We’ve been running so many scary posts lately that they’re scaring regular readers and even beginning to scare me. So let me start with the opposite of that now— something on the hopeful side I think. According to a report in The Hill by Alexander Bolton Democratic strategists feel they need female “ghost voters”— young women not showing up in the polling— to help Kamala win. Ro Khanna: “I think we’re going to see a lot of women turn out to vote that have not been counted and may not actually even be registering in the polls. We saw this in 2022. Now, if people say, ‘Well, there’s a Trump undercount,’ I believe women are going to turn out in droves… At the end of the day, I do believe that people are going to be concerned that Donald Trump hasn’t taken any gesture… to say, ‘Look, I’m going to govern from the center. I want to try to bring us together.’… The unexpected surge in young women voting in the 2022 midterm election was a big reason why Democrats kept control of the Senate and didn’t lose as many seats in the House as political handicappers had predicted. That surge in voter turnout was largely driven by the Supreme Court’s bombshell decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the national right to abortion established in 1973 by Roe v. Wade.”
Vote Common Good had their own unique approach— assuring women that no one knows how they vote… including their husbands and fathers and brothers. We’re not, after all, in Saudi Arabia. Last night Doug Pagitt, the director of Vote Common Good, told us “We know many people feel pressure from family or faith to do their bidding in the ballot box. This video is struck a nerve because so many people know how true this experience is. And we’re proud to join Julia Robertson giving Voice to this essential message that we’ve been carrying for the last six years.” Watch this ad:
And… there’s an awesome version for MAGA-men who have seen the light... but aren't quite ready to reveal that to their MAGAty buddies yet! Really. “What happens in the booth, stays in the booth.” I love this ad. Please take a look:
I want to bring up something not directly related. I keep talking about accountability and the lack of it. The J-6 Trump shock troops have largely gotten away with it. The punishments meted out aren’t going to work as deterrents for other would-be insurrectionists. On Friday, thrash metal guitarist Jon Schaffer— founder and now only member of Iced Earth— was sentenced to 3 years probation. What bullshit! (Also 120 hours of community service and $1,200 fine). The other members all quit when he was arrested by the FBI for his role in the attack on Congress. The government says the 3 months he spent in jail was enough, especially because he ratted out other insurrectionists.
Schaffer “was one of the first six people to have breached the Capitol through the doors on the northwest side of the building. Schaffer was spotted wearing a tactical vest and a hat that read ‘Oath Keepers Lifetime Member.’ He was also carrying a can of bear spray. The [FBI] memorandum states that Schaffer's participation was not random and that he had been privy to some of the communications of Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes III about the march on Washington, D.C. to oppose the election results.”
This is Schaffer’s official statement, released Friday:
To my family, friends, and fans worldwide:
I profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021. I haven’t been a perfect man, but for the majority of my life, I’ve been a very productive man, and have tried to live my life with integrity and a disciplined work ethic. I deeply love our country and the founding principles that have inspired people from all over the world to look at the USA as a beacon of hope for all of humanity. Having traveled the world for over 30 years and having performed in approximately 100 countries, it was always a great feeling and relief when the airplane would safely land at home on US soil.
When the global pandemic came upon us, and chaos ensued all around the US in 2020, I was very concerned about what seemed to be a collapse of our country and the rule of law. When the 2020 election took place and I saw many public officials and media outlets reporting that the election was stolen, my concern deepened. This led to my decision to go to D.C. and have my voice heard. I’m not excusing my impulsive behavior. I was wrong, and I take ownership of my actions. I own the fact that I made a huge mistake, and I wish I never would have gone there. In fact, the consequences have been devastating on my life, family, friends, business, colleagues and business partners.
I knew immediately that I had let my emotions get the best of me and made a terrible mistake. I drove home to Indiana the following morning on Thursday, January 7th, 2021. On the 8th I found my attorneys, and at my request they immediately reached out to the authorities. I willingly surrendered and cooperated with authorities. Initially, I was charged with multiple serious federal felony offenses and feared I may spend the rest of my life in prison. I spent several months in custody following my self-surrender. I was placed in solitary confinement with horrendous conditions, which was an extremely traumatic experience. I became the first person of the hundreds of co-defendants to enter a guilty plea, and have now been sentenced to probation.
Until now, I have resisted the strong urge to issue a public statement due to my ongoing cooperation and the wishes of federal authorities. This extended period of silence has added additional challenges to my life as a public person. Since the beginning, I wanted to express my remorse for my actions and address the legitimate concerns of my fans worldwide. I watched as one media outlet after the next dragged my reputation through the mud and condemned me for not making any statement. However, I tried to be as productive as possible in lieu of my very damaged reputation and career.
This whole situation has been extremely difficult. However, I know that I have become a better man because of it. I used to stay so busy that I didn’t have much time for self-reflection. In the last three and a half years that’s mostly what I’ve done. I have become a member of a wonderful church and improved myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. This personal revival has inspired me to continue writing and recording music. I’m certain there will be a very positive outlook in my future artistic creations.
To my fans who have continued to support me throughout this deeply embarrassing ordeal, I want to apologize for letting you down and thank you for keeping me going. To those fans who I have lost due to my decisions that day, I certainly understand. I humbly ask everyone to allow me to demonstrate through my actions how far I’ve come. I wish to continue to use my art to unite people, and never to divide.
Oh, and it looks like the Lincoln Project either thought of the same thing that Vote Common Good did or did their own version. It’s also excellent:
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