Hello, all. Okay here goes — I’m taking the plunge and publishing my first Kamala2020 diary. Please be gentle…….
Veterans Day
In honor of Veterans Day...Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields.” In school, years ago, we memorized this poem. But I could never recite it as beautifully as Leonard Cohen did.
And a bit about Kamala’s plans for veterans courtesy of Courtney Swanson at medium.com/…
The first part of Kamala’s plan is to expand VA housing and healthcare benefits to veterans that were discharged with Other than Honorable conditions. Veterans can be separated under these conditions for a variety of reasons, though many of them are negative. But Kamala’s record is one of forgiving past transgressions and not letting them be barriers for achieving basic standards of living…
[my emphasis]
With veteran homelessness and suicide at crisis levels, someone that served their country but made a mistake shouldn’t be excluded from shelter or medical treatment, particularly since they are likely lacking both due to service related injuries and trauma.
Several years ago I volunteered with a group that worked with homeless veterans. It was eye opening. My impressions of how veterans were treated came from parades and stirring tributes on Veterans Day or Memorial Day. After seeing the reality of far too many veterans lives, to this day it really pisses me off when I’m at a sporting event and there is the obligatory honor a veteran thing that happens between periods. The “we salute you” BS should really be “we salute you, but we won’t support you”!!!
The group’s mission was to secure housing, counseling, job training and help navigating the labyrinth that is the VA system. Many of these veterans suffered with substance abuse, PTSD, brain injuries and mental illness. Not all had seen combat but almost all joined the military in the hopes of a better life. For various reasons, this did not happen for them. In some ways, I believe the military failed these men and women — the promise of “Be All You Can Be” unfulfilled. And then they failed them again when they were discharged.
i met kamala!!!!!!!
On October 27th I went to a fundraiser for Delegate Charniele Herring. Here’s a photo I snapped of Kamala with Delegate Herring.
After this event Kamala had two more events — canvassing for Delegate Kathy Tran and Delegate-elect Dan Helmer. I can’t wait to see her and all her amazing energy on the debate stage with the lazy, low-energy occupant.
This really happened. That Sunday morning the rain was pouring down but when Kamala arrived the sun came out and stayed out!
Oh, and spoiler alert, Virginia is now BLUE!!!!!
And here I am with Kamala….I was so nervous I just babbled. And she was so kind and said “we couldn’t do it without you.” Okay, I know I’m not supposed to comment on her looks but I must say she is stunning!
When I showed this photo to a friend she said we looked like “besties.” Of course, we’re not, but Kamala has such a warm and welcoming personality — she makes you feel like you are BFFs.
I didn’t know anyone at the event — it was half an hour from where I live so not my usual political stomping grounds. A lovely woman called Florence King took me under her wing and we chatted quite a bit. She told me about being bussed half-way across the county to Luther Jackson High School (now Luther Jackson Middle School) — the only school for black students at the time. This woman was, at most, ten to twelve years older than I — a reminder that the impact of America’s original sin is not ancient history it is here, it is now, it is present in the memories of a woman, once a school girl, traveling far from her home to get an education. On a lighter note, I told Florence that I didn’t want to get my picture taken with Kamala — I confess I am quite vain as well as delusional — believing that I am still 30! Anyway, she said and, I’m paraphrasing, a lot, “Are you effing nuts?!” Here’s a link to Florence’s bio — she’s kind of a big deal! thezebra.org/...
justice is on the ballot
Because, yes, a harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us. And here’s the bottom line, Iowa. I do believe that when we overcome these injustices, we will unlock the promise of America and the potential of the American people. And I do believe that this is what we want and need. That is the America I see. That is the America I believe in. That is the America I know us to be. And that is why I am running for president of the United States.
Kamala Harris, Iowa LJ Dinner
Kamala has been talking about justice. She spoke about it at the Herring event, at the LJ dinner, and she’s been talking about it in media interviews. Sure, it’s a slogan but it is so much more than that — it is the essence of what it means to be a Democrat.
When Kamala spoke about education justice and justice for children it resonated. My daughter-in-law teaches at a Fairfax County high school. Compared to many school systems Fairfax County pays well. But the median income in the county is about $120,000 — teachers’ salaries are well below that. Closing the teacher pay gap is an issue that hits close to home for me.
But justice for children hits even closer. My daughter-in-law talks about the active shooter drills. She finds them traumatizing as do her students. So, I can only imagine how the little ones feel — how a first grader feels. What damage, what lasting damage are we inflicting on these children?
HEY, LOOK WHAT I JUST DID — LEARNED TO GET SOMETHING FROM TWITTER TO HERE!!!!
Culinary Union town hall -
More education justice!
Looking at you Lindsey Graham…
Kamala2020 info and links are below!
Newpioneer has rounded up some highlights of her sponsored legislation here.
snowman3 has rounded up some more legislative highlights here.
Gay CA Democrat lists 21 bills or proposals here.
Want to know more about her positions and plans? Her policy page is Our America.
Or go straight to an issue: quality, affordable health care for all, economic justice, raising teacher pay, combating the climate crisis, criminal justice reform, action on gun violence, a fair and just immigration system, LGBTQ+ equality, government for the people, debt-free college and student debt, gender equality, American leadership at home and abroad, and fighting for racial justice.
More plans: Reproductive Rights Act, Equal Pay, Roadmap to Citizenship for Dreamers,Combating the Racial Homeownership Gap, Reducing the Opportunity Gap, Fair Prescription Drug Prices, Kamala’s 3AM Agenda, Medicare for All, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Combating Violent Hate, A Climate Plan For the People, Transform the Criminal Justice System and Re-Envision Public Safety, Children’s Agenda, LGBTQ+ Equality and Dignity for All, Rural Agenda, Honoring Tribal Sovereignty and Lifting Native American Communities.
Please remember to visit our community group page Kamala2020 and give us a follow! That way all our group efforts will appear in your stream; this makes it easy for everyone to keep up with our latest posts. As always, any who would like to join our group please leave us a comment and we’ll get your invitation right out to you!
If you’d like to volunteer to host one of our Kamala 2020 diaries, please leave your comment in the ”Calling all Volunteers”thread.
Even if you can’t commit to a weekly spot due to your busy schedules, guest bloggers are always welcomed!
Please volunteer! Come share your story about why you support Kamala!
Upcoming schedule:
Monday—November 11th--thumbsupcecil
Thursday — November 14th —
Saturday — November 16th -
Monday — November 18th — anotherdemocrat
Thursday — November 21st -
Saturday — November 23rd— Diana in NoVa
Monday — November 25th — DigitusImpudicus
Thursday — November28th — GayCADemocrat
Saturday — November 30th — noweasels
Monday — December 2nd — DigitusImpudicus
Thursday—December 5th--
As we get closer to the first votes being cast the schedule is beginning to fill up. Let your voices be heard!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
November 11-12: Kamala Harris holds a “Justice for Veterans” town hall in Greenwood, SC.
November 20: MSNBC and The Washington Post will co-host the fifth Democratic presidential primary debate in Georgia--airing 9 to 11 p.m. ET--on MSNBC and Radio One, streaming on MSNBC.com and washingtonpost.com. Moderators: Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, Kristen Welker, and Ashley Parker.
While you’re here, don’t forget to visit Kamala’s Official Campaign Website and her Swag Shop for your favorite campaign gear! 😄
And don’t forget to donate:
If you’re on Twitter, please follow@KamalaHarris and @SenKamalaHarris
(If you’re not on Twitter, bookmark to ersatz follow)
on Instagram: @kamalaharris
and facebook: KamalaHarris
Group Guidelines
The Kamala2020 community group has been created to positively support Senator Kamala Harris, and not to engage in negativity towards other Democrats running in the 2020 primaries.
All should be made to feel welcomed here. What’s not welcomed here is petty bickering over any of our preferred candidates, or personal attacks on fellow Democrats. We’re not responsible for the actions of others who may offend, insult or attempt to sow discord and disunity — that’s on them.
What we are responsible for are our own words and actions — that’s 100% on us.
I’d like to ask all group members, as well as those dropping by who support or are interested in Kamala’s bid for the nomination, that we not respond to negativity from other campaign’s supporters with even more negativity. Let’s do better than our best and respond with respect, humor or try to hold our peace. Recipes and cat pics work, too 😃
Doing no harm costs us nothing... pie-fights will cost us everything.