election

On Mute

Lips

connect us;

the nexus

of affection

and expression

of language

heard-

absurd,

or credible.

Sound

can be

found

watching

lip movement;

an improvement

on mere

voice.

Now 

the choice

whether 

to mute

the debaters’

mikes

might

make

or break

the date

to debate.

This was,

of course,

expected

as a matter

of course

directed

by 

the guy

whose

Big Lie

will

be bigger

this time

around.

Cutting

the sound

during

the opponent’s

round

was actually

found

to help

him.

Less taunting,

sure,

but more

beneficial

for his

official

standing

lure

is

that

less

is more.

He gets

distracted

and is too

attracted

to the sound

of his own

airing.

It’s too

waring

to

hear

year 

after 

year

much less

anything

to adhere

to.

His own

crew

wants 

him on

mute,

but now

he’ll dispute

the rules.

An excuse

at hand

to not

withstand

the shame

of losing

any game.

Muting

Trump

is the whole

goal

of this 

election.

He’s a mutation

in our politics;

a mix

of fraud

and assault.

Now he’s 

caught,

and fraught

with fear

wanting

to appear

unchallenged.

He’s

a mutant

strain

of ranting;

planting

seeds of

outrage

on stage

and posts.

He’s a variant

of the worst

we’ve seen;

a deviant,

no less.

Would muting 

the mutant,

impudent,

deviant,

variant

be more

expedient

and thereby 

more

decisive

than

when 

his divisive,

pathetic

rhetoric

is too 

much

for most

to endure?

The sure

fact 

is that

he needed

a reason

to bow 

out

of debate

season.

When his

sound 

is on

he sounds

off 

and sounds

quite off

his rocker.

Meanwhile,

the sound

of Madame

President

is resonant

with excitement

as he plans

his incitement

to rock

her.

He’s losing

ground

and his

once sound

intention

to interfere

with 

the election

sounds

familiar.

There’s no

real debate

about

the need

to mute

the mutant

deviant

variant,

if you’re

a democratic

patriot

of the

American

republic.

The Incredible Journey

That is America.

We saw 

us all

all

week.

“…the incredible journey

that is

America….”

was a 

line

from Kamala

that struck me.

It wasn’t her

historic

representation

of the first woman

also Black

and Indian.

She spoke about

what is

American.

“…the most

extraordinary

story

ever told.”

Her personal

story—

her journey—

put forth,

outlined

not a freak

of nature,

but the unique

nature

of American

life,

with freedom

to pursue

through

hard work

and talent.

While 

the rich malcontent

has us all

spent

as he 

will never

relent,

she defied

and denied

him

the DEI 

label

by turning

the table

and identified

American.

Harris

was all

business—

a north star

not just

an avatar.

And like

Amanda

Gorman

whose

gorgeous

poem

show’d ‘em

and us 

that we 

must

be worthy

of The American

Dream,

Kamala

continued

the theme,

admonishing

us all

to be worthy

of the “privilege

and pride

of being

an American”.

The other 

theme 

of the week,

it seems,

has been 

Mom.

Not just

Momala,

the nickname

for Kamala

(a name

Trump

has difficulty

saying),

but the sage

wisdom

we inherit

from our 

mothers

and of course

the other

glaring

issue

blaring

in silence

at the RNC:

Who shall

be

a mother

and how

is somehow

now

a defining

matter

despite 

being

long past

passed.

“Never 

do anything

half assed”,

Harris said

quoting her

mother,

and “Don’t

be limited

by what

has always

been.”

A wise

woman

was 

Shyamala. 

Kamala’s 

journey

toward

the presidency

seems

incredible

yet perhaps

soon

ordinary

for an extraordinary

position.

So much

has seemed 

incredible

and indelible;

even this 

joy

feels new.

But we’ve

just been

reminded

this is 

who

we are

and need 

to be:

“worthy

of the privilege

and pride

of being

an American”.

We are 

part 

of the incredible

journey

that is

America.

Thank you,

Kamala.

Trump is a Scab

On the second

night

what could

excite

the DNC

Convention

more than

two Obamas?

Our dream

team

seems

still

in its

prime,

able 

to outshine

everyone.

Michelle

didn’t

utter

the name

of 

the utterly

despicable,

predictable

opponent

who has been

dominant

in our politics

for the equivalent

of two terms.

With pointed

reference

she gave

preference

to not

dignifying

him 

by name.

She led

with mothers

instilling

in us

character

and integrity,

honesty

and community,

and yes,

family,

finally

reclaiming

MAGA’s

reframing

as American

values.

Mothers

are the central

issue

and the connective

tissue

as Mrs. Obama

reminded us.

Who gets

to be 

a mother

or not

and how

is now

based

on how

you vote.

And the GOAT,

Barak,

never stooped

to mock,

but certainly

took stock

of Trump’s 

schlock

and very dangerous

efforts.

Obama, the POTUS,

showed us

again

that 

Yes We Can,

but with clear

eyes—

not to fantasize.

This long 

division

requires

a decision

to DO

something.

And that means

everything

that could

possibly bring

Harris and Walz

to the West Wing.

After reading

the recap

of the rest

of the night

the best

line just might

be:

“Trump 

is a scab.”

United Auto

Workers President

Shawn Fain

may now reign

up there with Walz

as the stellar,

clever

truth teller

who nails it.

Trump feigns

blue collar

sympathy,

when,

in actuality

his classless

act

gets blue collars

to react

and send money

to him.

Biden 

stood with 

union

strikers,

literally

on the line.

Trump’s

online

conversation

with the gross

Musk,

was full 

of adoration

and adulation

for Elon’s

lack of elan

cutting costs

by using

nonunion

labor.

“You’re 

the greatest

cutter,”

Trump praised

Musk,

for firing

as many

as he could.

The ever-cross

Trump

would cross

a picket line

just because

he could.

But the scab

jab

was just so

perfect

because he’s 

not only

a sore 

loser,

but a sore

that we can’t

ignore;

infectious

and perpetually

inflamed.

They’re weird.

Trump is a 

scab.

Yes we can

deny Trump

that Black

job 

he so desperately

needs.

The Political is Personal

“The personal

is political”

was the critical

theory

of my youth

that guided me

as the truth

and a mandate

to activate

as a feminist,

humanist

first.

Identity

as strategy,

not tragedy,

suggests

and tests

structures

of power

and relations

often leading

to realizations

that individuals

are not alone.

The slogan

became

a way

to frame

individual

presentation

as illustration

of political

situation;

each person

a politcal

representation.

Fast forward

toward

this 2024

election,

and the selection

of speakers

at the DNC

convention

last night,

was notable

for the historical.

Two political

icons,

symbols

of aspiration,

determination,

competency,

and champions

of democracy-

particularly

around the world

and in opposition

to Trump-

gave a last

blast

before

the torch

is passed

forward

to the next

generation.

Hilary

and Joe

similarly

know

success

and political

heartbreak.

Their individual

stories,

different

trajectories,

still

filled

eyes 

with tears

for their

years and years

and years

of service,

and what 

could be lost

or gained.

So ingrained

with democratic

norms

their forms

of politics

seemed

typical.

But their

individual

contests

against

Trump

suggests

that the best

of humans

is an incredible

test

not as easy

or normal

as we assumed.

I can’t imagine

how hard

last night

must have

been

for Biden

and Hilary.

Their personal

emotional

lives

set aside

to raise

the tide

for Walz

and Harris

to defeat

the nefarious

and carry

us 

forward.

Last night,

the political

was personal

as was

also clear

from the victims

of Dobbs—

the decision

that robs

American

women.

The political

is personal,

whether

you are 

a victim

this time

or next.

Has Been

It has been 

a while

since 

a smile

was so 

contagious

it countered

the outrageous

ones

hell bent

on enraging

us.

Meeting 

the moment

to counter

the foment

has taken

nearly

a decade.

We’re not

done yet,

but there’s

a reset

that feels

like a

Hallelujah!

At first,

her laugh

felt 

like

a gaffe—

somehow 

wrong,

like

it didn’t

belong.

Some thought

she was

not ready

for prime

time.

And then

just when

all seemed

so bleak,

and fear

mixed

with grief,

she provided

relief

and a new 

belief

that she’s

grown

and shown

she could 

own him.

She 

has been

building

enthusiasm

while he

has been

in

emotional

spasm,

watching

the momentum

shift.

His grift

is his

gift

that keeps

on giving

him

desperation.

He needs

the election

stolen

for him,

in order

to win

freedom 

from the 

prospect

of prison.

She has

been

a prosecutor,

a state

AG,

a US senator,

and VP.

And somehow

he

has been 

a POTUS.

As she 

brings

intelligence

and joy,

he brings

belligerence

and loves

to annoy

and destroy—

a ploy

which 

has been

effective

with invective

and the incentive

of promises

from grievances.

Abuse

is his muse.

Denying/

lying

has been

his

chorus.

It’s beginning

to bore

us.

His playbook

to win

is rather

thin.

He’s a

has been

who belongs

in prison.

But 

has beens

remain

until forced

to go,

so

be unrelenting

in preventing

The Has Been

a future

free

of accountability.

Do more

than ever

to sever

what

has been

a forever

threat

that must 

be met

now and

in the

coming weeks

as 

The Has Been

seeks

a zombie

presidency,

keeping

him free

while ending

democracy.

Rebirtherism

With the resurrection

this election

season

from the debate 

debacle,

and the reason

for hope

for freedom

and our future,

comes the Weird-

Zombie -Former

Guy

who still

manages

to try

to outrage

us.

He is

outrageous

and his

comments

contagious,

which is

exactly 

what he wants.

His racism

haunts

us from 

the past

toward

an untoward

time 

of unknown

fear and chaos.

Pathetically,

yet effectively,

he brings 

back

the ugly

with a smile.

Anything

to avoid

a trial.

So now 

it’s her

blackness

and ethnic

origin

that he pretends

he needs

to question.

And raising

issues

academic

as 

being problematic?

The failure

liar

seeks to deny

her

any legitimacy.

His lunacy

is his 

opportunity

to change

the conversation.

Needing

to recapture

the rapture

of attention,

he tries to mention

while creating

tension

the same 

sort of drama

he did to Obama.

He gained

a following

and fandom.

And he lost

then.

Risky Business

America’s not ready?

Was America ready

For Trump?

For the Pandemic?

For an assassination attempt?

For Biden’s exit?

For Harris’ ascendance?

The Veepstakes

are on

and everyone 

is buzzing.

I hear

the fear

that America

isn’t ready

for two women

at

the top.

Too risky?

Seriously?

Democracy

could lose

if Harris

would choose

a woman?

I suspect

that those

who reject

a two- woman

team

would 

not seem

to lean

D.

I know

it’s the 

indies

and uncommitted

that have 

everyone

twisted

in nots.

Firsts

are tricky,

and then

prove

not risky

quickly

after 

we see

them.

Bill Clinton

defied

what many

decried

to be 

the “rules”

that always

should be

applied.

He selected

another

similar

young,

Southern,

white guy,

and they got

elected

to two 

terms.

The first

(real) Black

president

also spent

8 years

serving,

preserving

and 

advancing

the best

that could

be.

The disruption 

age

in which

we live

creates

such rage 

and fear

that what’s 

so dear

can be lost

overnight.

So the plight

of two women,

or a gay man

or a Jewish man

along with

a mixed race

woman,

creates 

a sense

of insecurity.

With maturity

and sobriety

we’ve had

to face

changes

unexpectedly.

Were we

ready

then?

And if not,

when?

No one

predicted

the last 

few weeks,

much less

the last few

days,

And yet

we are rising-

not flailing 

or failing-

as the right

thing to do

was the best

thing to do

and feels

as exciting

and good

as it is

new.

We weren’t

ready

for Trump,

or Dobbs,

or mobs

storming

the Capital.

Mass deportation,

no abortion,

diminished

education,

and the rest

of the Heritage

Foundation

stuff

is exactly

why

two tough

women

could be

possibly

the key

and what

America

is ready for.

Marvel Us

As Comic Con 

descends upon

the city

I call home,

super heroes

will be 

in line

for days 

at a time

to get inside

the convention

center.

What a marvel

we get to 

see

as thousands

agree

with decency

and civility

to 

continue

the tradition

with whatever

addition

moves the

conversation

at the convention.

I think you get

where I’m going

here.

It’s clear

the marvel 

happened 

yesterday

when Biden

announced

he’s stepping

away,

so Harris

can earn 

your vote.

The Marvel

Universe

is always 

threatened

by destructive 

forces

and ego.

But the hero

and shero

know

they must go

forward

for

more

than their

own selves.

How marvelous

for us

to witness

what fitness

really means.

The courage

and strength

and great 

length

it took to be

our superhero

of democracy,

without

a stage lit

like a show,

showed

the world

our marvel.

I imagine

his grief

will not be

brief,

but his 

legacy

will be

an inspiration.

I’m so grateful

for this

moment,

and moved

by a torrent

of emotion.

Excitement,

relief,

new-found

belief

that good

could

still

win

over spin,

but also 

compassion

for what must

have been

excruciating

for Biden.

So now

the comical

Comic Con

that will soon

surround me,

will oddly

ground me

in knowing

that real

heros

and sheros

and so much

fantastic

is not made

of plastic

or on green

screen.

It’s democratic;

at times,

dramatic,

a universal

marvel

that is US.

Confidence, Man

“Look, Folks”,

as he

would say;

“C’mon, Man!”,

he would

inveigh

that he’s

the best one

and should

and could

finish the job.

So why the 

defection

despite

affection?

Everyone knows

the torch

gets passed,

and sees him

past

his prime.

Losing confidence,

questioning

competence,

begging acceptance

of the optics,

is just

not

a good look.

Look, Folks,

he appears

knowledgeable

yet weak

week

after week.

Each moment

on screen

we screen

his condition,

with increasing

attrition,

despite

a great

3 years. 

It sears 

the heart

and mind

that such 

a kind

and effective

politician

against 

the definition

of a Confidence Man,

could lose

the coalition

of confidence.

It’s not 

the platform

on which 

he stands

that demands

change.

He can’t 

defend

his own

success,

and we’re

supposed

to pretend

to address

his strength?

The length

of this standoff

between those

with confidence

and those

without

will without

a doubt

be resolved 

soon.

(It isn’t yet

because

we can’t

forget

what we

all saw

and fear

each time

he appears.)

I suspect

we can 

expect

that after

the RNC 

Convention,

convention 

will be

upended

and the intended

outcome

of restoring

confidence

will come about

not 

with a lout,

but

with a more

youthful

and vigorous

substitute.

As the ever

astute

Confidence Man

who literally

and figuratively

dodges

bullets,

shows strength,

and dare 

I say,

discipline,

the energy

and unity

on display

each day

this week

makes

the weakened

opponent

each moment

weaker,

and his party,

now

the one

of

fear 

and loathing,

is seeking 

some confidence,

and preferably,

a woman.

Map Quest

Holding it

as long

as possible,

the drive

continues

until

what was

once

probable

is now

unfathomable,

while

the situation

of this election

becomes

untenable.

The liberal

art of losing

the electoral

college,

despite

the popular

vote,

is no 

longer

remote.

We are

being driven

by fossils

fueled

by the vision

of apocalypse.

The fear

of the end

so near

brings up

the rear

view

mirror

of fascism.

Cataclysm

feels

imminent.

Despite

the words

at the presser,

I heard

some answers

that seemed

to hint

at some

exit ramps

ahead. 

Stopping

to rest

after a

personal

best,

could test

the road

less

traveled.

Have we

unraveled

entirely?

Or merely

enough

to find 

the stuff

to repair

our tire

before 

we expire

and find

a charging

station?

A slight

detour

might

be required

to be

re-inspired.

Seeking

the path

to victory,

fearing 

history

as precedent,

we are in

a moment

to test

this quest

not yet

mapped:

to elect

a project 

for 2025-

keeping

democracy

alive-

or turning

right

into a 

dead

end?