United States

Right Away

You’re right

All 

The time;

Always

With 

Good

Intentions,

Presumably.

And 

So

Am I

Also

Right

Knowing

What 

Should 

Be

Even when

A counter

Is proposed.

Days 

Are unclear;

Anything

Can happen.

Anything

Can go 

Wrong

It seems,

Despite

Knowing

What needs

To happen.

Good luck

Feels certain

These days.

Unfortunately,

Rational thought,

Assumed

Necessary,

Seems secondary

Or irrelevant,

Never 

Mind

Truthiness–

That

Was

So early 

Aughts.

Truthiness

Was

Truth

Adjacent.

Sort of

Sounded 

Like something

Actual,

But false

In reality

That we

All shared.

As a

Matter 

Of fact

No longer

Exists

When

Facts

Don’t matter.

Only 

Being

Right

Matters

Even 

When

Right

Is wrong.

It’s

Power

And 

Oppression,

Micro 

And 

Macro

Aggressions.

Personal

Is 

Political.

Or

Are we

Each

Always

Exerting

Dominance

In the

Name of

Being right?

Too much

Is Wrong

With

The world.

I know,

Right?

Left Handed

What’s left 

When what’s

Handed down

Is cruelty?

In the name of

Jesus

Or The

Forefathers,

Decisions

To upend

And reverse

And ignore,

Or pretend that

Conception 

Is holy

And immaculate,

21st Century Puritans

Called Originalists

Or just

Christians

(Which is an insult

To Christianity),

Have left

A heinous legacy.

Power,

Greed—

The usual

Culprits

Hand down

To the young

The American

Nightmare.

Fossil fuels

And fossils fuel

A changing climate

Devastating now.

What’s left

After being

Handed

Destruction

Regarded

As victory

For themselves

Only?

The uncivil

War

Or revolution

Is revolting.

I know

It’s 

Too

Much

But what

Will you

Leave 

Ahead?

The Right

Left lies,

Insurrection,

Gun fetish,

Retraction

Of women’s

Autonomy

And health

Threats to 

LGBTQ+,

And 

Elections.

There is much

Left

To do 

Starting now.

Hate

Needs apathy

As much

As support.

Democracy

Demands

Participation

For all.

In addition

To voting,

It’s in

Your hands.

Still

I still believe

In evolution

Despite

Breaking News

And broken

Norms,

Laws, and

Utter Climate Change.

We can’t go

Backwards

Or

Remain still

Anymore

Than we can

Be

Young again.

This moment

That feels

Endless

And also still

As a dark

Cloud

Or maybe

Smog

Hovering

Oppressing

Menacing

Polluting

Seemingly static

And yet

We still

Continue

Seeking

Clarity

Distilling knowledge

To become

Still better

Positioned

To meet

Change.

We choose

How 

We live

Still.

Perhaps not

Our conditions,

But our

Responses.

Nothing to See, Hear

Nothing to see,

Hear,

Just keep

Going.

We’ve got

This

Under 

Control.

Over controlled

Girls

And Women

Suffer alone

While we

Await

The next

Mass shooting.

Nothing to see,

Hear,

Or do,

When it’s legal.

Here 

The law

Is

Evil.

Personhood

Is claimed

For cells

And corporations

But 

A fetus

Is not exempt

To the IRS.

Nothing to see,

Hear,

But potential

Through ultrasound.

Yet potential

To massacre

With each

Purchase

Is abided

Because

It is

Legal.

We are

Not

Blind

Or Deaf

Just hostages

Of Prayers

And 

The 18th Century.

Not known

For nuance

Or complexity

But purity,

Our reality

Is 

Complicated

By myths

And systems

That feign

Deliberation

And calibration.

Yet absolutism

Is our DNA–
From Puritans

To Purell.

Unintended 

Consequences

Are nothing

To see here.

Hearing women

Capitol Policewoman

Caroline Edwards

Testified

Bearing her Trauma

Divulging the truth:

On January 6th,

Slipping 

In people’s blood

“I was catching people

As they fell.”

“It was carnage.

It was chaos.”

“…I would find myself

in the  middle

Of a battle.”

Fulton County Georgia

Election workers

Mother and daughter

Testified

Of threats and abuse.

Shaye Moss recalled

Her living nightmare

“All because 

Of lies

For me doing my job.”

“A lot of them

 Were racist,

A lot of them 

Were 

Just Hateful.”

“Be glad 

it’s 2020

And not 

1920,”

Shaye recounted.

Shaye’s mother,

“Lady”Ruby Freeman,

A proud 

American citizen

Who

Stood up

“To help Fulton County

Run An Election

In the middle

Of the pandemic.”

“Do you know 

How it feels 

To have the President

Of the United States

Target you?”

“But he

Targeted me—

Lady Ruby…

A proud American citizen…”

Ms. Cassidy Hutchinson

Mark Meadows’ 

Assistant

Overheard and witnessed

The callous and crazy.

The 25 year old

Aid

Repeated what she heard

The POTUS 

Say:

“I don’t effing care

That they have weapons. 

They’re not here

To hurt me.”

“Take the

 Effing

Mags

Away.”

“Let my people in.”

“I’m the effing

President.

Take me up

To the Capitol

 Now.”

“Sir,

We have to go

Back

To the West Wing.”

Said the Secret Service

Driver 

of the

Beast.

“Ketchup

Dripping

Down

The wall.”

When Meadows was asked

About 

“Hang Mike Pence”

Mark said to Pat (Cipollone the lawyer):

“You heard him

Pat.

He thinks

Mike deserves it.”

To which Pat 

Responded:

“This is 

Effing 

Crazy.

We need

 To be 

Doing 

Something 

More.”

“Mr. Meadows

Did seek 

That pardon.

Yes, Ma’am.”

June 2022

A miscarriage

Has occurred.

Actually, an

Abortion.

Fifty years in the making

Seeking to criminalize

Those most

Desperate.

Overturned

But not over,

The tide will turn

Toward Justices

Corrupt

From Dark Money

And desperate for

Supremacy.

Rights for

Individuals

Who can’t get

Pregnant.

Now

The law sanctions

Open Carry

To full term.

I’m expecting

Violence

In response to

“Pro Lifers”

Who care

Nothing

For those already

Born.

Except

For the right

To bear arms

Anywhere.

I hemorrhaged

Tears

And could barely

Breathe.

This is an

Assault

On women and girls’

Rights.

I will not dwell

In the cruelty

Pain

And contractions.

We will

Heal

And create

Anew.

Mourning Sickness

Today I feel gutted.

I was already gutted by the mass shooting at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, and the next day, as though re-gutted, the mass shooting at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. As unbearably horrific as that mass shooting was, the cover up is even more grotesque to me. Anyone could understand the fear police might have when encountering a deranged shooter with an automatic weapon. Hesitation might occur. Hyper-caution to avoid children…ok. Then why the lies and covering up the story? I am not sure I have the stomach for the answer.

I felt gutted yesterday watching The January 6th Hearings and listening to members of Trump’s DOJ recount 45’s intense and insane pressure to install Jeffrey Clark in the final weeks of his presidency. This, after hearings in which witness after witness relayed Trump’s efforts to overaturn a legitimate democratic election that he lost. Election workers were abused; their lives endangered. VP Mike Pence’s life was in danger. The sickness of Trump’s pathetic cleaving to power and the sad, angry, delusional devotees who are empowered to serve him leave me distraught. When I am not angry and fearful (of so many angry, fearful people with serious gun power), I am profoundly sad that so many people have succumbed to such a gross excuse for a human being and for perpetuating cruelty and selfishness.

Yesterday, upon hearing the news of the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing open carry–because….you know….individual rights/liberties–I was at once terrified and broken. I believe there is now such a tension between the hyper-individualsts who embrace a particular definition of macho and those who are actually more driven to protect the lives of the already born, that the menacing and threatening that seems empowering will only cause if not a conventional civil war, then a serious threat to everyone.

And this morning, with the news of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v wade, I am actually sick to my stomach. I am in mourning. Democracy, which I certainly took for granted in the once USA, is on life support. I am mourning American life that had promise.

I was briefly uplifted by the seemingly ordinary people who became heroic to me: during Trump’s 2 impeachments; during the worst days (and throughout) the COVID19 pandemic; Zalensky; some Republicans who have been Trump loyalists in his administration; unceremonious election workers; Capitol police officers, all of whom bravely stood up to endure under duress and bear testimony to truth. There is still truth. There is still decency. Perhaps too little too late, but some people have been moved. I have learned of goodness and decency during such trials, when so much crazy and serious danger has been thrust upon us and relentlessly spewing through media over the last 6 years.

But whatever solace I felt was amidst the mourning for the beauty that was the promise of life here in the USA, even in this very dangerous 21st century. I am grieving not so much for the world in which I grew up, but for the willingness that we had to continue to improve; to no longer stand for what was, even if we endured it.

I have had queasiness every day for years now, but hoping it would subside when this period finally settled down. Today’s overturning of Roe v wade was not surprising, but it is nonetheless chilling. It is nauseating. And the waves keep coming.

I am mourning the loss of separation between church (all religion) and state; of the recognition of the dignity of all living beings who have been born; of the danger of guns; of peaceful elections and transitions of power; of a healthy climate–political, social, economic,natural.

But after the mourning one must get on with the business of living and creating a healthy life. I don’t see how the current conditions are sustainable. The sickness that has pervaded too much of the American culture and now American deomcratic institutions and democracy itself, from the base to the Supreme Court, is deadly. But succumbing to mourning is deadly too.

Righters Block

I haven’t said much here in quite some time. It’s not that there isn’t anything left to say. It’s just been a horrendous case of Righters Block.

Righters kvetch about freedom while blocking access. The righters block loves walls and barricades, obstructing processes and others. Righters tear down that wall of Democracy that is the foundation of freedom. It’s a party of destruction that is punishing all that’s left.

Disruption is their right, while blocking safety for the rest. Facts remain on the side of what’s left, exposing truth and lies that righters tell. It’s insanity. Crazy like Fox, anything goes because they have rights, no matter how wrong.

We live in an era of storytelling. Maybe we always did. Now, everyone is a storyteller. It’s even encouraged and platformed. Meanwhile, righters block evidence as having any meaning, and ideate strategies to the contrary.

Righters claim populism and patriotism and nationalism and supremacy, redefining and insinuating with hopes of defeating. Righters block responsibility feeling entitled to anything and accountable for nothing.

There is no contest when suffering righters block. Being left alone to anguish and expose reality, those seeking to conserve Democracy have been flailing. Institutions have been weakened by righters block, but are not yet left for dead.

Too many weapons of mass destruction fired off by boys who are proud and keepers of an oath, automatically arming themselves for….?

I have no idea.

….Other than the notion that power trumps and powers Trump. Left to their own devices, righters block. This is the unbearably sad, scary, true story of our time.

Dis Appearance

“I just don’t think she has a presidential look and you need a presidential look.”

 
One way or (and) another, Donald Trump dissed Hillary Clinton’s appearance. Of course he’s not the first or last to dis HRC’s appearance, but he used it as a disqualifier for the presidency of the United States.

Whether he was being sexist (he was), or just a jerk (he was), we often talk about looking presidential, as opposed to a presidential look. “Looking presidential” implies that a person exhibits certain qualities with a demeanor of distinction: authoritative (not authoritarian); intelligent (not ignorant); well informed (by reputable resources and critical thinking); diplomatic (not wheeling and dealing); cordial; articulate…

Other qualities such as charisma may be highly regarded, but ultimately seriousness is preferable for a job that demands gravitas and clear thinking. Strength is another quality that is difficult to define, but purposeful beyond self would be respected. Oh, and then there’s respectable…. I guess there are varying definitions of looking respectable, but presenting (not exclaiming) oneself as decent, reasonable, of substance…these seem to comprise an expression of respectability.

It’s amazing how much we disregard, disqualify, disrespect, distrust, dishonor, and even just dis people based on appearance. We assume a tremendous amount based on appearance. Even those who prefer to minimize an appearance of effort in their appearance, are conveying something through their appearance, namely: I’m not shallow; I’m interested in more than my appearance. Likewise, we often assume that those who have sartorial interests or accessorize are making a different sort of statement, and that those interested in presenting themselves more materially are therefore shallow and/or materialistic. Beware— sometimes appearances can be deceiving!

As we are all always concerned about looking good (whatever that may mean)—of a certain type or status—even if that means modest—we are always aware of when others look bad. Looking good or bad goes way beyond our physical appearance. It’s what we do and how we are. We use external appearances too often as assessments of character—that which really defines whether or not we look good.

And yet, everyone has a look. We can change our look through hair, clothing, glasses, etc., and we tend to think of this as expressing our selves and/or our position. Some of us, however, only know how to look one way. Our look hasn’t changed, but have we?

So what about that presidential look? What does that even mean? Looking presidential is more significant than a presidential look, although a presidential look should reflect the qualities that have one look presidential. A presidential look (or any look) is one’s superficial (external) appearance. Looking presidential is one’s demeanor.

Trump does not look presidential; nor does he have a presidential (modest and distinguished) look. Why would he dis appearance? Because it’s the lowest common denominator. It’s broad enough to include the most base of his base, who have difficulty with race and gender (as they are understood first by appearance). Because if anyone is shallow, it’s Trump. And those Trumpeters want simplistic, caustic, anti-, because they regard their blowhard as strong.

Why dis appearance? Because it immediately attracts the disgruntled.

To me, that doesn’t look very good.

Philly Cheese Stake

This week has been pretty sunny in Philadelphia. I have watched many conventions, but have never been so moved over and over and over each night. Speaker after speaker shared stories that continue to inspire and remind us of possibility, and of what policy can really do for individuals.

The Dems seem to have embraced a traditional kind of American patriotism this week. Like Mohamed Ali’s refrain, “I’m the GREATEST”, Dems embraced American exceptionalism and repeatedly declared how great America already is. This used to be the province of the Republicans, wrapping themselves in the flag (or sticking themselves with flag pins), while any critique was denounced as unpatriotic.. You’re either with us or against us. It was a simplistic patriotism.

The Dems’ patriotism, on full display this week in Philadelphia, included critique and dissent, but mostly a plethora of joy and celebration for the myriad ways one can more fully realize one’s potential, and even transform challenges and tragedies, as long as we find ways to support one another politically. The testimonies of those whose lives were made better because of actual policies, were remarkable. So much courage and brilliance was on display. It was colorful in every way. It was thrilling and amazing. I have never seen or heard anything like it.

Battles that I have witnessed (and some I have participated in) for civil rights for women, African Americans, immigrants, disabled, LGBTQ, first responders, veterans, and more were shared and celebrated. It was impossible not to notice the multi-ness at the Democratic convention. That was a powerful image of America. Sure, there was also plenty of cheese. Maybe I’m just getting old, but I ate it all up.

I think we wanted some cheese. There has been too much acridity in our politics for much too long. Dems seemed to realize what a toll that has taken, and made a concerted effort to feel good; to serve up some comfort food. And they did.

It was an easy contrast to the fear and hate on display at the Republican convention. There were so many outstanding speeches thus far at the Democratic convention, that each day’s ranking of who gave the best speech  became silly. (Ok…The Obamas). But despite the displays of intrepidness, decency, knowledge, experience, compassion, and rhetorical skills, the celebration of our American greatness also seemed threatened. And not by external threats.

What’s at stake in this election is now being called Trumpism. President Obama gave the perfect coda to his political career last night. Having endured the suggestions and attacks from Palin and others that Obama was somehow not American, or against America, and having endured the “Birtherism” that Trump inflamed early on in the Obama presidency, Mr. Obama somehow outdid himself as he outlined the ways in which Trump and his “philosophy” (mostly  attitude) is antithetical to American ideals and to America itself. Obama brilliantly articulated his own American essence and patriotism, while eviscerating Trumpism as unpatriotic. Obama cast Trump (and Trumpism) as un-American! Take that!

Many have found displays of patriotism cheesy. It’s so easy to be cynical. What’s at stake was never better articulated than it was last night, which is saying quite a bit, given Obama’s rhetorical genius.
It is possible to acknowledge the greatness of America and take pride in achievements while still acknowledging that so much more needs to be accomplished in the economy, jobs, healthcare, education, policing, racial issues, veterans’ issues, equal pay, low income communities, restoring the middle class, gun violence and safety, infrastructure, getting big money out of politics, homeland security, cyber-security, environmental safeguards and energy strategies, innovation, international issues, and more.

Tonight will be the last night of the convention, and I anticipate a healthy portion of Philly Cheese Stake. It may be cheesy, but it is necessary to remind ourselves of our better angels, and to have those wings expand. Trumpism, at the very least, divides and contracts. It leaves us bitter and weaker, and worse. Too much is at stake.