Friday Potpourri
First, a giant THANK YOU to all of you. I started this about a month ago, and 63 of you have subscribed. In addition, more than 3,000 pairs of eyeballs have read something that I wrote here on Substack.
This is a labour of love for me – I am grateful for the opportunity to inform people, and especially appreciate it when people comment. I’m still trying to figure out all the possibilities that Substack offers. Mostly, I’m just a long form blogger, and that whole “Notes” thing, as well as the Chat and DM functions on the platform stymie me.
But truly THANK YOU!!
JD Vance
First, that’s not his real name. He’s changed it multiple times: born James Donald Bowman, his middle name changed from Donald to David after his parents divorced. Then, he was James Hamel in both high school and during his military service. In 2014, he changed his last name to Vance, his grandparents’ name.
So when you look at how his positions have changed (and many have), remember he can’t even pick a name and stick with it. I believe the meme is that JD called Convicted Felon Trump “America’s Hitler”, but it was taken as a compliment, and now JD is a sycophant.
He is portraying himself as a populist, which is a problem for rank and file (old guard) Rethuglicans, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that plays out. He IS rabidly anti-abortion, which will get a lot of airtime, as will his position that beaten women need to stay with their wife-beater husbands “for the good of the children.” Can’t make this stuff up.
What I’m doing on Saturday
I’m leading a Block Captain training. If you don’t know what a Block Captain is, you have a national party, broken out into state parties, then county/city/town parties, then precincts and finally Block Captains, who help their neighbors. Data reports up the chain. As opposed to canvassers, who are a one-shot deal, Block Captains form relationships with their neighbors and answer to their issues, make sure they know who is running, and that they show up on Election Day. (It’s more complex than that, but that’s a good overview.)
I’m a Block Captain, and I know my voters. One thing that makes me a successful Block Captain is that I have dogs. Which keeps me out in the neighborhood on a regular basis. I can talk politics with people as they are walking THEIR dogs, or just outside their houses. I do go door to door, but I can catch a large percentage while out with Fiona and Alex.
About a week ago, I ran into a married couple out with their dogs, and asked how they were feeling about the upcoming election. They said they were voting, and I didn’t have to worry about them, and could mark them off my list. I reminded them of the 2011 election where they’d promised to vote, and they didn’t, and we lost a school board race by two votes. One of the guys asked if I still blamed them, and I said I didn’t, it was an off-year election, and I actually knew 18 people who didn’t vote that year after saying they would. The other guy said that he PROMISED the two of them would show up, they understood the stakes, and would apply for mail-in ballots to preclude being out of town for work on Election Day. Then he asked: “You’re going to check up, aren’t you?” I explained that I couldn’t help myself.
After the Biden debate fiasco, neighbors stopped by the house, or stopped me while I was out with the dogs, to ask what was going to happen, to express their fears, and to ask what they should do. Answering people is a Block Captain function, because it’s a RELATIONSHIP.
If you want to be a Block Captain, let me know and I can help you become one. Remember, as I always say – Elections are won house by house, person by person, block by block. If we had enough Block Captains, we’d rarely lose an election.
And finally
No post on Saturday as it’s official Block Captain Day. Sunday with the Senators is about Florida, and despite everything going on at the Presidential level, there are some interesting twists and turns in that Senate race.
I pick topics because they interest me. Okay, sometimes just to amuse myself. But if there is something you want me to research, or write about, please just leave me a comment. I would appreciate the input.
Thanks for reading!
I love your wisdom and look forward to your new insights every day and have shared you with everyone I know! I don 't see myself becoming a block captain but have started replying to Facebook posts by some "acquaintances" that are "friends" with me on FB. I have always been very hesitant to reply to some really absurd posts but lately have thought that if I just carefully reply in a non-threatening way I might be able to get a few MAGA's to rethink their positions just a little. I used to think it would be a total waste of my time--they were totally brainwashed so what's the point...but with the election so vbery close I think it might be worth a try. And that is where you come in. I may need a bit of advice on just what to reply. And maybe there are hundreds of your followers that could do the same. If we ALL started to politely but firmly question one of their outlandish posts, maybe we would reach others (not them--no hope there!)) of their friends and could change a few votes in the next 3 months. It's worth a try. But crafting what to say --I could use your help. I will try sending what I just replied to one last night as an example. If you have time to edit it for future use, that would be awesome.
Hmmmm going to try to click below to share a note--not sure how this Substack works yet!
no wait--don't think that works--I will copy and paste her post and my reply here: (this came oif course with a photo of Trump with that stupid white earpatch--his new heroic symbol)
Heavens Army for America
In the Bible, the concept of blood on the right ear (Leviticus 8:22-24 & 14:28) serves as a visible mark of consecration, signifying that the person is dedicated to God's service and has been set apart for a specific purpose.
This act represents a physical and spiritual transformation, preparing the individual for their sacred role. Here's a breakdown of the significance:
• Right ear: The right ear represents hearing and obedience. In ancient times, the right ear was considered the most important ear, as it was the ear that heard the words of God.
• Blood: Blood represents life, sacrifice, and atonement. In this context, the blood is a symbol of purification and consecration.
• Consecration: Consecration means to set something or someone apart for a specific purpose, making it holy and dedicated to God. In this case, the blood on the right ear signifies that the person is being set apart for a sacred task or role.
• Priestly consecration: In Leviticus 8, the blood is applied to the right ear of Aaron and his sons, consecrating them as priests. This act sets them apart as mediators between God and the people.
• Purification: In Leviticus 14, the blood is applied to the right ear of the person being cleansed, symbolizing their purification and restoration to the community.
God bless America!
“Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.” Leviticus 8:23
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So I attempted to start a conversation. (She has not replied, or have any of her other FB friends as of yet but it's a start...so maybe I could have replied with something better than this:)(There are so many "friends" on my FB that I could try replying to but I'd love advice first.)
jill, please read Project 2025 and try to understand what Trump is really interested in doing if he wins the election. He is no saint. Be wary of a theology that says God intervenes to save one person but not a whole classroom full of people.