Thank you! Let me know how it’s received.
P.S. For dealing with MAGA family members, I’d highly recommend reading this article and even more highly recommend the book How to Win Friends and Influence People. It’s one of the best primers on dealing with people ever written, and you’ll find ways to apply it every single day.
> why supporting him might indicate at least some rational thought progression beyond the fact that I just really like him (and Chasten)
That's a really responsible and noble way to try to go about things... but in the end, it's kinda futile.
99.99+% of the population will not take every single plan from every single candidate and quantitatively evaluate how it will affect the things they care about. Unless you're doing that, it's hard to say your choice is an objective one. And, honestly, it's an impractical and ineffective way of doing things.
There's also the increasingly popular theory in political psychology that people decide on a candidate based on a few key (often subjective) aspects, and retroactively fine-tune their political beliefs to justify that candidate's objective ideas. Here's a good starting point on the topic.
Everyone should also check out Pete's campaign manager's father's book on modern politics, Statecraft and Stagecraft.
In the end, what we want from a leader is to believe that they have our best interests at heart. We can be understanding of failures or setbacks, even changes of heart - so long as we are certain of that candidate's core intention to do right by us.
Pete is speaking today at this event near the end
The United for Infrastructure 2021 Kickoff Event May 10, 2021 from 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
> Keynote Conversation: Administration Leadership and The Transportation Agenda The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
>Moderator: Brendan Bechtel, Chairman and CEO, Bechtel Group, and Chair, Business Roundtable Infrastructure Committee
> Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8416165466749/WN_tgat3JxkTrmbdglh-ipsWg
https://unitedforinfrastructure.org/event/leadwithinfrastructure/
Just a reminder that buying u/strugglingbasicgirl a coffee is an easy way to thank her for everything she does here for us. These recordings are a godsend!
>Unless the work he did at McKinsey is utterly vile, it would be strategically wise to break his nondisclosure agreement and dare McKinsey to censure its most public alumnus.
>
>What’s the worst that could happen? McKinsey’s PR team could release a statement expressing deep disappointment, or declare that it is considering legal action, or even announce immediately that it is suing for a nondisclosure violation. Buttigieg should welcome the showdown.
>
>By casting himself in a theatrical confrontation against McKinsey at a low point in the company’s reputation—the Times reported this week that the company helped Donald Trump’s administration carry out its immigration policy— Buttigieg would be angling for a classic role: the plutocratic traitor. Openly confronting McKinsey while calling for moderate economic solutions on the stump would let Buttigieg have it both ways: He would be a capitalist moderate who’s also in defiance of one of America’s most occultly elite firms.
This is from the Atlantic. Setting an example of breaking valid legal documents, even if it's politically wise, is NOT the kind of moral leadership Pete wants to instill.
>Psychologists have analyzed the relationship between a Type A personality, an adolescence in the closet, and a need for perfection. Taking their cue from Andrew Tobias’ bestselling memoir, they have developed a theory of the “the Best Boy in the World,” which essentially means that in order to deflect attention away from their closeted sexuality, some gay men have overcompensated in their career or in other arenas that award success. Growing up in the Midwest, Buttigieg has explained, made him think that he had to choose between being an elected politician or an out gay person. Unfortunately, unlike me, he never got to meet a summer house full of gay men who didn’t view their gay identity in opposition with their commitment to politics and public life.
>
>Critics of Mayor Pete’s demeanor don’t recognize that his persona reflects the consequence of living in the closet, or “packing away his feelings,” as he put it to The Daily. Despite eventually coming out, getting married, and being the first openly gay man on the Democratic presidential primary stage, the coping mechanisms that he developed from being in the closet did not immediately vanish. When people criticize him for being calculated or robotic, I see the familiar traits of a gay man who had desperately tried to live in both worlds.
I am surprised they didn't mention that Mike's father is a scholar of the American presidency and has a new book about recent presidents: https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Burden-American-Presidency-Trump/dp/0268106738/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=schmuhl+robert&qid=1577112126&s=books&sr=1-2
Here’s the link to the lovely webinar with the author and illustrator of the children’s book Mayor Pete. Fingers crossed the link works.
I think I’m gonna go with the “propose with a prop ring and then select the real one together” strategy. Should I get her a Ring Pop for the joke or should I propose with a fake/cheap ring but at least looks like a real one?
>But, is it sexy? Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg on infrastructure, Biden agenda and more:
https://twitter.com/juliemason/status/1418211769219158016?s=21
>Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins Julie Mason to discuss the ongoing debate over a bipartisan infrastructure deal, his wide-ranging travels as Secretary, and the future of transportation under the Biden administration and beyond.
Click on link for interview and that last question and answer. 👀
For those who understand German: I just listened to last week’s episode of the German podcast „Amerika übersetzt“. At the end they talked about Pete (starting at about 25:35).
A note about the author's bias: David Faris is the author of It's Time to Fight Dirty, which is all about how he believes the only way for Democrats to gain more power is to play the same partisan hardball that Republicans do. He couches it in the language of democratic reform, but where Pete's values revolve around deradicalization, Faris seems to lean into radicalization. Fundamentally, I think the difference between them is that Faris takes a short-term view, advocating moves like splitting California into several states and a partisan packing of the court, while Pete takes a long-term view. What he proposes might let us win a battle for the next four years, but it does nothing to talk the country off the ledge that we've climbed up on. Pete's been very upfront that most of his ideas about democratic reform aren't actionable within the span of a single presidency, but must be the culmination of long pushes of advocacy that possibly end in constitutional amendments.
Quick fixes versus lasting solutions. Which do you prefer?
At 3:30 you can join a NH Organizing Event with Pete. Register here for the link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TuoMDCUISsCwh-kd2AuznQ
Something tells me they're the kind of couple who would have a decorative spoon rack in their home.
I'm sure you have a method for these upcoming things, but I just heard about these 2 to add to your inventory of upcoming appearances. Both are free.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3315996796900/WN_uT2sKHsNTmCiYnDOxH4-VA
Southern Illinois University, Sept 24th. Noon CT
https://tufts.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4xoWhjGBQOuuQekHQIg5wA
Tufts University, Sept 16th, 5:30 ET
I agree that SPD clipless pedals wouldn't be appropriate, but he could still use toe clips (they even make them without straps these days). To me it's just so much more work to ride without anything holding your feet onto the pedal at all, but if he's just a casual rider I guess it's NBD.
❤️Someone was looking for the Pete book on Amazon. While looking for them I found this. As well
https://www.amazon.com/Pete-President-Buttigieg-Coloring-Book/dp/1642935395/ref=mp_s_a_1_5
Here’s the link to that book requested
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B086S4WCF1/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
Missed the live video? Thank goodness for u/strugglingbasicgirl
Buy our queen a coffee to ensure we can keep up w Pete events together!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/strugglingbgirl
(Don’t forget to tip your host WTE + any of Pete’s guests on ur way out using actblue)
There’s one called Boots on the Groundabout the volunteers. I haven’t read it yet but I heard it was good. Chasten’s book talks about the campaign as well.
Hmmm. My post won't be popular and I will be downvoted but I don't think there is any better and safe place to share my opinion than this community.
I have read Chasten's memoir and it was very underwhelming. I know Chasten is not a seasoned author or has a degree in writing or something but I at least thought he would tell his story in a compelling way. All I found was him explaining his life story in a generic conversational tone and there was little that he didn't he say before on the campaign trail except for a very few genuinely funny and romantic anecdotes. It felt like it's written for the members of team Pete who'd ask them about how's buddy doing or when'd you have babies. He is just a 30 years old who has had a fairytale life in the last couple of years having married to Pete but other than that I am not sure if his experiences were really bookworthy. I was confused what Chasten meant when he said that LGBT people would find his story relatable or powerful . As a gay person of color how am I supposed to relate to someone getting marriied to presidential contender and living a fairytale life ? From which part of Chasten's story should I or any LGBT kid draw inspiration ? That's why I hoped at least his storytelling would be fascinating but it's just him speaking.
I love Pete to death and campaigned for him while taking off from the office and i can't help but wonder Chasten receiving such a huge platform to sell his book led by massive promotions across various media channels is a textbook example of nepotism. Especially when I see a brilliant and very inspiring LGBT book like "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" getting no promotion.
Does anyone have that link to a collection of podcast appearances Pete's done? I remember it was posted a few weeks ago alongside this link: https://airtable.com/shrT10Xb0P8yBUceC/tblxqNjhLCDc0YS8u
I really like this sci-fi series: The Spiral Wars, by Joel Shephard. Lots of different civilizations, fights and - very rare - no artificial gravity and glossing over problems with accelation.
Go on Amazon, type in Pete Buttigieg, any shirt that is Prime eligible also would come with 1 day shipping- this one has free 1 day for example: https://www.amazon.com/Pete-Buttigieg-Fresh-Start-2020/dp/B07PLLPDL8/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=pete+buttigieg&qid=1561475276&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1
But know that the proceeds likely won't go to to the campaign
I don't believe Pete was involved in the discussion, but here's the link - hat tip to u/Librarylady2020: https://zoom.us/rec/play/6MAscL38qWo3G4fH5ASDC_B_W9XsK_-shiQWr6AKmUezU3MCYFWibrYUNreXjNBdolxUSKlDqu4ihZ6-?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=iq1VeF6WR7Sj6iN9m2Krcg.1595979949749.f5fdfdb4937915a708e04233751cdad4&_x_zm_rhtaid=361
Edit: Wait this doesn't actually have Pete in it, sorry!
I wrote this yesterday, as part of a reply on another forum, and figured it fits in here perfectly:
>If we want to stop the Republicans from having power, we have to start winning back over some of their voters. It doesn't mean Democrats have to be more like them, just more empathetic. We have to understand that improvements on aggregate look good on a report, but the folks who are standing in the unemployment line because you've shut down their fracking job can't use that report to feed their families. You give people the choice to move to a single-payer-system and let them experience for themselves how much better it is; forcing it upon those who don't want it will just make them resent you.
>
>You can truly have the most noble intentions in mind for the future of this country, but if you don't express a willingness to see where those who disagree with you are coming from, they'll never give you the chance.
...and it can start with something as simple as a few slices of pizza.
Here are some of the stuff I was concerned about that weren't statistics:
>During every conversation with a black South Bend police officer, I asked one specific question: “What did Pete Buttigieg tell you about this issue?”
>
>Not a single officer remembered him addressing the issue of racism in his police force.
>The 10 men who signed these letters represented almost half of South Bend’s black officers and many of the veteran or high-ranking black South Bend cops. Newer black officers who were not yet eligible for promotions and those who hadn’t been on the force long enough to know the history of the department were not approached. One veteran officer who had been on the force told us he would have also signed but he was not available.
>
>They did not get a response.
>
>One month after the officers sounded the racism alarm to every imaginable agency or individual with the authority to address the problem, they sent another email to South Bend’s deputy mayor asking about the lack of response by the mayor’s office.
>
>Nothing.
​
>When The Root asked Buttigieg if he was aware black officers had raised issues of racism and discrimination, his campaign would only say that Buttigieg was aware “that some officers had filed complaints with the EEOC, and those were ultimately dismissed.” They also claimed they couldn’t respond because “doing so in the middle of a legal process would’ve been inappropriate.”
Three points:
> Chaffetz tweeted about it, noting the existence of the letter and stating (incorrectly, it turned out2) that the case into Clinton’s private email server had been “reopened.”
So yes Comey handed Trump the election.
Feb. 26 Textbanker training: here is the link and number for the training TONIGHT at 8PM EST:
https://zoom.us/j/878548331?pwd=Tmp3SFNualQ0UldQZE5Rd1J3ck9NZz09
Meeting ID: 878 548 331 Password: TEXT
One tap mobile +16465588656,,878548331# US (New York) +16699009128,,878548331# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 878 548 331 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAQblUPuU
On Amazon video, you can subscribe to the Showtime channel with a free 7 day trial. As long as you cancel before 7 days, it won't be charged. I signed up yesterday. The new episode isn't up yet but hopefully will be tonight.
​
https://www.amazon.com/Desus-Mero-SERIES-PREMIERE-BALLBAGS/dp/B07NZ267T1/
I have only the Quintin Hoare edition but I was thinking of ponying up for his dad's translations. Link here. (Amazon, sorry)
>The Right to Heresy: Castellio against Calvin
Looks like it is https://www.amazon.com/Right-Heresy-Castellio-Against-Calvin-ebook/dp/B0164IQBV8
Thank you for the recommendation. As an Atheist this is completely out of the left field for me, but just bought the kindle version and will start tonight. Looks like something to broaden my horizons with.
​
And yes, Puritanism has had very much a larger than life influence on the American psyche. Mayor Pete even talks about it in his Shortest Way Home.
Looks like nice weather with no lake snow in the forecast, but still, dress warmly:
lol, for expressing an unfavorable political opinion?
Probably the biggest issue I have with political parties is that you can't even question why they exist at all.
Incorrect. Hamilton was the Federalist. Although George Washington agreed with Hamilton on a lot of issues, he didn't agree on political parties.
Read The Idea of a Party System: The Rise of Legitimate Opposition in the United States. I think you might find the party system we ended up with was hardly inevitable and decades upon decades to get the kind of power they have now.
>>CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH - DAY 2
>>Stand strong. Be loud. Be proud. This unique graphic novel is a tribute to #Pride2022 icons @PeteButtigieg @andersoncooper @TomDaley1994 @freddie_mercury and @ryan_f_murphy.
https://www.amazon.com/Fame-Buttigieg-Anderson-Freddie-Mercury/dp/1955712859/ref=sr_1_2
https://twitter.com/tidalwaveprod/status/1532358495806410754?s=21
hey it turns out that the young readers version of IHSTTY is coming in april, 2023. If I remember correctly, it was first changed to december but i guess they changed it again. https://www.amazon.com/Have-Something-Tell-You-Young-Readers-ebook/dp/B09JPGF7K4
Agree completely. Something that can show how vital he is, especially compared to the rest of the pack. https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/pete-buttigieg-campaigns-in-des-moines-iowa-usa-03-feb-2020-10547121d
I also really recommend listening to his interview on Ezra Klein’s podcast. Your preferred app or here (in browser, plays in background.)
The addition of Preet Bharara to the conversation means this will be fascinating. For those who haven't heard it, Preet's interview with Mayor Pete on the Stay Tuned podcast is a deep dive into his political philosophy and one of the most substantive conversations I've heard from him. After the Pod Save America episode, this is what got me really on board.
https://player.fm/series/series-2249929/nadlers-requests-the-youngest-contender-with-pete-buttigieg
Ideally, this interview would just be more of that conversation, but I guess Maher can be there too and add a question once every 10 minutes.
That's awesome! Probs missed it, cuz I have way too many things happening on Slack right now. 😬 We have a Pinterest team channel, so if you find anyone interested in Pinterest, send them our way. 😃 We've been active for a few weeks, but ramping things up a lot next week.
I think I saw a few people talking about the website that Pete mentioned in the podcast (thispersondoesnotexist.com), here's another website that I found really fun to explore today. I don't know anything about this topic or how this works, but essentially all the photos here are either computer generated (and from the website Pete mentioned) or photos of real people. The goal is to identify the real faces. There are also a whole bunch of tips to help you out.
I spent my lunch hour looking at this, so I guess, thank you Pete?
I haven’t listened to Pete speak in long form in a while and just turned on the angry Americans podcast - I struggle to think of anything that is more satisfying than listening to Pete effortlessly glide through sophisticated questions about policy.
Starts at 26 minutes in
Have you heard Pete's interview with The Daily podcast? It would probably confirm your priors, but you might still like it. He is asked directly about his ambition and whether its relevant.
Listen to this episode of fivethirtyeight politics podcast
They discuss the polling data on this. Medicare for all is not all that popular with the american public. It really comes down to how the question is asked, and if it involves people having to give up their private insurance it is significantly less popular. A Pete style plan has something like 70% support however.
Excited to watch Pete get all nerdy about Joyce and read part of Ulysses!
> Amongst the Joyceans joining us to celebrate Bloomsday & Yeats Day tomorrow is @PeteButtigieg. Join us at 1500 EST / 2000 Irish Standard Time to learn how Ulysses influenced his worldview & to hear him read from “Ithaca”. To “bloom by zoom” register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LuoX5SZMQIONsZYdVERV4g
https://twitter.com/irelandembusa/status/1271051441201971200?s=21
Daily reminder that PA is looking for more registered PA Dems to assist with our ballot signature drive (which starts on Tuesday). If you can attend PFA's virtual training tomorrow (Sunday) at 5pm, then fill out this form. If you can't- then send me a DM to connect with your local volunteer lead and to learn more about the process and its persnickety details. Don't be dismayed by the # of signatures per day the form requests- we're happy to have any and all help!
I created a form using Crowdsignal (its basic version is free) in order to try and get collect emails of those who are interested so that I could invite them to a meet up or event. Once you have enough people who are willing to meet up somewhere, the actual meeting can be anything I think. I'm not the best person to give advice on this obviously, but that's just what I'm going to try to do if I get responses from some more people.
That's actually a good idea to make a Twitter account as well. I think I'll try that - thanks.
I was initially so angry with that article. I could imagine 1000 reasons why this was unfair and I fought with many "haters" on that day.
But Pete's response made me think everything again. He showed me that it's time to listen, feel uncomfortable (as Michael Harriot said) for our views and our believes and start a difficult but productive dialogue. Doesn't matter so much if the article was unfair or not. What matters is that can be a start for a new era of dealing with differences in politics.
I'm all for it ... if it works ... and because it's 100% true.
But more importantly ... I wish the media called it out more, especially with the recent focus on Bernie and his campaign's divisively calling (dog whistling) Biden corrupt and Bernie walking it back.
I'm glad the Washington Post called out the bullshit of Our Revolution organizing the South Bend protest.
They should call on Bernie to walk back all the other shit like this they are continuing to do and prove Hillary wrong about how he'll conduct his campaign going forward.
I know some in this sub have asked to tamp down on the criticisms against Bernie but he really needs to be pushed on this. It's ridiculous that he hasn't gotten the scrutiny and pushback given the extent of their divisive tactics.
At some point, you have to say Yo stopping trying to kick me in the balls with your dark money. That's fucked up.
Here is some info on Slack. You can get started by getting an account first. To join, I believe someone has to send you a link and I'm not sure how to do that (yet). Slack: This is how we will communicate new campaigns and answer any questions along the way. (https://slack.com/help/articles/218080037-Getting-started-for-new-members)
I also remember really liking Katy and the Big Snow. Bonus: it ties into Pete's background in local government lol.
One of my favorite picture books as a child was Big City Port, and if someone has not bought this for the Buttigieg family yet, they really should. Babies' first supply chain management lesson.
Reminder: the ebook version of Chasten's memoir is on sale for $5 today only!
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown https://www.amazon.com/Im-Still-Here-Dignity-Whiteness/dp/1524760854(credit to @AnnArborforPete for finding it)
Interesting - the doctors offices in my area (NJ) haven't said a word about the cloth/fashion masks and don't turn you away if you're wearing one.
When you say "standard" masks, do you mean the blue ones? (first link that came up for the blue, I don't necessarily mean to purchase from there)
>Looking forward to reading @JoeNBC's new book that looks at the lessons we can learn from Harry Truman's leadership and getting results during times of turmoil.https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062950495/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_KyUUFb6YSXW9X
https://twitter.com/PeteButtigieg/status/1331616942873059331?s=20
We just had a discussion about whether Pete is too "cute" and/or serious enough. But I have a great idea to raise money for the campaign. Pete and Chasten bed sheets, towels, etc. Everyone else seems to be making money off of Pete. (I just looked at some campaign buttons on Amazon.) Seems like the money should be going to the campaign.
OK, so I'm kidding..... (mostly).
A couple of pieces of book news:
This book really stuck with me. https://www.amazon.com/Obama-Love-Joy-Anger-Hope/dp/0525509399/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=laskas&qid=1592679254&sr=8-2
Description from amazon: Every evening for eight years, at his request, President Obama was given ten handpicked letters written by ordinary American citizens—the unfiltered voice of a nation—from his Office of Presidential Correspondence. He was the first president to interact daily with constituent mail and to archive it in its entirety. The letters affected not only the president and his policies but also the deeply committed people who were tasked with opening and reading the millions of pleas, rants, thank-yous, and apologies that landed in the White House mailroom.
In To Obama, Jeanne Marie Laskas interviews President Obama, the letter writers themselves, and the White House staff who sifted through the powerful, moving, and incredibly intimate narrative of America during the Obama years: There is Kelli, who saw her grandfathers finally marry—legally—after thirty-five years together; Bill, a lifelong Republican whose attitude toward immigration reform was transformed when he met a boy escaping MS-13 gang leaders in El Salvador; Heba, a Syrian refugee who wants to forget the day the tanks rolled into her village; Marjorie, who grappled with disturbing feelings of racial bias lurking within her during the George Zimmerman trial; and Vicki, whose family was torn apart by those who voted for Trump and those who did not.
They wrote to Obama out of gratitude and desperation, in their darkest times of need, in search of connection. They wrote with anger, fear, and respect. And together, this chorus of voices achieves a kind of beautiful harmony. To Obama is an intimate look at one man’s relationship to the American people, and at a time when empathy intersected with politics in the White House.
Deep into my bidet shopping, I have to say I've never laughed so hard reading customer reviews of products on Amazon. Here is an example:
>My life will never be the same.
It HAS 6 settings, but anything above 4 would be a death wish.
Use 4+ only if you want to simulate being molested by Neptune himself.
3 felt like a zealous lover hastily exploring your secrets.
1-2 are tender but effective.
If you have doubts, there are many affordable options to try out. Fresh clean butti for all who wants it. #Bidet2020
I don't see many/any gay-related books so I would highly recommend the play script for The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez, which Pete and Chasten saw on Sunday. It's a deeply moving, life-changing story about gay contemporary life and what gay men (most of the characters are in their 30's) owe to their predecessors and how people need to be better at caring for others.
Quotes about the play from the Amazon page: "Matthew Lopez's rhapsodic deep dive into the ties that bind the gay community to its past asks how to love, how to live and how to do those well, despite a legacy of damage. It's captivating." and "An emotional powerhouse. A ravishing theatrical work that urges generations to connect and love. Gripping from first scene to last."
https://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Matthew-Lopez/dp/0571362265/
I'm dying to know what Pete and Chasten thought of the show. If anyone finds comments on social media via people who spoke to either of them during/after the marathon performance, please post links!
I put it on my Amazon wish list early last year or late 2018 and my sister bought it for me. Funny thing is, this is the closest thing I can find on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QTD2DX7/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Wv5sEbF2X0HD2
Your discussion of Nazi Germany is accurate, but the crushing economic situation after World War I is but one factor which led to the Holocaust. I recommend Hitler's Willing Executions: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust.
I don't think you meant to say that regular folks only turn to murder because they feel economically oppressed. American Southerners mounted a campaign of terror and murder post-Reconstruction, which again roped in ordinary people to kill based on ideology.
A country with 3.5% unemployment is not attracted to fascism for primarily economic reasons. The economy was a mess in 2008 - people didn't go all Blood and Soil, because the Party in charge was promoting hope, not fear of the other.
Those struggling the hardest pay the least attention to politics in America. The economy is good. Trump's followers are not destitute. We have to grapple with the fact that economics is not the motivating factor for people voting for Republicans and fascism.