October! We’re just a month away from whatever the heck is going to happen to the democracy that was so precious to us we forgot to protect it. Like planet earth. Like my pandemic plans to learn a new language. We let good ideas languish and then we forget about them.
Well no more!
I’m texting voters in North Carolina. I’m sending money to Katie Porter and Joe Biden. I’m wearing my button whenever I go out. I’m wearing a mask whenever I leave my apartment! I’ve joined Writers Against Trump! I’ve sent money to Sara Gideon, Mark Kelley, Jaime Harrison, Katie Porter, Amy McGrath, Steve Bullock, Theresa Greenfield, M.J. Hegar, John Hickenlooper, Jon Ossoff, and every other Democratic candidate whose opponent has to go.
I’m activated. My exhibits™ are activated. This is the first presidential election since 1988 where I’m not outside leafletting or helping to Get Out the Vote. So I’m shouting into my laptop, my phone, my mask: we have to get rid of him before he gets rid of us.
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Lisa Birnbach and guest, Malcolm Nance
Excuse me. Whoo. I’m riled up by the nightmare we had of a “debate.” I’m calming down – watch me. Gaining composure. Good. Our guest today is none other than Malcolm Nance, the smooth and expert Naval veteran you’ve seen on MSNBC who’s summoned whenever there’s an intelligence breach or a fear of terrorism. He speaks many languages, as one does in counterterrorism. He’s written several books including The Plot to Betray America: How Team Trump Embraced Our Enemies, Compromised Our Security, and How We Can Fix It. If this American experiment fails, he could always be a voice over star. You’ll see what I mean.
But first, the five things that made my life better this week:
1. Holidays online. I thought it would feel lonely watching the Jewish High Holiday services online, but I did feel the community watching the livestream. Every now and then the camera turned to some families at their houses, and with the cameras’ close ups, I was able to see our rabbis and cantors much better than in person. Did you observe holidays or ceremonies online? How did you feel?
2. Being home in New York with a whole closet instead of 10 heavily-rotated pieces, it feels like I have a whole new wardrobe. And even though I’ve been quarantining at home, I do get dressed every day. No sweats for me.
3. Peking Duck. I forgot how much I like this dish. It used to be much easier to find on Chinese restaurant menus. Now, not so much. Found good Peking Duck delivery for my partner’s birthday. Him and me and a bottle of red wine.
4. My mother – she’s 90 and still has her sparkle if not much energy. My exhibits ™ and I think she’s funnier and sharper than she was last year. I miss the person she used to be but I’m grateful for whom she is now.
5. Patriotism. No one group “owns” the flag. Wearing a little enamel flag pin doesn’t mean you are more patriotic than someone who doesn’t. If there is a shred of silver lining within this horrible administration, it is the recognition that the whistleblowers and the people inside government that we never knew about the Alexander Vindmans, the Sally Yates’es, the Fiona Hills, the Marie Yovanoviches, who risked their reputation to serve our country.
Malcolm Nance’s 5 Things:
1. My wife’s grave stone at Washington Crossing national cemetery
2. Radiant heated bathroom floors
3. Shostakovich Jazz Suite waltz number two in Nero Wolfe TV Series,
4. “The bad wolf“ my 1985 Land Rover defender
5. My French Foreign Legion issue Swiss Army knife.
More About Malcolm Nance:
The Plot To Betray America
By Malcolm Nance
Twitter: @MalcolmNance
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance
Instagram: @MalcolmwNance
https://www.instagram.com/malcolmwnance/
Facebook @MalcolmNance
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The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC https://thefieldtv.com
My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.