I realized yesterday that I had been more upset about what was happening in our country than I realized. We went to Williamstown to see a stand-up comedian and were very happy to laugh for two hours. We last did that a long time ago. On the way out of the theater, we confirmed that President Biden had withdrawn from the presidential campaign.

The comedian had mentioned it briefly, but we needed to find out if it was true or a joke.

There was an almost palpable sense of relief in the car, a weight lifted from both of us.

We were relieved, grateful, and hopeful. It has been a long time since we felt those things. I found myself a veteran of news and politics and was surprised at how relieved I felt. I’m not big on any political party these days.

I was surprised to realize this was a profoundly big deal, a kind of revolution, a historic event I would never forget. I soaked it up, sat in silence, meditated, talked to Maria, and called some friends. History was being made, and something significant was happening that had never happened before, dwarfing all the political stories I wrote for years.

I can’t say who the next President will be; I don’t know, but I was saddened by the fact that Donald Trump has frightened so much of the country that people are sending mainly small donations of 80 million dollars to Kamala Harris, who isn’t yet even the official nominee.

Wow. Revolutions take all kinds of shapes, and I hope that the long-awaited Compassion Revolution is getting underway. It is neither natural nor comfortable for people to live in fear in America, especially Americans who have been free for so long.

It does seem that freedom is somewhat in jeopardy as fanatics, many acting in the name of God or Jesus Christ are telling us who to marry, what read, what religion is good and which is not.

Biden’s decision has re-ignited hope for many people, even though the vicious attacks on her began almost instantly.

The hate squad was ready, working overtime to ensure someone hated her. Death threats to come, Donald Trump’s true legacy.

 

I don’t know a lot about Kamala Harris, but I liked her first speech, which was given at the White House to honor some athletes. I was impressed and reassured.

She spoke, laughed, assaulted no one, uttered no lies or conspiracy theories, and seemed to like our country. It felt good. I want to hear more rather than run, hide, and meditate after a leader speaks.

I missed the country I love, the one that welcomed my parents and saved their lives.

She smiled a lot, and it felt sincere—no threats, laments, declarations of hate or vengeance. It felt odd that this would mean so much, even as she said nothing of great importance. I just felt lighter.

I hope she guides us away from a world dominated by billionaires. Money has polluted, corrupted, or diminished almost every part of our country. It is time for a Compassion or Empathy Revolution, the rise of real people.

I might fly a political candidate’s flag on our flagpole for the first time. America is all about freedom; I’m thinking of declaring mine. I had a good scare, as did everyone reading this.

It’s time for some peace and stability.Theresa’s these feeling that something had changed.

Hearing a politician speak clear!sentences without spouting any venomous lies or delusional assurances was refreshing.

Harris smiled and looked comfortable, ready, young, and full of smiles and energy. I am curious that this felt refreshing and promising, and I know little about her.

If that’s all she does, it will be enough for me.

Presidents need to make themselves clear; if they can’t, they can’t be presidents, at least to me.  

She was clear and at ease facing the country for the first time since she might be President. I knew intuitively Biden was finished; I didn’t expect the explosion of joy and hope that followed Trump’s dour and menacing movement.

I kept thinking of Dracula and the dark and misty world around his castle for some reason. Dracula didn’t seem able or willing to go away either.

The dark cloud follows Trumpism wherever it goes; it was and is as depressing as it is disturbing. I don’t think anyone wants to live with that for years and years.

Lying to yourself is a requirement for joining that movement; the Democrats do it, too. I want to avoid it.

Over the next few months, the rest of the country will have a good look and make their decisions.

I hope Harris knows that the presidency is also about real people living their lives and paying their bills. They need to feel again that someone in Washington is listening to them, not just to the billionaires who now fund their campaigns and dominate our civic life and highest court.

Little people are jumping in. I like little people. I trust them.

I am one and come from some.

I hope Harris spends a lot of time outside of Washington. I hope she listens and hears some of the things I have heard from people since moving to the country.

I wish she would move the White House to the middle of the country, see ordinary people in her life, and speak to them, as has happened to me in my rural town, which I have come to love.

I’m excited to see what comes. I hope I will never succumb to the lying, hatred, and conspiracies that have polluted our connections to one another and our very idea of truth.

I’ll do my part. On my blog, no hatred, in or out.