Social & Political

Election Connection: 13 Weeks: A Biden Covid Response with Ron Klain

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The following video features Ron Klain, a member of the Biden campaign. In addition to his current role with the campaign, he is a two time Vice Presidential Chief of Staff (Al Gore (1995-1999), and Joe Biden (2009-2011). He is a lawyer and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Byron White as well as a Capitol Hill counsel.

He served as the Ebola Reponse Coordinator from 2014-2015 and has been an outspoken critic of the Trump Administration’s response to the Covid-19 virus which has, as of this writing, killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S.

For a time, he co-hosted a podcast addressing these concerns with Dr. Celine Gounder.

On a personal note, when I’m asked when I’ll be taking a vaccine (how soon after it’s ready), my answer is always, “When this guy [Ron Klain] says it’s safe.“

The following video was made for the Biden campaign and outlines what a President Biden would do to curb the ongoing virus and epidemic.

John Lewis: In His Words and Of Him

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Instead of what I had planned for this week, I decided to compile the many things that I’ve heard about and from John Lewis and share them with you.

One of the reasons for this was the realization that while I adored and admired John Lewis for a very long time, I was unaware of his esteemed place in history. I knew about the Edmund Pettus Bridge and I knew he was a “civil rights icon”, but I did not comprehend the vast expanse of what that actually means.

A few weeks ago, I began to read The Children by David Halberstam. I’ve had it in my library for some time and just hadn’t gotten to it, but it begins at the beginning with the young people in Nashville, Tennessee, with John Lewis and others.

I read it and had only gotten so far when Congressman Lewis passed away. I’ve said before that he was one of those people, those heroes, those strong voices that I thought would never leave the earth. He may be gone, but his voice will live on.

In retrospect, growing up in New York I would have thought we’d have a better understanding of the Civil War, its causes and its outcomes, but I’m saddened to realize that I learned more about Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis than I did about John Lewis, Jim Lawson, and Diane Nash. At fifty-three, I am rectifying that.

John Lewis is an American hero. Hero and iconic are words that don’t live up to the lived life of John Lewis. He embodied peace and love, and as I type out these words I hear his voice in my head, and I hope to hear his voice for the rest of my life.

What follows are the words of some from his celebration of life service as well as three videos that I would encourage you to watch, although watching the entire service would be a valuable use of your time.

May John Lewis rest but may we not rest until we reach his beloved community with equality, liberty, and justice for all.

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Election Connection: 14 Weeks: It’s National Vote By Mail Day

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How do I know it’s National Vote By Mail Day?

Because President Obama and Crooked Media‘s Vote Save America tell me it is.

Also Adopt A State (you don’t have to live in the state that you adopt!). Go here to find out more and pitch in. If we all vote, we win!

NOTE: Last week’s Election Connection has been updated with new names who we want to take back the Senate!

Click to be taken to Vote Save America’s Every Last Vote (c)2020

Election Connection: 15 Weeks: Civil Rights Icon, John R. Lewis (1940-2020)

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“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

John Lewis, Twitter, 2018
John R. Lewis, House of Representatives. Public Domain. (c)2020
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Election Connection: 16 Weeks: Learn Their Names

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This video was created and produced by The Lincoln Project and it reminds us that voting out Trump isn’t the only goal. We need to replace his enablers. They need to go, and we need people who WORK FOR THE PEOPLE and will uphold the Rule of Law.

 

 

Replace Mitch McConnell with Amy McGrath

Replace Cory Gardner with John Hickenlooper

Replace Lindsey Graham with Jaime Harrison

Replace Susan Collins with Sara Gideon

Replace Devin Nunes with Phil Arballo

Replace Kevin McCarthy with Kim Mangone

Replace Joni Ernst with Theresa Greenfield

Replace Martha McSally with Mark Kelly

Replace Mark Meadows seat with Moe Davis

Replace John Cornyn with MJ Hegar

Replace Jim Jordan with Shannon Freshour

ETA: Replace Thom Tillis with Cal Cunningham

ETA: Replace Matt Gaetz with Phil Ehr

ETA: Replace Dan Crenshaw with Sima Ladjevardian

We can do this and take back our country!

Friday Food. July.

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Yesterday, in the White House Rose Garden the CEO of Goya spoke in praise of President Trump. He can believe and say anything that he wants. This is America. By the same token however, the people can do the same, and what happened on Twitter yesterday from many prominent Latinx people was a call to boycott Goya products. Even if you don’t traditionally cook Latinx and Hispanic food, you will still know the Goya section in the supermarket: rows and rows of cans and dried beans and spices and sweets and drinks.

As part of the call were many people providing their own recipes for seasoning mixes that can be made at home rather than spending money on Goya products.

The first and most important thing I want to mention that should be remembered in any food boycott: Do NOT throw away food you have already purchased. If you simply can’t have it in your house any longer, donate it. Contact your local regional food bank or your local church, synogogue, or masjid food pantry.

You have tremendous privilege if you are even considering discarding food that is perfectly fine to eat for a political message.

Ana Navarro-Cardenas provided this photo on Twitter of alternative brands to use in place of Goya. (c) 2020

I’ve personally used Badia Spices and they are very good and very inexpensive.

Although they’re not Latinx in particular, my primary spice source is Penzeys Spices. They have stores around the country (most currently doing curbside) and online as well, and their politics matches my own. I’ve used their herbs and spices to mix my own taco seasoning, Italian seasoning and Masala for Chai Masala.

[Graphics of recipes below the cut.] If you have any of your own recipes or resources that you’d like to share, please add them in the comments and I will include them in a future post.

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Election Connection: 17 Weeks: Can Donald Trump Win in November?

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Not if we turn out and vote.

We must pay attention to the various voter suppression tactics across the country from now through Election Day.

One way to stay aware is to stay informed. Read this article, Donald Trump Has A Secret Plan To Win (Seriously) by Dan Pfeiffer.

Dan also has a new book out this year on how we can beat Donald Trump and Untrump America.

What is Treason and When Did It Stop Mattering? | Opinion

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“A republic, if you can keep it.”

As attributed to Benjamin Franklin when asked in Philadelphia if we have a republic or a monarchy.
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Election Connection: 18 Weeks until Election Day: Special July 4th Edition

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The Declaration of Independence.

July 4, 1776.

The day that started it all.

Read it today. Clicking the image will take you to the National Archives where you can read it in full. When you’re finished, read the Constitution next. Believe it or not, it’s not that long.

Word Art. (c)2020

Happy 4th of July!

Election Connection: 19 Weeks: GET OUT THE VOTE!

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Today is primary day in Kentucky (1 US Senate seat, 6 US House seats), New York (27 US House seats), and Virginia (1 US Senate seat, 7 US House seats).

I’ve already voted (about two weeks ago) through absentee ballot.

I’ve also already requested an absentee ballot for the November election.

I would encourage you to make sure you’re registered to vote (and check throughout the summer) and if you have any qualms about voting in person get an application for an absentee ballot and send it in. This is the most important election of our lifetimes. Use your right to vote.

Vote Save America can help you find out if you’re registered and you can help in battlground states by adopting a state. The instructions for doing that are right there on their website.