Two famous musicians of different generations made news this week. They both happen to be cat owners.

Shortly after last Tuesday’s presidential debate ended, pop megastar Taylor Swift, the most popular musical artist on the planet, announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Posting to her 283 million followers on Instagram, Swift wrote:

“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.

Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.

I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift
Childless Cat Lady

We were watching MSNBC as Governor Tim Walz heard the news directly from Rachel Maddow during a live interview. His reaction is so lovely and sincere. It warms the heart.

CNN reported that “If song selections were a subtweet, Vice President Kamala Harris said a lot with The Man on Tuesday.”

“Following her presidential debate with former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia, Harris made an appearance at a post-debate party to address supporters. It happened not long after Taylor Swift formally endorsed Harris’s bid for the presidency.

‘Hard work is good work, and we will win,’ she told the crowd.

‘See you later,’ Harris added before she exited the stage with Swift’s 2019 song ‘The Man’ playing.

‘I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man,’ Swift could be heard singing as Harris high-fived and greeted supporters. . . .

Swift, who wrote the song and directed the music video, used makeup and special effects to appear as ‘Tyler Swift’ in the project, which references stark cultural double standards between men and women.“

So appropriate, given the context. Well played, Harris campaign!

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Another pop and rock superstar—this one from my generation and whose poster adorned my college dorm room—also made an endorsement this week.

I’ve written in the past about how much I admire the music and the humanity of Linda Ronstadt. On Wednesday Ronstadt posted:

“Donald Trump is holding a rally on Thursday in a rented hall in my hometown, Tucson. I would prefer to ignore that sad fact. But since the building has my name on it, I need to say something.

It saddens me to see the former President bring his hate show to Tucson, a town with deep Mexican-American roots and a joyful, tolerant spirit.

I don’t just deplore his toxic politics, his hatred of women, immigrants and people of color, his criminality, dishonesty and ignorance — although there’s that.

For me it comes down to this:  In Nogales and across the southern border, the Trump Administration systematically ripped apart migrant families seeking asylum. Family separation made orphans of thousands of little children and babies, and brutalized their desperate mothers and fathers. It remains a humanitarian catastrophe that Physicians for Human Rights said met the criteria for torture.

There is no forgiving or forgetting the heartbreak he caused.

Trump first ran for President warning about rapists coming in from Mexico. I’m worried about keeping the rapist out of the White House.

Linda Ronstadt

P.S. to J.D. Vance:

I raised two adopted children in Tucson as a single mom. They are both grown and living in their own houses. I live with a cat. Am I half a childless cat lady because I’m unmarried and didn’t give birth to my kids? Call me what you want, but this cat lady will be voting proudly in November for @kamalaharris and @timwalz.

As one commentator noted, Ronstadt’s reaction to Trump trying to associate his campaign with her name and fame is not unique. “The list of legendary artists who can’t stand even a tangential association with Trump is legion. The list of musicians who have demanded he cease from using their music reads like a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame docket.”

Ah but the Republicans still have Ted Nugent and Kid Rock.

Let’s listen to the great Linda Ronstadt. You’re No Good seems appropriate when we’re talking about the former president.

And just to prove that we could fill those stadiums back in the day, here’s Heatwave in front of tens of thousands at San Diego’s Balboa Stadium.

Sending love to all the cat ladies in my life!

More to come . . .

DJB

Photo by Pacto Visual on Unsplash