I did NOT want to be right.
But the sleeping giant is stirring at last.
I did NOT want to be right.
A week before the 2024 election I wrote about being right—how good it can feel when your analysis of a situation proves correct. AND also, how I really really did NOT want to be right when I noted that a second Trump presidency would be America’s worst nightmare.
I am deeply sad to report I was right.
Just this week he called for the governor of California to be arrested, the GOP Speaker of the House called for Newsom to be “tarred and feathered” (so Christian…), US Senator Padilla was wrestled to the floor and handcuffed at a press conference with Kristi Noem, and two Minnesota state senators (Dems) and their spouses were shot by a Christian Trumper. This on top of breathtaking reports of his blatant self-dealing and corruption: in the Atlantic, in the New Yorker, the New York Times.
So desperate a need to feel IMPORTANT that he threw himself a military parade on the taxpayers’ dime.
However, today I am cheered to note that MILLIONS of us are waking up and showing up. In cities, towns and hamlets across every state, current estimates say that 11 million of ordinary Americans gathered to recommit ourselves to this democracy—even some in Europe: London. Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam.
The march in Portland weaved its way for at least four miles through the city—across the Willamette River on one bridge and back on another. We had some great signs. I am no artist but I was very pleased with my toilet, which I learned how to draw last night thanks to a video on YouTube.
Turns out this guy also learned how to draw a toilet on YouTube. He just chose one from a different angle. And another YouTube toilet student. Who knew there was a whole genre of “how to draw a toilet” videos out there???
Evidently some of us never grew out of potty humor.
I would create more high-minded signs, but I’m too angry about the cruelty he’s unleashed on so many innocent people: not just immigrants, but federal workers randomly fired by DOGE, scientists whose life work is being trashed, foreign students whose visas just got retracted, those who will lose their health care…
What has he done to make your life better? …. I’ll wait.
OK, unless you’re a billionaire, the answer is NOTHING.
Where is the empathy? The compassion? “When cruelty becomes normal, compassion looks radical.”
I liked this one:
This one hit the spot too.
Missing France already…
I spent almost two months in France—long enough that returning to the fray here has been hard. Almost over the jet lag.
The last week of the trip was at a writing retreat near Pau in the foothills of the Pyrenees, a gorgeous area new to me. Atelier Clos Mirabel hosts weeklong creative workshops (art, writing) led by visiting instructors—this week by the amazing Allison K Williams and Dinty Moore. The instructor(s) does the teaching, the Clos Mirabel staff keeps students fed gorgeous meals, and the countryside wraps us in beauty. I hated to leave and will definitely return.
I have much more to say about the beauties of France, which will have to wait for another day.
PUT YOURSELF IN THE WAY OF BEAUTY
A sample dish from the kitchen at Clos Mirabel to make you drool. And the desserts…
The view towards the Pyrenees from Clos Mirabel. Not bad…
I’d love to hear how the protests went in your community. Did you participate? What was the vibe?
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Loved all the pictures of the signs. Your pictures from Europe were wonderful.
Spokane had an amazing turnout! Have heard 20,000. It was very uplifting to be with so many like minded people.