I am feeling proud of my country again! There is so much work ahead of us, but we can do this, grabbing the flag back from the Republicans— and especially, the MAGA crowd. Thank you, Heather, for helping assist in bringing pride of our country back to being fashionable for all of us!
I am feeling proud of my country again! There is so much work ahead of us, but we can do this, grabbing the flag back from the Republicans— and especially, the MAGA crowd. Thank you, Heather, for helping assist in bringing pride of our country back to being fashionable for all of us!
I remember the poster that proclaimed "A Family Is a Circle of Friends Who Love You," helping us understand without saying it in so many words that community, as expressed over and over during the Convention, supports us and protects us whether or not we are biologically related.
Like Kamala Harris’s mom, I had to have a circle of friends to help me raise my child. My family lived four states away, thankfully not on the other side of the world. But they were not close enough, physically, to be able to help me with the kids. My husband had a high level job and was often traveling for work. We all need and want to be part of a community because no one can handle life right by themselves.
Who said, "It takes a village"? Hilary Clinton. I am not a pediatrician or psychologist, but it is nearly impossible to raise children with only two parents. Kids require far more attention and guidance that only a close community/village can provide.
Edith, yes, it is an African proverb, and isn't it great that Hillary learned it and brought it to us so we can have language for what we/our parents have known forever, it takes a village. . . .
A close, caring community is not essential only for the kids, but also for the parents who otherwise have the sole responsibility for raising and loving those kids.
Essential for the father and the mother. Betsy, I am a second wave Boomer (1948) & grew up on street full of WWII working mothers & fathers when the need for homes & schools & teachers for the kids was 'booming'.
Bonus: There were so many kids we had our own subculture, our own games & into music, "it's got a beat you can dance to it". 1960's politics & music look out!
The nuclear family is actually an anomaly. In all social mammal species the young are raised by the whole group. That we humans have strayed from how we evolved speaks to how culture and biology have diverged. It's really too much to ask one or two people to be all that kids need to develop.
wow, Keith--above I just commented about visiting the Rockwell Museum--those four paintings are on display there! It almost feels sacred to stand and view them while their excellent docents tell the history behind the paintings.
Keith Wheelock -- Could you be more specific about Betsy Rockwell's Four Freedoms cover? Perhaps a link, or a "copy and paste" image? Mrs. Google isn't helpful. Norman Rockwell had one.
Judith I no longer have my Norman Rockwell photo cover book. The Four Freedoms I believe was after FDR met Churchill in the summer of 1941. You can identify the Four Freedoms on Google. I may be imagining it, but I have an image of a Rockwell poster. Of course I was only 9 and this was 83 years ago.
Keith, this one brought me to tears. What childhoods we had! And the unity (even of a Pennsylvania child and a Virginia child) is what I think both of us are feeling post the “long division” set off by Nixon’s Southern Strategy as neither Eisenhower no Kennedy set out to divide US.
Ah, the power of a comma (and of a Kamala)! If Keith had written "Betsy, also Rockwell..." it would have been clear that he was addressing me, and that I, Betsy Smith, never designed a cover for the Saturday Evening Post. Here's a link to the covers: https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2018/01/rockwells-four-freedoms-2/
Betsy Kudos for demonstrating that my memory, at age 9, was spot on. Of course at 90 I can’t remember what I did yesterday. What a difference a ‘0’ makes.
Betsy, I was moved by the many positive comments at the Convention about community and how important the concept is. I liked Hillary Clinton reminding me that it takes a village to raise our kids, but I also know it takes a village to bring about the positives of life: peace, caring, working hospitals, terrific public schools, the diversity of religious faiths and non-believers, and so much more. We needed the messages of this convention because so many of us were losing heart that we could rescue our nation from the grasping fingers of greed, resentment, fearmongering, perpetual anger, and hatred of those not like oneself. Those are such destructive emotions when on a forever loop with no relief, and that loop was being forced down our throats by a media so enamored with Donald Trump they couldn't break free from the spell themselves. I hope the Convention did a lot to break us out of the imposed bubble of despair, frustration, and being told Trump is "normal" and worthy of any kind of power. I am excited for Harris and Walz as two people with many supporters including Joe Biden, who believe we can do better if we do it together.
The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA had a Rockwell exhibit a few years back that featured the Civil Rights images as well as ALL his cover pieces. A powerful exhibit. I wonder where they all are now. Hummm
I love that museum. A buddy of mine in Sacramento was an architect and did several renovations in Old Sacramento and the old homes around downtown Sacramento. What a beautiful area.
Yes, that's what I thought! In the 60s I'd moved to Europe, so I've never seen them (simply because you couldn't get the SEP). I knew Americans in Paris who were SNCC activists.
There is a Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I interviewed him a few years before he died, and he told me that mostly he painted his neighbors, but Stockbridge is mostly white, and he made an effort to broaden his cast. I'm not sure what's available at the museum, but it's still open.
When you take a tour, the docent will point out and identify neighbors and family in his paintings, which was pretty cool, as several people were used a few times, so you'd recognize them as they were pointed out.
Thank you, Keith My father subscribed and I remember the cartoon, though cannot remember an article. I was reading Southern novels from age 10. High school library was stocked with them. Norman Rockwell’s paintings were “foreign” to me as the “wrong child” (father and aunt were math geniuses; after Alegebra I, math was all worse than Greek to me).
Virginia Saturday Evening Post. Norman Rockwell did many covers for them. So did Stephen Dohanos, who, under WPA, painted art work in the Puerto Rican post office, which I viewed some years ago.
I wonder if I would be permitted to say this. But there is reasonable chance that Trump will die before me and given that he does and I am able, I intend to drop some form of body waste on the stone that represents his godforsaken body. Even if I need to toss it from a distance. Even if I’m arrested for tossing crap at an “ex-president.” I’ll hire a team to video me so I can put it on my YouTube channel.
If ever you have a chance, go to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts. OMG--every Rockwell SEP cover is on display, and the original paintings of so many of his famous paintings. I'm kind of a historical nerd--things that really move me are stuff like seeing John Lennon's round glasses at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, or Elton John's diamond epaulets at a traveling Diamond exhibit which I caught at the Field Museum years ago, so in that light, being able to lean forward and see the actual brushstrokes of his paintings--I found that very thrilling!
It’s a new forward looking day where we can solve problems in a straight forward matter of fact manner…. It’s a time where our dreams for a fairer, smarter, more creative and resilient future can become reality.
First, we make certain that we protect our planet…its magnificent natural life sustaining systems make everything else possible. The United States, once the worst polluter, must keep increasing its emphasis on making a rapid transition away from the burning of fossil fuels that have done so much damage over the past century. By setting a good example other countries will do more as well.
As we begin to succeed in stabilizing and then lowering the average temperature of the atmosphere by using much larger scale wind, solar, fusion and other non polluting energy sources we can continue to improve quality of life for everyone. Parks and ever more community gardens can bloom in every neighborhood, wildlife can thrive instead being roadkill and people can live longer healthier lives. When people feel hope for an increasingly better, fairer mor responsive future for all, conflicts will lessen.
President Harris and Vice President Walz will have a great opportunity to build on the many excellent policies of the Biden administration and keep leading.us further forward in the tradition of FDR. We can do this….
I am more proud of my Country these past few years than ever. It's easy to be proud when the skies are sunny. Not giving up, staying proud and working for change when the skies are darkest is the true test of a Country. We prevailed.
I am very proud of my Country under Joe Biden. To raise the United States up out of a four-year nightmare and move us forward at the same time is a huge historic feat. Joe Biden earned the respect of Americans and our allies abroad through his sending vaccines overseas during the pandemic, rebuilding NATO, fortifying the Pacific against the Chinese and engineering the best post covid economic recovery in the world. He stood down the Chinese and the Russians.
At home Joe Biden's Administration vaccinated 200 million Americans in just under 90 days. We were literally hiding in our homes until then. Please take a look at the historic legislation he has passed. Remember we have the best economy in 50 years.
We are proud under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Never let anyone take your pride away.
We had to wait until March for the vaccinations due to low priority for out of state seniors (74 and 70) moving out of the home we sold in California and helping with grandchildren care in Washington as child care at any price was unavailable. Vaccines helped communities share child care duties and let us get on the road to Maine.
Though a relative was the first person in Maine to die from Covid (a year earlier in March 2019), we found some of the highest percentages vaccinated and masking up (in our county in Maine) so were able to stay Covid free until 4 days after the Pandemic was declared over. Fortunately with all the vaccines and boosters available, the symptoms were mild enough that we wouldn’t have known it was Covid without the positive test results we got after a High School graduation ceremony.
Bringing back pride? Because DJT was such an embarrassment, combined with the legions of supporters he had , it caused one to feel ashamed that we had a political leader who lacked any redeeming qualities and appealed to the fear and hatred of his followers.
I told my husband on Day 4, that it was the first time in a pretty long time that I actually felt proud of my country again. Thanks, Joe. And thanks, Kamala and Tim, for being such good role models!
I understand your feelings concerning the notion that republicans have grabbed the flag for their own standard. No doubt, there has been much by the republicans who believe that the flag somehow belongs to them. That is exactly the kind of nationalist thinking no nation needs from its people. I would respectfully suggest to you that although the republicans have been vulgar in their inclination to think that the flag is theirs, you and I both know that flag ownership is the mark of nationalism that so easily matriculates into fascism. The flag belongs to everyone; even those with whom we virulently disagree. As difficult as it may be, we nevertheless need to keep reaching out to those whom we can convince of the true and faithful priorities that the left of center understands the promise of our programs. Hopefully, those folks who we are able to reach successfully, can try and reach those harder in understanding. No doubt, there will always be neanderthals who will insist on dragging their knuckles into oblivious ignorance; however, as Rick Blaine in Casablanca once said of the Nazis, maybe one day they will be a "minor inconvenience."
Thanks Hoyt for pointing the lyrics of "Happy Days". It brings back so many wonderful memories of my mom at the piano and the family singing even though we offended all the cats in the neighborhood.
Heather gives a wonderful summary of the DNC Convention. Based on what she says, a first order of business for a next administration that truly units the citizens of this country would be to rescind Citizens United!
David, you are so right on this one. Citizens United was/is a big lie the Supreme Court and everyone who supported it has perpetrated on the American people, claiming money is speech and that corporations are persons. Both are huge lies and need to be corrected, even if it is a piece at a time!
HERE, HERE !!! 'That' specifically has been my number one priority ever since I read that decision ! When I look down ballot at senators, reps, local and national, I have to hear or read their priority (or not). I have to tell you that it's been very rough keeping that issue at number one these past years, but it must be. jmho friends ~
Great idea. How would you propose to do that? Get the Supreme Court to change their minds? Get a new law passed on a congress that is likely to be led (at least in the senate) by republican sycophants for Donald Trump?
I am very seriously asking not for a "great idea" (which I totally agree with, citizens united is one of the worst Supreme court decision s of the past 100 years) but for an actual way to accomplish this.
Politics is the art of the possible and before you can just say "change this" you'd better have a pretty good idea of its possible and how to achieve it. Otherwise you are just spouting off as my mom used to say "to hear yourself talk".
I apologize I'm not trying to "suck up the oxygen" here, I am just trying to engage in an actual practical discussion about what I think is a serious critical issue. I hope that makes sense.
Jon, There are two means for rescinding Citizens United, both requiring a federal trifecta this November.
The first is through the legislative process, which would entail 50 Democratic Senators (the VP casting the tie-breaking vote) to enact filibuster reform allowing the bill to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote. Of course, once the President signed the bill, it would be challenged and ultimately would work its way to the Supreme Court, where, inevitably, it would be overturned.
Accordingly, the only sure way to rescind Citizens United is to expand the Court. While I could recount several sound arguments for expanding the Court, one perfectly logical argument, in keeping with 1869 when the number of justices was set at 9, each assigned to 1 of the then-9 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, is to add 4 justices now that there are 13 Federal Appeals Courts.
I would note the path to meaningful reform on a host of issues, presuming we achieve a trifecta, is through Court expansion.
Barbara, that is a good answer to Jon's question. It would certainly require a federal trifecta, which is a lot to hope for at this point. However, if there were a trifecta, congress could impeach and remove two Supreme Court judges. Replacing them with judges chosen by Kamala Harris would eliminate the problem you point out here.
I don't like the results of Citizen's united any more than our fellow contributors on this thread do. As to expanding the SCOTUS, where does this expansion stop? Who controls the end, or are we to yoyo throughout history expanding and deflating a judicial body (admittedly, in serious doubt by most everyone these days)? I don't know the answer to this problem; however, I think we are biting off more than we can chew when or if we chronically manipulate a number of judges simply to serve our purposes. I wish Alito and Thomas weren't on the SCOTUS; I'd much rather see them on a sailboat somewhere off the coast, or even (but nowhere nearly as much), practicing law in private practice. That would be fine; just keep them the hell away from any bench that mandates serious decisions.
Ad let's face it- the RW SCOTUS members have completely abandoned the concept of the Rule of Law, as demonstrated by their allowing TFG to have the "right" to do anything he wants under the guise of his "decisions" be Core Values.
Hoyt-I live in Florida. I have seen groups posting from around the state where they are lining the streets with people waving Harris/Walz signs and people are waving and honking back. In the Villages, a Trump enclave, they had an enormous golf cart parade. This is a huge shift from only seeing pickups with huge American flags and flags either saying horrible things about our President or endorsing tfg. This is a joyous, hopeful, engaging shift. (And I wasn’t kidding-FDR and Eleanor have always been heroes to me-so I really am singing with you! 😊)
This is welcomed news from Florida, Jen. The state has been under attack by your Governor and his ilk for years now, and I hope this is a sign of healing and change for you and your fellow citizens, as well as hope for moving forward for the whole country.
I agree celeste. I have long looked at Florida as some kind of place where I would never want to live. Now I have hope even for there. Our neighbor, who is usually negative, is so excited about Harris/Walz. We have already had two celebrations for her and love the addition of Walz. Pretty amazing to have a Harris rally at The Villages. That is hopeful indeed.
Celeste, hopeful comment. It would be amazing if Florida would stand up and vote in some really good Dems in the down ballot races to get out some of those appalling legislators who vote for whatever the crazy governor DeSantis wants, even if his pronouncements hurt a lot of people. And DeSantis claims to be Christian! He doesn't follow any of the teachings of Jesus I ever read! Hey, maybe they could even vote a popular win there for Harris and Walz!
Speaking of joy, the last paragraph re: the balloons made me cry. First because I was so happy to read that they were biodegradable, then the remarkable quantity, and lastly the story of love behind each and every balloon. 💕
Hoyt, the Dems put the "party" back in our Party. (But I must say that I greatly prefer the fifty-song playlist assembled of each state's choice to "Happy Days Are Here Again".)
I really enjoyed that 50 state play list! Maine's was "Shut Up and Dance"...I couldn't figure the reason for that choice until I watched the video--the lyrics are perfect ("don't you dare to look back" "the woman is my destiny" etc) and the female dancer is wearing high top chucks!
Doug, of course "Happy Days" will not be the song of this campaign. It worked in 1932 because it was a new song then. I like Biance's "Freedom," and I am sure there are some others like what we heard at the roll call that would work too. A couple of sing-along type songs would work too to get people singing at rallies. It makes a difference.
Thank you, Mr Bangs, for knowing all the verses. I only know the second, but I do have a shot glass (unfortunately chipped) from 1932 with the image of a donkey and “Happy Days are Here Again” on it. Found it in the back of my father’s liquor cabinet. Knew he voted for Roosevelt in 1932 and suspect it was a gift from one of his fellow happy Saturday-night, highball-drinking, bridge-playing friends in the early ‘30’s.
Judith, thank you for the Barbara and Judy rendition, which is memorable in so many ways, especially their regard for one another throughout. I love the rabbit holes this clip took me down on the Internet, especially two interviews with Pete Budegieg after his speech, one with Politico. Anything I can find online that keeps me linked to the convention is needed and welcome. But Judy and Barbara, will remain in my heart forever. Thanks again.
I am feeling proud of my country again! There is so much work ahead of us, but we can do this, grabbing the flag back from the Republicans— and especially, the MAGA crowd. Thank you, Heather, for helping assist in bringing pride of our country back to being fashionable for all of us!
As President Biden has said, more than once: " There is nothing we cannot do, if we do it together."
Always loved when Joe stated that powerful idea!
I remember the covers of the "Saturday Evening Post".
I remember the poster that proclaimed "A Family Is a Circle of Friends Who Love You," helping us understand without saying it in so many words that community, as expressed over and over during the Convention, supports us and protects us whether or not we are biologically related.
Like Kamala Harris’s mom, I had to have a circle of friends to help me raise my child. My family lived four states away, thankfully not on the other side of the world. But they were not close enough, physically, to be able to help me with the kids. My husband had a high level job and was often traveling for work. We all need and want to be part of a community because no one can handle life right by themselves.
Who said, "It takes a village"? Hilary Clinton. I am not a pediatrician or psychologist, but it is nearly impossible to raise children with only two parents. Kids require far more attention and guidance that only a close community/village can provide.
Hilary said it, but I know it as an African proverb.
Edith, yes, it is an African proverb, and isn't it great that Hillary learned it and brought it to us so we can have language for what we/our parents have known forever, it takes a village. . . .
A close, caring community is not essential only for the kids, but also for the parents who otherwise have the sole responsibility for raising and loving those kids.
Essential for the father and the mother. Betsy, I am a second wave Boomer (1948) & grew up on street full of WWII working mothers & fathers when the need for homes & schools & teachers for the kids was 'booming'.
Bonus: There were so many kids we had our own subculture, our own games & into music, "it's got a beat you can dance to it". 1960's politics & music look out!
The nuclear family is actually an anomaly. In all social mammal species the young are raised by the whole group. That we humans have strayed from how we evolved speaks to how culture and biology have diverged. It's really too much to ask one or two people to be all that kids need to develop.
Though we are all pretty closely related as a species. There are some to which we open our hearts more widely.
Betsy Also Rockwell had a powerful Four Freedoms cover, related to FDR’r 1941 pronouncement.
wow, Keith--above I just commented about visiting the Rockwell Museum--those four paintings are on display there! It almost feels sacred to stand and view them while their excellent docents tell the history behind the paintings.
Keith Wheelock -- Could you be more specific about Betsy Rockwell's Four Freedoms cover? Perhaps a link, or a "copy and paste" image? Mrs. Google isn't helpful. Norman Rockwell had one.
Judith I no longer have my Norman Rockwell photo cover book. The Four Freedoms I believe was after FDR met Churchill in the summer of 1941. You can identify the Four Freedoms on Google. I may be imagining it, but I have an image of a Rockwell poster. Of course I was only 9 and this was 83 years ago.
Keith, this one brought me to tears. What childhoods we had! And the unity (even of a Pennsylvania child and a Virginia child) is what I think both of us are feeling post the “long division” set off by Nixon’s Southern Strategy as neither Eisenhower no Kennedy set out to divide US.
Judith, "Betsy" is who Keith was responding to; Norman Rockwell had the Four Freedoms Post cover.
Ah, the power of a comma (and of a Kamala)! If Keith had written "Betsy, also Rockwell..." it would have been clear that he was addressing me, and that I, Betsy Smith, never designed a cover for the Saturday Evening Post. Here's a link to the covers: https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2018/01/rockwells-four-freedoms-2/
Betsy Kudos for demonstrating that my memory, at age 9, was spot on. Of course at 90 I can’t remember what I did yesterday. What a difference a ‘0’ makes.
I do remember that one. It’s like remembering Pearl Harbor and the War Effort.
Betsy, I was moved by the many positive comments at the Convention about community and how important the concept is. I liked Hillary Clinton reminding me that it takes a village to raise our kids, but I also know it takes a village to bring about the positives of life: peace, caring, working hospitals, terrific public schools, the diversity of religious faiths and non-believers, and so much more. We needed the messages of this convention because so many of us were losing heart that we could rescue our nation from the grasping fingers of greed, resentment, fearmongering, perpetual anger, and hatred of those not like oneself. Those are such destructive emotions when on a forever loop with no relief, and that loop was being forced down our throats by a media so enamored with Donald Trump they couldn't break free from the spell themselves. I hope the Convention did a lot to break us out of the imposed bubble of despair, frustration, and being told Trump is "normal" and worthy of any kind of power. I am excited for Harris and Walz as two people with many supporters including Joe Biden, who believe we can do better if we do it together.
Amen. : )
A -L This felt like a Norman Rockwell event. Also, Rockwell, apart from the SEP, in the 1960s painted some searing Civil Rights images.
The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA had a Rockwell exhibit a few years back that featured the Civil Rights images as well as ALL his cover pieces. A powerful exhibit. I wonder where they all are now. Hummm
In the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts. A small place, but a wonderful place to visit and well worth the trip!
I love that museum. A buddy of mine in Sacramento was an architect and did several renovations in Old Sacramento and the old homes around downtown Sacramento. What a beautiful area.
Yes, that's what I thought! In the 60s I'd moved to Europe, so I've never seen them (simply because you couldn't get the SEP). I knew Americans in Paris who were SNCC activists.
There is a Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I interviewed him a few years before he died, and he told me that mostly he painted his neighbors, but Stockbridge is mostly white, and he made an effort to broaden his cast. I'm not sure what's available at the museum, but it's still open.
We visited the Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge......there are many original Rockwell paintings and they are inspiring.
Thanks Progwoman, I need to make a pilgrimage to the Rockwell museum.
When you take a tour, the docent will point out and identify neighbors and family in his paintings, which was pretty cool, as several people were used a few times, so you'd recognize them as they were pointed out.
Thank you, Keith My father subscribed and I remember the cartoon, though cannot remember an article. I was reading Southern novels from age 10. High school library was stocked with them. Norman Rockwell’s paintings were “foreign” to me as the “wrong child” (father and aunt were math geniuses; after Alegebra I, math was all worse than Greek to me).
I do know SNCC, however. Also years of support for SLC.
And there was CREEP—-Committee to Re-elect the President (Watergate)
What, for this acronym-challenged person, is SEP?
Virginia Saturday Evening Post. Norman Rockwell did many covers for them. So did Stephen Dohanos, who, under WPA, painted art work in the Puerto Rican post office, which I viewed some years ago.
I wonder if I would be permitted to say this. But there is reasonable chance that Trump will die before me and given that he does and I am able, I intend to drop some form of body waste on the stone that represents his godforsaken body. Even if I need to toss it from a distance. Even if I’m arrested for tossing crap at an “ex-president.” I’ll hire a team to video me so I can put it on my YouTube channel.
I've wondered if there's really going to be a trump library. Frankly, a hilarious idea.
They should have a special section on all of the children's books banned while he was President.
I believe that TC in LA has reported he p'd on Nixon's grave, which is one of the reasons I like TC so much! :D
I’m serious. I’m 71 he is 77 I’m in great shape he is in bad shape. I should outlive Trump. I hope he isn’t buried in Arlington.
Gawwwd forbid!! However, on second thought, the ghosts of the fallen soldiers could haunt him forever.
If ever you have a chance, go to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts. OMG--every Rockwell SEP cover is on display, and the original paintings of so many of his famous paintings. I'm kind of a historical nerd--things that really move me are stuff like seeing John Lennon's round glasses at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, or Elton John's diamond epaulets at a traveling Diamond exhibit which I caught at the Field Museum years ago, so in that light, being able to lean forward and see the actual brushstrokes of his paintings--I found that very thrilling!
It’s a new forward looking day where we can solve problems in a straight forward matter of fact manner…. It’s a time where our dreams for a fairer, smarter, more creative and resilient future can become reality.
First, we make certain that we protect our planet…its magnificent natural life sustaining systems make everything else possible. The United States, once the worst polluter, must keep increasing its emphasis on making a rapid transition away from the burning of fossil fuels that have done so much damage over the past century. By setting a good example other countries will do more as well.
As we begin to succeed in stabilizing and then lowering the average temperature of the atmosphere by using much larger scale wind, solar, fusion and other non polluting energy sources we can continue to improve quality of life for everyone. Parks and ever more community gardens can bloom in every neighborhood, wildlife can thrive instead being roadkill and people can live longer healthier lives. When people feel hope for an increasingly better, fairer mor responsive future for all, conflicts will lessen.
President Harris and Vice President Walz will have a great opportunity to build on the many excellent policies of the Biden administration and keep leading.us further forward in the tradition of FDR. We can do this….
KD,
Appreciate your mentioning, "care for our planet".....we take so much for granted.
Along with that, we must work to care for one another as is possible....ie health, education, welfare.....friendship/community.
I am more proud of my Country these past few years than ever. It's easy to be proud when the skies are sunny. Not giving up, staying proud and working for change when the skies are darkest is the true test of a Country. We prevailed.
I am very proud of my Country under Joe Biden. To raise the United States up out of a four-year nightmare and move us forward at the same time is a huge historic feat. Joe Biden earned the respect of Americans and our allies abroad through his sending vaccines overseas during the pandemic, rebuilding NATO, fortifying the Pacific against the Chinese and engineering the best post covid economic recovery in the world. He stood down the Chinese and the Russians.
At home Joe Biden's Administration vaccinated 200 million Americans in just under 90 days. We were literally hiding in our homes until then. Please take a look at the historic legislation he has passed. Remember we have the best economy in 50 years.
We are proud under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Never let anyone take your pride away.
We had to wait until March for the vaccinations due to low priority for out of state seniors (74 and 70) moving out of the home we sold in California and helping with grandchildren care in Washington as child care at any price was unavailable. Vaccines helped communities share child care duties and let us get on the road to Maine.
Though a relative was the first person in Maine to die from Covid (a year earlier in March 2019), we found some of the highest percentages vaccinated and masking up (in our county in Maine) so were able to stay Covid free until 4 days after the Pandemic was declared over. Fortunately with all the vaccines and boosters available, the symptoms were mild enough that we wouldn’t have known it was Covid without the positive test results we got after a High School graduation ceremony.
I honestly feel Joe Biden may have saved my life.
Bringing back pride? Because DJT was such an embarrassment, combined with the legions of supporters he had , it caused one to feel ashamed that we had a political leader who lacked any redeeming qualities and appealed to the fear and hatred of his followers.
I told my husband on Day 4, that it was the first time in a pretty long time that I actually felt proud of my country again. Thanks, Joe. And thanks, Kamala and Tim, for being such good role models!
I'm volunteering to write please vote postcards.
I understand your feelings concerning the notion that republicans have grabbed the flag for their own standard. No doubt, there has been much by the republicans who believe that the flag somehow belongs to them. That is exactly the kind of nationalist thinking no nation needs from its people. I would respectfully suggest to you that although the republicans have been vulgar in their inclination to think that the flag is theirs, you and I both know that flag ownership is the mark of nationalism that so easily matriculates into fascism. The flag belongs to everyone; even those with whom we virulently disagree. As difficult as it may be, we nevertheless need to keep reaching out to those whom we can convince of the true and faithful priorities that the left of center understands the promise of our programs. Hopefully, those folks who we are able to reach successfully, can try and reach those harder in understanding. No doubt, there will always be neanderthals who will insist on dragging their knuckles into oblivious ignorance; however, as Rick Blaine in Casablanca once said of the Nazis, maybe one day they will be a "minor inconvenience."
Thanks Hoyt for pointing the lyrics of "Happy Days". It brings back so many wonderful memories of my mom at the piano and the family singing even though we offended all the cats in the neighborhood.
Heather gives a wonderful summary of the DNC Convention. Based on what she says, a first order of business for a next administration that truly units the citizens of this country would be to rescind Citizens United!
David, you are so right on this one. Citizens United was/is a big lie the Supreme Court and everyone who supported it has perpetrated on the American people, claiming money is speech and that corporations are persons. Both are huge lies and need to be corrected, even if it is a piece at a time!
HERE, HERE !!! 'That' specifically has been my number one priority ever since I read that decision ! When I look down ballot at senators, reps, local and national, I have to hear or read their priority (or not). I have to tell you that it's been very rough keeping that issue at number one these past years, but it must be. jmho friends ~
Great idea. How would you propose to do that? Get the Supreme Court to change their minds? Get a new law passed on a congress that is likely to be led (at least in the senate) by republican sycophants for Donald Trump?
I am very seriously asking not for a "great idea" (which I totally agree with, citizens united is one of the worst Supreme court decision s of the past 100 years) but for an actual way to accomplish this.
Politics is the art of the possible and before you can just say "change this" you'd better have a pretty good idea of its possible and how to achieve it. Otherwise you are just spouting off as my mom used to say "to hear yourself talk".
I apologize I'm not trying to "suck up the oxygen" here, I am just trying to engage in an actual practical discussion about what I think is a serious critical issue. I hope that makes sense.
Jon, There are two means for rescinding Citizens United, both requiring a federal trifecta this November.
The first is through the legislative process, which would entail 50 Democratic Senators (the VP casting the tie-breaking vote) to enact filibuster reform allowing the bill to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote. Of course, once the President signed the bill, it would be challenged and ultimately would work its way to the Supreme Court, where, inevitably, it would be overturned.
Accordingly, the only sure way to rescind Citizens United is to expand the Court. While I could recount several sound arguments for expanding the Court, one perfectly logical argument, in keeping with 1869 when the number of justices was set at 9, each assigned to 1 of the then-9 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, is to add 4 justices now that there are 13 Federal Appeals Courts.
I would note the path to meaningful reform on a host of issues, presuming we achieve a trifecta, is through Court expansion.
Barbara, that is a good answer to Jon's question. It would certainly require a federal trifecta, which is a lot to hope for at this point. However, if there were a trifecta, congress could impeach and remove two Supreme Court judges. Replacing them with judges chosen by Kamala Harris would eliminate the problem you point out here.
I don't like the results of Citizen's united any more than our fellow contributors on this thread do. As to expanding the SCOTUS, where does this expansion stop? Who controls the end, or are we to yoyo throughout history expanding and deflating a judicial body (admittedly, in serious doubt by most everyone these days)? I don't know the answer to this problem; however, I think we are biting off more than we can chew when or if we chronically manipulate a number of judges simply to serve our purposes. I wish Alito and Thomas weren't on the SCOTUS; I'd much rather see them on a sailboat somewhere off the coast, or even (but nowhere nearly as much), practicing law in private practice. That would be fine; just keep them the hell away from any bench that mandates serious decisions.
Ad let's face it- the RW SCOTUS members have completely abandoned the concept of the Rule of Law, as demonstrated by their allowing TFG to have the "right" to do anything he wants under the guise of his "decisions" be Core Values.
😂
I have a petition drive to forbid a Trump portrait in the White House.
Gary, are you sure they were offended? Cats are pretty smart and I suspect appreciated your family's enthusiasm!
😀
! Lol Gary....
I’m singing with you!💙
Hoyt-I live in Florida. I have seen groups posting from around the state where they are lining the streets with people waving Harris/Walz signs and people are waving and honking back. In the Villages, a Trump enclave, they had an enormous golf cart parade. This is a huge shift from only seeing pickups with huge American flags and flags either saying horrible things about our President or endorsing tfg. This is a joyous, hopeful, engaging shift. (And I wasn’t kidding-FDR and Eleanor have always been heroes to me-so I really am singing with you! 😊)
This is welcomed news from Florida, Jen. The state has been under attack by your Governor and his ilk for years now, and I hope this is a sign of healing and change for you and your fellow citizens, as well as hope for moving forward for the whole country.
I agree celeste. I have long looked at Florida as some kind of place where I would never want to live. Now I have hope even for there. Our neighbor, who is usually negative, is so excited about Harris/Walz. We have already had two celebrations for her and love the addition of Walz. Pretty amazing to have a Harris rally at The Villages. That is hopeful indeed.
Thank you, Celeste-and hoping with you! Ain’t hope grand???? 😊
Celeste, hopeful comment. It would be amazing if Florida would stand up and vote in some really good Dems in the down ballot races to get out some of those appalling legislators who vote for whatever the crazy governor DeSantis wants, even if his pronouncements hurt a lot of people. And DeSantis claims to be Christian! He doesn't follow any of the teachings of Jesus I ever read! Hey, maybe they could even vote a popular win there for Harris and Walz!
See Kamala Harris Rally in The Villages Video a:t
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKDkqqDiFkw
"Kamala Country" now
Registration ends in Florida Oct. 7. Until then we can swamp them with new and re-registered folk. We need volunteers.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
On BYOP texting into FL, NC is free. https://www.fieldteam6.org/free-byop-textbanks
FT 6 phone calling to unregistered folk. FL on Thursdays 2 pm. https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/632594/ Pa, @ 4pm. edt
Phone bank N. Carolina Mondays at 6 pm
No time to waste! You can do it North Carolina!
🌊🌊🌊. Yes, we KAM!!!!
Nothing like some inspiring music to amplify what everyone wants to feel anyway!
Speaking of joy, the last paragraph re: the balloons made me cry. First because I was so happy to read that they were biodegradable, then the remarkable quantity, and lastly the story of love behind each and every balloon. 💕
It made me cry too. Not the first time with the joy and grief of this massive national celebration.
Hoyt, the Dems put the "party" back in our Party. (But I must say that I greatly prefer the fifty-song playlist assembled of each state's choice to "Happy Days Are Here Again".)
Now that the party is over, the work continues.
I really enjoyed that 50 state play list! Maine's was "Shut Up and Dance"...I couldn't figure the reason for that choice until I watched the video--the lyrics are perfect ("don't you dare to look back" "the woman is my destiny" etc) and the female dancer is wearing high top chucks!
Doug, of course "Happy Days" will not be the song of this campaign. It worked in 1932 because it was a new song then. I like Biance's "Freedom," and I am sure there are some others like what we heard at the roll call that would work too. A couple of sing-along type songs would work too to get people singing at rallies. It makes a difference.
I have a favorite, but it's not particularly upbeat; It is deeply contemplative though. It's been an 'ear worm' for me the entire past decade or so.
Yellen? I wonder if he was related to Janet Yellen?
Yep! it's easy to sing that song at the moment.
I wondered that too, Anne-Louise. Yolen’s children’s books are stellar! The spelling of the last name is different though.
Thank you, Mr Bangs, for knowing all the verses. I only know the second, but I do have a shot glass (unfortunately chipped) from 1932 with the image of a donkey and “Happy Days are Here Again” on it. Found it in the back of my father’s liquor cabinet. Knew he voted for Roosevelt in 1932 and suspect it was a gift from one of his fellow happy Saturday-night, highball-drinking, bridge-playing friends in the early ‘30’s.
Streisand's rendition is my favorite!
Here are a couple of YouTube links to "Happy Days Are Here Again", including the original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqsT4xnKZPg
and the remarkable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFVxX3RtyhQ with Barbara Streisand and Judy Garland!
Goodness, I forgot how good Garland's voice was. Streisand is Streisand, but Garland? Something else!
I just shared, then took down the link to the original song because I saw you already shared it and the Streisand/Garland link. Thanks, Judith.
Judith, thank you for the Barbara and Judy rendition, which is memorable in so many ways, especially their regard for one another throughout. I love the rabbit holes this clip took me down on the Internet, especially two interviews with Pete Budegieg after his speech, one with Politico. Anything I can find online that keeps me linked to the convention is needed and welcome. But Judy and Barbara, will remain in my heart forever. Thanks again.
OMG, you set off an ear worm…it'll hang around for days. I still know that song by heart.
Yes - and thank you for sharing the lyrics.