Category: Foreign Policy

Angry? Feeling Betrayed? Here’s Why

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Angry? Feeling Betrayed? Here’s Why.

 

 

Angry? Feeling Betrayed? Here’s Why.

 

By D.S. Mitchell

 

So, I’ve been doing my own research and right now my blood pressure, despite medication, is at least 40 points above normal. Damn fucking serious, my doctor tells me. So while the doctor adjusts my medication based on the nightly news, I have put together a list of Trump’s most despicable actions. I can only imagine the number of outrages I don’t know about; those hidden behind the curtain, those hidden behind a wall of corruption.

1.) During Round One the Mango Menace tore up Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Better known as the “Iran Nuclear Deal”. Why? Because Obama was connected to it. No other reason than a black man had been its guiding force. The agreement provided for inspections and prevented Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. Now in Round Two, Melon Head, under the spell of Israel’s Netanyahu and big Jewish donors in the U.S., launched major combat operations against Iran without formal, direct advance notification to Tehran. Trump’s War characterized by a surprise military campaign, aimed at destroying Iranian capabilities, rather than a declared, notified war. Now here we are;  and it looks like the Iranians are winning.

2. ) This one is a twofer for Trump. This is the second time he has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, ending U.S. participation in global climate efforts. Trump’s fossil fuel donors are jubilantly jumping up and down, while the environmentalists cry. However, as oil prices skyrocket, Europeans are buying EV’s and talking wind and solar power and even nuclear. Hopefully, we in the U.S. will take up a similar cry.

3.) Fed chaos has caused market volatility while Trump’s shifting economic policies are  an economic disaster. Trump’s wildly gyrating tariffs based on nothing other than how he felt when he woke up. His tariffs are a tax on the U.S. consumer and those policies have triggered inflation and chaos; and now that the courts have ordered repayment of tariff charges to  many big companies. When asked about it, Trump suggested he would “remember” the guys that wanted their money back; like he’s some ‘effin mob boss. A really ugly look for the United States of America.

4.) Trump and his sometimes buddy Elon Musk dismantled USAID and other U.S. “soft diplomacy” efforts. The battle was loud as food and medicine rotted and expired in warehouses around the world waiting to be delivered to those desperately in need. An estimated 600,000 to 732,000 died, most were children and those deaths were directly related to the withdrawal of  USAID. Apparently, the number of those who died mattered little or nothing to Trump and his allies. My God, that’s like wiping out every man, woman, and child in Denver, Colorado; without a single tear shed.

5.) Trump revoked federal recognition of transgender Americans by executive order and federal agencies have rushed around carrying out Trump’s orders. The common goal of all his  orders is to remove transgender and nonbinary people from public life by restricting access to accurate federal identity documents, threatening to withhold hospitals’ federal funding over gender-affirming care, and erasing trans history from federal websites and in schools. The Trump White House is using the federal government as a cudgel to make it harder for trans Americans to live openly — without fear of harassment and discrimination.

6.)Trump egged on by drug intoxicated Elon Musk joyfully halted the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program completely. EXCEPT, as I understand it, “for select white South Africans.” This while Secretary Hegseth is firing black officers with decades of service without reason or explanation. Everything this administration does has an anti-melanin component to it; and they are making no effort to conceal their love of white.

7.) After Trump denied any knowledge or understanding of what Project 2025 was during his 2024 campaign he suddenly embraced the project after the election. Project 2025 is a plan to restructure the U.S. government in the image of  a Christian Nationalists homeland where we all follow their narrow religious beliefs. In the introduction to the document the authors call for “deleting” LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and removal of diversity, equity and inclusion language and intent from “every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.”

Project 2025 plan is to:

  • Eliminate the Department of Education
  • Fund private religious schools with taxpayer money
  • Delete LGBTQ+ rights
  • End marriage equality
  • Limit reproductive health care and in the process ban the most accessible forms of abortion
  • Create obstacles for racial justice through gerrymandering and the resulting loss of voting rights
  • Using religious freedom to discriminate

8.) Trump ended the Energy Star appliance-efficiency program and any other credit or tax benefits derived by the purchase of energy efficient products including  EVs.  Oh, I keep forgetting, grandpa thinks “global warming is a hoax.”

9.) Trump’s “Big beautiful bill” cut a trillion dollars from United States health care expenditures. An estimated 12 million people will lose health care coverage. Children’s Medicaid, nutrition, and vaccine programs have been devastated.

10.) Trump in demented tweets has threatened to abandon NATO commitments if allies don’t increase their military spending; while walking away from Ukraine forcing NATO Europe to ramp up money and resources for the Ukrainian defense. His saber rattling and threats to take over NATO countries such as Greenland by force if necessary is causing a wide rupture between us and our long time friends.

11.) With the scribble of his sharpie Trump attempted to revoke birthright citizenship via executive order. The Supreme Court is reviewing numerous law suits regarding the constitutionality of such presidential action.

12.) The Trumpster has used the Alien Enemies Act to justify mass migrant detentions. The public is sick of warehousing human beings for the profit of Trump allies and community after community is fighting back and they are winning and ICE detention warehouses are being shut down across the country.

13.) Trump looked at a couple pictures and appointed unqualified loyalists to high-ranking posts. The Trump cabinet is the richest cabinet in U.S. history with little experience at public service.

14.) Proposed turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”-resettling Gazans “some place-anyplace” without a view.

15.) Trump has pushed for mass surveillance expansion focusing on protestors and immigrants and then have used that information to deport students.

I had intended to list 47 abhorrent, disgusting, revolting things that Trump has done since being elected  for his second term, and truly I am so angry I don’t know if I can get to 47 with out  having an ‘effin stroke. Because right now, I’m guessing my blood pressure is somewhere close to 170/100! As far as finishing this article I don’t think it will be this week. Hugs. Love you. Keep protesting, keep resisting.

 

 

The Legends of St. Patrick

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The Legends of St. Patrick

 

The Legends of St. Patrick

By Wes Hessel

 

Irish You Were Here…

Hello from Chicagoland, where we take our “wearing o’ the green” very seriously; green river, anyone? And I don’t mean the soft drink… Today, with the coldest St. Patty’s (or is that St. Paddy’s?) in about 60 years (the low was in the mid-teen’s this am; no, there isn’t any climate change – NOT!), our thoughts turn to the saint whose day we celebrate, separating fact from fiction.

Lady First…

But first, we mention the other saint commemorated on March 17th, patron saint of cats and their people, gardeners, travelers, widows, and the mentally ill, St. Gertrude of Nivelles. So if you’re having a rodent problem, a prayer to her might be in order…

Not A Pat Answer

As is typically true with so many real world historical figures whose life story is expanded to epic proportions, St. Patrick was a man who did many significant things that historians primarily agree on. The tales and traditions which surround him, however, are the stuff of legend, though they may be rooted (one almost literally) in an aspect of fact.

The Beginning Is A Very Good Place To Start

It is generally accepted that Patrick was a man who lived in the fifth century, born in the area of Britain under Roman control, who went to Ireland when he was in his mid-teens.  In his semi-biographical treatise, “Confession of Saint Patrick”, Patrick wrote that he was kidnapped by Irish pirates when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.  He went on to write that he escaped six years later, and eventually made his way home to Britain.  Some years after, he had a vision which he believed was God calling him back to Ireland, where he went to serve as a Christian missionary.

The Stuff That Legends Are Made Of

The first of the St. Patrick legends is probably just an amplification of the plausible idea that he taught about the Holy Trinity using a common three-leaf clover, the shamrock.  This triple-leafed plant has long since been the main symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, and by extension, Ireland. The second folklore was that the patron saint of the Emerald Isle had banished all snakes from the country – evidence suggests that Ireland never had any snakes to begin with. The third tale is about the saint’s reputed carriage of an ash staff on his journey from his home to return to Ireland to minister.  Patrick’s practice, it was said, is that he would thrust his staff into the ground at the place where he would speak about Christianity – one such stop dragged on for so long, it is said, that his walking stick took root.

Celebrate Safe…

Whatever you may believe, raise a glass (Guiness, perhaps?) to the saint associated with the land of blarney, beer, and beauty (not necessarily in that order). Thank you, St. Patrick, for inspiring countless generations with your work to spread the message of a loving God and the green of life.

Moving On

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Moving On

Moving On

 

D. S. Mitchell

 

I went to 27 different grade schools, and it probably won’t surprise you; I’ve been married five times. The only reason I’m confiding these tidbits of ancient information is to cue you to the fact that I’m no stranger to packing up the car and moving on.

So, now you ask, “are you going somewhere?”

“Aahhh, yes, and as always, I have no idea where.”

I came to the charming Southern Oregon town of Grants Pass in 2022, lured by an older double wide mobile home on a beautiful lake front lot. I bought it and have been loving it ever since.

So, now you ask, “why would you leave; if you love it?”

Aahhh, because somewhere deep inside me there is a malfunctioning gene. A gene that will never let me be stay in one place; no matter how well things seems to be going. In fact, the better that things seem to be going all the better reason to move on. Sounds a bit crazy, doesn’t it? Well, I think you’d be absolutely correct. Unhinged, perhaps? Spoiled? Entitled? Probably all of those things and a few more unflattering descriptors, when the truth is known.

On the other hand, in two capitols thousands of miles apart, two sociopathic heads of state show their willingness to throw their soldiers and citizens into their psychopathic conflict. A war with no purpose, other than to keep Bibi out of jail and the Epstein files out of the headlines. A war that conservatively is costing the United State a fuckin’ billion dollars plus per day. That ought to make your hair stand on end as you wait in the unemployment office for an interview, or you struggle over how to pay for groceries, or fill the gas tank. A fuckin’ billion dollars a day; while rural hospitals are closing across this country. Again while Trump and Bibi burn up a billion dollars a day Health and Science Universities across the United States are experiencing dramatic federal funding cuts. Outrageous, scandalous an unbelievable middle finger to civilized nations.

For the last week I have watched near 24/7 coverage of Donald and Bibi’s War against Iran. It is here I want to say that despite all my malfunctioning genes and general bullshit over the years my craziness has never cost one person their life; certainly not 185 school girls, leveled  a city, destroyed oil fields and stored reserves,  or sank ships and their crews at sea. Why aren’t these two guys in jail or a padded cell? How does it happen that these two men, both criminals, run two of the most powerful countries in the world? Where are the restraints? What went wrong in the election? Right now we have two of the most dangerous men in history threatening the world military and economic stability.

Trump while raving illogical “short term pain and long term gain,” he and his brother in pain are  running wild with Tomahawk missiles and endless bombing raids against Iran. If congress can’t stop them, the American people and the Israeli public CAN halt this despicable activity, but that requires action. Action on the street. Protests. Screaming our damn heads off. Time to put the American people first, that means affordable housing, access to child care, universal health care, basic income, and superlative public education.

It’s time for the few remaining sleeping Americans to come out of the MAGA coma and see Trump for what he is. Show your disapproval for this president and his fuckin’ foreign wars. Register for the No Kings Protest, and turn out with whistle, drum and sign, March 28, 2026. A goal of 10 million Americans on the street will move even psychopaths to change course. Come on America, PROTEST!

 

Why Your Vote Is So Important

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Why Your Vote Is So Important

Why Your Vote Is So Important

By D.S. Mitchell

 

The 2024 Election

I talk to people; lots of people everyday, and I am sad to tell you folks that a surprisingly large group of my friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even my favorite barista did not vote.  I’m genuinely surprised. I thought it was just someone else, somewhere else that did not vote. How could it in fact be people I know, lots of people I know. Usually, a federal election brings the voters out, but not in 2024. I’ve heard the low voter turnout related directly to Trump winning.

Staying Away From the Polls

When I asked each of them why they hadn’t voted the answers varied. Several people said they were busy and totally spaced it out. What? How is that possible? I don’t believe them. But, why are they lying? A handful of others said they didn’t vote because politicians are all a bunch of crooks just with a different party affiliation. So why bother? A few commented that the whole election system was rigged. One woman even told me she was “protesting” by not voting. How can not voting be a protest against anything; you are doing nothing. Several said they didn’t like any of the candidates. And finally the last half a dozen people I quizzed said their one vote didn’t make a difference. How could it; its just one of millions.

What Can I Say?

To those who said they had been “too busy” I can only say, shame on you for not taking the few minutes required to vote. We have few covenants with our democracy;  the principle one is that we vote. Regarding the “all politicians are crooks” belief is understandable. Lobbying is a bad practice and weakens our system. However, it is up to us to demand our officials are accountable for any misdeeds in office. Some ways that is accomplished is with term limits and strict ethics rules, but most importantly a vigilant electorate. The rigged election ‘reason’ is based on a politically motivated attack on our independent state voting system by powerful people with loud voices and a significant bully pulpit. Even a lie, told repeatedly will find believers. As far as not liking either candidate; do a little research and I bet you discover there is a huge difference between the candidates and you might find you really do like one better than the other. The last and most often stated reason people didn’t vote was because they believed that their one vote doesn’t make a damn bit of difference. This last reason I am going to spend some time on. Just like the late Reverend Jesse Jackson I know enough of history to know that one vote has changed the course of history more than a few times.

When One Vote Changed History

  • One vote made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and gave him control of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1553 until his death in 1558.
  • One vote caused Charles I, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland to lose his head.
  • One vote kept Aaron Burr (later charged with treason) from becoming President of the United States.
  • One vote made Texas part of the United States and led to the Mexican American War and the acquisition of a lot of real estate, including, California, New Mexico, and Arizona.
  • One vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
  • One vote per precinct would have elected Richard Nixon rather than John Kennedy as president in 1960.
  • One vote in the German Reichstag in 1933 gave Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers and launched catastrophic global upheaval and led eventually to WWII.
  • One vote maintained the Selective Service System only 12 weeks before Pearl Harbor.
  • In 1920, Tennessee became the final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. The state legislature was deadlocked on the issue, and a single vote—cast by Harry T. Burn—secured its passage.
  • The acquisition of Alaska from Russia, commonly known as ‘Seward’s Folly’ was approved by a single vote in the Senate in 1867.

Street Feet

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Street Feet

Street Feet

 

By John Curran

I’m told we’re gonna have another Saturday street fest. A ‘pop up’ they’re callin’ it. The next big ones not gonna be ’til March 28th, 2026 but I guess since this party thing has gotten to be so much fun; well Grants Pass just can’t wait til then. So much fun and actually, the shit has gone nationwide. Killer you could say, don’t we know.

And since I help out my presence is definitely encouraged, I push wheelchairs see, among other things, chores, alla’ that. ‘N hey, I get into it too. It’s a hoot. Maybe I’ll bring my little bongo drum, its a good excuse to do something with it besides having it just sitting there in the corner of my room. Yeah there might be a drum circle, for sure there’s good DJ action, There’s a guy workin’ it out of the back of van. People are decked out in all kinda’ crazy ways, bunny outfits,  dogs dressed as dinosaurs, clown acts, everything.

Speaking of clown acts, we got two sides o’ the street setup to really liven it up-kind of an us ‘n them sort of standoff. Its great. We yell at them and they yell back at us, man you hear all kinds of funny and amusing ranting and raving and I must say, the excitement is in the air. Usually there’s a whole lot more of us than the themmers on the other side, some people just more inclined to party I guess, but the thems are catching on, I think,  they know we be serious about some lively action and this, without  fail, will be that.

‘Course we don’t have the real edge that some city’s been having, the kind of thing that really sends the shit into overdrive, not yet, anyway. And actually, if you think about it, nothing spoils a good party more than a public execution of an innocent person right there in front of everybody, definitely a party pooper that.

So we be good, so far; so I will say, Minneapolis ain’t so far away so, serious partiers we are and will be.  I push wheelchairs see,  and whatever. Just glad to be there and glad to help, however I can. Do I love it? Damn right I do, and all the dogs and cats do too.  ‘Course the one cat will make ya wonder, sometimes. One in every crowd, I guess.

The Big Beat

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The Big Beat

 

The Big Beat

 

By John Curran

 

Well you can close your eyes now Angel and fly away, you’ve done your best; you tried to help them right to the end, trying to alleviate the distress of them coming at that poor helpless person, a woman was it not? Yes, and them coming at her in that big bunch with guns ‘n all the rest of that. All charging at her the way they do, to frighten, intimidate, and control, and oft times physically hurt. But you were there filming and you stepped in-your last great gesture-one more time to try again to ease some ‘a the suffering of this world. It’s ramping up now. The senseless, needless killings, state killings…and you tried to help out the woman when they were coming all over her…and now you are gonna see what good that’s gonna get ya, today yeah ’cause today you’re gonna see it all.

And I’m sorry you have to see it. You were a good man and they beat ya down, they pounded you in the head with the metal canister an’ then they laid you out like Christ on that cross and they pumped you full of lead. I’m sorry you had to see that. Nobody should have to see that, but you can close your eyes now and fly away angel and remember always ‘radio loves you’. Your name is heard, all over the land, love’s ya’, and they be trembling now, before that mighty voice.

The Rigged Game

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The Rigged Game

The Rigged Game

Editor: The Jan-Feb 2026 edition of Mother Jones published a scathing indictment of the sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, and the actions that have directly led to the “corrupt and abusive Trump reign”. What follows are direct quotes (with large parts of the article left out because of copyright issues) from that brilliant article by Pema Levy and Ari Berman. All items within parentheses are added by this writer for clarification. Please subscribe to Mother Jones and support its 50 years of fearless journalism; it’s definitely worth the money. Call 1-800-438-6656 for subscription information. Sign up for newsletters at motherjones.com/daily-news-D.S. Mitchell, aka “Calamity”.

Excerpts from “Blame John Roberts for Everything”

By Pema Levy and Ari Berman

 

“Today, as the Robert’s court rewrites the Constitution in the image of Trumpian autocracy, it’s become clear that Robert’s promise (when he was testifying to the Senate at his confirmation hearing) to be a neutral umpire was a lie. We are watching a rigged game, and Roberts set it up.”

“Twenty years ago, John Roberts promised (the Senate, the country and the media) that as chief justice of the Supreme Court, he would be like an umpire, calling balls and strikes. The delusion was so powerful that for two decades the media defaulted to portraying him as a moderate institutionalist.”

“The Robert’s court has spent Trump’s second term not applying the law so much as clearing it out of his (Trump’s) way. In a matter of months, the court’s 6-3 GOP aligned majority has permitted a long list of lawless actions, including firing independent agency commissioners, using racial profiling in immigration sweeps, disappearing immigrants to authoritarian and war-torn nations, and defying Congress’ power of the purse.”

(This didn’t start yesterday,) “Robert’s has been embedding white-dominant authoritarianism into the country’s source code for two decades. It is impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Robert’s court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy.”

“(Representative) Democracies are built on the right to vote and choose representatives. The United States finally recognized this right for all people with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (and 1982).”

“As chief justice (Robert’s) has helped craft a string of rulings knee-capping (the Voting Rights Act of 1965 & 1982) laws, starting with his 2013 Shelby County v Holder. The decision overruled Congress and freed states with histories of discrimination to change their voting rules, spurring the creation of 115 voter suppression laws in more than 30 states. Many were inspired by Trump’s election lies.”

“After oral arguments in a Louisiana redistricting case, observers expect Roberts and the GOP justices to declare that the districts drawn to preserve representation for voters of color are either unconstitutional or subject to insurmountable barriers. It’s a decision that would turn the 14th and 15th Amendments-passed during Reconstruction to give formerly enslaved people citizenship and equal rights-on their heads, and turbocharge Trump’s gerrymandering push.”

“Such redrawn (gerrymandered) maps could shift up to 19 eats to the GOP in 2026 and runs the threat of creating a permanent GOP control of Congress.”

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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.”

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.

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,