The Crazy is Out There...

 

Any one alive in America today is aware that things be getting weird. The level of insanity that surrounds the never-ending disinformation stream is unmeasurable. Just when you think you've heard everything, something pops out of nowhere to tell you the next bat shit crazy QAnon theory...and though you want to laugh, you know there are way, way too many people who believe it to laugh it away.

But it's not just QAnon, the crazy comes fast and furious from all sides, both the left and the right. I was speaking with someone yesterday who by all accounts is extremely liberal. During the course of our conversation, I discovered the murky area where the far right and the far left meet, somewhere at the bottom of the circle. 

There is plenty of blame to be leveled for how we got to this point, but real problem is not how we got there but that we are there. The post-truth era is flourishing. People question everything and believe nothing except for what they are already inclined to believe. 

We live in a world where everyone is simply trying to shout over every one else, and nothing is being heard. Unless some serious discourse can be had, we are headed for far more dangerous time.

The Times They Are a Changin'...Hopefully

(photo from: https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2020/06/04/kingston-walk-for-black-lives-march-and-rally-draws-over-1500/)

To say it's been an interesting week, is an understatement. Hell, it's been a turbulent year, with no end in sight. A year that threatens the complete uprooting of our society. For the first time since 9/11, we are living in a powder keg world...whether it explodes or defuses is yet to be seen.

Yesterday, over 1,500 people marched past my house in the biggest coming together moment this town has seen in generations. They marched peacefully, but we should not mistake peace for complacency. There is outrage out there, outrage on so many fronts. Outrage that has been boiling over for years. Outrage that may finally lead to change...real change.

I've seen and read on Social Media the usual responses from those who don't even realize the extent of systemic racism. They criticize the looting, they 'stand with police' because they think this is all about hating the police, they think people want handouts when they should work....all the same retreaded nonsense. To those people I say this:

This is about police tactics and policing policies that discriminate based on color...of course it is. But it's about so much more. 

It's about schools that are unequal based on where you live and your income.

It's about poisoned drinking water.

It's about job opportunities and why people of color have lost their jobs at a higher rate.

It's about health care and why people of color are dying at a higher rate from this pandemic.

It's about housing conditions.

It's about decency, and respect, and equality.

It's about America and the short-comings of our ideal.

And it's about the fact that we have a blatantly racist president who seeks to divide us. A president who gassed peaceful citizens so that he could take a photo in front of a church he doesn't even attend. A president who threatens Americans with vicious dogs for exercising their right to protest. A president who would use the military against his own people.

People are angry. People have been angry. A president who fans those flames is not helping anything. People are going to get angrier. They are going to continue to gather and change will come...one way or another, change is going to come.

The American Experiment

It's America's birthday and every year it feels like she is getting closer and closer to dying, despite the endless stream of lies stating that we are getting great again. My biggest problem with our divided country these days is not the differences in opinions. Differing opinions is healthy for democracy. But we've entered an age where it's not differing opinions that are expressed, but different facts. 

When both sides are adhering not only to opposing ideals of what progress should look like, but are also adhering to opposing perceptions of what is truth, then democracy inevitably fails. One of the things that is not essentially new, but certainly more pervasive today, is the complete dismissal of opposing political views. There is no debate in that kind of atmosphere, there are only insults and accusations. 

Unlike some, I don't believe that Trump is the cause of this further breakdown, but rather a symptom and an enabler. He subscribes to a strengthened divide. Her perpetuates the division. He, like the GOP has done for decades, tries to paint the other side as Anti-America...which ultimately the most anti-american thing one could do. We've all fallen into the trap, and sadly, on this day of reflection, I don't see a clear way out.

War of Words

It's been a minute since I've written about politics, but given the State of Union speech having happened this week, and the looming threat of another shutdown, it seemed like a good time to ramble on about some of my recent thoughts regarding the political climate around here. I think it prudent that I point out that I am an unapologetic liberal, and that's because I think the role of government is to create a fair and even playing field for all, to hold accountable those who seek to exploit others, and to help those who need assistance. A government is the body that makes the rules, and I believe those rules should be designed to protect the needs of the many and the greater good.

In that pursuit, there are certainly differences in policy as to how best achieve those results. And there are arguments that can be made for each approach. For example, you could argue that free markets, less regulation, and lower taxes benefit the greater good by providing more jobs and prosperity and you'd be able to find a wealth of data to both support and contradict that position. However, the problem with that approach is that it must come with ways to safeguard other interests. You can't have that position without putting into play other policies that ensure that those moves steer you to the desired results, instead of steering you toward runaway corporate greed, environmental disaster, and outsourcing. These are the kinds of debates that an open diplomatic system would have. But our current discourse has become so divided that any debate instantly becomes an attack, attacks become insults, and meanwhile, the men (and sadly, it is mostly men) behind the curtain continue to manipulate everything for their own benefit...with our money.

A good example of this was Trump's attempted appeal to compromise. He told us that our Congress needed to compromise, but only if it still gives him exactly what he wants...a wall, and no investigations in potential crimes. Yeah, that's not how compromise works. The result is that both sides dig in even deeper.  

Every day, we're seeing a new Democrat announce his or her intent of becoming president. Most seem to be embracing the positions that are widely popular among the party...even if they have held other views in the past. Now, I'm not saying that people can't change their opinion on a subject. I know that I have many times in my life. But I see way too many politicians adopting positions that are politically convenient. These are not the people who are going to be able to change things. Things get changed not by those who seek what is convenient, but by those who are passionate. And I think this is exactly why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both excites those who agree with her and terrifies those who disagree. 

I'm going to use her to bring the discussion back around to discourse. She has been making sensible, reasoned arguments for things like money in politics, tax reform, and climate policy. And rather than discuss the policies, or attempt to refute her positions, those who oppose have taken simply to insulting her, insinuating that she isn't intelligent, or that she's too young doesn't know what she's talking about. 

It is up to all of us to examine issues, research them, consider them...not just listen to what the pundits want us to believe. Just because they keep saying there is a crisis on the border, just because they send troops there, doesn't mean it exists. And even it did, it doesn't mean a wall is a solution. There are no easy solutions to problems. Don't be fooled by them. Engage with open minds and open hearts and solutions are possible.

They Want You Scared...Very Scared!

It's nothing new, it's an old story...election time comes around and the Grand Ole Populists want to scare up your vote. Literally. This cycle, the Republicans don't want voters to focus on the past two years in which they've controlled the governing branches of the government and have nothing to show for it except a huge tax cut for the rich that will bankrupt this country in eight years. Oh, and two wildly unpopular Supreme Court justices.

Remember Paul Ryan's promise of a unified Republican government? What has it gotten us? The answer is: two years of constant chaos from the executive branch. A dramatic decline in global standing. Rollbacks in environmental protections designed to benefit big industry at the expense of our air and water and future. A sharp rise in racism, fascism, and hatred. A trade war. A warming up to dictators and a cooling toward historical allies. And several (thankfully) defeated attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act.

Not a great record to run on. That means it's time to bring out the fear. Let's talk about a caravan, let's inflate the numbers, let's falsely claim there are "Middle Easterners" in it. Let's deploy thousands of troops to the border at the cost of 150 million in tax money. Let's play to the suddenly comfortable racism of Republican voters to turn them out to vote. Let's lie. Let's lie. Let's lie!!!

I'm looking forward to voting and showing them that their fear doesn't work any longer. Please join me.

Supreme Chaos

Before I start to talk about what happened yesterday during the re-opened Judicial Committee hearings, I would like to remind everyone that this is all happening because the Republicans changed the Senate rules two years ago to ram through another justice by getting rid of the filibuster, which essentially required justices to have 60 yea votes to get confirmed. That rule meant that justices typically needed support from both sides in order to get their lifetime appointment. Once that rule was destroyed, we were pretty much guaranteed to get the kind of circus we've had this past week. By taking away any ground for a minority party to stand on, the result was destined to be desperate measures and obstructionism.

As for yesterday, let me start by saying the Dr. Ford was completely believable. She came off as honest, intelligent, and full of integrity. Having been a victim of sexual assault myself, at the age of 12, I know how difficult it is to tell anyone. I didn't reveal it to anybody for 16 years, and then only after I wrote a novel based on those experiences and felt compelled to tell those closet to me. It's still not something I like to talk about, and to see Dr. Ford tell her story to the world, was moving. Those who attack her for not saying anything sooner are simply clueless as to how all of this works in the life of the victim. If nothing else comes of this (which sadly it looks as though nothing else will come of this), I hope she gave others the courage to speak up.

On the other side, I found Judge Kavanaugh to be overly defensive and combative, which in my personal experience are traits of someone who is not telling the truth. He repeatedly side-stepped answering the question of whether or not he would support an FBI investigation, which, as he said over and over, would not provide conclusions, but would allow trained investigators to follow-up on the sworn statements provided by other witnesses. As a judge, I was surprised that he would take a sworn statement at face value, and I strongly doubt he would feel same in his own courtroom. Guess what, Judge, people lie in sworn statements.

Now I agree with those who are saying the actions of someone at the age of 16, 17, or 18 shouldn't define a person's entire life. We've all done things as teenagers that we probably are not proud of. However, in order for others to accept that, the first step is admitting to those things, apologizing for those actions, and only then is forgiveness an option. After yesterday, I'm left believing what Dr. Ford alleges happened actually happened. And had Judge Kavanaugh admitted that it may have happened (even if he didn't recall because of drinking, which he also seems to want to downplay), the conversation would be different. But if you're lying, you are essentially calling her a liar and thereby assaulting her all over again. I believe that a person can change and that he very well could be a different person today, but the act of lying about it tells me that you are not a different man today and that you still don't believe it was wrong, or if it was wrong, somehow you are entitled to those actions and that the experiences of the victims don't count.

I will also say that I think it's shameful the way both parties are politicizing sexual assault for their own gain, either by attacking accusers or by using them as tools. It's not that I don't believe the Democrats are sincere, I think they are. However, the whole way this unfolded showed that they were playing politics with the life of a real person, and that is not right either. But again, I blame the change in the rules for forcing them into that position. The rest of us are left with a government so divided and so mean spirited, that it will do nothing for the American people, only for the base of one party or the other.

Americrisis

Today's stunning Op-Ed in the New York Times is troubling for so many reasons. First and foremost, it supports the claim that the sane majority has believed for two years, that we have a president completely unqualified and unable to perform the job. On a daily basis, we see an executive branch that continues to tear away at the foundations of our democracy and puts the person of the president before the good of the nation. 

But the article is troubling on another level, and that pertains to the potential of such an inside obstructionist agenda within the White House. This person is NOT helping, as he or she suggests. If he or she truly feel this way, then resign and speak out and speak loudly. Whether we like it or not, Donald Trump was elected president, not this unidentified person. The actions detailed in this Op-Ed are the kind that allow Trump to fuel his dictator rhetoric of a Deep State working against him and can be used as an excuse that the entirety of the government is corrupt and thwarting the will of the people and thereby gives him not other choice but to seize more power. This is how democracies become dictatorships. 

Happy Birthday America!

Given the current state and backwards progression of this nation that I love, I choose to celebrate a fictional rendition this year...here's hoping for a better year ahead.

Are You American Enough?

One of the things that has really bothered me this week has been the whole nonsense about NFL players protesting during the National Anthem. The thing that Trump seems to not understand is that they are not disrespecting the troops, or America. They are saying that America is not living up to the promise it is supposed to live up to. If anything, that is more patriotic than standing in front of choir and pretending to know the words to the American hymns. Or perhaps he does understand and is simply using it to divide America, which is even worse.

But this whole idea of a President deciding what is and isn't patriotic, and the measure of how one is supposed to show that patriotism is terrifying. It's fascist. The entire scene in front of the White House this week was American fascism put into effect. And when he gets his military parade, it will be yet another step in solidifying a kind of neo-fascist coding of America. 

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention...and you are not a true patriot of what America is supposed to stand for.

School in the 21st Century

In the wake of yet another school shooting massacre, our politicians have once again proposed the idea that the solution to the problem is to heavily arm schools. Because naturally the answer to a gun problem is more guns. Putting more and more guns in schools will of course keep them safe. I mean, what could go wrong?

Any reasonably sane person would be able to come up with many scenarios to answer that question. The most obvious is that teachers are not police officers, and they didn't go into teaching to become security guards. But putting all that aside, putting everything to do with adults aside, what does it do to the children who attend these schools? How is modeling schools after our wonderful prison system a benefit to education? 

As crazy as all of these proposals are, the most troubling idea this week came from Betsy Devos when she brought up this idea of seating assignments. She discussed a school where currently teachers do not assign seats, but periodically allow students to pick who they want to sit next to and then switch it up every month or so. The rationale behind this idea is to identify the kids who nobody wants to sit next to, and expose them as potentially troubled kids who may be prone to creating a shooting event. This is so many kinds of crazy that I don't even know where to begin.

So, because a kid doesn't have friends, they are a potential shooter? Maybe. But for argument's sake, let's say he is not (and I say 'he' because all of these shootings have been done by males). But what is having him publicly endure a monthly form of ritual systematic bullying likely to do? And if someone is identified, are the schools equipped to get these kids the help they need? Probably not if the money is going to buy guns for teachers and give gun-carrying teacher's a bonus. 

Here's the thing, I'm not saying there is nothing that can be done to make schools safer...I'm sure there is. But I just don't think it has anything to do with putting guns in schools. And I don't understand why we can't add gun regulation to the conversation. WHY not both? And why not invest money into actually educating? Schools are dramatically under funded. If we fully funded schools, perhaps these "problem" kids could be given a better chance from a young age.

Seeing the kids of this country finally taking a stand on this has been both heartbreaking and hopeful. Politicians will only do what they are made to do by the will of the people. If we don't give up, we will win.

America, I Hardly Knew You...

It's been a strange year for America, but they always say the 241st year is a weird age. For so long now, we've been locked into combative view points and seem to have lost the gift of communication and compromise, two foundations that have contributed to every great social progress this nation has ever made. 

Instead of discussing our various opinions, we've mostly chosen to listen to echo chambers that spin the news in such a fashion that it all agrees with the beliefs already concreted inside of us. Our politics and policies have also fallen victim to this narrow mindedness. It's not about solutions, it's about winning and losing the news cycle, about grabbing headlines and possibly swaying another voter onto your side to get the slightest edge within the gridlock. 

The result of this way of life is that our country has become a paralyzed shell of the greatness it once represented. It is crumbling from within, not only figuratively, but literally as our infrastructure deteriorates due to a lack of political consensus. Our society has become polarized as well. On one side, we are becoming more tolerant, but on the other side, we are becoming more rigid and have no room for opposing thoughts.

Of course, as with any individual who has ever lived, I have only my lifespan to compare things to. Sure, I have the gift of history and the recorded knowledge of the past, but as for observations, mine only begin with America's Bicentennial. And though what I've written sounds perilous, even in my forty years, I can say we've been here before and we can make it out of here. We just have to demand something better, just as Americans have always done.

Dict(ator) Move

So I'd be neglect if I didn't comment on the news of the week. Our president fired the FBI director who was in the process of investigating his campaign, stating some excuse that nobody except his ignorant base would believe. Of course, it's since come out that the real reason was because the FBI wasn't doing enough to silence all this Russia intrigue. This was either the stupidest thing this very intelligently challenged President has done, or it's the first step toward his dictatorship.

It's Groundhog Day

This year, in a rare turn of events, the groundhog came up from his hole, saw America, and predicted four more years of total bullshit.

Un-America

With all of the craziness that is currently going on in D.C., it's hard to decide where to focus efforts, anger, and frustration. But Trump's ban on refugees from seven Muslim countries, and the instituting of religion preference is perhaps the most UnAmerican act a President has ever taken, right alongside the WWII Japanese interment camps. Hiding behind this ridiculous notion of "extreme vetting" is the biggest joke, as if the U.S. currently grants refugee status without vetting. The idea of religious preference is completely against what this country was founded on. The idea that people fled where they were because of religious persecution is the reason we believe in the Freedom of Religion. 

And to make all of it worse, the people perpetrating these illegal actions are those who claim they love America more than others. They declare that liberals hate America. From what I see, we are the only ones who actually love the ideals that America is supposed to stand for!

Black Friday

A few hours ago, a completely incompetent, arrogant, and dangerous man was sworn in the be the leader of the Free World. Ironic considering he was granted that position through a campaign of exclusion, belittling, and information suppression. Anybody who is not concerned about what a Trump administration might do is naive at best. The dangers are very real and the consequences are far-reaching. Despite this, I will say that I hope that he does a fantastic job. I hope he doesn't necessarily believe the things he's said. I hope a few months on the job will humble him. I hope, I hope, I hope...though I have little faith.

Right Turn

As I continue my attempt to adjust to new world order ushered forth on Election Day, watching the expected dismantling of all liberal achievements made over the course of the last two decades, I'm continually filled with dread and sorrow. Seeing the parade of billionaires and war hawks that Trump is selecting for to lead the different departments of our federal government, I'm faced with the reality that this country will no longer represent and fight for the things I believe in. 

Sadly, it's not only in the US. This nationalist conservatism is happening all over the west. All the progress that has been made, what little of it there is, will evaporate in the blink of an eye. Greed with once again be given the green light to run rampant on the weak, on the environment, and on all the institutions that liberal's hold dear. 

At this point, Canada seems to be the last beacon of hope for the liberal agenda. I'm beginning to think we should all go there, bring about the society we all hope for, and show the rest of the world what life should be like. It has to be better than what is going to be left of America after this new "unified" government gets through stealing whatever it can get its hands on.

The United Hates of America

The election is now two weeks behind us in the rear view mirror, but the effects of it loom on the horizon like a blazing light blinding the future for the next four years. I was too upset to write about it prior to now. I needed time to gather my thoughts, to digest the horror that we now face. In the days that followed, I held out hope that the man who had spent most of his life as a Democrat would soften his positions. I waited to see if the rhetoric of his campaign was simply a ploy to fool the "under educated" to cast their vote for him. I thought perhaps he would pick more moderate people to fill his cabinet. Unfortunately, we now have answers to all of those questions, and none of the answers are the ones I'd hoped for.

I'd been saying all during the election cycle that Trump wasn't running for President, he was running to become a dictator. His actions in the past two weeks only seem to support that theory. Not only has he chosen disgusting people to fill the top positions, but he continues to attack the basic beliefs of the Constitution. This past week, he made clear attacks on the free speech, the right protest, and the press. He continues to lash out at any person or organization that criticizes him. So what happens when a nation criticizes the inevitable horrible decisions he will make? What happens to our already fragile journalism when he "opens up the libel laws?" And what happens when the rash of hate crimes that followed his election continue and grow? What is his relation to Russia and the dangerous role they played in our democracy? How will Trump respond?

The problem with a Trump Presidency is that we have no idea what the answers to these questions will be. He is simply too unpredictable. And now he is the most powerful man in the world. I'm truly fearful for the future of our country and the institutions and principles that guide it. Beyond that, I'm fearful for the world and the environmental and military risks that it now faces. And I'm even more afraid that those who voted for him will continue to support him and lap up the bullshit he will continue to feed them.

VOTE!

In my opinion, there is absolutely NO excuse for not voting. Since my 18th birthday, I have never missed a vote. It's not because I've been enthusiastic about every one I've ever voted for, but I'm passionate about using my voice in having a say in the direction of our country. 

I'm hearing a lot of people say that they aren't voting this year because they don't like either of our choices for president. With two flawed candidates, that's understandable, but there are others running for the office. You can vote for a Third Party if you don't like Trump or Clinton. BUT THERE ARE OTHER offices at stake than just the President. Your Congressman is also up for election. Many of you have Senators up for election. You're state assemblymen and state senators. Local officials and propositions. All of these people make decisions that directly impact your life whether you see it or not. 

It is every American's civic responsibility to vote. If you don't use it, you can't complain about what happens, even if that means we lose the right to vote. If that happens, those of you who didn't vote will have to hold some of the blame. No excuses...VOTE!

Shame on You, America!

The other day, the New York Times released this video of supporters at Trump rallies across America during the course of his campaign of hate. It is a disgraceful display of ignorance, anger, and hatred that has no place in this country, let alone in our political dialogue.

By no means am I saying people need to back Hillary Clinton. I have my own issues with her, though I will vote her, even if only to keep that fascist out of the White House. However, there are other choices out there than voting for Trump. If you are thinking about voting for Trump, keep in mind that you will be aligning yourself with people like the ones in this video.

But even if he doesn't get elected, which I'm fairly confident that he won't, the cesspool of hatred that he has drudged up with continue to fester. His campaign has awakened a beast that will not be easily calmed. Even after he is defeated, there will be work for all of us to do in trying to enlighten our fellow Americans who are stuck in a backwards way of thinking.

War in America

The events of the last few days are extremely disturbing and I honestly fear where they will lead us. It started with the despicable actions of a few police officers, who in my opinion should be arrested for murder. These actions set of a wave of anger through this country. It was the accumulation of decades of abuse by police who are now run like small armies. The unequal justice that the African American community faces is obscene, and thanks to modern technology, is visible for all to see.

The reaction to these events over the past two years, with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, has been a long time in coming. The response from the right has been predictable, and continues to feed into the racism that created the situation in the first place. 

Yesterday, the inevitable finally happened. All the pent up rage released itself in another terrible act of violence, this time the target being the police. What happens after this incident is crucial. Either we move as a nation to finally try to address and deal with this problem, or it ends up with open war on the streets. Unfortunately, I have little faith in the divisive political climate to do anything to calm the tension. In fact, they already seem to be inciting it. (I'm talking to you former Rep. Joe Walsh!)

What we have here is a powder keg...the challenge is to diffuse it before it blows.