no budget , no bank account , just amazing committed volunteers .
To pick myself up these days I watch Randy Rainbow videos on YouTube. He does outrageously funny musical videos based on a show tune or popular tune and spins it to make fun of politicians mostly on the right. These are brilliant, little gems.
I watched one of Beto O'Rourke's rallies in a very "red" town in Texas. He converted many voters who were interviewed for the video. One voter who was a teacher was inspired by Beto's remarks about education. In the video he said these words about teachers: "We want to be seen as the profession that creates all others..." Wow. Just wow.
“Somehow, we have to get older people back close to growing children if we are to restore a sense of community, acquire knowledge of the past, and provide a sense of the future." Margaret Mead
Let me be the first to climb on this bandwagon of positivity! The first thing that comes to mind for me is the phone call I got late this afternoon from one of my fellow county Democrats. We exchange stories in these calls about all the crazy stuff that's going on and catch up on our lives. Robert, you reminded me that even though there's lots to be concerned about these simple expressions of caring and reaching out are what's going right. We help each other find the humor and humanity. We lift each other up. We keep going. We remain hopeful.
Later today I will wear my “Free Grandma Hugs” rainbow t-shirt and go to the Pride festival to show support for those whose own families perhaps don’t show them acceptance. I’ll take my little fuzzy dog with me; she loves attention and helps start conversations. ❤️🐶👵🏻🌈
A long-time friend and I who live far apart both subscribe to Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water newsletter. (https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/) When Jessica urged her readers to adopt a swing state, we chose Wisconsin -- the Cheese State -- and are now co-parenting our little Colby Jack with donations, phone banking and registering WI voters via post card. It's great fun to adopt with a friend. We're trying to figure out how to organize a virtual Cheese Lovers for Wisconsin fund-raiser. Suggestions welcome!
One of the proudest moments of my life was (besides giving birth to a lovely baby girl) was being one of four in San Diego Indivisible to protest Donnie’s Muslim Ban. After working endlessly to elect Barack Obama , I was beyond horrified.Being an active member of Indivisibles peaceful protests and marches involved me with like minded wonderful people and similarly made me feel as though I had a voice. The time is now to rise up in our communities to raise awareness once again. Perhaps the stakes for many of us have never been so high Organizing a protest march is not as hard as it might seem, is invigorating, and raises awareness. Let’s all take our part now to protest the insanity and potential violence around us.
It is you, Heather Cox Richardson, writing postcards and participating in the Tri-State Maxed-Out Womens PAC that keep me politically positive leading up to the midterm elections.
Oh my. Wonderful Democratic positive ad put out with Morning Joes' voice on Bidens 'achievements. It is positively a video that should be spread all over the media. I saw it on Democratic Undrrground.
Thanks for the opportunity to post, Robert. That is kind.
My partner Jason Michelle Patterson and I are developing a documentary 'I Have Reason' to investigate and ask solutions for youth in their homes surrounded by psychological violence. This is an evolving project, we both are in education, and wish to explore how to help vulnerable people when our system(s) don't allow them voice. The development page is here. I have taken off the password. https://www.kalafilmbooktv.com/projects-8 I think there is great value in understanding how this affects young people, so that mental health is held.
One of my fave “messengers”, Leigh McGowan, Politics Girl. Her podcast this week is stunning. The Psychology of America with her guest, Nick Carmody. She also does short, effective, to the point rants from her kitchen. Enjoy the podcast.
We have a vibrant Democratic Party community in Dakota County, Minnesota. DFL52.org. Of course our ultimate goal is to elect Democrats, but we also strive to build a democratic community. That includes service and education to all who wish to join. It is a group of peace and hope—and action.
No matter what I think of the right wing in general taken individually I find traits that are admirable. Generosity and loyalty run strong in my neighbors.
Robert, it is your newsletter that brings me the greatest hope…
Im not sure how I would have managed, especially between the last election and the inauguration!
I have recommended your substack to several people, most of whom have subscribed and read daily.
Thank you! (and your managing editor)
I help overseas American voters register to vote and/or request their absentee ballot using votefromabroad.org.
You and Heather Cox Richardson are a big help! I am cheered by the amazing community that participates in www.forcemultiplierus.org . We are all volunteer and in 5 years have raised 11 million dollars for federal candidates and voter empowerment orgs. We hold great events on Zoom for now. Our motto is “we do the research so you don’t have to.” We have no budget , no bank account , just amazing committed volunteers .
To pick myself up these days I watch Randy Rainbow videos on YouTube. He does outrageously funny musical videos based on a show tune or popular tune and spins it to make fun of politicians mostly on the right. These are brilliant, little gems.
I watched one of Beto O'Rourke's rallies in a very "red" town in Texas. He converted many voters who were interviewed for the video. One voter who was a teacher was inspired by Beto's remarks about education. In the video he said these words about teachers: "We want to be seen as the profession that creates all others..." Wow. Just wow.
“Somehow, we have to get older people back close to growing children if we are to restore a sense of community, acquire knowledge of the past, and provide a sense of the future." Margaret Mead
Let me be the first to climb on this bandwagon of positivity! The first thing that comes to mind for me is the phone call I got late this afternoon from one of my fellow county Democrats. We exchange stories in these calls about all the crazy stuff that's going on and catch up on our lives. Robert, you reminded me that even though there's lots to be concerned about these simple expressions of caring and reaching out are what's going right. We help each other find the humor and humanity. We lift each other up. We keep going. We remain hopeful.
Later today I will wear my “Free Grandma Hugs” rainbow t-shirt and go to the Pride festival to show support for those whose own families perhaps don’t show them acceptance. I’ll take my little fuzzy dog with me; she loves attention and helps start conversations. ❤️🐶👵🏻🌈
A long-time friend and I who live far apart both subscribe to Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water newsletter. (https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/) When Jessica urged her readers to adopt a swing state, we chose Wisconsin -- the Cheese State -- and are now co-parenting our little Colby Jack with donations, phone banking and registering WI voters via post card. It's great fun to adopt with a friend. We're trying to figure out how to organize a virtual Cheese Lovers for Wisconsin fund-raiser. Suggestions welcome!
One of the proudest moments of my life was (besides giving birth to a lovely baby girl) was being one of four in San Diego Indivisible to protest Donnie’s Muslim Ban. After working endlessly to elect Barack Obama , I was beyond horrified.Being an active member of Indivisibles peaceful protests and marches involved me with like minded wonderful people and similarly made me feel as though I had a voice. The time is now to rise up in our communities to raise awareness once again. Perhaps the stakes for many of us have never been so high Organizing a protest march is not as hard as it might seem, is invigorating, and raises awareness. Let’s all take our part now to protest the insanity and potential violence around us.
It is you, Heather Cox Richardson, writing postcards and participating in the Tri-State Maxed-Out Womens PAC that keep me politically positive leading up to the midterm elections.
Oh my. Wonderful Democratic positive ad put out with Morning Joes' voice on Bidens 'achievements. It is positively a video that should be spread all over the media. I saw it on Democratic Undrrground.
Thank you Robert for this wonderful newsletter..
It's just the Best! Emily Warntz
Thanks for the opportunity to post, Robert. That is kind.
My partner Jason Michelle Patterson and I are developing a documentary 'I Have Reason' to investigate and ask solutions for youth in their homes surrounded by psychological violence. This is an evolving project, we both are in education, and wish to explore how to help vulnerable people when our system(s) don't allow them voice. The development page is here. I have taken off the password. https://www.kalafilmbooktv.com/projects-8 I think there is great value in understanding how this affects young people, so that mental health is held.
One of my fave “messengers”, Leigh McGowan, Politics Girl. Her podcast this week is stunning. The Psychology of America with her guest, Nick Carmody. She also does short, effective, to the point rants from her kitchen. Enjoy the podcast.
https://youtu.be/qJs7xlXrBV0
🗽
We have a vibrant Democratic Party community in Dakota County, Minnesota. DFL52.org. Of course our ultimate goal is to elect Democrats, but we also strive to build a democratic community. That includes service and education to all who wish to join. It is a group of peace and hope—and action.
No matter what I think of the right wing in general taken individually I find traits that are admirable. Generosity and loyalty run strong in my neighbors.