Which Side of History?

In what may well prove to be the best political speech of this campaign, Michelle Obama fired up a huge crowd in Michigan yesterday. 

She is trying to close the deal for Kamala Harris by focussing on those who are still undecided or thinking of sitting this election out. If you know somebody like that you might consider forwarding them this speech.

***

Today is my youngest child’s birthday. A few years ago, Julia visited me when I was in the hospital recovering from a stroke. I explained to her that I was just grateful to be alive, which indeed was a blessing, and in the spirit of the moment, I added that when I got well enough to leave the hospital I would dedicate the rest of my life to trying to make this a better society in any way I could. I told her that all of my adult life I have felt a deep anger about the social injustices I’ve seen around me.

She nodded, and we moved on to other topics, including her classes, her art and her plan to join AmeriCorps after college. A little while later, as visiting hours at the hospital ended, she leaned over to hug me, said good-by and left my room. But then, after a few more moments, she came back in to my bedside to comment on what I’d said.

“That’s the first time you’ve ever explained your inner anger about injustice,” she told me. “So now I know how I got mine. Thank you, Dad.”

HEADLINES:

(Thanks to the many friends, including Rocky, Leslie and John, who alerted me to relevant articles for my “Headlines” section this week. All tips — and comments — are welcome.)

• Why Polls Won’t Tell You Who Is Favored to Win the Election and Why That’s Good for Kamala Harris (Splinter)

• Polls are tied, voters dig in and Harris, Trump scratch for any advantage (WP)

• Kamala Harris has demonstrated care, competence and respect for the Constitution — the fundamental qualities necessary for high office. (NYT)

• Harris attacks Trump at abortion rights rally in deep-red Texas (WP)

• Harris says US faces a ‘health care crisis’ over abortion. (AP)

• Michelle Obama, Harris and Trump campaign in Michigan (Reuters)

• Michelle Obama urges support for Harris in Michigan rally: "This is somebody who understands you" (CBS)

• The Washington Post is in deep turmoil as Bezos remains silent on non-endorsement (CNN)

• In meandering Joe Rogan interview, Trump says domestic foes are worse than Kim Jong Un (WP)

• The Lies Are Winning (New Yorker)

• Mississippi’s Absentee Ballot Measure Violates Federal Law, Appeals Court Rules (NYT)

• Why You Shouldn’t Buy the Election Narrative About Black Men (Reveal)

• Elon Musk Was Illegal Migrant Worker Who Abused his Student Visa (Daily Beast)

• Trump leaves Michigan rallygoers waiting 3 hours in the cold while he tapes Joe Rogan podcast (LAT)

• Israel strikes Iranian military targets (Reuters)

• Israel strike crippled Iran's missile production, sources say (Axios)

• Budget shortfall threatens UN climate dialogue (Reuters)

• The planet’s largest lake is shrinking fast. Experts fear it may never recover (CNN)

• Putin does not deny U.S. claims about North Korean troops (Reuters)

• Perky ‘Canada’ Has Own Government, Laws (The Onion)