Emily Skyrm

writer and mom in Brooklyn. #mfapoetry @naropa. published in @huffpost @fortunemagazine @redbookmag #memoir #amquirying

[Emily Skyrm @emilywrites2]

I am so excited to share my essay about growing up #dyslexic - out today @The_Rumpus. https://t.co/vbLwjJCcQy

[Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 @NickKnudsenUS]

I have a confession and a plea to folks who are flirting with voting Jill Stein.

When I was a 20 year old college student in 2000, I voted for Ralph Nader instead of Al Gore. I loved the progressive message Nader offered, and Bush and Gore seemed kinda the same to someone who was paying peripheral attention.

I've regretted that vote for my entire adult life.

Ultimately, George Bush won by a margin of 500+ votes in the state of Florida over Gore. And that was the ballgame. Ralph Nader peeled 97,000+ votes away from Gore. If only 600 of those 90,000 had voted for the major party candidate that more aligned with their values, things would have been very different.

When I was in my senior year of college, 9/11 happened. The country and western world rallied around Bush's resolute response to the traumatizing terror attacks. I was in NY at the time, and it was a terrifying moment for the nation.

But the consequences of Bush being in office at that moment were immense.

Bush's disdain for his dad's nemesis, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, led him to invent a rationale to invade a country that literally had nothing to do with 9/11. End result? He killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people, thousands of American troops, and spent over a trillion dollars of taxpayer money in the process.

Beyond the completely immoral and indefensible Iraq War, Bush was a complete disaster as a president. His "No Child Left Behind" effort turned public schools into standardized testing centers. He tripled down on fossil fuels and ignored climate change. His tax cuts for the rich helped contribute to the 2008 economic downturn that led to the Great Recession.

He was a terrible president.

In an alternate reality, Al Gore would have been president in 2001 when terrorists attacked America. Would he have gone into Iraq? Absolutely not. Would he have ignored global warming? 100% no! Gore was perhaps the preeminent proponent of fighting climate change at that time. Would he have passed massive tax cuts for the wealthy? No way.

This is a sliding doors scenario. What would have happened? We can't be sure. But one thing is for sure: those votes for Ralph Nader (in Florida in particular) were EXCEPTIONALLY consequential for the lives of millions around the world. Gore would have offered a more forward-facing, environmentally conscious & peaceful presidency that wasn't so rooted in grievance and privilege.

My point is:

Either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will win the election. That is a fact. You might feel the need to submit a "protest vote" as I did in 2000.

Just be ready to wear it when Donald Trump wins, strips away reproductive rights from all Americans, implements an economy-destroying tariff, dismantles the entire federal government, eliminates the Department of Education, prosecutes his perceived enemies, and devolves America into chaos.

There are no perfect choices. But rest assured, there are only two.

Trust me - I've been wearing my vote for a quarter century.

[Victor Shi @Victorshi2020]

Wow. This new Kamala Harris ad narrated by Viola Davis is one of the most powerful things I’ve watched. It tells the story, experience, & vision of Kamala Harris & why she is ready for this. It’s a masterpiece & it sent chills down my body. Watch & share.

[Chris D. Jackson @ChrisDJackson]

Can we just acknowledge that this lady has ran one of the most flawless campaigns in the history of presidential politics? 🤷

Well done, @VP @KamalaHarris.

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

🚨NEW: Liz Cheney publicly calls on George W. Bush to endorse Kamala Harris for President.

RETWEET if you agree!

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

🚨NEW: Donald Trump makes a veiled threat towards Michelle Obama stating that if he’s elected, “I think we're gonna start having a little fun with Michelle.”

RETWEET if you stand with Michelle Obama against Trump’s hateful attacks!

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

It’s time, President Bush. Your father was a champion for Puerto Rico statehood and viewed as a hero by the Puerto Rican people. Please stand up for them now.

RETWEET if you think George Bush should endorse Kamala Harris!

[Emily Skyrm @emilywrites2]

@mouse_math @InsightTweeting This media? https://t.co/sr106cT3BQ

[Jason Kint @jason_kint]

NYT tweeted this to its 55 million followers and it has under 500 retweets - presumably suppressed due to the link out. “John Kelly, Donald Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, said Trump met the definition of a fascist and would try to govern like a dictator if elected”

[Bill Madden @maddenifico]

Cubans for Kamala Harris. Let's fucking go‼🙌🙏💪👏👊🌊🇺🇸

[Adam Parkhomenko @AdamParkhomenko]

Let’s get 500 retweets on this as soon as possible to humiliate Donald Trump. The greatest political ad ever made.

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

It’s time, President Bush.

RETWEET if you think George W. Bush should endorse Kamala Harris for President!

[Ryan Hamilton @TheRyanHamilton]

My wife was denied life saving abortion care, multiple times by multiple doctors & hospitals. She bled for 4 days until I found her unconscious, & barely alive.
Our wives & daughters are counting on us!
26 days. VOTE. 💔💙 #RoeVember2024 #RoeTheVote

[Democratic Wins Media @DemocraticWins]

BREAKING: In a stunning clip, Kamala Harris’ campaign has put together a montage of all the Republicans who have fact checked Donald Trump on his lies surrounding FEMA funding. Retweet to make sure all Americans see Republicans holding Trump accountable.

[Headquarters @HQNewsNow]

Gov. DeSantis: Everything we have asked for from President Biden for disaster relief he has approved

[Democratic Wins Media @DemocraticWins]

BREAKING: Republican Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, just personally fact checked Donald Trump’s claims that FEMA aid was not getting to residents. Retweet to make sure all Americans see this incredible praise of the Biden-Harris Administration

[Adam Parkhomenko @AdamParkhomenko]

Can we get 500 retweets on this video of Kamala Harris humiliating Donald Trump on Call Her Daddy

[Emily Skyrm @emilywrites2]

@Ceilidhann The Swan

[John Reinan @johnnyasheville]

Asheville resident here to say that all the government agencies are here and hard at work. FEMA, state, counties, cities, all very visible and vigorous. Don’t listen to right wing bullshit.

[maybe: k*rk @a_dose_of_wx]

Content Warning

Horrific and all too common reality out of Asheville, NC yesterday. Families making it to roof tops only to be swept away with structures collapsing in unsurvivable current, sending out last photos before the building failed. I don’t think we’ve seen the the worst areas with the cell phone coverage non existent #ncwx

[maybe: larky 🌿 @ofthemisery]

THE ACCURACY