August 26, 2024
A Heartbeat Away
by Gail Titus

The choice of JD Vance as VP candidate disappoints, while the choice of Tim Walz delights.

One of the most important decisions a presidential candidate makes is the choice of a running mate. This decision is paramount since the potential future vice president is truly one heartbeat away once the inauguration takes place.

The GOP has floundered before with vice presidential picks. The late Senator John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin was ineffective and former President Trump’s choice is equally as disappointing. Senator JD Vance wasn’t in the senate long enough to distinguish himself and certainly does not seem ready to run the country. His breadth of political experience is lacking and his support of Donald Trump for his own political gain is troubling. No one criticized Trump more than Vance who likened him to Hitler.

On the other hand, VP Harris’s selection of Governor Tim Walz for presumptive Vice President is refreshing and welcomed. Governor Walz has executive experience, has been in the House of Representatives and is a veteran. He is a former educator and football coach. He has distinguished himself as the type of leader that works in a bipartisan fashion. Governor Walz enabled paid family leave, gun safety laws, universal school lunches, and support for civil and women’s reproductive rights.

As we approach November, we all must strongly consider what vision for America we would like to enjoy going forward. Is it a vision that includes policies that make people’s lives better or a vision that desires to move the country backwards?

Vote and choose wisely!

August 26, 2024
Strange Congratulations
by Joe Sundeen

As Biden works to return US citizens being held hostage abroad, Trump continues to praise dictators and undermine democracy.

President Joe Biden, through diplomacy, the aid of allies, and his focus on the job of serving the people of this country, was able to free hostages who were captured by Russia and its dictator Vladimir Putin. These individuals, who were guilty only of being American citizens or residents, are now free to be with family and enjoy the freedom that our country stands for. The normal reaction to this welcome turn of events would be to rejoice with them. But Donald Trump instead weirdly congratulated Putin, never mentioned the people who were freed by name, and failed to remember that he bragged that only he could get them home.

Trump’s behavior is consistent with his rejection of the bipartisan border deal that would have strengthened border security because it would not be in line with his personal goal, which is to win the election to stay out of prison. Trump fouls everything he touches, turning virtue into vice. He disparages the very ideas on which our nation was founded and will not relent until his corruption becomes normalized. This will not — this cannot — be a future anyone should want. President Kamala Harris will, with our help, make sure that the Trump vision never becomes reality.

August 11, 2024
Powerful Women
by Deborah DiMicco

When women pursue excellence, we all win.

It was an extraordinary moment when U.S. gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles bowed to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade as they stood on the Olympic podium, medalists in the floor exercise. This was a spontaneous gesture of joy and respect for the accomplishment and success of a peer, another phenomenal female athlete. It was women celebrating women, generous in their accolades, happily lifting another up in solidarity and in recognition of the lifelong dedication, determination, and hard work needed to win the gold. It was moving. It was euphoric. It was real.

Yet there are men out there who cannot give powerful women like these three their due. Men like Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who could not let this stand in its glory, calling the gesture “disgusting.” This is but one example in our society where powerful women are criticized by men who cannot accept that power. Men who, in their own insecurity and rage, would strip women of our strength, of our importance, of our worth. Chiles and Biles were the target this time, Kamala Harris is next. It is time for women, and the men who respect them, to fight against this knee-jerk, cowardly misogyny. We women have the right to breathe, to be free, to be powerful, to win gold, to be president. When we fight, when we vote, women win. When women win, we all win.