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My absentee ballot has officially been received by the Davidson County Election Commission. I am urging all people with a conscience and a shred of basic decency to vote in this election if you are eligible. Make a plan. You may not like your choices but among the choices we have - the choice is clear. Literally, lives and freedom and our country are all at stake. As with many of you, I know people who inexplicably still support this malignant narcissist and evil minions who support him. For now, I am going to stop trying to figure them out. It is just imperative that everyone who opposes this insanity vote. I don't care if you are in a deep red state (like I am), a deep blue state, or a purple state - vote. We need this election to be a complete and unquestionable repudiation of the unprecedented attack on our democracy. After Biden is elected - my far left friends and my centrist right friends can and should hold him and his administration accountable. But, before that - let's get him elected.
I voted for myself but I voted also as a voice for my daughter who has intellectual disabilities (and all people with disabilities) who deserves a President who doesn't mock people like her and appoints people who want to take away their right to an education. I voted for my LGBTQ+ friends and family whose freedoms are under attack. For people of color, for immigrant children who were ripped from their parent's and put in cages. For the world that my grandchildren and their grandchildren will inherit - which is in dire need to action to combat climate change - and not a President who rolls back decades of environmental protections.
I am angry and I am scared, but I am fighting.
Our recap of this week's Playlist rolls on. Songs 13-16 includes some better known artists with important things to say, a fun quarantine song from fun singer-songwriter, and some reggae to found it all out.
13. "The New OK" by Drive-By Truckers
Surprise! A new album by Drive-By Truckers inspired by 2020. This is the title track - as usual Patterson Hood and company do not pull any punches. A great song that just had to make its way into my Playlist.
14. "Quarantine Blues" by Steve Poltz
Steve Poltz got his start (or at least first became known) co-writing songs with Jewel. He is an extremely funny and perceptive person who is always a joy to see live. My first time seeing him live was as an unexpected guest at a Darrin Bradbury residency at The Basement East a few years back. Poltz had been stranded in Nashville by weather. He later moved here (at least part time) and I have been fortunate to see him several times since then. I love this song.
15. "Times Like These" by Steve Earle
The Spotify release of Earle's RSD single (with "The Devil Put the Coal in the Ground"). The song is a chilling vision of the state of the nation. A song for our times.
16. "My Teacher" by Kouatchou
And we close things out with a change of pace. Kouatchou was born in Cameroon and is now based in the UK. This is the kind of uplifting music that I need right now. Part of a double A single with a song called "Change" - this is a great way to close out this segment of music.
Tomorrow - songs 17-20....
Featured Friday Playlist
