Category Archives: all politics is local

Daisy Attends the No Kings Event

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Wow.

That’s my reaction, much like others who were there. Wow! Enthusiastic, excited, loud when it counted (Hey hey; ho ho; Donald Trump has got to go!), and yet – peaceful. An estimated 4000 people gathered downtown in my small city to protest the current administration.

Signs included the basic No Kings, of course, and other standards, but many were more creative.

  • Keep the immigrants; Deport the racists
  • Free Press in a Free Country
  • No Kings; No Fuhrers
  • RIP Rule of Law
  • So much Wrong; So Little Cardboard
  • I’m Not Paid; I Hate Trump for Free 
  • I Like My Democracy Neat: No ICE
  • Protest is Patriotic

There were inflatable costumes, of course, too. I saw a T-Rex, a frog or two, a pig, an alien, a unicorn, Patrick Star and Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants, and that’s just on one side of one block.

I didn’t bring a sign or wear a costume. I wore my tee shirt that says Stars and Stripes and Reproductive Rights and kept one of Amigo’s cowbells hanging from my purse strap.

So, readers, that’s a microcosm of the No Kings protest in my admittedly conservative city. Nationally, the turnout was close to 7 million. Saturday’s No Kings event gives me hope.

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Taking Action in our World

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Sometimes, and this is one of those times, the world seems impossible. Scary. Up to No Good. Frightening. Hopeless, even.

I feel less hopeless (yeah, I know, that’s a double negative) if I can take action. Individual actions, no matter how small, add up to a larger total. That drop in a bucket? Add enough drops and the bucket will fill.

I signed up for our local No Kings demonstration on October 18. I have a plan. Chuck will drop me off, or I’ll park in a downtown parking structure. I don’t mind paying for parking; it’s a contribution to our vibrant downtown.

I’ll wear one of my activist tee shirts, weather permitting. I’m leaning toward “Stars and Stripes and Reproductive Rights.” If the weather is cooler, my “Teach Peace” hoodie will be appropriate. If it snows (I know, I know, it’s October, but Wisconsin…) I will put my new jacket from Denali National Park to good use. It’s Denali, you idiot, not McKinley.

There’s a sign-making workshop ahead of the demonstration. I may or may not go. My attire will make a statement.

Meanwhile, I keep focusing on basics like canning and preserving goodies from the farm stands, and preparing the garden for next season while picking the last of the cherry tomatoes and jalapeno peppers.

Readers, how do you stay sane in an insane world?

 

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What I’m Hearing – in Disbelief

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From a good friend who is politically active:

Watch/rewatch episodes 1-3 of The Handmaid’s Tale. Not to be dramatic, but we seem to be only a few steps away from the Christian Nationalist “suspend the constitution” s**t.

 

Dramatic? More like realistic. It’s a frightening time we’re living in, folks. I responded to the post with a suggestion to read or reread the book. Someone else came back with a quote that fits – almost. Almost. 

“Keep calm,” they said on television. “Everything is under control.”
I was stunned. Everyone was, I know that. It was hard to believe. The entire government, just like that. How did they get in, how did it happen?
That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasn’t even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasn’t even an enemy you could put your finger on.
Stunned. I keep wondering, despite my better nature, what else can go wrong? And then something worse comes up in legislation or Stupid Presidential Quotes or cabinet nominees. I continue to be stunned.

From actor Robert DeNiro:

I’ve spent a lot of time studying bad men. I’ve examined their characteristics, their mannerisms, the utter banality of their cruelty. Yet there’s something different about Donald Trump.
When I look at him, I don’t see a bad man. Truly.
I see an evil one.
DeNiro studied bad guys so he could play them convincingly. His post continues with details; look it up if you want more.
From Kirk Bangstad of Minocqua Brewing Company:
This post is brought to you by the letters WTF and the number 47.
I might borrow this. I’ll do my  best to remember to credit Bangstad with the quote. It certainly seems to fit a lot of what I’m seeing and thinking these days.
In The Handmaid’s Tale, June is stunned by the events. She notices, and comments later, that no one rioted. This time, in real life, people are acting up. Whether we can identify an enemy or not, it’s definitely time to speak up.
I didn’t riot today, but I did make three phone calls – one to each of my senators (regarding potential changes to Medicaid), and one to my member of Congress (regarding House Resolution #7). Look up HR 7. You’ll be stunned, too. You might even be tempted to use the sponsor’s letter: WTF.
Readers, we can’t afford to sit back now. Please make your calls and send your postcards and emails. Don’t let evil win.

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Staying informed or Staying Sane

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Chuck’s car had an oil change today at a cost of $41 and some odd cents. An educated guess from the mechanic’s shop predicts that when tariffs come into play, the cost will be around $60.

Two people I know – two in my own small circle of friends – can no longer afford their asthma meds. Thanks to the repeal of Medicare’s ability to bargain medication costs, their medication is out of their reach by several hundred dollars in copay.

These are two local examples of the new administration’s actions. Folks, the Current Occupant of the Oval Office is dangerous to all of us. If I’m stumbling into examples like this, I can’t even imagine the impact nationally.

I urge you – nay, beg you! – to contact your senators and Congressional representatives to express your dismay. Give them examples like these or examples of how current policies are hurting you.

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Memories from 9/11/2001

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I was an elementary teacher. I had a prep time first thing in the morning. While my students were gone (in the gym? In music? I don’t remember), my good friend the reading specialist ran into my room to tell me we’d been attacked.

We were not allowed to discuss the attack or even tell our students until the end of the day. Two of my sixth graders went home for lunch, so they knew and we talked, quietly, when they came back.

Teachers were called to the lounge for an emergency meeting during the first recess of the day. We’d pulled a television on a cart (yeah, the old days!) into the lounge so we could watch news updates. There weren’t many updates.

My own children, in high school and elementary school at the time, came home on their buses and ran in the house yelling exactly the same thing: “Mom! Did you hear what happened?!”

I thought for a moment that I should fill my minivan with gas before the stations ran out or the prices skyrocketed. Much of the city had the same idea, and the lines were incredibly long. I decided I’d rather spend this time with my children. I had half of a tank, and that would have to be enough.

Chuck worked for a television station. We had no idea when he’d get home. Neither did he.

Today, 23 years later, I’m still learning more about the day. The potential threats, the people who were with the president at the time, the situation on Air Force One. I’m sure there’s more to learn.

We can’t ever forget the day the Towers fell. The day the Pentagon was hit. The day Flight 93 was driven into the ground by courageous passengers.

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When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Grow Vegetables.

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Not my original, I confess. I saw this on social media and said, “That’s me!” Life around me and around the world gets crazier and crazier, and what do I do? I buy seeds. I set up a spot in the basement for starting seedlings. I rearrange the living room furniture to maximize sun exposure and find the grow lights, too.

I can’t stop Russia from invading Ukraine. I can’t stop Kevin McCarthy from giving in to his party extremists. I can’t stop George Santos from cheating and lying – and voters from believing his statements. I can, however, feed my family.

Last year’s garden was meager. We had several setbacks. Foot surgery (twice!) put me in a bad spot. Chuck tried to take over the unplanted section with a three sisters plot, and then the neighborhood deer took over from him. No corn, only one squash, and we relied on the farmers’ market for beans.

I plan to plant marigolds instead of morning glories along the garage. Hopefully, the marigolds will be less appetizing to the deer. Chuck and I are working on plans for a higher fence, too. The challenge will be building the fence in such a way that it doesn’t block the sun. We’re brainstorming ideas.

I can’t stop the roller coaster that is gas prices. I can drive my hybrid car and use less fuel. I can’t stop the clueless conservatives in my state legislature from introducing misogynist bills, but I can vote for a governor who will exercise his veto power. I may not be able to change the world, but I can take action by sending postcards and by writing my (thankfully) progressive state assembly representative.

And when the going gets tough, I can grow vegetables.

 

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Not since 1814.

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It was supposed to be a procedure, a formality, verifying the electoral votes that confirmed the November presidential election. Chuck and I listened to the beginning of the process on the radio on our way home from an appointment. As I headed out the door for a half day of work, he asked, “Should I keep you informed?” I said, “Well, I’ll be in class from 1:00 to 2:30, so only text me if something big happens.”

Little did I know.

I finished my classes, stood up and stretched, and took my phone off its charger. And reacted with uncharacteristic vocabulary. OMG! WTF! Holy C***!

I texted Chuck and asked if he was joking, even as I pulled up online news, Social studies indeed – history, a frightening incident, was unfolding on the monitor that had just shown fifth grade language arts and social studies.

The wheels of democracy sometimes turn slowly, but they do turn. Mr. 45 was wrong to incite violence and invite mobs to Washington today. Those who followed in his dirty footprints (Senator RJ, I’m looking at you) share responsibility for the first breach of the Capitol since the War of 1812.

After working on the Constitution, Ben Franklin was asked, “Well, sir, what kind of government do we now have?” Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Our democracy, after all the mobs and rioting, is once again up and running. It’s up to all of us – Congress, Senate, and voters – to respect the process, to participate in the process and and maintain and keep our republic.

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Reopen? Already?

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I’m hearing hints of major cabin fever in several states. People are tired of staying at home, tired of wearing masks in public, and tired of standing 6 feet apart. But is that enough to cancel the Safer at Home order?

I’m embarrassed by the protesters in my own state carrying signs saying “I want a haircut!” These signs just scream Privilege and Wealth. Frankly, Amigo and Chuck are both overdue for haircuts, but we’re not going to complain. I want our favorite stylists to stay safe at home, too.

And the people who marched into Michigan’s capitol with guns? They weren’t protesting; they were threatening. Would they really shoot? I don’t want to know. But in a case like this, the intimidation was out of line. Way, way out of line.

Call your lawmakers, state and federal. Write to your lawmakers, too. I send postcards with prepared address labels. It’s quick, it’s easy, and I can state my case in a paragraph. Guns? No, thank you. I have no need to threaten my lawmakers. After all, I vote.

The strongest argument against reopening venues for crowds and reopening businesses that require close proximity is this headline: Second Record Day of Covid-19 Cases in Wisconsin. This is the wrong time to put more people close to each other and more people at risk of becoming ill with the virus. Cabin fever? We can handle it until the corona virus caseload goes down. It’s Safer at Home, indeed.

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A New Year, and New Advice

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Dear Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez; Hire a researcher. Consult this researcher before you make a public statement. No matter how sincere, if your announcement makes you seem uninformed, you will take unnecessary heat for it. -From one on your side, Daisy Democrat.

Dear Hillary; You remain my idol. Your interview with Christiane Amanpour once again reinforced your intelligence and grace. Those who follow may or may not recognize your contributions, but I know you blazed trails and opened doors for many. Thank you for your dedication to our country. -Democrat Daisy

Dear Green Bay Packers Administration (Mark Murphy et al); Please choose wisely. That’s all. –Another shareholder

Dear Pharmacy that Shall not be Named; You really turned around. The customer service and accuracy have come miles in a few years. Just in time for the higher-ups to sell you out to Kroger, too. Sigh. Thanks for the assistance, the flu shots, and the attention to details. –Always pursuing wellness, Daisy

Dear Governor-elect Evers; we’ve got your back. Do what you need to do. Sincerely, the state’s teachers.

Dear Dr. Footwork; Thanks for the help. And thanks for the laser treatment. And please keep on pushing the insurance companies to cover laser treatment, too. Sincerely, Hopalong Daisy.

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Civility, Nonviolence

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“Is this what we’ve become? Is this what we’ve come to?” she exclaimed. She had just come from a campaign event in the 2012 election and behavior had gotten out of hand. One of ours – a Democrat volunteer well known to most of us – had turned to spit on a Republican standing next to her. The Republican had retaliated by scratching the Democrat, drawing blood.

So come back to 2018 and think about Trump’s staffers running into trouble outside their White House offices. Being refused service at a small, elite restaurant, leaving a Mexican restaurant to find noisy protesters holding immigration signs and shouting “Families belong together!” Is there more?

In all of these cases, the actions were nonviolent. Loud, maybe, but not dangerous. The question still remains: is this the end of civility? Is it enough to be nonviolent, or do we need to be more?

The country is split into factions divided so severely that “They go low, we go high” doesn’t seem to be enough any more. Demonstrations and protests continue, and progressives continue to persist. Saturday, my small city’s center will play host to more than Pokemon Go as a demonstration organized by MoveOn takes place. MoveOn asks that all participants agree to these terms and more.

By choosing to attend this event, you are committing to participate nonviolently and in accordance with the law, to work to de-escalate confrontations with others, and to obey the orders of authorized event marshals and of law enforcement that ensure the safety of everyone at these events.

De-escalate confrontations. Ensure the safety of everyone attending. Easier said than done, but at least at this level, the persistent actions will peacefully call attention to an important issue.

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