Anne, you always lift my spirits with your wisdom and humanity. Sometimes the wind blows in something good, like the seeds, like the World Cup which has brought to light the goodness in our country, the joy our foreign visitors are finding in Americans and America and our joy in getting to know people from all corners of the world.
Love your writing and your dedication to finding hope amidst the wind! Would have loved to see a photo of your teenage, Dippity Do hair with your last post. Can you imagine a product with that name actually sold like wild fire?
I love the idea behind No Kings rallies, however, "there is widespread agreement that massive, single-day rallies have limited direct impact on policy. While they offer emotional release and community solidarity, critics and political scientists note that without sustained, localized organizing or voter mobilization, the government can easily ignore them."
I support the ACLU and the work they do, unquestionably, essential to carry on with a democracy.
Where we most need effort, is in voter education. Once people learn why and how, to vote, they don't unlearn it. This is the primary mechanism we need to rally around.
Sustained protest has been effective, though not immediately so. Maybe it depends on the regime, though. What worked in India with the British would not necessarily work everywhere. The leaders would need to give a shit for sustained protests to work.
Voting at the polls is the only meaningful action that makes a difference. Protests like these one day events, which are not sustained like those in Minneapolis, are effective for venting, but unless they get more people voting, they’re simply a giant venting event. No change.
For sure--the ferocity, commitment and dedication of those who stood firm in Minneapolis really astounds me. These people are heroes for our democracy and for those who came here looking for a better, safer life and found something different during this callous and soulless administration.
I hope you'll get involved with voter education at any scale or level. I only recently have a fuller understanding of the insidious ways some will go to--in order to not only prevent valid votes from being counted, ways in which more voters can participate in voting, e.g., mail-in votes, but also to make sure large populations of people remain uneducated on many levels, not just with regard to voting rights and power, but in critical thinking skills. Those who work to oppress others do so in order to exploit them for their own gain. We all must work to make sure that more effort is put into making sure more people learn to think and challenge authority when it's off its rocker!
A whole population of people who have been brain washed in relying on authoritarian regimes and taught not to think for themselves, is how old white men get rich. That's how this works. They are the only people who will work for these parasites.
I really hope so! We need people who are going to the polls to get more involved in voter education and voter access--take a few of your neighbors who otherwise might not go, with you when you vote!
"The whole system works because we're not all nuts on the same day." :-) Thanks for these words of wisdom, and for all the others. Your work is a blessing.
At 78, I’ve seen a lot of ridiculosity, but never imagined I’d witness the National Guard keeping a large pool of water safe from predators. How would you even train for that?
The Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification wouldn’t cut it, as it teaches one to avoid toxic swamps altogether and, if that regulation is violated, it teaches the guard to rescue those who wander in over their heads. However, this Nationally Guarded site is not deep enough to necessitate a rescue of such magnitude, as one might be up to their knees in the floating colors - at most. The powers that be seem to have carried on beyond their “best before …” date. I wish the Guard well.
I do love the wind, giving the trees a good scrubbing. Of course dangerous wind is no fun, but who or what else could create a beautifully choreographed dance for the plastic bag floating down the sidewalk?
Anne, you always lift my spirits with your wisdom and humanity. Sometimes the wind blows in something good, like the seeds, like the World Cup which has brought to light the goodness in our country, the joy our foreign visitors are finding in Americans and America and our joy in getting to know people from all corners of the world.
I guess we are like water lilies rising out of the muck!
As a very wise therapist I used to see noted “no mud, no lotus.”
All true, except I think you are being much too kind to Stephen Miller.
You can also support ABC's "The View" in fighting back against the FCC's vindictive threats.
Loved it! Great piece! Right from the Heart! That's the kind of Wind I like to see Blowing!!!
Love your writing and your dedication to finding hope amidst the wind! Would have loved to see a photo of your teenage, Dippity Do hair with your last post. Can you imagine a product with that name actually sold like wild fire?
I love the idea behind No Kings rallies, however, "there is widespread agreement that massive, single-day rallies have limited direct impact on policy. While they offer emotional release and community solidarity, critics and political scientists note that without sustained, localized organizing or voter mobilization, the government can easily ignore them."
I support the ACLU and the work they do, unquestionably, essential to carry on with a democracy.
Where we most need effort, is in voter education. Once people learn why and how, to vote, they don't unlearn it. This is the primary mechanism we need to rally around.
Sustained protest has been effective, though not immediately so. Maybe it depends on the regime, though. What worked in India with the British would not necessarily work everywhere. The leaders would need to give a shit for sustained protests to work.
Voting at the polls is the only meaningful action that makes a difference. Protests like these one day events, which are not sustained like those in Minneapolis, are effective for venting, but unless they get more people voting, they’re simply a giant venting event. No change.
That makes lots of sense. It would be taxing to participate in sustained protest… so I write and I vote. And I commiserate with like-hearted people.
For sure--the ferocity, commitment and dedication of those who stood firm in Minneapolis really astounds me. These people are heroes for our democracy and for those who came here looking for a better, safer life and found something different during this callous and soulless administration.
I hope you'll get involved with voter education at any scale or level. I only recently have a fuller understanding of the insidious ways some will go to--in order to not only prevent valid votes from being counted, ways in which more voters can participate in voting, e.g., mail-in votes, but also to make sure large populations of people remain uneducated on many levels, not just with regard to voting rights and power, but in critical thinking skills. Those who work to oppress others do so in order to exploit them for their own gain. We all must work to make sure that more effort is put into making sure more people learn to think and challenge authority when it's off its rocker!
A whole population of people who have been brain washed in relying on authoritarian regimes and taught not to think for themselves, is how old white men get rich. That's how this works. They are the only people who will work for these parasites.
Thoughts on the No Kings rallies … “emotional release and community support” gets people to the polls! That’s a huge benefit!
I really hope so! We need people who are going to the polls to get more involved in voter education and voter access--take a few of your neighbors who otherwise might not go, with you when you vote!
"The whole system works because we're not all nuts on the same day." :-) Thanks for these words of wisdom, and for all the others. Your work is a blessing.
That is one of my favorite passages, too. 💝
"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." -- Dolly Parton
Yes! Just be kind!🥰
Thanks for helping me keep perspective, Anne.
I love you Anne.
And when you're looking for something to do, don't forget to write those "Go Vote" postcards!
At 78, I’ve seen a lot of ridiculosity, but never imagined I’d witness the National Guard keeping a large pool of water safe from predators. How would you even train for that?
The Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification wouldn’t cut it, as it teaches one to avoid toxic swamps altogether and, if that regulation is violated, it teaches the guard to rescue those who wander in over their heads. However, this Nationally Guarded site is not deep enough to necessitate a rescue of such magnitude, as one might be up to their knees in the floating colors - at most. The powers that be seem to have carried on beyond their “best before …” date. I wish the Guard well.
I read that a few ducks drowned in the pool. Not sure exactly why but... sad.😥
I’m old now…a dandelion bowing to you…my old white hairs going everywhere… bowing to you in gratitude for your work which helps my soul.
I'm a great sport when it comes to wind, but not so much when it comes to Stephen Miller. UGH! Thanks for this writing.
Well said! I actually love the wind and the way it tousles my hair. But when it comes to human wind... there are definitely exceptions. LOL
I do love the wind, giving the trees a good scrubbing. Of course dangerous wind is no fun, but who or what else could create a beautifully choreographed dance for the plastic bag floating down the sidewalk?