election

Liz and Dick

No, not those two

that you

may have thought

might still be

tabloid fodder.

Much odder,

it seems,

is the new

dream team

of Liz and Dick

Cheney.

Conservative pols

way down in the polls,

managed to get

people

to hate them.

He’s the

Daddy Darth Vader—

enhanced interrogator—

and she’s 

the daughter

who fought her 

way from

right wing Republican

to democratic citizen

first 

and foremost.

Each one

a hawk

now ready to talk

about voting

for Harris,

The Democrat!

The admission

is now a permission

for others

to vocalize

and mobilize

against Trump.

Say what you will,

it’s still

patriotic

against the despotic

and despicable

guy.

Liz and Dick,

I hope it

sticks,

and kicks

the pants

off MAGA.

Their name

synonymous

with the sonorous

and serious

hard right

might

bring

more of the once

right wing

to vote

for the only

thing that matters

now. 

Liz and Dick!

Whodda thunk it?

I’ll take it!

Cemetery Plot

Nothing is sacred,

even for the dead,

when Trump is

found 

around

a burial ground

dedicated

to our most

profound

(s)heroes.

He knows

he chose

a hallowed place

to place 

himself

in the 

campaign race

outside the space

of the ordinary.

He went to Arlington

National Cemetery

on Monday,

the 3rd anniversary

of the attack in

Afghanistan

that killed 13

American

troops

during the disastrous

withdrawal

after all 

those years

of war.

Laying the wreath

at The Tomb

of the Unknown

Soldier,

a familiar

ceremony

at Arlington National

Cemetery,

the Trump team

was informed

by ANC staff

that only 

ANC staff

could photograph

or film in

Section 60.

But as is

his

style,

his team

also vile,

violated

rules

and decorum.

Neither the military

nor a cemetery

is suitable

for political

activity.

TFB.

The Trump staffer

verbally

and physically

abused

the ANC

employee,

and of course,

then denied

accountability.

But a Tik Tok

video

was found to show

him

in the Arlington 

section

despite

the prohibition.

When Trump

was interviewed

about what had

ensued,

he denied

knowing

anything 

about it.

He doesn’t know

the people,

or about anything

wrong-

the song

refrain

he can retain

and repeat

replete

with accordion 

hands.

That’s his tell

like a distinct

smell,

or a nose

that grows,

with each lie

proposed.

And with Trumpian

chutzpah,

blaming the media,

Vance,

ever detracting,

said,

“You guys…

you’re reacting 

like Donald Trump

filmed 

a tv commercial

at a grave site.”

He might have

stopped there,

but took

the dare

saying that

Trump was there

“providing 

emotional support.”

So should 

we be

shocked

and awed

by this event

to circumvent

a simple rule

with altercation?

It’s a new

taboo

we learn

about

each time

he flouts

then flaunts.

It haunts

me 

as much

as policy,

because

truth and

decency

must be

at the core

of who

we are

before

all else.

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.

Cat Fight

Bring it,

JD!

More 

Cat Lady

snark!

As if

your riff

had any

bark

or bite.

He might

not want

to double

down

and clown

around

when his

delivery-

so cringe

worthy-

brings 

new found

hope

for change.

This strange

yet now

exciting

race

has race

and gender

front

and center;

diversions

from 

the other

perversions

of the MAGA

agenda.

But Harris

I think 

is ready

with a steady

and smart

demeanor.

Meaner

and rough,

Vance

and Trump

will stump

with hate

to excite.

The fight

from the right

is joyless

and sour,

about boy-ness

and girl-ness

and executive

power.

As we await

Harris’

running mate

choice,

her voice

is strong

and up lifting.

She’s got

quite 

a selection

for this

election,

eager

to reach

as many

American

citizens

beyond 

the base

of this

existential

race.

MAGA
has cat

fights

while

withdrawing

rights

of voters

and women

and immigrants

and LGBTQ+

all for a POTUS

who cares

nothing

for us,

or the climate

crisis

or anything

else 

except

avoiding prison.

Listen,

the next

100 days

we need

to raise

money

and momentum.

In this 

brat summer

moment,

the intelligent

and confident

Kamala

for a new

era,

hardly

a sad,

childless

cat lady,

makes

the Trump

Vance

team

seem

even 

more 

unacceptable

and bizarre

and far

from where

we want

to be

as a 

democracy.

Let’s make

history

for our freedom

and future,

more secure.

I’m sure 

we can win it

if you’re all

in it.

The catastrophe

could be

behind us

if you’re

behind Harris.

That would

be

so much

winning. 

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?

With All Due Respect

With all

due respect,

Sir,

I suspect 

it’s impossible

to accept

the possibility

of losing

our democracy

because of 

a bad night.

You would

be right,

Sir,

if what did

occur

was merely

an hour,

but our

attempts

to rectify

can not

justify

what seems

like a weakened

state.

The spate

of outcry

grows by

the day,

Sir,

as your stiffened

spine

looks less

fine

than arthritic.

Those who

play critic

with your 

performance

were surprised

not by

the other guy’s

lies 

or word 

salad,

but by your

eyes

looking lost,

and muffled

speech

with its

cost

too great

to proceed.

Mistakes happen.

That’s not

the problem.

Your presidency

has been

legislatively

powerful.

Your passion

and compassion

are the aspiration

for this nation,

and you saved

us from Trump

and Covid.

You are a super

hero

but not super

human,

Sir,

and we respect

you 

and your

legacy.

As you have

fought

and taught

us,

reliance

on defiance

has brought

us

to a dangerous

precipice,

now on

this side.

Your pride

won’t win

and we can’t

spin

this 

any more.

The American

people

deserve

respect,

and I suspect

you detect

what they

reflect:

We need

amazing

grace;

for you 

to

step aside

in this race

and decide

someone

else 

should take 

your place

or release

your delegates

and open

the convention,

however

unconventional

this may be.

It’s where

we are,

Sir,

at this moment.

It would be

most constructive

and instructive, 

and certainly 

most brave.

You could

save

your legacy

with our 

democracy

in this emergency,

with All

due respect.

Hearing Aids

It’s hard

to regard

calls

to step 

down

as 

the sound

of success.

But two 

things

can be true

at the same

time. 

Not everything

must 

rhyme.

Biden can be

his legacy

now,

taking 

a bow,

with a vow

to make

us all

better.

Fearing

a worse

defeat

that

would

seem like

a complete

disaster,

I understand

the reticence.

I imagine

the pain

and belief

that Biden’s

relief

is the best

shot

we’ve got

going forward.

He’s always

bounced

forward

but now

must

fall back,

knowing

he’s slowing

down

along

the way

down.

How cruel

the circumstance

of his

last chance

that may

be ours.

I have to

think

his aids

are hearing

what 

is happening

here.

It is clear

he is losing

a losing

battle,

and winning

the election

won’t

be the correction

for the ravages

of aging.

It’s torturous

to witness

declining

fitness

and not

having

access

to more.

I understand 

the seriousness

of the iffiness

of Harris

at the top

the ticket.

Fear of losing

is confusing

issues:

winning

and delivering

for the future.

Biden 

is not

winning

now,

and the 

trajectory

is not

good.

Would

that his

aids

are listening

and that

he can hear

that we

see

his legacy

cemented 

gracefully,

which

is utterly

anti

Trump.

Before 

the 4th,

the irony

of the immunity

of the presidency

decision

did not escape

me. 

Washington

stepped down

when he could

have remained

in office.

He distinguished

the presidency

from a monarchy.

For different 

reasons

but still

guided

by pride,

if Biden

steps

aside,

it will

be 

for the

better. 

Be who

we say

we are.

Energy Crisis

I couldn’t watch.

I wouldn’t watch.

Governance

is not 

a debate.

Yet our 

tradition 

of performance

of endurance

to provide 

assurance

is the substance

we use

to  choose

the POTUS.

By all 

mounting

accounting

in real

time

and thereafter,

I glimpsed

the sad

theater

of our absurd

election.

A weak-

voiced

Joe

seeming

slow

against

each

blow

no matter

how false

the statement,

was a statement

of fitness

to those

who witnessed

what should

never

have taken

place.

Sad 

to say

that the

job

at bay

is partially

appearance.

The grievance

guy

with

each lie

conveys

energy.

He may 

be cruel

but his

fuel

is addictive

despite

being

convicted

so far,

34 times.

We are

addicted

to energy

at all

costs.

But

thoughts

of being

slow,

embodied

by Joe,

are dreadful.

Last century’s

model

seems

on the way

out,

as autocrats

plow through.

But 

dictators

playing

orators

is also 

old

while selling

retold

as something

new—

or at least,

something

strong.

A power

fueled

by desperation

supported

by

exasperation,

cannot

trump

our democracy.

This is crazy.

Alternative

energy

seems necessary

now

more than

ever,

while

voters

still

have power.