People don't like leaving comments on here, but I have to share this response to "Carpetbaggers..." from friends canvassing in the wilds of Maine... I hope they don't mind. Too good not to share.
"We are still canvassing up here in rural western Maine, pretty much every day; have lots of stories which I hope we have a chance to share/discuss after we return to Boston. We are here thru the election; both of us are working as poll observers in local towns. We usually went to homes with Trump signs, if they were on our list. One was a trailer - 2 Trump signs at the beginning of the dirt driveway, Trump bumper sticker on one of the trucks, Trump hat on the head of the guy who lived there, sitting in a wheelchair with one leg gone. He was a Trump voter but very friendly and happy to see us (I think he was lonely), even tho a sign on the trailer said “Due to the price of ammunition don’t expect a warning shot.” As we left, I noticed a pistol lying on the wooden ramp. Just one of the many very varied encounters….Also went to a place with an Appeal to Heaven flag, a sign that said “No Trespassing: We’re Tired of Hiding the Bodies” AND another cloth sign sticking in the ground: “In This Home, We Stand with Israel”. They were on our list, but were (probably thankfully) not home.
Helping local Democrats and anti-Trump folks (not necessarily Democrats) feel less isolated seems important right now and into the future.
All your dreams are on their way..." (I'd like to think that Paul Simon would approve)
When Wisconsin goes blue again next week, I will send many props of gratitude your way!
I especially am grateful for your efforts considering that probably more than 80% of my canvassing experiences have been lonely and/or lousy. Canvassing to try and help extend the illustrious Senate career of Wisconsinite Russ Feingold was sad. Ann, Kathy O. and Charles A. canvassed in a rural area of York, PA last weekend...
"For all who dare rely on words and bread, a dwindling flame never-extinguished,
who cling to dreams and ancient promises however hard the task to do so.
They may groan beneath their burdens and their struggles waged in secret.
They may yet awake to greet the dawn, and not believe what they are seeing..."
Huub Oosterhuis [final verse from the song, Day is Near, translated from the Dutch]
Thanks so much, John. I would expect a musical reference in any comment from you, and I've gotten two! I guess I'm very lucky that my first candidate canvass was neither lonely nor sad. I'm sorry that your experiences have been different. It is good to be reminded that day is near.
Maybe you and your lovely spouse should join the next sortie of the Silverbaccks!
I must say my experience regarding yard signs was a bit different. There were people who expressed their hesitancy to put up Harris yard signs, but there were a number of households that had them, In fact, the head of the Richland County Democratic party told us that she had been heartened by the much larger than usual demand for yard signs for a Democratic presidential candidate.
Kevin ended his post with a photo of an Amish buggy. A lot of Amish have moved to Wisconsin -- about 25,000 live there now -- but they do not vote.
Thanks, Michael. That’s good to hear about the signs. We did see several Harris signs, especially in those areas the were more “urban”…just not in the houses we were visiting, for some reason.
Thanks also for the clarification about the Amish. They do not vote, but they are having a big impact I’m on local economy and society.
One man remarked that, “they can smell it when a piece of land is going up for sale.” They are quickly buying up the county’s best farmland, often in cash. “I don’t love the Amish, but they are keeping the land producing, and that’s a good thing.”
Kevin, thanks for sharing that experience, with all the contradictions therein, and the gorgeous photos. It is a lot of effort for an unknown return, but this is not a transaction; may the butterfly wings beating in Richland county have an ever-accumulating effect.
People don't like leaving comments on here, but I have to share this response to "Carpetbaggers..." from friends canvassing in the wilds of Maine... I hope they don't mind. Too good not to share.
"We are still canvassing up here in rural western Maine, pretty much every day; have lots of stories which I hope we have a chance to share/discuss after we return to Boston. We are here thru the election; both of us are working as poll observers in local towns. We usually went to homes with Trump signs, if they were on our list. One was a trailer - 2 Trump signs at the beginning of the dirt driveway, Trump bumper sticker on one of the trucks, Trump hat on the head of the guy who lived there, sitting in a wheelchair with one leg gone. He was a Trump voter but very friendly and happy to see us (I think he was lonely), even tho a sign on the trailer said “Due to the price of ammunition don’t expect a warning shot.” As we left, I noticed a pistol lying on the wooden ramp. Just one of the many very varied encounters….Also went to a place with an Appeal to Heaven flag, a sign that said “No Trespassing: We’re Tired of Hiding the Bodies” AND another cloth sign sticking in the ground: “In This Home, We Stand with Israel”. They were on our list, but were (probably thankfully) not home.
Helping local Democrats and anti-Trump folks (not necessarily Democrats) feel less isolated seems important right now and into the future.
You both are very brave. However, it is the work to be done! Saludos
Bravos, sí. Valientes, quizás no tanto. Gracias por el comentario, hermano. Esperamos esperamos verlo pronto.
"Sail on 'Silverbacks' sail on by,
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way..." (I'd like to think that Paul Simon would approve)
When Wisconsin goes blue again next week, I will send many props of gratitude your way!
I especially am grateful for your efforts considering that probably more than 80% of my canvassing experiences have been lonely and/or lousy. Canvassing to try and help extend the illustrious Senate career of Wisconsinite Russ Feingold was sad. Ann, Kathy O. and Charles A. canvassed in a rural area of York, PA last weekend...
"For all who dare rely on words and bread, a dwindling flame never-extinguished,
who cling to dreams and ancient promises however hard the task to do so.
They may groan beneath their burdens and their struggles waged in secret.
They may yet awake to greet the dawn, and not believe what they are seeing..."
Huub Oosterhuis [final verse from the song, Day is Near, translated from the Dutch]
Thanks so much, John. I would expect a musical reference in any comment from you, and I've gotten two! I guess I'm very lucky that my first candidate canvass was neither lonely nor sad. I'm sorry that your experiences have been different. It is good to be reminded that day is near.
Maybe you and your lovely spouse should join the next sortie of the Silverbaccks!
I must say my experience regarding yard signs was a bit different. There were people who expressed their hesitancy to put up Harris yard signs, but there were a number of households that had them, In fact, the head of the Richland County Democratic party told us that she had been heartened by the much larger than usual demand for yard signs for a Democratic presidential candidate.
Kevin ended his post with a photo of an Amish buggy. A lot of Amish have moved to Wisconsin -- about 25,000 live there now -- but they do not vote.
Thanks, Michael. That’s good to hear about the signs. We did see several Harris signs, especially in those areas the were more “urban”…just not in the houses we were visiting, for some reason.
Thanks also for the clarification about the Amish. They do not vote, but they are having a big impact I’m on local economy and society.
One man remarked that, “they can smell it when a piece of land is going up for sale.” They are quickly buying up the county’s best farmland, often in cash. “I don’t love the Amish, but they are keeping the land producing, and that’s a good thing.”
Kevin, thanks for sharing that experience, with all the contradictions therein, and the gorgeous photos. It is a lot of effort for an unknown return, but this is not a transaction; may the butterfly wings beating in Richland county have an ever-accumulating effect.
Thanks, Cathy. Here's to ever-accumulating effects. It works that way in job search, too!
Damn the torpedoes