Bah Humbug

Even the bellringers are out of work this holiday.

I cried today

I cried today. At this video, at this time. President Obama surpised a Honor Flight landing in Washington, D.C. He thanked each and every one of them for their service and their commitment to our country. On its own, it was a powerful and emotional moment for everyone involved and everyone watching. Definitely NOT a "suckers and losers" moment.

I cried today because of how far this country has fallen since 2016. A meglomaniac daily destroys the nearly 250 years of work and sacrifice of millions of ordinary citizens for the benefit of himself and his oligarchy. Our system of government, designed to prevent this unchecked tyranny, has been complicit. The House of Representatives serves as merely a fluffer to the orange shitgibbon's miniscule mirco-penis... (not to mention Grindr Mike Johnson's protection of his pedophilia by not seating Adelita Grijalva and blocking the release of the Epstein Files). Too many Democratic Senators, who are voted into office to support their constituents, are more concerned about their AIPAC retirement funds than they are in protecting affordable health care. The Supreme Court is bought and paid for by Leonard Leo and Harlan Crow. 

In 2008 I campaigned for Barack Obama (even before he had secured the nomination over Hillary Clinton). I contributed to the campaign. I knocked on doors (out of state in Nevada since my home state California was a sure thing). I phone banked and talked to hundreds of people in swing states like Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, etc. for months... right up until the polls closed. And we won. And the country recovered and began to thrive after GWB. In 2012, I threw myself into the effort to keep HOPE alive. Phone banking from deep red North Dakota quickly became my hobby of choice. And we won. And everyone in the country succeeded.

I cried today because there isn't much hope for America as we approach the country's 250th Anniversary in 2026. Nameless, faceless Gestapo roam our streets to "disappear" anyone who is black, brown or yellow (non-white). The regime strips journalists access to the Pentagon unless they submit to broadcasting only the "approved state news." MAGA  supports starving the poor among us. They fight to strip the access and power to voting away from those who don't agree with the Dear Leader. They fight to strip healthcare benefits from the most vulnerable of us and astronomically raise the price of health insurance for those who have it. They impose catastrophic tariffs that destroy international trade and bankrupt American businesses. Then they propose a token "tariff rebate." They will, by all means available, try to cancel the elections of 2028 and keep their orange messiah in power.

I cried today for the veterans. Each and every day they represent this country in the most highest honor possible and defend the Contstitution of the United States (even those attacked for who they love or how they indentify themselves). Active or retired, they defend the dreams and ideals a rag-tag bunch of guys had 250 years ago that all should be free and equal. Our veterans deserve better. They deserve to be welcomed home (even after battles with which we disagreed). They deserve the best treatment availble for their wounds (especially the mental trauma they will live with for their lifetimes). They deserve more than just a free breakfast at Denny's one day a year.

I cried today because I fear it will never get any better, no matter how hard we fight back.

Snow Stakes

So the landscaping company at our apartment complex did their final cleanup on Friday. All of the fallen leaves were collected, and they left us these. For those not in the northern climates, these are snow stakes. As you can see, they define the curbs in parking lots, sidewalks, etc. Typically your "landscaping" company transitions into your "snow removal" company. The stakes help snow plow drivers know where the curbs are when they clear the snow... usually in the dark during the early hours before sunrise. It is the sign that fall is over and winter is near.

An interesting footnote for southern readers... take a look at the fire hydrant on the left hand side of the photo. If you zoom in and enlarge the photo, you can see the red/white pole attached to the hydrant. That's there in case the hydrant gets buried in snow, so the firefighters can find it. Flurries are in the forecast today with little or no accumulation. We've turned our clocks back, the trick-or-treaters have come and gone, and the snow stakes have returned after their hiatus. Winter is on the way.

Everyman

Marshawn Kneeland was 24 years old. He played football for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. In his last game, he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown on national television. A defensive player, it was his first touchdown in the NFL. He went to college at Western Michigan University. He apparently had a girlfriend and strong family support in his life. Wednesday night, he got into a high speed chase with law enforcement, ran and escaped. Then he raised a gun and ended his own life. 

He had his whole life ahead of him. It is an absolute tragedy. Why he made the decisions he made that evening, no one will ever know. My heart aches for his family, his friends, and fans of his football career at WMU and the Cowboys. By all accounts, he was a good person, a hard worker, and an overachiever of his life goals. Then he ended them in one night, in one instant.

What chance does an "everyman" have when he/she contemplates the same resolution? They DON'T have the world in front of them. They DON'T have a NFL salary pouring into their bank accounts. They DON'T have a committed companion and family support behind them. They DON'T have unlimited resources from their employer to begin coping with mental health issues they may be having. They likely DO have a destructive family or personal situation. They likely DO have financial troubles which are insurmountable. They DO see no positive future on the horizon. They DO see public assistance, their last lifeline, being eliminated by the current administration. They make the same choice as he did last night/this morning. It is no less a tragedy as Marshawn Kneeland, only more unreported or unrecognized.

I am an "everyman." I often consider choosing the route that Marshawn and countless others make each and every day. Some days it's a fleeting thought. Some days it keeps me awake at night. And some days... a high profile individual with everything going for them does exactly what I've been thinking. And on those days, I wonder why I didn't get there before them.

Vote (Blue) Today

Get out and VOTE today for the obvious reasons. But get out and vote for another less obvious reason. When 2026 rolls around, you know the GOP (guardians of pedophiles) will resurrect their endless campaign of purging voter rolls. Given their blatant disregard for the law, you know they will designate you as an "inactive voter" if you miss this year's off-cycle elections.

Even if it is only one ballot measure or one school board race, take 10 minutes and vote. It will help to protect your right to vote in 2026. Visit your state's Secretary of State website to see if there is a primary in your district and your polling place. Keep in mind, some districts have different polling places for federal elections versus state and local elections.