It’s been a rough spring/summer. A pandemic rages uncontrolled across our land. Too many have died while many survivors suffer life-long infirmities. People have lost their jobs and businesses at a rate not seen since the Great Depression. And children from kindergarten through college have lost live education and all the social contacts that come with it. Meanwhile, climate change has upended our weather with uncontrollable fires lit by unprecedented lightning in California. Our firefighters are exhausted and are at their limit with no immediate end in sight while the Bay Area is smothered with horrible unhealthy air. Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast is being decimated by a hurricane.
My thoughts and days were full of foreboding and doom when I turned on the Democratic National Convention. I expected the new online forum to be boring. Instead, I found myself watching nonstop and not taking the breaks I usually take in watching both conventions. But the most amazing thing was at the end I began to feel hopeful that this country could turn around, lick the virus and return to some sense of normalcy if we had a change in leadership. I remember calling my kids to say for the first time in a long time I felt good and hopeful.
***
After watching Trump’s convention, that terrible feeling of gloom and despair returned. He could do it again if enough people in the swing states believed his lies. The only Black U.S. senator Tim Scott told the convention that it was Trump, not Biden, who was the real friend of Black people. Nobody believes it was a pitch for Black voters. Instead, it was for white voters to make them feel better about supporting a racist. Meanwhile, the riots in Kenosha, et al are playing into Trump’s hands. As Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway said: “The more chaos and anarchy and vandalism and violence reigns the better it is for” our side. The head of the police union backed her up by his organization’s endorsement of Trump. And that was the dark theme of the convention. If Democrats win, fear for your lives and the safety of your neighborhoods. Trump’s speech which went on for more than an hour was similar to his campaign rallies. Lie after lie and scapegoating. Replacing immigrants this time, were Joe Biden, China and protesters.
What was worse was his speech was at the White House, his home, he declared. Not the usual site for a political convention and it was just one more affront to the Constitution and the traditions of a democracy. And there were 1,500 people gathered, not social distancing and hardly any wearing masks. This is against all the rules for stopping the pandemic. But Trump wanted a live audience. What a slap in the face to many who wanted a funeral or a wedding with family and friends in attendance but abstained to obey the rules.
***
Unfortunately, there is no longer a Republican Party. It is a party of Trump. And today, many of us, no matter what our politics, are terrified of another four years. And he says he wants 12. He told the convention “The only way they can take this election away from us is if there is a rigged election.” It doesn’t sound as if he can accept defeat or leave office peacefully.
Recommended for you
***
In four years, he has done more harm to the country’s security, health and ideals than anyone could have imagined in 2016. I knew he was a creep when I heard him announce on TV (Netflix documentary on the young Trump) that the reason he dumped his first wife was because after a woman has three children he is not interested in sleeping with her. The interviewer, a friend, shocked, said but those are your children.
He is so eager to get the economy going again that he has botched efforts to control what is threatening our economic health. It is not shut downs which are the main cause of lost jobs and lost business but the persistence of the virus which will not go away until we have consistent, scientifically accurate measures to combat it. When the president makes fun of his medical advisers, refuses to wear a mask and encourages a return to normal when it isn’t safe, the virus gets worse no matter how many of us follow the rules. Too many of his supporters don’t.
There were few masks to be seen at the Republican National Convention. It’s enough to make you really sick!
Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.
Your a Democrat Sue and you hate this president, Republicans really don't care what you think of our party or our president. Just get ready for your side to lose again in the presidential election this November and start thinking of the excuses you will be making November 4th. Your thoughts on Trump are like my thoughts on Joe Biden, meaningless.
Mrs. Lempert, thank you for one of your greatest columns ever. Disregard Conway, he is taking his 170 family years here on earth and family wealth and leaving California. Chris, we all notice, how like Trump, you cannot engage in civil discourse without, first saying something nasty about the other person. It's so pathetically clear that as a Trumper, you don't even deserve to live in California.
Also, per usual, Fr. Zoph at Serra would be appalled at your opening statement to Sue IE 'Your a Democrat, Sue', Versus the correct, You're a Democrat, Sue'. What did you actually learn attending Serra?
Pack up Chris and move to Lubbock, Tx, Oregon or Nevada. "we' shall toss a party when you move.
What in the world do you have against Oregon and Nevada? Why ruin two nice states to visit? I would suggest a non-racist all white state like Alabama. It would be a much better fit for a Trump supporter.
Just like I thought JustMike650. Just like I thought. Though I am not worried about anything from my past, I would appreciate it if you would not bring my family or the people I know into our conversations for their safety. What you are attempting to do is known today as Doxing. Attack me all you want, I don't hide in the shadows like you do. OK? can we agree on that?
A low bar for excellence indeed. Just Mike and the gang are totally blinded by their dislike of Trump while not realizing that they would be bringing in a super leftist, albeit communist agenda that comes with Biden. He may be a nice guy but he is totally controlled by the Bernie Sanders wing. Biden will not even debate because he knows he would be rendered an empty suit if on the same stage with Trump.
Chris, did you watch the conventions? As a political junkie, I did. The Democratic conclave talked of unity, dignity, and integrity with inclusion to all including Republicans. The Republican edition was one of division, hate, lies, dystopianism, and fear. You represent your party well when you say Republicans don't care what you think of their party. Indeed, the R's put party over country and therein lies the pity.
Good column, Sue. No masks/social distancing at the RNC was despicable, and showed a real lack of leadership. Trump doesn't care about anyone but himself.
My take is Democrats were Hopeful, Republicans were Hateful.
Democrats believe in Science, Republicans don't.
Democrats showed kindness, compassion, and empathy.
Republicans instilled fear and lied, lied, and lied. The fact checkers couldn't keep up!!
And Mike-let's wish Chris Bon Voyage. Or more like Bye, Felicia!
I can understand why you feel there is no hope if a Republican is elected 64 days from now. However, can you explain why we should have hope if a Democrat wins in November given the tragic plight of our cities run by Democrats?
It is the last day of August 2020. Since the first of this year, over 2200 African Americans have been shot in the city of Chicago... at least 370 of them died. A city run by Democrats for decades. As bad as it is, there are nine other Democrat run cities with a higher per capita murder rate. Where is the hope? Progressive Democrats want us to believe that police officers are gunning down African Americans with abandon. How many persons have the police shot and killed in Chicago this year? Three. African American children are largely the victims of Democrat run cities... drugs, gangs, off the chart teen pregnancy and too many young people dropping out of school.
Where is the compassion you mentioned in your opinion piece? I'll ask again... where is the hope? Economist Thomas Sowell said, "Although the big word on the left is compassion, the big agenda on the left is dependency." We can see the result of Democrat run cities feeding that dependency. No hope.
TT: Dirk may have some idea what Communism is, or has been, but such words are like red meat for the uneducated, gullible and easily fooled followers of Trump and his ilk. As dishonest as it may be, I think that’s the intent. Just look what they have done to the word “liberal”, which is defined as something that is not restricted, someone who is open-minded and progressive in their views, someone who likes new ideas that will bring progress even if they are not traditional. A liberal person is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways. Instead, un-liberal Republicans have thrashed it, using it as a derogatory term for a class of people that will destroy the country, - including you and me! And, their followers buy it, - equating liberalism with other scare words, - like “Communism”.
I don't know Dirk, and I'm not volunteering as his apologist. However, perhaps he meant to suggest that leading progressive Democrats are socialists not communists. Maybe. If that's the case, he certainly has an argument for postulating that some leading Democrats lean toward socialism and some may be Marxists.
Liberals are not socialists, and as such, persons with a conservative political bent should not confuse liberals with leftists. Liberals are capitalists. Leftists with a desire to redistribute income to the extreme are not capitalists. Liberals would like to see immigration reform with a practical path to citizenship. Leftists want to eliminate all borders. Liberals are proud to be American but eschew extreme nationalism. Leftists are internationalists to the extreme. Liberals cherish freedom of expression. Leftists discourage expression that varies from their ideology.
While conservatives completely reject leftist ideology, I disagree with the notion that conservatives have trashed the term liberal. Why? The open-minded liberal described by you earlier today, someone with a long history of activism, is not someone who threatens political opponents. You cannot say the same for leftists. So, liberals are not leftists... wear your liberal pin proudly.
I do, Ray, - and I have to agree with you re. most of your assertions, - although we could argue forever in order to finetune the definitions, - which we both know would be an impossible task, considering the diversity of human nature.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(17) comments
Your a Democrat Sue and you hate this president, Republicans really don't care what you think of our party or our president. Just get ready for your side to lose again in the presidential election this November and start thinking of the excuses you will be making November 4th. Your thoughts on Trump are like my thoughts on Joe Biden, meaningless.
Mrs. Lempert, thank you for one of your greatest columns ever. Disregard Conway, he is taking his 170 family years here on earth and family wealth and leaving California. Chris, we all notice, how like Trump, you cannot engage in civil discourse without, first saying something nasty about the other person. It's so pathetically clear that as a Trumper, you don't even deserve to live in California.
Also, per usual, Fr. Zoph at Serra would be appalled at your opening statement to Sue IE 'Your a Democrat, Sue', Versus the correct, You're a Democrat, Sue'. What did you actually learn attending Serra?
Pack up Chris and move to Lubbock, Tx, Oregon or Nevada. "we' shall toss a party when you move.
JustMike650,
What in the world do you have against Oregon and Nevada? Why ruin two nice states to visit? I would suggest a non-racist all white state like Alabama. It would be a much better fit for a Trump supporter.
Just like I thought JustMike650. Just like I thought. Though I am not worried about anything from my past, I would appreciate it if you would not bring my family or the people I know into our conversations for their safety. What you are attempting to do is known today as Doxing. Attack me all you want, I don't hide in the shadows like you do. OK? can we agree on that?
A low bar for excellence indeed. Just Mike and the gang are totally blinded by their dislike of Trump while not realizing that they would be bringing in a super leftist, albeit communist agenda that comes with Biden. He may be a nice guy but he is totally controlled by the Bernie Sanders wing. Biden will not even debate because he knows he would be rendered an empty suit if on the same stage with Trump.
Chris, did you watch the conventions? As a political junkie, I did. The Democratic conclave talked of unity, dignity, and integrity with inclusion to all including Republicans. The Republican edition was one of division, hate, lies, dystopianism, and fear. You represent your party well when you say Republicans don't care what you think of their party. Indeed, the R's put party over country and therein lies the pity.
There is nothing to hate.
Sue, you know how to bring out the worst of both sides.
Good column, Sue. No masks/social distancing at the RNC was despicable, and showed a real lack of leadership. Trump doesn't care about anyone but himself.
My take is Democrats were Hopeful, Republicans were Hateful.
Democrats believe in Science, Republicans don't.
Democrats showed kindness, compassion, and empathy.
Republicans instilled fear and lied, lied, and lied. The fact checkers couldn't keep up!!
And Mike-let's wish Chris Bon Voyage. Or more like Bye, Felicia!
Gotta love the DJ. Where else can you read a rant like Sue's right next to a piece knocking Biden's economic plans and praising Trump's.
In line with you excellent article, Sue, - I think it is fair to say that the RNC showed Republicans unmasked!
Hello, Sue
I can understand why you feel there is no hope if a Republican is elected 64 days from now. However, can you explain why we should have hope if a Democrat wins in November given the tragic plight of our cities run by Democrats?
It is the last day of August 2020. Since the first of this year, over 2200 African Americans have been shot in the city of Chicago... at least 370 of them died. A city run by Democrats for decades. As bad as it is, there are nine other Democrat run cities with a higher per capita murder rate. Where is the hope? Progressive Democrats want us to believe that police officers are gunning down African Americans with abandon. How many persons have the police shot and killed in Chicago this year? Three. African American children are largely the victims of Democrat run cities... drugs, gangs, off the chart teen pregnancy and too many young people dropping out of school.
Where is the compassion you mentioned in your opinion piece? I'll ask again... where is the hope? Economist Thomas Sowell said, "Although the big word on the left is compassion, the big agenda on the left is dependency." We can see the result of Democrat run cities feeding that dependency. No hope.
Ray Fowler
Redwood City
Dirk--you should learn what communism really is. You have been sucked in to the Republican rhetoric.
TT: Dirk may have some idea what Communism is, or has been, but such words are like red meat for the uneducated, gullible and easily fooled followers of Trump and his ilk. As dishonest as it may be, I think that’s the intent. Just look what they have done to the word “liberal”, which is defined as something that is not restricted, someone who is open-minded and progressive in their views, someone who likes new ideas that will bring progress even if they are not traditional. A liberal person is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways. Instead, un-liberal Republicans have thrashed it, using it as a derogatory term for a class of people that will destroy the country, - including you and me! And, their followers buy it, - equating liberalism with other scare words, - like “Communism”.
Jorg--excellent point. And they blindly follow Trump, who tries to brainwash the undereducated. Meanwhile, the president supports armed militia.
Hello, Jorg
I don't know Dirk, and I'm not volunteering as his apologist. However, perhaps he meant to suggest that leading progressive Democrats are socialists not communists. Maybe. If that's the case, he certainly has an argument for postulating that some leading Democrats lean toward socialism and some may be Marxists.
Liberals are not socialists, and as such, persons with a conservative political bent should not confuse liberals with leftists. Liberals are capitalists. Leftists with a desire to redistribute income to the extreme are not capitalists. Liberals would like to see immigration reform with a practical path to citizenship. Leftists want to eliminate all borders. Liberals are proud to be American but eschew extreme nationalism. Leftists are internationalists to the extreme. Liberals cherish freedom of expression. Leftists discourage expression that varies from their ideology.
While conservatives completely reject leftist ideology, I disagree with the notion that conservatives have trashed the term liberal. Why? The open-minded liberal described by you earlier today, someone with a long history of activism, is not someone who threatens political opponents. You cannot say the same for leftists. So, liberals are not leftists... wear your liberal pin proudly.
Ray
I do, Ray, - and I have to agree with you re. most of your assertions, - although we could argue forever in order to finetune the definitions, - which we both know would be an impossible task, considering the diversity of human nature.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.