Kamala Means Lotus

In Greek mythology, a lotus is a legendary plant whose fruit induces a dreamy forgetfulness and a sort of indolent stupor reminiscent of paralytic intoxication.

That sense of intoxication is what many Democrats are feeling today, as they know that another “lotus” has become the party’s presumptive vice-presidential nominee. You see, “Kamala” means “lotus” in Sanskrit.

Perhaps she was the obvious choice in this most-unusual election year’s “veep stakes.” I mean, the junior senator from my home state of California checks off nearly all of the boxes required to garner widespread support among Democrat loyalists.

Kamala Devi Harris is…

• An experienced politico
• A graduate of historically Black Howard University
• Proud of her prosecution of business, particularly the “Big Banks”
• “The best-looking attorney general,” according to President Obama
• A bold and vocal critic of President Trump and other administration officials
• A woman
• A woman of color

Oh, did I mention that Sen. Harris is a woman and a woman of color?

Indeed, in the identity-politics matrix of the Democratic Party, this lotus is an intoxicating mix of all things “good.”

Of course, she isn’t immune to criticism from her own, and particularly from progressives. In fact, some in the far extremes of the progressive movement have called her a “phony progressive” and have criticized Joe Biden for selecting a “top cop” like Harris in the midst of the current protests against what they call “excessive policing.”

Perhaps the greatest take-down of this sort involving Harris was delivered by the most-interesting Democrat to seek the nomination last year, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. During a debate in July 2019, Gabbard criticized Harris’ aggressive record as a “drug warrior” and essentially called her a hypocrite.

Of Harris, Gabbard said she “put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana.”

Gabbard went on to express her deep concerns about Harris’ prosecutorial record, saying, “There are too many examples to cite, but…she blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California. And she fought to keep the cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way.”

Ouch!

Yet despite the critics on her own team, there is no doubt in my mind that progressives, mainstream Democrats and conservative Democrats (if there’s still such a thing) will coalesce in support of “the Lotus.”

Why? Because the Lotus offers up the promise of the one thing all Democrats, as well as nearly 60% of the American public (if the polls are correct), want to see happen in November — and that is the ousting of the current occupant of the White House.

Oh, and one more interesting thing of note here about The Lotus, she does seem to have been aptly named.

You see, the lotus flower has an interesting life cycle. Its roots are based in mud. And in the marsh lands of its native India and Vietnam, the lotus is submerged each night into the murky rivers it calls home. In the morning, the lotus blooms again without a hint of muddy residue on its petals.

It seems like a fitting metaphor for a life cycle spent in the Washington swamp.

*******************************************************************

Protect Yourself in Style

Okay, so we all have to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

That’s just good science, and I am a big fan of good science. But I also like to look good while promoting good science. That’s why I’ve decided to make my own masks, and to make those available to you with my new Way of the Renaissance Man masks.

Protect yourself and those you care about in style with these handmade, 100% polyester masks that come with a sleeve to insert a greater level of protection with an N95 filter insert (not included).

Combat coronavirus in style, and always have a clean one handy by getting two or more now! The masks retail for $19.99 each, but today I’ve discounted the price to $14.99.

And as a special bonus offer for The Deep Woods readers, take another 20% off your order when you buy two or more.

Simply use the promo code: DEEPWOODS20 to get your special subscriber pricing.

Hey, protect yourself and look good doing it. Now, what could be cooler than that?

******************************************************************
St. Augustine at Night

Well, I never put off ’til tomorrow

The things I shoulda done today

No, I’ve always waited

Way longer than that…

–Dawes, “St. Augustine at Night”

The new album from indie folk-rock band Dawes is a gem of beautiful melodies sung to melancholy yet intricate and emotion-evoking lyrics. In the song “St. Augustine at Night,” the protagonist reveals his tendency to procrastinate way too much, a tendency that most of us face from time to time.

Of course, I am not endorsing this tendency, as it’s not conducive to achieving one’s objectives. Rather, by recognizing a nagging flaw that plagues most of us, myself included, I am better positioned to identify and conquer it. Hey, it’s just a fact that we all have flaws we need to overcome and admitting those flaws is the first step in fixing them.

Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.

In the name of the best within us,

Jim Woods