Start of Democratic National Convention draws headlines

NEWS AND OPINION:

\Brace yourselves. It’s time for the Democratic Party to command the national stage via the four-day 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, starting Monday. The days begin at 7 a.m. Central Time with “delegation breakfast” and wind down at 10 p.m. with a final gavel.

Each night will be based around a specific theme — a feature which also in use during the Republican National Convention. On Monday, the Democrats’ main motto is “For the People,” followed by “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” (Tuesday), “A Fight for Our Freedoms” (Wednesday) and “For Our Future” for the big finale on Thursday.

The event has been preceded by much press of course. Here are a few headlines from the last 24 hours for your consideration as the event commences:

“Democrats party in Chicago, the city Republicans most love to hate” (MSNBC); “First permitted protest to begin in the Loop on eve of Democratic Convention, closures in place” (ABC Chicago); “Democratic convention roll call to be transformed into a Harris-Walz rally with DJ, music and surprise guests” Chicago Sun-Times); “Behind the scenes at the DNC: Controlled chaos and ’death stares’” (Politico); “Resurrected Democrats look toward 2024 convention with renewed hope” (The Guardian); “Democratic National Convention: What to expect during a week of political stars, protests and Kamala Harris’ big moment” (Deadline); and “Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza ceasefire” (AP News).

President Biden is expected to address the crowd on Monday, along with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Curious? Find the event at demconvention.com.

SCIENCE CORNER

Reaching for that grand old book that’s been in the family for a while? Be careful, advises one new report from a trusted source.

“If you come across brightly colored, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, you might want to handle them gently, or even steer clear altogether. Some of their attractive hues come from dyes that could pose a health risk to readers, collectors or librarians. The latest research on these poisonous books used three techniques — including one that hasn’t previously been applied to books — to assess dangerous dyes in a university collection and found some volumes may be unsafe to handle,” the American Chemical Society advises in a new report released Sunday.

Researchers from the organization will present their results at the fall meeting of the society itself, which begins Monday.

“These old books with toxic dyes may be in universities, public libraries and private collections,” says Abigail Hoermann, an undergraduate studying chemistry at Lipscomb University.

Those who handle such books can be put at risk if pigments from cloth covers rub onto their hands or become airborne and are inhaled, the new research says.

“So, we want to find a way to make it easy for everyone to be able to find what their exposure is to these books, and how to safely store them,” Ms. Hoermann said in a written statement.

Meanwhile, Lipscomb University librarians Jan Cohu and Michaela Rutledge approached the university’s chemistry department to test brilliantly colored 19th- and early-20th-century fabric-covered books from the school’s Beaman Library. Joseph Weinstein-Webb, an assistant chemistry professor at Lipscomb, also joined the study team.

“I find it fascinating to know what previous generations thought was safe, and then we learn, oh, actually, that might not have been a great idea to use these brilliant dyes,” Mr. Weinstein-Webb said in a written statement.

The findings led the Lipscomb library to seal colorful 19th-century books that have not yet been tested in plastic zip-close bags for handling and storage. Meanwhile, books confirmed to contain dangerous dyes have been removed from public circulation.

MEANWHILE IN TEXAS

“In a significant shift from its previous position, the Texas Farm Bureau will now not oppose — and may even support — the state legislature’s proposed ban on land sales to hostile foreign nationals, such as China,” reports Brandon Waltens, a senior editor for Texas Scorecard, a news organization based in Leander, Texas.

“According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Chinese firms and investors have acquired 383,935 acres of U.S. land. Notably, in 2015, a former member of the Chinese communist army purchased 130,000 acres in South Texas near Laughlin Air Force Base,” he said.

“Last year, the Texas Senate passed legislation to ban China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing Texas land, but the bill was ultimately killed in the Texas House. With more than 95% of Republican voters advocating for the ban, the issue has become a priority for the Republican Party of Texas. Following criticism during the recent primary elections, Texas House Republicans appear more determined to pass a version of the Senate’s legislation in 2025,” Mr. Waltens wrote.

“During the committee’s only hearing last month, a Texas Farm Bureau representative expressed concerns that such a ban could infringe on the rights of property sellers,” Mr. Waltens said.

In response, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has established a special committee titled “Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations.”

POLL DU JOUR

38% of registered U.S. voters say the U.S. should encourage Israel to “stop its military actions in Gaza“; 54% of Democrats, 41% of independents and 18% of Republicans agree.

41% of women and 35% of men also agree.

21% overall say the U.S. should encourage Israel to “decrease its military actions in Gaza“; 25% of Democrats, 21% of independents and 17% of Republicans agree.

22% of women and 20% of men also agree.

28% overall say the U.S. should encourage Israel to “continue its military actions in Gaza as it has been” in the past; 17% of Democrats, 26% of independents and 42% of Republicans agree.

27% of women and 29% of men also agree.

13% overall say the U.S. should encourage Israel to “increase its military actions in Gaza“; 4% of Democrats, 12% of independents and 23% of Republicans agree.

10% of women and 16% of men also agree.

SOURCE: A CBS News/YouGov poll of 3,258 registered U.S. voters conducted online Aug. 14-16.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.