Thank you 2022, Let's go 2023!!

 

Another blessing of another year to look back on. I will always be grateful.

I'll be honest - I completely forgot my themes for 2022 until I just now looked at last year's blog post: Avoid Avoidance and Trust Myself.

Sigh.  I haven't found the 'magic' process to remind myself of my intentions.

When I think back on 2022, I think of Mom breaking her hip, Little Kitty living with me for about seven months, the January 6th committee, the Supreme Court (Dobbs decision overturning Roe - a women's right to choose, and other decisions in which the religious and extreme conservative block of five - Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett - are gleefully dismantling rights and remaking America...it's as if they think America should be a Christian nation. It's really shaking the foundations of our country.), Putin invading Ukraine, Elon/Kanye/Trump, and MFJ quit our company. 

I had personal insights during the year but can't find a way to write about them today. So, I won't.  The bottom line: the struggle continues.

And speaking of the struggle...this year's theme is AUTHENTIC EMPOWERMENT.

It's a combination of the continuing effort to discover who I am with an emphasis on my spiritual self.

I started with the word AUTHENTICITY because I am always struggling to discover who I am without the influence of nature or nurture.  I'm not sure it's possible to know the answer - human beings are born to be influenced by both; it's our blessing and our curse.  

In the last couple weeks, I decided I'd like to be closer to my spiritual self again. I pulled out three books from my bookshelf that called to me. I have varying degrees of familiarity with each. My goal is to give them more attention and focus this time around.

"The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav 

"A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle

"The Nature of Personal Reality" A Seth Book by Jane Roberts

I started with "The Seat of the Soul" and it turns out the goal of the book is to discuss authentic empowerment - the alignment of the personality with the soul. I decided that the word 'authentic' was a sign that I'm on the right track for my 2023 theme. I refined my theme to AUTHENTIC EMPOWERMENT.

I spent a lot of 2022 on Twitter (now owned by Elon - ugh) and YouTube and reading newsletters.  I played June's Journey and Lily's Garden.

I also watched television and some movies as well.

Here are the highlights:

Television

• New Amsterdam S4, S5 (NBC) - I'm sad this is the last year
• Ghosts S1 (CBS) and Abbott Elementary S1, S2 (ABC) - good, friendly comedies
• The Bear S1 (Hulu) - compelling, with an easy/pat season finale.  
• Tehran S2 (Apple TV+) - intense.  I'm okay if there's no season 3, but I will watch if there is.
• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) - enjoying the cast, good stories.
• Masterpiece: Grantchester S7 (PBS) - love the characters and the ending
• The Resort (Peacock), engaging puzzle/mystery, good characters.
• The Mole S1 (Netflix) - good show
• The Big Brunch S1 (HBO Max) - good judges, good cast, good competition
• Andor S1 (Disney+) - excellent, story is perfect for our times. Empire and revolution
• The Peripheral S1 (Prime Video) good story, good characters who didn't unnecessarily hide things.
• Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan S1 (Prime Video) spy stuff - it was gory in places, but also good story.
• Only Murders in the Building S1 (Hulu) - I'm late to the game, but it was fun, funny, surprising.

Movies

• CODA (Apple+) Well done, father was fantastic, family was great, traditional coming-of-age story.
• Free Guy (HBO Max) Surprise to me - very fun
• Central Intelligence - another surprise that made me want to watch Kevin Hart and The Rock movies.
• Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level - fun, funny, Kevin Hart and The Rock.
• Everything, Everywhere, All at Once - Wowza - great movie.  Lots of depth under all the mayhem. Michelle Yeoh is fantastic.
• The 355 (Amazon Prime) - female badass spies.  
• What the Constitution Means to Me (Prime Video) - beautiful and stirring.
• Glass Onion, A Knives Out Mystery - I like this better than the first one and more in retrospect.
• Top Gun: Maverick - Who woulda thunk it? Great movie.  Not cheesy.

So that's where I'm leaving this year's blog post. I have a couple things on my mind so I can't focus on being as retrospective as I'd like to be. I'm running out of storage on this computer and spent a good chuck of the day moving items from OneDrive and this Surface to an external drive. I haven't quite settled on my next year's bullet journal plan, and I didn't do my Saturday Finances this morning.

Peace, Love, Joy, and AUTHENTIC EMPOWERMENT, to everyone in 2023!!!

Thank you 2021, Here's to 2022!!!

       

Take a look at NYTimes photos of the year.  It's stunning to be reminded of all the things that have gone on this year: the capital riot, the continuing pandemic, Joe Biden/Kamala Harris inauguration, vaccines, migration from South and Central America, weather/climate change, Trump's second impeachment trial, Delta variant, Omicron variant, the fate of democracy in America, emboldened racists, and the escalating power of the religious right and their threat to American and human rights based on their religious beliefs (abortion rights, lgbtq rights).   

It feels chaotic and sad and scary.  I worry these days, in the future, will be referred to as the 'good old days', or the 'calm before the storm'. 

At the same time there were lots of fantastic things happening. The pandemic was a time when people reexamined their lives, made new choices, quit their jobs, or changed their life focus.  While inequality became more apparent, it also inspired people to educate themselves and get involved in making solutions. The weather disasters brought climate change to the front of conversations. In the most difficult times, we often have the most possibilities. 

2021 has been quite a year for me. A highlight was meeting my biological sister and aunt on my father's side. I'm still getting to know them and at the same time I feel like I've known them all my life.  I graduated from the University of Washington at the end of this year.  Finally.  

My theme for 2021 was 'My Effort Is My Love'.  I have a sense that I was mindful about pushing through with a little more effort when I otherwise wouldn't have.  Small tasks at work and at home.  But also, big tasks.  I didn't want to finish my degree a year ago.  I was done with it.  I felt like I'd gotten what I wanted out of it and didn't need to finish the last three classes.  I pushed on anyway.  They were fantastic classes.  When I was thinking about last year's theme, I had an idea that it would be about making an effort to show people I love them. I don't think I did that very well. I continued to stay isolated. School and work kept me busy. 

I feel energized for what 2022 could bring now that I'm done with school.  I feel the excitement of new beginnings on the horizon (that I can't quite see) and a calling to reconnect with my Higher Self (so I can envision my new path).  I want to learn about creating visual 'explainers' and writing about current events.  Get back to artistic pursuits? I want to read books and watch movies. I want to Make My House A Home - my home environment is comfortable for me but doesn't feel warm and inviting.  I want to continue saving money and prioritizing sleep.  I want to be more physically active. I want to do better with food and eating healthy.  

For the New Year, I will be mindful of staying focused (even if it's for a short time) and making an effort - to take one more step to finish a task completely.  Those are themes from previous years that are still useful and beneficial to my life.

The new ideas for 2022 are two:   Avoid Avoidance, and Trust Myself.

How many projects or tasks are left unfinished because the next step is either scary, uncomfortable, or difficult.  I avoid it. In 2022 I want to recognize when I'm 'avoiding' and think my way through to the action that is best for me.

How many newspaper or magazine articles have I saved that I'll never read?  I'm usually looking for 'perfect knowledge' before I formulate my opinion on a topic.  I don't trust myself to not be influenced by other people whose intentions or agendas I don't recognize.  I want very much to have my own opinion.  

This year, I'd like to accept the fact that I won't have perfect knowledge and I can trust myself, I can stop saving articles unless I'm specifically researching a topic related to a writing or 'explainer' project.

I often feel pressure to make a decision in a rush.  But I can take a moment to check in with myself - take a deep breath - before giving an opinion or answer.

It seems extremely important, when I state my opinion or answer a question without perfect knowledge, to be open to receiving new information.  I often believe I'm open to new information, but deep down the default position I start with is my own previous decision.  I don't think that's being 'open'.  

These are some of the ideas I want to work with in 2022.  

On this last day of 2021, I want to acknowledge that we're all thinking of our wonderful Betty White.  When I was a young game show enthusiast (home from school, sick) I watched her on Password and The Match Game. I saw her bawdy side on The Mary Tyler Moore show.  She was a joy on The Golden Girls.  We had her for a long time, but it wasn't enough.

Along with Betty White, here are some other things I'm grateful for - this year and every year...

        Young people who have a lot of energy to wake up the world

        Old people who have seen the way life ebbs and flows

        Parents who have the courage to create humans

        People who love

        Babies and children who are full of possibility

        Teachers who share their knowledge

        Workers who give all of us food, energy, air, safety

        Thinkers and Doers, Activists and Communicators who help us move along.

        Musicians and Artists who open our hearts

Thank you 2021.  Thank you for the days and nights I was given to dance this life. I didn't use every moment in a way that makes me proud or happy, but there were plenty more moments of love and laughter, of hope and gratitude, of presence and peace.  Thank you. 

I'll keep dancing this life into 2022!!!

Donald Trump's second Impeachment Trial

 

The House of Representatives rested their case for conviction of Donald Trump yesterday.

Last night, three senators - Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Lindsey Graham - met with the President's defense team to discuss their strategy.  

Note: those three are 'jurors' in this case.  Although this isn't a criminal proceeding - it's completely political - the expectation is that the 'jurors' will go into the process with an open mind. It's commonly reported that the result of this Impeachment is a foregone conclusion.  Most Republicans will not vote to Impeach the Trump.

The benefit of proceeding with the trial even though the result is already known: 

• Get all the information into the official record.  
• An impeached person is barred from ever holding office again
• To support the institutions of government over the political ambitions of one party or one person.

It's an American Tradition that we often like to put 'ugly' things behind us and just move forward.  We've lost accountability.  There were some who said we shouldn't bother with this because it's just wasting time and we already know the end result; it's best to just move on with Biden's administration. 

I disagree.  I think Trump did extensive damage to our country.  He can't be allowed to run for office again (which he threatens to do in 2024).

I will thank Trump for showing us all how delicate a democracy is, and how many people there are in our country that believe in the status quo where White people, and white men in particular, are the dominant force. 

Its truly unconscionable how bad a President Donald Trump was and would like to be again.

He didn't even try to use the collective power of the government to give all people in the United States a safe, secure, and free place to live.  He only cared about making his base happy and the rest of us are not the 'real' Americans he is working for.  

Donald Trump is the antithesis of everything I understood about what the United States aspires to be...with liberty and justice for all.  

Donald Trump embodies the Spirit of America that I grew up believing in if you tack onto the end of every sentence that it only applies to white heterosexual males whose families own property.

America is the land of freedom

America is the land of freedom for white heterosexual males whose families own property.

America is the land of the brave.

America is the home of the brave white heterosexual males whose families own property.

In America there is liberty and justice for all.

In America there is liberty and justice for all white heterosexual males whose families own property.

(I am not confident I have the proper grammar and spelling on that 'whose families' part)

Here's the problem.

I believe all this is true.  Donald Trump was a terrible president and I think he should be punished for inciting the January 6th Capitol Riot (among a lot of other things he hasn't been charged with).  I don't understand why anyone would support his behavior and his desire to be the king so much that he will destroy democracy to make it happen.  People may support his policies.  I have to accept that in a democratic United States.  But, his behavior - it's unacceptable to me.  

I have no power.  I don't know how to stop this descent into authoritarianism.  

The only way to 'win' is to get in the mud with those people.  I think that's a bridge too far for most of us.  We learned the lesson 'two wrongs don't make a right'.  And 'the ends don't justify the means'.

My hope is that this is the last gasp of a dying idea.  

My hope is that Biden will show that a good government has value.

My hope is that through our actions people will come to realize that sharing rights and responsibilities doesn't take away from anyone's rights and responsibilities.

(The white male power structure is afraid they'll lose something if they allow everyone to have what they take for granted - what they expect from the world).

These are my thoughts before the Senators hear the President's defense and take the vote to convict or not convict President Trump for inciting violence on January 6, 2021.

Maybe I'll be surprised. I hope I'm surprised. 

21st day of 21st year of 21st century!!!

Well there ya go!  

The 21st day of the 21st year in the 21st century!  

I think that is extra cool.

I love those kind of milestones in life.  It cements a moment in time.

As noted by Chelsea's young son Aidan - it's also Joe Biden's first full day as President.  Yay! 

I'm working today - going through emails.  I'm in week three of COM 304.  I don't yet have a vaccine for Covid-19 and don't expect one for several months, I'm continuing to isolate - and way too used to it.  That's my life update on the 21st day of the 21st year in the 21st century! :)

It would be better if I waited until the 21st minute of the 21st hour of the 21st year of the 21st century to publish this, but that's past my bedtime (a 24 hour clock).  11:21 pm  January 21, 2021.  

As a side note. comments replying to Chelsea's post were horrible.  Many of them coming from bot accounts (recently new account with only a few followers).  Others, though, coming from people who just want to say mean things - they say Chelsea made it up because no 4 year old would say something like that.  As she noted in subsequent texts, they do if that's the kind of thing their parents talk about at the breakfast table.  To me, that's typical of people who assume everyone is a copy of themselves - if their kid didn't say it, then no kid would ever say it.  Very Republican, and now Trumplican, way of thinking. 

And what's the point of even saying anything?  Why must those people rain on everyone's parade?  Especially if it's not a parade - just people living life.  What kind of mind must a person who goes out of their way to say mean things - in fact, seems to do it as a full-time job - what kind of mind must they have?  What kind of life must they live to have such negativity coursing through their veins and poisoning everything they see?  I suspect they'd say they live a beautiful life when they're not on Twitter, but that kind of negativity really does find its way into a person's daily life.  They don't notice it, but it changes them.

Memorial for Covid-19 on January 19, 2021

 

I used the photo from the Axios newsletter this morning.

We still have a ways to go before we're done with the pandemic.  It was comforting, though, to spend a moment without politics to acknowledge and memorialize the 400,000 people who have died and the families who miss them.

Thank you 2020, Hello 2021

The last twelve months had lots of challenges for the country - impeachment, election, racial justice protests, wildfires, hurricanes, and coronavirus. The fragility of our government and the partisanship of the people who live here have been laid bare.  We are not United. We have work to do.  

Individually we don't have the capacity to process all the information we need to make good decisions and adequately address all the crises facing us today.  They're big questions about huge ideas: freedom, democracy, ethics, and justice (as a start).  What is the relationship between people and government? Who are citizens? How is power attained and who serves the powerful? Do we serve power by choice? What 'rules' do we follow by choice and by habit, and do those 'rules' serve us?  Do they serve me?  Everyone makes individual choices about the society they want to live in. How does our government reflect my societal values and my personal values?  How are resources allocated?  Is planet Earth our partner or do we plunder it's resources without care?  How can we live in harmony?

Each of those questions is reflected through our lives and how we choose to live them.

Once we've thought about those questions the next step is to put the ideas into action.  

The last year has given us a lot of opportunity to make the world a better place!!!!

On a personal note it looks like I skipped coming up with a theme for 2020.  Maybe I had an inkling that anything I planned would come to naught.

I completed two classes for my UW degree.  Political Ecology of the World Food System was shocking and eye-opening.  Neoliberalism and globalization have done so much more than I ever imagined.  I have been living under a veil giving me a warped view of how the world works.  The difficult part is that I did know and I still didn't get it!  I took off summer and fall quarters because I was overwhelmed with news of the day in addition to the subject matter of the classes for my UW-ISS degree.

My favorite teacher left the UW.  I'm still disappointed and sad about it. I valued him highly and I wish they did too.

Personally I was most affected by the events around racial justice when, in quick succession there were three events that opened everyone's eyes: George Floyd - killed by a police officer, Ahmed Arbery - killed by vigilantes, and Christian Cooper - false assault accusation by a white woman.  And then it kept on happening...Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake to name two. 

In 2020 I discovered that my thyroid stopped working - or needs help to keep working.  So I take a pill every morning.  I mention it because I'm surprised that I've managed to do it.  Last year I would have bet I couldn't do anything every day for a month, let alone the rest of my life.  Now I've done it for four months and if I can do that - what else can I do every day?  What other good habits might I create for myself?  I did it by creating an action - when I brush my teeth at night I move the pills to the front of the sink so I can't help but notice in the morning. 

Normally I enjoy the solitude of my life but this year the isolation made it clear that I don't have people in my life that provide day to day interaction.  I've always known I wanted a Number One and didn't have one, but this year I realized how important it is.  

A benefit of 2020 was that many events that are normally held in person were virtual and I got to watch: New Yorker Festival, The Atlantic Festival, ACLU conversations, KUOW conversations, Hamilton, and I just watched a filmed version of Kinky Boots (West End).  Fabulous opportunities I'm grateful for. 

The events of this year brought sorrow and fear to many people.  I wish we could hug each other. 

I'm grateful for all the people who were brave and helped keep our country running throughout this pandemic - healthcare workers, grocery store workers, construction people, the government workers, the people who keep electricity running and thousands - millions - of others.  Too many people lost their lives this year and it makes all these essential people's efforts more courageous.  My contribution was that I didn't create unnecessary burden - I kept myself in my home and wore my mask. (I should have done more - there was more to be done. I am not brave. It is my shame.)

Thank you 2020, for opening my eyes, for challenging me, and for giving me time and space to know myself better.

Hello 2021!!!

For 2021, I have a theme based on two things I noticed in 2020:

1. I freely express my feelings for other people with words.  I tell people how much they mean to me and share my gratitude for knowing them.  At some point, though, words without action mean nothing. 

Side-note: That's why folks respond negatively to NRA funded politicians sending their 'thoughts and prayers' to the victims of gun violence, for instance. The politicians have power to make change, but all they do is send 'thoughts and prayers'.  If they really had thoughts and prayers they'd do something to make it stop...they don't.

I realize I don't show people how much they mean to me by my actions. I am inspired by MFKJ who created a quilt for me for my birthday. I am inspired by MSL who put together a family gathering at a park for my birthday in 2019. I am inspired by MFTM who cooked a bunch of food for LJB and put it in his freezer for him.  (I don't want to be too hard on myself - I have shown love to my friends and family in various ways - homemade cards, going to events with them, getting together.  I'm not consistent though, and it doesn't nearly express how much they mean to me.)

Years ago I wrote a little 'picture book' for myself of what my philosophy of life is.  In that description I mention that love doesn't mean anything if its not expressed.  The Big Bang was the ultimate expression of love energy exploding out into the universe. Expressing love through our interactions with each other and our creativity is our primary purpose in life.  LIFE comes alive through our actions and expressions of Love - which is our essence.  Eckhart Tolle says "Life is the Dancer, You are the Dance."  

2. I have difficulty with effort - if something requires effort I'm less likely to do it.  It's a problem. I don't do as well in my schooling, my work, or my personal life because I retreat from effort. I know my lack of effort is my way to avoid difficult things or things I'm afraid of. I also know that if I give effort I am showing love to myself - allowing myself to be the person the universe wants me to be.  If I show effort (without fear!) I can more fully express my best and highest self.

Combining those two ideas, I came up with my theme...My Effort is My Love. Every bit of effort I make is an expression of my love - for myself, other people, the planet, and the love energy of the universe - which is all of us.

At the end of 2021 I expect I'll have earned my bachelor's degree from the UW.  I hope that on 12/31/2021 I'll feel proud of how I've expressed love to myself and others in the previous 12 months. I'm creating an organization system and routines to help me stay informed without being overwhelmed. I want to be more aware and intentional in prioritizing how I use my time.  I have lots of work to do and I'm eager to make the effort!

I wish all of you moments of love, peace, and health in 2021.  I wish for everyone that you have a safe place to live, food that keeps you healthy, and equal opportunity for education and health care. The world isn't perfect yet, but I will do my best to help make it so. 

Happy Days Are Here Again!

 

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

(I can't figure out who or where this came from, but a version of it is on the Biden Victory Fund website)

Not the final results; from CNN as of 11:21 PST, Nov 7

This headline is from earlier in the morning

President-elect Biden's statement:

Politics Nov 7, 2020 12:26 PM EST

Statement by President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday’s election results:

“I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris.

In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.

With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.

It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.

We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”

Statement from President Trump:

Politics Nov 7, 2020 12:48 PM EST

Text of a statement from President Donald Trump on the election result:

“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor. In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.

“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election. It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.

“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”

The statement was issued while Trump was golfing at his club in Virginia.

From Leonard Pitts, Jr

This election showed us just who we are as a nation — and it’s not very pretty | Opinion

NOVEMBER 07, 2020 01:23 PM, 

UPDATED 15 MINUTES AGO

Forgive me for being the ant at the picnic.

Certainly, this is a glad moment, an ecstatic and delirious moment. The election of 2020 has ended at last. Joe Biden is finally the president-elect and Donald Trump is finally consigned to the dank well of ignominy he so richly deserves.

As Gerald Ford once said in the aftermath of a less dire threat, “Our long national nightmare is over.” As the Munchkins of Oz once sang, “Ding dong, the wicked witch is dead.”

But if gladness is mandated, caveats are required. America needed an emphatic rejection that left no doubt the chaos, lies, lawlessness, bigotry and ignorance Trump represented were not, as some of us are overly fond of claiming, “who we are as a people.” We needed to deliver him a thundering, emphatic rejection.

And we did not. To the contrary, a victory that should have been an overwhelming landslide had to be eked into existence. Indeed, even in defeat, Trump actually improved on his 2016 popular vote count by — at this writing — roughly 7 million.

Think about that. After he bungled a pandemic (236,000 Americans dead), after he botched the economy (nearly 5 million jobs lost — more than any president since World War II), after he alienated our allies and emboldened our enemies, after he undermined every government institution down to, and including, the National Weather Service, after he extorted Ukraine, occupied Portland and declared war on Lafayette Square, and after he embraced an agenda of brazen white supremacy, after, in other words, they lost the excuse of ignorance because they knew exactly what he was, 7 million more people cast their ballots for Trump.

Yes, he lost. Yes, Biden tallied more votes than any candidate in history and, of course, won the Electoral College. But the caveat looms large. Faced with a clear choice between good and evil, America did the right thing, barely. That is sobering and profoundly disappointing.

And it strips bare all the glossy claims about who we are as a country, underscoring the fact that in a meaningful sense, we are not one country at all anymore, but two sharing the same borders. The last time that happened, it took four years and 750,000 lives to force us back into some semblance of oneness. Even then, the seams of the fracture were always visible.

Unlike that break, this one is not starkly geographic: South versus North. No, this one is city versus country, college educated versus high school educated and, most significantly, future versus past. Meaning that yesterday, this was a nation where white people were the majority, and tomorrow it will be one where they are not.

The fear and resentment that inspires in many white people cannot be overstated. It has warped our politics for years, culminating in the disaster of Trump. Now Biden is elected on a promise to heal those breaks, but that will require more than a good man’s good intentions. It will require white Americans to divest a system of white supremacy that, let’s face it, has been very, very good to them.

Unfortunately, it has been less good for the country. So a moral reckoning is required here. It is time more white Americans finally recognize that white supremacy is not something you compromise with or rationalize. It must be a deal breaker, always. And it isn’t, as evidenced by the fact that the man who called Mexicans rapists and Haiti, El Salvador and the nations of Africa “shithole countries,” who described neo-Nazis as “very fine people” and told four Congresswomen of color to “go back” where they came from just won 7 million more votes than he did in 2016.

That’s “who we are as a people.” Let us stop kidding ourselves about that.

And start figuring out how to become what we said we were all along.

The other day, when I thought the election would be called for Biden I made myself almost giddy with excitement when I realized this also means that these people are ALSO fired:

Michael Pence - VP

Jared Kushner - "advisor," son-in-law 

Ivanka Trump - "advisor", daughter 

Stephen Miller - author of much of the immigration policy 

Kayleigh McEnany - Press Secretary (number 4) - 

Mark Meadow - Chief of Staff (number 4)

Kellyanne Conway - "advisor"

Rudy Giuliani - "advisor"

Eric Trump and his wife Lara

Donald Trump, Jr and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle

Tiffany Trump

Melania Trump

Mike Pompeo - Secretary of State (number 2)

Steve Mnuchin - Secretary of the Treasury

Mark Esper - Secretary of Defense (number 3)

William Barr - Attorney General (number 2)

David Bernhardt - Secretary of the Interior (number 2)

Sonny Perdue - Secretary of Agriculture

Wilbur Ross - Secretary of Commerce

Eugene Scalia - Secretary of Labor (number 3)

Alex Azar - Secretary of Health and Human Services (number 2)

Ben Carson - Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Elaine Chao - Secretary of Transportation

Dan Brouillette - Secretary of Energy

Betsy DeVos - Secretary of Education

Robert Wilkie - Secretary of Veteran's Affairs (number 3)

Chad Wolff - Secretary of Homeland Security (number 3)

Robert Lightizer - Trade Representative

John Ratcliffe - Director of National Intelligence (number 2)

Gina Haspel - Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (number 2)

Andrew R Wheeler - Environmental Protection Agency (number 2)

Jovita Carranza - Small Business Administration (number 2)

Russell Vought - Management and Budget (number 2)

Kelly Craft - Ambassador to the United States (number 3)

And all the others who have supported and enabled Donald J Trump and his family whose names I don't know.  Someone knows their name, though.  It will come out.

I can't get past this...

 

President Donald Trump walks with judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Rose Garden at the White House.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

AP

AP

Then, today...this - 

Our judiciary has been overrun by Trump appointees (via The Federalist Society).

There isn't anything to be done.  The current Supreme Court is nine justices, six of whom are extreme right wing, and three liberals.  There nothing Congress or the people can do.  Even if one of the justices becomes a swing vote, there will still be five conservatives.  

Three of the justices were legally appointed by a Republican president guided by the Federalist Society. But, President Trump won the electoral college, not the popular vote. His "mandate" comes from a minority of the country's population.  Within the minority of people who voted for him, I suspect the number of people who would agree with the conservative, originalist views of the new Supreme Court is even less.

Mitch McConnell used his power like a bully. 

He didn't/doesn't care about what's good or best for the country.

He denied the Obama administration any opportunity to put forward their own judicial nominee when Scalia died.  Rather than admitting he was a bully, he pretended it was because the opening came within one year of an election.

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies he added a caveat to that reasoning - it's only applicable when the Senate and the President are not the same party.  When they are the same party - you can nominate, hold a hearing, and approve a new justice to the Supreme Court less than two weeks before an election.

People were overcome with how much they disliked Hillary Clinton and ignored the big red flag that Mitch McConnell waved in front of their faces.

These days we blame Mitch McConnell - and Donald Trump - for 'breaking' the norms of governing.

We should blame ourselves.  We're the ones who didn't understand the threat of Mitch McConnell + Donald Trump.

Even though the end of the election is still three days away (or would it be four? Today is Saturday and the election is Tuesday.) I feel like the whole thing is lost already.  

Joe Biden may win on November 3 (I hope he does!!!!) but the problem persists.  

My first thought was that if this is what Republicans want, then fine.  We'll make laws at the state, county, and municipal level. They don't like a big federal government?  Great, we'll stop participating.  

I'm not so sure, though, that even reasonable laws a state or local government would put in place regarding human rights, gun violence, climate change, and social justice wouldn't be struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.  

There are enough people emboldened by Trump and his tactics who will bring suits against the states or municipalities on behalf of Trump's ideological and partisan positions.  They will claim the law takes away their personal freedom or their religious freedom.  

The new Supreme Court, I imagine, will agree.

Even though a reasonable thinking person might find their arguments ideological and partisan rather than wise, studied, and logical, it wouldn't matter because they have at least 5 votes on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the law of the land and if I believe the rule of law is a defining feature of successful democracies, I have to go along with what the Supreme Court rules. I can say it's wrong all day, every day, and it doesn't look like I'd have any recourse whatsoever.

The election is the recourse.  Right?

This election doesn't do anything to take away those justices on the Supreme Court or the lifetime Federal judge appointments.  

Not only that, but Donald Trump has been doing everything he can in the last year to make sure his followers believe that if Donald Trump loses it's because the election is rigged.  

He's said numerous times at his rallies that they (meaning Republicans) have many lawsuits already making their way through the courts about voting and voting rights in many states.

One of the reasons he said we needed to nominate and install a new judge to the Supreme Court before the election was so there's no possibility of a tie if the election goes to the Supreme Court.

If Trump wins...I can't imagine what will happen.  I suspect people will be out in the streets.

I'm not sure what the goal would be.

This is how badly Donald Trump has 'broken' America...we can't believe in the integrity of the government AND want the election results overturned.  

I suppose the Biden camp starts some lawsuits of their own?

How well will that go with the judiciary 'packed' with Trump appointees.  

Normally, I wouldn't assume that because a Republican appointed a judge - at whatever level - they would definitely side with the Republican. 

But Trump demands loyalty and the people he selects to work with him and the ones he nominates to be on the federal bench, I believe, will be loyal to him.  

If Trump wins and that's just the way it ends up - I can't imagine how people will move forward from now until 2024.  More chaos, more lies, more 'figure it out for yourself'.  I guess people will retreat a little because it will feel helpless.  I think I will.  People will still be in need, though.  Trump policies will continue to hurt poor, nonwhite, 'others' disproportionately. I hope I'll find a way to be helpful and make a small difference to one or another person.

If Biden wins?  First of all, Trump won't allow that to be a settled question.  He'll take every vote to court.  How long will it last?  And what will he do between the election and inauguration day?  He'll destroy whatever he can. 

His supporters will take up arms.  

In their mind, they're saving 'America' as they know it. I know this is true because my Mother believes what she hears on Fox News...that Joe Biden will turn the country Socialist.  Joe Biden has been taken over by Socialist people like Sanders.  In that narrative, this election is existential for 'them' too. So of course they'll take up arms.  

And then what?

And then what?

...

What if Biden wins, but Republicans still control the Senate?  Continued inaction similar to Obama's last six years.  Biden will have to govern by Executive Order.

We go back to the idea that our only recourse is locally - at the state, county, or city level.

One thing I am sure of as we approach election day is that I'll never be free from Donald Trump.  Even out of office, he'll get people to pay attention to him and he'll be hurling insults and telling everyone how great he is.  It will be unbearable.  When he can't do it anymore, his sons will lionize him constantly.  And his daughter...Trump said at a rally the other day that she's happy being a homemaker.  Ugh.  That's after he assured suburban women he will get their husband's jobs back.  Yeah - Make America Great Again, alright...1950's great - where everyone knew their 'place'.  

Donald Trump is bad.  Real bad. 

And now he has a Supreme Court backing him up.

It feels like the takeover already happened.  I come full-circle back the beginning of this long post.

Hey - maybe none of this will happen and I'm being as alarmist as I think my Mother is about a socialist President Biden.

I'll be honest, though - I don't have a problem with the government - all of us, via our taxes - providing education, healthcare, safe and affordable housing, and nutritious food to all people. 

We already provide free education for K-12 and Medicare/Social Security for older citizens, we pay for police, roads, utilities, firemen, government administrators, libraries, and tax breaks for corporations, etc.  I'm not sure what makes the other stuff 'socialist' and not those things.

A couple videos

Isn't it lovely that other people are creative and want to share their truths?  I think so.

Here are two videos I find valuable when I feel frustration, disappointment, judgement, impatience, or anger at other people.

This first one is new to me.  There's a saying about being gentle with other people because you don't know what burdens they carry.  This video is a good illustration of the idea via a whole new word!

John Koenig coined the word Sonder in his Dictionary of Obscure Sorrow website (which it appears will soon become a book!). 

I heard about Sonder from a TikTok video by @kevinktqiu.  Hey - that's how things happen these days!  (Do I know how to link to the original TikTok video?  No.  No I do not.)

This video is 02:38 minutes.

And this video...this next one is really profound to me.  

It's an animated interpretation of a story by Andy Weir called The Egg.  The animation comes from Kurzegsadt studio.  According to their website "We are an animation studio and a design agency. We create unique explanatory videos. But we also offer many graphic design services"  They have a YouTube channel:  Kurzegsadt - In a Nutshell

Now that the introductions are over - here's the video (07:54):

It's important that in this life I forgive everyone because in another life I will BE everyone.  

This concept allows me to imagine myself AS everyone and I feel myself in their lives living it - doing the best they can with where they are.

The person who today, in this life, looks to me like they have hate in their hearts...one day that will be me and I'll understand what brought them to that point.  

As I think about that person now and forgive them this moment, a loving energy is sent out into the universe. They'll feel it in their heart because we are the same. Maybe there will be less hate in their heart - because it's my heart, and I have less hate in mine. 

The more I remember these ideas, the happier I'll be in this life.

One Week

It's One Week before the 2020 election. These are the first news items (the ones before the weather and drive time reports) from the 4:30 am KIRO Morning News:

• 1.     Protests continue through the night in Seattle near Broadway and Pine.  Yesterday, in Philadelphia, another police shooting when Walter Wallace, Jr wouldn’t put down his knife.
• 2.    Amy Coney Barret is sworn in as the newest Supreme Court Justice
• 3.     Election 2020 campaign stops for Trump (Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska) and Biden (Georgia). Ballot returns in Washington (2,2 million have already been returned statewide). Assurances from Secretary of State Kim Wyman that ballots are secure (the counting machines are not connected to the internet)
• 4.      Coronavirus in Washington – new cases yesterday 587, 25 deaths.  New cases per 100,000 in a two week period are 111.2.  Goal is 25.
• 5.      Seattle City Council approved a stop gap measure to fund an 8 person team to coordinate outreach efforts for the homeless (after council previously approved measures to defund police). The first affordable high rise in Seattle for 50 years broke ground yesterday.  The 17 floor tower on First Hill will house low-income families and homeless seniors.

I started to write some thoughts on these topics, but I realize - once again - that I can't write them succinctly or with clarity. I'll try again with brief comments: 

1. In police encounters, Black people are more likely to be shot and killed than white people in the same circumstance.  Incomprehensible. All these years I accepted and believed it was true, but didn't understand the depths and layers of individual and systemic racism until starting my UW ISS classes.  The murder of George Floyd this year and the writing and information that came out afterward made it clear that I have more to learn.  I THINK I've learned it now...but I thought that before.  I'm open to figuring it out.     

2. Feeling powerless to stop the religious right takeover of the Supreme Court.  I wish people understood what we'll be losing when they didn't vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016. We were steamrolled after that.  I support adding more Justices to the Supreme Court.

3. I worry this is the calm before the storm.  I dropped my ballot off on 10/17/2020.  I confirmed on the County website that my ballot was accepted. I am hopeful that Biden will win. Like most other people, though, I know Trump could win.  It's all the stuff after November 4 that sounds scary.  We've been setup by Trump for a rocky time after the election if he doesn't win.  I'm afraid it will be rocky even if Trump wins.  Who's United States will I be living in if that happens?  Not the one I thought I was in, that's for sure. Also - what good is a Biden win if the Senate is still in the hands of Mitch McConnell?  We have to win the Senate and the House and the Presidency.  That's what the Republicans have led this country to...nobody can compromise (Newt Gingrich's Contract with America, Tea Party).  It's not healthy. Yup - this is the calm before the storm.

4. Coronavirus is confusing - what's the right level of caution? I'm erring on the side of extreme caution. It feels excessive.  But, I don't want to get it.  I don't want to get the flu either.  

5. Does anyone know how to solve homelessness?  The immediate concern is to get people into a safe space.  But, then we have to start looking at how and why people don't have homes.  Mental Health, Drugs, Income Inequality.  Overwhelming.  

That's the state of things one week before the election.

Jen Sorensen explains the GOP EndGame...

A link to Jen Sorensen's website

FYI - I saw the first comic via The Nib newsletter.  The second one I saw on Jen's website.

I wish I could express ideas and emotions so concisely!!

From Jen's website:   As you may have heard, the Court was split 4-4 yesterday in a ruling that allowed Pennsylvania to count ballots that arrive up to three days after election day, as the state Supreme Court had ruled. This was, apparently, a Constitutional no-brainer that should have been 8-0 in favor of democracy, but four right-wing justices took a radical turn. With Barrett on the court, these election rulings will almost certainly favor Republicans.

This LA Times editorial has more on the fake ballot boxes in California.

Here's another of Jen's comics I discovered I like:

From Jen's website:  Suddenly much of traditional media seems preoccupied with the idea that Democrats might consider “packing” the Supreme Court. This particular phrasing is ahistorical and completely misleading. It ignores the years of scorched-earth Republican obstruction to Obama’s judicial nominees, including the refusal to give Merrick Garland a hearing, followed by unbridled court-packing under the Trump administration, in which the judiciary has been stuffed with unqualified cronies and Federalist Society nutjobs.