Comments: Week of September 23, 2024

1.

"The ­People for Kamala Harris," September 9–22 In a New York cover ­story anticipating the rapidly approaching election, ­Rebecca Traister took stock of the forces behind Kamala Harris's campaign. Reader Leah Nahmias praised the story's "points about the women-led grassroots organ­izing that has fueled (saved) the ­Democratic Party since 2016 and how the media and political elites in DC still don't seem to take it seriously or understand it." The Michigan ­Democratic Party tweeted that "from small-dollar ­donors to massive organizing calls and ­debate watch parties, grassroots energy is propelling ­Harris to victory." Tresa ­Undem wrote , " especially for ­Beltway pollsters, pundits, and media. ­Conventional wisdom right now is often wrong," while Andy ­Adams said , "I read this aloud to my wife on our vacation last week. It's long but moving and very ­inspiring." Reader pjh wrote , "I thought I kept up with the news and knew all the major players. But today a ­favorite writer connected dots I'd missed ... Thank you, Ms. Traister. I wish you would narrate all my trips." On Instagram, some readers took ­issue with Al Sharpton's ­quoted assertion that Harris "came out of an organic movement"; Breeeetala noted that Harris was "­endorsed by Dick Cheney. This is not the people's candidate." In the story, Traister admitted her discomfort with Harris ­calling the U.S. military the world's "most lethal fighting force" while accepting the nomination; commenter yahzi ­ disagreed , saying, "I am incredibly progressive ... but I was thrilled to hear Harris say the word 'lethal.' This is a woman who lives in the real world, and understands how the real world works."

"The ­Divorce Tapes" Also in the issue, Beth Raymer wrote about wiretaps her father had made that revealed disturbing family conversations about her sister's rape. Journalist Pamela Colloff ­ tweeted that she "had trouble sleeping last night after reading this riveting, deeply moving story, which reckons with a profound betrayal in her family. Beautifully written and heart-wrenching." Reader ­babybokchoy said , "There is so much here, between the vindictive adults failing the children they are charged with protecting and hypocrisy of religion that only serves to keep up appearances ... Many of us encounter mentally ill people experiencing housing instability and all the terrible ­ramifications of that circumstance each day. How many of them were once kids who were failed by their parents and ­systems that were meant to protect them?" Commenter johns9tm said , "I see ­everyone glossing over the father knowing all of this, as well as abusing his wife? Hiding the batteries and coffee ­maker? No wonder ­Colleen and all the women in that house grew up to not trust themselves or reality. So horrific how sick family can be to one another." katherineeshipley wrote , "I just want to ­validate sweet, baby Colleen and wrap her up in my arms. You deserved to have your mama be completely on your side, ready to do whatever you needed her to do." Said personplace, "Colleen is right to believe that sharing her story may help ­another child by reminding parents and other relatives of what they actually owe to them. I hope someone is saved some of the pain and shame she was unfairly burdened and abandoned with." Several ­readers shared their own experiences of childhood abuse. Said mgk89, "I was Colleen and also had to learn the hard way, over years and years of hardcore addiction, that some families are determined not to see the truth. The best thing we can do is talk about it when it ­happens — believe survivors, expose predators." ­Elijahschwartz agreed , writing, "Even if Colleen responds to your outrage with cynicism, you are still giving her a ­wonderful gift by expressing it to her. You are showing her that she matters, that her pain moves you. I have no doubt that you have been a positive force in her life, and this is everything."