Is there a way to communicate to Ms. Hemphill that there are lots of Americans who feel differently and would very much welcome her to speak at the Nampa rally tomorrow? Any way to collect messages from your readers and forward them to her?
Please don't generalize. There are many of us who disagree with Ms. Hemphill being uninvited to the Nampa rally and who value her courageous efforts to counter MAGA's lies and disinformation and her efforts to save our democracy.
Please watch the video clip Old State Saloon posted of their interview with her today.
The interviewer is a far-right Christian trying to bait her about Pride, but in response she defends straight men who commit sex crimes against children.
When asked about the idea of a 40-year-old man “having sex with” (raping) a 12-year-old girl, she says “that’s how they get married in India” and laughs. She says child marriage is okay if the father approves because “a famous singer once married a young girl.”
Pam is not an ally, she’s a lifelong provocateur who has caused great harm to marginalized people in Idaho and believes denouncing Trump erases her past actions. She needs psychological help, not publicity.
Well said Reed - this kind of BS is ridiculous - these people need to look where you are as a country - you’re in the fight of your lives and marginalising people who have seen the light and want to come back to the right side of all this is beyond counterproductive
Things have changed so quickly I think we are all reeling from it at the moment. It is staggering and bewildering and befuddling. But I truly believe that the answer lies in creating alliances with people that you fundamentally disagree with on policy but do agree that your democracy and republic are worth fighting for. People who were MAGA will have to live with that shame for the rest of their lives. I will never understand how anyone could have voted for him because to me it’s obvious who and what he is. If they have also come to that conclusion and are willing to put their shoulder to the wheel, allow it, listen to them, agree to disagree but understand that everyone is needed in this fight. And you are right - it is wrong (but also seems ridiculous to me).
It’s wrong, but, forgive me for saying I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think it happens all the time. And we have to constantly remind ourselves to stop doing it.
Agree. Hard-core Idealists cling to all kinds of things: flags, crucifixes, guns … and their own purity tests. If we are serious about achieving progressive cultural shifts, we must allow different channels to carry the message. It’s really Marketing 1A. Understand who is your target market. Speak to them in their language, from their experience and with a voice they recognize. The medium is the message.
Purity testing will kill the pro-democracy alliance. This isn’t hard. We either believe in redemption or we don’t. Those who don’t, fine. Just be honest about being judgy and unforgiving. And please get out of the way so the rest of us can get on with defending the Republic. Pam Hemphill is a profile in courage - especially given the horrible things that MAGA inflicts on those like her. If she was speaking in my area, I’d be glad to offer her my guest room. Ok. End/rant.
This is one of the most frustrating issues with the left. There are so many people who refuse to allow anyone to learn or grow. They hold everyone up to some fantasy image of purity and virtue and then condemn them when they discover that humans aren’t perfect. It’s how the right keeps beating us. They’re willing to set aside their differences for common goals and the left keeps failing at this.
I am going to a rally tomorrow and can honestly say that if I were in charge of it and knew about this before today, I would pay her way to come to it and speak.
She’s not just sorry about her past, she’s doing the work. She should be welcomed with open hearts and arms.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Why are progressives so slow to learn this lesson?
No More Purity Tests. We need all of the compatriots that we can get regardless of their history. If they are true supporters of democracy and they oppose the fascist authoritarian takeover of our country, welcome them into the tent with open arms.
We need her voice at the rally to represent those who were lied to, like many being lied to now, and to share what she learned, what she knows now, and so much more. We need to be able to communicate with everyone and understand their point of view, if we're going to fix this mess.
It is important that we realize that not everyone who stands in opposition to Trump and his agenda is a liberal. There are many who are conservatives, and many who are former MAGA supporters. We must be willing to expand the tent to welcome and include these folks as they have much to contribute to our cause. I say “welcome aboard, Pam Hemphill”!
She should absolutely be honored, celebrated and thanked. We live in a spineless age of cowards and sycophants. For America to survive, we need more people like her.
In times like these, integrity and courage stand out more than ever... and she embodies both. When too many stay silent out of fear or convenience, it’s the rare few who speak truth to power that keep the soul of a nation alive. Honoring her isn’t just about recognition, it’s a reminder of the kind of character we need to preserve what’s right.
Is there a way to communicate to Ms. Hemphill that there are lots of Americans who feel differently and would very much welcome her to speak at the Nampa rally tomorrow? Any way to collect messages from your readers and forward them to her?
I love this idea. Reading this story made me so sad. We need the broadest coalition possible!
She made a post about this article on Bluesky. We can leave comments for her under there. :) https://bsky.app/profile/pamhemphill53.bsky.social/post/3lrje6tubfc2f
She is on Substack
Thanks. I sent her a note.
She knows.
If you know her please tell her we want to welcome her, that she is leading with courage.
She knows what exactly? It would be so nice to flood her with supportive messages.
That’s what you want to spend your energy on under fascism. White liberals are incorrigible.
Please don't generalize. There are many of us who disagree with Ms. Hemphill being uninvited to the Nampa rally and who value her courageous efforts to counter MAGA's lies and disinformation and her efforts to save our democracy.
As I said, y’all keep holding space for the worst white people.
Great idea!! How to show her many care!! Maybe not there but she can join us somewhere else. It sucks buttttty
Please watch the video clip Old State Saloon posted of their interview with her today.
The interviewer is a far-right Christian trying to bait her about Pride, but in response she defends straight men who commit sex crimes against children.
When asked about the idea of a 40-year-old man “having sex with” (raping) a 12-year-old girl, she says “that’s how they get married in India” and laughs. She says child marriage is okay if the father approves because “a famous singer once married a young girl.”
Pam is not an ally, she’s a lifelong provocateur who has caused great harm to marginalized people in Idaho and believes denouncing Trump erases her past actions. She needs psychological help, not publicity.
Well said Reed - this kind of BS is ridiculous - these people need to look where you are as a country - you’re in the fight of your lives and marginalising people who have seen the light and want to come back to the right side of all this is beyond counterproductive
Things have changed so quickly I think we are all reeling from it at the moment. It is staggering and bewildering and befuddling. But I truly believe that the answer lies in creating alliances with people that you fundamentally disagree with on policy but do agree that your democracy and republic are worth fighting for. People who were MAGA will have to live with that shame for the rest of their lives. I will never understand how anyone could have voted for him because to me it’s obvious who and what he is. If they have also come to that conclusion and are willing to put their shoulder to the wheel, allow it, listen to them, agree to disagree but understand that everyone is needed in this fight. And you are right - it is wrong (but also seems ridiculous to me).
It’s wrong, but, forgive me for saying I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think it happens all the time. And we have to constantly remind ourselves to stop doing it.
Agree. Hard-core Idealists cling to all kinds of things: flags, crucifixes, guns … and their own purity tests. If we are serious about achieving progressive cultural shifts, we must allow different channels to carry the message. It’s really Marketing 1A. Understand who is your target market. Speak to them in their language, from their experience and with a voice they recognize. The medium is the message.
She would be MOST helpful! Absolutely don’t shut people who have ‘seen the light’ out!!
We need everyone in this fight. Leaving some out is a bad idea.
They should be ashamed of pushing her aside like that.
But they aren't.
Thank you for this.
Purity testing will kill the pro-democracy alliance. This isn’t hard. We either believe in redemption or we don’t. Those who don’t, fine. Just be honest about being judgy and unforgiving. And please get out of the way so the rest of us can get on with defending the Republic. Pam Hemphill is a profile in courage - especially given the horrible things that MAGA inflicts on those like her. If she was speaking in my area, I’d be glad to offer her my guest room. Ok. End/rant.
All voices count especially now. When people learn, so should we… grace matters!
This is one of the most frustrating issues with the left. There are so many people who refuse to allow anyone to learn or grow. They hold everyone up to some fantasy image of purity and virtue and then condemn them when they discover that humans aren’t perfect. It’s how the right keeps beating us. They’re willing to set aside their differences for common goals and the left keeps failing at this.
I am going to a rally tomorrow and can honestly say that if I were in charge of it and knew about this before today, I would pay her way to come to it and speak.
She’s not just sorry about her past, she’s doing the work. She should be welcomed with open hearts and arms.
Yes, we need more We need more Pam Hemphills. I am sorry to hear this happened.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Why are progressives so slow to learn this lesson?
No More Purity Tests. We need all of the compatriots that we can get regardless of their history. If they are true supporters of democracy and they oppose the fascist authoritarian takeover of our country, welcome them into the tent with open arms.
Bravo! YES to the big tent!!!
We need her voice at the rally to represent those who were lied to, like many being lied to now, and to share what she learned, what she knows now, and so much more. We need to be able to communicate with everyone and understand their point of view, if we're going to fix this mess.
Agreed!👍
It is important that we realize that not everyone who stands in opposition to Trump and his agenda is a liberal. There are many who are conservatives, and many who are former MAGA supporters. We must be willing to expand the tent to welcome and include these folks as they have much to contribute to our cause. I say “welcome aboard, Pam Hemphill”!
What an excellent, grown-up, cogent piece of writing. When the lifeboat is sinking, everybody has a right to bail and paddle. Thank you for this.
She should absolutely be honored, celebrated and thanked. We live in a spineless age of cowards and sycophants. For America to survive, we need more people like her.
In times like these, integrity and courage stand out more than ever... and she embodies both. When too many stay silent out of fear or convenience, it’s the rare few who speak truth to power that keep the soul of a nation alive. Honoring her isn’t just about recognition, it’s a reminder of the kind of character we need to preserve what’s right.