elamink

Change is directly related to the past. If something once was, change is brought about by necessity. Changed can improve on or destroy what we have. It’s our choice,

We once took land by force, we forced labor by enslavement, we forced women into subservient conditions. The brute force that was once used has changed into legislation or social norms.

If we are to survive as a species, change is imperative. We were once making great progress. Civil rights laws, voting rights laws and non discrimination laws were enacted. Change was seen as necessary to most for the benefit of the species as a whole.

Of course, there has always been resistance to change.

Today, there are those who want to turn back to the past and erase the progressive changes that have taken place over the years.

These people are stuck in the past where oppression and discrimination were widespread and accepted by those in power. They have seized control through intimidation, violence and lies. They have twisted reality into a false narrative that suits their need to control.

Those who are most susceptible (for whatever reasons) to this kind of propaganda are not few. They make up almost one half of our country. How do we change the minds of these people.

We need to turn out at the polls and defeat backwards thinking politicians, we need truth tellers to speak loudly and frequently, we need politicians (and ourselves) to make people (not money) their first priority, we need religious leaders to profess and practice empathy, respect and equality for all.

Change is desperately needed; please take part in change.

How, Why… I Don’t Know, And Can’t 

I believe in some sort of creation, but I know it’s way beyond my comprehension, and to believe that it all came about because a being or “man” similar to my image said, “let it be so” just doesn’t add up in my meager brain’s collection of Neurons and Glia.

I suppose I am basically like a secular humanist, although…

I’m a Follower Of Any Religion Or Ideology That Preaches & Practices Peace, Love And Acceptance… No Hate and No Hell Allowed

The Republican Party is no more. It might as well be renamed the Wacky American Klan Party (WAK for short).

While I have never been a republican or subscribed to very much of their ideology, I acknowledge there have been those with decent moral standards and good intentions in the past.

As far as Presidents go, Lincoln, Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, Eisenhower, William McKinley and possibly Bush The Senior were essentially decent human beings. Maybe there have been more, I just can’t come up with any.

Today’s maga conservative party is nothing like the party of the Presidents I mentioned above. For the most part, today’s party leans more toward an authoritarian type of government than a democracy.

Some simply call them fascist, others mention the words racist, chauvinist, crooks, religious zealots, homophobic, transphobic, antisemitic and worse.

I just call them sorry ass human beings… That seems to cover all the bases.

We Owe This Woman An Awful Lot…

Senator Dianne Feinstein was behind the first congressional action on global warming; her bipartisan bill in 2001 helped set fuel economy standards for cars, trucks and SUVs. 

She also backed a bipartisan bill that was the first to offer legal protection to forests by expediting the reduction of hazardous fuels. 

In addition to her focus on the environment, Feinstein’s legislative accomplishments also include securing the extension of the Violence Against Women Act until 2027 and helping outlawing the use of torture by the CIA.

She also authored the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, which was in effect until 2004, and since then introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at banning or limiting the sales of assault weapons. It was an issue was she felt especially passionate about, having seen the impact of gun violence firsthand when her two colleagues were assassinated in San Francisco City Hall.

Feinstein also led an initiative for Breast Cancer Research Stamps, postal stamps that help raise money for breast cancer research. The proceeds have raised more than $100 million since 1998, according to her biography.

Feinstein once stood at the center of a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. Decades later, in death, she’s being lauded by LGBTQ+ leaders as a longtime ally who, if she didn’t always initially do the right thing, was able to learn and evolve.

Feinstein, a Democrat, voted against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which banned federal recognition of same sex marriage, and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that required LGBTQ+ military service members to stay in the closet.

“It makes no sense to ask our gay and lesbian soldiers to put their lives on the line, while at the same time asking them to live in the shadows,” Feinstein said in a 2010 statement when “don’t ask, don’t tell” was being repealed.

She will be sorely missed…

I Just Don’t Understand How People Can Support This Man Or Even Think He’s A Decent Human…

AP – “A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House.

Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engoron ordered that some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded as punishment, making it difficult or impossible for them to do business in New York, and said he would continue to have an independent monitor oversee the Trump Organization’s operations.”

While many unjust laws have been enacted regarding a woman’s liability relating to birth control and abortion, there are few, if any, laws (except regarding rape) relating to a man’s culpability regarding a female’s unwanted pregnancy.

Although I am not a lawyer or a politician, I am a fair minded individual who recognizes a man’s role in impregnating a woman and the responsibilities of his participation. I therefore propose the following for consideration:

Male Reproductive Liability Act

Proposed Law:

If a man (or transgender) ejaculates in or on a woman (or transgender) without her (their) written consent, he (they) may be held criminally and civilly liable for any pregnancy that results from that action.

The single biggest reason for unplanned pregnancy isn’t ineffective birth control — it’s from a couple not using any contraception. Ignorance of proper birth control methods and usage is not considered a legitimate defense.

No fault exemptions exist for criminal liability only; exemptions may include, but are not limited to the following: various birth control failures such as condom or barrier leakage, missed birth control pills and IUD or vasectomy failure. However, providing misleading birth control information or willful misuse will be considered criminal conduct.

Seems fair to me…

I’ve had just about enough of the whole trump-republican-maga-trial mess. There’ll just be a whole lot of pre-trial maneuvering for some time. It’ll cause headlines and much to do about nothing until and when actual trials begin or additional charges are made (when those will happen is anybody’s guess).

I think I’ll go lightly on the trial related post for now unless something big happens. There are plenty of other important issues facing us daily and I’ll focus more on those; hopefully with more good news and quirky things to boot.

I watched the entire Right-Wing debate tonight and here’s my reaction to the upside down world of republicans.

First, the audience was out of control for much of the night (big trump magas). Second, the moderators tried hard to keep things under control, but had a tough time on many occasions.

If these are the best examples of the future of the party, they are in trouble, and potentially, so are we. Such a cluster ****

Most of the candidates fall into one or more of my following categories based on their answers and posturing.

The Debate Card:
1 Buffoon
3 Blow Hards
4 Has Beens
6 Autocrats
6 Theocrats
2 Oligarchs
1 Fascist
1 Arseholeist
5 Bigots

Only 2 or 3 candidates had issues with mr trump running or becoming President. Most gave him a pass and kinda kissed-ass, Christie was the most anti-trump by far.

The only one that somewhat impressed me was Niki Haley. I don’t particularly care for many of positions and would never vote for her, but, at least she did have a few reasonably straightforward answers and wasn’t too off putting.

Translation: Get convicted in a Rico case in Georgia and there’s no soft life for you… Five Years Are Mandatory 

The best I can tell, there are around 100 criminal charges Mr Trump now faces in his four indictments. 

I’m no legal expert, but I believe he could be found guilty by a 12 vote to convict on any single count. Now, among other things, I have spent a 50 year career studying consumer statistics and probability and I think the possibility of Mr Trump beating all counts in every trial is unlikely (assuming they all actually are completed).

The Federal cases could be stopped or overturned by a pardon if the wrong person is elected President (heaven forbid), but the Georgia Rico Case can’t be dismissed or pardoned by the President if convicted.

We’re going to hear and see so much crap from the defense along the way that I, for one, am already sick of it. The only thing that will matter in the end, is was justice served and not bastardized by the defendant, the attorneys, the judge or the courts.

Our society and democracy will be changed forever if a guilty man doesn’t pay the price for his corruption.

Mr Trump’s ultimate judgement will likely be at the ballot box. It appears he will become the Republicans’ nominee, not withstanding the possibility of a dramatic backlash from the charges he faces (unlikely).

The ultimate pressure may be on us, the voters, so we must get out the vote like our future depends on the outcome… It does.

Take A Look Inside…

I wrote this poem about 40 years ago. Poetry is not one of my strong suits or better talents, but those were tough times for me. Depression, anxiety and panic attacks had taken me so far down I didn’t know how to climb out. 

I tried religion, meditation, therapy, medication, sex and the bottle, some with success, but writing and art turned out to be two of my more successful attempts at self discovery and recovery. I started a book (a kind of autobiographical fiction of 500 or more pages), but never finished it; this poem is all that survived my struggle.

If this is of any benefit to someone, I’m happy to share the poem. Just know, the path can be difficult, but small steps each day can help. There is always light to find within.

I’ve survived this world for 75 years now, some have been pretty shitty, some just OK and many outstanding, but today I can say… My life has been worth living and so is yours.

The Turnabout – wfe 1979 or thereabouts 

Yes; I know the feelings and I know how they started, For when you tried to hide you were called cold hearted.

You saw the reaction and closed the door, That those close to you could see no more.

People looked at you and said how grand, For you there’ll soon be the promise land.

They said you knew just who you are, But, then someone spoke and the window went ajar.

The thoughts flowed in like a raging river, With currents so swift they made you quiver.

You were carried along through darkened passes, Then thrust into the light without your glasses.

When a solid rock came into view, You reached out for the safety of something you once knew.

But the hold proved weak and you were off again, Looking for strength in ropes that were worn and thin.

You drifted along in an endless struggle, Looking for the object to penetrate your bubble.

You searched in vain for this tiny pin, Yet, the key to your prison will come from within.

When you learn to open that long closed gate, The tide will turn and deliver your fate.