A week ago, no one other than people who knew them directly personally knew who the Tennessee Three were. A week later the world knows who they are, and as Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Darth Vader as he delivered what he thought was the killing blow, "Now I shall be more powerful than you can possibly imagine." And they are. Today the governor…
A week ago, no one other than people who knew them directly personally knew who the Tennessee Three were. A week later the world knows who they are, and as Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Darth Vader as he delivered what he thought was the killing blow, "Now I shall be more powerful than you can possibly imagine." And they are. Today the governor was forced to issue an executive order establishing background checks for gun sales, and to ask his fellow Unreconstructed Confederates in the legislature to pass a "red flag" bill.
TC, Quoting a fellow subscriber, I write to “[t]hank you for expressing the right attitude—the only possible attitude—so perfectly.”
As for Jones, Pearson, and Johnson, continuing to quote: “May [their]…clear voice[s] be heard! May [they]… echo! May many million voices join with [theirs]…! May we all live to see the deep changes towards which [they discerningly]…urge us.”
'George Lucas Explains The True Meaning Of 'Star Wars'
'George Lucas made a surprise appearance at the Star Wars Celebration event in Orlando where he took part in a panel discussion on the film franchise.'
'The “Star Wars” creator outlined in an interview with actor Warwick Davis at the event Thursday what his beloved film series is really all about.'
“The idea was simply to do a high-adventure film that I loved when I was a kid with meaningful psychological themes,” he said. “I’m not supposed to say this, and I wasn’t supposed to say it then, but it’s a film for 12-year-olds.”
He explained:
“It was designed to be a film, like mythology, of: This is what we stand for. You’re about to enter the real world. You’re 12 years old, you’re going to go on into the big world, you’re moving away from your parents being the center of focus.'
'You’re probably scared, you don’t know what’s going to happen, and here is a little idea of some of the things you should pay attention to: Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing, living on the light side, avoiding the dark side. Those are things that it was meant to do.” (Huffpost) See link below.
Our oldest was so so taken by Star Wars, that at 12 he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He is now creative director for ILM, and has worked with so many like minded ppl who don't go to the dark side. :)
“Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing, living on the light side, avoiding the dark side.” Guess some Republicans haven’t seen the film… or didn’t get its message
💩Some💩 Republicans? Rose, can you name any repubs other than the Lincoln Project leaders who openly have opposed 🤡 manbaby orange overcomb? Wouldn't it be nice if any with cojones in Congress leave the party and change the balance in voting (which was caused by cheating and lies that 🤡 accused Democrats of). If any republican'ts woke up one morning and said-- my colleagues are wearing AR-15 pins in Congress which was physically and purposely attacked on January 6 led by a former president who is again running for office, who supports and defends Putin and other dictators, wouldn't it be nice!
'Star Wars' screenings around the country where Americans coalesce in 'Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing'. Now, what an extension to George Lukas' imaginings!
My father didn’t believe in owning a TV. We had books and music and nature walks and discipline and fair boundaries that gave us the courage to go forward as curious , creative and kind citizens. Parents are the directors of their children’s chances.
The truth, I was a Bambi fan and had to be carried out of a movie theatre at age three sobbing over the dreadful fire that killed Bambi’s mother.
Today my soul was set on fire watching “Our Universe” narrated by Morgan Freeman whose voice could be God’s voice!
In fairness to all 12 year olds I will watch “Star Wars”.🌈👏🏻🌍🪐🌙⭐️
I was pregnant when I went to the theater and slept through Star Wars. I never liked it and still don't. But I love Morgan Freeman and David Attenborough!
Bravo to your dad. My kids grew up barely watching TV - instead, they played outdoors. I myself lived without TV for many years, mostly the 1990s thru 2011. Now I'm retired and love Netflix. Skip Star Wars and watch "My Octopus Teacher."
Mary , “ My Octopus Teacher” is among my very,very favorite films.
Then, if you watch the episodes of “Animals” I think right about the 6 or 7th episode is about octopus. It is even better (promise) because it goes into deeper learning about this miracle Octopus creature! Hope you can see it. Netflix 🎶🦋👏🏻
These character traits; friendship, honesty, kindness, etc. are the crux of our S.E.L (social emotional learning) program at the school where I teach. And, yet another part of our education system the extremists are trying to squash. The entire Republican Party has gone to the dark side.
'Joseph Campbell's study of classic mythology influenced Lucas. Most famously, Lucas came to see Campbell as “his Yoda” after "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" inspired revisions of Star Wars that enhanced the archetypal qualities of its characters, the symbolic depth of its imagery, and the mythic structure of its narrative. As John Williams said, “Until Campbell told us what Star Wars meant […] we regarded it as a Saturdaymorning space movie” (starwars.com). The mythic structure he learned from Campbell, famously called The Hero’s Journey, has gone from Lucas’ secret weapon to an industry standard that can be seen in a majority of studios and franchises.'
It's interesting to see a book-length treatment of the psychological forces that drive the hero myths of civilizations being used as a protocol to sell movies. No wonder all American movies have come to all look alike. (grump)
PBS produced a wonderful miniseries where Joseph Campbell's book "The Power of Myth" was explored. It was narrated by Bill Moyers, who also interviewed Campbell, who died 3 weeks after filming concluded.
Well, it did so on the first one. The rest, not so much, though there's a sliding scale of "not so much" with the first trilogy at the bottom and the most recent two so stupid that I walked out of the first of them and avoided the last one completely. The first one and the first part of the second one with Yoda are the best parts of the series. Watch them and do whatever you want with the rest. The "corporatization" of Star Wars, and the "Disneyfication," have done what "corporatization" and "Disneyfication" do to anything: make it dumb and stupid.
TC you transported me to Star Wars early this morning because I wanted to understand your comment. It was a great flight and superb landing with Lukas' vision for the first Star Wars' movie before me. Ah, flights with you are always thrilling, TC. Thank you, 'plane -o' or was your first word, 'o-plane'?
I saw it when it first came out - I was in my early 20s. It’s never too late to learn those lessons (especially if you had a traumatic childhood). I was fortunate to have great and close friends beginning at an early age. We had great adventures - in our neighborhood! Life-saving
Dana, I have reconnected (via Facebook) with the family that lived 3 doors down from me; they were a blended family (5 boys, 4 girls) that missed only my grade in that 9; their cousin and I (a boy I had met in first grade, and we were fast friends) were in that grade. I credit this family with my success as a high school and college athlete. Star Wars was late for us (I was already in college, and 3 of that family were in the military) but the description posted above was exactly what we were about as a bunch.
Last night Joy Reid had Pearson on the show: he described the toxic environment of the TN house. And he’s right. In my limited interactions my experience has been they know they’re kings and who are you. (PS Tim Burchett, he of the “there’s nothing we can do” and “criminals will be criminals” and “you can’t legislate morality,” was in the TN state house and is now my “Representative.” This is what we in TN live with. I’m so proud of The Justins and Gloria Johnson, also from here, and I hope we’ll see lots more of them.
The 2 Justin's, MLM, are so well spoken, knowledgeable and previously were experienced organizers before they became Delegates and 2 of the "Tennessee 3" with Gloria, and now Rock Stars in the Tennessee legislature and known worldwide. Let's help them keep up the momentum for justice, gun safety and common sense laws for Tennesseans and spreading the word to other legislatures, for the rest of us! They are amazing young leaders!
Well, THAT was a revelation - an appalling one - and it's encouraging to find that there are people in TN who find this procedure anti-American/anti-democracy, and intend to fix it as soon as they can.
I cringe at the almost unavoidable abuse described by this report, unavoidable because that is the nature of the overwhelming power they sought and temporarily achieved. I cringe because on one hand, such opaque abuse of power can destroy a democracy. I cringe on the other hand because being unable to deliberate with enough safety and privacy that you can make decisions unpopular with collegues and voters (assuming that anyone still has a conscience over there) can also destroy a democracy.
I don't see any way around the fact that democracy requires a committment to itself strong enough that voters, citizens or leaders, are willing to lose while still having faith in the process.
“I don't see any way around the fact that democracy requires a committment to itself strong enough that voters, citizens or leaders, are willing to lose while still having faith in the process.” This! I read recently that there are 2 rules in life #1 Never quit! #2 Never forget #1!
Democrats in the Northern District need to come up with a different candidate. Golden in really a DINO, but he was actually better than the candidate the thugs put up this past November. [cue wail - "I wanted to vote for Chellie!"] I truly HATE having to vote for the lesser of two evils, but that was my only option this past November.
Sometimes that happens.....I had to vote for Kurt Schroeder a few times. Ugh. The only time I felt sorry for him was years ago when he was at the Salem Saturday Market trying to talk with constituents. There was one of the local anti abortion types there making it very difficult. But as with you, the R options were truly terrible like Tootie Smith, now the chair of the Clackamus (aka Clackastan) County Commission who just last week changed her vote so that a motel could not become a place for the unhoused. Someone or someones important to her campaign financing complained.
Right! As undesirable as he is, Bruce Poliquin was 100x worse. Hopefully enough in rural Maine will see the fascists for what they are with the lawsuits against their Faux News coming front and center
Maybe the best part of the Tennessee Three story is that now I hope -- I *know* -- that there are people like them in (almost?) every legislature in the country, even the reddest of red states, ready to stand up if the spotlight shines on them and doing the work until it does.
I’d like to think you’re right TC. I’d like to think this is an inflection point - for Tennessee, for the nation. But we live in an age of spin doctors and a 24 hour news cycle. Tennessee Republicans will work hard to slither past this without burning any further bridges in full view of a (mostly) appalled public. Then along will come the next “Chinese balloon” shiny object and Tennessee will slump back into unnoticed normality. With a supermajority. With no red flag law, even as they press other states to pass them. The ultimate “Do as I say” example.
I urge anyone to read “We’re Still Here: Pain and Politics in the Heart of America” by Jennifer Silva or “Raisiing Lazarus” by Beth Macy. In either book you will find an unbridgeable chasm between the poor, those with substance abuse disorder, and those who live daily trying to navigate personal violence. These people somehow manage to hold on to one core, highly personal, reason to live - one personal philosophy.
The saddest thing is that without exception they have zero faith in government and refuse to vote. America has kicked them to the curbside and doesn’t see them. They are still here though, a brilliant and meaningful abscess on the body politic.
They will not vote. The Democrats have one chance to put the Republicans out of their misery - and that is to go back to their roots as the party of the poor.
While I take heart from Tennessee, this is not systemic. Most of the Democrats are lost in the woods too - just not as deep and willfully as the Republicans.
When I was a step parent, my two step sons were at an age where, if they were upset (and there was reason for that to be true) they "acted out" by drawing on the wall of their room. When I spotted it, I made it clear I didn't like it. They kept doing it and I kept responding. I happened to do some "better person" training and realized I had set up a situation where the only "strokes" they got were negative, so they kept doing what got them the negative strokes. I stopped and started complimenting them on anything - no matter how small - they did that I wanted them to continue. Surprise surprise! After a while they stopped drawing on the walls. Today one of them has sons of his own, and he once told me he remembered that with me, and tries to practice it with his boys - who are turning out to be pretty amazing young men.
Complimenting someone for something, even when it's small and you don't think they'll do it again, can end up changing behavior. Not just in families.
I really appreciated the depth of thought in your comment. As a teacher, I always asked my classes (deliberately phrased in this direction), “ How many times are you complimented by your parents for each time you are praised?”
There would be a howl of laughter and one or more would inevitably say, “Phrase the question the opposite way”. They were almost all used to deluges of criticism.
And I parented from the get go on the “many compliments” theory. My wife took me in hand and educated me on that from the get go.
Anyway I’m not 100% sure I understand the relevance of your comment. I’m looking at the last sentence and guessing that you think my criticism was untimely. If so, I’ll certainly give that a second look.
In my SubStack “Cancel the American Dream” I write what I think is a well-researched, cogent analysis of America’s multiplicity of problems.
I find I’m getting sick of listening to myself, especially as I’m an outsider. So I’ve added a second set of articles, telling stories of what I find amazing about America.
There was no criticism of what you said; if it came across that way then I mis-wrote. I was meaning to say that no matter how small a step these politicians might take, and no matter how much we think/know they are doing it to weasel out and once the spotlight is off will return to their previous egregiousness, perhaps if they get complimented when they do the right thing no matter how small, they may discover they like getting the compliments which might lead to them continuing.
Wonder if the Faux News Cult has heard the Tennessee Three speak of their right to represent and be heard. So thankful for Dominion doing what was necessary. May Smartmatic add on and pile on.
A lingering question I have is why was Gloria Johnson the only other legislator to join Jones and Pearson in protesting? Kudos to her, but where were her colleagues?
Not only that, but the excellent investigative reporting of Popular Info has shined a big bright light on the cockroach Speaker of the TN House, Cameron Sexton. How do these scumbags get voted in to office?
A week ago, no one other than people who knew them directly personally knew who the Tennessee Three were. A week later the world knows who they are, and as Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Darth Vader as he delivered what he thought was the killing blow, "Now I shall be more powerful than you can possibly imagine." And they are. Today the governor was forced to issue an executive order establishing background checks for gun sales, and to ask his fellow Unreconstructed Confederates in the legislature to pass a "red flag" bill.
TC, Quoting a fellow subscriber, I write to “[t]hank you for expressing the right attitude—the only possible attitude—so perfectly.”
As for Jones, Pearson, and Johnson, continuing to quote: “May [their]…clear voice[s] be heard! May [they]… echo! May many million voices join with [theirs]…! May we all live to see the deep changes towards which [they discerningly]…urge us.”
'George Lucas Explains The True Meaning Of 'Star Wars'
'George Lucas made a surprise appearance at the Star Wars Celebration event in Orlando where he took part in a panel discussion on the film franchise.'
'The “Star Wars” creator outlined in an interview with actor Warwick Davis at the event Thursday what his beloved film series is really all about.'
“The idea was simply to do a high-adventure film that I loved when I was a kid with meaningful psychological themes,” he said. “I’m not supposed to say this, and I wasn’t supposed to say it then, but it’s a film for 12-year-olds.”
He explained:
“It was designed to be a film, like mythology, of: This is what we stand for. You’re about to enter the real world. You’re 12 years old, you’re going to go on into the big world, you’re moving away from your parents being the center of focus.'
'You’re probably scared, you don’t know what’s going to happen, and here is a little idea of some of the things you should pay attention to: Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing, living on the light side, avoiding the dark side. Those are things that it was meant to do.” (Huffpost) See link below.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-lucas-meaning-of-star-wars_n_58f04cd0e4b0da2ff85facfb
Our oldest was so so taken by Star Wars, that at 12 he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He is now creative director for ILM, and has worked with so many like minded ppl who don't go to the dark side. :)
WOW! How cool is THAT?!
“Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing, living on the light side, avoiding the dark side.” Guess some Republicans haven’t seen the film… or didn’t get its message
💩Some💩 Republicans? Rose, can you name any repubs other than the Lincoln Project leaders who openly have opposed 🤡 manbaby orange overcomb? Wouldn't it be nice if any with cojones in Congress leave the party and change the balance in voting (which was caused by cheating and lies that 🤡 accused Democrats of). If any republican'ts woke up one morning and said-- my colleagues are wearing AR-15 pins in Congress which was physically and purposely attacked on January 6 led by a former president who is again running for office, who supports and defends Putin and other dictators, wouldn't it be nice!
I wouldn't piss on a Republican if they were on fire.
Gigi, you are right.
I really don't like to generalize, Rose, but after all these years their silence is deafening. They stand for "I got mine and good luck to you."
'Star Wars' screenings around the country where Americans coalesce in 'Friendships, honesty, trust and doing the right thing'. Now, what an extension to George Lukas' imaginings!
My father didn’t believe in owning a TV. We had books and music and nature walks and discipline and fair boundaries that gave us the courage to go forward as curious , creative and kind citizens. Parents are the directors of their children’s chances.
The truth, I was a Bambi fan and had to be carried out of a movie theatre at age three sobbing over the dreadful fire that killed Bambi’s mother.
Today my soul was set on fire watching “Our Universe” narrated by Morgan Freeman whose voice could be God’s voice!
In fairness to all 12 year olds I will watch “Star Wars”.🌈👏🏻🌍🪐🌙⭐️
I was pregnant when I went to the theater and slept through Star Wars. I never liked it and still don't. But I love Morgan Freeman and David Attenborough!
Bravo to your dad. My kids grew up barely watching TV - instead, they played outdoors. I myself lived without TV for many years, mostly the 1990s thru 2011. Now I'm retired and love Netflix. Skip Star Wars and watch "My Octopus Teacher."
Mary , “ My Octopus Teacher” is among my very,very favorite films.
Then, if you watch the episodes of “Animals” I think right about the 6 or 7th episode is about octopus. It is even better (promise) because it goes into deeper learning about this miracle Octopus creature! Hope you can see it. Netflix 🎶🦋👏🏻
Thank you, I'll watch it tonight!
“My Octopus Teacher” is the BEST documentary I’ve ever seen!
At least the first one (now called Episode 4). The rest, not so much.
These character traits; friendship, honesty, kindness, etc. are the crux of our S.E.L (social emotional learning) program at the school where I teach. And, yet another part of our education system the extremists are trying to squash. The entire Republican Party has gone to the dark side.
'Joseph Campbell's study of classic mythology influenced Lucas. Most famously, Lucas came to see Campbell as “his Yoda” after "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" inspired revisions of Star Wars that enhanced the archetypal qualities of its characters, the symbolic depth of its imagery, and the mythic structure of its narrative. As John Williams said, “Until Campbell told us what Star Wars meant […] we regarded it as a Saturdaymorning space movie” (starwars.com). The mythic structure he learned from Campbell, famously called The Hero’s Journey, has gone from Lucas’ secret weapon to an industry standard that can be seen in a majority of studios and franchises.'
https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/joseph-campbell-heros-journey-2001-star-wars-1201937470/
It's interesting to see a book-length treatment of the psychological forces that drive the hero myths of civilizations being used as a protocol to sell movies. No wonder all American movies have come to all look alike. (grump)
PBS produced a wonderful miniseries where Joseph Campbell's book "The Power of Myth" was explored. It was narrated by Bill Moyers, who also interviewed Campbell, who died 3 weeks after filming concluded.
I loved that series! And had no idea that Campbell died so soon thereafter.
Well, it did so on the first one. The rest, not so much, though there's a sliding scale of "not so much" with the first trilogy at the bottom and the most recent two so stupid that I walked out of the first of them and avoided the last one completely. The first one and the first part of the second one with Yoda are the best parts of the series. Watch them and do whatever you want with the rest. The "corporatization" of Star Wars, and the "Disneyfication," have done what "corporatization" and "Disneyfication" do to anything: make it dumb and stupid.
TC you transported me to Star Wars early this morning because I wanted to understand your comment. It was a great flight and superb landing with Lukas' vision for the first Star Wars' movie before me. Ah, flights with you are always thrilling, TC. Thank you, 'plane -o' or was your first word, 'o-plane'?
It was, according to mommie dearest, "O-pane". :-)
I'll remember and write it down, just in case. Thank you, TCin not LA!
Guess I was too old to enjoy the Star Wars series once I saw the first one.
I saw it when it first came out - I was in my early 20s. It’s never too late to learn those lessons (especially if you had a traumatic childhood). I was fortunate to have great and close friends beginning at an early age. We had great adventures - in our neighborhood! Life-saving
Dana, I have reconnected (via Facebook) with the family that lived 3 doors down from me; they were a blended family (5 boys, 4 girls) that missed only my grade in that 9; their cousin and I (a boy I had met in first grade, and we were fast friends) were in that grade. I credit this family with my success as a high school and college athlete. Star Wars was late for us (I was already in college, and 3 of that family were in the military) but the description posted above was exactly what we were about as a bunch.
And it did it so well. And continues to do so
Last night Joy Reid had Pearson on the show: he described the toxic environment of the TN house. And he’s right. In my limited interactions my experience has been they know they’re kings and who are you. (PS Tim Burchett, he of the “there’s nothing we can do” and “criminals will be criminals” and “you can’t legislate morality,” was in the TN state house and is now my “Representative.” This is what we in TN live with. I’m so proud of The Justins and Gloria Johnson, also from here, and I hope we’ll see lots more of them.
On the path forward, please consider joining our Giving Circle, Tending To Democracy, https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy. We’re part of The States Project, and we have seen up close how desperately this state needs revision!
The 2 Justin's, MLM, are so well spoken, knowledgeable and previously were experienced organizers before they became Delegates and 2 of the "Tennessee 3" with Gloria, and now Rock Stars in the Tennessee legislature and known worldwide. Let's help them keep up the momentum for justice, gun safety and common sense laws for Tennesseans and spreading the word to other legislatures, for the rest of us! They are amazing young leaders!
This excellent report on TN “voice votes”shows the corruption that power can grow.
https://twitter.com/noliewithbtc/status/1645259456605827072?s=46&t=CX_bOzeU4s-6QHyRMXmUsw
Well, THAT was a revelation - an appalling one - and it's encouraging to find that there are people in TN who find this procedure anti-American/anti-democracy, and intend to fix it as soon as they can.
I cringe at the almost unavoidable abuse described by this report, unavoidable because that is the nature of the overwhelming power they sought and temporarily achieved. I cringe because on one hand, such opaque abuse of power can destroy a democracy. I cringe on the other hand because being unable to deliberate with enough safety and privacy that you can make decisions unpopular with collegues and voters (assuming that anyone still has a conscience over there) can also destroy a democracy.
I don't see any way around the fact that democracy requires a committment to itself strong enough that voters, citizens or leaders, are willing to lose while still having faith in the process.
“I don't see any way around the fact that democracy requires a committment to itself strong enough that voters, citizens or leaders, are willing to lose while still having faith in the process.” This! I read recently that there are 2 rules in life #1 Never quit! #2 Never forget #1!
TCInLA, thank you for your diligently work in cleaning up yet another fine mess someone else has gotten us into.
FYI, the 'Delaware Courts' has published a Public Notice for digital access to the "audio only" of the Trial of Dominion vs Fox News & Fox Corp.
I recommend reviewing Judge Eric Davis' pre-Trial Orders before taking a digital seat in the Courtroom. Popcorn OK.
Woo hoo!
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted against the red flag bill. Time to vote him out.
Democrats in the Northern District need to come up with a different candidate. Golden in really a DINO, but he was actually better than the candidate the thugs put up this past November. [cue wail - "I wanted to vote for Chellie!"] I truly HATE having to vote for the lesser of two evils, but that was my only option this past November.
Sometimes that happens.....I had to vote for Kurt Schroeder a few times. Ugh. The only time I felt sorry for him was years ago when he was at the Salem Saturday Market trying to talk with constituents. There was one of the local anti abortion types there making it very difficult. But as with you, the R options were truly terrible like Tootie Smith, now the chair of the Clackamus (aka Clackastan) County Commission who just last week changed her vote so that a motel could not become a place for the unhoused. Someone or someones important to her campaign financing complained.
She's one of the ones that I really detest.
Somehow Tootie fits her.
Right! As undesirable as he is, Bruce Poliquin was 100x worse. Hopefully enough in rural Maine will see the fascists for what they are with the lawsuits against their Faux News coming front and center
TC, thank you for once again adding to our knowledge—this time without gratuitous name calling.
Maybe the best part of the Tennessee Three story is that now I hope -- I *know* -- that there are people like them in (almost?) every legislature in the country, even the reddest of red states, ready to stand up if the spotlight shines on them and doing the work until it does.
I’d like to think you’re right TC. I’d like to think this is an inflection point - for Tennessee, for the nation. But we live in an age of spin doctors and a 24 hour news cycle. Tennessee Republicans will work hard to slither past this without burning any further bridges in full view of a (mostly) appalled public. Then along will come the next “Chinese balloon” shiny object and Tennessee will slump back into unnoticed normality. With a supermajority. With no red flag law, even as they press other states to pass them. The ultimate “Do as I say” example.
I urge anyone to read “We’re Still Here: Pain and Politics in the Heart of America” by Jennifer Silva or “Raisiing Lazarus” by Beth Macy. In either book you will find an unbridgeable chasm between the poor, those with substance abuse disorder, and those who live daily trying to navigate personal violence. These people somehow manage to hold on to one core, highly personal, reason to live - one personal philosophy.
The saddest thing is that without exception they have zero faith in government and refuse to vote. America has kicked them to the curbside and doesn’t see them. They are still here though, a brilliant and meaningful abscess on the body politic.
They will not vote. The Democrats have one chance to put the Republicans out of their misery - and that is to go back to their roots as the party of the poor.
While I take heart from Tennessee, this is not systemic. Most of the Democrats are lost in the woods too - just not as deep and willfully as the Republicans.
When I was a step parent, my two step sons were at an age where, if they were upset (and there was reason for that to be true) they "acted out" by drawing on the wall of their room. When I spotted it, I made it clear I didn't like it. They kept doing it and I kept responding. I happened to do some "better person" training and realized I had set up a situation where the only "strokes" they got were negative, so they kept doing what got them the negative strokes. I stopped and started complimenting them on anything - no matter how small - they did that I wanted them to continue. Surprise surprise! After a while they stopped drawing on the walls. Today one of them has sons of his own, and he once told me he remembered that with me, and tries to practice it with his boys - who are turning out to be pretty amazing young men.
Complimenting someone for something, even when it's small and you don't think they'll do it again, can end up changing behavior. Not just in families.
I really appreciated the depth of thought in your comment. As a teacher, I always asked my classes (deliberately phrased in this direction), “ How many times are you complimented by your parents for each time you are praised?”
There would be a howl of laughter and one or more would inevitably say, “Phrase the question the opposite way”. They were almost all used to deluges of criticism.
And I parented from the get go on the “many compliments” theory. My wife took me in hand and educated me on that from the get go.
Anyway I’m not 100% sure I understand the relevance of your comment. I’m looking at the last sentence and guessing that you think my criticism was untimely. If so, I’ll certainly give that a second look.
In my SubStack “Cancel the American Dream” I write what I think is a well-researched, cogent analysis of America’s multiplicity of problems.
I find I’m getting sick of listening to myself, especially as I’m an outsider. So I’ve added a second set of articles, telling stories of what I find amazing about America.
Always enjoy reading you T.C. :)
There was no criticism of what you said; if it came across that way then I mis-wrote. I was meaning to say that no matter how small a step these politicians might take, and no matter how much we think/know they are doing it to weasel out and once the spotlight is off will return to their previous egregiousness, perhaps if they get complimented when they do the right thing no matter how small, they may discover they like getting the compliments which might lead to them continuing.
Thanks TC.
One hopes…
Sizzlin, TC, sizzlin’ on the griddle.
Salud.
🗽
Indeed!
Wonder if the Faux News Cult has heard the Tennessee Three speak of their right to represent and be heard. So thankful for Dominion doing what was necessary. May Smartmatic add on and pile on.
A lingering question I have is why was Gloria Johnson the only other legislator to join Jones and Pearson in protesting? Kudos to her, but where were her colleagues?
I sure hope this continues in TN. Evoking Star Wars now... that is masterful.
Not only that, but the excellent investigative reporting of Popular Info has shined a big bright light on the cockroach Speaker of the TN House, Cameron Sexton. How do these scumbags get voted in to office?
https://open.substack.com/pub/popularinformation/p/update-tennessee-house-speaker-secretly?r=2xpfg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
🖖🏼