Pete wasn’t there but it was SRO for the Indivisibillions

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The center walkway was filled with folding chairs not long after I took this picture. The room holds 750 people but I suspect it was close to 800 people gathered.

I took notes for something of a news story for the Reader but after two hours I’m in no rush to send it in. Perhaps the pan of the audience. I do have some impressions.

This seemed to follow the Indivisible Meeting I wrote about a month ago at the Unitarian Church. If so, about 500 people came close to doubling a month later.

Billed as Practicing Democracy Congressman Stauber was invited to appear to answer townhall questions. Pete was a no who with his name by his empty seat. Unlike some townhalls in the news called by Republicans Practicing Democracy had a stronger partisan organizational flavor. All of the local elected officials who gave short explanations of the consequences of Trump’s rampage on local institutions were Democrats. This included Rep. Pete Johnson who said the 8th Congressional District was not red but blue.

Pete Stauber’s absence was not a surprise. Someone who had listened to his recent telephone “townhall” reported that Pete said he would never come to an actual townhall meeting.

Post cards were given to everyone to mail in to Pete’s Office. After the pols spoke attendees were invited to speak. A couple people brought tears to my eyes particularly a Chinese-American citizen who reported she had seen Tiananmen Square’s clamp down and came to an America for its Democratic ways which she was now seeing erode before her very eyes.

I filled a pocket notebook with miscellaneous testimonies to the hell people expected to befall family, veterans, schools, trans people. The last testimony from the mother of a trans boy asked why anyone feels they have to be persecuted only much more eloquently than I did just now.

I kept my thoughts to myself when the microphone was passed around but as I put on my campaign material I like Democrats. I don’t blame them for using this as a way to organize themselves because I’m all in on their fight against the treachery and lies of Donald Trump and the cowardice of Pete Stauber.

For those who have witnessed the mindboggling incompetence of Trump and his minions in two months you ain’t seen nothin yet. Wait till a few more months in when people who voted for Trump start losing their jobs and benefits.

About the author

Harry is a ferociously good natured eccentric in Duluth Minnesota who detests traitors dressed up as Uncle Sam. You can find somewhat better edited writings of his at the Duluth Reader "contributors." page. The URL is:

https://duluthreader.com/contributors/h/84/284-harry-welty