Saturday, December 30, 2017

Is Everything Trump's Fault?

I recently got the following comment on my Facebook page:

To democrats everything is trumps fault. When will they start taking ownership instead of blaming everyone around them.

Part of me laughed. As in, to conservatives, everything was Obama's fault. Remember, they never had their own health insurance plan. In fact, they complained that it was "rammed through" in an "undemocratic process". So, just how did they pass tax reform?

They never had their own answer to Sandy Hook. In fact, I've even written letters to my Representative asking if he can give me some concrete things they can do for gun violence. He never gives me examples of anything. 

Republicans complained about the deficit. But what will the deficit look like after this tax "reform" goes through? 

Then there's the other part. The part that groaned and wanting to slam my head against the wall. This person is someone I know and like personally. Yet, he has lived this past year in denial apparently. I can't believe he's a white supremacist. Just what is it? I don't see him as an evangelical fundamentalist who only cares about abortion and gays. I don't seem as hating the environment. Or to be against health reform. I don't see him as being an apologist for sexual assault and sexual harassment, either. 

But it begs the question: Why? 

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The New America - Day 12

As hard as it is for me to accept people voted FOR Trump, it is even harder for me to accept that the same people that spoke out against Obama's so-called "imperial" Presidency are staying silent.

But there are some bright spots:

- lawyers mobilizing and volunteering to help those affected by the recent Executive Order
Hundreds of lawyers descend on airports to offer free help after Trump’s executive order


- US veterans knowing what they fought for (even if Trump supporters do not)
When Muslims got blocked at American airports, U.S. veterans rushed to help


- Sally Yates! 
Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban
Video shows Jeff Sessions pressing Sally Yates to defend the Constitution against president’s ‘unlawful’ views
Donald Trump firing Sally Yates isn’t the big story. How he did it is.

- Jay Inslee! My governor!!
Trump team ‘couldn’t run a two-car funeral’: WA governor blasts ‘train wreck’ immigration mess
Washington is first state to sue Trump over immigration order


- Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, when speaking of the attack on the mosque, called it an "act of terrorism". Woo-hoo!! Way to call a spade a spade! When was the last time a white man murdering people was called an act of terrorism in THIS country?

And, finally, SHAME ON YOU, Trump Administration. How in the name of Jehovah can you issue a statement in remembrance of the Holocaust and not mention the Jews? Well, I suppose we should expect it when a Nazi like Bannon seems to be making the decisions. 
President Bannon?

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Fight Trump #1-- Take Action

If you're like me (and I know I am), Trump's America fills you with foreboding and dread. I am appalled that anyone - much less the amount of people that did - would support and vote for him. But what can I do? What can we do? 

First, I think we need to educate people in just what is bothering us about this new President. Many of the people that did vote for him did not do so because they support his opinion of women, Muslims, etc. 

So, one of the things I will be doing is passing on articles that speak to the things that disturb me the most.

For instance, Zephyr Teachout's excellent article in the February 13th issue of The NationDonald Trump Will Violate the Constitution on Day One

Second, I also want to pass on organizations where we can increase OUR influence by joining together with others with similar concerns.

The aforementioned issue of The Nation has highlighted several different organizations to consider.

Frances Fox Piven's suggestions
Throw Sand in the Gears of Everything

Color of Change: A racial justice organization working to make America a more humane and less hostile place for black people

United We Dream: A youth-led organization that advocates on behalf of immigrant young people and their families, regardless of their immigration status.

350.org: Currently building a grassroots climate movement to keep carbon in the ground and hold governments accountable for cutting emissions.

National Day Laborer Organizing Network: Working to expand the civil, labor, and human rights of people working as day laborers.

Margaret Atwood's suggestions
What Art Under Trump?


PEN: A worldwide association of poets, editors, and novelists that promotes the freedom to write, with local chapters across the United States.

City of Asylum: A Pittsburgh-based organization that provides sanctuary to endangered writers from around the world.

Alexia Foundation : An institution that funds and champions social-justice photojournalism.

Girls Write Now: A New York City-based group that pairs high-school girls with professional women writers for a yearlong mentorship program.

Benjamin Barber's suggestions
In the Age of Donald Trump, the Resistance Will Be Localized

The Global Parliament of Mayors: An international body of mayors dedicated to working together to address global challenges.

Local Progress: A nationwide network of hundreds of local officials committed to advancing progressive public policy

Cities for Action: A coalition of cities dedicated to supporting immigrants and inclusive immigration policies

David Cole's suggestions
Donald Trump vs. the First Amendment


ACLU: For almost 100 years, the ACLU has defended our civil rights and liberties.

CCR: The Center for Constitutional Rights protects civil and human rights.

NAACP: Its Legal Defense Fund leads the right for racial justice.

Planned Parenthood: The organization has provided health care and education to women for over 100 years.

Zephyr Teachout's suggestions
Donald Trump Will Violate the Constitution on Day One

Public Citizen: An organization that seeks to reduce corporate influence on government and hold government officials accountable for misdeeds.

Rootstrikers: An online organizing project that targets banks, corporations, super PACs, and other entities that buy political influence.

MayDay.us: A grassroots movement to fight corruption by electing reformers to all levels of government.

Michael Massing's suggestions
How to Do Journalism in Trump’s America

Committee to Protect Journalists: CPJ safeguards press freedoms around the world, and as Meryl Streep noted, "We're going to need them going forward."

Center for Investigative Reporting: CIR's journalists hold the power to account.

Center for Public Integrity: Winner of a Pulitzer Prize in 2014, CPI uses investigative journalism to expose corruption, abuses of power, and betrayals of the public trust.

In conclusion, I want to wish us all the best in the next few years. I do hope it will not be as bad as I think and imagine.

To Trump supporters: I am open to discussion. Please explain to me why you thought he was the better choice. I implore you to hold him to the same standard as you would to ANY holder of the office.

To those who voted but not for Trump: Please join me in working to keep his abuses in check.

To those who did not vote AT ALL: I am more disgusted with you than ANY other American. You are the reason we are in this mess. 

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