July 26, 2024

Cycles

"Be still, my heart..." -- Homer's Odyssey


When I was young, preparing to vote for the first time in a presidential election, my father said, "Don't forget -- presidential elections are never about any single issue. They are always about the Democratic Party moving this country forward towards becoming that more perfect union. So don't be belly-aching if your issue isn't at the front of the line."

Then, when I was a young man, Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons told me that in each cycle of generations, there will be one great threat to democracy. He said that it is up to eavh generation to stand strong and say, "Not on our turn."

Now I'm an old man, and think about these things in the context of this year's presidential election. There are at least a dozen issues that rank as "most important" to me, and as I pull weeds in my garden, I am able to understand that all of those dozen issues are connected at their roots. Thus, while we might be in different sections of the garden, and yanking different maga weeds out, it is all one united effort.

For much of my adult life, non-white women have been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Especially black women. So I am mighty happy that there is a cleared spot in our garden, that is producing VP Harris as our next president. And I'm delighted that this reality has the invasive maga weeds shaking at their roots. For this is a wonderful thing.

Each of us has, as we are entitled to do, our own favorite politician for her to select to run on the ticket. I'm glad that we have so many qualified people for her to chose from. The most important issue, in my mind, is that she picks the one that is able to add the most to the ticket. And I trust VP Harris to do exactly that.

I am old now, and about to engage in one of the greatest pleasures I have had in this long, often strange life. I'm bringing a selection of produce, along with some toys, to my grandson's house. I want this country to be at its best potential for him and his generation. He will be two next month, early in his cycle as I approach the end of mine. I do look forward to telling him at some future date that in 2024, there was a presidential election rooted not in any one single issue, but in good people sharing a common goal.

Finally, my grandson loves the Ronettes. You should see that boy dance to the above song!

July 24, 2024

Life

I was 100% for Joe Biden. I was confident that he would beat the felon in a close contest. I was sad to see the way he ended what I consider a truly great career.

I am now 100% for VP Harris. Since having my computer shit the bed in a storm eleven days ago, and being off-line until this morning, I've seen and heard the response to her both in person and on the telephone. Let me give but two examples:

Last night, I went to see my sister's granddaughter's summer league basketball games. In between games, as we all moved to a different court, a large, apparently human was strolling the opposite way. He was rude in the sense of not making room for others. And you guessed it -- we donned a maga hat. I noted a small black lady not get out of his way, in kind of a game of chicken. He moved.

People who noticed were laughing, myself included. It was then I noticed she was wearing a "Harris: 2024" t-shirt.

I had a phone call late at night from a lady who in past years I knew as a Democratic Party activist. I knew her from going door-to-door for then Senator Obama, and again for his re-election. I had contacted her a few months ago, saying it was time to get started, but she said she'd have to get back to me. I had thought that she probably would not.

Late a night, the phone rang. It was her. She asked me if I thought a woman could be elected president? Yes. Even a non-white woman? Definitely. She started laughing, and said that was what she wanted to hear. She said she has been in contact with female friends across the state, and they are all very excited. She is around my daughte's age, in my opinion one of the key groups to winning not a close contest, but to expel the maga movement from the bowels of DC.

July 15, 2024

A Serious Question

I am wondering how everyone is doing? DU is a diverse community with a common goal: kicking the felon's ass in November. If we work together, with the Democratic Party from the grassroots to the DNC, we will defeat the maga threat. After that, we can focus on the many problems relating to the Supreme Court, but for now, it's the elections that count.

Politics is not the only thing going on in our individual lives.Families, jobs, groceries, and the extreme heat in many areas of the country can be concerns, too. Strong people get tired, and this appears to be a week of maga insanity. So I'm curious how everyone is doing, and to express my opinion that we will get through this fine.

I was thinking about Joe Biden last night. Of how in many ways, he reminds me of one of my favorite politicians from the past. Hubert Humphrey served our country as a Senator and Vice President. He is high among those who advocated liberalism in our party, during trying times. He was great at fighting for other people's rights, like Joe Biden. But the difference between the two was that Humphrey at times lacked a willingness to stand up for himself. DUers of my generation will remember this as the one quality that prevented his becoming not only president, but perhaps a great president.

Joe Biden, in my opinion, is a stronger man than Humphrey. I think he is like Humphrey in his caring about others. But more like Smokin' Joe Frazier in his fighting style. Hear me out on this.

Buster Mathis beat Frazier twice in the 1964 Olympic trials. But a broken bone in one hand convinced Buster to step aside. Frazier replaced him and won the gold -- all with a broken bone in his hand. As professionals, when both were undefeated top contenders, the two met a third time. This was in 1968, a year like no other in America.

Their fight was for the NYS & PA "World Heavyweight Title," at a time Muhammad Ali was in a forced retirement due to his bold refusal to be drafted. Many in the boxing community were joined by an array of political activists who were unhappy that Joe would agree to fight for a title that they believed belonged to Ali.

More, Mathis was a much bigger man. He had outweighed Joe by 100 pounds in the amateurs, and he was in better shape now. He was fast, strong, and a very talented fighter. But Joe would say he had learned that heads are hard, and one could break their hand if that was their target. He knew the body holds more organs, with less to protect them.

Buster, like other opponents, started fast, and took an early lead. But Joe was smokin' with vicious body shots that wore Buster down. And Joe knocked Buster out in the 11th round of a tough, tough fight.

We need to follow Joe Biden's lead. Fight for others, and fight for yourself. We know that the felon and his cult are coming out fast this round, er, week. No problem. We need to start an attack on the organs of the republican party, and there is a lot of open targets to start hitting.

Thank you,
H2O Man

July 14, 2024

American Amygdala

The modern human brain is a curious thing. It evolved over millions of years, from the pre-man eras on the African savannas, and eventually among early humans in the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Europe. It allowed humans to survive in harsh, cruel environments. In time, the brain allowed humans to create concrete jungles, a form of environment where the human brain's maintain the same functioning as in our ancient ancestors.

From what has been reported thus far, it appears that Thomas Matthew Crooks' brain functioning was similar to that of those at risk of school or other public mass shootings. A loner, picked on in school, with mental health issues. Certainly personality disordered, and possibly with a major mental illness. I think that it was his shot that hit the felon's ear a few seconds before he was killed. Thus, we can only look at the act, and events leading up to it, in an attempt to know what he was thinking.

In these cases, there is usually "leakage" in the period leading up to the shooting. Those around him might notice a change in behavior. Family members often do not recognize risk factors. Reports indicate his father bought the gun used, which could indicate Dad did not know his son had this potential. It sounds like he did not have a large circle of friends, and so the FBI will check to see if he participated in any groups there. This is not uncommon among incels. It seems likely that he would have left some writing that documented his goal.

That goal might well be summed up in his mind as follows: "I exist. I dislike you, because you either were unaware of me, ignored me, or disliked me. You did not appreciate that I am part of American history."

There are, of course, other theories regarding this guy's motives and actions, including some rather odd conspiracy theories. I rarely engage with anyone prone to them. But when a maga fellow I knew since grade school posted that it was time for people to be "locked & loaded," as President Biden had ordered the murder of the felon, I took notice. He went on to say that this was "exactly like when the democrats shot Reagan." So I suggested it was far too early for any of us to know anything for sure, and pointed out who the family of the guy who shot Reagan were friends with.

Late last night, when a loud automobile went past my house four times, each time throwing rather loud firecrackers on my property, I was left to wonder if it was a result of my response, a result of my older son posting jokes about the shooting, or merely coincidence? I say this to illustrate how the brain works in strange times.

I'll fight the temptation to post one of my long and tedious essays on the amygdala and the Insular cortex -- much less the hippocampus and hypothalamus -- and their role in functions such as emotions, telling friends from foes, and feeding information to the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Surely you dodged a bullet there! For as my children say, no other person is interested in what fascinates me.

I have relatives and friends who view yesterday's events as a case of the chickens coming home to roost. Some are artists with dark humor, some are uncomfortable laughing at such jokes, some recognize that political violence is bad, and some have a sense of foreboding about the next few months. Of course, the combination of the event, the emotional response, and how that mixes with our thinking, makes us hope for explanations that will not come in the following weeks.

How we process this, what we think and how we deel, is okay. The only troubling potential is found among those who are sure Joe Biden ordered it, (Joe was from PA, you know), and those who purposely manipulate their disturbed thinking. The level of threats against politicians at the state and federal levels is extremely high, even before this. So be awake, be aware, and I will say be careful this week in particular.

Peace,
H2O Man

July 12, 2024

Weird Scenes

"During the 1976 investigation of the CIA by the Senate Intelligence Committe, chaired by Senator Frank Church, the dimensions of the Agency's involvanent with the press became apparent to several manbers of the panel, as well as to two or three investigators on the staff. But top officials of the CIA, including former directors William Cblby and George Bush, persuaded the coimittee to restrict its inquiry into the matter and to deliberately misrepresent the actual scope of the activities in its final report. The multi-volume report contains nine pages in which the use of journalists is discussed in deliberately vague and sometimes misleading terms. It makes no mention of the actual nunber of journalists who undertook covert tasks for the CIA. Nor does it adequately describe the role played by newspaper and broadcast executives in cooperating with the Agency."
-- Carl Bernstein; The CIA and the Press; Rolling Stone; 1977


I'd like to take a few minutes to explain why, when I support President Biden, I am against insulting those Democrats who have sincere concerns about his age and ability to serve another term. It's not that I disagree with the suspicions of my pro-Biden friends .... for what it's worth, just like in the late 1960s and '70s, we knew there was something happening here, though what is is ain't exactly clear.

Think of the parable of the seven blind men and the elephant. In the 1960s, Malcolm X thought he was being followed exclusively by the Nation of Islam, until his experience at an airport in France. In the early '70s, people told John Lennon he wa paranoid for thinking he was being followed. Neither man had any idea of the extent of what was happening.

Now, I'm not saying, "It's the CIA! They killed Elvis!" But a quick review of certain CIA tactics involved in both bloody and soft coups might be of interest. In WW2, FDR was impressed with England's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). General William Donovan created plans, which combined elements of the oil corporations' already existing intelligence groups, with military and university resources.

During the bush/CHENEY administration, a fellow named John Perkins published a couple books about being an "economic hitman." These were largely fiction, in the sense of Carlos Castaneda's series abou Don Juan. Yet Perkins did describe some of the methods that corporations used to destabilize governments. Among these is to create hostilities within the public that supports the government.

Now, I've also recommended Erich Fromm's 1973 classic, "The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness," which details how sociopaths rise to power. But I think the most important resource at this moment, for understanding what is happening here today, is Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Another is Timothy Snyder. But Ruth has, in recent interiews, explained how pieces have been being put in place for the last decade or so, for what is being planned for if our party loses in November. She sees the whole elephant, so to speak.

And that is why I keep saying not to feed into the negative emotions that could fracture our party. Avoid arguing with Democrats you disagree with. Recognize that there are "trolls" on the internet. Don't step in elephant shit that you encounter on the path. Don't quarrel with stupid people. That's a waste of energy.

We can get through this if we remain united.

July 11, 2024

Don't Ask Alice

"Alice came to a fork in the road. 'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' responded the Cheshire Cat. "i don't know,' responded Alice. 'Then,' said the Cat, 'it doesn't matter.' ....If you don't know where you're going, any road will do."
-- Lewis Carroll


This is merely my impression of the current discord within the Democratic Party. I'll start by saying that, unlike the republican party, I think that our party has attracted a wide range of individuls and sub-groups during my lifetime. Male and female, all ethnic tribess (often mistakenly called "races&quot , all economic levels, all educational backgrounds, and all ages.

I don't think it is shocking that there are differences of opinion on any number of issues. I don't jump to the conclusion that "it's the Russians," even though I know they strongly influenced the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Yet, there are groups in this country that are involved in "perception management," that are stirring the pot.

In my humble opinion, this is not a grand conspiracy by the corporate media. Their goal is to get viewers and make money. Obviously, the media is also stirring the pot. This is to increase the level of the viewers' emotions. Hence, we are all familiar with friends who frequently say, "I can't believe CNN (insert any & every media) said this!" Over and again, they can't believe their ears. If you are shocked or outraged by the media at this late date, the problem might be located between your ears.

I'm not bothered when people have different opinions. So long as we share the same goal -- to beat the felon -- I'm good with it. I'd even suggest that Democrats keep one of Minister Malcolm X's famous lines in mind: "By any means necessary." That's the goal that we all share.

Now, we are only batting .500 in presidential contests versus the felon. That's important for a number of reasons. The first is that President Biden kicked the felon's pale, flabby ass in 2020. Let's put that in the proper context of our election victories in 2018 as well as 2022. Those wins were in large part due to the public disgust with the felon and the creeps he surrounded himself with. The Democratic Party was engaged in focused, coordinated efforts.

The felon has only become a greater threat to democracy. Allowing differences of opinions within our ranks shouldn't cause a fracture within our party. We do not have the luxury of self-destruction, so to speak. But we do have the potential id people don't get a grip.

As long as we share the same goal we are fine. But sharing the same goal isn't the same as agreeing at this moment how we reach that goal. It's essential that we accept that good Democrats have a different opinion than you. Listen! None of you have ever encountered anyone who obnoxiously thinks they are ALWAYS tight that could hold a candle to me. And I am, perhaps at long last, able to think those who disagree with me are sincere, and that there's not always a lone "right" answer.

Three things we should remember: first, don't ask Alice, and second, your opinion is not ten feet tall, and third, we have to beat the felon in November, By any means necessary. Yes, Joe Biden is old. He is not spry 24/7 -- nor is any other human being. He has never been mistaken for one of the great orators in American history; yet, as Rev. Jesse Jackson said, an audience frequently respects the person who struggles while speaking more than the polished speaker. Plus it isn't like he's up against a gifted one in the felon, who was unable to gain a single vote from the debate.

Joe was inspired to get into politics by Senator Robert Kennedy, who served as proof of what Jesse said. I've wanted Biden for president since the 1980s. I think he has become better with experience as a Senator and VP. We are fortunate that he came out of retirement to run in 2020. And he ranks among the great presidents. So I'm proud to support him today.

That does not mean I do not have concerns about his age. Joe Louis was a great heavyweight champion. But he came out of retirement, won some fights, and then got hurt in the ring. The sign of fighting too long is when you can se a punch coming, but not get out of the way, and can see an opening, but not get a shot off. Both factors increase with age. Always. There are a lot of good Democrats who think this is the case, not because they dislike Joe, but because they care about him. But they don't think he can win this fight.

Some good people are concerned that those who think President Biden should step down will not be enthusiastic in not only voting for him, but campaigning. Now, I could easily list two dozen of my Top Ten favorite things he's done as president. But I understand others' valid concerns, and do not mistake them for Eeyore. Let's reach our goal in November, regardless of if we think Joe will serve a full second term.

Just as we can't afford for those Democrats to be unenthusiastic, we can't afford to place our feet in quick-drying concrete thinking. Or to become a pack if chihuahuas, snarling mean and threatening things at a computer screen. Neither helps us reach our goal. Both are stumbling blocks. I don't know what is going on behind the scenes in DC, and neither do you. We only have hints from the McMedia. But what we do know for sure is that we have both President Biden and VP Harris leading our team. And they have the felon.

Keep your Eyes on the Prize,
H2O Man

July 9, 2024

Ten Concepts

I have been listening to a little music this morning, while sitting in my rocking chair, thinking about the social-political struggles that took place in my youth. This, my favorite chair, belonged to my maternal great-great grandfather, and so I think it has had old men rocking while thinking about similar things for many years.

There's a picture of his father, looking hostile in an uncomfortable wooden chair. He was a Civil War veteran, who as a fairly young man looks very old. My mother told me that she had heard little about him beyond "the war changed him," and that he had gone from a happy man before the war to a bitter, mean man after seeing what he saw, and doing what he did.

I could name a dozen relatives and friends who had authentic PTSD from experiences in WW1, WW2, and Vietnam, as well as kids who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. I began thinking of the writings of Reinhold Niebuhr, and his thoughts on the nature of war and international relations. His theories influenced Hubert Humphrey, Hillary Clinton, and two of my favorite presidents -- Carter and Obama.

Niebuhr's thinking was also important to Gandhi and King, two men that were focused on violence and injustice in their own counties. Both understood the connections between their domestic situations, and the violence in foreign lands. My thought were interrupted by a phone call from my son, as his car broke down 40 miles away from where I was sitting. This served as a reminder that life sometimes tosses something unexpected in one's way, such as an 80 mile round trip.

But I'm back in my rocking chair now. I read Dr. King's "ten commandments," or the pledge he had those engaged in actions with him. I recognize that some will say these are dated, or that they are Christians. That's fine, but keep in mind that King was a minister, and just as much "Rev. King" as "Dr. King." I am convinced that in order to win in November and beyond, Democrats should give these serious thought, with a special focus on #8. I haven't seen much of that on this forum lately, to the extent that I remember at a harsh time in 1967, King telling his co-workers, "You're not with me." He had to walk away from them for a few hours to collect his thoughts.

https://www.buffaloquakers.org/blog/2018/3/27/martin-luther-kings-ten-commandments-for-non-violence

I'd like to thank those who have read this.
H2O Man

July 7, 2024

Internal Concert

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.


I strongly dislike the phone waking me up early. I tried to ignore the inconsiderate call at the crack of noon, but it just kept ringing. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, I got up to answer. It was my son, asking if I wanted to go to Bethel this evening to watch Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant in concert? I said no.

He asked why not? I said because "sometimes,I feel so low-down and disgusted, can't help but wonder what's happenin' to my companions. Are they lost or are they found?" That there's a fast, fast train comin' up around the bend. That I'm unhappy reading shrill bullshit on the internet, with some expressing shock that the media serves McMedia bile for public consumption, and outrage that other Democrats think differently than them.

Being familiar with me, my son asked, "Okay, Malcolm or Martin?" He knows that when I start finding fault with others, I have learned it's time to look inside. And that the first step I take is spending time huddled with certain books. He paraphrased Malcolm: "Don't be mad at someone who doesn't know what you know. There was a time when you didn't know it."

He has heard people discussing the Democratic Party post-debate. He reminded me that my sister thinks President Biden should step down, while my brother-in-law is certain that only Joe can beat the felon in November. He said they discuss this without any hostility towards each other. The resorting to insults, he said, is simply positive proof that someone has reached a point where they have nothing of value to say.

I asked what his three cousins think? He said he wasn't sure, because he hasn't talked to them since the debate. "But," he said, "I'm sure that their discussion are civil, because their parents modeled that for them growing up." All three of my nephews are university graduates, Democrats, and either work or have worked in government jobs. One worked for a US Senator for many years. They are the type of young people that I base my faith for our party's future on.

I mentioned that people I like are also buying into conspiracy theories about the sources of the discord. My son said that there are private businesses that engage in "perception management." That I had told him about Bush the Elder's administration hiring one to sell the first invasion of Iraq when he was young. That what we are seeing is coming almost exclusively from domestic entities. And that while there are foreign countries, such as Russia, that have and continue to try to stir the hatred in this country ..... in this instance, they don't need to, because the pieces have been put in place.

Recommend that people listen closely to Ruth Ben-Ghiat, he said. She explains how those pieces have systematically been put in place, and more importantly, why. This includes why they did so at a certain pace -- why the USSC has been stacked, for example -- and what they means if the felon is re-elected. He was describing the fast, fast train.

"You really should come to the concert," he said. "It would be good for you. Plus you always say you've had fun after I drag you out. " And it might have been, but I had already gotten out a couple of my favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. books. I can only do what I can do for this election. To do that at my best potential, I needed to first look at myself. After that, I'll be listening to Ruth Ben-Ghiat.

Peace,
H2O Man

"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertion and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

July 3, 2024

A Suggestion

"We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh Strength and Power; therefore whatever befalls you, never fall out one with another." -- Peacemaker, Iroquois Confederacy


I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed -- it could be just me -- but there has been an increase in squabbling on DU:GD since last week's presidential debate. Older forum members may remember when there were hints of such things in the past primaries. And while discussions and debates can be good things, since there are many, many sub-groups within our party, they can lead to meaningless arguments such as we currently see.

I find myself thinking about what I have learned about the Haudenosaunee's form of government, especially in times of conflict. Each of the five (then six) nations has its own Council of Chiefs. They are picked, of course, by the Clan Mothers, based upon their character since they were little children. Clan Mothers can istall Chiefs, and they can remove them for bad behavior.

The Chiefs from each nation also sit on the Grand Council of Chiefs, which meets at Onondaga. Generally, these Chiefs range from middle-aged to elders. Among the Grand Council, they pick one to serve as Tadodaho, or "chief among chiefs." The Tadodaho serves all of the Iroquois. He is usually selected when he is middle-aged, and each one has served for an average of about twenty years.

The Tadodaho that I knew as "uncle" was Leon Shenandoah. He was picked at a tense time at Onondaga, in a conflict with the state. Although he was strong and energetic, he relied on several of the Onondaga Chiefs that I knew to conduct business with the state. Decades later, though no longer as strong and energetic, he was respected for his wisdom. He was a quiet man by nature, but when he spoke, everyone listened.

In earlier times, when there was the threat of violent conflict, the decisions to engage in fighting -- or not -- were made by the Clan Mothers of the Confederacy. If conflict was picked, the Grand Council and Councils of Chiefs stood aside, and the young men took over.The leaders of the young men were known as what translates to "chief warriors," which has been the source of confusion for some historians when it involved Joseph Brant. He was not a "chief," but rather, a "chief warrior."

Further confusion has involved the role of "Pine Trees," men or women with special talents who served as the "eyes and ears" of the Chiefs and Clan Mothers at specific meetings. In some instances, they were allowed to speak for the Chiefs. I was honored when Chief Waterman picked me for this role.

Paul said that whenever a good-sized group was considering anything important, there could be differences of opinion. That is a good thing. The starting point should be to identify a common goal, then to discuss and debate the best ways of reaching that goal. That everyone respect, if not agree, with others' opinions on how to reach that goal. That everyone keep their eyes and ears open, rather than blocking out different opinions.

That is known as the Power of the Good Mind. When a group combines sincere efforts this way, the path will open up. It may contain some stumbling blocks and surprises. But it is the best option available. No one individual or sub-group knows the exact answer as they start on that path.

If that sounds unpleasant or very difficult, it is. Tough situations rarely, if ever, have easy answers. But it is always the better option, as doing otherwise always becomes more unpleasant and far more difficult.

July 3, 2024

Fight!

"It is the system itself that, that is incapable of producing freedom for the twenty-two million Afro-Americans. Just like a chicken can't lay a duck egg, a chicken can't lay a duck egg, because the system of the chicken isn't constructed in the way to produce a duck egg. And just as that chicken system can't produce, is not capable to, of producing a duck egg, the political and economic system of this country is absolutely incapable of producing freedom and justice and equality and human dignity for the twenty-two million Afro-Americans."- Malcolm X


Today, the problem isn't really "the system." It's the foul people in it, and their maga & christian nationalist flock of followers. Take the six person majority on the Supreme Court. They are what my grandfather called "rotten eggs."

I read and am re-reading the USSC decision on immunity for presidents. I knew that the court was tasked with not just deciding on the felon's case, but for the future. They are aware that the current republican candidate for president has made it clear that he seeks "revenge" on his political opponents. Plus it's rare for them to determine a single case exclusively, like they did when the robbed Al Gore in 2000.

So I began reading their ruling with an open mind. But soon it was evident that the majority were slipping the 'ole dickhead in. It is obvious that the republicans on the court are so corrupt that we cannot expect them to produce anything but the rotten duck eggs that Templeton savored.

I read things that people I've known and respected for decades. I also listened to Carl Bernstein and Eugene Robinson, two men I respect. They are not Russian assets, nor internet trolls. I'm 100% behind President Biden at this time. But I understand why my friends are worried, and I know Bernstein and Robinson are alarmed. So I'll keep an open mind.

Every president in my life-time, other than the felon, has aged while in office. I anticipate the presidency will take a toll on people. Thus, I cannot deny that considering Biden's age and the cluster-fuck he had to deal with from the moment he was sworn in, it has aged him. So I can't pretend that I have any idea about what conversations may or may not be going on around DC with Democrats and political professionals.

I can only focus on what I can do to help the Democratic Party win in November. I expect Joe Biden will be our candidate. But I will continue to work just as hard if VP Harris is our candidate for president. That is not my concern. Winning the House and keeping the Senate are also extremely important. And I understand what is required to accomplish those goals.

"Professional" means one gets paid; "amateur" means you do something for the love of it. Myself and many, many others here are amateurs who have spent money on promoting our party's candidates. Plus invested a heck of a lot of time. We need to have politicians, professionals, and us amateurs together, with all cylinders firing.

The truth is that the politicians and professionals can't win the elections, without the grassroots. And the grassroots need the amateurs to educate, register others, and get out the vote. That's the way we win. The only way. And the sure way. No one else is going to save us, even if they wanted to.

It's up to you and me. Let's stomp the shit out of the maga movement.