A long-running debate about the Silverpit Crater beneath the North Sea has finally been resolved. Scientists now confirm it formed when a roughly 160-meter asteroid struck the seabed about 43–46 million years ago. New seismic imaging and rare shocked minerals in rock samples provided the crucial proof. The impact would have sent a massive plume skyward and unleashed a tsunami over 100 meters (330 feet) high.
One thing I love about science is that occasionally it can really prove things.
Typically I don’t do a newsletter on Wednesdays, but I did want to alert you to two great events happening soon! One is with my friend Melissa from the States Project; the other is a super fun event on Saturday that I will be attending in person in Los Angeles, but that you can attend in person or online! Jane Fonda will be there, as will Anat Shenker-Osorio, the messaging guru!
Here’s all the info!
The States Project’s State Preview Virtual Event Series
Wednesday, March 11, 8pm ET / 5pm PT The State Project, an org focused on winning governing power in state legislatures, is hosting a series of Zoom briefings on their 2026 target states! Remember that it is often cheaper to change the balance of power in an entire state chamber than it is to flip a single competitive congressional seat — and state legislatures draw congressional maps! The Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses Giving Circle is currently focused on Minnesota (where an 8-vote win landed us a tie in the MN State House in 2024!).
Join these gatherings along with other States Project Giving Circle leaders and members to learn about the power of state legislatures and each of TSP’s target states — the stakes, goals, and the opportunities for November 2026. The first one, tonight, will cover Arizona and Minnesota!
Sasheer Zamata and friends present BRAVE OF US! Featuring Jane Fonda, Zainab Johnson, Aparna Nancherla, Jenny Yang, and other special guests.
COME ROAST THE REGIME—EVERYONE HAS THEIR ROLE TO PLAY!
Join Brave of Us for a night of laughs, hosted by Sasheer Zamata, and leave knowing your contribution helps power organizations championing immigrant rights.
Brave of US is a coalition of organizations and advocates around the country – people of all races, genders, and origins who value our freedoms and pitch in to help our neighbors. We reject this authoritarian regime’s efforts to spread fear based on what we look like or where we come from. We know that immigrants are integral to our communities, our culture, and our country. We’re joining together to truly make America the land of the free, where all of our families are safe, whole, and thriving – no exceptions.
How to Ridicule a Ruler is a comedy fundraiser supporting Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo (CIELO), Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), and National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).
If you’re an organizer, movement builder, or grassroots activist, we’d love to have you with us. Use code ACTIVIST to unlock a $35 ticket.
On Monday, I picked out what I wanted for the Prairie Moon order. This is meant to be the last catalog order of the spring. These are all native species. American Plum appeals to fruit-eating birds. Figworts attract hummingbirds and insects. Purple Love Grass brings small seed-eating birds. Ironweed and Lead Plant are large nitrogen fixers suited for tallgrass prairie.
On Monday, I picked out what I wanted for the Select Seeds order. Of these, penstemon, yarrow, and coreopsis are cultivars of native wildflowers that attract various pollinators. Penstemon has tubular flowers that bring hummingbirds and bees, while yarrow and coreopsis have flatter flowers that bring bees and butterflies.
Life is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.
What are some of the hard things you've done recently? What are some hard things you haven't gotten to yet, but need to do? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your hard things a little easier?
You can find a list of shows by date or you can browse by category. Shows are running both in person in Los Angeles and as live streaming events that are also available to view up to two weeks afterwards. I tuned in a while back for their fundraising show, a chaotic live runthrough of the Ocean's 11 script called Gender Heist, and it was a heck of a good time.
I got invited to my dad's book group meeting tonight in the capacity of caterer. I brought the cake and I helped the host's wife in the kitchen, where she and I ate while the book group sat around the larger table in the dining room. There's no hard feelings - they're friends that wanted to see each other, and I liked catching up with her. We talked about daytime talk shows, MASH and its laugh track, women by themselves, bad books recently read, and a little bit of poetry. She said that the skin on my chest - the dress I wore was modestly low cut and still well below my neck - was an amazing white, pale, smooth, like something in an old poem about describing beautiful women.
She also suggested I'd be good as a special education teacher, and when I said I didn't have the patience for more than one kid, she said I could do one-on-one. I know how hard that work is, and found it deeply touching she thinks so highly of me. It's not something I think I'll actively pursue, and it's still quite touching.
Everyone loved the cake I brought. Two people asked for slices to take home and share, one person asked for a second slice to eat right there, and two more asked for slices for their breakfasts. I was told it was sublime and that I outdid myself; I replied that next time I'd simply have to do myself, which got a chuckle. One of the other members drove there instead of walking or using public transit, so my dad and I got a lift back to our place. A gentle end to a nice night.
Current Mood:calm
Current Music:I've Been to a Marvelous Party - The Divine Comedy
Don’t miss this astounding 40-second video. It shows the DART spacecraft’s strike of the asteroid moon Dimorphos, in the year 2022, from the vantagepoint of a camera on the spacecraft. It was a test of our capabilities in planetary defense from asteroids that might strike us. Afterwards, we knew the strike had slightly changed the orbit of Dimorphos. Now a new study shows how the DART spacecraft also affected the orbit of the primary asteroid in this system.
My friend Pat Wrede (Patricia C. Wrede) writes to me:
"This is just to let you know that a Facebook "fan page" for me has been hacked; we're working on getting it fixed, but it is going to take time because I didn't set the thing up myself. In the meantime, I'm told that scammers do this to try to get followers' emails and use them to request money. I get money from fans buying my books, not from asking for handouts. Please pass the word around.
I am not sure whether they can only get at people who "Follow" the Facebook page, or whether they can follow links to other writers, but I figured I should warn people."
*
That goes for me as well; the only thing I'd ever want from my fans is to buy my books. Or at least read my books. I don't want your passwords, either...
As far as I know, the scammer/s who has/have been impersonating me on X is/are still around. I am not on X, never will be, don't vet manuscripts, etc. etc. My internet interfaces are this Goodreads blog, and its mirror site on Facebook run by a volunteer fan (bless her) where I can't answer anything (or, given FB's blockage screens, read much) though it does serve me as a signal boost.
Visibility Brigade chapters got busy calling out Trump’s illegal war across the country this weekend. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
Hope you’re hanging in there, considering all of the insanity swirling around us.
I wanted to share some information I’ve received regarding the travel delays and other issues we’re starting to see because DHS funding is still blocked.
According to House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, Republican leadership is currently blocking her bill to fully fund TSA and several other agencies under DHS. If Speaker Johnson allowed her bill to receive a vote, we could resolve the staffing issues at airports immediately. Instead, they are choosing to hold TSA officers and Americans’ travel hostage in order to force Democrats to sign off on even more money for ICE and CBP without the guardrails against abuse a vast majority of Americans want to see.
Republican Leadership and President Trump, therefore, are responsible for the chaos unfolding at America’s airports. We should be sure to tell folks this at every possible opportunity.
The agencies that would have funding under DeLauro’s bill are the following:
1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including the Disaster Relief Fund
2. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
3. U.S. Coast Guard
4. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
5. U.S. Secret Service
6. Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)
7. Science & Technology Directorate (S&T)
8. Office of Inspector General (OIG)
9. Federal Protective Service
A lot of important ones—all under the aegis of DHS! ICE and CBP are excluded, of course, as Democrats are demanding major reforms to them before they’ll agree to funding them. These reforms include:
• No deportation or detention of U.S. Citizens
• Prohibit operations at sensitive locations like schools, houses of worship and polling places
• Require agents to get a warrant from a judge before kicking in someone’s door
• No masks
• Clear identifying information on uniforms
• End racial profiling
• Establish use of force policy in law
• Allow independent investigations into misconduct
• Mandate use of body-worn cameras
These are uncontroversial and widely supported reforms. Democrats are saying they won’t budge on them, and they shouldn’t.
To complicate matters further, and as I discussed on my Live yesterday, President Trump announced he won’t sign any legislation into law unless the SAVE America Act is passed. It has virtually no chance of doing so, so he’s tilting at windmills, all while ICE continues to terrorize our communities and federal workers go unpaid.
Oh, and we’re still at war.
Things are a mess. But we expected no less. Our job is to try to help fix it, so no more talk—let’s go do that!
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I understand that Rep. DeLauro has introduced a bill to fund all agencies under DHS except for ICE and CBP right now. We need the Senate to pass something like it right away. There is no reason for the travel delays we’re seeing, and there’s no reason for federal employees at these agencies to have to work without pay. Pass this bill at once, please, and then pass a separate bill that makes the reforms to ICE that Democrats are demanding. We support them.
Also, this war needs to end. Americans don’t support it, we’re angry that it costs so much, and we are furious that so many people have died—including the 168 school girls that our bombs seem to have killed. Pass a war powers resolution, now! Hegseth and Trump are leading us into disaster.
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to support Rep. DeLauro’s H.R.7481 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill would fund all agencies under DHS except for ICE and CBP. We need it. There is no reason for the travel delays we’re seeing, and there’s no reason for federal employees at these agencies to have to work without pay. Pass this bill at once, please, and then pass a separate bill that makes the reforms to ICE that Democrats are demanding. Americans support them by wide margins.
Also, this war needs to end. Americans don’t support it, we’re angry that it costs so much, and we are furious that so many people have died—including the 168 school girls that our bombs seem to have killed. Pass a war powers resolution, now! Hegseth and Trump are leading us into disaster.
Extra Credit ✅
Lots of you have been asking for another action on the DOJ’s new and dastardly proposed rules change; fortunately reader Louise W. sent one in! Thanks for that!
Please post a comment objecting to Bondi’s proposed rule that DOJ lawyers representing the government (i.e., violating legal standards to shield Donald Trump) can’t be held legally responsible. Here is the DOJ site where you can see the rule proposal (document/DOJ-OAG-2026-0001-0001). Or watch this video for more background.
This is an easy action. Write your own objection or edit the language below to suit your beliefs…or, if you must, just copy and paste it.
I am a concerned citizen who cares deeply about preserving the rule of law and upholding the integrity of our democratic principles, I strongly oppose this new rule, because it will diminish accountability for misconduct by government lawyers. I believe that all lawyers — but most especially — lawyers representing the United States should be held to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. They must be subject to oversight by independent authorities like state bar associations; the Justice Department cannot be trusted to police itself. This proposed rule would allow the Attorney General to interfere with independent state bar investigations. That will greatly harm the integrity of our justice system and allow misconduct to go unnoticed and unpunished.
I just submitted mine, although my language was quite a bit more salty than the above. (:
Extra Extra Credit ✅✅
One of my subscribers is asking for our help in Key West, FL. She is circulating a petition in an effort to get a sadistic and lawless ICE officer fired. His name is Bruno Cabral, and he has been terrorizing the people of Key West.
She’s asking all of us to sign, regardless of where we live. Please do.
Get Smart! 📚
Commit to Democracy is hosting Elizabeth Chur, a veteran canvasser, phone banker, and the author of the AMAZING book The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers, for two workshops.
I know Elizabeth and I can tell you these workshops will be incredible. Please attend if you can! You won’t regret it!
If you’re a phonebanker or a canvasser—or if you ever hope to be—you must take a course from Elizabeth. It’s game-changing. Sign up at the links above.
Give 💰!
YOU GUYS! Very exciting! A subscriber has offered a 5K matching grant for Movement Voter Fund!
If you don’t know MVP they are one of my top picks for political donations. They’re an incredible, highly respected org that finds and supports the best and most effective grassroots groups across the country so they can help register and turn out voters. They are FANTASTIC!
And and AND! You must watch their new short video about Minnesota and how organizing there saved them when ICE attacked! It’s incredible. If you’re not crying by the end you’re a stronger soul than me.
Watch, and then give any amount you can. There is almost no place else your money will do as much good.
Get in the Streets! 🪧
I highly recommend attending Indivisible’s “What’s the Plan?” with co-founders Leah and Ezra on Thursday to hear about preparations for No Kings. They’ll also talk about the war in Iran, Epstein, the ongoing DHS funding fight, and more. It’s always super energizing.
In a statewide referendum to be held on April 21, Virginians will decide on a temporary redistricting bill that, if passed, will lead to an increase in the number of Democrats in Congress. This election is crucial to flipping the House in November. Early voting began on March 6 and runs through April 18. Can you help?
Write postcards with Activate America at Postcards — Activate America. They are writing to Democratic voters who are very likely to support this effort IF they know about it and we make it easy for them to know what to do. Mail ASAP but by April 8 at the latest.
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
On Thursday, March 5, Politico reported that Congressional leaders are “debating whether to attach wildfire aid and $15 billion in tariff relief for farmers” to a $50 billion supplemental funding measure for President Trump’s illegal and immoral war with Iran. The inclusion of long overdue wildfire aid, and court-ordered tariff relief in an effort to attract Democratic support is insulting and wrong.
For $50 billion Congress could make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans; You could deliver all $39 billion in California wildfire aid, and then some; you could make life better, more affordable, and safer for Americans. Instead our lives are being used as a bargaining chip so Donald Trump can wage a war of choice that nobody asked for, which has already killed more than 1,000 people — including 8 American soldiers — and which is destabilizing the global economy and driving up prices for gas, groceries, and all kinds of daily necessities here at home.
As your constituent I demand you oppose all supplemental funding for the illegal Iran war, and focus on funding our communities here at home instead.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Chop Wood, Carry Water is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Today is partly sunny, breezy, and quite warm. It's 76℉ already.
I fed the birds. I've seen a small mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
The first hostas have sprouted, and more bluebells are putting up leaves. More things are sprouting in the water jugs too. The first daffodils are blooming under the maple tree.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I put out my indoor flat of fruit tree sprouts to get some sun and air.
I took pictures around the yard.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- It's 79℉ now. Earlier was overly warm; now it's just plain hot even with a brisk breeze. We had to turn on the air conditioning. In early March. Fuck climate change. >_<
We hauled the two bags of topsoil from the car to the old picnic table bench. We put the solid-top pallet in the garden shed.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I trimmed the woody stems from the wildflower garden. Lots of miniature irises are blooming there. :D
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I started trimming woody stems from the septic garden.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I brought in the fruit tree sprouts. I've seen a fox squirrel bounding across the ground.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I finished trimming woody stems from the septic garden.
Today is partly sunny, breezy, and quite warm. It's 76℉ already.
I fed the birds. I've seen a small mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
The first hostas have sprouted, and more bluebells are putting up leaves. More things are sprouting in the water jugs too. The first daffodils are blooming under the maple tree.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I put out my indoor flat of fruit tree sprouts to get some sun and air.
I took pictures around the yard.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- It's 79℉ now. Earlier was overly warm; now it's just plain hot even with a brisk breeze. We had to turn on the air conditioning. In early March. Fuck climate change. >_<
We hauled the two bags of topsoil from the car to the old picnic table bench. We put the solid-top pallet in the garden shed.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I trimmed the woody stems from the wildflower garden. Lots of miniature irises are blooming there. :D
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I started trimming woody stems from the septic garden.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I brought in the fruit tree sprouts. I've seen a fox squirrel bounding across the ground.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 3/10/26 -- I finished trimming woody stems from the septic garden.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
