This time, it’s Rick Perry. (Mr. “Oops”)
Watching the Trump Administration cabinet reminds me of going to the three-ring circus when I was a girl: it was impossible to watch what was happening in all three of the rings at the same time. And there were lots of clowns.
On March 29, 2017, Robert Murray, the founder and owner of one of the country’s largest coal companies, was ushered into a conference room at the Department of Energy’s headquarters, in Washington, D.C., for a meeting with Secretary Rick Perry. When Perry arrived, a few moments later, he immediately gave Murray a hug. To Simon Edelman, the Department’s chief creative officer, who was on hand to photograph the event, the greeting came as a surprise. At the time, Edelman did not know that Murray’s political-action committee and employees had donated more than a hundred thousand dollars to Perry’s Presidential campaign, in 2012, and almost as much to Donald Trump’s, in 2016.
At one point in the meeting, as Edelman recalls, Murray handed Perry a document titled “Action Plan for reliable and low cost electricity in America and to assist in the survival of our Country’s coal industry.” Edelman snapped a closeup.
According to the article, it was barely six months later that Perry sent a letter directing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a new rule. The ostensible reason for the rule was “to protect the resiliency of the electric grid” from what he described as vulnerability to power disruptions. (Interestingly, barely a month before Perry sent the letter, Perry’s own staff had issued a report concluding that “reliability is adequate today.”)
Perry’s letter instructed the Commission to emphasize “traditional baseload generation”—in other words, coal and nuclear.
Perry proposed that all coal plants in certain areas, including many that do business with Murray Energy, be required to keep a ninety-day supply of coal onsite to provide “fuel-secure” power. Edelman was alarmed: the language in Perry’s letter clearly echoed Murray’s “action plan.” ..Edelman shared his photos of the March meeting with reporters from the progressive magazine In These Times and, later, the Washington Post. The photographs were published on December 6th. The next day, Edelman was placed on leave.
Edelman has since sued Perry and the Department of Energy, and the remainder of the article analyzes the evidence and the federal laws that would seem to have been violated both by Perry’s issuance of the letter and his dismissal of Edelman. Not surprisingly, it concludes that both were wrongful.
The degree of corruption that characterizes this administration is breathtaking. Trump and his “best people” seem utterly oblivious to ethical principles, let alone the legal constraints that govern their operations. I suppose we should be grateful for their overwhelming incompetence–the bumbling that opens windows into their ethical and legal transgressions and mercifully undercuts the efficacy of their efforts to roll back regulations and initiate policies to enrich their benefactors. (Last Sunday, the New York Times had an article about Scott Pruitt’s rush to undo EPA regulations, and quoted environmental lawyers to the effect that persistent, sloppy legal work and inattention to detail has made it much easier to challenge his efforts in court–and win.)
American citizens need to use the next two and a half years to demand a great cleansing of federal agencies. If the predicted “blue wave” materializes in November, Congress will need to initiate a thorough and bipartisan audit of compliance with government’s settled ethical obligations.
Donald Trump didn’t appear out of nowhere. This corrupt, unhinged ignoramus and his “best people” circus are the result of several decades during which plutocracy grew and voters were apathetic. It will take a sustained and determined effort to right the ship of state.
If that blue wave doesn’t materialize, the U.S. will join a list of failed democracies that is getting longer every year.
I recently commented to a friend that Rick Perry makes Mike Pence look like Einstein. Nothing he does changes that opinion. And to SSK’s point, where are the best and brightest that Trump promised?
No sense restating the obvious, but we can only expect minor policy changes with this “blue wave” Sheila and others anticipate. As opposed to learning from their implosion in 2016, the Democratic Party has done nothing to win back the American people. Nothing.
All they can offer is, “We aren’t Trump!”.
Chomsky has noted that for decades our country has been sliding so far to the right that New Dealers like Bernie Sanders, are deemed, socialists.
There is a huge difference between Democratic Socialism and Socialism, but when there is no balance of power in this country, it doesn’t really matter.
The “Resistance” is a joke. It’s been disassembled and mocked on Twitter. If the democratic party was a “peoples party”, they would have used this embarrassing 4 years to solidify a platform around universal health, student loan forgiveness, climate change, and universal basic income, and defunding the military.
Instead, they’ve been scapegoating Russia and begging minority groups for support. #EpicFailure
The DNC has failed…other parties are working to fill the void.
This particular three-ring circus has been in legal control of the acts and the actions of this government for approximately 16 months; it quickly became like an escaped herd of elephants running amok over government, democracy and the people. How can we possibly survive the next 32 months of the same? Personally; I am surviving on intermittent hopes for change which, due to the obvious Trump support from Congress and SCOTUS, can only be placed in the 2018 elections with action not due to begin till after January 1, 2019.
My son worked for five years with a small, one-ring, family-owned circus; 1 elephant, 3 llamas, a few ponies and goats as part of the entertainment. You cannot imagine the size of the piles and the amount of feces to be shoveled up and disposed of with this small circus. What will we be left with to dispose of from the current White House administration and where will we dump their hazardous waste to pose the least threat to this country? “The degree of corruption that characterizes this administration is breathtaking.” Breathing the foul air of this administration alone is hazardous to our health and our health care system, along with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, et al, is in danger of collapse.
At my age, my days are numbered, but our current generation and future generation’s survival is in our hands and the end of this vital election year is fast approaching. It is not only the future of America at stake; we have already lost our position as world leader in only a matter of 16 months, this may be our final chance for redemption.
“If that blue wave doesn’t materialize, the U.S. will join a list of failed democracies that is getting longer every year.”
Excellent article and well stated comments! JoAnne Green, your analogy was perfect!
Sheila, “If that blue wave doesn’t materialize, the U.S. will join a list of failed democracies that is getting longer every year.”
That’s the truth.
Todd, “No sense restating the obvious, but we can only expect minor policy changes with this “blue wave” Sheila and others anticipate. As opposed to learning from their implosion in 2016, the Democratic Party has done nothing to win back the American people. Nothing.
That’s also the truth.
So what do we do in this predicament? We really compete by creating a NEW THIRD WAY from the democracy side. The Tea Party is nothing more than “a THIRD WAY from the fascist side.” It has lost its momentum as most waves eventually do. That’s the time when you take advantage of the wave.
A NEW THIRD WAY can seize the day by changing the blue wave into a potential BLUE TSUNAMI that has the potential of attracting all groups that depend on saving our democracy. The Democratic Party through the DNC cannot achieve that objective. It must be effectively challenged, AT FIRST, from OUTSIDE the party.
There’s not much time left to achieve this goal.
We need to pray not for a blue wave, but for a blue tsunami. The House is within reach, but we need the Senate to prevent the longest lasting harm being done by these “best people.” I pray every day that no more judicial nominees get through the process, but McConnell is fast tracking those nominations to fill as many open slots as possible.
“American citizens need to use the next two and a half years to demand a great cleansing of federal agencies.”
That cleansing ain’t going to happen, blue tsunami or not. We’re screwed. As Todd says and Marv affirms, “No sense restating the obvious, but we can only expect minor policy changes …”
Nothing short of indictment or impeachment of Trump AND a remaking of the democratic party or a new third party will suffice.
Peggy,
“We need to pray not for a blue wave, but for a blue tsunami.”
Our strategy to accomplish this MISSION is best set out in “Blue Ocean Strategy” by W.Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne (Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, Boston, 2005) p. 6-7:
“Yet the overriding focus of strategic thinking has been on competition-based red ocean strategies. Part of the explanation for this is that corporate strategy is heavily influenced by its roots in military strategy. The very language of strategy is deeply imbued with military references—chief executive “officers” in “headquarters,” “troops on the “front lines.” Described this way, strategy is about confronting an opponent and fighting over a given piece of land that is both limited and constant. Unlike war, however, the history of industry shows us that the market universe has never been constant; rather, blue oceans have continuously been created over time. To focus on the red ocean [DNC CONTROLLED]] is therefore to accept the key constraining factors of war—limited terrain and the need to beat an enemy to succeed—and to deny the distinctive strength of the business world: the capacity to create a new market space that is uncontested.”
All of the above applies to political party organizational strategies as well.
And yet those “apathetic voters” continue with their lazy loyalty to Fox Noise.
They have allowed themselves to be so completely brainwashed that they become defiant with anyone who suggests that they attempt to do their own research and look for sources of information that contain facts and openly reveal the sources of their facts.
‘mr. six gun..’ Waving a six gun around during one of his speeches as a candidate… man, now this character is right up trump’s alley… omg. The stupid runs deep with this one.
After living in Texas with Perry as governor for almost all of his four terms, the indictment of his current political whoring is consistent with his reign of stupidity in that once-great state. His anointed successor, Greg Abbott is a smart version of Perry and his whoring of the corporate interests has further eroded the social environment of Texas. Texas has also produced Ron Paul, George W. Bush and the idiot Louis Gohmert….among others. You get the idea about the quality of the voters there.
The doomsayers above failed to mention the mounting activism of the younger generations and the women in politics. The kids realize how badly their adult/parent’s generation has screwed up and are not going to take it anymore. In Chris Hedges disturbing book, “The Death of the Liberal Class”, he mentions the apathy enveloping the anti-Viet Nam war generation after we pulled out. They took the money, cut their hair and entered into Dilbert’s cubicle world. THEY eventually became the Fox News generation – to a great extent – because St. Ronald seduced them into believing their wounds would be healed. They weren’t and he didn’t. In fact, the road toward oligarchy began with Ronald Reagan and HIS “best people”. Reagans’ administration re-set the standard for criminal indictments after the Nixon administration established it. Trump’s administration will end up shattering those indictment and jail term records.
I’m tired of reading how screwed we are. I’m tired of reading how disheartened some are. It’s also sad to see that so few on this blog show much in the way of positive action or the review of those things that are changing the paradigm for the Democrats as well as for independents. The polls showing Trump holding at 40% are bullshit; look at the sample size and their quality of those samples. On the other hand, saying that his approval rating is that high should scare the living daylights out of everyone else and get them activated to participate in his removal and out to vote when the time comes.
Vernon,
“On the other hand, saying that his approval rating is that high should scare the living daylights out of everyone else and get them activated to participate in his removal and out to vote when the time comes.”
I’m in total agreement. But it is much easier said than done. The truth is that the Democratic Party led by the DNC can’t deliver a MEANINGFUL VICTORY and even more of a problem, in my estimation, is that they can’t even deliver a MEANINGLESS VICTORY.
At 93 YO, I don’t have plans for the future beyond this week but I’m cheering the Blue Wave at least through the Midterms. The Trump GOP and the enabling Congress need a comeuppance. They are entirely too self-righteous while also too suspected. We need to take some of them behind the shed and some of them to prison.
I’m starting to sense a MEANINGFUL VICTORY. This past week, I’ve had help from a brilliant young organizational consultant who I’ve know for a couple of years. She’s originally from southern Indiana and both she and her husband graduated from colleges in Indiana.
Part of the answer is understanding the difference of a place like Jacksonville (better known as south Georgia) as compared to say, for example, Indianapolis. I needed someone to confirm my observations after being a participant on this blog for the past three years.
I’m still waiting for this super hero that will defeat both Republicans and Democrats to actually appear in the news. The critical point in American history is only a few months away and I imagine taking over the only established political parties the country has to have some momentum behind it and I don’t even see anything at the starting line yet. Oh well.
It also seems that this election will be between Republicans who believe what they are being told by their party and Democrats who do the same. My position of course is that requires Republicans to believe lies and Democrats the truth. For people to move from the red side to the blue side in the voting booth is an epiphany in what is true and what is not. Agent Orange and his sycophantic entourage is doing his best to up the lie quotient coming from the swamp making it ever harder to believe Republicans. Again no third party seems evident in any discussion.
Also this election is mid term; no President is running. It’s not one big name but hundreds of Congressional and state races. So the superpower third party has to appear with lots of candidates ready to join the fray. Yet nothing is even in sight.
So I’m going to support good rather than hope for perfect. Shoot for better not nirvana and I hope that those who believe likewise don’t get diluted by ideologues who prevent the swamp draining from advancing.
Pete,
“The critical point in American history is only a few months away and I imagine taking over the only established political parties the country has to have some momentum behind it and I don’t even see anything at the starting line yet. Oh well.”
Maybe your vision isn’t as good as it used to be.
Todd @ 6:58 am, you are so right about the Democratic Party -> All they can offer is, “We aren’t Trump!”.<<
Here in Indiana the Republicans have super-majorities in the House and Senate and a Republican Governor. Thus Republicans control all the levers of power. Because of sheer incompetence, the Republicans have to schedule a special session to complete was left on the table. Reminds me of some Frat Boys who had a drunken party (in this case drunk with power) passed out and woke up to find the Frat House trashed. The Republican Frat Boys now expect the tax payers to pick up the tab.
The Republicans tried to cover their tracks by offering to donate to charity what they will be paid for in the special session. Where is the outrage from our McMega-Media??? Where is the Democratic Party on this fiasco? Where is Waldo???
On a National basis the Democrats took the "duck and cover" approach on The Trumpet's (aka Agent Orange) attack on Syria. We were not a War with Syria because that would require a Declaration of War. The Corporate Democratic Party once again demonstrated it had no backbone.
Marv,
re your comments:
“I’m in total agreement. But it is much easier said than done. ” – This is SO true! As you know, I seriously considered running for a state senator office a couple months ago. However, after completing much research, I found that it would have been a futile exercise in such a deep red territory with NO financial or other type of backing from the state Dem party. I would have been out there on my own throwing myself to the wolves for dinner.
The Indiana state Dem party leaders are always asking for money from the voters, but they will only financially support and back those who are in safe territories. They spend also spend much of their money on presidential candidates. We need to support candidates for state offices. That is where the changes to our system must start and that is how the Koch brothers took so much power in our country – by spending millions on state elections. It has served them well.
Marv,
re: “I needed someone to confirm my observations after being a participant on this blog for the past three years.”
Could you tell us about your observations?
Those of us who insist that our traditional political organs (DNC, for instance) cannot deliver a victory this fall have not reckoned with the lesson of the Bastille. History has recorded radical political change absent leadership of such organs. On occasion it is the people themselves (however disorganized by traditional standards) who lead the way to change, and with an energized youth, angry women and an incredibly stupid libertine in the Oval Office, I think this fall may be one of those times. If so, expect to see youth and women as factors of change within the Democratic Party in a return to its labor-loving liberal roots and likely electoral successes for the foreseeable future.
Millennials have overtaken baby boomers (and old-time New Dealers like me) in numerical terms and at 4 million new voters per year will soon be dictating policy of the Democratic Party – and what will such policies likely include? From all present indications such a new and forward looking party’s platform will be friendly to unions, minorities, anti-NRA, and in general shape the party to resemble the social democracies of present day Europe, where capitalists are by law required to share the income and wealth of their respective economies with all the players in the system rather than, as here, where financiers hog such income and wealth to the exclusion of other players which has in turn resulted in the highest poverty rate in the Western World of nations, a dubious and shameful distinction.
I think history is linear and that we can learn from it but not be bound by it, and I expect to see a very different Democratic Party in the making after November, 2018. Our people, like those who stormed the Bastille, are tired of eating cake.
But Gerald; this is what we have. For now, we must work within the framework at hand, IF we move forward with these 2018 elections MAYBE we can make party changes after salvaging whatever is left of the “deconstructed” Trump government.
Gerald,
“Those of us who insist that our traditional political organs (DNC, for instance) cannot deliver a victory this fall have not reckoned with the lesson of the Bastille. History has recorded radical political change absent leadership of such organs.”
I guess it still is a free country as for your opinion. However, I question it when you attempt to minimize the DNC. They are nothing more than a mirror of the Republican Party and will never allow for meaningful change.
Democrats need to go from being alarmists to the party with a plan. It’s easy to criticize Trump and his entire incompetent and corrupt administration, but until we clean our own house and offer the public real hope and real reform, we’re going to be stuck in this mire. We should start with congressional leadership. I can’t recall when the House or Senate last had effective leadership on either side of the aisle. Maybe it goes back to Tip O’Neill. If we do get a “blue wave” or “blue tsunami”, I hope someone other than Pelosi will be riding the crest. We need younger, more dynamic leadership that will instill confidence in its ability to focus on the issues and get things done. We have to move beyond the “Republicans are scary” rhetoric towards how do we get things done and stop tearing each other apart. I’m sure there are Republicans who feel the same way. I know many who are disgusted with what’s going on in Washington. That was true before the election and it’s still true today, although for different reasons. Clinton failed to pick up on that disdain and I think it ultimately cost her the election. Some people decided to vote for Trump just to change the dynamics. I hope they’ve repented. You don’t change the dynamics with a self-centered idiot with no concept of what public service means. But the jaded, experienced politicians who have lost touch with that youthful enthusiasm and desire to do good aren’t the answer either. That’s partly why the “March for Our Lives” movement has captured our fancy. That group represents a new dynamic, unfettered by any of the political allegiances that make up the DC swamp. These kids have shown us once again what pure dedication and hard work and unbridled hope and belief in government of the people can do. We’re tired of the cynical acceptance of lobbyists and special interests controlling our government. We’re longing for a Mr. Smith type to go to Washington, someone who will remind us of what our true purpose was in forming this nation, and someone who is prepared and eager to lead us back to a time where no challenge was too great, no problem too difficult to overcome, and where we had each other’s backs because we were all Americans first and no other categories really mattered.
History will show examples that MEANINGLESS VICTORIES can be worse than loses. A case in point is the MEANINGLESS VICTORY of the Popular Front in France during the mid 30’s. The author William Shirer described the POPULAR FRONT as a party of INCOMPATIBLES. Within months of the Popular Front’s victory the country was in turmoil…..General strikes, etc.
It wasn’t long before the Fascists took control. Does any one in their right mind believe that a meaningless victory for the Democrats won’t create a similar scenario? The “iceberg” that Barack Obama experienced would be nothing compared to what the victorious Democratic Party would be facing in a MEANINGLESS VICTORY.
Definition of MEANINGLESS VICTORY= the DNA still in power.
Thank you Vernon Turner,
What you keyed is very important and I thank you for it. We’re all so caught up in a daily parade of bad news that even the most optimistic of us are having a very hard time peeking out past the junk we see and hear every day and remain optimistic regarding this country’s future. Optimism has always been an essential ingredient in the American national character and we should never count out regardless of how a dire things look. Thank you for taking us all to task and I include myself in that group because a sizable chunk of my commentary on this blog is in reaction to what I see and am thoroughly appalled by. It’s easy under these circumstances and take one’s eyes off the horizon and dwell on what we see closer at hand.
I try to live with Colin Powell’s “10 rules to live by” as a guide and one of the most important of those rules is that “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier”. All of us should remember that regardless of how whacked out things are and just how steep we think the hill that we need to climb is. This country has reinvented itself many, many times during its long history and we should have no doubt that it can be done again and will be done again. “America” is really an idea that will just keep evolving, moved along by all of us as we maintain our optimism no matter what.
Thanks again!
Does Putin also fund IUPUI Law School faculty? Just asking….http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/04/putin-funds-americas-environmental-movement.php Russian communists have had a decades long project to weaken America primarily thru the democrat party but also by funding(bribing) low paid, low talent journalists, and many causes that employ “front groups” not particular where their funding came from.
Tom,
Glad I could give some encouragement and, hopefully, motivation to those who can work to bring our governments back to their senses.
For those not paying all that much attention, Russia is no longer a communist country, and neither are the democrats associated with such philosophy. That is the kind of distraction and dis-information that makes the job of saving democracy from the oligarchs more difficult.
Nancy,
re: “I needed someone to confirm my observations after being a participant on this blog for the past three years.”
Could you tell us about your observations?
Briefly, it’s about systems. Racial systems, specifically. The racial system in New York City is much more benign than the system in Indiana. Similarly, the racial system in Indiana is much more benign than the one in Jacksonville, which is part of the “Bible Belt” racial system which includes at least Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Florida.
If you can’t at least make those vital distinctions, then your perception is going to be amiss in many important areas, especially anticipating or understanding covert activities in the “Bible Belt” which have been expanding for the last 50 years.
The Nazi movement in Germany arose in the PROVINCIAL areas of Germany where Munich played a central role. It eventually spread into the metropolitan areas like Berlin. It took awhile.
The situation in the U.S. has many similarities especially geographical. Dallas played an important role in the beginning. Not so much now. It was the most important node back then. That’s why Texas, as a state, has become so extreme. It has had a long time to mature, if that is what you want to call it.
Marv,
While I cannot speak for central or southern Indiana, I can assure you that the Bible belt has infected the northern part of Indiana. Racism is also alive and well in north Indiana, along with bible thumping and all of the evil behaviors and beliefs that accompany it.
We must find at least one thing to be thankful for each day. We need to go at politics/government from every angle, whether it’s working at finding good candidates, raising money for the electable candidates we intend to find. We can go to nearest high school and arrange to register students to vote. We can do cartoons which are effective, write novels, make movies, make color books, attend meetings, host parties. Everyone has a gift. It’s like a muscle that has gotten flabby. Don’t look over your shoulder; look in the mirror. We are it.
Nancy,
“I can assure you that the Bible belt has infected the northern part of Indiana.”
I’m sure it has. But the “Bible Belt” as a total system maintains TOTAL CONTROL at the systemic level. And it is overwhelming. There is no room for the likes of a magnificent Sheila Kennedy in the “Bible Belt.”
Who specifically are these non Republican, non Democrat politicians running this fall who will change the country from a minority position?
Pete,
“Who specifically are these non Republican, non Democrat politicians running this fall who will change the country from a minority position?”
If that statement is directed at me, you don’t listen very well. I’m not supporting any candidates. My interest in partisan politics is to neutralize the power of the DNC. Like all organizations it has a structure. I’m aware of the weaknesses in the structure. That’s all. It has nothing to do with candidates.
In the late 80’s, I ran the campaign for Judge John Vance for the Republican nomination for District Attorney of Dallas County. That was the most important political position in Dallas. He won the nomination in the Republican primaries without any support from the Republican Party. He then easily won over his Democratic opponent in the general election.
I had earlier NEUTRALIZED the power structure in the Republican Party which was comparable to the DNC. That was my main contribution to John’s campaign. As a matter of fact, I wanted his Democratic opponent to win, John knew that, but that wasn’t going to happen. Neutralizing the power structure and allowing an honest politician to win was the best we could do in Dallas at the time.
May the best man or woman, Republican or Democrat prevail.
Stay tuned, Todd Smekens.
When you and I and many others contribute to the overturn of this obscene crooked GOP majority Congress in November, our new dynamic leadership will arise and lead the USA to a former glory in 2020 that will dazzle the dozing electorate, swell the numbers of supporters and leave behind this disgustingly greedy GOP along with its Don, its Mafiosi and their abettors along with the corporate conspirators who have assembled this craven crew bent on bringing us to our knees. Watch what happens when we the people are aroused. We all knew Trump was not up to the task but we didn’t know he had this platoon of mindless sycophants who would greedily try to reduce the USA to a Third World country.
I’m still processing the notion that there’s nothing wrong with the RNC.
Pete,
I think about everything is wrong with the RNC at this point in time. I’m sure you do too. But, I don’t think every person running as a Republican is necessarily bad. There’s should be at least one or two exceptions since they still haven’t renamed it the Nazi Party at this juncture.
The safest bet to me is to generally carefully select the best during the Democrat primaries. I’m sure that there will be a few exceptions but I’m suspicious about Republicans because they seem almost completely uniform in supporting Trump today.
I suspect though between now and Nov many will have to throw him under the bus maybe including Pence to try to run for President in 2020.
Pete…and all; the Indiana Primary is three weeks away, I am still waiting for my mailbox to be flooded with political flyers – from either or both parties. I have received one from the Democrat I will be forced to opt for as my State Representative even though I have little confidence in him. I put out my “Andre Carson for Congress” yard sign a few days ago, as did my next door neighbor. I have seen very few political ads on TV or in the Star; we should not have to search out who, what and why regarding those seeking our vote. The political issues in this state appear to be foregone conclusions; whatever those issues may be. We see little information regarding what is going on in our legislature which had to be forced back into session by the governor to vote on vital issues they ignored while in regular session.
Of course, in this long Republican owned and operated state, “It Just Goes On And On”
First, I do not have either an experienced or trained political mind. I do however know how to mix a bit of critical thinking, research, listening, more research and just a touch of good old common sense. With that I will deviate from my usual “i love this blog and i learn a lot, blah, blah, (which is very true). I am biased, but my good friend Jo Anne’s ability to sum up and amuse me by comparing administration and circus detrius, all mention of the futility of changing anything in Indiana, Marv’s valid “Texas comments and strategically placed “racial systems,” which are things we all need to keep in mind. Now, looking forward i will focus on the side of possible common sense with a shade of hope which comes from movements. Pete, making “careful primary selections” of delegates, Marge: ” We must find at least on thing to be grateful for each day,” Tom’s wise urging for “optimism.” Now, Gerald, your reference to the “Bastille,” the wonderful children who have looked into the grey steel jaws of death so many times, the angry women, and so on are the things I am turning toward in terms of movement. Whether or not we are positive or negative about how this country will fare, we have shown we still have a consience, we still care about human rights, and we still get offended by those who offend. No matter how any of this shakes out this administration will not last forever; albeit the damage may linger but so it does with each passing term in office. What else can we do but look forward and each one of us contribute whatever strength and resource we can ?
Maywin; you rock! Experience and training – political or otherwise – is useless without the wisdom to sort fact from fiction, truth from lies and need from want; it is Americans such as you who will be the salvation of this country. It is only the timing none of us can foresee. You and I have laughed together, cried together, welcomed new life and faced death together and argued together; the fact that we can “argue together” is what President Obama meant in his book, “The Audacity of Hope”. We are two audacious broads who, with the strong women coming forward today to be seen and heard, will strengthen this government when the current administration is gone. We pass our strength on to our granddaughters and great-granddaughters; with our strength, they will develop wisdom and carry on and on.