Kat tuned in to network television’s coverage of the March 28 No Kings rally. Those events were held all over the country, but coverage focused mostly on Minneapolis, a cold, cold city with a very warm heart for its neighbors including Somalis, Latinos, Ukrainians, and LGBTQ of all nationalities. This was where a major city confronted ICE on a major scale. This was the city that kicked ICE and got some of its top leaders trun under the Trump bus. If it weren’t so damn cold half of each year, it’s where I’d want us to call home, but only between Easter and Halloween.

It seems to be a place that attracts good-hearted people. Okay, mostly Democrats, but neither I nor anyone else should feel defensive about holding progressive political beliefs. Especially these days when power feels entitled to ignore our Constitution, the long-held norms of the Presidency, and respect for all Americans.

When political rallies falter it is because they entrust the microphone to people who are not gifted inspirational speakers. Some of those guys and gals got up there and then died on camera, stupefying that huge crowd yearning to be stirred up. Shouting into the mic is not enough; you need a coherent, uplifting call for electoral action. Following a pair or trio of sleep inducers left a drowsy crowd for Bernie Sanders, whose impossible message – tax the billionaires heavily – blowing in the wind.

People are enraged at the way our country is turning. Many or most of these protesters were young people, potentially a powerful force in any election. Out of control immigration cruelty masquerading as “enforcement” remains a harsh irritant. This stupid attack on Iran made in the spirit of “Third time’s the charm” without a plan to win or leave is broadly unpopular. That’s true even with a lot of Republicans; hey, their SUVs and pickups now burn $4 gasoline or $5 diesel. Soon on a gas pump near you a sticker of a scowling Trump will appear. Its caption? “My war did this for you!”

But the scope of this global event refreshed my hope for the rule of law, the life of our democracy, and for the future of this shining nation between the seas.

Kat and I were eagerly anticipating Bruce Springsteen’s live performance of Streets of Minneapolis, but for reasons unknown he experienced sound problems that knocked the event off balance. That feels like a dirty trick Steven Miller or greasy ol’ Bannon might engineer, but I don’t want to sound paranoid. Maybe Bruce didn’t bring his sound team? Yeah, but we know. If Bruce is there his team’s gonna be there too. Several minutes later the sound system was up and running, and following an introduction by Governor Tim Walz, Springsteen sang Streets of Minneapolis accompanied only by his guitar and neck harmonica.

Bruce’s song is about a government without rules, one riddled with untruths, one seeking to grab power and hold it forever, using fear and violence to suppress the governed. The Boss’s music and language is stirring and powerful. Its title is the same as this posting. It expresses the pain those protesters feel and the guilt we sympathizers sense upon staying home. Eventually that guilt drives action. Let’s grab him by the mid-terms!

Governor Tim Walz introduced the musician “We damn sure don’t need a king. But we do need a Boss, Bruce Springsteen”! The live version is out there but the studio recording comes with an accurate lyrics chyron, no background noise, missing only those signs and images of a vast gathering. This is the better recording that we chose for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKSoxG1K7w