Laurie: on the debate and other things

Laurie and I met at Portland State University to talk about her new dog Bernie (I hope she’ll Blip him soon she blipped him!), the sad Presidential debate last night, our partners, our families, the books we’re reading, the podcasts she listens to. We sat in the sunshine next to a fountain, thinking together. She has read Clint Smith’s book that I’m reading now, and she also loved it. The poetry of it, the way he tells history through the stories of people who lived it. Brilliant.

I couldn’t watch the debate. Trump makes me physically ill. He reminds me of every abusive man I ever knew—the bluster, the lies, the manipulation and domination. I watched some clips this morning, along with reactions by Van Jones, Joy-Ann Reid, Amy Goodman. Laurie is kinder to Biden than I. 

“There’s so much we don’t know,” she reminded me as I groaned about his support of Netanyahu. “And Biden’s domestic policies have been life-saving for many people.” Fair enough. 

She mused, “I think he’s tired. He doesn’t want this for himself. He doesn't need it. He’s running to hold back Fascism.”