Author: Darlene Mitchell

MLK’s Meaningful Words

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MLK’s Meaningful Words 

MLK’s Meaningful Words 

 

By Wes Hessel & Cate Rees-Hessel

 

The Great Doctor

The words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to ring with their eternal truth – in light of the violence now being promulgated by the so-called “administration” in the White House, his wisdom rings as true now as it did then: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.  There were many more alongside him in the civil rights movement, most notably the other members of the “Big Six”: James Farmer, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and John Lewis.  But Dr. King, or MLK, as many refer to him, was the most visible light and lightning rod.

He Still Speaks To Us

His words continue to speak volumes today, calling us to continue the peaceful fight for what is right. Now the prejudice focuses on “immigrants” – never mind anyone who is not completely of Native American descent is a descendant of immigrants. So the truths Dr. King imparted six decades ago or more hold no less exactitude then they do today – listen to the resounding echoes of MLK’s quotable phrases and speeches.

The Bible – Ever Heard of It?

The basis of what MLK strove for is rooted in the Scriptures he preached from – the Bible.  That foundation is most apparent in words such as these:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”

And one paraphrased from his namesake, reformist Martin Luther:

“Live like Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tomorrow.”

“And I say to you today my friends, let freedom ring.”

Muster The Mustard Seed

From that bedrock grew seeds of faith:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

“I have decided to stick with love…hate is too great a burden to bear.”

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

“We must learn to live together as brothers…or perish together as fools.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

“Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.”

Belief…

This also extended into conviction and courage:

“You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”

“It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.”

“I came to the conclusion that there is an existential moment in your life when you must decide to speak for yourself; nobody else can speak for you.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”

…And Bravery

“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.”

“And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.  We cannot turn back.”

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

“If a man hasn’t found something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”

“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”

“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.”

Justice Is A Matter Of Scales

And thus proceeds the need for justice:

“Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.”

“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love?  Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

“A right delayed is a right denied.”

“By The People, For The People”

He also had thoughts on government:

“We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice.  Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.  Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the pressing urgencies of the great cause of freedom…..a time like this demands great leaders.”

“All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’  If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn’t committed themselves to that over there.  But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly.  Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech.  Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press.  Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right.”

“I think the tragedy is that we have a Congress with a Senate that has a minority of misguided senators who will use the filibuster to keep the majority of people from even voting.” (1963, but true again in 2022)

Son Of The King Of Kings

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Godly man of dignity, courage, insight, introspect, peace, and humility.  He was a dreamer with belief in God and his fellow man.  MLK was a family man, devoted husband, father, and dedicated pastor – he ministered to all.  Congress, celebrate his life and his legacy by passing the voting rights acts.  Forever we must follow his teaching.

“Let There Be Peace On Earth And Let It Begin With Me…”

What better way to lovingly remember Dr. King than with his own eloquent words.  “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.’”  Quotes that must only be used for peace, not in any other way.  Please join us in remembering the legendary man of God, Martin Luther King, Jr.  May he rest in eternal peace – his legacy lives on.  As he said himself, “Peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.”

Happy Birthday, MLK, Jr.

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Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday will be celebrated on Monday. The power of his words awakened a nation. RIP.

 

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”                              

 

 

 

 

Racist, Sexist, Misogynist

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OPINION:

Racist, Sexist, Misogynist, Government 

 

OPINION:

Racist, Sexist, Misogynist, Government

By David L. Shadrick

A growing list of racist, misogynist and transgender policies and actions from Donald Trump and Associates have surfaced. I’m just going to focus on three of them:

No Beardos

Pete Hegseth: “No beardo (s).” What does this mean? Primarily black soldiers are effected by this policy. With black men shaving is often difficult because of their curly hair the shaving will often cause ingrown hairs leading to pimples and infections. This policy is a pitiful attempt to remove black soldiers from the armed forces. In addition, the majority of resignations and firings among the generals and admirals were either been black or women. Hegseth’s top three targets are blacks, women, and transgender. And the higher the ranks the harder the assault against them. Of course, Donald Trump is beating Hegseth by a mile.

Fat Old Bigot

Our bigoted 80 year ‘ol prez, a demented fella, living in a fantasy of 1940 America recently had a televised melt down  over those (dark skinned) Somolians, calling them “garbage.” Trump then claimed the Haitians (also dark skinned folks) were eating the pets of white Americans in Springfield, Ohio. Despite considerable rebuke Trump pushed this lie through multiple news cycles.

“Very Fine People”

“Stand down, stand back,” “The Nazi’s were very fine people,” infamous comments from Trump’s first term.  The now natorious lunch with Nick Fuentes and Kanye West, both very public anti-Semites and Nazi supporters. After Trump was re-elected one of the first things he did was pardon or commute all 1/6/2020 insurrectionists who attacked the capital at his direction per Jack Smith’s recent congressional testimony. Media disclosures indicate that some of these bad actors from 1/6/2020 are now on the ICE payroll, with a big sign on bonus I might remind readers. So now the government is hiring known domestic terrorists to act as law enforcement officers. Sounds like the fox is in the hen house.

Schizophrenic Jewish Nazi

It appears that Stephen Miller the schizophrenic Jewish Nazi is directing Homeland Security policy and actions. He is so damn ugly, he is mostly kept hidden in a backroom-somewhere.  My reference to his ugliness in no way negates his power, While cutesy Kristi Noem wears a cowboy hat and rides her horse for million dollar photo shoots, Miller is back at the White House calling the shots. His hate seems to be global. Apparently, Miller has been rejected by his family because of his crazy beliefs. Recent informants describe him as the target of taunting and teasing throughout his childhood and adolescence. Sad man with particularly horrific ideas sitting at the seat of great power, choosing to terrify, persecute, and torture immigrants and U.S. citizens based on the color of their skin.

I Resolve to Resist in 2026

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I Resolve to Resist in 2026…

I Resolve to Resist in 2026…

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

  1. I resolve to resist everyday until the horrible orange haired old man is out of office and out of our hair.
  2. I resolve to stand against racism in all forms – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  3. I resolve to stand up against sexism and stand up for feminism – I resolve to resist everyday.
  4. I resolve to never forget January 6th – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  5. I resolve to never forget the Epstein files and who they name – I resolve to resist everyday.
  6. I resolve to stand firm against fascism – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  7. I resolve to never wear a MAGA cap or anything else associated with the Trump menace – I resolve to resist everyday.
  8. I resolve to protect the rights of my LBGTQ brothers and sisters – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  9. I resolve to wear something pearl for Kamala everyday until she is in the Oval Office – I resolve to resist everyday.
  10. I resolve to never call Donald Trump “president” – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  11. I resolve to never call The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts or anything else “The Donald” renames to inflate his already supersize ego, Trump anything – I resolve to resist everyday.
  12. I resolve to maintain that it’s the Gulf of Mexico – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  13. I resolve to call out Trump lemmings for voting a narcissistic, child molesting, rapist, convicted felon into the highest office in our country – I resolve to resist everyday.
  14. I resolve to be an actual follower of the teachings of Christ, not a blatant hypocrite – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  15. I resolve to give a center finger salute to the Trump Towers and Hotels – I resolve to resist everyday.
  16. I resolve to ignore the hype and not hyperventilate at the mention of MAGA madness – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  17. I resolve to use actual common sense, not right wing foolishness – I resolve to resist everyday.
  18. I resolve to campaign against all Republicans in every election – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  19. I resolve to object to tariffs that don’t help build our economy – I resolve to resist everyday.
  20. I resolve to support former Presidents Obama and Biden in all they do – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  21. I resolve to never call Melania “first lady” – she is the complete opposite of a lady; I resolve to resist everyday.
  22. I resolve to write to my political representatives and other government officials to resist the Trump-Vance administration – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  23. I resolve to advocate for and donate to liberal causes – I resolve to resist everyday.
  24. I resolve to protect children, animals, and the environment – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  25. I resolve to fight for impeachment and a 25th Amendment unfit declaration – I resolve to resist everyday.
  26. I resolve to vote blue – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.

It Hurts

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It Still Hurts

It Still Hurts

Editor: Be patient with yourself, grieving doesn’t have a time limit.

D. S. Mitchell

Wooo-Wooo-Fooo-Wooo

Lilly Rose was my last dog. She was a rescue dog, and this girl had a mind of her own and if she objected to my instructions, she would let me know her thoughts on the matter. She is the only dog I ever had  that argued with me.  I mean it, she literally argued with me. She would plant her butt and give me the wooo-wooo-fooo-wooo back talk and then go to her house, lay down, or sit; whatever had caused her to give me the back talk.  She was funny and kept me laughing and engaged all the time. But, most important Lilly was loving and gentle and always knew when and how to comfort me.

Seven Gifts From God

I’m nearly 80 years old and over these many years I have had seven dogs. Seven incredible gifts from God. My first dog, I named Lady. I named her after Lady from Disney’s, “Lady and the Tramp” film, released in 1955. I was eight when my mom and dad brought my new blonde puppy home in a shopping bag. I was 20 years old and about to get married when it became obvious Lady was suffering and mom and I talked it over and Lady was euthanized. Mom and I sat there in the vet’s exam room, holding hands as our precious Lady left this world for a life uninhibited by pain and old age.

Anticipatory Grief

It is gut wrenching when a beloved pet is taken from us. I still love Lady; sixty years after she passed. I still love, Joey, Luv, Blue, Thai, Midas, and Lilly. With each goodbye I learned a few tricks to ease the pain. With each of my pets I had watched my pet’s health decline, had talked to the vet about prognosis, and agonized over when would be the right time to let go. According to Juno DeMelo in a 9/2023 article in Real Simple magazine, “it’s not uncommon for owner’s to experience what is called anticipatory grief-mourning the loss before it happens.” Juno suggests that once we recognize our pet’s decline we create a bucket list for our fur baby; a steak for dinner, allowed to bark at nothing, a run on the beach without a leash. Juno tells us such a bucket list “helps with any feelings of  (our) regret.”

Write About It

My mom always would say, “write about it, get it off your chest.”  Juno suggests something similar. She suggests we write an obituary or a eulogy for our dead pet. Keep it private or share it with family or friends. You may want to share it with social media followers. Juno suggests people include what they learned from their pet. She suggests that such an action helps remember not just our pets last days but the beginning and the middle of their life.

Keep Their Memory Alive

Memorialize the pet in some manner. An obvious choice would be to donate to an animal charity in the pet’s name. How about a paw print, to mount on the wall? I like the idea of incorporating the dogs ashes into a glass bead to wear around my neck. Or, the pet’s license can be turned into a fun necklace. Here’s another fun one-turn the pet’s water bowl into a planter. I especially like the idea to  bury the pets ashes in a biodegradable urn that can grow into a tree (thelivingurn.com).

Say No To Timelines

Be patient with yourself, because grief can peak at a wide variety of time, anywhere from two months to two years after a pet’s death. It’s okay. Some days are better than others. Lilly’s been gone now for four years. I still talk to her, but  I’m beginning to feel it is time to bring another dog into my life.

 

Spin

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Spin

Spin

 

By John Curran

They want an update, so I’m gonna give ’em one. It’ll probably get revised, maybe I won’t care. Anyway it goes like this…My name is Tiny and I’m actually a tiny person. You mighta’ heard about us tiny people, probably didn’t believe it. I guess it does sound fantastic to most folks, but fact is we are the original peoples. We’ve been since forever but we’ve had to lay low and get real small going back to a long time ago when we could see the shitstorm that was coming. It’s true-we are 1/12 of the normal size. So, me, well I am, six inches high. So now you know.

A small point of all this for the present moment is I have access, you could say, a most unconventional vantage point on things, especially since I have acquired this cool little knock off drone ride around. Dude, I get everywhere and pretty much see everything these days, and remain, unseen. It’s great. Anyway, speaking of, I saw it. I was buzzing right directly overhead when that heavily suited up and armed mother fucker raised his big gun up and shot the woman right in the face through the windshield of her car as she was turning her wheel away from him and the others, just scared and trying to get away. Goddamn. I saw it all, yes sir, a million times now in my dreams, thanks a lot.  How’s that for spin? I’m gonna spin right on outa’ here now, get smaller and lay da’ fuck low, trying to be cool, and nobody knows my name.

26 Affirmations For 2026

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26 Affirmations For 2026

26 Affirmations For 2026

Editor: Positive affirmations are important to us as human beings. Repeating positive statements allows the brain to reprogram our subconsciousness. Additionally, repeating positive statements aloud allows us to create a clearer and more powerful image of who we are. Positive self-talk challenges the doubt and negative thoughts that bombard us daily with empowering messages that lower stress levels, decrease worry, fear, and anxiety. Affirming our self worth builds and reinforces feelings of happiness, optimism and harmony with our world. When coupled with meditation affirmations create a powerful tool that can  aid us in dealing with the challenges that face us everyday of our lives. In some cases, the individual will invoke a greater power, as does Cate in her piece, or some will use a mirror and trust the power of their own inner self.

By Cate Rees-Hessel

      

  1. I affirm to be kind and treat others with respect, even when we agree to disagree – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  2. I affirm to practice self care and self love – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  3. I affirm to stand firm in my beliefs, even if they appear to not be popular – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  4. I affirm to respect animals and the environment – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  5. I affirm to laugh more – laughter can be the best medicine; I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  6. I affirm to get fresh air and exercise – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  7. I affirm to set boundaries and not be afraid to say no when I need to – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  8. I affirm to not give my permission to be made to feel inferior (thank you, Eleanor Roosevelt) – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  9. I affirm to stay well informed regarding the world around us – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  10. I affirm to choose my faith over my fear – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  11. I affirm to eat my fruit and veggies; nutrition is important – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  12. I affirm to occasionally indulge – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  13. I affirm to a have spa day often – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  14. I affirm to have a mental health day often – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  15. I affirm to rid myself of toxic relationships – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  16. I affirm to stand up for myself and not be bullied – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  17. I affirm to take care of my health and well being – mentally, emotionally, and physically; I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  18. I affirm to be impeccably groomed and well dressed – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  19. I affirm to put others above myself when they have needs I can meet – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  20. I affirm to have fun – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  21. I affirm to try something new with an open mind – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  22. I affirm to dance with abandon even if somebody is watching – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  23. I affirm to be me in every way – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  24. I affirm to purr like a cat when I feel happy – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  25. I affirm to be the person my pets, my BFF’s, my siblings, and my spouse think that I am – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.
  26. I affirm to be the person God knows I am – I am a beautiful human being created in the likeness of God, and I will stand firm and strong while appreciating me.

Used Car

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Used Car

Used Car

By John Curran

I needed a car and I needed it bad, and I needed it fast. So I got online ‘n found an outfit called ‘Used Cars From Hell.’ Hmmm…thinks I, what ‘hell’ indeed; I decided I’d check it out. So, I went on down there, it was down in the fiery pit of town, a rough area supposedly known for a lot of radical left activity; whatever that was. No matter, I went in the daytime and it all seemed pretty peaceful to me, the action was down a ways, I could see something going on, another shooting probably but oh well, whatever, none of my affair, more a them outside agitators, communist infiltrators, who knows, life goes on.

I was no sooner off the bus, not even feet on the ground, when this guy comes running up to me and says, “I know what you’re looking for, and I got it right here, a hot one, just got it in yesterday. It’s another sad story but the deal I got for you will fire ya up sure, so much good coming from so much bad would you not agree?” Well, I didn’t know what he was talking about but as we walked on to the lot he pointed out what he was so excited about.

“Yeah,” he says, “we got some doozies here alright, confiscated cars from murderers, thieves, bootleggers…every kind of mayhem you could imagine. If there was a car involved ‘n it got confiscated I get a shot at it after the initial investigation is done. A little deal I have with Big D.” He looks me in the eyes then real significantly like, kinda wink wink, adds, “You do know of Mr. D.,  don’t ‘cha?”

I just kinda’ nodded, and asked, “watcha got?”

“Well then,” he says, “got a beauty. Like new.” And pointing at a maroon SUV, “barely used. She didn’t get far you might say,” kinda chuckling, “Let’s have a look.”

So we walk up to the rig an the first thing I noticed, besides it being a really pretty nice, newish SUV was a rather large caliber well defined bullet hole in the front windshield. The airbag had been engaged and looking inside the rig I could see there was blood all over it ‘n other areas as well; there was even blood covering a child’s toy tiger laying on the front passenger seat.

“I call it the DT SPECIAL. A real conversation piece, this one.”

“DT SPECIAL?” I mumble.

“Domestic Terrorism SPECIAL.”

“Oh, yeah,” I say, a little weirded out actually, “so what’s the story?” Too weird actually I’m thinking.

“Well, so you want the story then?” and he’s kinda rubbing his hands together like, yeah, sure, I’ll give you a story, but before he can go on there’s a commotion outside the gates, people running, shots being fired.

“Damn,” he says, “I really wish they’d taken it somewhere else,” and then turning back to me says, “we can replace the airbag if ya like. But, my boss, Big D says we gotta leave the windshield as is, just so they’ll know we mean business.”

Was he joking? “Who is your boss then sir, the damn devil?”

But he would not answer me, not that I was serious, just looking for a car, fast and cheap. I’ll spare you the gory details but I gotta get the hell out this town, now. Speaking of hell.

 

1984 Has Arrived

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1984 Has Arrived

1984 Has Arrived

 

D. S. Mitchell

1984, by George Orwell was one of the most chilling books I have ever read. The book is famous for its iconic quotes about totalitarian control, truth manipulation, Doublespeak, and the power of language. An incredibly important paragraph in that memorable book was said by O’Brien who indoctrinates Winston our protagonist:

“Now I will tell you the answer to my question. It is this. The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power, pure power. What pure power means you will understand presently. We are different from the oligarchies of the past in that we know what we are doing. All the others, even those who resembled ourselves, were cowards and hypocrites. The German Nazis and the Russian Communists came very close to us in their methods, but they never had the courage to recognize their own motives. They pretended, perhaps they even believed, that they had seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and that just around the corner there lay a paradise where human beings would be free and equal. We are not like that. We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now you begin to understand me.”
― George Orwell,