The summer in Plains, Georgia, was hot and humid. Young Jimmy Carter, no more than ten years old, sat under the shade of an old pecan tree. Beside him stood a makeshift wooden stand crafted from spare planks his father had discarded. A hand-painted sign read, “Peanuts 5¢ a Bag.”
Jimmy’s father, Earl, suggested selling peanuts after the latest harvest.
“You’ll learn the value of hard work,”
Earl had said, his weathered hand resting on Jimmy’s shoulder.
“And how to talk to people. That’s important.”
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy took the advice seriously. He woke early each morning to bag the peanuts. He carefully measured each part to guarantee every customer got their money’s worth. Then he’d march down the dirt road to the little stand. He would sit there until the sun dipped low in the sky.
On this particular day, business was slow. The air was thick with the buzz of cicadas, and Jimmy’s mind wandered as he stared down the empty road. He thought about the world beyond Plains. It was a world he’d only glimpsed in books. Travelers passing through town also told him stories about it.
As he mused, a car sputtered to a stop nearby. It was an old Ford, its green paint faded and dust-caked. A man stepped out, dressed in overalls and a straw hat. He approached the stand with a friendly smile.
“Afternoon, young man,”
the stranger said, his voice tinged with a twang.
“How much for a bag of those peanuts?”
“Five cents, sir,”
Jimmy replied, standing up straight.
The man chuckled.
“You drive a hard bargain, but I reckon it’s worth it.”
He handed Jimmy a shiny nickel, and Jimmy passed him a bag of peanuts in return.
The man lingered, munching on the peanuts as he leaned against the car.
“You’re Earl Carter’s boy, ain’t ya?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, you got his knack for business. Ever think about what you wanna do when you’re older?”
Jimmy hesitated, then spoke with quiet determination.
“I think I’d like to help people. Maybe be a farmer like my dad, or –– maybe even something bigger. Like a teacher or someone who solves problems.”
The man nodded thoughtfully.
Jimmy Carter was a teenager then. He was number 10 in a group portrait of the Plains High School basketball team. The photo was taken in Plains, Georgia, around 1940.
“That’s a fine ambition. Keep that kindness in your heart, boy. The world can use more folks like you.”
Jimmy smiled, his youthful confidence bolstered by the stranger’s words.
Years later, as President of the United States, Jimmy Carter often recalled that summer by the peanut stand. There, under the pecan tree, he first learned the value of hard work. He also learned humility and the simple power of connecting with others. These were lessons that would guide him throughout his life.
The stand was long gone. But, the spirit of that little boy with big dreams remained. It was forever rooted in the red soil of Plains.
Happy Thanksgiving, And Wishes For Bright Holidays, Wherever You May Be!
benandsteve.com is going places—online and in life. We are proud to announce that we are being listed by Medioq, which connects news and information sites and exchanges information with you online.
“Exciting News! We are thrilled to be featured on Medioq, a premier platform connecting individuals with top-notch media, news, and broadcasting companies worldwide. Explore our profile to stay informed, entertained, and associated with the latest news and updates: https://www.medioq.com/XX/Unknown/1582006558765140/Galaxy8News
Pehr Gustaf Gyllenhammar, a visionary Swedish businessman whose leadership and influence extended across industries and continents, passed away in November 2024 at 89. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 28, 1935, to Pehr Gyllenhammar Sr. and Aina (née Kaplan), Pehr G. Gyllenhammar was a man of profound intellect, ambition, and a global vision that inspired many.
Gyllenhammar is best remembered for his transformative tenure as CEO and chairman of Volvo from 1970 to 1994, during which time he led the company through a period of dynamic growth and innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive and industrial sectors. His bold attempt to merge Volvo with Renault in the 1990s exemplified his forward-thinking, even as it marked the end of his career with the company.
Beyond Volvo, Gyllenhammar’s career spanned various leadership roles, including Aviva’s chairman and Rothschild Europe’s vice chairman. A fervent advocate for European industrial collaboration, he co-founded the European Round Table of Industrialists, promoting cooperation among the continent’s leading companies.
His contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including France’s *Ordre National du Mérite* in 1980 and the *Legion of Honour* in 1987. In 2001, he was named an Honorary Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple in London.
Gyllenhammar’s intellectual curiosity and political engagement made him a public figure beyond the boardroom. An early proponent of social liberalism, he championed the Scandinavian model of governance and was a vocal advocate for European unity. His political views and engagement with social issues often influenced his business decisions, making him a unique and influential figure in both the political and business spheres. At one point, he was even considered a potential leader of Sweden’s Liberal People’s Party.
He balanced his professional endeavors with a rich personal life. He married Christina Engellau, the daughter of Volvo’s former CEO, in 1959 and shared nearly five decades with her until her passing in 2008. Together, they raised four children—Cecilia, Charlotte, Sophie, and Oscar—each of whom carved out successful paths in the arts, business, and design. Later in life, Gyllenhammar found love again, marrying Lee Welton Croll in 2013, with whom he welcomed a child in 2016.
A man of deep conviction, Gyllenhammar exemplified leadership and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on the business world and the communities he served. His resilience in the face of challenges is a testament to his character and the impact of his legacy. He is survived by his wife, Lee, his five children, and a legacy that will inspire future generations.
A private family service will honor his memory. The service, which will be held at a private memorial, and will be a time for family and close friends to share their memories of Gyllenhammar and celebrate his life. In place of flowers, the family requests donations to causes reflecting Gyllenhammar’s dedication to innovation, education, and European unity.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration history, becoming the first significant federal law restricting immigration. It targeted a specific ethnic group driven by economic fears, racial prejudice, and political populism. A review of this historic legislation, alongside the context of its enactment, reveals striking parallels to modern immigration debates. Both historical and contemporary issues illustrate how economic anxieties, cultural misunderstandings, and political opportunism can drive restrictive immigration policies that may ultimately prove disastrous for society.
The Role of Immigrant Labor in Economic Development
In the mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants, despite facing systemic discrimination and being blamed for economic problems, played a crucial role in building the American West. Their resilience and determination were evident in their instrumental role in constructing the transcontinental railroad, tackling some of the most dangerous and demanding jobs in brutal conditions. However, when the Panic of 1873 led to widespread unemployment, populist sentiment scapegoated Chinese immigrants, claiming they were stealing jobs from white workers.
A similar narrative exists today. Immigrant labor is fundamental to the agriculture, construction, and technology industries. Despite this, immigrants are often vilified during economic downturns, accused of taking jobs or lowering wages. This cyclical pattern of scapegoating undermines the reality that immigrants frequently perform jobs that native-born workers are unwilling or unable to do, driving economic growth and innovation. Restrictive immigration policies, such as deportations or bans, risk damaging these essential industries and the broader economy, much like the exclusion of Chinese workers stunted specific sectors in the late 19th century.
Cultural Backlash and Populist Politics
The transcontinental railroad’s completion in 1869 symbolized a remarkable technological achievement but also marked a turning point for Chinese immigrants. Their presence sparked a cultural backlash as they settled in communities like Truckee, California. Fueled by racial prejudice and populist rhetoric, white workers and politicians pushed for their exclusion, culminating in the Chinese Exclusion Act. This act institutionalized xenophobia and created a precedent for racially biased immigration policies.
Today, cultural anxieties continue to shape immigration debates. Concerns about preserving cultural identity and fears of “otherness” fuel resistance to immigrants. Particularly from Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Politicians often exploit these fears to rally support, pushing for restrictive measures such as border walls, travel bans, or mass deportations. Such actions not only marginalize immigrant communities but also foster division and xenophobia, hindering social cohesion.
Economic Consequences of Restriction
The long-term economic impacts of the Chinese Exclusion Act highlight the dangers of restrictive immigration policies. By limiting a vital workforce, the law hampered industries reliant on immigrant labor. The exclusion of Chinese workers also set a precedent that discouraged innovation and adaptability in labor markets, contributing to stagnation in certain regions.
Policies that limit immigrant contributions to the workforce have modern parallels. For example, restrictive visa programs and deportations threaten industries like agriculture and technology, which rely heavily on immigrant talent. Moreover, these policies can exacerbate labor shortages, driving up consumer costs and reducing the global competitiveness of U.S. industries. History demonstrates that economic growth thrives on diversity and inclusion, not exclusion.
Lessons from the Past
The Chinese Exclusion Act teaches us that targeting immigrants as scapegoats for economic or social challenges is a shortsighted and counterproductive strategy. Immigration is a cornerstone of American prosperity, fostering innovation, cultural richness, and financial resilience. Policies driven by fear and prejudice, rather than informed analysis, risk repeating the mistakes of the past and should be considered.
Today’s immigration debates echo the populist rhetoric and exclusionary measures of the late 19th century. However, we have the benefit of hindsight to recognize that such policies often create more problems than they solve. To avoid a similar disaster, today’s policymakers must approach immigration with a focus on integration, economic opportunity, and respect for human dignity. By learning from history, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous future, where all individuals feel valued and respected.
America is at a turning point, a moment so profound that many may not see the year’s end without facing life-altering consequences. These changes aren’t their fault. They stem from forces more significant than any single person or group—forces set in motion long ago.
The nation stands on the brink of challenges unseen in living memory. No vote, no leader, no hero can steer us away from what’s coming. The roots of our crisis lie in greed and unchecked ambition, planted by individuals we know and trust—people we’ll sit across from at holiday dinners, unaware they helped build the road to this moment.
As the months unfold, our choices are narrowing. The lives we’ve known, filled with freedom of association, laughter, and uninhibited conversation, are under siege. Soon, those liberties may be reshaped or stripped away entirely, dictated by legislation crafted by those who believe they know better.
Imagine a world where our words must align with an official narrative, where dissent is no longer tolerated. Our daily connections—jokes, debates, and chatter—become whispers of a bygone era. Communication will be monitored, censored, or stifled entirely. Freedom of thought, once a cornerstone of this great land, will be reduced to a memory.
And yet, it is worth remembering:
We let this happen.
Or rather, “they” did.
Those who wielded their votes, believing in promises that veiled agendas, have delivered us to this precipice.
It is “they” who must now reckon with what “they’ve” done to the “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.”
But reckoning is not enough. As the storm looms, let us not resign ourselves to despair. Let us remember who we are and what we stand for. Even as the path ahead grows darker, there remains a flicker of the courage, resilience, and unity that built this nation. We must nurture that spark, which may guide us back to the light.
I want to delve into the Border Issue, a topic that often dominates national news and political discussions. As a resident of Mesa, Arizona, and a frequent traveler across the state, I’ve never encountered the dramatic scenes that the media often depicts. There have been no families from Central America camping in my front yard or streams of people crossing into nearby towns. This stark contrast between media portrayals and my personal experiences is a puzzle that I’m eager to explore.
It’s interesting to note that I know individuals who firmly believe in these media portrayals. Some have even ventured to Mexico, confident that the Border Patrol would ensure their safety. Upon their return, I eagerly inquired about their experiences, expecting tales of chaos. To my surprise, they described the areas as eerily quiet—almost like ghost towns. They reported no issues crossing the border and found the most challenging part of the journey to be the drive itself.
Despite these personal accounts, the news continues to show what’s framed as thousands of people crossing the border here in Arizona. While I acknowledge that some may exploit entry points or policies, I struggle to find evidence of this on the ground. It raises questions: where are these images and reports coming from, and are they truly reflective of the situation here?
The fall of 2024 found a vibrant small community town hall filled with locals from every walk of life. The walls became lined with a diverse array of familiar faces of the neighborhood—retired teachers, young activists, military veterans, and longtime friends who had lived through decades of change, some of it hard-won, others bittersweet. On the stage, with a sign reading “Let’s Talk About Greatness,” stood a panel, each holding their idea of what that greatness looked like.
Jared, a man in his late sixties with a MAGA hat perched atop his head, leaned forward as he spoke, –––
“I want my kids and grandkids to grow up in a country that feels strong, proud, and united—like it was back then. We all knew our neighbors. Families were close-knit. There was a sense of American unity.”
Dolores, a retired history teacher, nodded beside him. But as the crowd listened, some exchanged looks. –––
“So, Jared, I get what you’re saying,” a young local journalist interrupted Lena. But when we say ‘back then,’ do we mean the same thing?”
Jared paused, looking thoughtful, as Dolores took the microphone. –––
“We tend to remember the good and forget the rest,” she said gently. I remember growing up in the fifties and sixties. It was stable and ideal for some of us, but not everyone. This ‘great’ past we want to go back to meant certain people couldn’t vote. Others had to hide who they loved. And women—our dreams were seen as distractions to a family.”
There was a hush as Dolores’s words hung in the air.
“I don’t think Jared meant that,”
––– came a soft voice from the audience. It was Naomi, a single mother and community organizer.
“But when we say we want to ‘Make America Great Again,’ we have to ask—for whom? The history we’re returning to was not the same experience for everyone.”
The community members exchanged glances. Jared turned back to the crowd. –––
“I respect what you’re saying, Naomi,”
he replied, genuinely thoughtfully. –––
“When I say ‘greatness,’ I’m not talking about racism or inequality. I’m talking about hard work, pride, patriotism—things that feel like they’re slipping away.”
Naomi nodded understanding, fostering a sense of mutual respect and value for each other’s perspectives, highlighting the importance of open and respectful dialogue in the community.
“But the word again implies that we want to go backward,”
––– Lena pointed out.
“And, for me, that’s concerning. I love this country and respect what’s gone into making it better. I mean, we have interracial marriage, legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, voting rights for everyone.”
––– Lena paused, looking at Jared.
“To me, that’s American greatness—now.”
As the meeting unfolded, the debate deepened. Various members shared stories of progress and hardships. Kayla, a small business owner, spoke about her pride in balancing work and motherhood.
“When I hear traditional values, I think of something different than my grandmother might have,”
––– she said.
“My values include family, hard work, women’s rights, and equal opportunities.”
Another voice said,
“Look, I served in the military, and I believe in protecting this country,”
––– said Tom, a retired Marine and a man with a thick gray beard.
“I fought for an America that moves forward and doesn’t leave anyone behind. ‘Greatness’ is complex—strong enough to protect everyone’s rights.”
The meeting wrapped up with the group realizing that “greatness” was many things, each person’s version holding personal meaning. Dolores took the microphone one last time:
“Maybe we can remember this—our vision of a truly great America embraces both the good of the past and the advancements we’ve made. To build greatness, we don’t go backward. We keep moving and evolving, ensuring that each generation has the opportunity to contribute to a better America, instilling a sense of hope and optimism in the audience for the future.”
The room echoed with nods of agreement, and as the townspeople filed out, they carried forward a renewed understanding: that the road to greatness was not paved with nostalgia alone but with a willingness to grow beyond it.
The term “Make America Great Again” has a different meaning, and it stands on the grounds that to make America Great Again, there has to be the revoking of rights that have been attained by groups over the last fifty years. Those groups include blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians, the LGBTQI+ Community, and others. Because of that angle, this space will discuss the topic in the November 1st, 2024 posting.
Understanding the range of meanings attributed to “Make America Great Again” offers insight into the complexities of contemporary American identity and the societal debate over what “greatness” truly entails in an evolving multicultural landscape.
Walter Harvey Ballard, Sr., a pioneering NASCAR figure and beloved family man, passed away surrounded by loved ones. Born on January 12, 1933, in Summerdale, Alabama, he was the second of six boys raised by Bernice Louise and Victor Ballard, Sr. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Rose Ballard; his second wife, Katy Ballard; and his daughter, Anna Marie Lorenzo.
Walter is survived by his children, Wayne and Catherine Henton, Walter Harvey Ballard, Jr., Clinton and Christine Ballard, Stony and Jerry Ann Ballard, Danny and Kim Ballard, and Lee-sa Krapish. He also leaves behind five devoted brothers and their wives: Carlos and Martha, Donald and Merry, Victor and Linda, Harold, and Rita, and Ernest and Beverly, along with fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Leaving home at a young age with only a ninth-grade education, Walter forged his path, beginning with service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he served as a Sergeant in France. Following his military service, Walter channeled his ambition into building a successful career around his love of automobiles. He earned NASCAR’s first Rookie of the Year title in 1971 and, despite health challenges, remained deeply involved in racing as a team owner. Walter’s influence extended beyond the racetrack; his wife, Katy, co-founded one of the first NASCAR ladies’ organizations, underscoring their shared dedication to the sport.
To honor Walter’s commitment to helping others, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Wounded Warriors Project, two causes dear to him.
Walter’s life will be celebrated on Monday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. at James Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Northlake Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held before the service from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at James Funeral Home.
Walter’s memory will be cherished by all who knew him. He was a devoted father, a trailblazer in NASCAR, and a man of strength and kindness.
My dad and grandfather are gone now, but neither would support a liar, cheat, rapist, insurrectionist, dictator, or someone who supports one, or generally speaking, a creep or ‘weirdo.’
There are other reasons you can look at as well. For instance, a candidate such has a sexual offense judgment against him, and he is under indictment for countless federal crimes; in the last year, one of the candidates was in the air, flying, on their way to being arrested, just as much as he was campaigning at one point.
One or more of those reasons would have been reason enough to consider looking into the person’s background. And three to four, would have been reason enough to reject a person all together. Someone who was strongly running for public office would have been rejected. Now, the GOP considers it a qualification required for all Republican candidates.
The candidates have endorsements from KKK members. They boast about, a presidential politician having endorsements from dictators. They wallow in such markings, and candidates publicly brag about laws they will violate first, if elected. And this makes them the most qualified candidate. Going as far as boasting about becoming a dictator. Going about telling people this is the last election they will have to worry about voting in.
Why? Does that mean the Constitution is going to get ripped apart, shredded, and there will no longer be a United States where the people choose its leaders? It appears it doesn’t matter to the people who are numb and following this character. They appear to have zoned out of reality.
My grandfather, father, uncles, aunts, and even a few dogs and horses I’ve had would not have allowed the goings on to persist. The greatest generation has died chiefly off; fewer of them now than ever are living, which sadly shows in our world. They were the ones who knew what happens when the world that falls to fascism. When reality hits and the world dies. It is beginning as America will turn grey; it will become a black-and-white construct of anything anyone remembers of its being, if these destructionists are permitted to have their way with the country. We only hope enough voters come to the polls and and vote, and save our America!
My dad had a favorite saying: the older I got, the wiser he’d get. And he was right; I wish he were here to help us out of this madness!
Information Produced and Presented By Organizations Other Than Groff Media 2024
Above, two-time Academy Award nominee Marshall Curry presents A Night at The Garden, a film that revisits a night in February 1939 when “20,000 Americans rallied in New York’s Madison Square Garden to celebrate the rise of Nazism — an event largely forgotten from U.S. history.” As we described it back in 2017, the film documents the following scene:
What you’re looking at is the 1939 “Pro-American Rally” (aka Pro-Nazi Rally) sponsored by the German American Bund at Madison Square Garden on George Washington’s 207th Birthday. Banners emblazoned with such slogans as “Stop Jewish Domination of Christian Americans,” “Wake Up America. Smash Jewish Communism,” and “1,000,000 Bund Members by 1940” decorated the great hall.
New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia—an Episcopalian with a Jewish mother—considered canceling the event, but ultimately he, along with the American Jewish Committee and the American Civil Liberties Committee decreed that the Bund was exercising its right to free speech and free assembly.
A crowd of 20,000 filled the famous sports venue in mid-town Manhattan to capacity. 1,500 police officers were present to render the Garden “a fortress impregnable to anti-Nazis.” An estimated 100,000 counter-demonstrators were gathering outside.…
The most disturbing moment in the short film comes at the 3:50 mark, when another security force—the Bund’s Ordnungsdienst or “Order Service” pile on Isidore Greenbaum, a 26-year-old Jewish worker who rushed the podium where bundesführerFritz Julius Kuhn was fanning the flames of hatred. Valentine’s men eventually pulled them off, just barely managing to save the “anti-Nazi” from the vicious beating he was undergoing.
Made entirely from archival footage filmed that night, A Night at The Garden “transports audiences to this chilling gathering and shines a light on the power of demagoguery and anti-Semitism in the United States.” You can learn more about the film and the 1939 rally at Marshall Curry’s web site.
Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or other xenophobic rallies being held this weekend in Madison Square Garden is purely coincidental, of course.
MAGA Is Not The First To Attempt And Bring Down America. A Populist Movement Nearly Destroyed American Democracy Over 110 Years Ago, But Our Democracy Prevailed
Over a century ago, the United States grappled with a political movement that closely resembled today’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, a populist uprising spearheaded by former President Donald Trump. Like MAGA, this earlier movement thrived on populist discontent, nativist sentiments, and rejection of the established order. If not kept in check, it could have reshaped American democracy in ways that might have undermined its democratic institutions, a peril we must remain vigilant against.
One of the most significant instances was during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, a man with intricate political loyalties. In 1912, Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party brought populist elements into the political mainstream, appealing to working-class voters who felt marginalized by the two major parties. While Roosevelt was not anti-democratic, his charismatic leadership style and his ability to rally crowds around a strongman image set a precedent for future political movements that would seek to undermine democratic norms.
Simultaneously, the rise of the “America First” movement and the Ku Klux Klan spanning the 1920s showed how easily populist rhetoric could veer into exclusionary nationalism and nativism. The Klan’s widespread influence reached local, state, and federal government levels, promoting an agenda that sought to disenfranchise non-white citizens, immigrants, and anyone considered “un-American.” This movement found an audience among rural and working-class Americans who felt left behind by the rapid industrialization and modernization of the country.
At the heart of these movements was a profound distrust of the government, elites, and institutions—just like the anti-establishment fervor that fueled the rise of MAGA. These movements aimed to “restore” a vision of America rooted in racial and social hierarchies, often using violent rhetoric and intimidation to achieve their goals. Had these populist forces gained more traction, they could have severely damaged the democratic foundation of the country, ushering in a more authoritarian regime.
It took concerted efforts from citizens and political leaders to resist these dangerous movements and restore democratic norms. In some ways, the lessons from over a century ago echo loudly today: unchecked populism, especially when it flirts with nativism and authoritarianism, can bring democracy to the brink of collapse. However, this history also reminds us of our power to shape the future of our democracy, offering hope and inspiration for positive change.
Today, as MAGA remains a force in American politics, it is crucial to remember that the battle to preserve democracy requires vigilance. While populism can express legitimate grievances of people who feel left behind, it must not be allowed to erode the institutions enabling democracy to function. History teaches us that democracy’s survival depends on our ability to balance widespread anger with reasoned leadership and respect for the rule of law. We all have a role to play in this ongoing struggle, and our vigilance is required to maintain a true Republic of the People!
Beginning in 1943, the War Department published a series of pamphlets for U.S. Army personnel in the European theater of World War II. Titled Army Talks, the series was designed “to help [the personnel] become better-informed men and women and therefore better soldiers.”
On March 24, 1945, the topic for the week was “FASCISM!”
“You are away from home, separated from your families, no longer at a civilian job or at school and many of you are risking your very lives,” the pamphlet explained, “because of a thing called fascism.” But, the publication asked, what is fascism? “Fascism is not the easiest thing to identify and analyze,” it said, “nor, once in power, is it easy to destroy. It is important for our future and that of the world that as many of us as possible understand the causes and practices of fascism, in order to combat it.”
Fascism, the U.S. government document explained, –––
“is government by the few and for the few. The objective is seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state.” “The people run democratic governments, but fascist governments run the people.”
“The basic principles of democracy stand in the way of their desires; hence—democracy must go! Anyone who is not a member of their inner gang has to do what he’s told. They permit no civil liberties, no equality before the law.” “Fascism treats women as mere breeders. ‘Children, kitchen, and the church,’ was the Nazi slogan for women,” ––– the pamphlet said.
Fascists “make their own rules and change them when they choose…. They maintain themselves in power by use of force combined with propaganda based on primitive ideas of ‘blood’ and ‘race,’ by skillful manipulation of fear and hate, and by false promise of security. The propaganda glorifies war and insists it is smart and ‘realistic’ to be pitiless and violent.”
Fascists understood that “the fundamental principle of democracy—faith in the common sense of the common people—was the direct opposite of the fascist principle of rule by the elite few,” it explained, “[s]o they fought democracy…. They played political, religious, social, and economic groups against each other and seized power while these groups struggled.”
Americans should not be fooled into thinking that fascism could not come to America, the pamphlet warned; after all, “[w]e once laughed Hitler off as a harmless little clown with a funny mustache.” And indeed, the U.S. had experienced “sorry instances of mob sadism, lynchings, vigilantism, terror, and suppression of civil liberties. We have had our hooded gangs, Black Legions, Silver Shirts, and racial and religious bigots. All of them, in the name of Americanism, have used undemocratic methods and doctrines which…can be properly identified as ‘fascist.’”
The War Department thought it was important for Americans to understand the tactics fascists would use to take power in the United States. They would try to gain power “under the guise of ‘super-patriotism’ and ‘super-Americanism.’” And they would use three techniques:
First, they would pit religious, racial, and economic groups against one another to break down national unity. Part of that effort to divide and conquer would be a “well-planned ‘hate campaign’ against minority races, religions, and other groups.”
Second, they would deny any need for international cooperation, because that would fly in the face of their insistence that their supporters were better than everyone else. “In place of international cooperation, the fascists seek to substitute a perverted sort of ultra-nationalism which tells their people that they are the only people in the world who count. With this goes hatred and suspicion toward the people of all other nations.”
Third, fascists would insist that “the world has but two choices—either fascism or communism, and they label as ‘communists’ everyone who refuses to support them.”
It is “vitally important” to learn to spot native fascists, the government said, “even though they adopt names and slogans with popular appeal, drape themselves with the American flag, and attempt to carry out their program in the name of the democracy they are trying to destroy.”
The only way to stop the rise of fascism in the United States, the document said, “is by making our democracy work and by actively cooperating to preserve world peace and security.” In the midst of the insecurity of the modern world, the hatred at the root of fascism “fulfills a triple mission.” By dividing people, it weakens democracy. “By getting men to hate rather than to think,” it prevents them “from seeking the real cause and a democratic solution to the problem.” By falsely promising prosperity, it lures people to embrace its security.
“Fascism thrives on indifference and ignorance,” it warned. Freedom requires “being alert and on guard against the infringement not only of our own freedom but the freedom of every American. If we permit discrimination, prejudice, or hate to rob anyone of his democratic rights, our own freedom and all democracy is threatened.”
Charles Brandt, a former Delaware chief deputy attorney general and author of I Heard You Paint Houses, the book that inspired the acclaimed 2019 film The Irishman, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82.
Brandt, who lived between Lewes, Delaware, and Sun Valley, Idaho, passed at Delaware Hospice at St. Francis in Wilmington. His daughter, Jenny Rose Brandt, a registered nurse and his primary caregiver, shared that he died due to complications from multiple chronic health conditions.
I Heard You Paint Houses, Brandt’s work of narrative nonfiction published in 2005, explores the life of Frank “Big Frank” Sheeran, a towering World War II veteran and former president of Teamsters Local 326 in Wilmington who also worked as a Mafia hitman. Brandt spent five years interviewing Sheeran, who, in those conversations, confessed to the killing of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. Hoffa disappeared in 1975, and his body has never been found. Sheeran’s chilling accounts, shared in detail with Brandt, suggested he felt freed to speak as those he once feared were no longer alive.
The movie went to the big screen in The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. The epic film, which runs over three hours and garnered 10 Academy Award nominations, brought widespread attention to Brandt’s extraordinary insights into Sheeran’s life and his ties to organized crime.
Charles Brandt leaves behind a legacy in law, literature, and film, his work casting light on some of America’s most notorious mysteries.
A recent news segment broadcasted by MSNBC-TV News says that former President Donald Trump reportedly made a controversial remark regarding the cost of burying a Hispanic woman he described as a “f–King Mexican” who had been killed and mutilated at a Texas Army base by a fellow soldier. The burial expenses reportedly amounted to approximately $80,000. Trump allegedly expressed frustration, saying it cost “too fucking much money” to provide the soldier with a proper burial.
This statement, if accurate, raises significant concerns about the former president’s attitude toward the treatment of military personnel, particularly those of Mexican heritage, as well as the costs associated with honoring fallen soldiers. The issue transcends one demographic and speaks to broader implications about how different groups—Mexicans, military members, and their families—are treated and respected within the national discourse.
John Kelly says Trump is a Fascist!”
In addition to this disturbing comment, the report also highlighted another alarming remark by Trump, where he expressed a desire for military generals akin to those in Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. Given its historical connotations, this remark should be receiving widespread attention in both mainstream and military-focused media, especially during a presidential election cycle.
However, despite their gravity, these statements have not dominated headlines in the way one might expect. The lack of focus on such inflammatory remarks is concerning, particularly given their implications for how a future Trump administration might handle military leadership and diverse communities.
These statements deserve heightened scrutiny from Spanish-speaking news outlets, military programs, and even women’s rights advocates, as they touch on crucial issues of race, leadership, and the treatment of soldiers. The implications of a leader aspiring to emulate Hitler’s generals, combined with dismissive comments about the costs of burying a soldier, suggest dangerous intentions for the future should Trump get re-elected.
The absence of widespread discussion on these matters is troubling, as the importance of holding political leaders accountable for their statements must be balanced, especially when they potentially foreshadow harmful policies.
The Damning Implications of Donald Trump’s Threat of Mass Deportations on Americans
Former President Donald Trump has once again put mass deportations at the forefront of his political agenda, threatening to implement a sweeping policy of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants if he gets re-elected. This proposal raises numerous concerns about the economic, social, and moral ramifications for the United States, with devastating consequences not only for immigrant communities but also for the country as a whole.
Economic Fallout
Mass deportations would have a profound negative impact on the U.S. economy. Undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to various sectors, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and healthcare. Removing millions of workers from these industries would lead to severe labor shortages, driving up production costs and potentially creating inflationary pressures that affect all Americans. Businesses would need help filling vacancies, especially in labor-intensive jobs that many Americans are unwilling or unable to take on. The ripple effect would result in reduced productivity, increased costs for products and services, and a contraction in critical industries, including food production and construction.
Additionally, undocumented immigrants contribute billions of dollars to local and federal taxes each year, including sales and property taxes. Their removal would shrink this tax base, creating budgetary shortfalls for essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The cost of enforcing mass deportations—estimated to be in the hundreds of billions—would burden the federal government and taxpayers.
Social Impact
The human cost of mass deportations cannot be understated. Deportations would tear apart families, many of which include U.S. citizens. An estimated six million U.S.-born children live with at least one undocumented parent, and these children would face traumatic separations that could lead to long-term psychological harm. Communities, particularly those with large immigrant populations, would experience destabilization as families and social networks get disrupted, potentially altering the fabric of our society.
The fear and uncertainty generated by the threat of mass deportations would create a climate of mistrust between migrant communities and law enforcement, causing it to be more challenging for authorities to solve crimes or maintain order in immigrant-dense areas. Many undocumented individuals contribute to the community fabric by volunteering, attending schools, and participating in religious and civic organizations, and their forced removal would erode these social bonds.
Moral and Political Implications
Mass deportations also raise profound moral questions about America’s identity as a nation built on immigration. For centuries, the U.S. has stood as a beacon of hope and opportunity for people fleeing persecution, poverty, and violence. Deporting millions of people en masse, many of whom have resided in the U.S. for decades, sends a harsh message that contradicts these ideals. Such a policy risks deepening racial and ethnic divisions, stoking xenophobia, and inciting further polarization in an already divided political landscape, threatening the unity of our nation.
Politically, Trump’s plan for mass deportations is likely to galvanize opposition not just from immigrant rights groups but also from many sectors of society, including businesses, religious organizations, and community leaders who recognize the humanitarian and economic risks of such an approach. The request is likely to face legal challenges as well, potentially sparking a constitutional debate over due process, civil liberties, and the limits of executive power, offering a glimmer of hope for the preservation of our democratic principles.
Broader Impact on National Security and Foreign Relations
Mass deportations could also have negative consequences for national security. If immigrants are too afraid to report crimes or cooperate with law enforcement, it could undermine efforts to fight human trafficking, drug smuggling, or other criminal activities. Additionally, the U.S.’s standing in the global community could get tarnished as other nations criticize the harshness of the policy, straining diplomatic relationships with key allies, particularly in Latin America.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s threat to implement mass deportations would have dire consequences for Americans. It would inflict severe economic damage, cause profound social harm, and challenge the nation’s moral fabric. Rather than solving immigration issues, such a policy would exacerbate existing problems while undermining the values of inclusivity and opportunity that the U.S. has long championed. The broader national and international fallout from this approach would have far-reaching effects on the country’s domestic stability and global reputation.
Over a century ago, the United States grappled with a political movement that bears striking similarities to today’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, a populist uprising spearheaded by former President Donald Trump. Like MAGA, this earlier movement thrived on populist discontent, nativist sentiments, and a rejection of the established order. If not kept in check, it could have reshaped American democracy in ways that might have undermined its democratic institutions, a peril we must remain vigilant against.
One of the most significant instances of this was during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, a man with intricate political loyalties. In 1912, Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party brought populist elements into the political mainstream, appealing to working-class voters who felt marginalized by the two major parties. While Roosevelt was not anti-democratic, his charismatic leadership style and his ability to rally crowds around a strongman image set a precedent for future political movements that would seek to undermine democratic norms.
Simultaneously, the rise of the “America First” movement and the Ku Klux Klan spanning the 1920s showed how easily populist rhetoric could veer into exclusionary nationalism and nativism. The Klan’s widespread influence reached local, state, and federal government levels, promoting an agenda that sought to disenfranchise non-white citizens, immigrants, and anyone considered “un-American.” This movement found an audience among rural and working-class Americans who felt left behind by the rapid industrialization and modernization of the country.
At the heart of these movements was a profound distrust of the government, elites, and institutions—just like the anti-establishment fervor that fueled the rise of MAGA. These movements aimed to “restore” a vision of America rooted in racial and social hierarchies, often using violent rhetoric and intimidation to achieve their goals. Had these populist forces gained more traction, they could have severely damaged the democratic foundation of the country, ushering in a more authoritarian regime.
It took concerted efforts from both citizens and political leaders to resist these dangerous movements and restore democratic norms. In some ways, the lessons from over a century ago echo loudly today: unchecked populism, especially when it flirts with nativism and authoritarianism, can bring democracy to the brink of collapse. However, this history also reminds us of our power to shape the future of our democracy, offering hope and inspiration for positive change.
Today, as MAGA remains a force in American politics, it is crucial to remember that the battle to preserve democracy requires vigilance. While populism can express legitimate grievances of people who feel left behind, it must not be allowed to erode the very institutions that allow democracy to function. History teaches us that democracy’s survival depends on our collective ability to balance popular anger with reasoned leadership and respect for the rule of law. We all have a role to play in this ongoing struggle, and it is our vigilance that will keep democracy alive.
You can also find a more information concerning this subject at Salon.com click here.
Patti McGee was not just a skateboarder; she was a trailblazer, a pioneer, and a symbol of inclusivity in a sport rapidly emerging in the 1960s. Her journey, which began with a skateboard built by her brother, evolved into a legendary career that broke barriers for women in skateboarding and cemented her place in history as one of the most iconic figures in the sport. She was not just a name in the history books but a person with a passion for skateboarding that was infectious to all who knew her.
Despite the challenges and the sport’s male-dominated nature, Patti’s resilience and determination shone through. Her first skateboard, a humble creation from her brother’s wood shop project, began a journey that would see her rise to national prominence.
In 1964, Patti won the Women’s National Skateboard Championship in Santa Monica, California. Her smooth style, grace, and technical ability on the board distinguished her as a force in the early skateboarding community. Her victory was a breakthrough moment for women in the sport, demonstrating that skateboarding was not just a boys’ game but one where women could excel and lead.
Patti’s career reached heights when she became the first professional female skateboarder, sponsored by Hobie Skateboards and Vita Pak. She traveled the country, performing skateboarding demonstrations, showcasing her talent, and spreading the love of the sport to a broader audience. Her influence was undeniable, helping to popularize skateboarding during its first wave of mainstream attention between 1959 and 1965. As a spokesperson and ambassador, she promoted the sport with passion and determination, ensuring that girls and women also saw skateboarding as a place for them.
In 1965, Patti made history again, becoming the first female skateboarder to appear on the cover of Life magazine. Her iconic photo, smiling while riding a skateboard in mid-air, is still considered one of the most memorable images of early skateboarding culture. Patti’s presence in the media helped legitimize skateboarding as a serious sport, and her charm and skill made her a role model for countless young skaters.
Patti’s contributions to the sport were officially recognized in 2010 when she became the first woman inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. Her induction was a celebration of her achievements and a reminder of her lasting impact on the sport and the many skaters who followed in her footsteps. Patti’s legacy is a testament to the importance of inclusivity, showing that skateboarding is for everyone, regardless of gender.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Patti’s impact on the skateboarding community was profound. She continued to inspire new generations of skaters, sharing her love for the sport and advocating for the inclusion of women. Her spirit, determination, and dedication to her craft left an indelible mark on the skateboarding world, connecting her to skaters of all ages and backgrounds.
Patti McGee passed away on October 16, 2024, after suffering a stroke and subsequent complications. Her death marked the end of a remarkable life that helped shape the skateboarding world. As a champion, a role model, and a pioneer, she will be remembered as the matriarch of skateboarding, someone who paved the way for women in the sport and left an enduring legacy of passion and inclusivity. Her absence leaves a void in the skateboarding community that will be felt for years.
Obituary: Patti McGee (1945-2024)
Patti McGee, the world’s first professional female skateboarder and an iconic figure in skateboarding history, passed away on October 16, 2024, following complications from a stroke. She was 79 years old.
Born on August 23, 1945, Patti grew up in the United States, where she developed a love for skateboarding early in life. She first gained national recognition in 1964 when she won the Women’s National Skateboard Championship. Her victory established her as a pioneer in the sport and a role model for future generations of female skaters.
In 1965, Patti became the first woman to appear on the cover of Life magazine, an iconic moment that showcased her talent and helped popularize skateboarding. That same year, she became the first professional female skateboarder, sponsored by Hobie Skateboards and Vita Pak, traveling the country to perform and promote the sport.
Her contributions to skateboarding were formally recognized in 2010 when she became the first woman inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. Patti’s induction was a crowning achievement in a career filled with groundbreaking moments, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the sport.
Throughout her life, Patti remained a beloved figure in the skateboarding community. She inspired skaters of all ages and advocated for women’s participation in the sport. Her passion, talent, and dedication left an enduring legacy that will continue to influence the skateboarding world for years.
Patti goes on before her daughter, Hailey, and countless friends and admirers in the skateboarding community. Her life is a remembering of her exceptional achievements, vibrant spirit, and commitment to promoting inclusivity in the sport she loves.
We are grateful for Patti McGee’s life and legacy. She was a true pioneer, a legend, and an inspiration to all who followed in her footsteps. Missing her presence in the world will continue forever, but her legacy will continue to roll on, just like the wheels of the skateboards she rode so gracefully.
As we approach the upcoming elections, it’s crucial to remember that Americans are empowered to shape the nation’s trajectory every four years through their votes. When exercised responsibly and carefully reflecting on our past and present, this powerful right allows us to make decisions that align with our shared values and hopes for the future. Informed voting is not just a privilege—it’s a responsibility that enables us to build a future reflective of our ideals.
It’s sometimes helpful to step back and gain perspective to understand the present. Our current situation may seem overwhelming, but history often shows us that our challenges are more complex than we remember. Reflecting on past leadership and decisions not only reassures us but also guides us toward a more thoughtful approach to what lies ahead, providing a sense of reassurance and guidance.
Under the Trump administration, America experienced a turbulent period domestically and internationally. Families traveling abroad faced significant challenges, particularly when trying to return to the U.S. Students awaiting critical funding for their education found themselves in bureaucratic limbo. The economy saw dramatic fluctuations, with the stock market swinging between highs and lows and housing prices manipulated to benefit the wealthy. Trump’s philosophy favored personal gain over the nation’s welfare, leaving many Americans to navigate an unstable economy.
Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment of his presidency, marked by widespread criticism. His dismissive attitude toward the virus allowed it to sweep across the country unchecked, leading to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths. He offered unscientific remedies, such as suggesting the use of disinfectants and promoting unproven drugs, and downplayed the severity of the crisis, causing further confusion and panic. His response to local disasters, for instance, his visit to Puerto Rico, where he threw paper towels into the crowd, reflected a troubling lack of empathy and leadership.
Moreover, during his presidency, Trump distanced himself from the traditions of decency and respect that past leaders upheld. He neglected to offer condolences to families of prominent Americans who passed, such as Barbara and George Bush, choosing instead to focus on personal leisure like golfing. Trump’s lack of emotional support marked a stark departure from the dignified conduct expected of a sitting president.
Domestically, Trump’s immigration policies, which included strict border controls and deportation of undocumented immigrants, led to labor shortages, particularly in the service industry, where businesses struggled to find staff. His administration’s aggressive stance on immigration had unintended consequences, with many sectors unable to recover after being stripped of their workforce.
On the international stage, Trump’s cozy relationships with authoritarian leaders in North Korea and Russia raised alarms about national security. His handling of classified information, especially the top-secret documents stored at Mar-a-Lago, left Americans wondering what was compromised and who had access to it.
By contrast, the Biden administration has worked tirelessly to restore stability and dignity to the president’s office. Under Biden’s leadership, the economy has rebounded, and significant investments have been made in infrastructure, including road repairs, bridge replacements, and expanded internet access. His administration, though not without flaws, has prioritized the well-being of the American people, bringing a sense of civility and optimism back to the White House, highlighting the profound impact of leadership on democracy.
While sometimes criticized for being cautious, Biden’s approach to governance is rooted in diplomacy and careful planning. He brought America back to a position of respect globally, fostering relationships with allies and upholding democratic values. As Vice President, Kamala Harris has quietly supported these efforts, often working behind the scenes but prepared to step into leadership if needed.
While no administration is perfect, it’s essential to recognize the progress made under Biden, especially compared to the chaos that marked Trump’s time in office. Biden inherited a nation with a 12% unemployment rate and shuttered businesses. Yet, within a year, he and Harris turned things around, rebuilding a country on the brink of collapse.
As we move forward, it’s critical to remember where we came from and who has been steering
Take A Ride With Kamala on Air Force 1 – Ridin’ With Biden! Click on Image above!
During the run-up to any election, families play a pivotal role in supporting and understanding one another. This period, filled with political debates, media coverage, and public discourse, can stir emotions and create an intensely charged atmosphere. The emotional toll of election season can affect even the most resilient individuals, making the support of one’s family crucial and invaluable. Families are the core unit, providing a comforting and reassuring presence. It is essential that the role model (be it a father, older sibling, uncle, or aunt,) when possible, show support, care, and empathy. Doing so should be cultivated, and providing emotional backing and physical presence can help members navigate the turmoil of an upcoming election.
Election seasons amplify the daily stressors people face. Whether it is work pressure, financial struggles, or personal challenges, these become compounded by the uncertainty of political outcomes. Each family member may carry their political convictions, hopes, and anxieties, and these can sometimes clash with those of others. This emotional burden often deepens as people speculate about the possible outcomes—who they hope will win, who they fear will lose, and how the results will shape their future. The thought of losing an election can become so overwhelming that it leads to despair, disappointment, or even anger. For some, this emotional strain can develop into mental health issues, making it vital for families to remain vigilant about one another’s well-being during this time and to seek professional help if needed.
In the most extreme cases, the stress associated with an election’s outcome can drive individuals to become a threat to themselves or others. This is especially true when political messaging often stokes fear, resentment, and division. Individuals who place too much faith in a particular candidate or political party may feel personally attacked when that candidate loses. The sense of loss may not just be political; it can be internalized as a personal failure, leaving individuals feeling disillusioned or even desperate. Families must observe signs of distress, such as prolonged periods of sadness or withdrawal, recognize potential harmful behavior, like verbal or physical aggression, and intervene when necessary. It is crucial to remain proactive, offering emotional support and, if needed, involving professionals or authorities to prevent escalation.
The role of misinformation and campaigns lies in discussing election-induced emotional volatility. Many political campaigns thrive on pushing false narratives, spreading misleading information to sway voters. Misinformation, which includes false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately to deceive, can reinforce individuals’ beliefs to dangerous levels. The spread of misinformation fuels emotional intensity and gives people a sense of justification for actions that, under normal circumstances, would seem unreasonable or extreme. When individuals have been repeatedly exposed to incorrect information, their convictions can become so ingrained that they believe their behavior—whether confrontation, violence, or drastic action—is justified.
In such situations, the line between reason and irrationality blurs. What may begin as passionate support for a candidate can spiral into dangerous behavior if an individual believes they are defending a “truth” that is, in fact, built on lies. This is why it is imperative for families to communicate openly about politics, encouraging fact-checking and critical thinking. Recognizing when a loved one’s emotional engagement has become unhealthy is not just crucial, but empowering. In these moments, reporting potentially dangerous behavior to the appropriate authorities is not an act of betrayal but one of care and protection for the individual and others around them, reinforcing the sense of responsibility and control within the family.
As elections approach, the pressure intensifies, with it, the emotional strain on families. However, families can also be a force for positive change, weathering the storm of political tension together by staying connected, offering support, and observing each other’s mental health. It is essential to create a space where emotions can be expressed freely but responsibly and where misinformation is challenged rather than accepted at face value. In doing so, families not only protect one another but also contribute to a more balanced and less volatile society during the electoral process, fostering a sense of hope and optimism for a brighter future.
Your participation in the 2024 election is set to be a pivotal moment in American politics. With control of the presidency and Senate hanging in the balance, a handful of key Senate races across the nation will determine which party holds the majority, shaping the country’s legislative future for years to come. Your vote and support are critical at this crucial time.
Currently, Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate, which includes three Independents who caucus with us. With 34 Senate seats up for grabs in November, Republicans are determined to flip the chamber. One notable challenge is in West Virginia, where Senator Joe Manchin’s retirement is likely to result in a Republican win. The stakes are high, and the outcome will have lasting consequences on the direction of national policy.
Several factors will contribute to the intense battle for Senate control:
National political climate: The overall political environment, particularly the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, will heavily influence down-ballot Senate races.
State demographics and voting patterns: States like Montana, where Trump won decisively in 2020, present tough challenges for Democratic incumbents.
Candidate quality and campaigns: The strength of individual candidates, their campaigns, and their ability to connect with voters will be pivotal, with fundraising, messaging, and strategy all influencing the results.
Key issues: Voters are likely to prioritize topics like inflation, immigration, abortion, and healthcare, with candidates attempting to address these concerns.
Senate Races to Watch
At least seven Democratic-held seats are highly competitive this fall, particularly in battleground states. Montana, for example, is a race to watch closely. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is trailing Republican challenger Tim Sheehy. In a state that Donald Trump won by a significant margin in 2020, Tester faces an uphill battle. The polling shows similar challenges for Democratic candidates in other key races, such as Texas and Florida.
In Texas, Trump is ahead of Harris by seven points, while Republican Senator Ted Cruz leads his challenger Colin Allred by just four points. In Florida, Trump holds a 13-point lead over Harris, and Senator Rick Scott leads Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by nine points.
An independent candidate, Dan Osborn, is running against Republican incumbent Deb Fischer in Nebraska. Should Osborn win and decline to caucus with either party, it could further complicate the Senate’s balance of power. However, past independent bids in similar states have failed to unseat Republican incumbents.
The Arizona Senate Race
The Arizona Senate race is particularly significant, as it could tip the balance of power in the Senate. Incumbent Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s retirement has opened the door for a competitive contest between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake.
Ruben Gallego, a five-term Democratic congressman and Iraq War veteran, emphasizes his pragmatic leadership and strong support for LGBTQ rights. His record includes co-sponsoring the Equality Act and advocating for transgender rights, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals. Polls show Gallego leading Lake by an average of 50% to 42%, with strong support among likely voters.
Kari Lake, a former newscaster and staunch ally of Donald Trump, has built her campaign around issues like inflation and immigration. However, her embrace of election denialism and divisive rhetoric has limited her appeal among moderate Republicans and independents. Despite her efforts, Lake trails in most polls, and Arizona’s shifting demographics favor Gallego’s chances.
LGBTQ Rights in Arizona
The Arizona race has taken on additional significance for LGBTQ rights. Gallego’s commitment to equality and his consistent voting record, including support for the Respect for Marriage Act, stands in stark contrast to Lake’s history of inflammatory remarks and policies hostile to the LGBTQ community. Lake has made derogatory comments about LGBTQ issues and aligned herself with far-right figures, which has raised concerns among civil rights advocates.
Join the Fight for Equality in 2024
This election will shape the future of American politics, and Arizona could play a key role in determining the balance of power in the Senate. We need you to join us in this fight for equality. Help us get out the vote this Saturday as we canvass neighborhoods with Equality Arizona and Equality Utah. Every Arizona vote matters, and together, we can make a difference!
Election Day is a moment filled with hope, anticipation, and often anxiety as we vote for the candidates we believe in. However, there’s always the possibility that the candidate we support won’t win. So, what should you do if that happens? Here are a few constructive actions to consider when facing such an outcome.
Remember That Democracy Is About Participation, Not Just Winning
Democracy thrives on diverse opinions; your vote is a meaningful contribution to that system. Even if your candidate doesn’t win, participating in the democratic process is vital. It sends a message about your values, priorities, and what you believe is best for your community or country.
Instead of viewing the result as a failure, consider it a reflection of the broader political landscape and the desires of your fellow citizens. Democracy works because people are free to express differing opinions, and your vote, win or lose, plays a vital role in configuring the future.
Engage in Positive Civic Action
Remember, politics doesn’t end on Election Day. There are numerous ways to stay involved in the causes you care about. Even if your candidate doesn’t win, the issues they represent remain crucial. Consider joining advocacy groups, volunteering for community organizations, or attending city council meetings. Your civic engagement at the local level can directly impact your community more than national politics. By continuing to advocate for the issues that matter most to you, you’re helping to shape policy and public opinion, regardless of the election result.
By continuing to advocate for the issues that matter most to you, you’re helping to shape policy and public opinion, regardless of the election result.
Be Respectful of Others’ Views
Election outcomes can feel deeply personal, especially when we are passionate about a candidate or cause. However, it’s important to remember that democracy requires respect for differing viewpoints. Avoid lashing out at those who supported the opposition if your candidate doesn’t win. Instead, engage in respectful dialogue and understand why others voted differently.
Remember, productive conversations can lead to greater understanding and help build coalitions for future elections. Your ability to listen and engage constructively can influence future political outcomes. By continuing to advocate for the issues that matter most to you, you’re helping to shape policy and public opinion, regardless of the election result.
Prepare for the Next Election
The results of one election are not the end of the story. Candidates and policies evolve, and new elections will always come. Take this time to reflect on why your candidate didn’t win. Were their policies too out of step with the electorate? Was the campaign messaging weak? Understanding these factors can help you become a more informed voter and activist in the next election cycle.
Consider getting involved in the early stages of the next campaign. Whether you work on voter registration drives, participate in debates, or even consider running for local office yourself, the future is always open to those who stay engaged.
Stay Informed and Hold Leaders Accountable
Regardless of who wins, it’s crucial to stay informed about what elected leaders are doing once they are in office. Please pay attention to their decisions and promises they keep or fail to keep. Even if your preferred candidate loses, your role as a constituent remains critical. You can hold elected officials accountable by writing letters, making phone calls, or organizing petitions. Democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. Citizens’ ongoing scrutiny and engagement ensure that leaders remain responsive to the people’s needs.
Democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. Citizens’ ongoing scrutiny and engagement ensure that leaders remain responsive to the people’s needs.
Take Care of Your Emotional Well-Being
Elections can be emotionally taxing if you heavily invest in a particular candidate or outcome. If the result doesn’t go your way, it’s natural to feel disappointed or frustrated. Take some time to process your emotions healthily. Talk to friends or family members about your feelings, participate in activities that bring you joy and distract you from disappointment, or take a break from politics altogether for a few days to give yourself a mental reset. Remember, it’s okay to feel disappointed, but it’s important to take care of yourself during these times.
Maintaining your emotional well-being is essential for yourself and your ability to continue contributing positively to political discussions and future elections.
Conclusion
If your candidate doesn’t win on Election Day, don’t despair. Democracy is a long and evolving process, and every election provides new opportunities for learning and growth. By staying engaged, respecting others’ views, and preparing for future elections, you can continue to be a positive force for the issues you care about. Your participation matters, win or lose, and it’s through this continued involvement that meaningful change happens over time.
As the next election looms, it’s vital to pause and consider the potential fallout of inaction. This isn’t about personal feelings towards candidates; it’s about the future course of the United States. A conservative takeover, especially by the far-right factions of the Republican party, presents a grave threat to the core freedoms and values we’ve steadfastly defended for decades. The consequences of inaction could be dire.
If we allow figures like Trump and those who share his extreme ideologies to ascend to power in local, state, and federal offices, we risk a regression of fundamental rights. Women’s rights to make decisions about their bodies, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, environmental protections, and access to fair education are all in jeopardy. These rights were hard-fought and could be easily dismissed if we do not act now.
Think about the simple freedoms we take for granted:
the freedom to access accurate information
the freedom to speak up when something is wrong without fear of government retaliation
the freedom to gather with others and protest
In an era where misinformation, conspiracy theories, and autocratic tendencies dominate the discourse, these fundamental liberties hang in the balance.
If you’re reading this, you already grasp the importance of participation. But now, we must move beyond just casting our own votes. We must empower everyone we know—family, friends, colleagues—to vote and, more importantly, vote for candidates who will uphold democracy. Your vote is not just a choice but a powerful tool for shaping the future.
The threat is not about a single issue but about ensuring that the United States remains a nation that upholds all rights, including freedoms, equality, and justice for all.
We have seen glimpses of what a conservative grip on power looks like in recent years—attempts to undermine the electoral process, rollbacks of protections for minority communities, and the emboldening of hate groups. Imagine what that would look like unchecked.
Voting Blue in the next election is not just a partisan decision—it is a vote to preserve the essence of what makes America a place where freedom still means something.
Let us not take that for granted. Let us make sure our voices get heard and our values protected.
John Owsley Manier, a beloved figure in the Nashville music scene and co-founder of the legendary Elliston Place nightclub, The Exit/In, passed away at his home in Dowelltown, Tennessee, on Friday, October 1. He was 77.
A native of Nashville, Owsley’s passion for music was evident from an early age.
In the 1960s, he was a member of the rock band The Lemon Charade, but his entrepreneurial spirit left an inerasable mark on the city’s cultural landscape.
In 1971, alongside Brugh Reynolds, he co-founded The Exit/In, a venue that would become one of Nashville’s most iconic music clubs. What began as a small listening room for local songwriters soon transformed into a celebrated 500-person capacity rock venue in the 1980s.
The Exit/In was not just a stage, but a platform for both local talent and global superstars, hosting a diverse array of artists over its 50-plus years. From The Red Hot Chili Peppers to Etta James, Johnny Cash to R.E.M., The Allman Brothers to Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, and many more, the venue welcomed all, fostering a sense of inclusivity and diversity in Nashville’s music scene.
It was also the site of numerous memorable moments, such as comedian Steve Martin leading the crowd into the streets for a parade or the venue’s feature in Robert Altman’s 1975 film Nashville.
Over the years, The Exit/In solidified its place in Nashville’s music history and became the anchor of the city’s “Rock Block” on Elliston Place. In 2023, it became listed on the National Register of Historic Places, proof of its enduring cultural significance.
While the club has seen over 25 owners throughout its history, its influence on the local music scene has remained constant, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Owsley is survived by his son, Aaron Manier, sisters Cynthia Barbour and Helen Bryan, and niece McKeen Butler. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Exit/In on Sunday, October 13, at 3:00 PM, honoring his legacy with the music and stories that shaped his life and career.
This event is a fitting tribute to a man who has left an indelible mark on Nashville’s music scene.
John Owsley Manier’s contributions to Nashville’s music community will not be forgotten. His enduring legacy continues to reverberate through the legends of artists and enthusiasts passing through the entrances of The Exit/In, leaving a lasting impression that commands respect and admiration.
Joseph Noyes “J.J.” Jeffrey, a renowned DJ who became a respected station owner, passed away at the age of 84 following a brief battle with cancer. A native of Portland, ME, Jeffrey began his broadcasting career in his home state in the 1950s. His early career included stints at various local stations, where he honed his signature high-energy style and developed a deep passion for Top 40 radio.
Jeffrey’s career took off when he became the afternoon host at WRKO Boston, one of the nation’s premier Top 40 stations. His success in Boston led to similar roles at two of the biggest Top 40 powerhouses of the time: WFIL in Philadelphia and WLS in Chicago. Known for his vibrant personality and memorable catchphrases, Jeffrey quickly became a household name in each of these markets.
In 1975, Jeffrey transitioned from behind the mic to station ownership, partnering with Bob Fuller to launch Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting. Their first acquisition was 102.9 WBLM in Lewiston/Portland, ME. Over the next two decades, the company expanded its reach, owning clusters of stations across the country, including in Modesto, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, CA, and Des Moines, IA. Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting’s portfolio was sold to Citadel in 1999, forming what is now largely Townsquare Media’s clusters in Portland and Portsmouth, NH.
Not one to rest, Jeffrey and Fuller immediately launched Atlantic Coast Radio, building another prominent radio group in Portland, ME. Their stations included the Sports format “WEEI” on 95.5 WPPI Topsham and 95.9 WPEI Saco, “The Big Jab” 96.3 WJJB-FM Gray, and Conservative Talk 1310 WLOB.
J.J. Jeffrey will be remembered for his contributions to the radio industry, both as a beloved on-air talent and as a visionary station owner. He leaves behind a legacy of passion, innovation, and an enduring impact on the world of broadcasting.
Amid political upheaval, the everyday American—who works a regular job, pays taxes, and seeks a life of routine and stability—may question their future in an increasingly polarized society. As extreme political movements push for agendas that center around ideas of “Project 25” or the return of Trump, advocating for a strict interpretation of Christianity, suppression of women’s rights, and an aggressive nationalistic framework, the real impact may be felt most by the “regular Joe”—the one who wants to live a quiet, predictable life.
For the average person, life may close in on them in such a scenario. The country may become unrecognizable, not in a dystopian fantasy, but in subtle, pervasive ways. It might start with the suppression of individual freedoms—targeting what people can say, wear, or how they worship. Religious dogma could permeate public life, not as a choice but as a mandate, affecting schools, workplaces, and government institutions. The Bible in every building might become symbolic and a requirement, with legal frameworks promoting a particular religious view while leaving others on the margins.
Erosion of Women’s Rights
Regular Americans might witness fundamental changes in the status of women while going about their daily lives. With growing pressure from ultra-conservative elements, efforts to curtail women’s autonomy could accelerate. The reversal of women’s rights, particularly reproductive rights, is already in motion. In this new political order, women might have even fewer choices about their bodies, careers, and participation in public life. For many, this will mark a turning point when personal freedom can no longer be taken for granted.
The Fear of the Unknown
Fear might become customary for those not part of this hard-right movement. The “regular Joe” will likely feel caught between competing narratives. On one side, there is the quiet desperation of wanting to hold on to their everyday life, and on the other, the nagging sense that the world is changing in ways that might soon render them powerless. Whether one is bisexual, straight, or simply someone with no interest in pushing their identity into the political arena, they might start feeling stalked by the system—monitored, judged, and left wondering if their way of life is still valid.
A New “American Dream?”
In this environment, the American Dream could become narrow. No longer about opportunity for all, it may become a dream only accessible to those who fit the suitable mold—racially, religiously, and socially. If one does not align with the ideals of whiteness or conservative sexuality, they could find themselves increasingly ostracized, with opportunities drying up. The path to success might depend less on hard work and more on conformity to ideals driven by far-right ideologues.
The reality could become darker for the person who comes home daily, pats their dog on the head, and watches the news. The content of that evening television might change, with media outlets pushing extreme viewpoints or censorship becoming the norm. Growing anxieties about what tomorrow holds could interrupt quiet moments of relaxation.
Where Do They Go?
If the country starts closing itself to all but those who align with this rigid agenda, the regular Joe may ask, “Where do I go?” It is hard to imagine a physical place for escape in a country that feels increasingly closed off to dissent. For many, the answer might not be in leaving the country but in finding a way to resist quietly—by forming communities with others who feel left behind, advocating for empathy and open-mindedness, and holding on to the idea that the heart of America lies not in exclusion but inclusion.
The danger is not just in the policies themselves but in the erosion of what makes America a place where people of all walks of life can live freely, with differences embraced rather than punished. When that idea is under attack, the question of “Where will you go?” takes on a much deeper meaning because the honest answer is about preserving a sense of home, not just for oneself but for everyone.
In this potential future, where does the regular Joe go? Perhaps they remain right where they are, standing in quiet defiance, continuing to pay their taxes, pat their dog, and live with the hope that balance will one day return to a nation at risk of losing itself.
As tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean quiets down, meteorologists are turning their focus to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where conditions appear increasingly favorable for the development of the next named storm, possibly forming as early as next week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has officially begun monitoring this area, giving it medium odds for tropical development over the next seven days. Beyond that timeframe, forecasters from the FOX Forecast Center suggest that the potential for further intensification exists.
The outlook, however, varies across networks. FOX Weather’s Bryan Norcross reported that while the storm’s primary threat zone stretches from Panama City around the Big Bend of Florida to Sarasota, the possibility of dangerous storm surges could extend even further, particularly into Southwest Florida. Norcross emphasized that while the storm has followed predictions so far, the forecast cone might shift more than usual, leaving some uncertainty. “Nobody should be surprised by sudden changes,” he noted, highlighting the importance of staying prepared.
Meanwhile, CNN’s coverage presented a more urgent scenario, especially concerning a separate storm, Hurricane Helene, which recently prompted evacuations in Florida. Helene’s accelerated approach forced residents to brace for high winds, torrential rainfall, and potentially life-threatening storm surges. With shifts in the storm’s track possible, officials stressed the importance of preparation across the Southeast. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in several coastal counties, including Pinellas, Hernando, and Sarasota, as officials anticipated widespread impacts, including power outages and tornado threats.
While both networks offer different perspectives, the consensus is clear: residents in the affected regions must remain vigilant and ready for the worst, even if the forecast models evolve over time.
TODAY There is an Urgent Alert Out For FLORIDA And Hurricane MILTON A CATAGORY 5
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VISIT NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Damaging hurricane-force winds and a life-threatening storm surge with destructive waves are expected across portions of the
northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula through tonight.
Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. A large area of destructive storm surge will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. This is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate
immediately if told to do so.
Potentially devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across a portion of the entire Florida Peninsula.
Preparations to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by Tuesday night since tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within this area early
Wednesday.
4. Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night.
This rainfall will bring the risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to
A huge thank you to everyone who visited benandsteve.com and helped us surpass the incredible milestone of 5,000 visitors on Friday! We’re thrilled to see so many of you checking in, exploring what’s new, and sharing your support. Your enthusiasm and continued engagement mean the world to us, and we can’t wait to keep bringing you more exciting content.
In the heart of the dusty plains, where tumbleweeds rolled lazily across the horizon, sat the humble town of Booterville. A place so small it didn’t even appear on most maps. Known for little more than its annual chili cook-off and the town’s general store, Booterville got entrusted with one of the most critical tasks in the 2024 election: hand-counting every vote nationwide.
Rumor had it that some miscommunication at a high level led to Booterville’s selection. The plan had been simple: With all the national turmoil surrounding electronic voting machines, distrust of mail-in ballots, and other voting controversies, someone high up had the idea to return to a “simpler” method—hand counting. Unfortunately, the job landed in the laps of Booterville’s only two permanent residents qualified to take on the task: Earl and Maude Jenkins.
Earl and Maude, both pushing 80, had stayed in Booterville for decades. Earl was a retired mailman with a sharp eye for sorting, while Maude was known for her days as the town librarian, meticulous in her record-keeping, and famous for knitting scarves with perfect symmetry. Together, they formed what the nation had come to call the “Election Duo.”
As election night approached, the rest of the country anxiously prepared for the returns. Cable news channels buzzed with frantic energy. Experts spoke confidently about the “return to integrity” with hand-counted ballots. However, they could only explain how it was physically possible for two people to count hundreds of millions of votes promptly. Analysts debated whether the results would come in within hours, days, or—worst case—months.
Booterville, meanwhile, was calm, as always. Earl and Maude sat on their front porch, sipping sweet tea, staring at the horizon where, in just a few hours, trucks would arrive carrying boxes upon boxes of ballots from all over the country.
Election night finally arrived, and the nightmare began.
The first truck pulled up right on time—around 9 p.m.—loaded with crates of ballots from California. Earl scratched his head and squinted at the car, which stretched longer than the main street of Booterville itself.
“Well, I reckon we best get started,”
He muttered.
As Maude gingerly opened the first crate, the magnitude of the task became apparent. Inside were hundreds of thousands of paper ballots, each needing to be verified, double-checked, and counted by hand. Earl retrieved an abacus from their parlor, confident that the ancient method would sufficiently tally the votes.
Across the nation, voters stared at their television screens.
“Booterville still hasn’t reported any results,”
Frustrated news anchors from CNOX and FONN NEWS networks chimed in, saying in general –––
“Our experts say we should have heard from at least the smaller states by now.”
Booterville, however, wasn’t so much concerned with the rush. Ever the perfectionist, Earl spent twenty minutes on each ballot, inspecting signatures, verifying dates, and ensuring no Chad hung loosely from the corners.
Maude cross-referenced each voter’s name with meticulously kept records from her days as a librarian. She spent additional time knitting if any name seemed unfamiliar while contemplating its legitimacy.
By midnight, the panic had spread. Election officials from every state began ringing Booterville’s single landline, asking for updates. But halfway through her evening tea, Maude had turned off the ringer to avoid distractions. Earl had managed to count precisely 72 ballots.
By morning, networks were abuzz with speculation. Some suggested Earl and Maude were holding the election hostage, while others theorized a deep conspiracy in which Booterville’s hand-counting was a covert means of election tampering. In truth, Earl and Maude were simply slow workers.
As the days dragged on, Earl and Maude remained unphased. They didn’t own a television, and Maude had never been a radio fan. They were blissfully unaware that the world was falling apart outside of Booterville. Mass protests erupted in cities, with demands for transparency. Accusations flew between political parties.
In some corners of the internet, Booterville became a symbol of resilience; in others, it became a meme, representing all that was wrong with the electoral process.
Two weeks later, the National Guard arrived. They politely knocked on Earl and Maude’s door, requesting an update on the election. Maude, unperturbed, invited them in for tea and showed them the ballots neatly stacked in her living room. The guards, bewildered, nodded and promised to relay their findings back to the capital.
Finally, in mid-December, a breakthrough occurred. After endless negotiations, Booterville agreed to let nearby towns assist in the counting process. Volunteers, election experts, and even some former contestants from the chili cook-off converged on Booterville to save the election.
But even with the new help, it took another month before all the votes got tallied.
As Earl and Maude sat together on New Year’s Eve, looking out at the winter stars, Earl leaned back in his chair and said,
“You know, Maude, I think we’ve done a fine job. Every vote, fair and square.”
Maude, knitting a scarf with perfect stitches, smiled and nodded. They never knew their efforts had plunged the nation into one of the most prolonged and chaotic elections in history. But to them, it was just another quiet day in Booterville.
Earl did ask Maude,
“You know, in this day and age, you’d think they’d have computerized machines that could count these voting ballots in a much more accurate manner than the one everyone just went through. It might take a week or so, but they could tally all the votes with computers if everyone in the nation were to vote. Has anyone ever thought of that?”
Maude said,
“No, and if they did, some idiot would try to say they were stealing the election or something.”
Earl replied,
“Surely no one would believe something like that.”
Maude, rocking back and forth in her rocker, replied ––
“Well, they expected us to count every national vote by hand overnight, so that should tell you something about the people we are talking about.”
It was the fall of 2024, and the country had never seemed more divided. Political upheaval had peaked, with protests echoing through city streets, harsh words hurled in homes, and debates erupting at family dinner tables. The election season had become more than just a contest of policies; it had morphed into a battle over the nation’s soul, pitting neighbor against neighbor.
At the heart of this turmoil was a young senator named Jacob Randall. A man of few words but deep conviction, he had saw firsthand the devastating effects of division. Randall had grown up in a small town where his mother and father, though from opposite sides of the political spectrum, had found common ground in their love for family, faith, and community. That shared foundation had always given him hope that unity was possible.
However, as he stood before Congress, he wondered if that hope had been misplaced. The chamber was restless, with representatives glaring at one another across the aisle, the tension palpable. Randall chose to speak at what many called a last-ditch effort—a desperate attempt to heal the nation before it tore apart.
Taking a deep breath, he began.
“Fellow citizens, colleagues, I stand before you not as a Democrat or a Republican but as an American. Our great nation is facing a challenge unlike any other. We have become so entrenched in our political camps that we no longer see each other as fellow countrymen. We see enemies where once we saw neighbors. And that division is killing the very fabric of our society.
“My parents did not always agree on politics. Mother was a staunch conservative, Father a proud progressive. But they understood something we have forgotten: that compromise is not a weakness but the cornerstone of democracy. They believed that every person, no matter how much they disagreed, had something valuable to contribute to the conversation.”
Randall’s words caught the attention of some. A few heads began to nod slowly. He pressed on, feeling the weight of the moment.
“Our founders, too, were divided. They had different visions for this country and ideas about what liberty and justice should look. Nevertheless, they knew that to create something lasting, they had to pull together to find common ground. And they did. That is the spirit that created America. Moreover, that is the spirit we need to rediscover today.”
As Randall continued, he saw a shift in the faces before him. Some were hard, unmoving, but others softened, listening with new ears. He was not offering easy solutions but calling for something more complicated: humility.
“When we look across the aisle, we must not see enemies but partners in this great American experiment. We have different ideas about achieving a better future, but we all want a better one. And if we cannot even agree on that, we have already lost.”
He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle in the room.
“In every crisis, there is opportunity, an opportunity to rise above the noise, the hatred, and the division. It is an opportunity to remember that we are bound together not just by the laws of this land but by the ideals it represents. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—for everyone. Not just for those who agree with us.”
Randall stepped away from the podium and glanced up at the gallery above. It was filled with citizens from across the country, watching with anxious eyes, waiting for anyone to bring clarity to the chaos. He saw young activists clutching signs, older veterans with tears in their eyes, and families holding hands.
“I am not asking you to abandon your beliefs. Listen to those who see the world differently. Not to argue but to understand a call for uniformity, but for unity because we cannot get found without uniting.”
The silence in the chamber was deafening. No one was shouting for the first time in what seemed like years. No one was trying to outdo the other with statistics or soundbites. They were listening.
Randall’s speech ended with a simple message: “America is not a perfect nation, but it is a nation built on the belief that we can pursue perfection together. Let us, as a people, return to that pursuit—not as adversaries, but as Americans.”
As he stepped away from the podium, the room erupted—not in protest, but in applause. Representatives stood on both sides of the aisle, clapping not just for Randall’s words but for what those words represented: a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the country could pull itself back from the brink.
It would take work. It would not happen overnight. But in that moment, something had shifted. For the first time in a long time, there was a shared sense of purpose— a belief that even in the darkest of times, unity was possible—and that together, the nation could find its way back to the light.
Harrison J. Goldin, Longtime New York City Comptroller, Dies at 90
Harrison J. Goldin, Longtime New York City Comptroller, Dies at 90
Harrison J. Goldin, who served as New York City’s comptroller for 16 years and was pivotal in steering the city through its near-bankruptcy in the 1970s, his death was reported on September 16th, 2024. He was 90.
A Harvard Law School graduate, Goldin was a driving force in New York politics from the late 1960s through the 1980s. Goldin, who won the election to become New York City’s comptroller in 1973, and his tenure coincided with one of the city’s most challenging financial crises. Goldin, then-Mayor Abraham Beame, and others worked tirelessly to restructure the city’s finances, helping to avert fiscal collapse. He was instrumental in negotiating critical deals with creditors and introducing reforms that put the city on a path toward financial recovery.
Goldin’s unwavering commitment to public finance and his no-nonsense approach earned him a reputation as a watchdog for the public purse. He initiated audits of city agencies and pushed for greater transparency and efficiency in government spending, leaving an indelible mark on the comptroller’s office. Even amid New York’s darkest financial days, Goldin remained steady, advocating for long-term solutions over short-term fixes, inspiring all with his steadfast commitment.
Harrison Golden
Before his time as comptroller, Goldin was a New York State Senator, championing civil rights, education reform, and fair housing policies. His political career reflected his deep commitment to social justice, a value he carried throughout his public service and one that we can all appreciate.
Following his departure from public office in 1989, Goldin transitioned to private law practice, consulting on financial matters and representing high-profile clients. He remained a respected voice in financial and legal circles despite stepping back from the political spotlight.
Goldin leaves behind many family and friends who remember him as a dedicated public servant, a passionate advocate for New Yorkers, and a loving father and grandfather.
His contributions to the city’s financial recovery will long stand, as New York owes much of its financial resilience to the groundwork he helped lay during its most difficult times. We are grateful for his service and dedication.
Basil Harry Losten (May 11, 1930 – September 15, 2024)
Bishop Basil Harry Losten, a revered figure in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2024, in Stamford, Connecticut, after a brief illness. He was 94 years old. At the time of his passing, he was Bishop Emeritus of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, a role he held with grace and devotion until his final days. Bishop Paul Patrick Chomnycky succeeds him.
Born in Chesapeake City, Maryland, on May 11, 1930, Basil Losten embarked on a life of faith and service that began with his early education at St. Basil School in Philadelphia. His journey into the priesthood was marked by years of dedicated study, first at the Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Stamford and later at St. Basil College, where he earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy. His theological education culminated in a graduate degree from the Catholic University of America in 1957.
Basil Losten was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1957, by Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky. His initial assignments saw him serve the Philadelphia Archdiocese as chancery secretary and in various parishes across the city. In 1962, his leadership and loyalty were acknowledged when he was appointed personal secretary to Archbishop-Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI recognized his contributions by elevating him to the rank of papal chamberlain. On March 23, 1971, he was nominated to the episcopacy, and on May 25 of that year, he was consecrated as auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He continued to serve with distinction, later being appointed apostolic administrator of the diocese in 1976 during the declining health of Archbishop-Metropolitan Senyshyn.
Bishop Losten was admired throughout his career for his unwavering dedication to his faith, leadership, and tireless service to the Ukrainian Catholic community. Losten’s impact on clergy and laity alike will be remembered for generations.
Bishop Losten is being mourned by his many parishioners, colleagues, and the communities he served. Funeral services will be held at Stamford’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. May his memory be eternal.
Five years ago, on September 15, 2019, after about a six-week hiatus during the summer, I wrote a Facebook post that started:
“Many thanks to all of you who have reached out to see if I’m okay. I am, indeed (aside from having been on the losing end of an encounter with a yellow jacket this afternoon!). I’ve been moving, setting up house, and finishing the new book. Am back and ready to write, but now everything seems like such a dumpster fire it’s very hard to know where to start. So how about a general overview of how things at the White House look to me, today….”
I wrote a review of Trump’s apparent mental decline amidst his faltering presidency, stonewalling of investigations of potential criminal activity by him or his associates, stacking of the courts, and attempting to use the power of the government to help his 2020 reelection.
Then I noted that the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), had written a letter to the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, on Friday, September 13, telling Maguire he knew that a whistleblower had filed a complaint with the inspector general of the intelligence community, who had deemed the complaint “credible” and “urgent.” This meant that the complaint was supposed to be sent on to the House Intelligence Committee. But, rather than sending it to the House as the law required, Maguire had withheld it. Schiff’s letter told Maguire that he’d better hand it over. Schiff speculated that Maguire was covering up evidence of crimes by the president or his closest advisors.
And I added: “None of this would fly in America if the Senate, controlled by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, were not aiding and abetting him.”
“This is the story of a dictator on the rise,” I wrote, “taking control of formerly independent branches of government, and using the power of his office to amass power.”
Readers swamped me with questions. So I wrote another post answering them and trying to explain the news, which began breaking at a breathtaking pace.
And so these Letters from an American were born.
In the five years since then, the details of the Ukraine scandal—the secret behind the whistleblower complaint in Schiff’s letter—revealed that then-president Trump was running his own private foreign policy to strong-arm Ukraine into helping his reelection campaign. That effort brought to light more of the story of Russian support for Trump’s 2016 campaign, which until Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine seemed to be in exchange for lifting sanctions the Obama administration imposed against Russia after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014.
The February 2022 invasion brought renewed attention to the Mariupol Plan, confirmed by Trump’s 2016 campaign advisor Paul Manafort, that Russia expected a Trump administration to permit Russian president Vladimir Putin to take over eastern Ukraine.
The Ukraine scandal of 2019 led to Trump’s first impeachment trial for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, then his acquittal on those charges and his subsequent purge of career government officials, whom he replaced with Trump loyalists.
Then, on February 7, just two days after Senate Republicans acquitted him, Trump picked up the phone and called veteran journalist Bob Woodward to tell him there was a deadly new virus spreading around the world. It was airborne, he explained, and was five times “more deadly than even your strenuous flus.” “This is deadly stuff,” he said. He would not share that information with other Americans, though, continuing to play down the virus in hopes of protecting the economy.
More than a million of us did not live through the ensuing pandemic.
We have, though, lived through the attempts of the former president to rig the 2020 election, the determination of American voters to make their voices heard, the Black Lives Matter protests after the murder of George Floyd, the election of Democrat Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and the subsequent refusal of Trump and his loyalists to accept Biden’s win.
And we have lived through the unthinkable: an attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob determined to overrule the results of an election and install their own candidate in the White House. For the first time in our history, the peaceful transfer of power was broken. Republican senators saved Trump again in his second impeachment trial, and rather than disappearing after the inauguration of President Biden, Trump doubled down on the Big Lie that he had been the true winner of the 2020 presidential election.
We have seen the attempts of Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress to move America past this dark moment by making coronavirus vaccines widely available and passing landmark legislation to rebuild the economy. The American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act spurred the economy to become the strongest in the world, proving that the tested policy of investing in ordinary Americans worked far better than post-1980 neoliberalism ever did. After Republicans took control of the House in 2023, we saw them paralyze Congress with infighting that led them, for the first time in history, to throw out their own speaker, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
We have watched as the Supreme Court, stacked by Trump with religious extremists, has worked to undermine the proven system in place before 1981. It took away the doctrine that required courts to defer to government agencies’ reasonable regulations and opened the way for big business to challenge those regulations before right-wing judges. It ended affirmative action in colleges and universities, and it overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision recognizing the constitutional right to abortion.
And then we watched the Supreme Court hand down the stunning decision of July 1, 2024, that overturned the fundamental principle of the United States of America that no one is above the law. In Donald J. Trump v. U.S., the Supreme Court ruled that a president could not be prosecuted for crimes committed as part of his official duties.
We saw the reactionary authoritarianism of the former president’s supporters grow stronger. In Republican-dominated states across the country, legislatures passed laws to suppress Democratic voting and to put the counting of votes into partisan hands. Trump solidified control over the Republican Party and tightened his ties to far-right authoritarians and white supremacists. Republicans nominated him to be their presidential candidate in 2024 to advance policies outlined in Project 2025 that would concentrate power in the president and impose religious nationalism on the country. Trump chose as his running mate religious extremist Ohio senator J.D. Vance, putting in line for the presidency a man whose entire career in elected office consisted of the eighteen months he had served in the Senate.
In that first letter five years ago, I wrote: “So what do those of us who love American democracy do? Make noise. Take up oxygen…. Defend what is great about this nation: its people, and their willingness to innovate, work, and protect each other. Making America great has never been about hatred or destruction or the aggregation of wealth at the very top; it has always been about building good lives for everyone on the principle of self-determination. While we have never been perfect, our democracy is a far better option than the autocratic oligarchy Trump is imposing on us.”
And we have made noise, and we have taken up oxygen. All across the country, people have stepped up to defend our democracy from those who are open about their plans to destroy it and install a dictator. Democrats and Republicans as well as people previously unaligned, we have reiterated why democracy matters, and in this election where the issue is not policy differences but the very survival of our democracy, we are working to elect Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz.
If you are tired from the last five years, you have earned the right to be.
And yet, you are still here, reading.
I write these letters because I love America. I am staunchly committed to the principle of human self-determination for people of all races, genders, abilities, and ethnicities, and I believe that American democracy could be the form of government that comes closest to bringing that principle to reality. And I know that achieving that equality depends on a government shaped by fact-based debate rather than by extremist ideology and false narratives.
And so I write.
But I have come to understand that I am simply the translator for the sentiments shared by millions of people who are finding each other and giving voice to the principles of democracy. Your steadfast interest, curiosity, critical thinking, and especially your kindness—to me and to one another—illustrate that we have not only the power, but also the passion, to reinvent our nation.
To those who read these letters, send tips, proofread, criticize, comment, argue, worry, cheer, award medals (!), and support me and one another: I thank you for bringing me along on this wild, unexpected, exhausting, and exhilarating journey.
Richardson has authored seven books on history and politics. In 2019, Richardson started publishing Letters from an American, a nightly newsletter that chronicles current events in the larger context of American history.[3] The newsletter accrued over one million subscribers, making her, as of December 2020, the most successful individual author of a paid publication on Substack.[4 (see more click here)
Today, ultra-processed foods dominate the American food supply, making up over half of an American adult’s diet and two-thirds of an American child’s diet despite links to poor health.
Even as those numbers are likely to increase, and food technology develops at lightning speed, U.S. agencies have seemed to lag behind in updating the rules that regulate these foods compared to other countries.
CBS Reports examines why ultra-processed foods have become so pervasive in the American diet – and what filling the gaps in federal regulation can do to ensure Americans are fed and healthy.
Watch Ultra Processed: How Food Tech Consumed the American Diet on CBS News, Paramount+ or by downloading the free CBS News App.
Earline S. Rogers, a distinguished American politician and lifelong education and civil rights advocate, passed away on September 5, 2024, at 89. Rogers dedicatedly served the people of Indiana for over thirty years, first in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1982 to 1990 and then in the Indiana State Senate, representing District 3 from 1990 through 2016.
As a proud member of the Democratic Party and the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, she championed legislative efforts to support education, working families, and her beloved community of Gary, Indiana.
Born on December 20, 1934, Earline Rogers was a trailblazer from an early age. She earned her Bachelor’s (1957) and Master’s (1971) degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Her career began as an educator in the Gary Community School Corporation, where Earline made a lasting impact by [specific impact]. Her passion for public service led her to the Gary City Council, where she served as a member and President from 1980 to 1982.
Rogers made history with her election to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1982. During her tenure, she spearheaded [specific achievements] and continued to rise, later serving as Minority Whip during her tenure in the Indiana Senate. She was a strong and tireless voice on numerous committees, including Appropriations, Homeland Security, and Transportation, and as the Ranking Minority Member on the Education and Career Development and Family and Children Services committees.
Throughout her career, she was known for improving education and advocating for students, always believing in the power of knowledge to empower and transform lives.
2016, after more than 30 years of public service, Rogers retired from political life, choosing not to seek re-election. Earline’s dedication and influence will continue to shape and inspire future generations through the laws she helped shape and the generations of students she inspired.
Earline Rogers leaves a legacy of courage, compassion, and commitment to public service. Her unwavering dedication to her community, particularly her profound belief in the importance of education as the key to progress and equality, will continue to inspire and connect us all.
She leaves behind a legacy of strength, integrity, and kindness that earned her the respect and admiration of her family, friends, and countless colleagues. Her memory will shine brightly forever in the hearts of those who knew her and the lives she touched throughout her incredible life.
Tom Richardson awoke one ordinary morning with an extraordinary conviction: he was the sole individual of significance. He did not consider himself to be isolated—others still surrounded him. However, in his perception, they were merely silhouettes, existing solely to fulfill his desires, frustrations, and caprices. The needs, emotions, and experiences of all others were simply ambient noise, inconsequential to the grand narrative of his existence. In this self-centered realm, Tom stood as the sole inhabitant, a solitary monarch in a realm of his own creation.
Tom was entitled, cutting to the front of lines, talking over people in meetings, and driving through red lights without hesitation. He believed the world should move at his pace, bulldozing through daily interactions with unchecked arrogance.
At work, Tom’s behavior was incredibly disruptive. His coworkers noticed how he monopolized conversations during meetings, often interrupting others and steering the discussions towards his own agenda. He frequently dismissed ideas he did not like, making it challenging for his colleagues to express their opinions freely. Additionally, Tom had a habit of taking credit for work he had not done, which created a toxic environment of mistrust and resentment among the team. His colleague Melissa, in particular, had spent months pouring her energy and creativity into a project, only to watch Tom take the spotlight during the presentation without acknowledging her contributions. Her face burned with frustration and disappointment, but Tom was already basking in the praise, completely unaware—or uncaring—of the hurt he had caused. As a result of his actions, the morale of the team suffered, productivity decreased, and valuable talent began seeking opportunities elsewhere. The tangible consequences of Tom’s behavior were felt deeply by those around him, and the weight of his actions continued to impact the work environment.
Outside the office, Tom’s interactions were just as callous. In a crowded coffee shop, he snapped at the barista for taking too long with his order. When the woman in front of him politely asked if she could move ahead to grab her drink, Tom scoffed and said, “Wait your turn, like the rest of us.” It never occurred to him that her child was crying in the car outside or that her day might unravel.
In relationships, Tom’s selfishness is all-consuming. His girlfriend, Kate, was initially patient, excusing his behavior as stress. However, as time passed, she realized that Tom’s wants and needs dictated every conversation, every plan, and every moment they shared.
“Can we ever do something I want?”
she asked one evening. Tom shrugged, dismissing her words as if they were background noise.
“It is not that important,”
he replied, flipping through the TV channels as she sat beside him, feeling smaller every second.
The world began to push back.
At work, Melissa and other colleagues stopped inviting Tom to meetings. His input was more a hindrance than a help. Projects moved more smoothly without his constant interruptions. The team thrived in his absence, but Tom remained blissfully unaware, believing that his exclusion was a sign of jealousy or resentment, never his behavior.
On the streets, strangers grew cold. People who once offered pleasantries started to avoid him. The barista, usually polite despite his rudeness, began greeting him with silent, stony indifference. Tom, of course, assumed they were having bad days.
“Not my problem,” ––– he muttered each time.
At home, Kate left. Her final words echoed through their now-empty apartment:
“You do not see me, Tom. Tom, never will you see me!.”
Tom stood in the doorway, confused and angry, unable to comprehend why she was so upset. As far as he was concerned, everything had been fine—because everything had always been about him.
However, despite the growing distance between him and the world, Tom did not connect the dots. The problem, as far as he was concerned, was not him. It was everyone else. Why didn’t people understand that he was in charge of his life? Why didn’t they see that his needs were urgent, his time valuable, his presence essential? His self-centeredness was creating a chasm between him and the rest of the world, a gap that was widening with each passing day.
The final straw came one quiet evening. Tom sat in a restaurant, dining alone —–– a common occurrence now. He waved the waiter over impatiently, complaining about the wait for his meal. The waiter, a man in his late fifties with graying hair and tired eyes, looked at Tom and sighed.
“You are not the only person in the world, you know,” the waiter said softly, his voice edged with exhaustion. “You act like we are all here just for you, but we are not.”
Tom bristled at the remark, ready to retort with something biting to remind the man of his place. However, the waiter’s words hung in the air momentarily, their truth unsettled. The weight of his words, heavy with truth, began to sink in, stirring something deep within Tom.
For the first time in a long time, Tom looked around. The restaurant was filled with people—couples sharing meals, families laughing, servers rushing between tables. Each of them had their own stories, struggles, and lives. They were not shadows. They were not here for him. They were living their own lives, just as vivid and real as his.
The weight of it settled on Tom like a cold wave. For years, he had moved through the world as if it were his stage, oblivious to the people around him. He had interrupted their lives, stepped over their feelings, and demanded their attention without a second thought. He had bulldozed his way through, never considering the damage he left behind.
And then, in a moment that would change his life, he saw it. For the first time, Tom indeed saw the world around him, not as a stage for his performance, but as a rich tapestry of lives, each as important as his own.
Tom left the restaurant without finishing his meal, the waiter’s words echoing in his mind. As he walked down the street, past people he had never noticed, a strange feeling stirred in him—something akin to humility, though he would not have called it that. It was a shift in his attitude and his perception of the world.
The world did not revolve around him—it never had. Perhaps, for the first time in his life, Tom realized just how much he had lost because of it.
As just as he did, not expecting for it to happen, Jesus Christ popped in and said he is going to vote for Kamala Harris!
The GOP, particularly their latest pick as Trump’s potential successor, keeps asking why Kamala Harris hasn’t accomplished everything she claims she’ll do if elected.
As Vice President, Harris’s role isn’t to set policy but to support the President’s mission. Over the past four years, that mission has centered on recovering from Trump’s administration’s chaos. Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic blindsided the nation, but despite these challenges, the Biden-Harris administration has worked tirelessly to put Americans back to work and rebuild neglected institutions.
It’s important to understand that any proposed initiatives by the President or Vice President require funding and legislation, which starts in the GOP-controlled House. Bipartisan cooperation is crucial, but the current House struggles to agree on leadership, let alone budgeting and legislation. The GOP’s track record in these areas is questionable at best. Blaming someone and then withholding their ability is classic GOP.
It is why many of Harris’s proposed measures are likely to gain traction during the first two years of her potential administration when a Democratic majority in both the Senate and House is more likely.
If critics want to question what Harris should have already accomplished, they should first focus on sponsoring and passing the necessary legislation. Only then can Harris take the steps needed to fulfill her promises.
In a time of intense political enthusiasm, the nation’s largest city braced for the Democratic National Convention. The convention was monumental, drawing over 200,000 people, including fervent supporters, passionate protestors, and those harboring darker intentions. The city’s population swelled, and the number of people and calls for service pushed authorities’ abilities, as law enforcement officers from seven neighboring states were called to ensure the safety of all in attendance.
The Convention Management needed two massive arenas to accommodate the influx of attendees, all eager to witness the nomination of their party’s candidate. Security was tight, with officers meticulously screening everyone entering the venues. Despite the thorough checks, the atmosphere was tense; no one knew what might happen as the evening unfolded.
As the convention began, volunteers handed out bracelets and necklaces designed to light up in vibrant shades of blue and pink. These accessories, when activated, blinked with a strobe-like effect, adding to the electric atmosphere. However, as the lights flashed rapidly, the joy turned into panic. For some, the blinking lights triggered seizures, turning the arena into a scene of chaos as over five hundred attendees began convulsing.
The sudden medical emergency overwhelmed the official responders. But amid the turmoil, a few quick-thinking attendees with first responder training stepped in, helping to manage the situation. They guided others in assisting the stricken, and together, they stabilized the crisis without needing additional outside help.
Realizing the cause of the seizures, the speaker at the podium urged the crowd to switch their bracelets and necklaces to a steady glow or to turn them off altogether. As the crowd complied, the flashing lights faded, and calm returned to the arena.
But a new and more sinister threat emerged just as the situation seemed to be under control. An embittered and desperate opposing candidate had managed to slip into the venue through a back door. Claiming he had a scheduled meeting with his Democratic opponent, he bypassed security and found his way to a room intended for the candidate.
Unbeknownst to him, the candidate wasn’t there that evening. Instead, a former First Lady entered the room, unaware of the intruder’s presence. As she closed the door behind her, the man, believing he was facing his political rival, prepared to attack. But before he could strike, the former First Lady, trained in Krav Maga, swiftly neutralized him. In a matter of seconds, the would-be attacker was subdued, left crying, and defeated on the floor.
He didn’t know the incident was captured on a security camera, complete with audio. The footage revealed his violent intentions, his use of racist slurs, and his plan to kill who he thought was his opponent. The video also showed the failure of both his and her security teams to prevent the breach, highlighting the danger she faced.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, the authorities neither arrested nor questioned the intruder. Instead, the former First Lady, a Black woman, was detained and interrogated as if she were the aggressor. It wasn’t until the security footage was reviewed that the truth was undeniable: she had acted in self-defense against a deliberate attack.
A week later, authorities showed the video to the public. The opposing campaign scrambled to make excuses, suggesting that the former First Lady should have chosen a different dressing room and their candidate had every right to be where he was. But the damage was done. The public, especially the supporters of the former First Lady and her candidate, were galvanized. They were more determined than ever to prevent such evil from reaching the Oval Office.
Ultimately, what began as a night of political celebration became a defining moment in the campaign. One woman’s bravery, coupled with the quick thinking of ordinary citizens, may have saved her life and the nation’s future.
On August 6, 2024 Heather Cox Richardson wrote on Substack the following entry, it was to the point and told exactly what people should know about Tim Walz. He is a decent human being. Who has done a number of things in life. Some of those things came at making human decisions. Fallible to a point, he may be. Who isn’t? Heather’s writing begins next –––
Today Vice President Kamala Harris named her choice for her vice presidential running mate: Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Walz grew up in rural Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17 and served for 24 years, retiring in 2005 as a command sergeant major, making him the highest-ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, according to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
He went to college with the educational benefits afforded him thanks to his service in the Army, and graduated from Chadron (Nebraska) State College. From 1989 to 1990, he taught at a high school in China, then became a social studies teacher in Alliance, Nebraska, where he met fellow teacher Gwen Whipple, who became his wife. They moved to Minnesota, where they both continued teaching and had two children, Hope and Gus, through IVF.
Walz became the faculty advisor for the school’s gay-straight alliance organization at the same time that he coached the high-school football team from a 0–27 record to a state championship. The advisor “really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married,” Walz said in 2018.
Walz ran for Congress in 2005 after some of his students were asked to leave a rally for George W. Bush because one of them had a sticker for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Walz won and served in Congress for twelve years, sitting on the House Agriculture Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Voters elected Walz to the Minnesota state house in 2018, and in his second term they gave him a slim majority in the state legislature. With that support, Walz signed into law protections for abortion rights, supported gender-affirming care, and legalized the recreational use of marijuana. He signed into law gun safety legislation and protections for voting rights, and pushed for action to combat climate change and to promote renewable energy.
Strong tax revenues and spending cuts gave the state a $17.6 billion surplus, and the Democrats under Walz used the money not to cut taxes, as Republicans wanted, but to invest in education, fund free breakfast and lunch for schoolchildren, make tuition free at the state’s public colleges for students whose families earned less than $80,000 a year, and invest in paid family and medical leave and health insurance coverage regardless of immigration status.
While MAGA Republicans are already trying to define Walz as “far left,” his votes in Congress put him pretty squarely in the middle. His work with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to expand technology production and infrastructure funding in the state was rewarded in 2023, when Minnesota knocked Texas out of the top five states for business. The CNBC rating looked at 86 indicators in 10 categories, including the workforce, infrastructure, health, and business friendliness.
Walz checks a number of boxes for the 2024 election, most notably that he hails from near the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania and comes across as a normal, nice guy. He favors unions, workers’ rights, and a $15 minimum wage. He is also the person who coined the phrase that took away the dangerous overtones of today’s MAGA Republicans by dubbing them “weird.” As a student of his said: “In politics he’s good at calling out B.S. without getting nasty or too down in the dirt…. It’s the kind of common sense he showed as a coach: practical and kinda goofy.”
Walz is also a symbol of an important resetting of the Democratic Party. He has been unapologetic about his popular programs. On Sunday, July 28, when CNN’s Jake Tapper listed some of Walz’s policies and asked if they made Walz vulnerable to Trump calling him a “big government liberal,” Walz joked that he was, indeed, a “monster.”
“Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn, and women are making their own health care decisions, and we’re a top five business state, and we also rank in the top three of happiness…. The fact of the matter is,” where Democratic policies are implemented, “quality of life is higher, the economies are better…educational attainment is better. So yeah, my kids are going to eat here, and you’re going to have a chance to go to college, and you’re going to have an opportunity to live where we’re working on reducing carbon emissions. Oh, and by the way, you’re going to have personal incomes that are higher, and you’re going to have health insurance. So if that’s where they want to label me, I’m more than happy to take the label.”
Right-wing reactionary politicians have claimed to represent ordinary Americans since the time of the passage of the Voting Rights Act—on August 6, 1965, exactly 59 years ago today—by insisting that a government that works for communities is a “socialist” plan to elevate undeserving women and racial, ethnic, and gender minorities at the expense of hardworking white men.
Historically, though, rural America has quite often been the heart of the country’s progressive politics, and the Midwest has had a central place in that progressivism. Walz reintegrates that history with today’s Democratic Party.
That reintegration has left the Republicans flatfooted. Trump and J.D. Vance expected to continue their posturing as champions of the common man, but on that front the credentials of a New York real estate developer who inherited millions of dollars and of a Yale-educated venture capitalist pale next to a Nebraska-born schoolteacher. Bryan Metzger, politics reporter at Business Insider, pointed out that J.D. Vance tried to hit Walz as a “San Francisco-style liberal,” but while Vance lived in San Francisco as a venture capitalist between 2013 and 2017, Walz went to San Francisco for the first time just last month.
Head writer and producer of A Closer Look at Late Night with Seth Meyers Sal Gentile summed up Walz’s progressive politics and community vibe when he wrote on social media: “Tim Walz will expand free school lunches, raise the minimum wage, make it easier to unionize, fix your [carburetor], replace the old wiring in your basement, spray that wasp’s nest under the deck, install a new spring for your garage door and put a new chain on your lawnmower.”
Vice President Harris had a very deep bench from which to choose a running mate, but her choice of Walz seems to have been widely popular. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who are usually on opposite sides of the party, both praised the choice, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to post: “Dems in disconcerting levels of array.”
Harris and Walz held their first rally together tonight in Philadelphia, where Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, who had been a top contender for the vice presidential slot, fired up the crowd. “Each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, to get in the game, and to do our part,” he said. “Are you ready to do your part? Are you ready to form a more perfect union? Are you ready to build an America where no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to, that this will be a place for you? And are you ready to look the next president of the United States in the eye and say, ‘Hello, Madam President?’ I am too, so let’s get to work!”
Pennsylvania is a crucial state, and Shapiro issued a statement offering his “enthusiastic support” to the ticket. He pledged “to work to unite Pennsylvanians behind my friends Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and defeat Donald Trump.”
The tides of change swept through every street, home, and heart in the nation’s heart. It was an era marked by uncertainty and tension as a rising conservative movement began to reshape the very fabric of society. The once-balanced scales of politics now tipped heavily in favor of those who believed in tradition, order, and a return to what they called “the good old days.”
~ Emma Caldwell, a liberal activist and journalist, sat in her small apartment, the glow of her laptop illuminating her worried face. She had spent years fighting for progress—campaigning for equal rights, environmental protection, and social justice. But now, every headline seemed to bring another blow to the causes she held dear, intensifying the urgency of her mission.
~
The latest news was the most disturbing yet: a proposed amendment to the constitution that would severely restrict freedom of speech and assembly, effectively silencing dissent and opposition. Emma’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed out an article, her words mixing passion and desperation. She knew that getting the truth out was more important than ever.
Across town, in a grand office overlooking the city, Senator Marcus Reid, a leading figure in the conservative movement, reviewed the day’s agenda. He believed sincerely in his cause, convinced the country had lost its way in a maze of liberal policies and needed to return to its core values. To him, the changes were necessary, even if they were painful.
As the days passed, protests erupted across the nation. Streets filled with a sea of faces—young and old, united by a shared fear of losing their rights. Emma was among them, her camera capturing the raw emotions of the crowd. She interviewed people from all walks of life: the single mother worried about her children’s future, the college student anxious about the loss of academic freedom, the elderly couple who had fought for civil rights decades ago and now saw history repeating itself.
Despite the growing unrest, the conservative agenda pushed forward relentlessly. The lawmakers passed laws at a dizzying pace, each chipping away at the freedoms many had taken for granted. These laws included [specific laws], which directly affected [specific groups of people]. The country seemed to be spiraling into a new era of authoritarianism, and the hope that once burned brightly in the hearts of liberals began to dim.
Emma found herself at a crossroads. Her work was censored, and her voice was stifled by the very government she had once trusted to protect her freedoms. But she refused to give up. Gathering a small group of like-minded individuals, she formed an underground network dedicated to preserving and disseminating information. Their determination was a silent but powerful force, inspiring others with their unwavering resolve.
Senator Reid, now one of the most powerful men in the country, began to sense the growing resistance. He dismissed it at first, confident that his vision was the right path. However, as the underground movement gained momentum, Senator Reid realized that silencing dissent was more complex than passing laws. The human spirit, he discovered, was not so quickly subdued. One evening, Emma received a message from an anonymous source—a high-ranking government official who had grown disillusioned with the conservative regime. The source provided her with classified documents detailing the administration’s plans to tighten their grip on power further.
These documents revealed [specific details], a dangerous revelation, but Emma knew it was the spark needed to ignite a more significant movement.
She leaked the documents to the public with the help of her network. The revelations shook the country, and the streets again filled with protesters. This time, their numbers were more significant, and their resolve was more robust, demonstrating the potential impact of collective action. The conservative government, facing unprecedented pressure, began to falter.
Senator Reid watched as the country he had tried to reshape slipped from his grasp. He had underestimated the people’s power and ability to unite and fight for their rights. As the conservative movement began to crumble, a new era of political awakening dawned.
Emma stood on the capitol’s steps, her camera in hand, capturing the momentous events unfolding before her. She knew the battle was far from over, but she felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while. The changing times had tested the nation’s spirit, but in the end, its people’s resilience and determination prevailed.
It was the end of October, and the nation seemed to be in a state of distraction, unaware of the critical choice before them. Two men were vying for the highest office in the land, each bringing with him a starkly different vision for the future. The contrast between their characters and intentions was as clear as day, yet the people’s attention was elsewhere. The urgency of the situation was palpable, but the people were yet to realize the gravity of their decision.
The first candidate was an elder statesman, a man whose career in public service spanned decades. He had held nearly every elected position imaginable, from local government to the halls of Congress. His dedication to the country was unwavering, a testament to his deep-seated patriotism. His life’s work, a reflection of his commitment to protecting the essence of the country he loved, was a beacon of trust and reliability for the nation.
In stark contrast stood the second candidate, a man whose motives were as transparent as they were troubling. Self-serving and careless, he made no secret of his intentions. He openly declared that, if elected, he would rule with an iron fist, punishing his enemies and consolidating power from day one. His rhetoric was filled with hate, yet the people, weary of the same old political games, dismissed his threats as mere bluster. This transparency, however, should have been a warning sign, a call for vigilance in the face of such extremism.
The campaign’s intensity grew as the days turned into weeks, yet the nation’s focus remained elsewhere. Perhaps it was the fatigue of constant political turmoil or the distractions of everyday life, but the electorate seemed indifferent, almost numb. They laughed off the second candidate’s tirades, convinced that such extremism could never take root in their democracy.
Election day arrived, and with it, a shocking outcome. The self-serving, hateful man had won. The people who had laughed at his threats now watched in stunned silence as he took the oath of office. His promises of dictatorship were not idle threats; they were his blueprint for governance, a reality that had suddenly come to pass. This was not just the result of one man’s ambition, but a collective decision made by the electorate.
From the very first day, the new President began to reshape the government to suit his whims. He targeted his opponents with a vengeance, using the full power of his office to silence dissent. Civil liberties and democratic institutions were eroded and undermined. The press, once the people’s watchdog, was muzzled. The judiciary, a bulwark against tyranny, was co-opted. His actions, such as [specific actions], tightened his authoritarian grip and spread fear like wildfire.
The oldest-ever President, now retired, watched in horror as the nation he had served so faithfully became dismantled piece by piece. His warnings had gone unheeded, his life’s work seemingly undone in months. Once so dismissive of the threat, the people found themselves powerless to stop the descent into chaos. The retired President, too, felt the weight of his powerlessness, a stark contrast to his years of service and influence.
It was the end of the nation, an Ending which the country could have avoided.nation. An Ending that could have been avoided.
Before the presidential debates on Thursday, posts from supporters of President Biden are getting noticed. President Biden is getting noticed for his comment on the second anniversary of the revocation of ROE vs. Wade, a process that he says is caused by Donald Donald Trump.
BREAKING: Lady Gaga just delivered one of the most powerful rebukes of Donald Trump this year. It’s safe to say that Lady Gaga will be supporting President Biden. Retweet so all Americans see this. pic.twitter.com/JbUip7jNNn
— Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) June 24, 2024
Three Presidents Who Are Respected Around The World
There Is A Giant Difference Between The Two. When You Vote – It Is For Freedom!
Former President Donald Trump was widely mocked after claiming to a crowd of supporters that he has “wounds all over my body” that they could see if he took his shirt off.
Trump delivered the keynote address at the “Road to Majority” conference in Washington, D.C., organized by the conservative Christian political advocacy group, Faith and Freedom Coalition, on Saturday.
For example, Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy were assassinated while still in office.
Notably, Ronald Reagan was the victim of an attempted assassination in 1981 when a bullet fired by John Hinckley Jr. shot him in the underarm, broke one of his ribs, and punctured one of his lungs, causing significant internal bleeding. Reagan went on to serve two terms in office.
In one of the more oddball moments in American history, Andrew Jackson in 1835 was attacked by an unemployed house painter whose pistols misfired—and promptly beat his failed assassin with his walking cane.
And it is perhaps darkly comic that Theodore Roosevelt survived a 1912 assassination attempt after the assassin’s bullet became lodged in a folded copy of a speech Roosevelt was carrying in his breast pocket at the time.
By contrast, Trump has never been in a similar position. Nor has he ever served in combat or sustained any wounds whatsoever considering he infamously dodged the Vietnam War draft by claiming he had bone spurs in his foot (a fact he has periodically downplayed).
Mudslinging, once the most reprehensible act a political contestant could commit, was a behavior that branded the perpetrator as untrustworthy, someone respectable voters would never support. These were the days when community bonds were robust. Neighbors were familiar faces, and the widow down the street was always checked on. People went out of their way to support a friend’s business, driven by loyalty and the value of relationships.
Courtesy was not just a virtue, it was a way of life. You didn’t honk at the car ahead for hesitating at a stop sign, and everyone, regardless of race, was treated with respect. You honored their facilities at sporting events in neighboring towns, expecting the same respect in return during your homecoming games. These were the values that held our society together, and their erosion is a cause for concern.
Winning an election was once a sign of trust in the democratic process. It meant the elected individual would represent the community, county, state, or nation for their term. There was no need for your parents to rally the neighbors, seeking to punish those who voted differently or to overturn the results. They trusted the process and the enduring truth. However, today, this trust has seemingly eroded, and the need for reflection and change in our political and social interactions is more pressing than ever.
Today, it seems that the aim is not just to win, but to annihilate the opponent’s life and reputation.
