Sunday, August 25, 2024

Political junkie

I've watched four nights of the DNC, most of them from start to finish. Biden and I are the same age; I owed it to his excellent presidency to hear him say Goodbye. The rest of that night was OK to very good. The rest of the show, the last three nights, was stunning.

How did they put it together? It was like a show rehearsed for months. Everyone on their mark, delivering pointed, poignant, deliberate and direct addresses. The mass of delegates and spectators every night! Half way through I had to agree, the Democratic party has taken back patriotism.

The election is still a cliff hanger; it can go either way. This great ground swell of enthusiasm must be laser focused on the outcome, the goal of putting Harris and Walz in office. Only by voting big can we save our government from a fascist term; put ourselves back on the path of a moderate Supreme Court, House of Representatives and Senate.

I'm also concerned about what may happen after Harris and Walz are declared winners. I know there are militias, well drilled and organized, intent on more armed disruption and rebellion. I pray our national guard and our police are equally intent on disrupting their plans and putting more and more time between their mayhem and good government.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I did not report that Betty left this life a couple of weeks ago. She fell and hurt herself enough to require a couple of stitches. She seemed well enough, talking, smiling. But literally overnight she gave up, quit, and died one day later. 

It's not the first time I've seen this happen. A room mate in my rehab days closed her eyes one evening, with family and children chattering about her, trying to make her eat dinner, and left. Across the room I saw it happen and rang for a nurse, who came in, looked at his patient, and explained her death to all those around.

That's enough of that subject from the last place I intend to live.

The empty place at table has been filled by a friend of Rose, who moved in a few days ago. The new section of the building has twenty apartments available, and three have been filled in the two weeks they have been available.

Back at the loom, I will be done with the khaki towels this week. 


On my shelf of thread, so many colors left to weave. Lavender, light grey, charcoal, yellow, blue, grass green. Any picks?


32 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about Betty! I agrre with you about the excitement suroounding the Democratic party. I think there is a good chance they will win, but like you, I worry about the aftermath.

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  2. I didn't watch as much of the convention as you did, although I would have liked to have done so (don't have a chance after working all day), but I thought it was impressive, too. Maybe the "performances" came naturally to most of the participants, who truly want to do good and who actually love their families. I continue to watch the clip of Tim Walz declaring his love for his wife and children, with his son rising to say "that's my dad." I cry every time I see it.

    Love,
    Janie

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  3. It was a wonderful concert. I watched the cspan coverage, complete, no pundits, with on-line friends texting back and forth. It was so good to be among friends even electronically at this hinge of history
    Sorry to hear Betty's gone. We'll miss hearing about her.

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  4. Convention! Dang predictive text changed what I wrote

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  5. I had to watch bits and pieces of the convention on YouTube throughout the week. I get up too early to watch it live. I agree that it was wonderful! It's so nice to have hope again but we mustn't get complacent. I also worry about unrest and violence if DT loses again. I hope there's a plan to nip it in the bud if it rears its ugly head.

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  6. At the present time it looks like the nice guys have a good chance to win the election.

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  7. The convention was energetic and inspirational. Now comes the hard task of convincing people - first to get out and vote - and then to vote Democrat.

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  8. Interestingly a survey was done over the weekend here and if Australians had the vote Trump would lose by a huge margin. I watch in hope.

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  9. Farewell, Betty. It can be a blessing to go quickly and easily.

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  10. I only saw bits of the DNC on the news here, but I could hear and feel the hope and happiness. I hope they win.

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  11. Hari OM
    Two of my fave political new podcasters were at the convention, so I caught the gist of things via their reports - and yes - it stirred the blood! We in the UK also had one of those podcasters interview the premier of South Australia last week - and he was beyond impressive in the same way. It makes our pollies look like dishcloths and nowhere near as handsome or decorative as your woven ones!!!

    RIP Betty. YAM xx

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  12. The DNC appeared to be quite the event from the parts that I caught or noted in passing.

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  13. Betty went quickly. Such a blessing in many ways!

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  14. Is it wrong to say, "Good job, Betty!"? Isn't that the way we'd all like to go? Although I'm sure she'll be missed.
    Glad you enjoyed the convention. Won't it be the biggest relief and joy if those two people win?

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  15. I enjoyed the convention, also, and have re-watched some of the speeches as they were so well done. Feeling hopeful and looking forward to voting for Harris/Walz!
    Sorry you lost your friend Betty. I would want to go quickly like that when it is my turn.
    Your towels look great! What an amazing talent you have!

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  16. I'm sorry for your loss. Truly. As for the DNC, watching it all 4 days was one of the high points of my life. Truly. It is nice to have hope again.

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  17. It feels so great to have 'hope' again! After listening to Michelle and Kamala speak, I know in my heart that winning is possible. This unexpected turn has me 'over the moon'.
    And Joanne, I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend...

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  18. Perhaps Betty's fall had unseen effects on her body. Nevertheless, she did not linger and that is a blessing. My sympathy to you, Joanne.

    The towels are lovely; I like a neutral colour very much. And the turnaround of Democratic fortunes in your fine country has me very hopeful!

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  19. I am sorry to hear about Betty. I watched the convention too. It was much livelier than any I remember from before. I was disappointed when Biden dropped out. Looking back I believe I had become complacent because he dud a good job with no fuss. That is why we didn't fight for him the way we should have. Now we have renewed energy.

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  20. I watched snippets of the DNC, mostly of the speeches by the Obamas and few others. I vote for charcoal; it will look nice in my kitchen! It's sobering when people we're around a lot or know well die. Not a fan. :(

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  21. my picks...lavender, blue, or green. Betty decided she was done. that's how it happens I guess, one day you decide that it's just too much effort to keep going. we did not watch any of the convention but I did read about it from those who did and reported on it. this is such a crucial election, more so I think than the last one because those behind Trump and Project 2025 are far more organized and ready to implement their repressive regime immediately and also because I think it represents a changing of the guard so to speak. handing the reins of the country over to a younger group.

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  22. Light gray or charcoal please!

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    1. PS. Ah, condolences on the loss of your friend Betty. ❤️

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  23. I'm sorry about Betty. Lavender, blue or green. Thanks for your comment on the mystery photo.

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  24. I'm watching what the Democrats are doing with great interest. I sure hope they manage to oust the sneering and abusive ex-president.

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  25. I think all around the democratic world we fear what could happen if Harris does not win.

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  26. Harris and Walz seem to make quite a good team. I am hopeful, but there is always a nagging feeling that the fascists kooks will prevail. There is no doubt that the election results will be violently contested yet again, should Harris prevail.

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  27. I'm still reeling that an evil convicted felon can run for your highest office and have his stubby short fingers on the nuclear buttons.
    I am hoping your country recovers its decency and good governance rather than a Mafia run. but a mobster. And fixing the holes in your parliamentary systems including the bribable Electoral College.
    Good grief and sympathy on all of it.
    XO
    WWW

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  28. Not sleeping well I have the radio on low..and caught some of the speeches...there is hope.
    Sad to hear of Betty's going .

    The khaki towels are interesting..quite a subtle look.

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  29. I watched the convention AND the debate last night. OMG! If there really are undecided voters out there, the debate should have shown them how BAD Trump would be.

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  30. The whole world is watching to see who leads the powerful country on earth, including here in England. From this perspective, Trump looks weirder every day, as now it's clear he isn't serious or competent, and in fact borderline senile in a way that was not obvious even 2 years ago. He is so easy to wrongfoot, and almost childlike in how he responds to any challenge, even another debate with Harris bothers him, right? On the plus side, it seems that even some prominent Republicans are starting to see the danger of working so hard to give Putin this poor sad old fellow in the White House as his Christmas present.

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  31. I didn't mean to click "Publish" before I'd finished my last post (and I might have edited it before posting too), so I hope it's OK if I add this now? As an older person I know the feeling of being weaker than I'd like to be, (and used to be) both mentally and physically. So I think its very dangerous to push anyone like Trump, who is now so clearly weakening, into stepping up to be the most powerful man in the world for the next few years. I'm glad some Republicans are starting to notice this risk and very glad that Biden had the wit and strength to step aside.

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