Democracy

Size Matters

Trump finally got

the biggest

crowds

ever

in US

history,

but will

it be 

enough?

The No Kings 3

demonstrations,

3000 

confirmations

of approximately

8 million

frustrations

with this administration

and demand

for democracy

to be

the rule,

not a cruel

fool,

infantile

and vile,

gauche,

louche,

driven

by money

and epic

fury,

proved 

that we

can unite

peacefully

for decency

and democracy.

A protest

alone

can’t dethrone

a would-be

king

or authoritarian

ring.

(See Tiananmen

Square, 1989).

But 

it’s a sign

nonetheless,

that 

in

nearly

every

municipality,

fearlessness

against

venality,

brutality,

criminality,

and more,

is growing.

Knowing

the size 

of the resistance

to the persistence

of this 

menace

should help 

us

flip the House

and Senate.

Let him

take credit

for ending

the war

soon.

It doesn’t

change

that he’s

still

a buffoon,

who will

soon

realize

that congress

must authorize

this “exercise”.

It’s the size 

that matters

most

to him,

whether

bright

or dim,

news

of multitudes

gets 

his attention.

Any mention 

of size

is a prize

to be had

or denied.

Regardless,

he’ll go on

attacking.

Your presence

is paramount

in order 

to dismount

this weak

yet pugnacious

anomaly.

Or is he?

Is he US?

Are we

just a  huge

country

that is obnoxious,

old,

fat,

ignorant,

and gluttonous?

Yesterday’s

No Kings Day

would suggest

otherwise,

based on

the size 

of the crowds

of those

who chose

to exercise

their

right to protest.

I hope

it’s a test

to show

that size 

matters.

The Shows Tell

“One Battle

After

Another”

and

“Sinners”,

both

Oscar

winners,

neither

of which

excited me,

still 

invited me

to cheer

the resistance

to the various

nefarious

forces

that resurface

to undermine

from time 

to time.

That Hollywood

would

create

a spate

of movies,

and include

a Brazilian ,

after a million

and one

heinous

acts had

been done

by the current

administration,

is validation

that all

is not lost,

though the cost

increases

daily.

Movies

reflect

and inspire,

which

is why

the vampire

genre

won’t die.

White nationalism

and supremacism,

dystopian

and historic,

with the allegoric

vampire

never dying,

always

vying

to take 

over,

lives

among us

forever.

One battle

after

another

describes

reality,

not just

the movie.

It feels 

like only

recently

the tragedy

of the strategy

of evil

and chaos

would be

possible.

We thought

we won

after WW2.

Humanity

was saved

and would

inevitably

evolve.

But humiliation

and fear

always

reappear

in the form

of aggression

and oppression.

We relaxed

and became

too confident,

never imagining

a modern president

like this one.

Hollywood

has finally

begun

to confront

white nationalism

and supremacy

as democracy

and the world

are now

in peril.

Interestingly,

the supremely

talented

Timothée 

Chalamet,

(who knows

a thing or two

about ballet),

was denied

his Marty

Supreme

Oscar

dream,

perhaps 

because

the theme

was 

him

being

a jerk.

It would

appear

the good 

guys

won

in Hollywood

this year.

In the face

of fear,

it’s clear

that the

real sinners

will reappear

to fight

one battle 

after another.

Everybody

A year ago

my second toe,

and first,

and third,

required

corrective

surgery.

Recovery

would be

slow

to show,

but now

the issue

is scar

tissue.

Meanwhile,

a terribly

difficult

infection

causing

inflammation

in a finger

to throb

and linger

has meant

that treatment

for another

ailment

is contingent

upon

what’s going

on

elsewhere.

And now

my problematic

hips and hamstrings,

additional

chronic

disablings,

can no longer

be ignored.

For all my

recovery talk,

one year later,

I can barely

walk;

an issue,

like my first toe,

started aching

decades ago.

I confess

my anatomical

mess,

less 

to complain

than to sustain

attention

on our duties

civic

to impact

our pathetic

body politic.

See what

I did there?

Compare

my shoddy

body

(and the ailments

I mention,

like 

you may

have,

are only some)

with the problem

of our politics.

As you 

well know,

pain sticks

when what

needs to be

fixed

isn’t.

Like 

an autoimmune

condition,

fighting

itself

into 

submission,

we’re in

a prolonged

flare.

There are

remedies

for various

maladies,

but much

effort

is required.

Mired

in pain

and war

is sure

to make

recovery

slow going.

But knowing

we still

have capacity

and muscle

memory

for democracy,

means

exercising

appropriately,

regularly.

Offerings

like 

No Kings

rallies

may seem

useless

against

our maladies,

but I believe

participation

is the medication

needed.

Support

candidates

beyond

your community

in order to 

strengthen

congressional

immunity

against

the MAGA

virus

inundating

us.

Donate,

show up,

email,

call….

do it all!

The process

of healing

requires

dealing

with building

strength;

a process

of length

and endeavor.

Nothing’s

forever,

but our injuries

may need

surgeries,

and certainly

therapies,

in order 

to facilitate

recovery.

Ultimately,

it’s up

to us

to do 

more 

than discuss

our disgust.

Democracy

is of,

by,

and for,

and therefore

requires

everybody.

Legacy Box

Like in 

a coffin,

we often

try to contain

what will remain

after us,

thus

drafting

and crafting

some image; 

some visage

for lineage

or heritage.

A life 

of importance;

of consequence.

In a sense,

we try

to ensure

that our death

will be more

than 

the end.

No one

is more

concerned

about having

earned

a place

in history

than 

the man

of Epic 

Fury.

Bored 

of peace,

the increase

of aggression

may be his

concession

to a time limit.

Does this war

inhibit?

Prohibit?

Or merely

exhibit

epic

destruction

without

reconstruction

because

we pretend

that’s on

them,

and you’re

welcome.

When Trump

feels boxed

in,

he claims

a win

with

notorious

epic fury.

Who needs 

diplomacy

or policy

when hostility

poses

for expediency?

The decency

of Americans

showed sympathy

for Iranians

who suffered

and died

after 

they tried 

to protest

their government’s

oppression.

The succession

of oppression

is a common

outcome

from

dictatorships.

The second

Assad

was worse

than the first.

And Kim Jung Ił

was still

not as bad 

as his son,

Kim Jung Un.

The legacy

of war

should abhor,

for

more than

a minute.

We enter

militarily

often

from lies

under the guise

that it’s

wise

to avert

iminent

threat,

yet,

we’re met

with the suprise

of hatred

for generations.

Subverting

diplomacy

and democratic

process,

to me inhibits

any success,

and Trump’s

legacy

of travesty

is tragedy

even if

military

victory

killed

the Ayatollah.

Is It Just War?

During Obama’s

presidency

Navy Seals found

Osama’s

residency

and eliminated

the threat.

Met 

with praise

and celebration,

we considered

Al Quaeda’s

decapitation

a major victory.

But our history

with Iran,

especially since

the Shah

was gone

(and given

safe haven

here),

has been 

of humiliation

with 

the hostage

situation

that commenced

with the repressive

revolution,

that sought

the dissolution

of freedom

and western

constitution,

now decades

of our 

seeking

a solution

to their

nuclear

threat

and oppression.

In addition,

more than one

proxy militia,

including

the Houthis

and Hezbollah,

directed by

the Ayatollah,

have menaced

the middle

east

and beyond

for decades.

Recently,

the potential

nuclear threat

was met

with surgical 

strikes,

diminishing their

capability.

But suddenly,

that threat

was imminent

if you listen to

our current President.

So in coordination

with Israel,

we attacked

Iran

at its most

central

and

therefore

consequential

spot,

and killed

the Ayatollah.

Who knows

what follows?

And that’s 

the part

that should be

the start

of any

discussion

of war.

Is it just

an exercise

to exorcise

a demon?

Without advice

or consent

from Congress,

we could be 

in a considerable

mess

again.

No question,

when

we get

the bad guys—

Osama,

Sadam,

Qaddafi,

Khamenei-

it’s easy

to rejoice.

But the choice

for 

war

is always

more

than 

assassination.

By definition,

war is hell,

and yet 

we tell

ourselves

it’s glory.

It’s gory,

and a country’s

past

is not erased.

We have faced

this dilemma

many times,

yet despite

history’s 

rhymes

and war crimes,

we haven’t

grappled 

much with

nuance.

Is it a 

just

war?

Or 

is it just

regime change

in exchange

for more

of the same,

while Trump

gets his name

attached

to a win?

I’m feeling 

queasy

that this won’t

be easy,

and really,

it might

not

be.

We should

discuss

and debate

the fate

of each 

nation-state

with great

consideration.

That was

the idea

in our constitution,

because

a single

individual

should not

be responsible

for putting

our service members’

lives 

or ours

in danger.

Winter Games

Everything 

I see

lately

is curling-

in the Olympics

and in politics.

Meddling

at home

without

much medaling

in Italy

yet,

from the outset,

has been

great upset.

Booing Vance

in advance

of the games

brought me

no pride.

Inside

I cringed

at how fringed

our stature

is

on the world

stage.

The rage

against

Trump

is

justified,

as the 

slide

to authoritarianism

can not

be denied,

but mostly,

I felt sad.

And then

the great

losses

early on

by the bosses

of skating

and skiing,

felt metaphoric.

This season

of ICE,

the most

chilling

in memory,

could be

an opportunity.

But not 

yet.

Shutting down

Homeland Security

even partially,

may be

a Hail

Mary,

but it feels

like a lose-

lose.

And gutting

the EPA

and throwing

away

environmental

progress,

much less

democratic

process,

make today,

Presidents Day,

nothing more

than a day

to buy

a mattress.

If you’re feeling

powerless,

know that

you are not.

Politics,

unlike

The Olympics,

is not

a spectator

sport.

The dual

crises,

existential,

democracy

and environmental,

require your

participation.

Sure,

bring your bags

to the grocery

store,

but before 

you do,

take a few

moments

(literally, a few!!)

to take

actions:

Home
Dashboard for Democracy

Use the tools

of democracy

to save democracy

and the climate

crises.

Already crafted

emails

and petitions,

download the apps

for your signature

additions.

I get nothing

out of sharing

here

other than knowing

we are daring 

here

to do democracy

together.

It’s better 

than just watching

the screen

as we careen

off course.

And of course,

share with 

your friends

and family

and your 

networks.

Be a reason

democracy

works.

That’s

how we

win.

More of Us

There are more

of us

than there are

of them.

But their

weapons

are automatic,

and autocratic;

and ours,

democratic,

often socratic,

seem

fantastic-

a legacy

now a 

fantasy-

if you

don’t see

the ordinary.

But we-

the people

whose

DNA
is democracy-

understand

that immorality

is not merely

cheating

and brutality.

It is a cancer

that metastasizes

as it emphasizes

bigotry

and purely

self interest.

More 

is asked

of us

than to

fuss

and bitch

about

this ditch

we’re in.

We’re in

it together.

Whether

you can donate

money,

time,

or influence,

the confluence

will quell

some intransigence.

Pledge

allegiance

to that which

you and I

can do to

defy

and deny

the worst;

but of greater

import,

to support

more

of us:

https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

https://app.oath.vote/set?p=top-issues

Pretti Good

They have

immunity

from the 

community

of humanity

for this insanity

in any

“blue” city-

even after

point blank

killing

Good

and Pretti.

Not

an acknowledgement

or even

embarrassment;

just

harassment

while claiming

being

harassed.

The goal

of intimidation

to suppress

immigration

reflects

fear

and loathing;

just look

at their

clothing.

Aren’t

big guns

enough?

Is this

being

tough

on immigration

with no

legislation,

just enjoying

vexation?

Each incident

no accident,

is an 

illegitimate

claim of threat.

And the president

has set

this all 

in motion

from the notion

that

intimidation

gets results.

But the adults

are protesting,

defending

the constitution;

our own

American

self defense.

The pretense

of legitimacy

for ICE

in the city,

is chapter 1

of the tyranny

of the police

state.

Will 

this state

of hate

be just

Pretti

Good?

Muscle Memory

Another chilling

day of ICE

fishing for 

some more

excuses

for the

inexcusable

abuses

and killing.

The machismo

guys

in disguise

don’t advise;

they terrorize

as paramilitary 

does.

We have 

no memory

of  such

muscle use

or such

an obtuse

administration.

The arrested

development-

an envelopment

of a city-

is exactly

what we thought

we weren’t:

a deterrent

to humanity.

We have

no memory

of muscle;

we have

an American

story

of old

and new

glory,

opening

doors

and arms,

ignoring

the harms

remaining.

The few

bad apples

here

and there

were rare,

so we thought,

and were 

taught

that we’re

the exception.

Except

that now

we accept

how 

we can fall

from heights

previously

unimaginable.

Our muscle

memory

is specified

to what unified

our glory.

What made

us strong

all along

were our

norms

and our

constitution,

and each

institution

that maintained

and expanded

normalcy

for democracy

without

a paramilitary.

Ironically,

(or maybe not)

climbing

free solo,

Alex Honnold,

the 40 year old,

scaled the tallest

skyscraper

yesterday,

Taipei 101-

streamed

live from

Taiwan,

(which still

wants

to be free

and live 

democratically).

Thankfully

his muscle

memory

succeeded

triumphantly

on live tv.

I like the 

metaphor

for climbing

to heights

even when 

it’s dangerous.

It’s incumbent

upon us

to exercise

and strengthen;

to energize

and lengthen

our muscle 

memory

and ability

for democracy,

and of course,

basic 

human

decency.

That’s what

makes

America

great again

and again

and again.

Toolbox

Containing.

Constraining.

Obtaining.

Boxing.

Targeting.

Marketing.

The only tool

the fool

has 

is to fuel

fear,

and buy

out

the other

guy

and buy

in

to all

out

crack up.

ICE

picks

at towns

as

crack-

downs

abound

while they

go around

hammering

down

on the innocent,

intent

to invent

probable 

cause

for arrest.

Meanwhile,

he’ll suggest

we “invest”

in 

Greenland,

with the best

minerals

for our

arsenals

and somehow

our oil

on Venezuelan

soil

is worth

the toil

to foil.

Nothing is going

according

to Hoyle.

But this guy

who’s 

“a builder”

will hammer

away

day after day

and drill

baby, drill

until

he thinks

he’s nailed it.

He’s screwing

us

bit by bit

and won’t 

quit

or admit

enough.

Indecent

and cruel

has defined

the tool,

for this

Mr. Fixit.

He alone

wants to

rule

without

adherence,

and cares

not at all

about

actual

governance.

Feeling

boxed in?

Then begin

to activate

and donate

to build

a constituency

with coherency

and fluency

in 21st century

democracy,

which 

must look

differently

than 

in name

only.