Bob Schwartz

When Dick Cheney, Vice President to George W. Bush endorsed Kamala Harris, saying he voted for her, the hope was that it would influence the number of old-school Republicans who hate and fear Trump but have never voted for a Democrat.

Dick Cheney remains deeply unpopular among Democrats. They don’t consider him redeemed, but welcome any help from anywhere.

Liz Cheney, Dick’s equally conservative daughter, has been appearing with Harris on the campaign trail. Barbara Bush, W’s daughter, has endorsed Harris. A number of former aides to W, including Nicole Wallace on MSNBC, have implored W to endorse Harris.

For his part, W says he does not endorse candidates, despite the position taken by Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney (who worked in the W administration), and many of his former aides.

W’s ranking on the list of quality presidents is not great, somewhere in the mid-30s of the 46, between Zachary Taylor and Benjamin Harrison.

But if W was to endorse Harris—even if she didn’t win—the conscientious courage would rocket him way up the list. Maybe not Top Ten, but up there.

There are a few days until Election Day. So, George W. Bush, if you are reading this, as a crown on your career, help save America and endorse Kamala Harris.

© 2024 by Bob Schwartz

The advent calendar is messed up.
How many days to Election Day?
How many days to Christmas?
Can Santa vote legally
At the North Poll or the North Pole?
Will there be peace at the polls poles?
Will there be peace on earth?
When you open the next tiny door
What sweet surprise will you find?

© 2024 by Bob Schwartz

“He sold or melted down much of Cluny’s treasure to relieve the poor in time of famine and was known for his saying that he would rather be damned for being too merciful than for being too severe.”

Even those who may recognize today as All Saints Day (the day after All Hallow’s Eve) may not have heard of Saint Odilo.

Odilo (ca. 962–1049) was abbot for fifty-five years. Under him Cluny became the most important abbey in western Europe. It was he who instituted the feast of All Souls [November 2], first for deceased monks and then for all the deceased faithful. He sold or melted down much of Cluny’s treasure to relieve the poor in time of famine and was known for his saying that he would rather be damned for being too merciful than for being too severe.

If that seems like a lead-in to a call for donation to help the starving, you’re right.

Two million Palestinians–half of them children–are living without access to sufficient medical care. The IRC deployed 11 emergency medical teams over the past year, and with partners, we are supporting emergency medical care in the few partially-operational hospitals still remaining. We are providing medicine and supplies.

Food and Water
Two million Palestinians are living without access to sufficient food and water. The IRC is directly providing 100,000 liters of clean drinking water and malnutrition support (through ready-to-use therapeutic food, a nutrient-rich paste for malnourished children) in Gaza.

Protection for Women and Children
In both Gaza and the West Bank, the IRC is providing protection services for women and children–reaching those in temporary shelters in Gaza, and serving communities in the West Bank. In both Gaza and the West Bank, the IRC is also providing early childhood development activities.

Ceasefire
The IRC continues to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, one that seeks to fully protect Palestinian lives, secure the release of hostages and safely scale up humanitarian assistance and service delivery.

There is no place safe in Gaza for Palestinians. Nearly 1 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering across hundreds of emergency shelters or in the surrounding areas further exacerbating the conditions in what was already one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Your support at this critical time helps families in crisis in Gaza and across the world. Donate now.

International Rescue Committee

That’s what Saint Odilo would do.