We knew this would be a tough election and a rough night. And we knew that no matter the outcome, the work to move us forward would continue tomorrow; wounds would need to healed; new - perhaps fragile - bridges built.
If things continue to go pear shaped, we will all need to be even more committed in our support of the organizations and elected officials who share our values. We will not abandon our beliefs nor our deep and lasting love for our country.
Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Honor and Gratitude
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month...
“On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”
- President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Presidential Proclamation
Honoring all who served
Honoring all who were wounded
Honoring all who gave their lives
You stood in our stead
You stood for our country, for our constitution
You stood for our freedom, for our liberty
You have our gratitude, our respect, our memory
We pledge our service, our advocacy, our work for peace…
Dad ~ 1942
“On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”
- President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Presidential Proclamation
Honoring all who served
Honoring all who were wounded
Honoring all who gave their lives
You stood in our stead
You stood for our country, for our constitution
You stood for our freedom, for our liberty
You have our gratitude, our respect, our memory
We pledge our service, our advocacy, our work for peace…
Dad ~ 1942
Friday, June 26, 2015
Love Wins!
Headline:
Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States
Just one of many articles, this one from NPR
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion. Here is the closing paragraph:
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
It is so ordered.”
As I wrote six years ago:
“Perhaps the most transformative aspect of living in a state where same sex marriage was legalized May 17, 2004 is that the sky did not fall. None of the dire predictions and specious arguments made by the opponents came to pass - in particular the idea that allowing same sex couples to marry would undermine “traditional” marriage between a man and a woman. It didn’t happen. And that wonderful, ho hum normalcy has been one of the most powerful arguments in favor of marriage equality.”
I am proud of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and so grateful that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of justice and equality and love.
As President Barack Obama said this morning:
“Today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we have made our union a little more perfect.”
Layout, photo of granite and paper by LMR/Pink Granite. Software: Apple iPhoto ‘08 & Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Mac. Font: Helvetica.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Caitlyn and Courage
I've seen some angry posts on the internet about Caitlyn Jenner. Many of them take issue with the use of the word "courage" to describe Jenner's very public transition. Most of these posts are accompanied by a photo of military personnel with captions stating that their courage is real or true courage.
Courage and heroism are part and parcel of our military. We are blessed to have men and women who stand and fight in our name, protect us and preserve our liberty.
We also see courage in every firefighter who rushes into a burning building and every police officer who confronts a criminal. Their courage is made manifest not just in crisis, but when they first pledge to protect and serve and it is renewed daily when they put the uniform on and walk out the door.
We see courage in children fighting grave illnesses and just as powerfully in their parents who comfort them, care for them, stand vigil by incubators or bedsides and wait painfully long hours in surgical waiting rooms.
We see courage in children and teenagers who do the right thing; who stand up to bullies; who hold on to the moral compass and say no to what would be so much easier to say yes to.
Courage - writ large or writ small - comes in many forms.
Courage, like love, like kindness like compassion, is not finite.
Courage, like pain, need not be compared. What is painful to you may feel as a mere twinge for me. What takes courage for me may be second nature for you.
Bruce Jenner before his surgery; Caitlyn Jenner after her transition did not block out the sun. All the joy, all the pain; all the virtue, all the crime still exists. But there might be someone who has had similar feelings and experiences to what Bruce Jenner lived with for 65 years, whose world got a little brighter. Maybe our generation, like Christine Jorgensen's generation in the 1950s, has their understanding of gender identity and the boundaries of their world view expanded. Perhaps the positive posts about Jenner on Facebook, plus the tweets on Twitter outweighing the negative ones is evidence of our progress.
Then again, as Jon Stewart pointed out, listening to the pundits swiftly pivot to misogynistic objectification of the newly female image of Caitlyn, shows we still have a long way to go...
Courage and heroism are part and parcel of our military. We are blessed to have men and women who stand and fight in our name, protect us and preserve our liberty.
We also see courage in every firefighter who rushes into a burning building and every police officer who confronts a criminal. Their courage is made manifest not just in crisis, but when they first pledge to protect and serve and it is renewed daily when they put the uniform on and walk out the door.
We see courage in children fighting grave illnesses and just as powerfully in their parents who comfort them, care for them, stand vigil by incubators or bedsides and wait painfully long hours in surgical waiting rooms.
We see courage in children and teenagers who do the right thing; who stand up to bullies; who hold on to the moral compass and say no to what would be so much easier to say yes to.
Courage - writ large or writ small - comes in many forms.
Courage, like love, like kindness like compassion, is not finite.
Courage, like pain, need not be compared. What is painful to you may feel as a mere twinge for me. What takes courage for me may be second nature for you.
Bruce Jenner before his surgery; Caitlyn Jenner after her transition did not block out the sun. All the joy, all the pain; all the virtue, all the crime still exists. But there might be someone who has had similar feelings and experiences to what Bruce Jenner lived with for 65 years, whose world got a little brighter. Maybe our generation, like Christine Jorgensen's generation in the 1950s, has their understanding of gender identity and the boundaries of their world view expanded. Perhaps the positive posts about Jenner on Facebook, plus the tweets on Twitter outweighing the negative ones is evidence of our progress.
Then again, as Jon Stewart pointed out, listening to the pundits swiftly pivot to misogynistic objectification of the newly female image of Caitlyn, shows we still have a long way to go...
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Bigger Than Ferguson
Tonight's protests are not just about Mike Brown, Darren Wilson, the grand jury, Robert McCulloch and Ferguson, Missouri.
The roots of this distress are old; they run deep and wide.
I feel the echoes of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, the protests against the Vietnam War.
I also feel the rumblings of the more recent Citizens United and Voting Rights Act decisions in the Supreme Court.
As Michael Brown's parents wrote: "We respectfully ask that you please keep your protests peaceful. Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction. Let's not just make noise, let's make a difference."
May these protests be peaceful.
May good come from these actions.
With the internet there is the opportunity to communicate and organize. The Ferguson National Response Network is just one example.
The roots of this distress are old; they run deep and wide.
I feel the echoes of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, the protests against the Vietnam War.
I also feel the rumblings of the more recent Citizens United and Voting Rights Act decisions in the Supreme Court.
As Michael Brown's parents wrote: "We respectfully ask that you please keep your protests peaceful. Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction. Let's not just make noise, let's make a difference."
May these protests be peaceful.
May good come from these actions.
With the internet there is the opportunity to communicate and organize. The Ferguson National Response Network is just one example.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963
May he always be an inspiration; may he always spur us to action.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Election Day! What To Wear...
We can wear an evening gown or PJs with Bunny Slippers! Voting is what matters!
Live your values.
Love your country.
VOTE!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
You Had ONE Job...
So, the Federal Government of The United States of America has been shutdown.
Thank you Republicans.
The members of the US House of Representatives get paid $174,000 a year. (Some have argued that they aren’t paid enough. The theory being that if they were paid even more, then they would be less vulnerable to big-money, deep-pocketed lobbyists and corporations.) So there they are, getting paid handsomely for their time, as members of an extremely elite group, who have the power to make things better for not only their constituents but for all the citizens of our country and, often, for the whole world.
Did the Republicans do that one job? No. They worked very hard and very steadily to shut down the government. They started working on that job ages ago. Sorry guys (and it really is mostly older, white guys) that wasn’t the job description. That wasn’t what the Founding Fathers you claim to revere had in mind and it sure as hell wasn’t what the voters had in mind when they went to the polls last November.
Now that you Republicans have had your hissy fit, your temper tantrum, your break with reality, your frat-boy kegger at our expense, do what Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts said: Put on your big boy pants.
You have one job fellas. Do it.
Thank you Republicans.
The members of the US House of Representatives get paid $174,000 a year. (Some have argued that they aren’t paid enough. The theory being that if they were paid even more, then they would be less vulnerable to big-money, deep-pocketed lobbyists and corporations.) So there they are, getting paid handsomely for their time, as members of an extremely elite group, who have the power to make things better for not only their constituents but for all the citizens of our country and, often, for the whole world.
Did the Republicans do that one job? No. They worked very hard and very steadily to shut down the government. They started working on that job ages ago. Sorry guys (and it really is mostly older, white guys) that wasn’t the job description. That wasn’t what the Founding Fathers you claim to revere had in mind and it sure as hell wasn’t what the voters had in mind when they went to the polls last November.
Now that you Republicans have had your hissy fit, your temper tantrum, your break with reality, your frat-boy kegger at our expense, do what Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts said: Put on your big boy pants.
You have one job fellas. Do it.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
With humble gratitude to all who are serving now and all those who have gone before them.
With profound appreciation for those who gave their lives in service to our nation, in particular Uncle Carl.
We honor them all on Memorial Day.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
At Least Three Women, At Least One Child
We have all heard about it. We have all rejoiced because three women were found alive after disappearing years ago. But as the days tick by, reporters continue to swarm the neighborhood in Cleveland and the details flood the airwaves, I am growing increasingly concerned.
The level of detail being released by authorities leaves me profoundly uncomfortable. What happened to these three women in Cleveland, Ohio was horrific. I can only begin to imagine their pain - physical and emotional. At what point is the “public’s right to know” superseded by the needs and rights of these three women - and one child - to begin to recover and heal?
I have experienced a few painful and challenging situations in my life. To be clear, they are absolutely as nothing compared to what these women endured. But I only revealed what happened to me to a very few trusted loved ones. To the rest of the world I am a closed book; a blank slate; just another 54 year old woman living her life; out and about in the world. I shudder at the thought of strangers knowing the most painful details of my life. If I imagine going into a grocery store - a delightfully mundane task - and having damn near everyone know my story, well, that leaves me paralyzed.
Clearly these three women are very strong. They survived. They outlasted their kidnapper, abuser, tormentor, evildoer. Perhaps they will draw even more strength and courage from their community. Perhaps they will want to tell their stories - partly as catharsis; partly as inspiration.
But shouldn’t that be their choice?
The level of detail being released by authorities leaves me profoundly uncomfortable. What happened to these three women in Cleveland, Ohio was horrific. I can only begin to imagine their pain - physical and emotional. At what point is the “public’s right to know” superseded by the needs and rights of these three women - and one child - to begin to recover and heal?
I have experienced a few painful and challenging situations in my life. To be clear, they are absolutely as nothing compared to what these women endured. But I only revealed what happened to me to a very few trusted loved ones. To the rest of the world I am a closed book; a blank slate; just another 54 year old woman living her life; out and about in the world. I shudder at the thought of strangers knowing the most painful details of my life. If I imagine going into a grocery store - a delightfully mundane task - and having damn near everyone know my story, well, that leaves me paralyzed.
Clearly these three women are very strong. They survived. They outlasted their kidnapper, abuser, tormentor, evildoer. Perhaps they will draw even more strength and courage from their community. Perhaps they will want to tell their stories - partly as catharsis; partly as inspiration.
But shouldn’t that be their choice?
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Paul Sinks Ever Lower
Ron Paul lies - repeatedly - this time about Boston.
Lawrence O’Donnell calls him out.
Lawrence O’Donnell calls him out.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Shameful
The four Democrats who voted against common sense background checks were Senators Max Baucus, Montana, Mark Begich, Alaska, Heidi Heitkamp, North Dakota and Mark Pryor, Arkansas.
Image courtesy of the National Council of Jewish Women
Monday, March 4, 2013
Wealth - It Ain’t About The Law of Attraction
Oh how I wish this excellent - and deeply disturbing - video had been available during the zenith of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. I have read the statistics but have never seen such clear and visceral graphs. Well, we have it now. Let us share the wealth - of knowledge that is.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
I Still Wish...
I first wrote and posted this piece in 2007. My feelings have not changed. In fact I believe it bears repeating even more so this year after extensive and intense political wrangling and manipulation to get not just abortion, but most forms of contraception outlawed in this country. The re-election of President Obama is certainly important, but it has little bearing on the individual state legislatures.
It also must be clearly stated that abortion existed long before Roe v. Wade. Abortions have been performed for thousands of years. Abortion was legal in this country before we were even a country. Abortion did not begin to become illegal in this country until the mid-1800s. Ironically, abortion became illegal at the point that the medical profession began to understand and practice safer surgical procedures. Because of this criminalization, in the century leading up to Roe v. Wade in 1973, women regularly died of illegal “back alley” abortions. Now, such a death is rare.
Today is the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court Decision known as Roe v. Wade.
In light of this anniversary I have a few wishes to state:
- I wish, that from this moment on, no woman would ever have to make the decision to have an abortion.
- I wish all contraceptives, including the morning after pill, would always be readily available to all women.
- I wish that all young people would be taught age appropriate sex and health education.
- I wish that all young people would be taught that abstinence is a legitimate choice, at the same time they get clear information about all forms of contraception.
- And I wish that abortion would always be safe and legal and available to all women.
It also must be clearly stated that abortion existed long before Roe v. Wade. Abortions have been performed for thousands of years. Abortion was legal in this country before we were even a country. Abortion did not begin to become illegal in this country until the mid-1800s. Ironically, abortion became illegal at the point that the medical profession began to understand and practice safer surgical procedures. Because of this criminalization, in the century leading up to Roe v. Wade in 1973, women regularly died of illegal “back alley” abortions. Now, such a death is rare.
Today is the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court Decision known as Roe v. Wade.
In light of this anniversary I have a few wishes to state:
- I wish, that from this moment on, no woman would ever have to make the decision to have an abortion.
- I wish all contraceptives, including the morning after pill, would always be readily available to all women.
- I wish that all young people would be taught age appropriate sex and health education.
- I wish that all young people would be taught that abstinence is a legitimate choice, at the same time they get clear information about all forms of contraception.
- And I wish that abortion would always be safe and legal and available to all women.
Friday, January 4, 2013
We Do
This is beautiful, powerful and courageous - and it shouldn't be necessary...
For more information go to The Campaign For Southern Equality.
For more information go to The Campaign For Southern Equality.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sex Sells
Now that I have your attention...
Today is National Voter Registration Day!
Are you registered to vote?
Yes?
Excellent!
Well done!
Will you be voting in the upcoming presidential election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012?
Yes?
Excellent!
I’m really proud of you!
Wait - you’re NOT registered yet?
Take a deep breath. There’s still time.
Here are the deadlines for a few states where friends and family live:
Here in Massachusetts you have until Wednesday, October 17, 2012!.
In Georgia you only have until Tuesday, October 9, 2012!.
In Rhode Island you have just until Sunday, October 7, 2012!.
In Maine you have until Tuesday, October 16, 2012!.
In Arizona you have until Tuesday, October 9, 2012!.
In Washington you only have until Saturday, October 6, 2012!.
In California you have until Monday, October 22, 2012!.
Do you live in another state and need information on how to register?
Here you go:
National Voter Registration Day
RockTheVote’s voter registration
The United States Election Assistance Commission
HeadCount
TurboVote
And last, but not least, Huffington Post has Registration And Voting Instructions For All 50 States
psssst... Do Something!
Register To VOTE!
Layout by LMR/Pink Granite. Image: Library of Congress. Font: Apple Chancery and BlairMdITC TT . Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Mac.
Today is National Voter Registration Day!
Are you registered to vote?
Yes?
Excellent!
Well done!
Will you be voting in the upcoming presidential election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012?
Yes?
Excellent!
I’m really proud of you!
Wait - you’re NOT registered yet?
Take a deep breath. There’s still time.
Here are the deadlines for a few states where friends and family live:
Here in Massachusetts you have until Wednesday, October 17, 2012!.
In Georgia you only have until Tuesday, October 9, 2012!.
In Rhode Island you have just until Sunday, October 7, 2012!.
In Maine you have until Tuesday, October 16, 2012!.
In Arizona you have until Tuesday, October 9, 2012!.
In Washington you only have until Saturday, October 6, 2012!.
In California you have until Monday, October 22, 2012!.
Do you live in another state and need information on how to register?
Here you go:
National Voter Registration Day
RockTheVote’s voter registration
The United States Election Assistance Commission
HeadCount
TurboVote
And last, but not least, Huffington Post has Registration And Voting Instructions For All 50 States
psssst... Do Something!
Register To VOTE!
Layout by LMR/Pink Granite. Image: Library of Congress. Font: Apple Chancery and BlairMdITC TT . Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Mac.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Moyers On Alinsky & Gingrich
Bill Moyers has a fierce intellect coupled with a calm and dignified manner. Bill Moyers also has a way with words: "the malignant narcissism of duplicitous politicians". Oh how I wish I had written that!
In this brief video Moyers provides a biography of patriot Saul Alinsky, and why Newt Gingrich has chosen to demonize him.
In this brief video Moyers provides a biography of patriot Saul Alinsky, and why Newt Gingrich has chosen to demonize him.
Bill Moyers Essay: Newt's Obesession with Saul Alinsky from BillMoyers.com on Vimeo.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
I Still Wish...
I first wrote and posted this piece in 2007. My feelings have not changed. I believe it bears repeating and more so this year after extensive political wrangling to get not just abortion, but most forms of contraception outlawed in this country. Of course the balance on the Supreme Court remains key to this issue. Which means the upcoming presidential election is vital as well.
Today is the 39th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court Decision known as Roe v. Wade.
In light of this anniversary I have a few wishes to state:
- I wish, that from this moment on, no woman would ever have to make the decision to have an abortion.
- I wish contraceptives, including the morning after pill, would always be readily available to all women.
- I wish that all young people would be taught age appropriate sex and health education.
- I wish that all young people would be taught that abstinence is a legitimate choice, at the same time they get clear information about all forms of contraception.
- And I wish that abortion would always be safe and legal and available to all women.
Today is the 39th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court Decision known as Roe v. Wade.
In light of this anniversary I have a few wishes to state:
- I wish, that from this moment on, no woman would ever have to make the decision to have an abortion.
- I wish contraceptives, including the morning after pill, would always be readily available to all women.
- I wish that all young people would be taught age appropriate sex and health education.
- I wish that all young people would be taught that abstinence is a legitimate choice, at the same time they get clear information about all forms of contraception.
- And I wish that abortion would always be safe and legal and available to all women.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
STOP SOPA!
STOP CENSORSHIP!
VOTE NO ON SOPA!
SOPA - the Stop Online Piracy Act - is a mess.
The US House of Representatives bill has a catchy title. Who isn’t against online piracy - other than, well, pirates, right? The problem is it is a hodgepodge; a catchall written by power brokers and it is far too wide reaching. It is a huge blanket of censorship being thrown over the entire internet, with the potential to smother all the individual voices.
If SOPA passes, we will lose the individual and collective power of the independent voices of the internet.
If SOPA passes, we’re screwed.
Learn more - - - while you still can!
“Stop Sopa or the web really will go dark” by Dan Gillmor
Why is Wikipedia going dark on January 18, 2012?
(Go ahead and try to visit Wikipedia on January 18th and see what that feels like.)
Understanding SOPA
The Stop SOPA on-line petition and action page
psssst... Do Something!
VOTE NO ON SOPA!
SOPA - the Stop Online Piracy Act - is a mess.
The US House of Representatives bill has a catchy title. Who isn’t against online piracy - other than, well, pirates, right? The problem is it is a hodgepodge; a catchall written by power brokers and it is far too wide reaching. It is a huge blanket of censorship being thrown over the entire internet, with the potential to smother all the individual voices.
If SOPA passes, we will lose the individual and collective power of the independent voices of the internet.
If SOPA passes, we’re screwed.
Learn more - - - while you still can!
“Stop Sopa or the web really will go dark” by Dan Gillmor
Why is Wikipedia going dark on January 18, 2012?
(Go ahead and try to visit Wikipedia on January 18th and see what that feels like.)
Understanding SOPA
The Stop SOPA on-line petition and action page
psssst... Do Something!
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