I love this. Our journeys are so different -- till I read this I'd never heard of Albert Brooks -- but coming of political age in the '60s, I learned that politics was/were (it's both singular and plural) important and closely related to values. The big fight I remember with my father, a Democrat, came when I was in college and active in both college politics and the antiwar movement. It was over Phil Ochs's "Love Me, I'm a Liberal," most of which I still know by heart. My father, unsurprisingly, *hated* it. I, also unsurprisingly, kept singing it.
I love this. Such honest reflection and interesting insight. I feel the nudge to take a similar journey of discovery while my parents are still here and I can thank them for whatever they did, consciously or not, to enable me to grow deep political roots.
Thanks so much for this. I never had the bolstering of being in moral political accord with my parents. My mother was a Republican committee woman while I marched and drew inspiration from the civil rights freedom struggle and farm worker organizing. Cast my first reluctant presidential vote for Hubert Humphrey. Sigh. But I never doubted my parents loved me and thought they had done a good thing by launching me into the world, even if my world was not theirs. Our stories are so tangled and interesting. …
Your words tonight are a welcome reminder to me of the importance of our conversations with family & friends at the table. As a nation , you have touched on some of the myriad problems we all face. Let us strive to attend to protecting & strengthening our democracy, for we are stronger together.
This has me thinking again about how my parents and grandparents shaped me and my politics. The dinner table was definitely a place of political debate - especially during the holidays with all the grandparents around. We were divided - my mother a Democrat and my father a Republican - it was a noisy dinner table. You are so right that our families shape us in ways intended and unintended.
Thanks for sharing your reflections David. "Other-isms" ; The names of the targets may vary, but the aim is the same - dominion. So very sad that some percentage of folks can't take a step back and time to consider. I think I agree; That good, constructive citizenship begins at the family dinner table.
thank you. " . . . we were told we couldn’t use the local bomb shelter because we were Jewish . . ." wow - wondering whether you'd be willing to elaborate -
Elaborate how? The shelter was privately owned. Fortunately there was never any cause to use it. But the word had been passed on to us that we would not be welcome.
David infortunately you were raised by narcisssitic parents, which is terrible for a child. You are made of really strong stuff to become who you are!! Thank you for sharing a very rich story about were you politics come from. I was 16 when I cavassed for McCarthy (Eugene). And my first cousins fled Germany right after Kristillnact. My Mother received herPhD in microbiology in 1948. My paternal grandparents fled Russia diring the pogroms against the Jews. His wife and chils came by Steamer travelling in steerage class. My grandparents werr very hardworking prople and moral and highly ethical. My Dad joined the Is Navy and saw combat in the Pacific, Atlantic and European theatres on a minesweep and destroyer. My Mother's great grandfather fought in the Civil War on the Union side. The assassinations in the 1960's were more than I could bear. That and the Viet Nam War.
The borom line for me is to not listen the words being spoken but look at the deeds of these two men (candidates) in terms of what each done for the American people and our country. One is a felon for G*d's sakes. A psychopath, liar, filled with frightening cruelty. If your grandma ere alive she would read Project 2025 from cover to cover to further understand the powers and plan to destroy our America.
I appreciate your kind words. I hope you don’t mind if I will disagree with you re: my parents. They were great, loving, generally supportive and the reactions I describe were human…which was my point.
These are the types of pieces my soul thirsts to read. Beautifully done.
Thank you.
I love this. Our journeys are so different -- till I read this I'd never heard of Albert Brooks -- but coming of political age in the '60s, I learned that politics was/were (it's both singular and plural) important and closely related to values. The big fight I remember with my father, a Democrat, came when I was in college and active in both college politics and the antiwar movement. It was over Phil Ochs's "Love Me, I'm a Liberal," most of which I still know by heart. My father, unsurprisingly, *hated* it. I, also unsurprisingly, kept singing it.
I love this. Such honest reflection and interesting insight. I feel the nudge to take a similar journey of discovery while my parents are still here and I can thank them for whatever they did, consciously or not, to enable me to grow deep political roots.
Thank you.
Thanks so much for this. I never had the bolstering of being in moral political accord with my parents. My mother was a Republican committee woman while I marched and drew inspiration from the civil rights freedom struggle and farm worker organizing. Cast my first reluctant presidential vote for Hubert Humphrey. Sigh. But I never doubted my parents loved me and thought they had done a good thing by launching me into the world, even if my world was not theirs. Our stories are so tangled and interesting. …
Beautifully written. Thank you.
Your words tonight are a welcome reminder to me of the importance of our conversations with family & friends at the table. As a nation , you have touched on some of the myriad problems we all face. Let us strive to attend to protecting & strengthening our democracy, for we are stronger together.
This has me thinking again about how my parents and grandparents shaped me and my politics. The dinner table was definitely a place of political debate - especially during the holidays with all the grandparents around. We were divided - my mother a Democrat and my father a Republican - it was a noisy dinner table. You are so right that our families shape us in ways intended and unintended.
Absolutely marvellous piece of historical familial political writing! And you just rattled it out in the last few hours! And no typos either.
Thanks for sharing your reflections David. "Other-isms" ; The names of the targets may vary, but the aim is the same - dominion. So very sad that some percentage of folks can't take a step back and time to consider. I think I agree; That good, constructive citizenship begins at the family dinner table.
thank you. " . . . we were told we couldn’t use the local bomb shelter because we were Jewish . . ." wow - wondering whether you'd be willing to elaborate -
Elaborate how? The shelter was privately owned. Fortunately there was never any cause to use it. But the word had been passed on to us that we would not be welcome.
David infortunately you were raised by narcisssitic parents, which is terrible for a child. You are made of really strong stuff to become who you are!! Thank you for sharing a very rich story about were you politics come from. I was 16 when I cavassed for McCarthy (Eugene). And my first cousins fled Germany right after Kristillnact. My Mother received herPhD in microbiology in 1948. My paternal grandparents fled Russia diring the pogroms against the Jews. His wife and chils came by Steamer travelling in steerage class. My grandparents werr very hardworking prople and moral and highly ethical. My Dad joined the Is Navy and saw combat in the Pacific, Atlantic and European theatres on a minesweep and destroyer. My Mother's great grandfather fought in the Civil War on the Union side. The assassinations in the 1960's were more than I could bear. That and the Viet Nam War.
The borom line for me is to not listen the words being spoken but look at the deeds of these two men (candidates) in terms of what each done for the American people and our country. One is a felon for G*d's sakes. A psychopath, liar, filled with frightening cruelty. If your grandma ere alive she would read Project 2025 from cover to cover to further understand the powers and plan to destroy our America.
I appreciate your kind words. I hope you don’t mind if I will disagree with you re: my parents. They were great, loving, generally supportive and the reactions I describe were human…which was my point.
I apologize for jumping to conclusions! From your post I can tell they were wonderful loving people and ya miss them. I sure do miss mine .
Please forgive my rush to judgement. DS
No problem at all. I appreciate your long and thoughtful response to the piece. Thank you very much.
You have earned the plaudits.
Sadly, you have done more to raise the alarms about the terrible dangers we face than than the combined Democratic leadership.
That's kind. (An overstatement. But kind.)
Thank you so much for this !
Wonderful!
Have read your books and follow appearances!
Keep going; a necessary voice!
Thank you!