you mentioned optimism. the democratic track record is bait and switch. Off shoring of jobs, bank deregulation, bank bail outs etc all under Dem rule. They get away with systemic rule for corporate capitalism only because people still get by, but that runway is almost over. Perpetual growth on a finite planet was always going to fail, and this has started. The Dems have one last shot at this, as in a 2 party system the far right will eventually get power. and if the Dems don't deal with insecurity (income, environmental, health, racial) then the people will enthusiastically vote in the next authoritarian
I fully agree that Kamala is the anti-dote to a descent into Trumpist style facism, but I hope you may be overreachong in your condemnation of Netanyahu. Assume that MAGA people became as militant as Iran backed Hamas and slaughtered 1200 people in, say Brooklyn. Further, these MAGA militants declared that they won't rest until all liberal, Brooklynites are dead. Would it be possible to go to far in retaliation after decades of such attacks? Islamists such as those in Iran, Palestine, Syria and other countries hate liberal democracy and all it stands for. They will not rest until we all die or convert.
I know it’s being said many places but it feels like 2008. I was lucky enough to see Obama at a rally that summer. The field was overflowing of people seeking one thing—hope. We listened, mesmerized by this man, so electric and inspiring. This energy today, feels the same as it did that day. We’re a people with so much hope for this country, what we can be, how we should be, and Kamala was born for this moment. I’m with her.
Thank you for your words, for I, too, feel ecstatic about the promise of a Kamala presidency. "Joyful warrior" is truly what she is, and you are right that hope and excitement about the promise of the future is powerful. The impact of her campaign has indeed infused millions of us with hope.
Thank you. I’ve been thinking about the laughter at the heart of things. It is precisely the absence of laughter in TFG that signals he has no soul. No truth. No beauty. I welcome the light.
David, you bring up an interesting thought, namely that there isn’t just the dark warrior but also the joyful one. I feel we need to read the trumpian age with some depth psychology to make any sense of it. The archetype of the warrior comes, like any archetype with light and shadow. Truly people long for a warrior who fights for them. That was trumps promise and he found many who followed. But trump only offers the dark side of the warrior. And this leads people into more fear and more anger and more hate instead of freeing them. Harris unmistakenly now steps into the bright sight of the warrior archetype, she brings joy and laughter and hope while promising to fight the evil warrior. You can even see it in the drawings the campaigns came up with for their heroes. trump warrior holding a rifle expressing all toxic masculinity, Harris flying in like superwoman all smiling expressing masculine strength and feminine courage. Does that make any sense?
you mentioned optimism. the democratic track record is bait and switch. Off shoring of jobs, bank deregulation, bank bail outs etc all under Dem rule. They get away with systemic rule for corporate capitalism only because people still get by, but that runway is almost over. Perpetual growth on a finite planet was always going to fail, and this has started. The Dems have one last shot at this, as in a 2 party system the far right will eventually get power. and if the Dems don't deal with insecurity (income, environmental, health, racial) then the people will enthusiastically vote in the next authoritarian
Excellent piece. So glad that you included a link to the speech. It was inspiring and hopeful. Thank you!
Thank you.
I fully agree that Kamala is the anti-dote to a descent into Trumpist style facism, but I hope you may be overreachong in your condemnation of Netanyahu. Assume that MAGA people became as militant as Iran backed Hamas and slaughtered 1200 people in, say Brooklyn. Further, these MAGA militants declared that they won't rest until all liberal, Brooklynites are dead. Would it be possible to go to far in retaliation after decades of such attacks? Islamists such as those in Iran, Palestine, Syria and other countries hate liberal democracy and all it stands for. They will not rest until we all die or convert.
I know it’s being said many places but it feels like 2008. I was lucky enough to see Obama at a rally that summer. The field was overflowing of people seeking one thing—hope. We listened, mesmerized by this man, so electric and inspiring. This energy today, feels the same as it did that day. We’re a people with so much hope for this country, what we can be, how we should be, and Kamala was born for this moment. I’m with her.
Thank you for your words, for I, too, feel ecstatic about the promise of a Kamala presidency. "Joyful warrior" is truly what she is, and you are right that hope and excitement about the promise of the future is powerful. The impact of her campaign has indeed infused millions of us with hope.
Thank you. I’ve been thinking about the laughter at the heart of things. It is precisely the absence of laughter in TFG that signals he has no soul. No truth. No beauty. I welcome the light.
Trump, We know your Type!
You’ve given me my inspiration for a ‘road sign’! It’s all about the laugh.. the smile..getting out my art supplies today!
What you have said is so beautiful, so wise, so true, it takes my breath away. As Joe says “thank you, thank you, thank you”. I really do thank you.
The darkness only stays in the night time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
It's not always going to be this grey
Your letter started by calling out the DEPLORABLES and ended with much needed optimism!
As Kamala says “WE ARE NOT GOING BACK”
Thank You David
This was glorious. It’s the kind of writing that I’ll need to rub my hands over again tomorrow, to feel all the textures and details.
Thank you. That’s very kind.
You Should vie As A Speech Writrr for Kamala!
David, you bring up an interesting thought, namely that there isn’t just the dark warrior but also the joyful one. I feel we need to read the trumpian age with some depth psychology to make any sense of it. The archetype of the warrior comes, like any archetype with light and shadow. Truly people long for a warrior who fights for them. That was trumps promise and he found many who followed. But trump only offers the dark side of the warrior. And this leads people into more fear and more anger and more hate instead of freeing them. Harris unmistakenly now steps into the bright sight of the warrior archetype, she brings joy and laughter and hope while promising to fight the evil warrior. You can even see it in the drawings the campaigns came up with for their heroes. trump warrior holding a rifle expressing all toxic masculinity, Harris flying in like superwoman all smiling expressing masculine strength and feminine courage. Does that make any sense?
The last prominent politician to be called a "happy warrior" was Hubert Humphrey.
That makes sense to me and seems accurate.
Beautifully put! There's a sense of exuberance and hope in the air that I haven't felt in a long, long time. It's palpable and powerful.
all great ideas in your essay. Kamala is the cat-lady's meow! sorry I had to play with that image...