Photo by Ekaterina Astakhova on Pexels.com She’s defected to Russia, where she feels so much safer! That’s what Tara Reade told Sputnik, the Russian government media organization, in a broadcast she shared with convicted Russian agent Maria Butina, who was deported to Russia in 2019 after serving thirteen months in a US federal prison. Reade … Continue reading Have You Heard Where Joe Biden’s 2020 Sexual Accuser Is Now?
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My Fifth Blogoversary: A Simple Acrostic
B logging has become theL oveliest, previously unimaginedO pening to a world ofG enerous, creative, thoughtfullyO pinionated and oh-so-V erbal colleagues, friends,E ducators. I find thisR obust blogosphereS cintillating in ways I'd neverA nticipated, and I offer myR esounding gratitude toY ou who are journeying with me. Warmest thanks to my blogging and non-blogging readers … Continue reading My Fifth Blogoversary: A Simple Acrostic
“Journalistic Malpractice” by The New York Times?
My status as a determined optimist—albeit a worrying optimist—is being sorely tested by that deceitful gang at No Labels who call themselves “centrist/moderates.” They are, in my opinion, as much a threat to democracy as Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, or both. And, not for the first time, the media is not doing its job. I … Continue reading “Journalistic Malpractice” by The New York Times?
Are You Feeling Lonely? Join the Crowd
Photo by Inzmam Khan on Pexels.com The above title may sound flippant, but it points to a huge problem—and hints at a possible solution. On May 1, the US government released a publication entitled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, 2023: The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.” … Continue reading Are You Feeling Lonely? Join the Crowd
Something’s Phishy…
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com Well, now. Mr. ChatGPT and others appeared before Congress this week and pretty much told us that if we don't hurry up and do some things, chatbots could soon be the bosses. When a company asks for government regulation, ya gotta sit up and take notice. OpenAI CEO Sam … Continue reading Something’s Phishy…
Yeah, I Hoped Not to Cover the Guy Again So Soon, But Comparisons Are Not Always Odious…
I thought these were important insights. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a history professor and a scholar on fascism and authoritarian leaders. Sherrilyn Ifill is a law professor and former president and director of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. https://twitter.com/ruthbenghiat/status/1656478470216511488?s=51&t=nVuexwyjz5lAYgTHGa2APw And here we are reminded of the choice we're probably facing in 2024--and of the mainstream media's … Continue reading Yeah, I Hoped Not to Cover the Guy Again So Soon, But Comparisons Are Not Always Odious…
“Fill a Bag. Help Feed Families.” Our Saturday, May 13th Opportunity
Perhaps I’m telling you about something you already know—and may even be acting upon. As I don’t look closely at what I assume to be junk mail, I’d never before noticed the colorful little post card that surely has been delivered any number of times in the past. It describes the Stamp Out Hunger Food … Continue reading “Fill a Bag. Help Feed Families.” Our Saturday, May 13th Opportunity
About This Uniquely American Horror…
https://twitter.com/mollyploofkins/status/1655287955940859906?s=51&t=nVuexwyjz5lAYgTHGa2APw "I'm a gun lover; I have guns," he added. "I'm a former police officer. I'm a former army officer. But these M4s, MAR15s, they've got to get off the streets, or this is going to keep happening." https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/1654978652680114176?s=51&t=nVuexwyjz5lAYgTHGa2APw Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a nationwide organization that is working state-by-state … Continue reading About This Uniquely American Horror…
That Pesky First Amendment Scores Again!
I am often critical of the mainstream media, whom I find too insensitive to the fragility of our democracy in their determination to present “both sides” of issues that often don’t have two sides. For example, I’m more than frustrated with much of the coverage of the House Republicans’ willingness to throw our economy over … Continue reading That Pesky First Amendment Scores Again!
Catching Up With Jamie Raskin
While the Supreme Court dithers about whether the US Postal Service can insist that an employee work on Sunday--a decision that may even further corrode our constitutional separation of church and state--Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md) weighed in with appropriate snark on yet another grievous example of this unconstitutional trend--this one in the "great state of … Continue reading Catching Up With Jamie Raskin
“No Labels” Is Up to No Good!
Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com NOTE: I have determined to focus my blog posts on positive developments whenever possible. But frankly, the story I’m writing about here worries me a great deal. It also infuriates me. There may be many folks with good intentions involved, but at the heart of this effort appear to … Continue reading “No Labels” Is Up to No Good!
The Things That Matter
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com She was my mentor in my freelance days:Shepherding me through membership in aPrestigious writers’ organization; Critiquing my queries to magazine editors withSuggestions gained from success and precision;Offering much-needed encouragementTo my fledgling spirit. She was a prolific, sought-after author,Gaining attention as a speakerTil that career abruptlyDissolved at its peak with a … Continue reading The Things That Matter
Good Government News: The IRS Just Became Less Hateable (Seriously)
Bad timing, Annie, you're probably thinking. I understand. Once you've filed your taxes, you really don't like to think about the IRS at all. Neither do I. But this year--this tax season--I believe it's especially important that we spend a little time thinking about what's just happened...and what didn't happen...and what may happen to upend … Continue reading Good Government News: The IRS Just Became Less Hateable (Seriously)
Aha! The Apology Fox DOES NOT Want Us to See…
https://twitter.com/colbertlateshow/status/1648854379061968896?s=51&t=nVuexwyjz5lAYgTHGa2APw Thank you, Stephen Colbert and The Late Show staff! Annie
Here’s One of America’s Biggest Problems…
This full-page ad greeted me when I paged through The New York Times yesterday morning. I gasped--and immediately thought of the oft-repeated angry rhetorical question that attorney Joseph Welch hurled at Senator Joseph McCarthy: "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" Actually, there's no evidence that Rupert Murdoch and the gang of … Continue reading Here’s One of America’s Biggest Problems…
A Few Truly Special Jackie Robinson Stories–Reblogged, With a Timely Update
NOTE: Each year, April 15th is celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day, a tribute to a great athlete and great American. That day in 1947 marked Robinson's entrance into major league baseball as the first Black player--amid threats against his life. We are being challenged now by efforts to prevent schoolchildren from learning about Jackie Robinson, … Continue reading A Few Truly Special Jackie Robinson Stories–Reblogged, With a Timely Update
“This Spot Is Reserved for You”
Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Pexels.com Chubby the Barber confirms online.“Your appointment is at 11 am,” notes the email.“This spot is reserved for you.”“Please be prompt.” Chubby the Barber is no longer there.Retired, deceased, snipping and shavingIn Maui?The new Chubby is Ariana.She is not chubby, my spouse reports. He has brought her a half-wreathOf lengthy, … Continue reading “This Spot Is Reserved for You”
Good News From Four States–and Some Fun From a “Veep-to-Veep” Meeting
We’ll begin with our “Veep-to-Veep” Fun. https://twitter.com/aweissmann_/status/1639240977297670144?s=51&t=nVuexwyjz5lAYgTHGa2APw Please click to see how the delightful Julia Louis Dreyfus, star of the Veep TV series, reacted when President Biden presented her with a National Medal of Arts. With “woe are we” the sentiment too often felt and expressed in the US these days, I’m pleased to provide … Continue reading Good News From Four States–and Some Fun From a “Veep-to-Veep” Meeting
We Interrupt Our Usual Blogging to Bring You Some Wise Observations About “The Week Ahead”
https://twitter.com/AnneMuntean/status/1642773415470813187?s=20 I had other plans for my post today. But the robust response to Friday's piece showed me how eager readers are--all over the world--for information about this lamentable but essential US "first": the former president's indictment. So the other items that have been on my mind seemed unsuitable for today, when Trump's arraignment will … Continue reading We Interrupt Our Usual Blogging to Bring You Some Wise Observations About “The Week Ahead”
Oh, the Irony: Trump’s Indictments Begin in New York!
Photo by Mark Youso on Pexels.com Less than a week before the 2016 election, my husband and I attended a lecture at the New York Public Library. The speaker was journalist and author Calvin Trillin, a wry humorist who began his talk with a question for the audience that he answered himself: “Want to know … Continue reading Oh, the Irony: Trump’s Indictments Begin in New York!
Countering the NRA’s Reign of Terror
https://twitter.com/BarnwellSmith/status/1640770359430357005?s=20 Two instances in the coverage of yesterday's horrific shooting in a small Christian elementary school in an affluent section of Nashville, Tennessee, seem instructive. First, a local reporter covering the Nashville story said on air that she, herself, was a survivor of a school shooting when she was in middle school. Then, a woman … Continue reading Countering the NRA’s Reign of Terror
We Must Stop the Putin-Worshipping Republicans From Undermining US Support for Ukraine!
Until a few days ago, the small, whiny Presidency-seeking autocrat who has repeatedly shown his contempt for democracy and for nearly all of his Florida constituents had suddenly joined other far-right Republicans in spouting newly convicted war criminal Vladimir Putin's talking points on Ukraine. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week called Russia's genocidal assault against … Continue reading We Must Stop the Putin-Worshipping Republicans From Undermining US Support for Ukraine!
Reblogging a Very Witty and Timely Mock Paper Scissors Post
Rorschach Test or Garbage? Posted on March 16, 2023 by tengrain Or both? Anyway, I have no idea of the provenance of this, but I cannot stop laughing. ___________________________________ Thanks to tengrain for this superb example of a rare artistic achievement I'm calling collage de garbage. May it be a harbinger of things to come--very soon--from … Continue reading Reblogging a Very Witty and Timely Mock Paper Scissors Post
“If Every Person in America Knew What We Knew, This Country Would Not Be Divided As It Is Now”
I’m grateful that renowned legal scholar Laurence Tribe linked on Twitter to the article I discuss below--though now that I've completed this post, I see it's all over the news! The piece is fascinating; its account of the jurors is also a shot in the arm for democracy and the rule of law at a … Continue reading “If Every Person in America Knew What We Knew, This Country Would Not Be Divided As It Is Now”
#BooksWithWallace! and Happy Pi Day
I stumbled across this tweet from author Don Winslow in my carefully self-curated Twitter feed. My follower numbers are still low enough so the algorithms spare me the hatred swirling about that platform. Rather, I get some gentle little slices of life such as this one. I hope you enjoy it. https://twitter.com/donwinslow/status/1630666462808666115?s=20 My Internet search … Continue reading #BooksWithWallace! and Happy Pi Day
“Poking Holes in the Potatoes…”
I have written about Marc Elias several times. He and his legal associates are some of our country's most diligent, consistent, and successful defenders of voting rights and democracy in the courts. They were largely responsible for Trump's legal defeats after the election, and they continue tirelessly today. Please read the very moving story Elias … Continue reading “Poking Holes in the Potatoes…”
A Good News Reposting From Jessica Craven’s
Chop Wood, Carry Water Extra! Extra! 3/5 🎉 Jessica Craven [Note from Annie: I came across this roundup of good news via Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition newsletter yesterday. I'm pleased to pass it on. If you make it through the last item--the Bad Lip Reading--the final few minutes may seem familiar; I included them in … Continue reading A Good News Reposting From Jessica Craven’s
Channeling FDR, Rep. Jamie Raskin Corrects Those Across the Aisle: “Just Call Us the Democracy”
In these two brief clips, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), in his inimitable way, is trying to get his colleagues across the aisle on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to refrain from an oft-used slur against Democrats: referring to the Democratic Party as the "Democrat Party." (This slur has a time-dishonored history; see the PS* … Continue reading Channeling FDR, Rep. Jamie Raskin Corrects Those Across the Aisle: “Just Call Us the Democracy”
Why We Gotta Talk About Court Reform–Now!
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com Something is really out of kilter in the land of the free and the home of the brave. You’ve probably heard about an imminent decision on abortion. The reason I’m writing about it now is that no matter what I’ve read or heard, I still haven’t come across a … Continue reading Why We Gotta Talk About Court Reform–Now!
“Greed Is Good” Revisited: An Irate Acrostic on Our National Life
G ood grief! Gordon Gecko’s stark 1987 credo,*R everberating through Murdoch’s venalE mpire, has successfully, seriouslyE ndangered our democracy via grifterD Trump, backed by merry Fox Malevolents. I t’s hard to fathom the destruction wrought byS uch simple evil: deliberate lies delivered as “news”— G enerated by fear of falling stock prices and/O r viewers … Continue reading “Greed Is Good” Revisited: An Irate Acrostic on Our National Life
How Do We Commemorate One Year of Ukraine’s Defense Against the Russian Onslaught?
Friday, February 24th, marks one year since the horrific Russian attack against Ukraine began. Most observers gave Ukraine a week before the Russians would take over. (The Ukrainians don't even think of this one-year marker: they point out that they've been battling for their sovereignty for nine years--since the Russians stole Crimea.) Yet here we … Continue reading How Do We Commemorate One Year of Ukraine’s Defense Against the Russian Onslaught?
The Kids Are Telling the Polluters: “We’ll See You in Court!”
Photo of the sixteen plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana, Youth v. Gov website. We’re not hearing a whole lot about them yet, but we will. These young people don’t see their elders doing what’s necessary to remove the blight on their future. So they are stepping up with action—legal action. In beautiful, wide … Continue reading The Kids Are Telling the Polluters: “We’ll See You in Court!”
Books and Censorship–Reblog From Abigail Johnston’s No Half Measures Blog
Fellow blogger Abigail Johnston, who lives in Central Florida with her husband and two young boys, has written this fine essay that I found all the more powerful due to its quiet restraint. Abigail draws an arc from her own love of books and reading, to her education of her sons, to the facts-on-the-ground classroom … Continue reading Books and Censorship–Reblog From Abigail Johnston’s No Half Measures Blog
Wherein I Learn a Thing or Two About Lemmings…
Photo by u041fu0430u0432u0435u043b u0413u0430u0432u0440u0438u043au043eu0432 on Pexels.com One of my favorite things about blogging is the way we learn from one another. This story began, I thought, with a bit of political humor. A high point of President Biden’s state of the union address was his masterful orchestration of the angry Republicans’ raucous denials that they’d … Continue reading Wherein I Learn a Thing or Two About Lemmings…
Can Biden Cut Through the Noise in His State of the Union Address?
Image courtesy of hsb wikimedia.org. When the President addresses the nation tonight, let’s assume the Insurrectionist Caucus’s demand that metal detectors be removed from the Capitol will somehow be circumvented to ensure his safety, that of the Vice President, the members of Congress, and visitors. Good grief! What appalling decisions are being made in the … Continue reading Can Biden Cut Through the Noise in His State of the Union Address?
Congress Has a New “Dads Caucus”: What’s That All About?
In my previous post, I described efforts to magnify stories that fight the negative narratives swirling around us, which are drowning out evidence of progress and the good that government does. I am grateful to historian Heather Cox Richardson for relating two relevant examples I would otherwise have missed. She calls them “relatively small things…that … Continue reading Congress Has a New “Dads Caucus”: What’s That All About?
“We Have to Fight the Narrative”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHJgD-TJZvY&t=229s What Narrative? The one(s) that jeopardize our country from within, which are not just blared daily by the likes of Fox News, but are lazily amplified by what are familiarly and collectively called the “mainstream media.” The Narrative that is now spewing non-stop from Congress, where McCarthy’s Traitors in the People’s House are in … Continue reading “We Have to Fight the Narrative”
Another Triumph Over Fundamentalism Run Amok
Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie's newest novel has just been published, and so far the reviews have been very positive. A New York Times article printed in advance of that publication’s review quotes a critic from The Times of London who described this novel, Victory City, as “one of Rushdie’s most joyful” books, in which “the … Continue reading Another Triumph Over Fundamentalism Run Amok
Guess What! In 2022, “Republicans Lost and Voters Won in Court”
Photo by Mark Youso on Pexels.com Yes, it’s true, though it may not have seemed this way. In addition to the defeat of some of the most extreme Big Liars last November, the year was marked by plenty of victories for voters seeking to exercise their rights--via the courts. Much of the credit for these … Continue reading Guess What! In 2022, “Republicans Lost and Voters Won in Court”
Living Well Missing a Part of Your Brain: Three Women’s Stories
Image found at https://www.ninds.nih.gov I am fascinated by neuroplasticity: the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt after it suffers from illness or injury. Recently, I came across two stories of women whose ability to function had not been severely affected by the absence of chunks of their brain. Both stories are documented in the scientific literature. … Continue reading Living Well Missing a Part of Your Brain: Three Women’s Stories
Amid the Awfulness: A Bit of Fun…
There's a great deal that's concerning about the 118th Congress. For example, --I heard a discussion about the national security implications of the world's seeing the Republicans' fiasco in choosing a Speaker as a sign of our weakness. Foes have been emboldened; friends have been jolted. President Biden's reminder that when he first met with … Continue reading Amid the Awfulness: A Bit of Fun…
I Have a Few Questions…
https://twitter.com/ronbrownstein/status/1610743054184624128?s=51&t=7oTuJX8QEcMZko1kYRp6aw Let's start with the question raised above by journalist Ronald Brownstein. What the hell are we seeing in the People's House? OK. We know twenty Insurrectionists and/or Big Liars are holding the Republican caucus hostage. The world is watching the House of Representatives at a standstill. The not-so-merry band of do-badders who've promised to … Continue reading I Have a Few Questions…
A Shovel, Yo-Yo Ma, and an Odd Close to 2022…
https://twitter.com/yoyo_ma/status/1609414029067296772?s=51&t=LvOMUrZ2xSDctWASSvuc5Q I’m a Yo-Yo Ma devotee, admiring both his versatile musical artistry and his good works. I share the wishes he conveys in the brief snippet above: May 2023 be “fabulous” for us all! The shovel he used to usher out the Old Year seems appropriate too. Though there were some important positive developments last … Continue reading A Shovel, Yo-Yo Ma, and an Odd Close to 2022…
Here Are the (non-Taylor) Swifties: Jon Swift Roundup 2022
I'm grateful to have been invited to participate in the Jon Swift Roundup 2022, a lovely blogging tradition begun by a satiric blogger named Al Weisel, whose nom de blog was Jon Swift. It was Weisel's way to encourage other bloggers with audiences less robust than his own. After Weisel's untimely death, several of his … Continue reading Here Are the (non-Taylor) Swifties: Jon Swift Roundup 2022
Nancy Pelosi’s Final Press Conference–Imbued With History As She Makes Her Own
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1606019529972322326?s=20&t=cSj4h5Nzb4D8PzU_n4k1Gw From Churchill to Zelensky…from JFK to Biden. Nancy Pelosi’s multiple attributes include both a strong sense of history and the ability to envelop the day’s events with an appropriate, memorable antecedent. I had the pleasure of watching her final weekly press conference as Speaker last Thursday morning. (The complete transcript is here.) The reporters … Continue reading Nancy Pelosi’s Final Press Conference–Imbued With History As She Makes Her Own
Reading My Friend Peter’s SNAFU Letter at Christmas Time: A Reblog Prompted by a Stranger’s Final Twitter Message
’m not terribly fond of Christmas letters, which sometimes resemble those Facebook entries in which people tell you all the details of their day, including every morsel they ingested. But there was one letter I always looked forward to receiving. It was from my friend Peter, my colleague at the continuing medical education company that was my last job before retirement. Technically, I was Peter’s “boss,” a word I loathed, as I really believed in a collaborative work environment. But with Peter, it was irrelevant: he needed no bossing. Though his position was medical editor, he possessed two masters degrees and a PhD. It was our/my great good fortune that he wound up in that office. He was brilliant.
The Jan. 6 Committee Referrals: A Belt-and-Suspenders Case* for the DOJ (Acrostic)
A nd now we wait… B ecause nine thoughtful, careful, patrioticE lected officials have sent the DOJ aL ayered litany of criminal chargesT hat exceeded expectations… A ssembled support for statutes—N otably Inciting an Insurrection—soD amning to Donald and cronies that S everal experts point out the U nusual diversity of options.S ummoning armed zealotsP … Continue reading The Jan. 6 Committee Referrals: A Belt-and-Suspenders Case* for the DOJ (Acrostic)
“Are We in the West Weaker Than the Ukrainians?”
Dec. 14, 2022 (An Urgent Message for Americans reprinted from THE NEW YORK TIMES) Credit...Emile Ducke for The New York Times By Nicholas Kristof Opinion Columnist “We will beat the Ukrainian out of you so that you love Russia,” a Russian interrogator told one torture survivor I spoke to in Ukraine, before he whipped her … Continue reading “Are We in the West Weaker Than the Ukrainians?”
How Do You Train a Butterfly? The Same Way You Train an Orthopedic Surgeon! (Reblogging a 2019 Post)
Ken Ramirez, a world-renowned animal trainer, was offered quite the challenge. A botanical specialty group in the United Kingdom had built a large garden in the midst of some tall buildings in London—a garden that was home to thousands of butterflies of varying species, as well as many other types of flora and fauna. Its purpose: to show the “symbiotic relationship between plants and animals,” wrote Ramirez, describing the task ahead. “The director of the project, Lucinda Bartholomew, had envisioned a fundraising gala presentation that would include an orchestra in the middle of the garden playing beautiful classical music while butterflies flew from one part of the garden to the other.” They wouldn’t just fly willy-nilly, mind you. The idea was to design and implement a plan to train more than 10,000 butterflies to traverse the garden, on cue, in unison. Now if someone offered me an assignment that seemed like an impossibility, I’d think long and hard about it. But the fact that Ramirez hadn’t ever worked with butterflies before and knew little about their sensory mechanisms didn’t deter him at all. Ensured help from the group’s butterfly experts, he enthusiastically agreed. ”What a unique training opportunity!,” he wrote.
Has the Supreme Court Just Pulled Back From the Brink?
For those of you who are sensible enough not to follow all the machinations of the parts of our government that are really behaving very badly—that is, for people who’ve taken oaths to protect our democracy—the Supreme Court’s oral arguments about Moore v. Harper may not have been foremost in your minds. I understand. So … Continue reading Has the Supreme Court Just Pulled Back From the Brink?
The Giving Season In–and For–Ukraine
https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1599162627908722688?s=51&t=cTYFiiJPa9YsGqGR8dbAZQ Tweet From President ZelenskyPresident Zelensky's message evoked an emotional reaction from me. Despite the appearance of normality in his tweet, the harsh winter has begun. Its impact has been worsened by the brutal Russian attacks not only on civilians, but also on the sources of heat and electricity. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian freedom fighters are … Continue reading The Giving Season In–and For–Ukraine
So This Is the (Expletive Deleted) That Happened Here Yesterday
Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com I had my post nearly ready for publishing in the morning. I went through it one final time and made some tweaks that I thought were improvements. I pressed "Publish" about 9:30 am and then looked, as I always do, at the places where it should appear: WP Reader? … Continue reading So This Is the (Expletive Deleted) That Happened Here Yesterday
About That Special Counsel…(whose first action knocked down Donald Trump)
JACK SMITH* A staccato-short name, at once ordinary and reminiscent of dozens of spy novels. A photo suggesting pugnacity and determination. The photo seems to mesh with the opinions expressed by those who know him and have worked with him. Former Mueller investigation prosecutor Andrew Weissmann has said that he has himself been described as … Continue reading About That Special Counsel…(whose first action knocked down Donald Trump)
Why I’m Still Loath to Leave the Twitterverse
https://twitter.com/bebeneuwirth/status/1595954909001781248?s=51&t=W6b3mhjeObksR0oS3U4paw I suppose I might have seen this delightful image of humans' best friends learning a life-enhancing skill for the people they'll soon assist somewhere else, but I saw it on Twitter. And it was enriched by the exuberant comment from actress, singer, dancer Bebe Neuwirth. I didn't know Bebe Neuwirth was on Twitter, and … Continue reading Why I’m Still Loath to Leave the Twitterverse
Gun Violence vs Democracy
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” are incompatible with a craven Supreme Court majority’s opening the doors to madness in 2008 by ruling in the Heller decision that the Second Amendment applies to individual gun ownership—in people’s homes. Many legal scholars question that interpretation of the Second Amendment, which ignores the reference to a … Continue reading Gun Violence vs Democracy
GEORGIA SENATE VOTE ALERT!
If you live in Georgia or know anyone who does, including students who are registered to vote there but go to school elsewhere, please note that early voting is already under way in some counties, including DeKalb, and voting will occur THIS SATURDAY! https://twitter.com/victorshi2020/status/1595460409720721408?s=51&t=GlVeuLYVo1kzKoU8kLc-Jw https://twitter.com/linacantalupa/status/1595468585006399489?s=51&t=GlVeuLYVo1kzKoU8kLc-Jw Marc Elias, whose law firm is responsible for these election … Continue reading GEORGIA SENATE VOTE ALERT!
ON FRIENDSHIP
Reblogged from Jill Dennison's November 15, 2022 post Blogging friend Jill Dennison has written a thoughtful, profound, painfully honest inquiry into the nature of friendship in our divisive times. It seems especially appropriate to ponder as families and friends gather for Thanksgiving, a holiday that is more fraught than ever with tensions. My political partisanship … Continue reading ON FRIENDSHIP
“The High Cost of Underestimating Joe Biden”
By David Rothkopf November 13, 2022 In 2020, @JoeBiden was second guessed by many (me included). He wasn’t exciting. Too old school. Talked about healing. Talked about a clear agenda when the other side had little to offer but hate and good TV ratings. And he won decisively despite the skepticism of the “smart money.” For two … Continue reading “The High Cost of Underestimating Joe Biden”
The Most Important Senator…
https://twitter.com/EarlOfEnough/status/1591635895400136704?s=20&t=V3RWtStXYgEEsHZ0y96qjg In a recent post about a potential Republican majority House of Representatives, I’d written: “Before I delve into the potential horror that may await us, I’m going out on a twig-thin limb with a prediction: the Democrats will retain their majorities and possibly pick up a Senate seat or two.” It’s getting a bit … Continue reading The Most Important Senator…
Post-Election Day Musings…The Sun Begins to Shine
Photo by Darwis Alwan on Pexels.com I watched an ebullient President Biden, with spring in his steps, mount the podium Wednesday night to face the press that’s been dismissing him for so long. For an hour, he cheerily responded to questions. One commentator fondly called it an hour-long “humble-brag.” The President said he feels confident … Continue reading Post-Election Day Musings…The Sun Begins to Shine
Closing Argument Across the Generations…
https://twitter.com/MeidasTouch/status/1589709305191706624?s=20&t=zXXpSPMXVn5c5SoO_YWzXA Leave no voter behind. Voters can find their polling places by going to iwillvote.com. Annie
Want Reason for Hope? Please Take the Time to Watch This…
https://twitter.com/meidastouch/status/1589313632781103104?s=51&t=79MTgMfYjWRR-vjbmhu31Q ...And if you can spare two hours to call young voters, go to bit.ly/callyoungvoters. Doing so can help turn hope into reality. Annie
AN EVEN BIGGER REASON TO IGNORE THE DAMN POLLS!
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com When I first heard the expression “flooding the zone," I thought it sounded somewhat conspiratorial. And it seems to be. It refers to just another Big Lie from the folks who are the experts on fabrications. Views of the elections' likely outcomes are being manipulated by a slew of … Continue reading AN EVEN BIGGER REASON TO IGNORE THE DAMN POLLS!
Please Join Me…
Photo by Polina Kovaleva on Pexels.com President Biden said last night: “We the people must decide whether we will have fair and free elections and every vote counts. We the people must decide whether we’re going to sustain a republic, where reality’s accepted, the law is obeyed, and your vote is truly sacred. We the … Continue reading Please Join Me…
The Republican House’s Key “Strategic Thinker” If They (Shudder) Win
Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com Hope you’ll all bear with me for a few more obsessive blog posts between now and next Tuesday. In what are my clearer moments, I realize I’ve adopted an “I Alone Can Save Democracy” grandiosity. After November 8, I’ll return to covering a wider variety of topics—some of them, … Continue reading The Republican House’s Key “Strategic Thinker” If They (Shudder) Win
Be Prepared, But Don’t Be Scared, Ignore the Polls…and Vote!
BE PREPARED I found this helpful guide on Twitter, posted by our valuable fellow blogger Tokyo Sand, who blogs at politicalcharge.org. The FBI also offers assistance via its 56 local field offices: https://www.fbi.gov/contact as well as tips.fbi.gov. https://twitter.com/dhstokyo/status/1584411737755111424?s=51&t=sY9YsroB87uwcfYBAtmofA NOTE: THE HOTLINE NUMBERS IN THE GRAPHIC ARE FOR COUNTY/STATE AND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICES--NOT GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES--UNLIKE … Continue reading Be Prepared, But Don’t Be Scared, Ignore the Polls…and Vote!
LET’S ALL MAKE SURE WE PROTECT DEMOCRACY ON NOVEMBER 8TH (My attempt to create a helpful candidates guide)–A Reblog/Update
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com With Two Weeks to Go: There's reason for concern, but not despair! If we all do our parts, we can still prevent the takeover of our government by a party that has stated outright its plans--plans that will assault our freedoms, the economy, and our government's stability. Using the … Continue reading LET’S ALL MAKE SURE WE PROTECT DEMOCRACY ON NOVEMBER 8TH (My attempt to create a helpful candidates guide)–A Reblog/Update
“Anything You Care About Depends Upon Democracy”
NOTE: If you click on the Deadline White House video below and the Katie Porter video farther down--and I hope you will--you'll remain on Twitter (I'm not sure why.) On my computer, I can just click out of Twitter to return to this post, but on my iPhone, I had to leave and click on … Continue reading “Anything You Care About Depends Upon Democracy”
WE NEED TO “FIGHT HARDER”…
Though the only polls that count are those on Election Day, the media are blaring poll results that show increasing support for the Republicans based on the economy. Concerns about the loss of reproductive and potentially other freedoms--and about democracy itself--appear to be receding, engulfed by voters' erroneous beliefs that the Republicans are better stewards … Continue reading WE NEED TO “FIGHT HARDER”…
OH, NO, DONALD…!?!??!
YOU DID ALL OF THIS... The FBI is seeking information about other Insurrectionists not yet apprehended. Capitol Violence Images are found at http://www.fbi.gov. ...AND THIS: BECAUSE OF THIS?!!?!!? Trump made the above comment, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson told the January 6 Committee, in December, 2020, when the Supreme Court Justices [he was sure … Continue reading OH, NO, DONALD…!?!??!
Part 2: Civic Goodness
Peggy Bernardy with her clipboard, ready to register Nevada voters When Scott Steward told me about Peggy Bernardy, who is working tirelessly to turn out voters for the midterms just a few weeks away, I was eager to contact her. She responded immediately, telling me she'd get back to me later as she was on … Continue reading Part 2: Civic Goodness
Part 1: Civic Goodness
Indivisible Yolo (CA) members Scott Steward and Peggy Bernardy in Reno, Nevada Note from Annie: I am devoting my blog posts this week to honoring two of the tens of thousands of Americans who have been doing the hard work for us all prior to these crucial midterm elections. Scott Steward and Peggy Bernardy are … Continue reading Part 1: Civic Goodness
A WORRIED OPTIMIST MAKES HER PLEA: WHY THESE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE DIFFERENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvJSvBYcd_s As an optimist who worries a lot (a self-description I borrowed from the late, great Madeleine Albright), I am not happy about a few things occurring in this countdown to the critically important—likely democracy-at-stake—midterms. I am writing this post now because I believe that even if you’re apolitical and would rather be reading about … Continue reading A WORRIED OPTIMIST MAKES HER PLEA: WHY THESE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE DIFFERENT
Lizzo and the Magic Flute: Why This Story Matters…
Photo from the Library of Congress If you’re one of the handful of pop culture luddites like me who were unfamiliar with Lizzo, I offer a brief introduction. She’s a 34-year-old internationally renowned singer, songwriter, rapper, Grammy winner, and oh-by-the-way, classically trained flutist. She might also be called, and I don’t think she’d mind, a … Continue reading Lizzo and the Magic Flute: Why This Story Matters…
Joe Biden As Visionary: A Fairer, More Prosperous, Healthier America IS INDEED ON THE BALLOT!
Image courtesy of hsb wikimedia.org. I’ve been saying for some time that I believe history will be kinder to our maligned President than the voters seem to be. While Biden’s poll numbers are rising, they’re nowhere near where they should be based on his accomplishments to date. And those accomplishments are just a down payment … Continue reading Joe Biden As Visionary: A Fairer, More Prosperous, Healthier America IS INDEED ON THE BALLOT!
A WISE AND IMPORTANT TWITTER THREAD…
I, too, believe it is urgent that we who are the majority participate as never before—we must not be discouraged by reports suggesting our votes won't count! In Italy, the new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is an admirer of Mussolini who heads a neo-fascist party. Her ascent is the result of an election with an … Continue reading A WISE AND IMPORTANT TWITTER THREAD…
SOME GOOD NEWS…
Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com Some very positive events are occurring. I'm posting below the intro and conclusion from Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition newsletter, published September 22--an issue he titled: "A Good Day." ___________________ A half-dozen major stories broke on Wednesday. Together, they reinforce the rule of law and confirm the renewed strength … Continue reading SOME GOOD NEWS…
Why Do Voters Trust Republicans on the Economy More Than Democrats?
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com “For all of the ‘pain at the pump’ stories, the answer is that wages and salaries have kept pace with inflation since Biden took office—and by this measure, most Americans are much better off than before the pandemic hit in 2020, and before he took office in 2021.” —Robert … Continue reading Why Do Voters Trust Republicans on the Economy More Than Democrats?
LET’S ALL MAKE SURE WE PROTECT DEMOCRACY ON NOVEMBER 8TH (My attempt to create a helpful candidates guide)
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com With the completion of the primaries on September 13 and the midterm elections less than two months away, it’s time to zero in on particular candidates who have been targeted by the Republicans, and/or those I feel are especially worthy of your votes, active support, and any dollars you … Continue reading LET’S ALL MAKE SURE WE PROTECT DEMOCRACY ON NOVEMBER 8TH (My attempt to create a helpful candidates guide)
The Trees Are Coming! The Trees Are Coming!
We'll soon get one of these beauties! (photo from township manager) When we bought our suburban home--lo, those many years ago--it was the trees that sealed the deal. The wonderful mighty oaks on both sides of the street stretched toward the middle, forming a leafy canopy elegant enough to welcome a royal procession. For a … Continue reading The Trees Are Coming! The Trees Are Coming!
From Obama to Trump: Dr. Jill Biden’s Remarks Got Me Thinking…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8oJ_-xvnDs Barack and Michelle Obama's return to the White House for the unveiling of their portraits was a joyous occasion. It was also evocative in any number of ways—most notably, a reminder of the importance of peaceful rituals involving the transfer of power. If you haven’t seen any of the coverage, I’ve included above the … Continue reading From Obama to Trump: Dr. Jill Biden’s Remarks Got Me Thinking…
Looking Toward “Roevember”
Photo [of Alaska] by Andrew Hanson on Pexels.com I’m trying not to get too giddy. We have a lot of hard work ahead to pull off democracy-saving Democratic wins in November—just a little over two months from now. When I wrote my post “Abortion Is Actually Going to Save Democracy,” I cited the work of … Continue reading Looking Toward “Roevember”
Why Did the Main Stream Media Tune Out the President’s Warning About Democracy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wygovCnX8Uw President Biden made a bold and powerful speech in Philadelphia about the dangers our democracy faces due to Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. If you haven't seen it, you can watch it above (speech begins around 6.25, after music) and/or read it here. I think it must have taken a lot to get … Continue reading Why Did the Main Stream Media Tune Out the President’s Warning About Democracy?
When the “Green Revolution” Smacks Up Against the Green of Dollars…
Photo by Leonardo Lamas on Pexels.com A front-page story in The New York Times: “Secret Data, Tiny Islands and a Quest for Treasures on the Ocean Floor.” (Diligent Times readers are excused from finishing this post, though I’ve condensed a story that was more than twenty printed pages with photos into a much shorter piece!) … Continue reading When the “Green Revolution” Smacks Up Against the Green of Dollars…
“Abortion Is Actually Going to Save Democracy”
Photo by Emma Guliani on Pexels.com "Abortion is actually going to save Democracy." Those were the words of Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, announcing that her organization is donating more than $50 million to help elect pro-choice candidates in November. How far-fetched is Johnson’s assessment? Not nearly as far as it was before … Continue reading “Abortion Is Actually Going to Save Democracy”
Sex and Gender: Diversity in Chimps, Bonobos, and Us
Photo by Keith Lobo on Pexels.com Frans de Waal is a Dutch biologist and primatologist who thinks humans have some silly ideas/constructs about sex and gender. He’s written a number of books, most recently Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist. I heard him express his strong opinions on Alan Alda’s Clear and Vivid … Continue reading Sex and Gender: Diversity in Chimps, Bonobos, and Us
I Think We All Need This…
https://twitter.com/QueenLesli/status/1558125131540619269?s=20&t=Sab8VCm9uU9L1tTKzJLbIg We must hope the penguin's assistant is treating him/her well--and the proper conditions for penguin good health are just outside the camera's range (an ice bath, for sure). In my heart, I know this cutie shouldn't be in captivity. I've persuaded myself that the artiste is having lots of fun and will be just … Continue reading I Think We All Need This…
Who Could Take Down the Felon-in-Waiting? Librarians!
From an Occupied Democrats Facebook posting Stephen Colbert's wise and witty observation warms my heart. If the National Archives and Records Administration's informing the Justice Department about all those missing super-secret documents leads to the indictment and conviction of the former guy for violating the Espionage Act, among others, we'll be seeing Karma raised to … Continue reading Who Could Take Down the Felon-in-Waiting? Librarians!
Moms, Kids, and the Makeup of Congress
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In this intolerable heat, I’ve been thinking a lot about poor single moms and their children. Lacking air conditioning, where do they go for relief? How do they manage? Last year, the Federal government gave tangible help to these families and others. One of the most enlightened, potentially most important … Continue reading Moms, Kids, and the Makeup of Congress
Some Happy Governmental Stuff…(and not about that guy)
In place of "Dems in Disarray," I'm looking for the mainstream media stories reporting "Dems in Array!"
THANK YOU, KANSAS VOTERS!
In my recent post, I asked: “What’s the Matter in Kansas?” Republican politicians were deliberately trying to confuse voters into passing a constitutional amendment that would enable them to overturn a Supreme Court ruling protecting abortion. Last night we learned that Kansas voters, by a VERY large margin, said NO WAY! Republicans, unaffiliated voters, and … Continue reading THANK YOU, KANSAS VOTERS!
A Russia Expert on Ukraine: WE MUST NOT BUY INTO PUTIN’S NARRATIVE
Photo by Mathias Reding on Pexels.com The horrors that Putin is wreaking on the Ukrainian people are increasing, but this news is no longer at the forefront. Though the fading attention is understandable and probably inevitable, it’s just what Putin is counting on. He is playing the long game, figuring that once the forbidding winter … Continue reading A Russia Expert on Ukraine: WE MUST NOT BUY INTO PUTIN’S NARRATIVE
HE MADE IT ALL HAPPEN! A Post-(Eighth)January 6th Hearing Acrostic
H ere, for the world to see, is theE vidence that removes all doubt: The M AGA-LOW-man-baby satA nd watched his worst-laid plan againstD emocracy sputter and wither while heE njoyed chaos by the cruel/clueless. I t’s not enough to say “He did nothingT o stop them”—he did A ll he could to pump them … Continue reading HE MADE IT ALL HAPPEN! A Post-(Eighth)January 6th Hearing Acrostic
What’s the Matter in Kansas? Abortion Law Trickery Likely to Spread
Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com I noted in my post “How to Be a Part of the Solution” that an organization I work with, PostCardsToVoters, is seeking to inform Kansas voters about the intricacies of a proposed state constitutional amendment on abortion. Significantly, this amendment would reverse the state Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling that the … Continue reading What’s the Matter in Kansas? Abortion Law Trickery Likely to Spread
“Bright April” and the Librarian of Congress–and All We Must Protect
This is a story about a young girl who saw herself in a picture book for the first time—and went on to great prominence in our nation. It’s a story of the power of books, libraries, and librarians—and, by extension, the perverse acknowledgment of that power in the attempts to block it by a growing … Continue reading “Bright April” and the Librarian of Congress–and All We Must Protect
How to Be a Part of the Solution
If you're feeling upset and frustrated about events you feel you can't control, consider how you might volunteer to effect change. And please don't tell me "I voted in 2020 and nothing's perfect." Democracy is worth the sustained effort to move it forward. This is a critically important election.
Where the Present and History Collide…
Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org What a sad, sad coincidence. Yesterday, The New York Times ran a front-page piece claiming that “Democrats Have Soured on Biden.” They cited a poll finding loss of confidence in the President across all age and ethnic groups. The primary reason for overall pessimism? Widespread concerns about the economy and inflation. … Continue reading Where the Present and History Collide…
A Couple of Garden Haikus
One feathery… Resplendent CardinalStraddles bough with familyFeeds babe, Mom looks on. Photo by Chris F on Pexels.com (I wish you could have seen Mom; she looked around as if to say, "As soon as this is done, I'm outta here.") The other furry… Brown rabbit pausesWhite-footed gray cat snoozesShared spot, different days. Photo by Steffi … Continue reading A Couple of Garden Haikus
“I No Longer Recognize My Country…”
I have increasingly come across the sad expression: “I no longer recognize my country.” I not only understand that expression; I also share it. We are being buffeted by a series of events that are searing to live through. We used to be so proud to be Americans. How did things go so terribly wrong?
This Radical Supreme Court Majority Is Killing US: A Call to Action
I've been working on this post on and off for weeks, trying to decide if advocating for court reform sounds too pie-in-the-sky. Since the overturn of Roe, which for the first time ever removed a Constitutionally protected right from Americans—with promises of more such decimation of established rights to follow—I’ve been eager to complete it. This week, the radical court majority’s beyond the beyond rulings moved my thinking from “too pie-in-the-sky” to “Do or die.”
“Something Is Not Right Around the Court…”: Reblogging a 2020 Post
At the hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump's ultra-conservative nominee to replace the late liberal giant Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Dem, RI) gave a remarkably clear and extremely important tutorial on the forces that are really moving the Supreme Court's decision-making in ways large and small...I hope you will view this video, which succinctly captures so much about why our government is failing to meet the needs of the American people.
Gun Safety: Small Step Forward; Big Step Back, But We Made a Difference!
The Supreme Court majority has just struck down a very sensible gun safety law--just as the often calcified Senate toddled toward a modest, though significant, breakthrough. Undeterred by my lack of legal credentials, I'm gonna venture that the American people had a say in both developments. Please bear with me...
This Stalwart Republican’s Words, “Chiseled in Stone,” May Help Save Our Democracy
When retired Appellate Court Judge J. Michael Luttig began his slow, laborious statement as a witness at the January 6 Committee hearings, I worried he’d lose half the viewing/listening audience. I could picture the outwardly composed committee members passing frantic messages back and forth, trying to figure out how to handle this important witness. Judge … Continue reading This Stalwart Republican’s Words, “Chiseled in Stone,” May Help Save Our Democracy
We’ve All Just Gotta Hang In There…
In my severely dog-deprived state,First thoughts of that photo, I’ll relate,Were that I’d dognap her right away--And also double her doggie pay! But broadly thinking about these timesThat try our souls, I reach for rhymes.The furry gymnast now says, with care,“We’ve all just gotta hang in there!” Please let your imagination roamIn responding to this … Continue reading We’ve All Just Gotta Hang In There…
The January 6th Committee Hearings Are Must-See TV!
Here's a veryvery brief summary of the Second Hearing.
The Capitol Police Gave Their All
In Honor of Caroline Edwards, Witness at the January 6th Committee's First Public Hearing, and Her Colleagues
We Will Hear About “The Unthinkable” in Just Two Days
If anyone reading this post has not been planning to watch the January 6 Committee hearings--or listen to them--I urge you to do so. If you’re not available, tape the sessions for later viewing. Even if you’ve turned off politics, it’s imperative that you inform yourself now—for the good of us all.
The President’s Fury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GPtFM3KiYU While waiting for President Biden to make his suddenly scheduled address on gun violence last night, several somewhat sympathetic “talking heads” discussed what we could expect from his speech. They concluded he’d have to be very careful, appealing to those ten elusive Republicans whose votes are essential if we are to see anything—anything at … Continue reading The President’s Fury
Some Wisdom About Gun Policy–and Everything Else
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com “All healthy societies are ready to sacrifice the existential moment for their children’s future and for children after those. The sense of the future is behind all good policies. Unless we have it, we can give nothing either wise or decent to the world.” —quotation attributed to CP Snow … Continue reading Some Wisdom About Gun Policy–and Everything Else
You Just Never Know Where Kindness Leads…
https://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/1527368871916605440?s=20&t=eQlCL-rohWNOlcDOkdde7Q A bit of cheer from the ebullient Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)--much needed, I think, at the end of this painfully sad week. Annie
How Can a Politician Campaign to Win Your Vote?
In this critically important November election, some very extreme candidates who spout the Big Lie are running against some very reasonable ones. How do the reasonable ones appeal to voters, who are the vast majority?
An Alternative Replacement Theory…
From a 2019 series of tweets Did you know that "they" are paying their life savings to smugglers, traveling long distances under dangerous and horrific conditions, risking deportation when they reach the US—all because they are so desperate to cast a fraudulent vote? This is the newest Republican 100% false scare tactic to persuade Americans … Continue reading An Alternative Replacement Theory…
Spreading the Lie “for Power, Political Gain and for Profit”
In President Biden's significant speech to the Buffalo community in anguish following the rampage by a white supremacist, he was forthright about the "poison...running through our body politic" and called out those who profit from it.
This Pot Ain’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be!
(Gotta mix things up in Annie land; it’s time for a breather from the headlines.) Way back in February, I wrote a piece called “It’s the Cereal, Stupid!” about my spouse’s and my cereal/serial bickering over the every-other-day task of generating steel cut oatmeal for our consumption at breakfast.
Whoa! What’s Going On Here?
Remember the notorious Access Hollywood video that surfaced in 2016, in which the former President and current Republican party cult leader joked about grabbing women inappropriately? Many of us naively thought that would automatically disqualify him. Alas! We’ve learned of any number of alleged sexual improprieties by the former guy. As of 2020, 26 women … Continue reading Whoa! What’s Going On Here?
On the Economy, Biden Wins!
https://twitter.com/BidensWins/status/1490702636810649601?s=20&t=FJs1GAIbrOFpsyaYZdTGlQ Yes, there is actually good news. Some enterprising person is finally getting the idea that the President’s low poll numbers are in part due to a lack of proper messaging. I just began to follow @BidensWins on Twitter, which I suspect began in February. It consists of pithy little things--some for fun, some serious--that … Continue reading On the Economy, Biden Wins!
What a “Weird Moment” We’re In…
Photo by Duanu00e9 Viljoen on Pexels.com (Excerpts below from historian Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American newsletter, May 2, 2022) “Tonight, news broke of a leaked draft of what appears to be Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s majority decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision establishing access to abortion as a … Continue reading What a “Weird Moment” We’re In…
A Great American’s Final Warning to Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtDgkjdJpuI Madeleine Korbel Albright, our nation’s first woman Secretary of State, knew authoritarianism up close and so very personal. Born in Czechoslovakia, she arrived in the US—on the ship SS America—with her diplomat father and family when she was eleven years old. At that young age, she’d already survived the Nazis' blitz of London and … Continue reading A Great American’s Final Warning to Us
Team Magpie Wins Round One
Photo by Daniil Komov on Pexels.com Not long ago, I posted some fascinating insights I’d learned about Lessons from Plants. Our flora friends depend on one another for the important things in life. They don’t hold back in asking for help. I wasn’t surprised, then, to learn about similar behaviors in birds. And I’d long … Continue reading Team Magpie Wins Round One
Should the US Provide Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine?
https://twitter.com/tribelaw/status/1515134737421119493 Experts' views of the Russians' horrific war against Ukraine have changed over the weeks of battle--and the once-impossible scenario depicting the Ukrainians actually stopping the Russians has gained favor. Now, with the Russians claiming they plan to push on to overtake Moldova, the threat of a widening war that the US has tried to … Continue reading Should the US Provide Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine?
A Slice of Wonder in a Trembling World
Sunlight sweeps across our yard in a glistening arc. Adolescent trees sway rhythmically in a Wind so tamed from the wrath I feared in March that I smile with relief at the trees’ gentle dance. But wait; there’s more: The goldfinches visit en masse, Their feathers startlingly brighter, richer— Another paean to the lengthening stretch … Continue reading A Slice of Wonder in a Trembling World
A Few Truly Special Jackie Robinson Stories
Whenever I see an essay bearing Doug Glanville's byline, I know I should set aside the time to read and savor it. I've written about Glanville several times and carried one of his pieces here and a video here. A friend of my older daughter's since childhood, he is an extraordinarily gifted person: former baseball … Continue reading A Few Truly Special Jackie Robinson Stories
That Elon Musk/Twitter Brouhaha: Why Should We Care?
NOTE: I wrote this piece on Friday, planning to post in on Wednesday. My original title was "Twitter, Twitter, What Have You Done?" But this morning's news changes all that in what may be a more ominous way.
Fame and Adversity, Love and Grace
I'm not one to look to entertainers for personal heroism. And I'm certainly aware that the made-for-public-consumption exteriors often hide some fairly unpleasant human beings. But I've long found musician Jon Batiste--a jazz pianist best known as the "Stay Human" band leader for Stephen Colbert's program--to be an extremely appealing guy: upbeat and open, seemingly … Continue reading Fame and Adversity, Love and Grace
“Free Speech Under Attack”: The House Spotlights Book Banning and Academic Censorship
Tomorrow (April 7), my favorite legislator will swing into action to breathe new life into the First Amendment. Former Constitutional Law Professor and Constitution devotee Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who chairs the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, will begin hearings to expose and investigate the nationwide attempts to throttle free speech in schools and public libraries.
A Teaching Justice: Why America Needs Judge Jackson Now!
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com In the midst of the loud, dreadful—and grossly distorted—attacks on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during her Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, one of her many admirable qualities impressed me the most. Judge Jackson, the daughter of educators, is a superb educator as well. I found myself fascinated by her explanations … Continue reading A Teaching Justice: Why America Needs Judge Jackson Now!
The Transfer of Power: Abe Lincoln and January 6th
Photo by Ramaz Bluashvili on Pexels.com I am listening to Rep. Jamie Raskin reading the audio version of his wrenching and beautiful memoir, Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and American Democracy. Raskin (D.-MD) is a former Constitutional law professor who headed the House team that sought to persuade the Senate to convict Donald Trump after his second … Continue reading The Transfer of Power: Abe Lincoln and January 6th
The Senate Astonishes: Votes Unanimously…and Gets Things Exquisitely Wrong…
You’ve no doubt heard about the Senate’s vote last week on the “Sunshine Protection Act.” This extraordinary bit of bipartisanship would make daylight savings time (DST) permanent beginning in 2023. After that, we’d no longer “fall back.” One more “spring forward”—and there we’ll stay. Forever sprung. And that’s a good thing? Maybe not.
Bill-Barr One Mo’ Time…I Seek Refuge in Rhyme
Bill Barr Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org We’ve all had a lovely reprieveFrom Bill-Barr’s penchant to deceiveBut he’s back with a hook:It’s his new “tell-all” bookWith li(n)es he assumes we’ll believe. Let me state that I will not payOne cent for this Bill-Barr display;I can learn what I needFrom reviews that I readOf the Truth he’ll … Continue reading Bill-Barr One Mo’ Time…I Seek Refuge in Rhyme
The Heroic Zelensky in Happier Times
https://twitter.com/VeraMBergen/status/1498814410911006723?s=20&t=Dk0uqy0THzs3KICGmMekuw The Ukraine President when he was just playing one on TV. This is a clip from "Servant of the People," the TV show starring Volodymyr Zelensky in which he portrayed a teacher who was elected President of Ukraine after a video of him as a corruption fighter in the show went viral. His performance … Continue reading The Heroic Zelensky in Happier Times
Bearing Witness, Asking for More…
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com I am sitting in my comfortable warm home, a sliver of sunlight illuminating the papers on my desk, the sounds outside confined to the occasional passing car and disparate birdsongs. I am writing one day before the US Congress will hear an impassioned speech delivered by the individual who has … Continue reading Bearing Witness, Asking for More…
AG Garland and That Pesky Matter…
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com This post was originally a rather formal "Open Letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland." I began by praising him for the extraordinary courage and skill he showed in prosecuting the horrific 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and said I'd heard a number of his former colleagues attest to his intellect, … Continue reading AG Garland and That Pesky Matter…
She Wants To Be Alone!!!!
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown
I gave her a bath to rid her (and me) of her fleas just now and she will not forgive. Can you see the hurt look in her eyes? She has been sulking in her crate ever since. And she rarely if ever goes into this crate!!!!
Our Cyborgian Future
Photo by Rodrigo on Pexels.com To my cautious, risk-averse self, the concept of rock climbing is beyond the beyond. I am fascinated, however, by those who’ll go where I would never tread. I’m also fascinated by the amazing world of biotech, which continually presses against the limits of human health and capabilities—and often extends them … Continue reading Our Cyborgian Future
The Historian and the President–Please Read and Watch…
I am a fan of historian Heather Cox Richardson, whose Letters From an American newsletter invariably helps put the events we're living through in historical context. Richardson wrote to her subscribers on March 4 that she encourages people who feel helpless to change the direction of our future that we can do so by "changing … Continue reading The Historian and the President–Please Read and Watch…
The Wind and March, 2022 (With Apologies to the Literary Giants)
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com To Shelley, the West Wind brought to mind:Seasons change; Spring can’t be far behind. Zephyrus, Chaucer’s Wind-gazing god,Sweetly exhaled with a Springlike nod To me, the Wind assaults the senses—So fiercely loud, coldly relentless. Its fury caused the Oaks’ surrender,Upending blocks of florae splendor In other acts of carefree … Continue reading The Wind and March, 2022 (With Apologies to the Literary Giants)
“Legitimate Political Discourse”?? –A Befuddled Acrostic
Listen: The RNC’s shockingEvaluation of the 1/6 Insurrection as aGarden-variety political discussionIs—in two words—nutty scary. IThink we need a collective gut checkIn which we figure out why soMany Americans would again willinglyAssign the Ship of State to actors who’llTitanically steer toward (melting) icebergsEven as its keel has just been stabilized. Please explain the “enthusiasm gap”Observed … Continue reading “Legitimate Political Discourse”?? –A Befuddled Acrostic
During Black History Month, a Message That Resonates…
emorate Black History Month in a way that isn't trite and says something both pertinent and uplifting about where we are today. The conversation in Pennsylvania between Pastor Mitchell and Congressman Conor Lamb, who's running for the US Senate, moved me profoundly and met my criteria.
There’s a Guy Climbing Over My Neighbors’ Fence…
He's been there for a veryveryvery long time. I think he's stuck. What shall I do? Call the police? Bring him a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal? Annie ________ NOTE: With egomaniacal Vladimir Putin already moving toward what could be the largest war in Europe since World War II, I felt some silliness was in order. … Continue reading There’s a Guy Climbing Over My Neighbors’ Fence…
Worried About Inflation? Here’s How the Republicans Are Fighting It…
https://twitter.com/noliewithbtc/status/1493716224198553602?s=21 Inflation is a legitimate concern of all Americans, and the Biden administration has been doing everything it can to bring it down. The inflation stems from the pandemic, which has messed up supply chains and unleashed strong consumer spending that had been pent up during the previous few years. It's also been fueled by … Continue reading Worried About Inflation? Here’s How the Republicans Are Fighting It…
Oh, No: Not That Tired Old Argument Again!
Why "We're a Republic, not a Democracy" is so wrong--and why we must respond to those who say it.
“It’s the Cereal, Stupid!”
“This Needs to Be a National Conversation”
With all the concerns about the various attempts to disenfranchise voters, another voting issue hasn’t been talked about much. ..."the epidemic of uncounted ballots in America."
News About Climate Change–Some Good, Some Bad–Courtesy of Lizards…
Tiny lizards inspired biologist Thor Hanson to write a book: "Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squids." I heard him speak in yet another fascinating Alan Alda Clear&Vivid podcast. Hanson’s book, Alda says, is about “the ways plants and animals are responding as we humans are messing with their lives.”
“We the Students” Want to Read Banned Books!
Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com In one of my previous lives as a freelance writer, I was active in the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). One of ASJA’s yearly efforts was a celebration of the freedom to read through commemorating Banned Books Week, which you can read about here. One year, I … Continue reading “We the Students” Want to Read Banned Books!
A Film’s Backward Look Evokes a Brutal Post-Roe v Wade Future
A powerful new documentary about courageous women in the 1960s has messages for us today.
Buzz Saw Ambivalence
The pounding in my head has been almost unbearable. Sporadic, fortunately, but I shudder from its power, reaching for a way to steady myself. Immediately following, moments of relative quiet, then the incessant buzzing—for seconds…then minutes…to an hour at a time. Our neighborhood is in the throes of a necessary but painful clearing of old trees. My mind doesn’t doubt the validity of the decision. My gut and heart feel otherwise.
The Senate Debate on Voting Rights Is Not the End of the Story
"And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders--to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.” --President Obama, eulogizing John R. Lewis
I Choose Hope for America
President Obama presents Congressman John Lewis with Presidential Medal of Freedom. Image commons.wikimedia.org It feels as though the Doomsday Clock for American democracy and stability took a swing in the wrong direction these past few days. Two greed-driven Democrats whose campaign coffers have been swelling with special interest money even though they’re not up for … Continue reading I Choose Hope for America