Democracy Dies in Darkness

"Democracy Dies In Darkness" is the motto of The Washington Post.

This year, The Post, the newspaper that once published the Pentagon Papers, and The Los Angeles Times both refused to endorse a Presidential candidate.

"There’s no way to see this decision other than as an appalling display of cowardice and a dereliction of their public duty." - Margaret Sullivan, The Guardian's US Editor wrote that about The Post decision.

COWARDICE & DERELICTION OF DUTY

Why? Because they are afraid. Financially, politically, whatever. Afraid.

I felt outraged by their refusal to take a stand and then I thought, what about me?

I'm afraid also. I don't want to lose friends and family because of my political beliefs. But if I don't speak out now, I couldn't live with myself in the future.

Especially not since some readers of these reviews are going to great lengths personally at a significant cost of their time and money to campaign to save our democracy and assure that women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies by working for the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz campaign.

Maybe it is on us now, not the corporations owned by billionaires, to make endorsements for the office of the President of the United States.

I am tired of the MAGA lies and hate. So tired.

I believe what a woman decides to do with her body is between herself and her doctor.

I know my grandparents on both sides of my family were hardworking immigrants and who, I believe, overstayed their work visas and/or visitation visas on more than one occasion.

There are other personal reasons. The largest one being that this is my country and I refuse to cower. I will not let a circle of weird men drive me out of my home.

If this brief note adds one more vote in favor of democracy, then it was worth it. Please join me by voting to end the division and grift that is at the center of this national MAGA nightmare. Is grift too harsh a word? I don't think so. There are too many incidents to list here, but here's one–the richest man in the world is buying votes and lobbying to be in charge of business regulation in any future MAGA administration. Corruption so blatant you would not believe it in a script.

Do you remember protesting to stop the Christmas bombing of Cambodia? Many of you were there. Do you remember being a student in the second college in the United States to strike to end the Vietnam war? Many of you were there. Do you remember going door to door to get petitions signed for peace. Many of you did that. Do you remember all the non-violent musicians and artists and friends who made art for peace and are now gone. Many of you shared a drink with them and loved them.

Take the time to vote early, or in person on Tuesday, November 5th.

Join me in endorsing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Talk to your friends and family. It takes courage to take a stand. You don't have to like doing it, you just have to do it.

And please remember the innocent children and parents and their friends who died in Lewiston, Maine one year ago this month. A preventable tragedy.

Love & Light always,

-- Dan