Welcome to Decoding the Vibe where I tell it like it really is as the first-in-the-nation primary parade of candidates comes to town. Join me behind the scenes where you might just find out what the candidate is really like.
By Susan Dromey Heeter, Decoding the Vibe
ROCHESTER – The boots on the ground for Elizabeth Warren’s visit to the Community Conversation at the Governor’s Inn on Saturday were solid, practical, rugged. These boots were worn, slip- and water-resistant: Sorrels, Blundstones, Merrells. Only Warren wore running shoes instead.
Today’s Decoding the Vibe is all about boots – boots of those in attendance as well as the ones worn by journalists who provide the print, the photos, the video.
Decoding the Vibe follows Warren as well as those who follow her, those who put their sock-covered feet into their boots, those journalists ready to cover their beats, to let you in on their stories.
Boots on the ground in December in New Hampshire are necessary; I wore my red Blundstones and saw that I was not the only one who sported Blunnies.
Washington Post photographer Melina Mara wore a pair as well. She covers the National Political Beat and is the force behind the documentary, “Changing the Face of Power: Women in the US Senate, a documentary work of the 14 female senators at work on Capitol Hill.”
The Vibe of Elizabeth Warren felt as comfortable and practical as Blundstones, as powerful and long lasting as a documentary made in 2003. Mara’s documentary is still on exhibit, and currently just ended a run in Texas. Warren continues her own run, with facts and quick thinking and energy hard to beat.
Warren answers questions with conviction, with facts, with knowledge that makes the current leader of the free world look like broken flip flops.
And while she wears black running shoes instead of winter boots, I suspect she glides over snow and ice, ready to tackle any storms and questions that come her way.
When Warren was asked about the need for a free and independent press, she remarked, “The president of the United States should not be criticizing the press, should not be withdrawing press credentials as punishment simply because he does not agree with the reporting.”
Warren’s basic premise: “Everyone should be informed.”
And everyone should be informed. Everyone should have a simple pair of boots that allows them to walk through the snow, the mud, the sleet. That is what my Blundstones do. That is what photojournalists like Melina Mara do, that is what the freedom of the press aspires to do.
Decoding the Vibe? Warren’s boots aka running shoes are made for walking through just about anything. She’s strong, she’s vibrant, she’s smart, she’s practical, she’ll survive many a storm.
We can only hope support for the press is as resilient. I invite you to put on your boots and join in the fight. Flip flops are great in the sand. In a storm? Well, about as great as stilettos. Get your boots on, support journalists and journalism, the truth and remember the 1st Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Thanks for reading Decoding the Vibe. Put your boots on, slog through the storms with me as we continue reporting on our First-in-the-Nation Primary.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on politics, but welcomes diverse opinions. email nancywestnews@gmail.com