I’ve written little in my blog over the summer. It’s early August, and I’ve thought and experienced little of note over the past several weeks. Family? Jason took Hawthorn and Hazel to Belize for a week. John and Kim are coming home tomorrow from five weeks in Africa. Andrew spent six weeks in Indonesia with Susanto and Isla. Jennifer joined them for three of those six weeks. They come back on the 7th. Jadyne suffered a blister in her right foot, which led to an infection which led to another infection which led to her being in great pain and unable to walk. After seeing a podiatrist she’s armed with amoxicillin, gauze bandages, tape, and strict orders to keep her foot elevated. It’s been about three weeks. Her foot is still swollen, but the pain is down. I’ve been swimming, playing guitar, taking a few images of the mimosa and the hanging baskets of fuchsia, replacing dying plants with soon-to-die plants, and reading a lot. And Blake Snell, the Giants pitcher, no-hit the Reds last night. And we’re a week into the summer Olympics, marveling at athletic accomplishments, especially Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.
The really big events go far beyond our family. Trump was indicted, Biden resigned, Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic candidate, will be chosen this week in Chicago to lead the party into the fall election. By Tuesday she will have selected a vice-president. The momentum and enthusiasm she’s uncovered is monumental. We can only hope that it’s consequential, too. Optimism has reached a fever pitch. I’m there.
I copied this from I don’t remember where: “I don’t want to live in a white nationalist Christo-fascist authoritarian dictatorship under a narcissistic sociopathic rapist under any circumstances.” And that would be my—and everyone else’s—situation should Trump become president come November.
In a global nutshell. Since Trump “won” in 2016 America has become split into what’s become two hostile sides, hateful and intolerant of each other. How far we’ve come since 9/11, and with Republicans in charge, almost all backwards, too! Last week the US was able to exchange prisoners with Russia, a triumph for America. We should celebrate the success, but did we?
Here’s what JD Vance, Trump’s choice for vice-president said, “But we have to ask ourselves: Why are they coming home? And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house,” he said. “That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.” Biden deserves the credit, but Vance gives it to Trump.
Trump was humiliated at a Black Journalist Conference in Chicago. He had claimed that he was hoping for American unity in the upcoming election, then turned into racial tropes and personal criticism of Kamala Harris. Journalist Rachel Scott asked, "I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room, sir. A lot of people did not think it was appropriate for you to be here today," she began. "You've pushed false claims about some of your rivals, to Nikki Haley, to former president Barack Obama, saying that they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You've told four congresswomen of color — who are American citizens — to go back to where they came from. You've used words like 'animal' and 'rabid' to describe Black district attorneys. You've attacked Black journalists, calling them a 'loser,' saying the questions they asked are stupid and racist. You've had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So, my question, sir, now that you're asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you, after you've used language like that?" He responded angrily, blaming her for being rude and nasty. Apparently, he thought he was at one of his MAGA rallies. His willful ignorance is breathtaking. Then he broke into full-tilt racism.
Harris’ father is black. Her mother is Indian. We can only hope that this kind of sleazy campaigning will backfire.
There’s so much more that could be written, but I’m tired. Tired of Trump, tired of the parade of lies, tired of swimming upstream against the neverending river of ignorance and consequential stupidity. I don’t want this to go on, but going on, facing this swarm of idiots is unavoidable for now. And when Trump loses again in November it still won’t be over.