Some Fucking Resources
How to stay informed, stay engaged, stay sane, and stay hopeful and happy...
It seems overwhelming, but staying engaged is what we’re supposed to do even when the president’s name doesn’t rhyme with ‘rump.’ A moderate level of engagement and activism helps prevent future rumps. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, tut tut, and all that rot.
Keeping calm and carrying on is the best advice I can give. Americans, and humanity, have endured and triumphed through much worse than what we are living through, and with less angst and gnashing of hair or whatever. That’s not to shame people freaking out, it’s to help by reminding that we can face chaos and oppression with calm and resolve. “Steady,” as the redoubtable Dan Rather says.
Anyway, a great way to ease your mind and, um, steady your nerves is to focus. Not knowing where to focus can be frazzling. So, if you’re so inclined, please take a look at what I’m aggregating here and see if any of them might be of help. You’ve got this.
SPEAK UP
Tell your congressional representatives what you think. Politely, please, and tell ‘em TFN sent you! Congress has this link for you to find who represents you and get their contact info
Here’s an outdated Substack post with some still-up-to-date useful info about lobbying elected representatives to start representing
ELECTIONS
You can check out — and help update! — TFN’s tracking page for upcoming elections here.
TAKE ACTION
July 16: No Kings activist training, first session
July 17: Good Trouble Lives On protests
Sept. 21: Find or get involved with Sun Day events to fight climate change.
Pre-Christmas: Help Christmas-based businesses weather the War on Christmas at SaveChristmas.net.
Not soon enough: Impeach Trump Again
The unknown future: Find upcoming events near you here.
Boycotts: Tesla, Target, El Salvador.
CONNECT / ENGAGE
State-level politics: Sister District Project
Even more-local than state-level: How to pursue change at home with your local officials
SECULAR VALUES
MILITARY
POLITICAL PARTIES
Democrats not doin’ it for you? Even though James Carville is begging you for just $5 to meet their made-up funding deadline? Some alternatives…
LAUGH AT SHIT
Jim Earl channels your rage
Jim Earl writes fake obituaries for real people.
Jim Earl and Martha Previte do expertly stupid Melania Trump stuff and other brilliant stuff.
MEDIA
Of course, I hope all you Newsfuckers will focus your energies and support on activism on building the TFN community and helping TFN grow. You can check out ways to support TFN here. But I also recognize that on occasion we may want to read non-newsfuckery. Or family friendly news-foreplay, at least.
Almost forgot the writer I’m arguably closest to, who writes about the National Prayer Breakfast and other stuff over at the Jonathan Larsen Substack.
REVOLVING DOOR PROJECT
The Revolving Door Project has a number of ways you can help and/or get help/info:
Tip line (assuming you didn’t send TFN your tip first!)
KEEPING TFN GOING
TFN is free for everyone because enough of you Newsfuckers step up to make that possible by supporting TFN financially. Thank you.
The only way to upgrade is not via the Substack app, but using your browser:
Bottom Line
However you’re supporting TFN, please know that you’re making it possible for me to do what I’ve always tried to do in my career — at MSNBC, CNN, ABC, and elsewhere — which is to pursue journalism that makes the world better. Except for people making the world worse.
At a time when America’s media, including places I’ve worked, are struggling, TFN is growing. You did that. And you’re making it possible for me to make a living doing this for you. Thank you.
Thank you for introducing me to Jim Earl. TFN keeps on providing gifts that keep me (relatively) sane 💜
Love this! Let's all get busy!