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DNC Wednesday: Oprah Rocks the House

I tuned in too late for Bill Clinton (and will watch later) but after several subsequent speeches I did hear and was not impressed by, on comes Oprah Winfrey. Okay, she is a professional entertainer. And only a few of these speakers write their own speeches. But wow, Oprah just knocked their socks off. Kamala should make her Secretary of State.

The only thing Oprah forgot was to credit Bon Jovi for her opening line, "Who Said You Can't Go Home"?

It was Oprah who impressed me the most towards the end of Hillary's campaign, when she came out and mocked people who didn't want to vote for her because they said they didn't like her. Her retort: "You don't have to like her. She's not coming to your house for dinner". (Video here)

Some of the unimpressive speakers: Kamala Harris' very handsome brother-in-law. Maybe it's his background in the Department of Justice. But he came out with an example of Kamala, as a prosecutor, working over a weekend to get a judge to let a woman who she believed to be innocent out on bail, because she wondered, who would feed her children if she spent the weekend in jail. He said, "That's Kamala, standing for justice" or something like that.

Look, Kamala is a career prosecutor. She didn't become one to change the system and reform it for people of color or lesser economic means.

Listening to the next speaker was a head-shaking contrast. It is hard for me to believe this speaker is an elected Democratic Senator. I never heard of her before. And I will mute her from now on should she appear on my screen again. [More...]

She opened by telling us her grandfather was a baker in Mexico. From which she leaps into Kamala's great sense of justice. In direct contrast to Kamala's brother in law, she tells us Kamala will always make sure that drug traffickers are imprisoned. "Holding criminals accountable, that's Kamala Harris".

Look we all know Kamala's record on crime. There's no need to bring it up again. Because it is besides the point. Just like the record of Joe Biden, who was a one man crime band during his 25 years in the Senate and responsible for some of the worst criminal justice legislation in history, ultimately was besides the point. Why? this year, like in 2020, the country faces a far greater evil named Donald Trump. You would have to be as bat-sh*t crazy as his followers to vote for him over Kamala Harris. (Or a billionaire whose support is based on his promises not to increase their taxes.)

Another newsflash: Donald Trump's proclaimed support of Israel is as transparently hollow as his support for evangelical Christians. The only people he really supports are those in his self-perceived dynasty: the children of his current and former wives.

I feel very comfortable with Kamala Harris in charge of this country. Much more comfortable than I was with Biden. She's very smart, and I also love her smile, the colors of her pantsuits, and her lack of pretentiousness (unlike that awful Senator from Nevada). I think she married a great guy. But most of all, I'm convinced that if she is elected, there will still be a United States of America in 2028. At this stage of my life, that's all I need.

< Who Would Pay $500k to Host a Dinner for Donald Trump in Aspen?? | Kamala's Night to Shine >
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  • Display: Sort:
    I'm still a little annoyed (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 03:12:36 PM EST
    with Oprah for unleashing Dr Phil and Dr Oz on the world.

    But, God bless hear if she can rally the troops, as it were.

    And speaking of annoyed, ... (5.00 / 7) (#7)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 03:59:22 PM EST
    ... I'm claiming a point of personal privilege. Last night, as Gov. Tim Walz gave his acceptance speech, the cameras quickly trained on Gov. Tim Walz's 17-year-old son Gus as he excitedly stood up, burst into tears and exclaimed "That's my dad!" on national TV.

    It was a heartfelt moment that moved almost everybody - everybody, that is, save for the heartless and ignorant MAGA GOP crowd, who responded in social media with shockingly cruel comments like "r*tard", "Rain Man", etc., directed at the governor's son.

    Speaking personally as a grandfather of a four-year-old autistic boy who is likewise dealing with ADHD and non-verbal learning disabilities, Gus Walz is clearly neurodivergent, and kids like him are easily excitable and emotional because they sometimes have real difficulties verbalizing their feelings.

    I saw video footage where media started to swarm around young Gus earlier in the day when he and his family arrived at the United Center, and his older sister had to step in between and lead him away because they were freaking him out.

    Mocking Gus for his socio-learning disabilities is unacceptable, and I do take that very personally. I swear, Republicans have reveled in their own casual cruelty toward others for so long that they've literally forsaken their own humanity. As for the rest of us, we need to remember ours, particularly around kids, adolescents and adults with special needs. Life is tough enough for them as it is. Why pile on?

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Gus' parents (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by KeysDan on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:08:31 PM EST
    have publicly stated that their son is not neurotypical, manifest in non-verbal learning disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In an article in People magazine, they emphasized that he is "brilliant" and hyper-aware of details others may miss. And, so importantly, that Gus is an excellent son and brother.

    They are not concerned with forcing Gus to be more sociable, rather,  celebrating his gifts and embracing him as he is. As governor, Tim Walz has worked to improve the lives of those Minnesotans with disabilities.

    While the "basket of deplorables" has given way to "neighborly neighbors", we need to reserve `deplorables" for those who make fun of those like the 17-year old Walz boy, including Trump who in 2015 mocked  a NY Times reporter with a physical disability.

    Parent

    The country average I've seen (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:03:50 PM EST
    Has been very positive and supportive of him.  And brutal of idiots like Ann Coulter who sh!t posting about it

    Parent
    Like this (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:05:32 PM EST
    The (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:06:56 PM EST
    COVERAGE I've seen

    That's supposed to say

    Parent

    Kos is typical (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:13:49 PM EST
    A word occurrs to me (none / 0) (#14)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:20:11 PM EST
    that in England, Ireland, and Scotland is directed more at men than at women.

    But not in the U.S.

    Parent

    Trumpian hooliganism.. (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:08:39 PM EST
    Movie buff that you are  Donald, do you think maybe Trump has a streak of what motivated the killer in The Spiral Staircase? Obscure reference, I know.

    The 'weak' should be removed from his sight.

    Parent

    U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (none / 0) (#1)
    by Peter G on Wed Aug 21, 2024 at 10:27:50 PM EST
    D.Nev. (right?).

    yes (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Aug 21, 2024 at 11:20:29 PM EST
    Ugh!

    Parent
    I guess (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 08:11:15 AM EST
    everybody has their own interpretation or thoughts about the speeches. I agree with you on Kamala's brother in law. I thought he was awesome. Bill Clinton hit some zingers but he reminded me of Biden because he moved slow and talked slow. Both of them are elderly now and I guess that is just aging. I was not all that wild about Oprah's speech but again that's me.

    Neither was I. (none / 0) (#5)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 03:02:58 PM EST
    Okay, yeah, Oprah's an entertainer. But honestly, if I want to be entertained at a Democratic convention, I'll take John Legend's and Sheila E.'s roof-raising cover of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" over Ms. Winfrey's often-patronizing and laborious recitation of stuff that's already painfully obvious to the vast majority of us.

    That said, if Oprah was able to reach some folks beyond our Hallelujah chorus gathered in Chicago and convince them that Kamala Harris won't bite and that it's okay to vote for her then hey, mission accomplished.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    She came here to Georgia (none / 0) (#19)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 08:29:54 PM EST
    To try to help Stacey Abrams but either did nothing or hurt.

    Parent
    Oprah looked good (none / 0) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 06:30:29 PM EST
    and did a good job.  But, no Pontiacs.

    Parent
    Tim Walz (none / 0) (#4)
    by Coral on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 12:56:37 PM EST
    Walz hit it out of the park (or made a touchdown?) with his terrific speech. The other speeches last night were "meh". Not very interested in Oprah.

    Tuesday, though, Doug Emhoff, Michelle, and Barak Obama gave fabulous speeches. Each wonderful in its own special way. Doug was human, relatable, and likeable. Michelle--probably one of the best speeches I've ever heard at a convention--laid out the best case vs. Trump (beneficiary of the affirmative action of generational wealth), and case for Kamala. And Barak, not quite as tight a speech as Michelle's, but reaching out to all America. It was a trifecta.

    Eager to hear Kamala tonight. Hope the earlier program doesn't drag on as long as the last few nights.

    Yes, Michelle Obama (none / 0) (#15)
    by KeysDan on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:29:15 PM EST
    was a star whose speech transcended partisanship to offer and apply personalized experiences to the importance of electing Kamala and Tim.  Similarly, Secretary Pete, a rising star, while not as soaring in rhetoric, provided his hope for America along with his personal stake in preserving and curating freedom with their election.

    Parent
    To me (none / 0) (#20)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 08:35:07 PM EST
    Michelle and Hillary had the best speeches at the convention so far. It may be a woman thing that only women can speak to.

    Parent
    This is very sad (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 05:44:41 PM EST
    It's Thomas Wolfe that Oprah should have credited (none / 0) (#18)
    by desertswine on Thu Aug 22, 2024 at 06:46:45 PM EST
    "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ... back home to a young man's dreams of glory and of fame ... back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting, but which are changing all the time - back home to the escapes of Time and Memory."

    RFK Jr.. (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 12:39:57 AM EST
    I'm trying come up with something to say about him that respects the rules of the site and I'm having trouble.

    How about (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 12:46:32 AM EST
    what a lowlife he is?

    Parent
    I've always been in favor (none / 0) (#24)
    by jondee on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 01:55:03 PM EST
    of 'waste not, want not' but I draw the line at eating roadkill.

    Mad Bear, or Mad Opposum disease may be what's at the root of RFK's seeming cognitive malfunctions.

    Parent

    HST (none / 0) (#23)
    by FlJoe on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 08:27:02 AM EST
    maxim has become outdated.

    when the going gets weird the weird no longer turn pro, they now turn into brain dead Kennedys (dibs on the band name) and Republicans.

    Parent

    I saw him on tv this am.... (none / 0) (#25)
    by desertswine on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 02:00:57 PM EST
    and he looked llke he just came out from under a broiler.

    Parent
    The Joe Rogan syndrome (none / 0) (#26)
    by jondee on Fri Aug 23, 2024 at 02:05:50 PM EST
    'roids and cold plunges and so forth.

    Then they go in the backyard and blow up plastic models with firecrackers.

    Parent