I found the phrase in my title in a letter in my local newspaper. The writer was talking about a
school district in my state which has been intent on removing some
books from its library shelves as well as its curriculum. They seem
to think using a site like BookLooks.org to research books is a good
idea. The writer of the letter had some objections to that. As,
frankly, do I. Banning books for “objectionable” content is as
old as, well, Nazi Germany. The letter writer felt his relatives who survived the holocaust would understand, "Und so beginnt es".
For book banning is only a beginning.
The environment we find ourselves in feels an awful
lot like this:
How do democracies die? All they need is for good people to do nothing, or to elect the wrong person to public office.
One of my infrequent readers commented that I seem to focus a lot on one man. Yes, he is correct. But that is because this is a moment in history that will have momentous consequences. Attention needs to be paid.
I have spent the day trying to process the results of the 2024 election here in the U.S. As you might imagine I was depressed, angry, and very disappointed in them. As you are aware Donald Trump was re-elected as president and the Senate flipped to Republican control. At this time the House is still in question. The future of my country is uncertain. I have no liking for Trump or many of his policies. But it is not just that which is of concern. It is that so many of my fellow Americans find his behavior to their liking. It brings into question their support for the ideals of this country. So I have spent the day cleaning my house and doing other mundane tasks to take my mind off of my worry for my country’s future and the future of those who depend on us. I also surfed around to find what other people’s reactions may be. Well, those who were on the losing side as I was, anyway.
Here are a few:
Liz Cheney was eloquent in her statement. It really is up to those of us who genuinely believe in our Constitution to defend it. We cannot rely on Donald Trump or his followers to do so.
These two videos are examples of the staying power of Americans and their dedication to our country.
In our history we have overcome many kinds of adversity. It has not been easy, nor will it be easy going forward. But to give up on our democracy is to fail those who fought so hard for it. We have a long history of standing up for people’s rights. Even if only one person’s eyes are opened it is a success.
I know I have been focused on American politics to the nth degree of late. But it is a critical moment in our nation’s history, and frankly, the world’s. This election matters. I have listened to those who appear on various media outlets: the candidates, current and former government officials, those who served in the Trump administration and those who have observed the trends in our political winds. You know where I stand. But I wanted to highlight other American voices. Because it will be the American people who decide our future. So I have put together some clips for you. I have tried to include something from both sides.
I tried to stay away from videos showing the more extreme examples of either side, this is just a small sample of voices. There are others out there.
This first video speaks straight to my heart. It is a grandfather’s advice for his granddaughters.
This was just a small snippet, but I think it speaks to something deeper, the depth of animosity we are seeing today. And, yet, even here there is still some connection, humor.
I wanted to look at why some people have changed their minds about the Republican Party, which these next two videos portray.
Trump supporters who
might be your relatives or friends. Their concerns are genuine.
It is unfortunate that so many people do not really do their own research. It is unfortunate that people do not always understand causation of problems and what it really takes to solve them. It is unfortunate that people do not always understand how economics works. It can lead to misjudgment.
I am considering voting early, as I don’t want to miss this election.
There appears to have been another assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The gunman wasn’t able to actually take a shot because the Secret Service detail were very proactive in responding when the gun was seen, shooting at him and forcing him to flee. I know there will be people combing through this man’s life with a fine tooth comb. As of this writing he is in custody and has not spoken to police about motive. The man, 58 year old Ryan Wesley Routh, has been critical of Donald Trump on his social media account. He is a supporter of Ukraine who says he had traveled to that country in an effort to support Ukraine’s battle for its sovereignty.
The job of President of the United States is a serious one. There is little room for those who go through life with a simplistic worldview. In watching Donald Trump during his first term and his behavior during his election bids I can’t help but feel that Kamala Harris called it right when she called him an “unserious” man. He has used divisive rhetoric in order to fire up his right wing base, but has not thought through the possible negative ramifications of his words. Pushing the idea that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH are eating the pets of residents, leading to multiple bomb threats does not help the residents of that town, and makes him a laughingstock.
But there is a serious and dangerous underlying hate fueling this story that Trump is using as a prod for his base.
Immigration reform is a serious issue, a bi-partisan bill had been agreed upon, before Donald Trump tanked it so that he could use that issue as a political tool in his campaign.
The war in Ukraine is a serious issue, to those who are living it, to those whose future may be affected by it. Trump has made it clear that he does not support Ukraine. Was Routh influenced by this?
We have serious issues in this country, in this world, that need a serious response, by a serious person. Gun violence, immigration, a war in Ukraine, a war in Gaza are not reality TV. Hateful, ill informed, simplistic rhetoric will not help. It can also be dangerous.
Just shy of 100 years ago (hard to believe) in 1939 Hollywood released a film starring Jimmy Stewart called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It was about a young guy elected to the United States Senate who was just, basically, a normal guy who wanted to do good. In short, not rich or slick or self promoting. The antithesis of some politicians you may know. Every once in a while someone like that will show up in real life, not often mind you, but they actually still exist. I believe that Kamala Harris has found one in Tim Walz. But the question is, will the American people recognize a Mr. Smith when one drops in their laps? Can he still make it to Washington?
The Republicans have ramped up their attack ads, digging up anything that they can embellish to try to make Walz look bad. Walz grew up in small town middle America, served his country in the National Guard for 24 years, became an educator and later on an elected official first in Congress and then as Governor of Minnesota. He’s a regular guy who has had years of experience in government and years of giving back to his country.
What I find rather fascinating is that the town and area where he grew up in Nebraska is very supportive of Donald Trump. Very red. Yet Walz went on to enact more “liberal” policies and laws in Minnesota, which many in my state support. Some people where he grew up seem rather confused as to why. Perhaps it’s because those policies and the people who support them are not really evil as they have been characterized by Trump and his followers. Perhaps it is because those policies are an effort to give people a little better life. Maybe caring for people, all people, was something Walz learned in those small towns. It’s sad that people don’t recognize their own merit.
Perhaps we all need to shut out the negative voices and remember our humanity. I know this isn't Nebraska or Minnesota, but it's a really good song.
Today President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for President of the United States. This after weeks of people within his own party questioning his cognitive fitness due to his performance in the debate against Donald Trump. This division in the Democratic Party did nothing to help Biden’s slipping poll numbers. Many Americans questioned his age.
There are many who feel that our democracy is at risk. After the events of January 6, 2021 with the attack on our Capital by followers of former President Donald Trump the idea that Trump could possibly become President again is anathema. With the experience of his first term in mind and the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, a right wing road map written by Trump’s allies on how to “remake” government, looming over us like a dark cloud this election becomes critical.
For me this was a day of sadness. Joe Biden is a good President. He is a good man. He has shown what a true patriot is. I think history will show that. It is very rare to find a true leader, one who will put country first before his or her own personal wants. Joe Biden just did that.
President Biden, I wish you all the best. You have my sincere admiration.
On Saturday, July 13, 2024 Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old, took a gun belonging to his father and used it to shoot up a political rally in Pennsylvania being held by Donald Trump. One person was killed, two injured seriously and Donald Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. The motive has not been determined yet. Many have assumed it was an assassination attempt motivated by political beliefs, but the shooter really fits a different profile, that of the many school mass shooters we have seen in the past. According to his former classmates he was a loner who was bullied.
But whatever his motive turns out to be there are two things that are very clear. The first is that all American’s have the right to attend a political rally without fear of injury. While I do not like Donald Trump and do not agree with his past policies, much of his rhetoric or his behavior, I believe the use of violence against him and his supporters is not appropriate. Just as I did not think the violence unleashed on Jan. 6th at our capitol was appropriate. Violence, coercion, and other tactics used to force people to bend to someone’s will have no place in a real democracy. At this time we are in a state of division over how we want to move forward and who we want to lead us. I stand by my belief that Donald Trump and his supporters do not have the way forward for my country. This shooting incident does not change that. But the people at the rally are my fellow Americans and I extend my sympathies to those who were tragically affected.
The second point is that this was gun violence. Perhaps if we were able to come to some bi-partisan agreement on controlling the flow of guns in this country this type of incident would be less prevalent. This, of course, is the thought that jumps to mind after every mass shooting that has happened. However, we have yet to find some agreement on this. Until we do this type of incident will continue to happen; in schools, in malls, in theaters, at political rallies. It will continue to happen whether the victims are Democrats or Republicans, young or old.
Update:
For anyone who has read this post before this update, I just wanted to explain why I changed my title. I do not question Crooks' desire to kill or injure anyone at the rally, including Donald Trump. I question his motivation. To be continued...
We are marking another Fourth of July in my country. We have been around as a free country for almost 250 years. We have seen wars, including a Civil War, a Great Depression, a Great Recession and countless upheavals. This year we are in the midst of an election for President unlike any other. Both candidates are older then we would like. But there the similarities end.
If you have read me at all you know that I am not a fan of Donald Trump. You know that I feel he is an existential threat to our democracy. You only have to listen to his vindictive, retaliatory comments to understand why. You only have to be aware of the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity to understand why. That is why I will still vote for Joe Biden even after his poor debate performance. Joe Biden has a good team backing him. I have confidence that they can and would support our country to the best of their ability. Donald Trump’s followers only follow him. They have no concern for our country except in how they can use it to their advantage. If anything happened to Biden or Trump, depending on who is elected, the people who are part of their governing circle will be of great importance.
It seems like each generation has a challenge to meet that could greatly affect our country. This time it appears to be a challenge to our democracy. We have an obligation to those who have fought so bravely, who have dedicated their lives to our freedom, to uphold the democracy that we have been bequeathed. This presidential election is crucial to our future as a free nation. That I am even having to write that is shameful.
As we celebrate this July 4th, remember what our country was meant to stand for. Remember what we as Americans should stand for.
The historic debate is over. There was a lot of hoopla about how important this debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump would be. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the run up to the Super Bowl. Ratings are important, after all. Well, the debate was a huge flop. Because both candidates showed us the worst of themselves. Joe Biden couldn’t seem to string together two coherent sentences and Trump was his usual whiny lying self.
So, what now? Everyone seems to be pushing Biden to resign his candidacy, fearing his cognitive ability has declined too far. Panic is setting in among those who fear a Trump presidency 2.0. Because Biden did not “perform” as hoped. He did not “perform” as all of the spectators of the debate were needing.
I wonder, is that all a presidency is? A performance? We all know that Joe Biden suffers from a stutter. We all know that Joe Biden is 81 years old. We just saw Joe Biden have a horrible night. But is that all there is to Joe Biden? Is that all there is to a presidency? Donald Trump managed to avoid answering some of the more critical questions of the night. What would he do with immigrants? What are his thoughts on climate change? What really would he do to our democracy? He lied his way through the entire night.
Joe Biden has served his country as an elected official honorably. He has put his country first. He has tried his best to support and defend our constitution as the oath of office requires. Donald Trump has never done any of those things. He has always put Donald Trump first.
Joe Biden had a bad night. But a bad night does not mean a bad presidency. Not this time around nor in the future. Joe Biden is worth keeping. He is a fighter and history will show he is the president that is needed now. I will stick with Sleepy Joe.
Usually I write a Memorial Day post honoring the men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our country safe. But this year is different. This year I want to write about those in our country who are so blinded by anger that they do not see the possible consequences of their actions. Because they do not hold this country in their hearts as did those whom this Memorial Day honors.
I speak of the segment of our population who is so angered by the death and destruction in Gaza that they put this above all else. In my paper today there was an article which I want to share with you.
I understand that for immigrants to the United States there is always the pull of their home country or region. I understand that many have left loved ones behind. I understand that they worry about them. I understand they grieve their loss. However, blaming President Biden for not stopping the Israeli actions in Gaza will not help. It is counterproductive to the solution to this tragedy. Enabling Donald Trump to return to the oval office by either voting for him, voting for a third candidate or not voting at all will not help the people of Gaza. Nor will it help you. Because let us be clear, Donald Trump is no friend of the Muslim population. He made that very clear in the past. Donald Trump is only a friend to himself.
What you risk is not just returning a man to the White House who will try to purge the United States of all immigrants but you risk alienating those who opposed his draconian policies in the past. They will hold you partly responsible for whatever he does. Because you acted out of anger against the country that has taken you in you show that you care little for your fellow citizens. You also act without thought for the fact that you may not be apprised of all that is going on behind closed doors.
Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it.
On this Memorial Day remember those who stood up for our country. They are deserving of all of our respect.
Last night was the
White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It’s an annual tradition
that lets the sitting president attempt a little levity and be on the
receiving end as well. Maybe it’s time for a little break from
serious and remind ourselves that poking fun at ourselves is a time
honored American tradition. Hopefully it always will be.
On March 22, 2024 a concert hall near Moscow was attacked by gunmen who opened fire on concert goers and set fire to the venue, destroying it. As of this writing 137 people have died as a result of the attack. As an American who vividly remembers 9/11 I can sympathize with the Russian civilians who were at that concert and the population that grieves for them.
Russia has played an instrumental role in curtailing ISIS activities in various countries and as such has been a target of their wrath. From all accounts there have been warnings of ISIS activity in Russia both by Russian intelligence and US intelligence. The US went so far as to post on our embassy’s website in Russia warnings to US citizens in Russia to avoid large gatherings. While this was March 7 and the 48 hour warning had expired, that doesn’t make it any less prescient. The US also warned Russia, although the Russians seem to be denying that. Although at the time Putin tried to score propaganda points by dissing the warning. So to deny it ever happened now is rather weird.
What is rather odd as well is Putin’s effort to somehow try to connect Ukraine to this attack. ISIS has claimed responsibility and also posted video of the attack on their media channel. Yet Putin is intent on dragging Ukraine into the mix. That seems to me to be a rather dangerous move on the part of Putin. It will not make Russia any safer.
BBC Report:
ISIS in Russia:
Given the earlier warnings I would have to question what the Russian government knew about ISIS activity in the country. I would also question whether or not the Russian government can, or wants to, keep its citizens safe.
Russian prison authorities reported the death of Alexei Navalny on Feb. 16, 2024. He was just 47 years old. If you don’t know who he was, he was the thorn in Putin’s side. He was the opposition leader who had the audacity to fight against the corruption that is systemic in Russia. He had the courage to stand up against Putin, calling out the invasion of Ukraine as the Russian war of aggression it is. He was the man who, after being poisoned, went back to Russia. For that he was jailed and slowly encouraged to die by Putin and the system he created.
I put his name in capital letters because he will always stand 10 feet taller than Putin or any of those who try to smother democracy and the freedom of people to live their lives. I have to admit I always thought he was foolish to go back to Russia, because I knew that eventually Putin would have him killed, just like he has so many others. But it was what he wanted and like all of us he had the right of free choice.
My condolences go out to his family and the people of Russia. They lost a good man at the hands of a bad one. A very poor trade.
A Russian voice:
An American voice:
There are still people out here who will not give up the fight.
When I was in junior high I loved the tabloids. You could pick one up at the checkout line in the supermarket anywhere. They had so many flashy, and really not very factual, articles. You can still find them, although they usually revolve around celebrities and not alien landings. Today, of course, young people get their information from the internet. But the one thing tabloids had in common with today’s internet is that facts were not always present. Facts did not sell papers, shock value did. Today it’s how do you get someone to click on your page? The solution? Clickbait, make the headline as extreme as you can. Back then it was a more innocent time where tabloids couldn’t do much harm. Today, however, we are seeing disinformation proliferate on social media platforms to the point where people are unsure of what is real and what isn’t. It can cause real world consequences that impact our lives and our future. Propagandists, both foreign and domestic, are using these platforms to further their own agendas, not ours. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to make up my own mind about things, not let someone else do it for me.
So how to counter this? I was very pleased to see that there are actually people who are trying. See the article and included video below:
This librarian is right, it doesn’t matter what beliefs you may have. What is important is basing those beliefs on facts. It may take some double checking but in the end finding the truth is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Someone once said, knowledge is power. They were right. Because knowledge will prevent a person from being used by those seeking power. In this ever more complex and dangerous world we need to be more aware of what is real and what isn’t.
