Kamala Harris

[Xanthangum]

... has been selected as Joe Biden's running mate.

Important for all sorts of reasons I feel

twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1293281838337871875?s=20

[ListeningQuietly]

She blocked access to the DNA testing that later exonerated Kevin Cooper
Do you have a link for that (of the broadsheet news variety)

[ListeningQuietly]

DuDuDuLang
This page is update in August 2020
Harris blocked nothing
no prisoner has been exonerated
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Cooper_(prisoner)

Therefore I'll stick with her being a good thing
and the interweb as being full of fake news

[NearlyGranny]

There's bound to be "dungeon full of trafficked kids under the pizza parlour" stuff being generated by students paid by the word even as we post. It's totally predictable and how politics works, especially in the Trump, post-truth, alternative facts world we all now inhabit.

We need to remember that a lie can be halfway around the world before the truth has finished pulling its boots on.

I'm taking nothing at face value.

[FireUnderTheHand]

@xxyzz

I liked her anyway.

Very pleased she's been chosen. The link someone posted upthread from a US LGBTQ site noted that she was very pro-LGB rights but was less into the T.

I'm very wary of posters appearing on here trying to argue that Harris might be bad for women. I don't think it's women saying that. It's not rocket science - she is clearly a million times better for women than Trump or Pence.

No contest. Plus she has a high likelihood of then being the first female US President, which is pretty cool for women.

Be wary all you want, I was born and live here - my perspective counts just like yours (even though you don't live here).

Thanks for implying that I and other posters disagreeing are men... just because I can see through the bullshit it doesn't negate my femaleness in all its glory and trappings.

And I disagree - if she and Biden continue to genuflect at the altars of the wokerati being female won't be protected and the abuse and garbage that we US women will face won't have a name in law. We will disappear as the sub-women to men appropriating the female category.

Side note - I went to the OBGYN earlier this week for endo issues and made it clear that I refuse to have a male nurse assisting (for Dr security they attend) my female OBGYN... prior to disrobing the female nurse left and when the Dr. came back with the attending nurse it was a dude and here I was boobs out, no bottoms on under a sheet with an uninvited/unwelcome man in the room. Now I don't think he cared to look or be creepy (he is very flamboyantly gay and a joy to interact with) but that isn't the point, the point is that in law (at least for now) I have a right to refuse a male HCP especially in intimate care. I am a CSA and rape survivor as well as endometriosis sufferer (currently stage 3 rushing towards stage 4) why in the fuck do I have to erode my own boundaries to receive care ($900/mo. for health insurance and $150 co-pays for OBGYN)... if I am treated like that and pay so much how in the fuck are women who depend on federally funded care treated?!?!? At least I can fight back, choose another Dr., etc. - my counterparts in the less financially stable realm do not have that luxury. I told them that I am reporting them to the medical board and my health insurance carrier for violating my right to female intimate care by females. I was told that I was being ridiculous. This is life BEFORE all of my sex-based protections disappear.

[BelleHathor]

NYT Kevin Cooper: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/17/opinion/sunday/kevin-cooper-california-death-row.html

[DianasLasso]

Overall from my Brit perspective she looks like a good choice.

I've seen several people (not just here) float the idea that because she's a former prosecutor, and BLM is behind "defund the police" she'll lose the Democrats a sizeable chunk of the black vote. My hunch is that this is not so, on the basis of the old adage "Twitter is not real life": there may be a small minority who feel that way, but my guess is not most black voters (who will have a variety of opinions from "Anyone to beat Trump" through to "What the hell's wrong with a black prosecutor anyway? More power to her elbow.")

My other instinctive reaction is that any voter (of whatever ethnicity, but I guess mainly white) who's the type of person who could be put off by her being black and/or female was overwhelmingly likely to vote Trump anyway.

But like I say I'm a Brit looking in from outside - I'd be interested to hear the views of Americans on this.

[FireUnderTheHand]

@ListeningQuietly

Fireunder
But yeah let's totally keep electing elites with great privilege in education, job access
Chillax dude
You have to start from where you are not where you want to be
and the US has to move on from having elected Trump

Comedians and outsiders might make nice headlines
but the boring shit of running FEMA is what makes a good US leader

Really? Ok.

FYI, I have been participating in and playing close attention to politics in my country (US) since I learned about US government in 5th grade. I know where we are and I hate it.

KH's actions speak volumes about how she will serve as VP - she's brilliant, personable, accomplished, but I don't want her in the WH with Biden or (most likely) when Biden is unable to lead (he can't put together a coherent sentence any more than Trump) she will become POTUS and a little less scary than Trump (for reasons central to her actions) based on her track record. With the Secret Service protecting her she will likely become even more insulated and out-of-touch with the common American while the rest of the US non-elite female population face vulnerability (forced and innate) every day... slated to get much worse if Biden'Harris are elected.

Trump is one of the worst things to happen to this country from divisiveness to money-filtering and scare-mongering. He knows what a woman is though (only redeeming quality in my opinion even if it is born of misogyny).

• protected our female troops (even if it wasn't his intent) by rolling back the transgender inclusion in military (countless female soldiers are raped in war, in barracks, etc.).

• rolled back Obama guidance for schools (primary, secondary, etc) to allow self-ID in sex-based protected spaces (bathrooms, changing rooms, and sports)

• rolled back Obama guidance in regards to ACA insofar as re-instituting sex-based protections based on sex not gender identity (Obama guidance was "protections regarding "sex" encompass those based on gender identity, which it defined as "male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female")... this ties in with my experience at the OBGYN mentioned in my earlier post; care should not be withheld or denied to anyone in need of care but the sex-based protections of care must be upheld (from hospital wards to ability to choose a female HCP)

He is an awful person doing awful things in most arenas but as sad as it is (except for abortion which naturally is a huge issue) he has actively done more to protect sex-based rights by rolling back guidance than any other POTUS in recent history (who knows what his motivation is?!?!? I only care about the effect of the rollbacks). I didn't vote for him, I won't vote for him because of his actions in most arenas but in regards to my rights as a woman he is the most likely to keep those sex markers firmly in their own boxes now whether that is purely his misogyny or for some other reason I don't care but it is the truth.

So tell me to 'Chillax Dude' all you want no worries.

I live here and am not elite - I come from the poorest of poor in this nation (Appalachia). My mother was the first in all generations of her entire family to get a college degree and was coined an outsider for being college educated as she was 'too big for her britches' because people like us don't get educations or have ambition... we just get by and take care of our own (read: have babies and cater to men).
She has fought since she was a child to be treated fairly rejecting the system all the way and is losing her mind worrying about the rest of my future. Only one of my 59 cousins has an education beyond high school and most didn't get past 10th grade. This is the reality of many (if not most) Americans.

I've been on my own since 16yrs old and have experienced and been exposed to terrifying things, life-altering physically destructive things due to my sex and size (shortish and petite) that my DH calls me 'the warrior'. KH likely has no idea personally what it is to be homeless or need rape crisis care (if she does I am even more surprised by her intent to rework sex-based rights into gender identity) but I personally know it so very well.

So yes start from where we are, but that doesn't mean that we have to continue to pick from the 'lesser evils' - we need a revamp and a true ejection of most of Congress as well as POTUS. But I also get your point - perhaps I am a little whimsical about hoping for better but considering what we're in for on both sides I almost prefer anarchy.

[quixote9]

The US, sadly, so far, is hypnotized by the TRA bullshit. You can't be a non-Repub national politician in the US and do anything but repeat the TWAW dogma.

So I'm sure Harris will be coming out with LGBTQIAPQRSTUVW platitudes that will hurt our ears. Only thing to do is ignore it. One: there was nobody in the running for veep who was any different on that. Two: worrying about it in the face of the Handmaid's Tale repubs is like getting upset about a shoplifter when the other side would like to drop an atom bomb on you.

(I'm not saying women's rights aren't vital. I'm saying that I think this is just politician stuff to Harris, not a deeply held belief of her own.)

[DianasLasso]

I get what you're saying, Fire, but to me it looks like American women have two bad choices on the women's rights front (and one of those choices will be president).

1. a president from a party where the majority of the party activists don't believe women exist as a political class in their own right, and will outlaw women only safe spaces and sports. But will defend "people with uteruses" rights to abortion and affordable contraception.
   
   
2. Trump - whose party's long term aim is outlawing abortion and making contraception prohibitively expensive.
   
   I don't envy the US being faced with that choice, but I think (2) is going to harm more women, more quickly.

[Abhannmor]

The sheer insanity of American politics blinds us to how right wing Harris , Gabbard etc really are I suppose. Keeping ppl in prisons past their terms so she could use them as unpaid fire fighters. Knee jerk support for Israel. ID politics . A more intelligent Priti Patel. Still ....what's the bloody alternative

[FireUnderTheHand]

Agreed we have two very bad choices but like my fellow UK MN FWR protesters, I will be voting third party for the first time. I don't want to spoil the ballot because here it really makes no difference (they will get thrown away, I've witnessed it with my own eyes in 2016) - voting third party will at least show dissent from both the Reps and Dems.

[CousinKrispy]

Another American here. I don't live the choice but couldn't face voting third party as I'd see it as a thrown away vote. I think Trump's words and actions against democracy, decency, free press and independent judiciary, rollback of environmental protections etc, etc, are far more serious overall than anything we may have gained from his presidency. He will be replacing yet more Supreme Court justices if he wins. But everyone has to vote according to their own conscience. And it's pretty shit either way.

[ListeningQuietly]

Voting third party in a FPTP system is a waste
unless your state is a guaranteed one where you can safely protest
(eg New York)
the risk is just too high

Get rid of Trump
THEN start to walk forwards

[FireUnderTheHand]

@CousinKrispy

Another American here. I don't live the choice but couldn't face voting third party as I'd see it as a thrown away vote. I think Trump's words and actions against democracy, decency, free press and independent judiciary, rollback of environmental protections etc, etc, are far more serious overall than anything we may have gained from his presidency. He will be replacing yet more Supreme Court justices if he wins. But everyone has to vote according to their own conscience. And it's pretty shit either way.

Completely respect your perspective - 100%!

I just can't with Trump/Pence and Biden/Harris I know too much about all of them - not from the "newsy fake news" but from their work in the positions they've held (pretty much all public record). I am not implying or inferring in any way shape or form that your perspective is from poor news sources (just want to be crystal).

I almost voted differently in the primary for Obama because of Biden... since Anita Hill and his complicit assistance in mass incarceration of minorities for non-violent crimes (mostly drugs) and more and more I can't vote for the guy on his own merit and Harris well her record is a travesty regardless of how brilliant she is. I see Biden/Harris as the other side of the coin of Trump/Pence... same thing different package. Trump is the face Pence is the smarts, Biden would be the face and Harris would be the smarts IMO.

But that's just my opinion and two votes (mine and DH's because we agree and discuss). Compounded with being sick of the Biden robocalls and unsolicited texts and the aggressive solicitation at my front door... was called a fascist on my doorstep for saying I don't support Biden and told that I was a bigot and that people like me are an embarrassment to our nation, same rhetoric as the Bernie Bros. I've had enough.

Biden has what almost 50yrs+/- of contacts in Congress, big pharma, big oil, big tobacco, industrial prison complex, et al and is the former VP... I think he is every bit as dangerous as Trump not because of their abilities. Biden is dangerous because of his vulnerability to being influenced and manipulated by his contacts and handlers (like Trump). Trump is a mouthpiece for big business but he has no clue really wtf is going on. So we trade one old manipulative and manipulated dude for another?

That's my position and I respect other people's rejection of that position.

[ListeningQuietly]

Fire
As you do not like any of the options of offer
who would be your choices for President, VP and Secretary of state?

[FireUnderTheHand]

@ListeningQuietly

Voting third party in a FPTP system is a waste
unless your state is a guaranteed one where you can safely protest
(eg New York)
the risk is just too high

Get rid of Trump
THEN start to walk forwards

I hear you but POTUS isn't a true FPTP election - if it was I could consider your point but the electoral college elects POTUS not the individual.

If POTUS was a true FPTP then Trump wouldn't have been president in the first place as Clinton would be POTUS now (2+% lead of popular vote over Trump).

[ListeningQuietly]

Fireunder
In any constituency FPTP system, the winner often does not get the most votes.
So be it.

The US needs to sort out Gerrymandering
and voter suppression

but who would you choose to have on the ballot ?

[Xanthangum]

twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1294537340145348608?s=20

[Dervel]

I’m a little surprised she would agree given she believed Biden’s accusers:

nypost.com/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-believed-joe-bidens-accusers-until-she-didnt/

I think that pretty much reveals her as a hypocrite, whose own career goals and ambition are more important. I am sick to death of the Democratic Party who are fine to weaponise sexual assault allegations against their political opponents, but their own side are free and clear to treat women precisely as they wish. An inconsistent principle is no principle at all.

I don’t see how any politician of any integrity can say they believe victims one day, assert the man IS an abuser and then roll all that back just to take a top job. Are there really no Male democrats that they could find to put up against Trump who haven’t assaulted women?

American politics is an absolute shitshow of the highest order.

[ListeningQuietly]

I do not trust stories in papers owned by Murdoch

he has his own agenda
and it does not include strong democracies

[andyoldlabour]

I was reading an article a couple of days ago, where KH was fully supportive of transwomen in women's sports. She has been fully accepting the whole trans thing.

www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-trans-rights-trangender-pose-angelica-ross-lgbt/

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/15/drastically-scaled-back-pride-month-trans-issues-are-having-moment/

[ListeningQuietly]

She will learn and change
same as all other drinkers of the Koolaid

at the moment she is the best hope to stop a second Trump term
which is rather more important

as the Arctic is at a tipping point and a change of US government is essential for action on climate change
which frankly dwarfs worries anything else

[Dervel]

@ListeningQuietly I hear you loud and clear! Here is an independent article with the same information: www.independent.co.uk/us-election-2020/kamala-harris-police-joe-biden-sexual-assault-law-and-order-2020-election-a9666131.html

[ListeningQuietly]

Dervel
I am not excusing what Biden did.
I am pointing out that Biden is the lesser evil
and will only serve one term.

Getting Trump out has to be the absolute priority.
And if that means not throwing mud at Biden and Harris
so be it.

Have folks learned nothing from the demonisation of Hillary Clinton ?

[Iminthewrongstory]

Really shocked by some of these comments. No one with a job with great responsibilities and a public record is going to get everything right and Kamala Harris (or any man who would not be equally raked over the coals) hasn't. But here is, I believe, a very fair assessment of her work by someone who often worked on the opposing side to her.

eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2020/08/10/kamala-harris-progressive-pioneer-san-francisco-da-column/3334668001/

Appalled by the 'slept her way to the top' nonsense - on a feminist forum. As one article pointed out Willie Brown (who no one is talking about now except for his connection to Harris) did a lot more to promote the career of, say, Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, than he ever did for Kamala.

She is bright and energetic and will work hard. But yeah, performative outrage is so much more fun.