I laughed out loud when Gretchen Wittmer said that DonOLDs first word was "chauffeur." And then she followed that up by saying, "Trump has never been in a grocery store. That's the chauffeurs job."
I am relieved the convention went well but ... on common sense.
1. I feel there was an unforced error and lost opportunity. If they were going to have a Jewish American hostage family then they ought to have included a Palestinian American. Together on the stage. Calling together for a ceasefire, release of hostages, and delivery of humanitarian aid. Joining in putting a shared goal first. What a force for good that would have been. An example of what is necessary and what is possible going forward. And of a Harris administration's commitment to justice as fairness. Instead we got, in the introductory video, Harris speaking to AIPAC. And a statement, during the acceptance speech, heavy on US support for Israels's self defense - without the explicit qualifier 'defense in compliance with US and international law.' As an American Jew and Zionist, who opposes Hamas and the Netanyahu regime abuses, it tainted the celebration and made me feel it will be harder going forward to electing Harris.
2. The balloon drop. All that plastic. A lost opportunity - of commitment to environmental concerns and of commitment to innovating green solutions - even if only to problems of showmanship.
I'm sorry you found so much to criticise that even the balloons weren't exempt. I hate balloons and plastic in general, I just loved the occasion. As for her treatment of the Israel/Gaza situation, she is not President yet, and her words were wise.
Justice for Palestinians and Israelis as well as climate science are important issues. And the constituencies - and individual voters - who prioritize these issues are critical to winning. The convention was an opportunity for Democrats to signal fresh thinking and new directions. Their performance was uneven. And it is necessary to advocate for improvements.
Balloons do not make decisions, so they are exempt from criticism. Strategists are not exempt. And certainly not the DNC.
I am volunteering every day. And will be until Nov 5. I have to answer potential voters. And persuade them. So I will sleep when I die and celebrate when we win.
I have much to say regarding the Jewish American family whose beloved son... hopefully is still alive...and the entire situation regarding the October festival and the warring between Israel and Palestine and related entities. I delated my words so as not to change the joy and hope offered by Kamala Harris.
I hear you. My heart is ripped apart concerning the entire situation! I love all people and to see families being slaughtered .....this should go before the United Nations courts!!!
NOTHING!!! should keep us from electing Kamala Harris as our next President of the USA!!!! She is the one!!! She will need our full support!!!!
There was a tap-dance around the problem of Gaza. The balloons are silly but expected. Plastic and other pollution problems, to say nothing of T. rex in the room Climate change must be addressed, but perhaps that was not the day to retire the balloons, just to keep the focus on the new direction. I expect to differ, as I always do, with Democratic administration policies, but no matter what, Democrats must defeat Trump and crew of pseudo-religious fascists. The nation and the ecosphere might not survive if the "GOP" cruel crackpot agenda is enacted.
As I have found useful often in the past, I turned to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, and was rewarded with their video of some of the uncommitted and spokespeople for the Palestinians who I think would have been great to include with the parents of the hostage.
Unfortunately they didn't include anything I could see on what the Jewish Voice for Peace group was doing earlier.
"...The Uncommitted National Movement secured a historic victory when they successfully organized the first-ever panel addressing Palestinian rights at the DNC. Co-chairwoman Layla Elabeld spoke alongside Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, who volunteered to treat Palestinians during the genocide and has spoken out again and again against Israel’s intentional targeting of healthcare workers and infrastructure in Gaza.
These are all critical signs of the growing pressure our movements are building on Harris and the DNC, and a testament to the powers of grassroots organizing and the growing influence of the Palestinian solidarity movement. But it is not enough. We will continue building and pushing for real and concrete policy change: an arms embargo now to save Palestinian lives..."
It takes time and patience to allow passions to cool and rational voices to be heard, I hope they can work harder on raising the effectiveness of the peacemakers on both sides, working together.
"...the most solemn portion of the evening was an address by the parents of an American Israeli hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been held in Gaza since October 7th. Polin’s parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, wore pieces of tape with the number 320, marking the number of days their son has been held hostage. As they spoke, the convention hall was largely silent. In his remarks, Jon Polin also called for an end to the war in Gaza.
JON POLIN: There is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict in the Middle East. In a competition of pain, there are no winners. In our Jewish tradition, we say, ”Kol adam olam um lo’o,” “Every person is an entire universe.” We must save all these universes. In an inflamed Middle East, we know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region: a deal that brings this diverse groups of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza.
AMY GOODMAN: Jon Polin, the father of American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, addressing the Democratic National Convention last night...
...REP. RUWA ROMMAN: Good evening, everybody. My name is Ruwa Romman. I am a Georgia state representative. I am an elected Democrat. I come from the swing state of Georgia.
We are not here to create any divisions. As my colleagues have said over and over and over again, the only reason we are here — the only reason we are here — is to ensure that Donald Trump will never make it to the White House, and save the lives of the people that we love. It’s about the fact that today I watched my party say, “Our tent can fit anti-choice Republicans,” but it can’t fit an elected official like me? I do not understand. I do not understand why being a Palestinian has become disqualifying in this country.
I don’t know how much more we have to prove. All of us have decade-or-more-long résumés working for this party, because we know that this party is the only one that’s ever tried to meet the promise of our country. We are here to literally save the soul of our party. I do not understand why that is a bad thing.
This would have truly and sincerely been a beautiful gesture to show this party cares about the cries of an Israeli child the same way they care about the cries of a Palestinian child. We are not asking for too much. All we wanted was to be on that stage and show people desperate for hope there is something to hope for..."
At our college I worked at until 2012, we had several Syrian and Palestinian students who had understandable complaints about some Israeli abuses but also had some that were like the more numerous Israeli students and friends who are also for a fair peace and two state solution promised back in 1948.
It is harder for the fewer Palestinian peace proponents to get some of the same level of recognition as even the
Foreign policy and relations don't turn on a dime. And if we, the American people are listening...the Biden/Harris administration have condemned Netanyahu in his retaliation against Hamas that has killed so many innocents, have publically pushed and pushed, have slowed weapons delivery, have tried solutions to the famine...has pushed several peace plans and may have almost had one until Netanyahu met with DT. I am just not sure what you expect? Israel, though under Netanyahu has deteriorated through their aggressive settlements, is our ally. She said Palestinians should govern themselves. So I am asking.... Shall we colonialize Israel? Should we overthrow the government? I am asking knowing that I probably am not seeing all sides
You might research the Leahy Laws and Biden's National Security Memorandum 20. Both require the US to pause delivery of offensive weapons to states which are in violation of international humanitarian law or have failed to present credible evidence of compliance. Analysts in both the Department of Defense and State Department have noted evidence of violations and noted the lack of credible evidence of compliance. There has not been even a public or reported threat of any significant pausing of delivery, let alone an actual significant pause. (Maybe some ammunition to a couple of IDF units implicated in abuses on the West Bank.)
You might look at Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Especially for information about Netanyahu and his extremist administration.
Heather Cox Richardson thank you.
So excited that you've been in "the room where it happened" for this Convention Professor ⭐
A compelling acceptance speech. Really nice to see and hear so much energy and "common sense".
I laughed out loud when Gretchen Wittmer said that DonOLDs first word was "chauffeur." And then she followed that up by saying, "Trump has never been in a grocery store. That's the chauffeurs job."
I am relieved the convention went well but ... on common sense.
1. I feel there was an unforced error and lost opportunity. If they were going to have a Jewish American hostage family then they ought to have included a Palestinian American. Together on the stage. Calling together for a ceasefire, release of hostages, and delivery of humanitarian aid. Joining in putting a shared goal first. What a force for good that would have been. An example of what is necessary and what is possible going forward. And of a Harris administration's commitment to justice as fairness. Instead we got, in the introductory video, Harris speaking to AIPAC. And a statement, during the acceptance speech, heavy on US support for Israels's self defense - without the explicit qualifier 'defense in compliance with US and international law.' As an American Jew and Zionist, who opposes Hamas and the Netanyahu regime abuses, it tainted the celebration and made me feel it will be harder going forward to electing Harris.
2. The balloon drop. All that plastic. A lost opportunity - of commitment to environmental concerns and of commitment to innovating green solutions - even if only to problems of showmanship.
I'm sorry you found so much to criticise that even the balloons weren't exempt. I hate balloons and plastic in general, I just loved the occasion. As for her treatment of the Israel/Gaza situation, she is not President yet, and her words were wise.
Justice for Palestinians and Israelis as well as climate science are important issues. And the constituencies - and individual voters - who prioritize these issues are critical to winning. The convention was an opportunity for Democrats to signal fresh thinking and new directions. Their performance was uneven. And it is necessary to advocate for improvements.
Balloons do not make decisions, so they are exempt from criticism. Strategists are not exempt. And certainly not the DNC.
I am volunteering every day. And will be until Nov 5. I have to answer potential voters. And persuade them. So I will sleep when I die and celebrate when we win.
Lin,
I have much to say regarding the Jewish American family whose beloved son... hopefully is still alive...and the entire situation regarding the October festival and the warring between Israel and Palestine and related entities. I delated my words so as not to change the joy and hope offered by Kamala Harris.
I hear you. My heart is ripped apart concerning the entire situation! I love all people and to see families being slaughtered .....this should go before the United Nations courts!!!
NOTHING!!! should keep us from electing Kamala Harris as our next President of the USA!!!! She is the one!!! She will need our full support!!!!
There was a tap-dance around the problem of Gaza. The balloons are silly but expected. Plastic and other pollution problems, to say nothing of T. rex in the room Climate change must be addressed, but perhaps that was not the day to retire the balloons, just to keep the focus on the new direction. I expect to differ, as I always do, with Democratic administration policies, but no matter what, Democrats must defeat Trump and crew of pseudo-religious fascists. The nation and the ecosphere might not survive if the "GOP" cruel crackpot agenda is enacted.
As I have found useful often in the past, I turned to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, and was rewarded with their video of some of the uncommitted and spokespeople for the Palestinians who I think would have been great to include with the parents of the hostage.
Unfortunately they didn't include anything I could see on what the Jewish Voice for Peace group was doing earlier.
See https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2024/08/20/thousands-march-on-the-dnc/
"...The Uncommitted National Movement secured a historic victory when they successfully organized the first-ever panel addressing Palestinian rights at the DNC. Co-chairwoman Layla Elabeld spoke alongside Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, who volunteered to treat Palestinians during the genocide and has spoken out again and again against Israel’s intentional targeting of healthcare workers and infrastructure in Gaza.
These are all critical signs of the growing pressure our movements are building on Harris and the DNC, and a testament to the powers of grassroots organizing and the growing influence of the Palestinian solidarity movement. But it is not enough. We will continue building and pushing for real and concrete policy change: an arms embargo now to save Palestinian lives..."
It takes time and patience to allow passions to cool and rational voices to be heard, I hope they can work harder on raising the effectiveness of the peacemakers on both sides, working together.
For small but important sides of the peace makers, see https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/22/dnc_uncommitted_sit_in_protest
"...the most solemn portion of the evening was an address by the parents of an American Israeli hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been held in Gaza since October 7th. Polin’s parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, wore pieces of tape with the number 320, marking the number of days their son has been held hostage. As they spoke, the convention hall was largely silent. In his remarks, Jon Polin also called for an end to the war in Gaza.
JON POLIN: There is a surplus of agony on all sides of the tragic conflict in the Middle East. In a competition of pain, there are no winners. In our Jewish tradition, we say, ”Kol adam olam um lo’o,” “Every person is an entire universe.” We must save all these universes. In an inflamed Middle East, we know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region: a deal that brings this diverse groups of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza.
AMY GOODMAN: Jon Polin, the father of American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, addressing the Democratic National Convention last night...
...REP. RUWA ROMMAN: Good evening, everybody. My name is Ruwa Romman. I am a Georgia state representative. I am an elected Democrat. I come from the swing state of Georgia.
We are not here to create any divisions. As my colleagues have said over and over and over again, the only reason we are here — the only reason we are here — is to ensure that Donald Trump will never make it to the White House, and save the lives of the people that we love. It’s about the fact that today I watched my party say, “Our tent can fit anti-choice Republicans,” but it can’t fit an elected official like me? I do not understand. I do not understand why being a Palestinian has become disqualifying in this country.
I don’t know how much more we have to prove. All of us have decade-or-more-long résumés working for this party, because we know that this party is the only one that’s ever tried to meet the promise of our country. We are here to literally save the soul of our party. I do not understand why that is a bad thing.
This would have truly and sincerely been a beautiful gesture to show this party cares about the cries of an Israeli child the same way they care about the cries of a Palestinian child. We are not asking for too much. All we wanted was to be on that stage and show people desperate for hope there is something to hope for..."
At our college I worked at until 2012, we had several Syrian and Palestinian students who had understandable complaints about some Israeli abuses but also had some that were like the more numerous Israeli students and friends who are also for a fair peace and two state solution promised back in 1948.
It is harder for the fewer Palestinian peace proponents to get some of the same level of recognition as even the
Foreign policy and relations don't turn on a dime. And if we, the American people are listening...the Biden/Harris administration have condemned Netanyahu in his retaliation against Hamas that has killed so many innocents, have publically pushed and pushed, have slowed weapons delivery, have tried solutions to the famine...has pushed several peace plans and may have almost had one until Netanyahu met with DT. I am just not sure what you expect? Israel, though under Netanyahu has deteriorated through their aggressive settlements, is our ally. She said Palestinians should govern themselves. So I am asking.... Shall we colonialize Israel? Should we overthrow the government? I am asking knowing that I probably am not seeing all sides
You might research the Leahy Laws and Biden's National Security Memorandum 20. Both require the US to pause delivery of offensive weapons to states which are in violation of international humanitarian law or have failed to present credible evidence of compliance. Analysts in both the Department of Defense and State Department have noted evidence of violations and noted the lack of credible evidence of compliance. There has not been even a public or reported threat of any significant pausing of delivery, let alone an actual significant pause. (Maybe some ammunition to a couple of IDF units implicated in abuses on the West Bank.)
You might look at Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Especially for information about Netanyahu and his extremist administration.
https://www.haaretz.com/
Oh my God !
You are the WITNESS TO THE HISTORY !
Heather, you did it again !