I have always since early childhood been fanatically in love with the females in my life. My mother was an exception. I was shocked when at age seven I realized that I couldn’t care less if my mother lived or died. That’s another story. My mother was the town beautician and so there was a constant crowd of women who would visit my home to get their hair done and sit around and talk. I loved sitting in on those conversations. My mother was very extroverted and had a genius for being able to mix it up with women from a wide variety of backgrounds. Her father was a well to do physician so she knew and understood upper middle class sensibilities. But some of her best friends were women from the poorest families. One of my favorite women who often visited was a woman called Betty Bruno. She was the first adult woman I fell in love with. She wore blue jeans, a Pendleton shirt and smoked a pipe. She also drove a pickup truck. It’s fairly obvious now that she was a butch lesbian but at the time all I saw was the amazing beauty of a truly authentic person. North Dakota at the time was a bit like Iran when its president declared there are no homosexuals in Iran. I never once heard anyone talk about homosexuality. Although I am a bit of an extreme heterosexual, I am often accused of being a closet homosexual because of how I freely discuss my personal feelings and many of my physical gestures look effeminate. There has been recent neuroscience research that shows that there is a spectrum of gender specific markers in how the brain works. The kicker is that males can have female brains and vice versa. There are also brains that are equally male and female. I believe my own brain is an example. I have a deeply philosophical belief that relationships are the root of reality, including physical reality. All my life I knew for a fact that women understood relationships better than men. I mean that in a statistical sense. That is why I was inordinately delighted when this research article was recently published . I think women, real authentic women should have the majority of power in setting reality based public policy.
I know Martha and Jerry and glad to see their efforts acknowledged. So Happy you are a man who can give women the credit for the nitty gritty work. HOpe we can kick patriarchy's arse this election.
I will be attending a watch party tonight with six of my women friends. At 80 I will be the youngest attendee. Norma at 93 will be the oldest. Women are going to bring home a victory for Kamala. Yes, we can! 💙💙
As always, thanks Bob. My brother texted me this morning, “Stay calm, we do not have to fear, for there is a God in heaven and He is in control!” I consider myself a Christian, and I truly hope God is in control, today. In the meantime, I’m going to replace the 7 democratic candidate yard signs in my yard with a new one that reads, “F’ around and find out!”
Great writing, as always. Mark my words, people will be studying this election for decades to come, truly historic. Your "on-the-ground" reports, and thoughtful commentary, are invaluable.
One more thought: all the workers at my precinct were women (except one). Women really do make our democracy work. THANK YOU, POLL WORKERS!
That is one of the finest essays I’ve read yet about this moment we all face. Thanks, Bob, for documenting this corner of history. Godspeed, my friend.
A guarded optimism and hope that all of the Republican voters coming off their sofas will not match the zealous democrats who can no longer tolerate hate and darkness. We need a HUGE turnout. As always, well done Bob.
I'm a long way from Marion County, but certainly appreciate the many women who are the backbone of the Democratic Party these days! As aragant as Trump is, he sewed up his demise by his unconcious move to do away with Roe V Wade, and it has been terrible for many, but I think this will put the issue to bed once and for all. Trump and the issue of abortion seem to be tied together in many ways, and being done with both will make it easier to sleep at night.
Same gender breakdown in Story County, rural, small town and Ames. Majority of volunteers are women. But, I am careful to add that plenty of men from all demographics. At some of the postcard writing parties, we would have 18-20 + women and 2 men (I counted)
My name would be among them if I had the energy to be out knocking on doors. I still have two Democrat signs in my yard and will put out a vote today sign before I go a couple of blocks down the street to vote.
I have always since early childhood been fanatically in love with the females in my life. My mother was an exception. I was shocked when at age seven I realized that I couldn’t care less if my mother lived or died. That’s another story. My mother was the town beautician and so there was a constant crowd of women who would visit my home to get their hair done and sit around and talk. I loved sitting in on those conversations. My mother was very extroverted and had a genius for being able to mix it up with women from a wide variety of backgrounds. Her father was a well to do physician so she knew and understood upper middle class sensibilities. But some of her best friends were women from the poorest families. One of my favorite women who often visited was a woman called Betty Bruno. She was the first adult woman I fell in love with. She wore blue jeans, a Pendleton shirt and smoked a pipe. She also drove a pickup truck. It’s fairly obvious now that she was a butch lesbian but at the time all I saw was the amazing beauty of a truly authentic person. North Dakota at the time was a bit like Iran when its president declared there are no homosexuals in Iran. I never once heard anyone talk about homosexuality. Although I am a bit of an extreme heterosexual, I am often accused of being a closet homosexual because of how I freely discuss my personal feelings and many of my physical gestures look effeminate. There has been recent neuroscience research that shows that there is a spectrum of gender specific markers in how the brain works. The kicker is that males can have female brains and vice versa. There are also brains that are equally male and female. I believe my own brain is an example. I have a deeply philosophical belief that relationships are the root of reality, including physical reality. All my life I knew for a fact that women understood relationships better than men. I mean that in a statistical sense. That is why I was inordinately delighted when this research article was recently published . I think women, real authentic women should have the majority of power in setting reality based public policy.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40750-020-00155-z
Sex Differences in Intimacy Levels in Best Friendships and Romantic Partnerships
Eiluned Pearce, Anna Machin & Robin I. M. Dunbar 2020
Thanks for sharing. We have much in common.
I know Martha and Jerry and glad to see their efforts acknowledged. So Happy you are a man who can give women the credit for the nitty gritty work. HOpe we can kick patriarchy's arse this election.
Thanks, Bob. We are hoping for the same in Warren County and across our state. Women rock and so do the men who respect and support us.
Bob--Always love your insights! Bringing hope and joy! Chris Louscher
I will be attending a watch party tonight with six of my women friends. At 80 I will be the youngest attendee. Norma at 93 will be the oldest. Women are going to bring home a victory for Kamala. Yes, we can! 💙💙
Channeling Gus Walz. "That's my mom! That's my mom!"
As always, thanks Bob. My brother texted me this morning, “Stay calm, we do not have to fear, for there is a God in heaven and He is in control!” I consider myself a Christian, and I truly hope God is in control, today. In the meantime, I’m going to replace the 7 democratic candidate yard signs in my yard with a new one that reads, “F’ around and find out!”
Thanks Thomas! I saw that mayor say that on twitter. I thought it was perfect!
Great writing, as always. Mark my words, people will be studying this election for decades to come, truly historic. Your "on-the-ground" reports, and thoughtful commentary, are invaluable.
One more thought: all the workers at my precinct were women (except one). Women really do make our democracy work. THANK YOU, POLL WORKERS!
That is one of the finest essays I’ve read yet about this moment we all face. Thanks, Bob, for documenting this corner of history. Godspeed, my friend.
Thanks Ed--especially since it's from one of the best journalists I know...
A guarded optimism and hope that all of the Republican voters coming off their sofas will not match the zealous democrats who can no longer tolerate hate and darkness. We need a HUGE turnout. As always, well done Bob.
I'm a long way from Marion County, but certainly appreciate the many women who are the backbone of the Democratic Party these days! As aragant as Trump is, he sewed up his demise by his unconcious move to do away with Roe V Wade, and it has been terrible for many, but I think this will put the issue to bed once and for all. Trump and the issue of abortion seem to be tied together in many ways, and being done with both will make it easier to sleep at night.
Thanks to you, Bob, and others who are part of the Iowa Writers Collaborative - leading the way to save democracy.
You are a big part of it too, Jim.
Same gender breakdown in Story County, rural, small town and Ames. Majority of volunteers are women. But, I am careful to add that plenty of men from all demographics. At some of the postcard writing parties, we would have 18-20 + women and 2 men (I counted)
Thanks Bob. Glad to see lots of familiar names on the list! Glad that there's still hope in Iowa...but also glad that I escaped to Minnesota.
Thanks for a nice warm cup of Hope!
Good work Dr. Bob.
My name would be among them if I had the energy to be out knocking on doors. I still have two Democrat signs in my yard and will put out a vote today sign before I go a couple of blocks down the street to vote.