When was it, three weeks ago, maybe four, I don’t know. We screamed aghast at Israeli policy while the youth in motion called the President “Genocide Joe.” Was that too extreme? Not at all. Biden funded, armed, alibied, and even cheer-leaded Israel’s incredibly and intentionally anti-population tactics right up to imposing starvation—which ought to not be particularly surprising since whenever they have been thought likely to be effective the U.S. has employed the same tactics on a far larger scale, albeit with more rationalizing. 

So, two or three weeks ago old folks like me spit with our pens at Biden’s and of course Israel’s abominable bomb dropping, blood letting, and medicine, food, and water denying, exile and corpse-producing actions. And younger folks created encampments, stood up to repression, and educated audiences way beyond their initial numbers, and also way beyond our old pen-work reached. So what has changed? By one accounting a whole lot that is still unfolding. But by another accounting, on the war front, nothing much.

The need to register, report, and rail against the war on Palestine is no less, and actually even seems more centrally, critically important—if that is even possible—than it was before Biden stepped out, Kamala stepped in, J.D. circled the drain, and deadly Donald became, dare I say it, a loser to be. To kill, to starve, to poison, to exile hasn’t all of a sudden become acceptable nor even less than maximally odious behavior. Yet, has our attention drifted, or is that just a wrong perception on my part? I don’t know. I don’t have a whole lot of evidence to use to decide.

So take or use this as prophylactic, and even then only if needed. That Kamala is on an electoral roll, that Donald is slip-sliding, and even more promising that Donald’s support is showing signs of attrition, doubt, and outright rejection are all very good things. They generate hope. They elevate energy. They give promise to finally fully stop Trump and, more, to slow or even stop MAGA for the longer haul. 

But, as they say, let’s be clear. To stop all that barely touches Palestine. To usher in a lesser evil, or more accurately to maintain a lesser evil instead of succumbing to a greater evil doesn’t alone curb evil much less unleash liberation. To stop greater evil Trump is a necessary step. Absolutely. But our goal isn’t or it shouldn’t be just to preserve yesterday’s business as usual against on-rushing fascism. And most strikingly, most immediately, our actions shouldn’t ignore or even go slow on ending Gaza Genocide.

So why might we misstep? Well, it may not be emotionally easy to go in for Kamala but go less than all in for Kamala. To go in for Kamala, I’ll speak for myself, means to try to stop Trump and to recognize that for Kamala to be elected is the means to stop Trump. It can even include smiling and laughing and even applauding when Kamala lands a zinger at Donald’s expense. I find myself doing so. But can we do that and simultaneously remember that Kamala Harris is not, or if you prefer is not yet and is highly unlikely to become any kind of sincere ally for seeking and winning real social change? Can we cheer Kamala on, advocate for her in contested states, and smile at her victories, but at the same time remember that her claim to fame is just being less evil? Can we go in for Kamala, but less than all in for Kamala?

When I was a kid there was a very astute SDS slogan, “Part of the Way with LBJ.” We need to remember, even as we smile widely at Kamala Harris’s momentum, that  she is not, or if you prefer is not yet and is highly unlikely to become Sister Kamala, a tribune of the people. Part of the way with Kamala, yes, absolutely. Even yay Kamala. But the rest of the way is a long struggle which begins November 6 and actually even begins in how we engage now.

Elect Kamala to Stop Trump. Yes. Even thank Kamala if you feel so moved, when she beats Trump. But then and even now push Kamala to win more. And don’t mistake preserving yesterday’s business as usual with final victory. And don’t even unintentionally throw Palestine under the genocidal bus. 

End genocidal actions. End genocidal thoughts. End genocide. Peace and justice. Permanent ceasefire. No more weapons for Israel.

And, of course, Stop Trump, as a necessary step and then battle on.

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