The most difficult part about writing for a blog is telling the truth. There’s a joke about “readership capture” but it’s actually a real thing and I think it comes from a good place – a place where one wants to fit and be liked and avoid conflict- and it happens gradually. So one day you take out a paragraph that you recognize riles the group up and six months later you’re just avoiding certain subjects or events completely because arguing is exhausting and you’re getting a rep as “difficult”. It’s more intense for “women of a certain age”, I think, because we were raised to create community and get along with everyone, often at the expense of ourselves and our own authenticity.  Lawyering cures you of that, btw.

I was listening to Ta- Nehesi Coates (which I do a lot of, I think he’s one of the few genuine public intellectuals) and he said something that stuck with me. Joy Reid asked him why he delved into Gaza, a controversial subject that helps no one’s career (and hasn’t helped his) and he said “because if you’re a writer and you don’t tell the truth as you see it, there’s no point in writing”. Boom, as the kids say.

So with that I’m going to disagree with my esteemed colleague mistermix on his post earlier today regarding Hakeem Jeffries and funding for the Israeli/US attacks in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. And also thank mistermix for not only allowing dissent but encouraging it.

I think Jeffries is right that Democrats should have their own foreign policy and not follow Massie,. Massie is opposed to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the Greater Israel project now being carried out in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, but is also a Right wing nut who Republicans are using in a cynical play to force a politically painful vote for Democrats. I don’t really give a shit what Massie thinks, about anything. As far as I’m concerned he’s a treasonous Trumpster.

But here’s my question. Why DON’T Democrats have their own foreign policy approach that aligns with their oft-stated support for international law, the laws of war and humanitarian goals? Why are they always reacting? They coulda read the writing on the fucking wall with their disastrous “blank check for Israel” policy. in 2024 They’ve had two years to think about it. Surely they noticed Israel is now a worldwide pariah (on that I quote none other than Rahm Emmanuel) and they are shedding voters under 30 with this ridiculous coddling of the far Right in Israel and their seeming enthusiasm for shutting down any dissent on the topic.

How can they not have a plan? Why is Jeffries referencing some cryptic “better way” of “handling” this (what are we handling?) and then…nothing. We’re here, again, just where we were in 2024, where the Left side of the Party will be jettisoned to placate the far Right in Israel? Does that even make sense in terms of winning elections?

 I want a political party that acts instead of reacting to the Right. I want a Party that says “let’s provide real benefits"!” instead of “how can we mitigate some of the harm of GOP policy?” I just cannot bear spending my entire life on defense. It’s weak, and it’s killed our brand.