I started this blog out with a long-winded, James Micheneresque, ramble through the mists of history, tracing how our awareness of the fundamental truth that all things are intimately interconnected has waxed and waned over time. Enough said. Here is an executive summary.
There is a thread that links all of
existence, including us, into a single whole.
We are, as Carl Sagan said 50 years ago, star stuff, made from the very atoms that were created in the death throes of stars over the last 15 billion years. At this elemental level we and the rest of the cosmos are completely integrated by the natural laws of the universe. Even at the level below reality we are enmeshed in the same web of improbability.
The deeper we look within ourselves, the closer we return to star stuff. Our trillion cell complexity evolved from a simple single-celled beastie who, in-turn, had evolved from naturally occurring organic chemical compounds, that combined from inorganic star dust. From dust we came.
Biologically, we are like the nested Russian Matryoshka Dolls, one inside another, in another, and so on. We stem from a single mother. She wasn’t Eve, unique and alone, but rather part of a human family with generations. But only our Mother’s line survived to the present day. Along the way to today, we picked up DNA from close cousins that now resides in us, signals from our remote past that appear in us as immunity to certain diseases and, for we carriers of Neanderthal fragments, the ability to digest milk.
All of humanity is a single family with
a history that goes back to the formation of the universe.
It would be a tragedy for such an ancient pedigree to be extinguished. To dust we return.
I
was just reading about how SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program) is distributing its remaining funds early. This being done,
because of the Trump government shutdown. As the name SNAP states, it
provides food assistance to the poor. So, when February rolls around,
the most vulnerable will not get help in purchasing food; they will go
hungry.
I don’t know how this effects any Trump supporters. I’ve been led to believe that Trump folks are living a hardscrabble life, living paycheck to paycheck. Is that true? I have a few conservative friends that support Trump, admittedly a very small sample, and they’re doing the same as other Americans. The difference is that the Trump folks seem to feel particularly aggrieved and put upon. So much so, that they arm themselves and support a leader who is blatantly anti-American.
Question: Do Trump folks feel bad because of their actual circumstances
or have they been taught to be dissatisfied through the concentrated,
decades long, propaganda pushed out by FoxNEWS and a plethora of
commentators like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and, my favorite, Alex
Jones of InfoWars infamy. All condoned and encourage by the Republican
Party.
I’m not saying that Trump folks don’t have legitimate
concerns. Their issues are the same as most Americans, security at the
border on our streets, jobs that pay a decent wage that allows someone
living on main street to raise a family, pay their bills, pay for their
kids’ higher education in the trades or professions or whatever, and lay
aside savings for a comfortable retirement. They are looking for
stability. So are the rest of Americans. The difference is that most
Americans (2/3) still have faith in the basic principles of our nation:
democracy, rule of law, truth, civility. The very things that Trump and
the Republican Party are doggedly attacking and dismantling.
It seems to me that Trump supporters have assumed the roles of victims. Roles that they have been trained for by decades of the a fore mentioned propaganda by the usual suspects. Again, it appears to me that Trump people now live in a universe where black is white and all truth is relative, depending on who you support. Science and climate change are hoaxes, even as the forests burn, rivers flood, and storms reach historic size and ferocity. The climate is always changing, right?
And last, there is Russia, Vladimir Putin and the rape of our electoral system and traditions.
Up to this point, if I squint really hard, I can see the world as Trump supporters see it. But Russia frames the situation in a new light; treason. One of the cornerstones of American conservatism has been the NRA and its 2nd amendment stance. They have thwarted the will of the majority of Americans who have wanted common sense gun laws for years. There never has been talk about taking everyone’s guns away. The only place you hear that is from the NRA with their “slippery slope” argument. Now we find that the NRA has been receiving, not subtly, Russian funds to prop up its failing finances. I haven’t seen any concern from the Right or NRA members.
Evidence continues to
pile up showing that the President and his minions have been actively
working with the Russians to sabotage the primaries and the 2016
election. Hand in hand with cooperating with the Russians, Trump has
waged a continuous war against our traditional, trusted allies and NATO.
All to Russia’s advantage. Despite Trump’s opposition, the Senate
passed a law that maintained economic sanctions against Russia for its
aggression against its neighbors, EU and US and cancelling out Trump’s
desire to let them get off free.
There was one bright shining moment when Americans could take pride in the Senate and its ability to work in a bipartisan manner on a tough subject. Bright but brief. Today the Senate decided to remove sanctions on one of the most important Russian oligarchs and friends of Putin, Oleg Deripaska, by a simple majority vote. Never mind that Deripaska has a central role in the Russian cyber-attack on our elections. Putin and Russia got a huge gimme from the Republican Senate.
And there is so much more to do with the Russians and the attempted destruction the US’s place as a world leader.
Then there is China, Mexico, the Wall, Canada, North Korea, the Kurds,
ISIS, and all of our friends and allies around the world. In two years,
Trump has turned us into a laughing stock and a 2nd rate power. Given
another year or two, he should be able to lower us further to 3rd rate,
right beside Russia.
The evidence points to one conclusion;
treason by Trump, his staff and administration, and some members of the
Republican Party.
So, with all that, where are the Trump supporters? Still supporting Trump. Why?
Because they’ve been conditioned to trust only a very narrow source of
disinformation and hate the rest of the media in the US and around the
world. Everyone lies except Trump and the Right’s news bubble.
The Trump supporters I know are all good people who love their families,
support their communities, and in general are great Americans. I’m
proud to call all of them friends. And there lies the conundrum.
These are good people being manipulated to support terrible things that,
if allowed to continue, will destroy our country, economy, environment,
health, and security, while isolating us from our friends and the 60%
of the rest of the world that, in a recent Gallup poll, said that they
would prefer if the US were leading the world.
Because we are a
democracy and we believe in the responsibility of the individual, it is
left to the individual to seek the truth and act in a manner in keeping
with US custom and history. Simply put, I can not force someone to
change their mind. I can comment and provide information but,
ultimately, it is a private matter between the person and their
conscience.
In the end, I can only beseech Trump supporters to
re-evaluate their support for Trump. I know that I’m asking a lot. It is
one of the hardest things a person can do, to apply honest critical
thinking to a long-cherished view and come to a different conclusion.
Patrick Henry said, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the
aid of their country.” We have little time to return to democracy and a
government for and by the people. Trump’s plans are simple and clear;
strip average Americans and political adversaries of their rights,
impose rule by dictate, and impoverish America for the benefit of a very
small elite who are beholding to no one. The longer it takes us to find
balance and justice, the greater the danger grows that the USA will
cease to be the “shining city on the hill” as Reagan said. We will
become just another rusty relic in the dust of history; a tragic
footnote, seeing how close we came to genuine freedom before the ugliest
parts of human nature pulled us down in flames. Supporting Trump only
takes us in the direction of division, conflict, shortages, and
oppression.
We can argue about the policies and their technical
aspects without burning the house down and, possibly the rest of the
planet.
We need your help and cooperation to address your
concerns which the rest of us share as well. Your fellow Americans want
to build a prosperous, healthy, safe and just country that is respected
by the rest of the world. We want to attain the noble goals that the
Statue of Liberty symbolizes. We want to help guide the world towards
prosperity and peace.
Our federal government, the cornerstone of our freedom and security, is running on fumes. It’s being maintained by Americans answering the call to preserve the United States of America. Some are being paid, many more are working with the promise of payment and even more are contractors who are out everything. These folks are loosing health insurance, their homes, and the children’s futures. Our Civil Servants, have received undeserved disrespect and abuse for decades. We devalue their work, even though they give us one of the smoothest running and honest governments in the world.
Our civil servants delivered a smoothly functioning and dependable government. This despite the Republicans mindless hatred for any government other than their own, and their relentless sabotaging of popularly elected democratic governments. Today’s historic government shutdown is a blatant example of the Republican Party’s lack of empathy towards fellow Americans and choice of party over nation.
Democrats, once a strong voice for working people and oppressed, got lost in the 1990’s, but we now returning to it’s core, the heart of democracy, everyday people who make the wheels of our world turn.
The core remained faithful, committed to our honored values; respect for work, respect for the rights of all Americans and our guests, rule of law applied evenly and fairly, people are more important than profits, our home is not a garbage pit or sewer, and working together makes for the brightest future for all of us. Now, we Democrats are returning to our roots, invigorated.
At last, the waiting is over. The battle has begun. Choices are clear. It is time to decide and join in.
In every great struggle between order and chaos there comes a moment when the distraught mob is stopped by the unified actions of people of conscience, good will, and firm resolution. In these unique times in history a simple battle cry soars, “They Shall Not Pass! ¡No Pasarán!”
The time for cruelty and fear is over. There is no place for bullies or wannabe autocrats. There is no more time to waste for making hard decisions about the welfare of all Americans, the welfare of our climate, the security of our families. Now is the time for building a future worth living for our children and grandchildren.
This is when the tide crashes upon the shore and slithers back into it’s own foam, spent.
As you know, I’ve been very lucky to get to know Santa. This year has been special because he has given me a letter that he’d like to send out. Here it is, Santa’s Letter to all of us.
Every year I receive millions of letters from boys and girls around the world. These letters are simple and endearing, although I’ve seen more and more of them saying only “give me” this and that. I also get letters from parents who ask for help because they are unable to provide their children with gifts, or a home or food or safety. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century I get these letters. They make me very sad at the time when we should be joyous.
In the last 450 years or so, the time that I have been Santa, I have written letters back, when someone needed my counseling. But this year is the first time when I feel it necessary to write a letter to all of you; Humanity.
My dear children, young and old. I’ve watched you grow up generation after generation. I’ve seen you when you were small, squirming things with that baby smell that tells adults that you are special and need love and comfort. I’ve watched you take your first steps, speak your first words, go to school, fall in love, have little helpless things or your own, and raise them. I’ve watched you age become frail and die. I have celebrated your birth and mourned your passing.
I understand that you think of me as a myth and that I’m only for the little ones who have not learned much of the world. But, I’m more than a logo or a seasonal decoration. I’m the spirit of Peace and Good Will, a reminder of your better nature. My spirit is intended to be shared year-round.
For all these centuries, I’ve seen your good. You have done wondrous things, cured horrible disease like smallpox and polio. You have discovered art and writing, music and dancing. You have learned how to cooperate with each other and do great things. You have created religion and science to help you explain the world. You have done so much good.
And yet, you have been equally bad. You’ve discovered the addictions of war, greed, and domination. You have learned how to lie and steal. You have forgotten that you are one great family and are willfully cruel. You have turned the greatest gift of all, your home, Earth, into an open sewer. You can do such bad things, sometimes thoughtlessly, sometimes with intent.
Even though I’m an Elf, I’ve considered all of you my children, no matter your age. So, it causes me great pain to see you fight and abuse each other. I feel an even greater sorrow as you turn your cruelty towards Earth and her other children.
I’ve sat you on my knee, told you stories, flown through arctic gales to give you dreams and wishes.
But now, you have lost your way. You have become a danger to yourselves and every other living thing.
You are destroying my home and killing my friends the polar bears, seals, walrus and wolves. Around the world, you kill and abuse each other, turning children and the poor into slaves for pleasure or work. You do these terrible things because as you’ve grown up and you have forgotten the simple rules of life:
Share what you have. All those toys in the box are for everyone. You’ll all get a chance to enjoy them. Remember, that there is plenty when you share. There is little when you hoard.
Do not waste what you have, respect it. Earth is our small fragile home. It’s a spaceship traveling through our immense universe. The air, water, and earth, and climate are our life support systems. If we destroy them, our wondrous voyage will end and the gifts of knowledge and wisdom will be lost.
Don’t pick on your little brothers and sisters. They want to love you, if you let them. You can love them too, if you let yourself. Everyone is a big brother or sister to someone and have the awesome responsibility to help raise and protect them. It is one of the most noble things you can do. When you do, you become the spirit of Peace and Goodwill.
Always tell the truth. Your honesty allows people to trust you. From trust comes respect and love. Trust is a special bond that takes deeds and time to build. It only takes one betrayal, lie or cheat to destroy what has taken so much to build.
Play nice and no hitting or threatening or calling each other names. Violence solves nothing, it destroys goodwill and trust, leaving you alone. Remember violence is like a disease. Once started, it spreads and guarantees more violence.
There is so much more I can say, but you get my point.
Right now, my children, you are having a hard time and things look bleak. Peace and Goodwill may seem far away, impossible even. But that is an illusion. Each one of you holds the spirit to be Santa. Regardless of your faith, political party, where you live, whether you’re rich or poor, or whatever you think divides you from others, you can become the gift of Peace and Goodwill.
You can do so much good. Simply remember, Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.
Until next year,
Santa
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Yesterday, the UN IPCC report on climate change came out and the news was awful. Within a decade or so, if we don’t tackle climate change wholeheartedly and world-wide, we will pass the 1.5 C (2.7 F) tipping point and the climate will shift into a new state, more violent, hotter, and devastating to all life, including humans.
I then listened to the political nonsense coming from the Right. I became so depressed that I went back to bed and stayed there most of the day. I took the sleep cure and reset my circuits.
Now I’m awake and pissed.
In November, if you’re genuinely concerned for the welfare of your kids and their kids, not to mention our own sorry asses, vote for candidates that believe in climate change and commit to champion action. A vote for anyone who does not believe in climate change and is not doing something about it is a vote for global disease, misery and death.
This is not hyperbole. It is happening now and is only going to get worse; guaranteed.
Trump likes to call the News , “enemies of the people.” The real enemies of the people are the oil-gas-coal energy companies and the people who support them. Indeed, I believe that the behavior of industry management and some others qualifies as crimes against humanity and should be judged accordingly. Likewise, because of the support the GOP has given these industries, they have aided and abetted in the commission of those crimes against humanity.
I’m trying to come up with an analogy for the environmental situation we are in. Here’s one attempt:
Suppose you live next a guy you just can’t stand. You both enjoy many of the same sports and activities, but neither of you can agree on the rules. Over the years, the antagonism between the two of you grows, to the point, that you argue about anything, constantly.
One day you and your neighbor, call him Donald, are at the backyard fence yelling at each other. It’s just one more log on the fire of accusation and denial.
Unrelated to your feud with Donald, a fire starts in Donald’s basement. It spreads slowly and then more rapidly. You both see the smoke billowing out of the basement windows. You try to tell Donald that his house is on fire and that he/we need to call the Fire Department.
Donald won’t even look at the smoke because he’s too busy arguing with you. He thinks you’re trying to distract him so that you can gain an advantage.
The fire spreads. Now there is danger that not only Donald’s house will burn down but so could yours and your neighbors. If nothing is done the entire block is threatened.
At some point you simply ignore Donald and call the fire department yourself. While waiting for them to arrive you break out your garden-hose and spray Donald’s house. More neighbors join and, soon, they’re slowing the spread of the fire. All despite Donald’s attempts to tun off water spigots.
The firemen and police appear. Donald tries to interfere with them as they fight the fire and eventually Donald is arrested for criminal obstruction.
In the end, the neighborhood is saved by cooperation and caring for each other. Even Donald benefits from his neighbors’ efforts; his house was damaged but salvageable.
Later, after the typical fire investigation, we discover that Donald had intentionally set the fire for the insurance money.
His greed could have destroyed the block.
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