So cool about Judge Vance. What an amazing family history for your children too! I remember in high school I wrote a paper on Barbara Jordan. This was in the 70s. I don’t remember the topic but I chose her as the subject. And then years later seeing her at the convention, I was so proud.
I supported Kamala in 2020. When she dropped out, Klobuchar and finally Biden. He was the right choice for 2020. Just took some of us awhile to figure that out. I hope he gets his due tomorrow night!
I supported Kamala too back in 2020. I was disappointed that her campaign never seemed to take off, but grateful her fate has improved since she is from my neck of the woods. I've just finished reading her book, "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey." You can certainly get a good understanding as to how she approaches issues by reading her book. I will be glued to the convention coverage.
I’m reading Kamala’s book for the second time. She is so articulate and intelligent. She and Tim Walz are a great combination. I also really recommend Nancy Pelosi’s new book, The Art of Power.
I supported Kamala in 2020 too and dug out my T-shirt from the 2020 campaign - she still has that beautiful smile. When she dropped out Biden was my second choice and a good one. Actually I'm glad she dropped out then - her years as Joe's Vice President has given her both the guidance and experience she lacked back them. She'll make an excellent President now. I really look forward to her mopping the floor with the trumpster/dumpster at their debate.
Kathi, and I admire Biden's courage picking Harris to be his VP partner. She had not been easy on him in debates. however, he saw what she could do and knew he needed her in his administration. Few people would have done that; Biden did.
Kathi, in the case of Biden and Harris, they actually came to like each other; I am not sure how many of Lincoln's guys did. There are similarities, though because both teams made tremendous progress in a time of crisis.
Please allow me to link my song, "There's a Tampon Shortage" recorded 2 years ago when there was a shortage that we quickly forget. My verse on topic of women's struggle:
(Enjoy and you are welcome to post comments on the YouTube channel thank you.)
Harris/Walz 2024 So sad we must pay so dearly to change the body politic of this nation. Let's hope there is a blue tidal wave and we move to the center whatever that means, right?
Inspiring writing Joyce. As a person with a small town Wisconsin upbringing, all white, who none the less had a bent toward social justice, I salute your recognition of the multiple “small” but important voices who made giant strides possible. And salute to your dad who made a huge difference. My dad despite some prejudices was always a stalwart when it came to social justice, he could recognize right from wrong in the moral sense. His Christian faith defined him but in the best way possible, with the true values of Christianity. Every voice counts.
Hard to believe it’s been 56 years since that Chicago convention. I don’t remember too much about it except for the riots and Mayor Daley’s police response. I was 22 and a new mother so couldn’t appreciate what was going on at the time. Now that I’m just a tad older, a lot of water has gone over the dam since then. My political views have made a 180° turn thank goodness. I’m ready to vote BLUE through and through as I’ve been doing for the last 30 years. Republicans left me that long ago and I’ve never looked back. I’m glad to read about all the legal preparations being made. I’m just sorry that it’s so necessary. It’s a good article Joyce but your Substack are always looked forward to. It’s going to be a joyful week 💙💙💙.
I remember being one of the people who ultimately caused the CPD riot, when we turned the anitwar GIs we were working with at Fort Hood into "unreliable" riot suppression troops. The Army didn't know who was what in the 5,000 soldiers they sent to Chicago, so they couldn't deploy any of them. The CPD was left with no backup and...
How did we do it? We printed up 1,000 copies of a little 2" x 2" yellow sticker that had a white hand flashing the peace sign, backed by a black fist, that the guys were going to put on their helmets if they were ordered into the streets. All of them were Vietnam veterans and against the war. The Army confiscated most of them, but they didn't get all of them, and they didn't know who still had one. If a government puts troops on the street, you can't have any of them joining the other side, most particularly not on national TV.
Thanks so much for the history lesson, Joyce. It is a remarkable progression from having no black delegates in 1968 to having Kamala as our next President. We are still moving forward. I appreciate that you brought up the whole mess of election deniers. Between your interview with Marc Elias and the capable attorneys who are on the lookout I feel less worried and more optimistic. This week will be exciting and joyful. History in the making, and we all get to be part of it. This will keep the BLUE TSUNAMI going!!
Yes, history in the making now, and history was made by the courageous people Joyce writes about here. This Rebecca Solnit quote sure seems applicable, then and now and always:
"The future is bigger than our imaginations. It’s unimaginable, and then it comes anyway. To meet it we need to keep going, to walk past what we can imagine. We need to be unstoppable. And here’s what it takes: you don’t stop walking to congratulate yourself; you don’t stop walking to wallow in despair; you don’t stop because your own life got too comfortable or too rough; you don’t stop because you won; you don’t stop because you lost. There’s more to win, more to lose, others who need you.
"You don’t stop walking because there is no way forward. Of course there is no way. You walk the path into being, you make the way, and if you do it well, others can follow the route. You look backward to grasp the long history you’re moving forward from, the paths others have made, the road you came in on. You look forward to possibility. That’s what we mean by hope, and you look past it into the impossible and that doesn’t stop you either. But mostly you just walk, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. That’s what makes you unstoppable."
Eric, I hadn’t ever seen this particular statement from Solnit. Considering the momentum of the last month likely will, now and again, momentarily founder amid formidable, albeit deceptive, opposition until both the rightful top and down ballot winners are seated, I can’t imagine a better message to carry us forward.
Barbara, I'm glad you and others enjoyed and now have the quote. It's from 2013. Last July I read it out loud to the 30 or so people gathered for my 60th birthday.
I was there in the middle of the action managing the liberal portion of the Virginia delegation. Escaped getting hurt in the riot but the Democratic Party was so diverse it was exhilarating! Our party has grown and prospered in so many directions but in 80 days we shall see the beginning of a new Congress without a filibuster making strides into a political future never seen before and with leadership in the WH who will make us proud that we contributed by our effort at the very beginning of a New Day In America without DJT!
Professor- these individual stories add texture to what suddenly seems not so long ago. This year calls us individually to action as it reminds how these gains toward America’s founding ideals, among them “ all men are created equal” are still threatened.
Im a Chicago girl but in 1968 had graduated college and moved to the East Coast. Some of my high school friends were beaten up in that police riot @ the 68 convention.
Every word out of Trump’s mouth now makes me sick, but especially when he calls America a “failed nation” — evidently needing him as (permanent) dictator to “fix” us.
Of course now he’s shifted to ridiculous personal attacks on Harris. Beautiful (just not as good looking as him!!), Laughing ( sounds crazy to him). Confused about her biracial, multicultural background!?!
Lindsey Graham suggests Trump shift to a policy focus!! I guess Lindsey hasn’t read Project 2025, or Convention of States to “amend” the Constitution. He doesn’t realize that it’s the policy sword over Donald’s neck.
Well, now the question that has lurked in the back of my mind has been answered. How did a young woman from Southern California end up in Alabama, married into a prominent Alabama family? It now makes perfect sense with this door to history opened.
I always really like finding stories about White Southerners who were on the right side of history, because it's harder to do there. Like the 1st Alabama Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, in the Civil War. When I was researching one of my books on the Korean War, "MiG Alley," a pilot I interviewed recommended another Sabre pilot he had flown with, Jim Thompson. I contacted him and got a lot of good material, because he wasn't one of the aces, and therefore had a more balanced view of events. And then at the end, I asked him how he had become a minister after being a combat fighter pilot. And for the next hour and some I got the story of Rev. James Thompson, the only white minister in Alabama to work with Martin Luther King on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the year he graduated from seminary, and how he went on to be one of the leaders of the SCLC. He's gone now, but I can remember just about every word he spoke.
Good White People in the South are better good people than good people elsewhere because it's more difficult. And you definitely connected with them, Joyce.
Remember the tactics T used to try to alter the election results (fake electors, bullying/ threatening in Georgia, claiming voting machines were rigged, J6 interference).
What underhanded and criminal plans do they have for November? Even when we voters create a blue tsunami, there will be a whole slew of denial of the results and dirty tricks to overturn. We are all just so tired of this assault on democracy.
Cheryl, Regrettably, we’re at war, metaphorically speaking, with MAGA whose nominated officials will do whatever it takes to seize or hold power whether or not they win enough votes. As tired as we all are, I hope you find communities such as this one sufficiently sustaining to stay in the fight.
Louise, I appreciate you writing. Because my intent was to reference both the top of the ticket plus down-ballot races, I revised my comment accordingly.
MAGA hasn't the votes to win, and they know it. All they have left is voter suppression, intimidation (with over 400 million guns!) and transparent claims of voter fraud.
But WE know it.
What an historic period we live in today - to tell our grandkids we've seen democracy work past Trump/MAGA just in time for our 250th anniversary.
Ransom, While you’re right, I would add that Marc Elias, in particular, has prevailed upon all of us, within our respective communities, to remain watchful and engaged relative to how local election boards manage our elections both at the front end and at the back end.
We are each unique, and all the same. There is so much more to concern ourselves with than skin color, male/female, stupid prejudices... I just want intelligence to move faster. We have mobsters trying to take over our government. Let's make sure that does not happen. Kamala's our best hope. Vote.
For obvious reasons surprise DNC guests and celebs haven't been announced. You can be sure they won't be c-listers like Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Donald Trump.
I wish my Harley Girl was still alive to experience this with me but sadly the cancer grew too fast. I have found myself rather slow reading my substack as I tried to take some time for myself to heal and honor Harley’s wish of getting a new ESA cat to train.
But I’m excited to see the convention this week as I missed the one for Obama. Unfortunately until we beat the racists in the GOP then we’ll never eradicate it. But also what’s so exciting is it’s a woman and her place is in the White House! Walz reminds me of my shop class and auto mechanics teachers in high school ❤️.
Sorry for your loss of Harley Girl, cats have such a way of holding our hearts inside those small purring little bodies. Without exception every cat that came before my 5, has left a piece of their souls with me. Hugs.
Great story about the 1968 Alabama delegation. I was really pleased to see that that Harris campaign is working on election protection. In discussions I participated in this morning, people were concerned that election protection is needed, but they were not aware that the campaign is working on it. It is really nice to see a campaign that is truly on top of the major issues facing us in this election.
I had the great privilege of arguing before your father-in-law several times. He was a truly great judge. He always gave me the toughest questions of anyone on the panel, and then he would write a great opinion in favor of my client.
Wow, I needed to hear that! Hoping to get to the Kamala/Walz rally Tuesday in Milwaukee and show that we are a great city here in spite of some opinions. Thank you for all your wisdom, and the chickens too!
Marc Elias is amazing and has been an “election lawyer” for years. There were roughly 60 cases his team won in 2020. But more challenges than that occurred. Most we never knew about. His team knows how to deploy. And make no mistake this is a war! “And when we fight, we win!”
So cool about Judge Vance. What an amazing family history for your children too! I remember in high school I wrote a paper on Barbara Jordan. This was in the 70s. I don’t remember the topic but I chose her as the subject. And then years later seeing her at the convention, I was so proud.
I supported Kamala in 2020. When she dropped out, Klobuchar and finally Biden. He was the right choice for 2020. Just took some of us awhile to figure that out. I hope he gets his due tomorrow night!
I supported Kamala too back in 2020. I was disappointed that her campaign never seemed to take off, but grateful her fate has improved since she is from my neck of the woods. I've just finished reading her book, "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey." You can certainly get a good understanding as to how she approaches issues by reading her book. I will be glued to the convention coverage.
I’m reading Kamala’s book for the second time. She is so articulate and intelligent. She and Tim Walz are a great combination. I also really recommend Nancy Pelosi’s new book, The Art of Power.
I supported Kamala in 2020 too and dug out my T-shirt from the 2020 campaign - she still has that beautiful smile. When she dropped out Biden was my second choice and a good one. Actually I'm glad she dropped out then - her years as Joe's Vice President has given her both the guidance and experience she lacked back them. She'll make an excellent President now. I really look forward to her mopping the floor with the trumpster/dumpster at their debate.
Kathi, and I admire Biden's courage picking Harris to be his VP partner. She had not been easy on him in debates. however, he saw what she could do and knew he needed her in his administration. Few people would have done that; Biden did.
Team of Rivals reminiscent of Lincoln
Kathi, in the case of Biden and Harris, they actually came to like each other; I am not sure how many of Lincoln's guys did. There are similarities, though because both teams made tremendous progress in a time of crisis.
Please allow me to link my song, "There's a Tampon Shortage" recorded 2 years ago when there was a shortage that we quickly forget. My verse on topic of women's struggle:
Smog is in said the Court again
Pro-choice dead as a right the said
Women lose and sing the blues
And pay, additional dues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc8uqBvXU7c
(Enjoy and you are welcome to post comments on the YouTube channel thank you.)
Harris/Walz 2024 So sad we must pay so dearly to change the body politic of this nation. Let's hope there is a blue tidal wave and we move to the center whatever that means, right?
Inspiring writing Joyce. As a person with a small town Wisconsin upbringing, all white, who none the less had a bent toward social justice, I salute your recognition of the multiple “small” but important voices who made giant strides possible. And salute to your dad who made a huge difference. My dad despite some prejudices was always a stalwart when it came to social justice, he could recognize right from wrong in the moral sense. His Christian faith defined him but in the best way possible, with the true values of Christianity. Every voice counts.
Hard to believe it’s been 56 years since that Chicago convention. I don’t remember too much about it except for the riots and Mayor Daley’s police response. I was 22 and a new mother so couldn’t appreciate what was going on at the time. Now that I’m just a tad older, a lot of water has gone over the dam since then. My political views have made a 180° turn thank goodness. I’m ready to vote BLUE through and through as I’ve been doing for the last 30 years. Republicans left me that long ago and I’ve never looked back. I’m glad to read about all the legal preparations being made. I’m just sorry that it’s so necessary. It’s a good article Joyce but your Substack are always looked forward to. It’s going to be a joyful week 💙💙💙.
I remember being one of the people who ultimately caused the CPD riot, when we turned the anitwar GIs we were working with at Fort Hood into "unreliable" riot suppression troops. The Army didn't know who was what in the 5,000 soldiers they sent to Chicago, so they couldn't deploy any of them. The CPD was left with no backup and...
How did we do it? We printed up 1,000 copies of a little 2" x 2" yellow sticker that had a white hand flashing the peace sign, backed by a black fist, that the guys were going to put on their helmets if they were ordered into the streets. All of them were Vietnam veterans and against the war. The Army confiscated most of them, but they didn't get all of them, and they didn't know who still had one. If a government puts troops on the street, you can't have any of them joining the other side, most particularly not on national TV.
You still have yours, TC?
Thanks so much for the history lesson, Joyce. It is a remarkable progression from having no black delegates in 1968 to having Kamala as our next President. We are still moving forward. I appreciate that you brought up the whole mess of election deniers. Between your interview with Marc Elias and the capable attorneys who are on the lookout I feel less worried and more optimistic. This week will be exciting and joyful. History in the making, and we all get to be part of it. This will keep the BLUE TSUNAMI going!!
Yes, history in the making now, and history was made by the courageous people Joyce writes about here. This Rebecca Solnit quote sure seems applicable, then and now and always:
"The future is bigger than our imaginations. It’s unimaginable, and then it comes anyway. To meet it we need to keep going, to walk past what we can imagine. We need to be unstoppable. And here’s what it takes: you don’t stop walking to congratulate yourself; you don’t stop walking to wallow in despair; you don’t stop because your own life got too comfortable or too rough; you don’t stop because you won; you don’t stop because you lost. There’s more to win, more to lose, others who need you.
"You don’t stop walking because there is no way forward. Of course there is no way. You walk the path into being, you make the way, and if you do it well, others can follow the route. You look backward to grasp the long history you’re moving forward from, the paths others have made, the road you came in on. You look forward to possibility. That’s what we mean by hope, and you look past it into the impossible and that doesn’t stop you either. But mostly you just walk, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. That’s what makes you unstoppable."
Eric, I hadn’t ever seen this particular statement from Solnit. Considering the momentum of the last month likely will, now and again, momentarily founder amid formidable, albeit deceptive, opposition until both the rightful top and down ballot winners are seated, I can’t imagine a better message to carry us forward.
Barbara, I'm glad you and others enjoyed and now have the quote. It's from 2013. Last July I read it out loud to the 30 or so people gathered for my 60th birthday.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
What an uplifting and powerful message! Thank you for sharing it, Eric. I'm going to copy and save it.
The fabulous Rebecca Solnit. I’m so glad you quoted her as it’s a perfect compliment to Professor Vance’s post. Thank you.
"We’re in this together,"
~ and it's time to build a movement.
I was there in the middle of the action managing the liberal portion of the Virginia delegation. Escaped getting hurt in the riot but the Democratic Party was so diverse it was exhilarating! Our party has grown and prospered in so many directions but in 80 days we shall see the beginning of a new Congress without a filibuster making strides into a political future never seen before and with leadership in the WH who will make us proud that we contributed by our effort at the very beginning of a New Day In America without DJT!
My brother was in Chicago -- near north side - Northwestern School of Law. My reserve unit was on call..... It was a "police riot."
Professor- these individual stories add texture to what suddenly seems not so long ago. This year calls us individually to action as it reminds how these gains toward America’s founding ideals, among them “ all men are created equal” are still threatened.
Im a Chicago girl but in 1968 had graduated college and moved to the East Coast. Some of my high school friends were beaten up in that police riot @ the 68 convention.
Every word out of Trump’s mouth now makes me sick, but especially when he calls America a “failed nation” — evidently needing him as (permanent) dictator to “fix” us.
Of course now he’s shifted to ridiculous personal attacks on Harris. Beautiful (just not as good looking as him!!), Laughing ( sounds crazy to him). Confused about her biracial, multicultural background!?!
Lindsey Graham suggests Trump shift to a policy focus!! I guess Lindsey hasn’t read Project 2025, or Convention of States to “amend” the Constitution. He doesn’t realize that it’s the policy sword over Donald’s neck.
Once we've arrived at where we are today with MAGA, "movement" politics may be our only hope.
Well, now the question that has lurked in the back of my mind has been answered. How did a young woman from Southern California end up in Alabama, married into a prominent Alabama family? It now makes perfect sense with this door to history opened.
I always really like finding stories about White Southerners who were on the right side of history, because it's harder to do there. Like the 1st Alabama Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, in the Civil War. When I was researching one of my books on the Korean War, "MiG Alley," a pilot I interviewed recommended another Sabre pilot he had flown with, Jim Thompson. I contacted him and got a lot of good material, because he wasn't one of the aces, and therefore had a more balanced view of events. And then at the end, I asked him how he had become a minister after being a combat fighter pilot. And for the next hour and some I got the story of Rev. James Thompson, the only white minister in Alabama to work with Martin Luther King on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the year he graduated from seminary, and how he went on to be one of the leaders of the SCLC. He's gone now, but I can remember just about every word he spoke.
Good White People in the South are better good people than good people elsewhere because it's more difficult. And you definitely connected with them, Joyce.
And all the good people in the other red states. Takes more courage when you’re surrounded.
“…Good White People in the South are better good people than good people elsewhere because it's more difficult.”
Interesting perspective and one I never considered.
Remember the tactics T used to try to alter the election results (fake electors, bullying/ threatening in Georgia, claiming voting machines were rigged, J6 interference).
What underhanded and criminal plans do they have for November? Even when we voters create a blue tsunami, there will be a whole slew of denial of the results and dirty tricks to overturn. We are all just so tired of this assault on democracy.
“When we fight, we win!”
Cheryl, Regrettably, we’re at war, metaphorically speaking, with MAGA whose nominated officials will do whatever it takes to seize or hold power whether or not they win enough votes. As tired as we all are, I hope you find communities such as this one sufficiently sustaining to stay in the fight.
They don't hold power now in the White House, good for us.
Louise, I appreciate you writing. Because my intent was to reference both the top of the ticket plus down-ballot races, I revised my comment accordingly.
MAGA hasn't the votes to win, and they know it. All they have left is voter suppression, intimidation (with over 400 million guns!) and transparent claims of voter fraud.
But WE know it.
What an historic period we live in today - to tell our grandkids we've seen democracy work past Trump/MAGA just in time for our 250th anniversary.
Elias and Benchlos are on it.
Ransom, While you’re right, I would add that Marc Elias, in particular, has prevailed upon all of us, within our respective communities, to remain watchful and engaged relative to how local election boards manage our elections both at the front end and at the back end.
We are each unique, and all the same. There is so much more to concern ourselves with than skin color, male/female, stupid prejudices... I just want intelligence to move faster. We have mobsters trying to take over our government. Let's make sure that does not happen. Kamala's our best hope. Vote.
For obvious reasons surprise DNC guests and celebs haven't been announced. You can be sure they won't be c-listers like Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Donald Trump.
Thank god! The c-listers are all that Trump could muster up for representation. They are just like him, all brawn, no brains.
He (Donald Trump) is a coward. That’s why he denigrates our Military Heroes
Great article Joyce and very educational for me. I am looking forward to this Convention.
Looking forward to watching the DNC but especially eager for the historic voting in November! We’re in this together and we’re NOT going back!!!
I wish my Harley Girl was still alive to experience this with me but sadly the cancer grew too fast. I have found myself rather slow reading my substack as I tried to take some time for myself to heal and honor Harley’s wish of getting a new ESA cat to train.
But I’m excited to see the convention this week as I missed the one for Obama. Unfortunately until we beat the racists in the GOP then we’ll never eradicate it. But also what’s so exciting is it’s a woman and her place is in the White House! Walz reminds me of my shop class and auto mechanics teachers in high school ❤️.
Sorry for your loss of Harley Girl, cats have such a way of holding our hearts inside those small purring little bodies. Without exception every cat that came before my 5, has left a piece of their souls with me. Hugs.
Great story about the 1968 Alabama delegation. I was really pleased to see that that Harris campaign is working on election protection. In discussions I participated in this morning, people were concerned that election protection is needed, but they were not aware that the campaign is working on it. It is really nice to see a campaign that is truly on top of the major issues facing us in this election.
I had the great privilege of arguing before your father-in-law several times. He was a truly great judge. He always gave me the toughest questions of anyone on the panel, and then he would write a great opinion in favor of my client.
Stephen, what a cool story. So you and Joyce are “related”
Wow, I needed to hear that! Hoping to get to the Kamala/Walz rally Tuesday in Milwaukee and show that we are a great city here in spite of some opinions. Thank you for all your wisdom, and the chickens too!
wonderful to read this history. and mentioning Marc Alias. I'm so concerned about keeping our voting system honest. Thanks.
Marc Elias is amazing and has been an “election lawyer” for years. There were roughly 60 cases his team won in 2020. But more challenges than that occurred. Most we never knew about. His team knows how to deploy. And make no mistake this is a war! “And when we fight, we win!”