A year ago today, 46-year-old George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis as then–police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
The police seem not only determined to never take any casualties, they will barely even risk any casualties and instead shoot first, often to kill. That negative goal is actually one of the better explanations for their violence toward segments of the public. A worse case is that they are deliberately out to hunt people down. Dr R is right, America is waking up to the horrific role of lethal violence from the police. Yet a 5% increase in white support for BLM just seems pathetic compared what's needed. It's better than nothing, but hey, America, it's time to wake up and step up!! Fellow Americans are in mortal danger from having their legal rights violated. Memorial Day isn't just the traditional start of summer -- it's the start of the summer protest season!
I hate saying this as a veteran, but we should stop hiring the veterans of our imperial adventures as cops. Many of them have undiagnosed TBI and PTSD, and their experience of being able to kick down doors and shoot people with impunity was exactly the wrong kind of introduction to policing. Plus the racism against "ragheads" etc. they learned in those imperial wars was the cherry on top of the rotten icing.
As a veteran who lives in a town that has a highly militarized police force complete with the equipment (but none of the training or need - thanks so much G.W.) and the attitude that community service is beneath them, I agree wholeheartedly.
I also think anyone applying for police work needs a thorough background check and an initial psych evaluation to screen for suitability.
Hiring, along with clear and written standards for recruitment and a trial period before acceptance need to be required. Hiring practices must be addressed on a national basis.
Good ideas, but the (3-month) probation period already exists. Too bad that it's mostly a rubber stamp. The police seemingly will accept and protect any thug displaying the approved behavior -- respecting the Blue Wall; suspicion and/or hatred of minorities and any critics; conservative politics, including support for 1/45, etc. Too bad for the public in general, and BIPOC in particular.
Two major scandals currently engulfing the Boston PD illustrate the problem of no accountability for police Good Old Boys. The former longtime head of the BP Union has a long history of molesting children; the new, now suspended Commissioner has an older history of domestic violence. Both sets of offenses have been covered up, at high levels of city govt as well as the BPD. Search for "Boston Globe police scandal" to find plenty of reporting and opinion. Fortunately acting Mayor Kim Janey (1st Black, 1st woman) takes it seriously. It could spell trouble for Marty Walsh, who should be a good Labor Secretary.
Earlier today I read that police depts nationwide have been defunded of over $10 billion in the past year. That is progress. Hit 'em in the budget, it's the only place they feel anything!
Decertify police unions that shield bad cops. Do away with or severely limit qualified immunity (which should really be called near-total impunity). Decreased budgets without significant other changes only leads to slower and less effective policing where it's truly needed.
Exactly! It isn't enough to take the money away from policing. The money needs to be redirected to the programs and specialties that will do so much more to build and strengthen communities and the connections between people that make individuals and communities thrive.
Just for a reference, "$118bn was spent funding police forces in the U.S. in 2018, according to the Security Policy Reform Institute. It collectively makes American police forces the world's third-most expensive military organization, after the U.S.'s official armed forces and China's." https://bit.ly/2REhVkT
😳Whoa!😳 Makes me wonder what the citizenry reaction would be if this statistic became the lead story for a few weeks in every sort of legitimate news media.
I agree. They're trained in exactly the wrong ways to be police, and since their upper echelon in charge of their agenda(s) comes with the same history, the worst characteristics and actions are encouraged. Policing should never be us-versus-them!
"Too many people with hammers; all convinced every problem is a nail"
Or the equivalent of colonialists being paid for scalps of Indigenous Peoples. Lately it feels like there has been a contest among some law enforcement to see who can get away with murder.
Both Christy and Cathy have it right. Unlike lynchings of Blacks and massacres of Indians, there are no bodily trophies, but "the gratitude of their peers" is still sickening.
Think about it. Law enforcement are called out to every societal problem through the 911 system. They literally respond to every call. Heart attacks, mental health crises, robberies, misbehaving children in schools and homes, accidents, lost children, and loads of false alarms. The qualifications of a law enforcement person is often a high school diploma or equivalent. Then a few months at advanced training and periodic updated training after that. Yet they are required to come in contact with every type of angry, disturbed, frightened, dangerous, upset, and other quirky emotion person out there with a professional knowledge that one person with this history cannot possess. It's very similar to the educational situation in which one classroom teacher is required to teach 28-40 students with a wide variety of backgrounds, disabilities, family structures, abuse situations, poverty, lack of quality parental involvement, addictions, etc. In a school of 600 students there may be 1 or 2 social workers and one psychologist who focuses entirely on testing. It is an impossible situation. We need to change the initial qualifications and attributes of people entering law enforcement and provide adequate staffing to assist in differing situations.
I met a young school psychologist a year or so ago and as a former educator was very eager to hear about her job, thinking she must have counseling as part of her remit at the high school where she is employed. Nope! Her job totally focused on testing, she hated it, and she was thinking about looking for other work because she didn't have any chance to work with the students. Here was a young, Black, well-educated woman who had so much to offer - whose education was wasted on something the majority of teachers will tell you cannot reveal much about the intelligence, potential, or ability to learn of students. Standardized tests tell you how good the subjects are at taking standardized tests. Period. I had to use standardized testing when I was teaching ESL to adult immigrant and refugee students. What a waste of time.
We need to re-distribute tax monies from war-making to social systems. Just think what the cost of one military bomber could fund. Then consider one nuclear navy submarine; one battleship, etc. We are funding the military-industrial-political-0.9% instead of folks in need.
Minimum of 19 years of age, High School Graduate, CJSTC Law Enforcement Certificate, Valid Fl Driver's License, Must be eligible for bonding, and Basic computer skills.
Old enough to drive, but not old enough to drink. Young enough to be easily swayed by older officers and inculcated into "the way we do things", and young enough to be very cocky. Does not make me feel safe at all. A pod of older teenaged white boys will press my "caution" button more quickly than any other group I encounter.
No amount of formal academy training can undo the dire impact of the "real training," i.e. socializing into the ways of American policing. College Criminal Justice programs and the academy include lessons to humanize policing, but it's easy to ignore them when compared with the relentless socialization.
Hammers work well with nails, not as efficient with screws, not at all efficient with bolts, and what the heck do you do with a garden trowel? (My pet analogy).
TC, as a 30 year retired cop, I agree with you 100%. I have worked with some amazing Veterans, from Korean War up through GWOT. I see a very different cadre coming through these days who reflect some of the experiences you mention.
Excellent point! Though that seems a stereotypical criteria. Better that they all be screened for narcissistic, racist and bullying personality traits? I think some organizations do require such?
Yes, I know two young men, one of color, who want to be police because they want the power of having a Glock. I counseled one's girlfriend on what police are actually supposed to be doing and the Glock is the last draw after all other measures have been tried to Keep the Peace. Like skills in ascertaining mental health issues, diplomacy and de-escalation skills might actually save lives. Or tazing rather than shooting to kill. Chokeholds and other forms of torture or destruction such as landmines should become extinct in our future new world, once the political troglodytes of insurrection and seditionist and their leaders have migrated to the tarpits of time.
Thank you TCinLA. You are, sadly, very correct. Not the right people for policing. And a good example of what our imperial adventures have done to those who have served---tragic. I have a relative who suffers PTSD and effects of Agent Orange and other chemicals from Viet Nam. It has been a terrible burden for him and his family.
Thanks for your concern, Kasumii. He has the care he needs now, but years back it was a struggle for his wife to manage things (web, reading, no travel for years (loud noises, etc.) Thanks so much for your comment on police force in your town. I have a friend who does psych eval tests for fire and police departments. He has some stories, shall we say.
No. That concept is from the movies and bs propaganda. There are rules and laws concerning killing and taking of prisoners in combat. Military personnel are not trained - or shouldn’t be - to be mindless killing machines. There is so much more to being in the military than that socially constructed, ridiculous saying.
This is particularly the case with BIPOC folks because we have seen numerous examples of white people brandishing guns and killing people who were arrested without "incident" by cops. Here in western MO/eastern KS we are learning more about a number of police killings that were highly irregular and suspicious, including one in which the parents of a suicidal teenager called 911 and SAID to the dispatcher that their child was suicidal. The kid was brandishing a WATER PISTOL. The cops shot him a dozen times. Although the cops involved have been suspended, they are still in uniform and still being paid. In the meantime, the city council and mayor voted in favor of moving a small portion of funds from the police force and into a fund to be used for mental health services, to hire more social workers, and to develop better and more effective community organizations to improve the situation especially on KC's east side, which is largely Black and poor/working class. The Ghastly Ones immediately started screaming that Mayor Lucas was "defunding" the police, aided by the execrable governor, Mike Parson. The KC police department is not controlled by the mayor and city council--it is overseen by the Ghastly Obstructionist Party-controlled state legislature. However, we pay the taxes that pays for city services, including the police. So the funds can be distributed as the mayor and city council sees fit. Mayor Lucas is scrappy and he doesn't back down from a fight; the white rightwing criticism is barely blanketed with an illusion of "moral" outrage, but it is in actuality racist propaganda and deliberate misinformation.
A small correction: the child was brandishing a BB gun--completely harmless except at point blank range. And an update: the Police Board of Commissioners wants to sue Mayor Lucas because, as they state it, they want "total, unfettered control over police budgets." So that places the issue right up front: they want total lack of accountability and they don't want the situation in KC to improve. As the mayor said, the police budgets have gone up every year and the murder rate in the city has too: so what are they doing to help stem crime????
Unfortunately, everything Linda said is true. I don’t live within the city limits of KCMO, but am surrounded by it. Mayor Lucas is very smart. I pray that he will succeed in righting this wrong.
This is awful, Linda! All professionals should be held accountable to an impartial authority. There can be no law and order with a lawless police force!
I live in a small community and receive a bimonthly crime report. “Crimes against persons” are almost always, with a rare exception, listed as “family violence.” I wonder if the police department has social service or mental health staff? Something for me to f/u on.
Family violence is the most frequent form of crimes against persons (which should also include sexual assaults of both spouse and children). I doubt your local agency has those resources you mention; it is one of the things that would be best addressed by looking at the underlying situation (housing/food insecurity, substance abuse, and mental health issues were present in almost every DV arrest I made.)
DV = Domestic Violence. And yet, look how against the "violence against women" act most of the GQP is.
Criticism of efforts to include money for social service and mental health staff in police budgets is mischaracterized as "defunding" the police, rather than recognizing it as a part of the law enforcement function.
Dang, that is an awful situation. I'm not sure how the balance between the purse strings of the legislature and the management by the city would work well in any way.
I am not so sure protesting in the streets is the answer. In one of her lectures, Dr R talked about the 60’s with the young progressives marching in the streets while the movement conservatives ran for school board, city Council, etc. Let’s be smarter this time around and spend our time going to school board meetings, City Council meetings, registering people to vote and connecting with our neighbors in garden and book clubs, running for office and attending rally’s supporting candidates we believe in and using our money to actually help others and elect candidates we believe in.
We also need to be much smarter in framing the issues. “Defunding police” sounds draconian but demilitarizing them is absolutely understandable. Americans don’t know what socialism is - they don’t equate it with their Medicare or social security.
I have always used "refocus" the police, and to use a tool box analogy; when you are a hammer, you treat every problem like a nail. Works great with nails, not as well with screws, and completely inept dealing with bolts or garden trowels. Today's cops, by training, selection, and temperament are good in many things they do; just don't make them do the things they're not good at.
I've used this many times when talking with cops: how many times have you walked away from a call saying "I'm not a damn social worker" or "they don't need a cop, they need help finding a house/job/daycare" or "how the heck are we supposed to solve that kind of a problem"? The answer to that question is "nearly every day."
I have said to let the cops do what they're good at and trained for, and not have us take our hammer to a call where a bolt is the problem.
This is a much better way to have a discussion about this hotbed issue. Using a simple analogy everyone can understand. Also highlights how even police will agree that many (most?) situations need “public service” rather than law “enforcement.”
Refocus is certainly a better analogy, Ally. And I think that likely most cops feel the way you do. Wondering though, if perhaps when adding additional people to the social/safety parts of the job - I think those people should be able to comprehend WHEN the issue goes beyond social assistance and needs law enforcement. In specific cases It could go just as badly in the opposite direction as these disasters happening now. Needs to be education and training on both sides of this if it is going to be successful.
Agree. Language matters. Too often a slogan is made so quickly without enough thought about how the opposition can, and will, turn those very words against the cause they were intended to help. Exactly as it happened in this instance. Repub folks instantly turned that slogan into “leaving communities unprotected,” which was not at all what the original suggestion was meant to do. Sad that such a needed change has been foolishly weaponized.
Sure we can. We can start by demilitarizing the police, and by talking about the kind of police we really need - to town councils, to legislatures, to mayors, congresspeople. Loudly and consistently, so the point gets across. Demilitarizing our culture can follow from that. We have to start with what is accessible.
We absolutely can. Perhaps then “Peace Officers” will speak up and take a stronger stand on “demilitarizing” the militarized cult of #45. Police unions have power. They could start using that power to support life instead of murder
This is a root problem for me with the over-weaponizing of America that has happened over the last 30 years by my reckoning. Namely, its become an arms race. As the population becomes more heavily armed, the police are obliged to increase their level of weaponry and distrust during interactions with citizens for their own safety. It's a vicious spiral with terrible consequences for community, and I lay it right at the feet of the NRA.
I cannot tell you how many of my white family, friends, and acquaintances react very badly to "defund the police." We had a police intention in my city to purchase a tank-like vehicle. Loads of letters, emails, and an actual protest got the purchase nixed.
Right. When I first heard the term "Defunding police", I thought that makes no sense. It's a vague and inflammatory comment without any qualifications attached. I sometimes wonder who chooses those phrases and then gets them carried by the media. Also, when a party or politician is marked as makes a vague comment like "cut social security."
The right uses the fearfulness of their base to win on issues, and it’s just malpractice on the part of the left to ignore this and double down on language that hurts our causes ( and the country ) in the end.
In Florida, under mini-Trump control, we got a new law taking away local control of budgeting for police. The law prohibits reduced funding for law enforcement without state approval!
Great point Elizabeth! Nothing wrong with protesting but not at the expense at all those things you mention. We must be active and involved in government locally first and foremost
Nonviolent protest isn't a panacea, but certainly is part of the answer. Our Youngers of today are less likely to "drop out" of the system (or drop acid) than when we, Baby Boomers in my case, were the Youngers.
I remember sitting in on a conversation in the report writing room one time between one of the old school (1970-1990) cops talking with some of the young turks of the mid 1990's, just as I was starting to get involved as a Use of Force instructor, right at the beginning of the "Officer Safety" movement. This guy (who I never really hit it off with, but was still good to work with) said "Ya know, sometimes you just have to fight the guy; even if he resists, you just can't kill him for that." That stuck with me, and is really profound when you look at where we've gotten with the now popular "Warrior Mentality" prevalent in law enforcement.
I was taken aback by the 5% increase in white support, also. It is time for all Americans to wake up and pay attention to systemic racism that is rampant across our nation.
I also thought thats a really little piddly increase, considering all the white faces in those protests across the country (and world). Doesnt seem that could be correct.
A 5% increase in white support for BLM does indeed feel pathetic. I wonder what the support rate was prior to the very visual murder of George Floyd. As cell phone cameras (and even video cameras - remember the video of Rodney King's beating and maiming by LAPD) have been recording police brutality for many years now, I would hope that support was already substantial. We've seen police violence - particularly against Black folks, but not limited to that section of our population - our entire lives (those of us in our 60's should at least remember Watts, even if we were too young to be aware of earlier anti-segregation violence in the south). But much of the violence and brutality of the civil rights era came to us in edited snippets, rather than the full-length concentrated recordings that citizen observers post on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and other social media. Maybe the videos taken by ordinary citizen observers rather than reporters is finally breaking through that theatrical fourth wall created by the carefully edited and curated "news" we saw on our TV screens in the era before we all had a video camera in our pockets.
Once in a while, and it is very rare, I read a comment by a highly respected subscriber, which appears to be too extreme to me. My experience as resident of NYC, an active member of civil rights organizations, knowledge of police brutality and interactions with law enforcement years before the use of cell phone cameras, I would not make a claim, such as yours:
'The police seem not only determined to never take any casualties, they will barely even risk any casualties and instead shoot first, often to kill. That negative goal is actually one of the better explanations for their violence toward segments of the public.'
With many others, I support basic changes to policing from hiring to qualified immunity. There are innumerable cases of the police acting as hit squads against minorities, particularly Black men. Disrespect for minorities is common. There are many more than a few bad apples. I demonstrated in cities where the police were particularly frightening. Most, American people, including progressives, don't have any idea of how lethal the police can be. Withal, I think that your comment wrongly labels the majority of them.
Thank you for beginning with the extraordinary death of a very ordinary human being. Truth be told, neither I nor many other US citizens will ever forget the name of George Floyd. Like so many African Americans before and after him, George Perry Floyd, Jr. did not deserve to die, and certainly not in the manner in which his death was executed. No one deserves that manner of degradation -- no human being, no living being, merits the torture of being deprived of air for 9 minutes and 29 seconds for having passed a $20 counterfeit bill.
George Floyd lived, loved, and was loved. What gave callous, vainglorious Chauvin the right to use his whiteness as a weapon of misperceived justice? George Floyd may not have been a perfect man, but he was a living soul -- he deserved the chance to better himself, to fulfill his dream of seeing his children grow, graduate, marry, and have their own children -- to live through that very basic, very natural cycle of life. He was not given that opportunity because of racism and bigotry.
How much more racism and bigotry are we willing to witness before the final ENOUGH? Some southern states want to ban race theory from their classrooms in order to avoid teaching their children to hate their country -- what is more important, to be disappointed in your country or to despise and degrade other human beings because of the color of their skin? What kind of human beings do we want to send forth into the world?
It’s very interesting to hear from young children what they learn at home. I taught kindergarten in Ohio in 2000-2001. We were learning about who the presidents were, as in a short list of their names. One little boy piped up and said, “My dad says Bill Clinton is a white tailed doofus.” I’m sure he heard a comment his dad made, and l doubt it was directed at the boy. Of course, children think their parents are speaking truth. Teaching children to hate handicaps them.
Thank you David, the first time I saw “South Pacific”, I was a young person. That song was so powerful, as a child I got it’s meaning. I’m 75 now, and ever time I see the movie, that song says it all, “you have to be carefully taught”.
My Granddaughter was asked by a friend, “who did your parents vote for”? She knowing that the girls parents were big dt supporters lied and told the girl “my parents voted for dt as well”! My Granddaughter did not want to loose her friend.
Both girls are 8. And so it goes on. Children are being carefully taught.
Truth! In my experience, however, many young people in Alabama aren't buying the race card. I'm the "crazy aunt" to whom they share what they don't want their parents to know. If you are an Amazon Shopper (not promoting Amazon), you can make purchases through its Amazon Smiles platform and direct donations to the Equal Justice Initiative based in Montgomery, AL and known for its "Lynching Museum."
Kelly, 'crazy aunts' rock! It is really important for kids to have that one special adult in their life who accepts them unconditionally. And keeps secrets!
Don't make assumptions re whether George knowingly passed a counterfeit bill. Web search reveals the $20 bill is the most common counterfeit bill and that as many as 60% in circulation could be counterfeit. Fraud is a "specific intent" crime, meaning the act must be knowingly to be a crime. This is likely why isolated events of passing counterfeit bills are treated with a ticket and a fine. Law enforcement resources are better spent on the kingpins who are engaged in producing and placing into circulation counterfeit bills.
Most of the people I know in Alabama say they don't believe racism exists. These people are afraid of change and view attempts to highlight racism in their world in order to appeal for change as a threat. In their mind, if POCs (persons of color) are given more rights, white people lose rights. This "zero sum game" regarding rights must be exposed for the illogical argument that it is. All citizens have rights and those rights must be protected. maybe Kristen Clarke will make a difference. She was approved by the Senate yesterday.
I can easily agree with the statistic on counterfeit bills. For many years my husband and I ran a small cafe in a small town, high tourist area. During that time we had two instances of receiving counterfeit bills - both times it was a $20. And both times it wasn’t discovered until after making the nightly deposit; the bank would send a notice that they’d changed my deposit by deducting the twenty. We lost revenue and could do nothing about it.
(We tried using the special marking pens for a while (they look no different than a felt-tipped marker) but few staff could/would take the time to use it during a meal rush. Someone even tossed one away once thinking it was a dried up felt-tipped marker).
"Today we learned that the Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., has recently called together a special grand jury to hear a number of cases, including whether to indict former President Trump, other people in charge of running his company, or the Trump Organization itself."
This is the news I've been waiting for, and what I believe the former president has been most afraid of. I suppose it is unlikely that we will see a public trial on tax/bank/insurance fraud and a simultaneous congressional Jan. 6th Insurrection investigation as we approach the 2022 election, but we might. Wouldn't it be nice to see all those chickens coming home to roost at the same time.
From your keyboard to god's ears. Unfortunately, if I were an odds-maker, I would predict that, as to those three possibilities, the odds-on likelihood is maybe, probably not, and almost certainly not. He will successfully delay and file endless motions and appeals. The one ray of hope is if someone central to the investigation takes a plea and provides truly damming evidence. Here's hoping!
Agreed, and I think it’s safe to say that SDNY will spread the indictment will name a number of people in the organization who, faced with serious jail time, may testify.
That would be the hope. But Trump has been so good over the years at covering his tracks and obfuscating that I really wonder if Vance or anyone else can successfully put him in prison before he dies. He is old and clearly unhealthy.
Perhaps the old DJT will not outlive the indictments, but if the younger DJT and a whole passel of others involved are indicted, convicted, incarcerated, and required to surrender ill gains and pay reparations, I'll be satisfied.
Darnella Frazier's letter, read on media tonight, was quite moving, reflective, and truly sad. She is a brave young one. The conviction of the primary murderer is an exception, not the rule. When conviction becomes the rule, we will have made some progress. When we de-militarize our police, that will be progress.
When Manchin and Sinema publicly beg for the Republicans to join them in voting for the Jan 6 investigation, and one is to be found, perhaps they will have provided themselves cover with their electorates. Whither, integrity?
Cheers for Vance and the tedious process of legal investigation! May the force of truth be with them.
I suspect some backlash for the party operatives who have allowed the voting machines to be defiled. What a costly error in stupidity. Count the broken laws and regulations regarding chain of custody, etc., with voting records.
As idjt holds himself in his elevated malignant narcissist stance, throwing everyone else under the proverbial bus, his claimed divinity must be put to rest. Time for Congress to clarify that no one is above the law. The response of the court will be most interesting.
Wonder when the "Proud Boys" will begin to understand how they are being used. Manipulated just like the rest of the cult followers: means to the ends of others.
Gratitude, Heather, for your weaving our story into coherent narrative.
If the two worthless DINOs were serious with their BS, they would tell the Republicans that if they do not see some "serious activity" over on that side, that "our opinion could change." So long as Joe says that regardless of the outcome of the vote on the 1/6 commission he will support the filibuster, they know they can get away with it. But the two DINOs are so bad they make Collins and Rmoney look "not that bad."
Manchin keeps putting himself out on a limb from which he may not be able to get down. By continuing to say in such strong terms that he will never vote to get rid of the filibuster, he leaves no room for him to back down if necessary. Better to keep his mouth shut.
What do I think of Manchin and Sinema publicly begging for the Republicans to join them in voting for the Jan 6th siege on The Capitol? My eyes squint in an attempt to see them clearly. What do they see clearly -- protecting their power and prestige as United States' senators, the Constitution, the right to vote, the roles of their fellow elected representatives and the former president in the attempted insurrection on the United States of America ?
'Cheers for Vance.....' He gets no cheers from me. He's been the District Attorney of New York County since January 2010 and Robert Morgenthau before him. How much time have they had to investigate Trump and his ilk? Why have these real estate developers gotten away with murder? Why have the rich gotten away with not paying their fair share of taxes and bleeding the rest of us? Maybe they really aren't supposed to pay their 'fair' share of taxes. How have the lawyers helped our democracy? How have they tipped the scales of justice?
I have known Barbara Cegaske for years. As a Democrat in Nevada, I have voted for Barbara whenever she has been up for election and I support her in everything she has accomplished. I cross the aisle when the Republican candidate is far better than anything or anyone else. She is beyond ethical and has ALWAYS done the right thing. Even when she is attacked by her own party she shows class and common sense. Shame on the Republican Party for try to defame a woman whose priority is the State of Nevada and it’s constituents.
I sometimes wonder, if a word count was possible, how many times in all media during 45's term was the word "unprecedented" used in connection with him? I for one will likely never again see or hear that word without the taint of 45, nor also without a sense of relief that he was indeed "un-Presidented" by the American people. 🤯 I just hope he gets the consequences that he deserves.
Sleep well! 💜
"That a grand jury is considering whether a former president committed a crime is unprecedented."
Tonight was a lot to unpack—and we seem to have a lot to process constantly. HCR, it's a relief to get this pertinent information from you. I especially appreciate how you cull and gather the important events from the day. I'm so grateful to hear your measured and intelligent voice in the midst of situations, events, and details that feel challenging (and sometimes out of reach). Thank you for remaining solid and dedicated.
Thank TPJ, especially for the link to the song. 'We shall walk.' reminded me of 'We shall Overcome'. It was the first time that I heard Odetta sing it. Is it a version of Bob Dylan's 'Paths of Victory'? The lyrics are very close.
Paths of Victory was an outtake from Dylan’s album, The Times They Are A-Changin’. The original recording is on The Basement Tapes along with tons of other gems 😉
Earlier tonight, a friend came up with a very useful analogy about FOX News. She believes the network functions as a "one-room schoolhouse" where every pupil comes from a troubled home.
I totally subscribe to an overview that EVERY Trump voter grew up in a home with at least one horrifically troubled parent, whether the "unions" that produced them were composed of educated, affluent men and women or the worst kind of redneck, racist trash. Just think ... 74 million sets of parents, 100% devoid of decency in the truest sense of the word. (And to think that people talk about "black parenting" as an American problem. LOL.)
Gently, now. People are not trash. As someone who grew up being called 'redneck white trash' I understand the temptation. But that is racist.
I hold fear of those 'good ole boys' who would just as soon off me as look at me because I'm a Lesbian. I have avoided Alabama over 20 years due to the rampant fundamentalism and willful ignorance.
The "New South" can be found in large metropolitan areas, but in rural spaces, children are still being taught fundamentalism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc.
The culture is sick. I don't have a recommendation other than kindness.
You have a point about characterizing the 74 million who voted for tRump. But as a child of Holocaust survivors., we CANNOT lay down and play dead by just accepting Trumpism and its racist awfulness. That is exactly what many of my direct relatives did...and where did that get them...the gas chambers of Europe! I will continue to call these horrid people out. I, personally, will never let this brand of fascism stand unchallenged. And will defend my right to do so!
In complete agreement, Mariann. Naming, calling it out, challenging the racist awfulness, yes. A thousand times, yes. I can't be safe living in those sick spaces. You, and all of us, need to challenge and speak out. Not necessarily in their faces.
Women, children, POC--if we don't "know our place" and behave as chattel in the presence of these creatures, are seriously at risk of physical harm. As an 'uppity' child, the experience of corporeal abuse led to a blessed early departure. I'm just saying that the culture is not safe space. Not that there is actual safe space, but many are safer than others.
I agree also, but thinking about the current road rage, mask rage, vaccine rage etc etc - the quantity of mass shootings - I know I would be hesitant at speaking out in one of those situations - I have to be honest as an 83 year old woman- lets face it - any single lone woman at any age - can be at risk of physical harm - as you said Kim. I admit I AM more outspoken than I was when I was younger, but the circumstances getting involved in any kind of dispute - domestic or otherwise? Much hesitation.
Well, Maggie, that is what I see as wisdom. One of the basic teachings of nursing education was the notion that one must take care of the self first. Otherwise, one would be unable to care for others. No matter what age, this remains a truth. Strategic interventions have become more important as I age.
One-way contractual relations! The real thing requires an ability to give and he only knows how to take....and he's been taking all his life trying to make up for its absence.
Are you familiar with the Buddhist concept of the Hungry Ghost? It's a being with a huge hunger and a tiny mouth, so it's perpetually unable to quell its appetite. When I think of Trump and his craving for love, that metaphor always springs to mind. While repellant, he is also pathetic.
Exactly … hungry ghosts, the gaki ... spirits condemned to eternal hunger ... in a state of perpetual thirst and lick the drops of spilled water in a temple cemetery.
kimceann, I agree our culture is not healthy. Kindness and compassion are a good place to start. I also think the most horrid parts are beginning to self-destruct.
One thing that is helpful to remember is that racism isn't inherited as much as it is taught. How do we stop this? Perhaps it is finally, slowly, slowly happening.
OMG ... Google just informed me that the lines in the anti-racism cartoon I remember from my youth were lifted from the famous Broadway hit, "South Pacific" ... from incredible song by Rogers and Hammerstein, "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught". As I said, if there has actually been any TRUE progress in individual racist white supremacist hatred in America, it has been glacial at best. And at worst ... worst than ever.
Hard to believe, but on my family's first television set in the 50's, there was a public service animated cartoon about racism that played quite often. It included the following lines: "They start off when you're young teaching you how to hate, like before you are six or seven or eight". In those days (this was in deep south Louisiana, btw), there was NOTHING hateful on TV ... now, there is almost NOTHING played in over half the homes in America except hate-filled propaganda on FOX and other copycat Fox networks, not to mention daddy and mommy and PeePaw and MeMaw glomming on to hate radio during trips to school, Disney World, etc. Progress is glacial, to be sure .... but the reality is that children who grow up with hater parents are more likely to end up as Republican racists than in my generation. Discouraging, to put it mildly.
The 'one-room schoolhouse' metaphor makes total sense. It explains the bubble of deliberate ignorance they live in today. (And yes I did go to a one-room schoolhouse for a couple of years)
Just a quick personal note to y'all, since folks on here are kind of in a little "neighborhood", of sorts. I haven't been on much in the last couple of days and probably won't be for a little while. My mom, who I have cared for and seen to for the past 13 years (the last 10 with just her), passed away yesterday morning at the age of 97. Needless to say I am devastated as she has been the main focus of my life since my dad's passing in 2011. Of course, as those of you who've been through these things before know, there's a LOT of stuff, material and mental, to work through. No matter how much one prepares (I mean, she was 97!), the actual event can leave you reeling. Being a hyper-sensitive, emotional, artist who is too cerebral for his own good, all the feelings come rushing at you in a tidal wave. In this all-too-silent house now I am allowing myself to grieve and to do a lot of thinking and reflecting about my mom's long life. There have been weepy moments aplenty--and will be for a while yet--but also a lot of happiness and pride in what she did with her life and how it affected other people. She was moderately well known among the old guard of the medical community here as being a top-notch nurse. I know she was very highly regarded (I'm finding out now just how well she was thought of with the ongoing outpouring of sympathy) and I can't say how much that lifts my broken heart. She lived to serve. To help. To save lives. To help heal. She did it out of a sense of duty, not expecting anything in return. She won awards and stuff, but they essentially didn't mean much to her. Her nursing colleagues here consider her one of those "unsung heroes" that just do their jobs and quietly, gently show by example. But this little 90-some-odd-pound woman had an enormous impact on the nursing community here--or so I am told. However, she did what she did out of love. Pure and simple. And she passed on that love to my brother and me. We were truly truly blessed.
With these and other thoughts swimming about in my head, I find I simply cannot face current events and fights right now. It intrudes harshly into the aura of peace and love and happiness I am surrounding myself with in musing on the life of my beautiful, amazing mother. I'm most assuredly not posting this in an attempt to garner pity or generate sympathy--I'm getting enough of that as it is--but because this little bunch of people here who have stumbled into my life have given me a lot of hope and courage, and I feel like I can share something personal that has been a momentous event in my life. You all understand. As I thank Providence for the life of my mom (service is next week), I am reminded yet again of being thankful for the GOOD things in my life. One of those is this little community. You guys rock. I may disappear for a spell and lurk for a little while, but will keep reading HCR's letters and y'all's wonderful, thought-provoking commentary. God bless you all.
In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.
Bruce, how right you are to put other matters aside right now and focus on honoring your amazing mother, grieving your loss and beginning the journey of healing. May you learn things about her you never knew from those who also loved her.
Step back into the river of this conversation when you're ready. Until then brother walk gently.
Dear Bruce, if you like, please share the date/time of the service. Next week your friends here will focus our energies then, and boost attendance in spirit. It would be a privilege.
Bruce, sounds like you are doing a great job of dealing with the loss of your Mom. We are working on the services for my mother. Her favorite priest was on vacation until today ,so services will be next week....she was 94 & a retired nurse too! You are so right about how much others thought of our parents. I've been impressed by some of the stories. I'm sure you are too.
Thanks for letting our community know. Hugs to you.
As fate would have it, a retired priest and her husband (we're Episcopalian) have moved back here and she is the daughter of a doctor who worked closely with my mom for many years. My mom absolutely adored him, and I KNOW she would be tickled and touched beyond measure that she can do the service.
Bruce and Betsy, my heart goes out to both of you. Kids are the proof of the pudding, and you are each one of those kids--clearly the lucky product of a Magnificent Mom!
So very sorry for your loss - I hope that the past 10-13 years meant learning of how she came to live her life from her youth to her 90s. My mom was 103 when she died - also an RN early on. She went to nursing school in Philadelphia then worked in NYC as a public health nurse. I wish I had asked more questions when I was younger, but I do remember some of what she went thru. I hope you were able to hear of your mom's life before you came along. Things were much much different back then! Since she has actually lived with you for so long, its going to be tough for some time. I'm guessing all the people here in this community will send their good wishes too.
Oh yeah. I grew up with her always working and heard lots and lots about her experiences. Her early life (she wanted to be a nurse from when she was like 4 or 5!) is pretty well known to me, all the way up to when she eventually became the Director of Nursing for the Medical Center (now around 500 beds) from '77 to '86. Isn't it interesting how so many of these old-school nurses manage to live to such ripe old ages?? I guess there really is something about helping and healing your fellow human beings that adds years on to a life!
So glad you were able to do that. Old school nurses were & are "tough old birds"! I do remember mom's opinion that back then "the drs thought they were god"!!! Think about how different the nurse's duties are now than they were then with much fewer aides/assistance - they did it all!! Then I think about nurses presently - with all the added paper work involved!
I am so sorry Bruce. You have lost not only a wonderful mother, it would seem, but also a dear friend. Take care of yourself now. In AA they have a saying for trying times...."Easy does it." You will be missed. God bless you.
Oh, Bruce, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. I have come to believe that I know you through your posts and your sharing your personal experiences with us here. My heart goes out to you. No matter how old our parents are, or how sick they may have been, when they finally leave this world, it is never easy. My mom had pancreatic cancer and so we all knew she was up against incredible odds, but even then, when she died it was a real blow. May the memory of her give you comfort and as President Biden says, bring a smile to your lips in good time. From my humble opinion, she did an incredible job of raising you and giving you the virtues that you exhibit here and throughout your life. God bless.
Slavery based Racism is the original sin of our democracy. Today’s Republicans are racism’s defenders. Many are passively racist - and silent. To ignore racism in any form is to enable racism in every form.
Substack doesn't tack comments onto the posting upon which they are commenting, other than by an indentation which does not always work. That's why this site is such a mess. These are the thirty-four words to which my posting referred: "Slavery based Racism is the original sin of our democracy. Today’s Republicans are racism’s defenders. Many are passively racist - and silent. To ignore racism in any form is to enable racism in every form." It was posted by Sandy Lewis.
No. First is way back. Way way back. Book of Genesis and Book of Job. And more.
First Sin was in The Garden of Eden with an apple from tree of knowledge 🍏 🍎 and The Evil One, the flesh tempted, poor dear Adam and evil Eve, The Devil, God, a snake for symbolism, then the compressor built by CGG or Chicago Pneumatic Tool, a black hose running across Rosie’s lap signifying the reptile, the distant jack hammer, Rosie the Riveter as her robust self, think women in WWII, women emancipated, working and supporting war, per Isaiah, The First Prophet, by MichelAngelo, on the cover of Saturday Evening Post, May 23, 1943, (?) by Norman Rockwell, the Stockbridge, Massachusetts communist and atheist that painted her sweet halo and the American flag 🇺🇸 flying. Perhaps Norman was hedging his bet. Don’t they all? Communist at 20, you have a ❤️; at 30, you have no 🧠 brain. Original Sin is essential, and action in perfect accord with the feeling that justifies is not sin.
Well, Sandy, I certainly would not want to debate the Adam and Eve story and all the rest you mention, I would like to bring you back to the real focus which I, as I read it above is based upon the factual history of our democracy.
As of yesterday, 53% of the ga-ga old boomer losers who form the Republican Party believe the Worst Boomer of All is the "rightful president." I wish that generation would hurry up and Make America Great Again with their permanent departure. (thankfully I am a "war baby")
Not a slam on the "good ones"but it turns out only 15-20% of boomers "actively participated" in The Sixties. For the other 80% either the Fifties never stopped or all they did was play with the surface - listen to the bad R'n'R bands and get stoned.
Thanks for the exception. We tried really hard to change our world. Feels like there were more than 20%. True-true that for many, the 50s never ended--and still haven't.
Well, those 15-20% in the 60’s encouraged a greater percentage in the 70’s. And so on into every following decade. And we started listening to some really good rock-n-roll.
It might be a little larger a percentage over the time since, but I'd be very surprised if it was more than 30%. If it was, our politics would be vastly different.
And then there were people like me. Graduated HS in the 60s , got married right away and began a family. I didn’t fit into the protesters, the drug scene or much of the rock ‘n’ roll back then. I didn’t want to live the way the 50s were, and those of us like that needed to forge our own way, more informed but I needed to leave home and didn’t see any benefit to college. Raised three girls and finally earned a degree in ‘93 and another in 2001. I’m still trying to stay informed and searching for ways to get involved while I am interested, healthy, and physically active. At the present time I’m putting my money where my mouth is.
Can you just stop the War Baby/Boomer Baby - wish the Boomers would drop dead nonsense? Many, many War Babies are deeply invested ideologically in Trumpism and making America Great again as are many of those who came up during the Depression. Separating what you term the good boomers from the bad boomers is divisive and is a false construct...especially when the time span, 1946 - 1964, is considered.
A lot of the Sixties actually happened in the Seventies. Environmental, women's, gay rights movements all are Seventies phenomena, including widespread middle-class drug use and long hair on men.
As one of the 15-20% I think 🤔 that there were a lot more of us than that, certainly some more involved than others, but the tentacles of the culture that we developed are still reverberating to this day. We didn’t start the civil rights movement but we participated in it, the music of our generation is still relevant. Bob Dylan who turned 80 a couple days ago deservedly has a Noble because he spoke so eloquently for our generation. There were a lot of us, and while there may be fewer of us left today than there were back in the day, I posit that we are as relevant today as we ever were, just look 👀 at who won the elections 🗳 including the senate seats here in GA.
Technically, by gross generalization, I am a boomer (b. 1958). My parents were older, and although my Dad was a WWII Veteran (enlisted at age 26), my folks waited 9 years to have me; as the oldest child, I did not have older siblings introducing me to the music and culture of what is generally regarded as "boomer culture". My music was that of my parents, ranging from classical music (esp. Bach organ music) to the folk music of Pete Seeger, Odetta, The Kingston Trio, and The Weavers. My first protest, however, was an anti war protest in 1967 (again with my parents) when the young hotheads were yelling "Bomb Hanoi". None of this stuff was "my stuff". I had no family members who fought in Viet Nam. I was one of those more "listen to bad R&B bands and get stoned" but by HS, we weren't really Boomers as much as Jones Generation, most of us.
My mom wanted me to join ROTC since she thought if I was drafted I’d do better since I argued at 11 that women should be allowed in combat. But I went to art school :)
Grace: How could women have been drafted? Is my memory fuzzy? Women weren't in the 1969 lottery, as I recall. Even now, women needn't register for selective service.
They weren’t. My mom was afraid that if ERA passed we would be. And since I was still in junior high in 1970, there was time for me to prepare for the worst. They were not opposed to the war until around Kent State I’d say.
But remember, the R party is very small and shrinking. Focus on that number meaning only 14 % of all Americans. You could probably find 14% of any group who would agree the moon is made of cheese. Let’s start ignoring the tantrums and focusing on the healing connections with our fellow humans.
Take heart: 70% of Americans who are eligible to register to vote do register, and the rest do not. Currently, between 26-31% of registered voters self-identify as Republicans. If 53% of them say they think Trump is our secret president, while horrifying, recognize that that is 53% of 26% of 70% of Americans that have lost access to reasonable news sources and to reality, and that works out to be about 9% of American adults. (Accounting for Independents brings to total to about 11.5%.)
I have to remind myself of this because when I hear "70% of Republicans," or "53% of Republicans think Trump is president" I think "70% of Half the People Who Matter Think Trump is president" and it's just not true. Still horrific to think about people who are that far gone from reality though.
The police seem not only determined to never take any casualties, they will barely even risk any casualties and instead shoot first, often to kill. That negative goal is actually one of the better explanations for their violence toward segments of the public. A worse case is that they are deliberately out to hunt people down. Dr R is right, America is waking up to the horrific role of lethal violence from the police. Yet a 5% increase in white support for BLM just seems pathetic compared what's needed. It's better than nothing, but hey, America, it's time to wake up and step up!! Fellow Americans are in mortal danger from having their legal rights violated. Memorial Day isn't just the traditional start of summer -- it's the start of the summer protest season!
I hate saying this as a veteran, but we should stop hiring the veterans of our imperial adventures as cops. Many of them have undiagnosed TBI and PTSD, and their experience of being able to kick down doors and shoot people with impunity was exactly the wrong kind of introduction to policing. Plus the racism against "ragheads" etc. they learned in those imperial wars was the cherry on top of the rotten icing.
As a veteran who lives in a town that has a highly militarized police force complete with the equipment (but none of the training or need - thanks so much G.W.) and the attitude that community service is beneath them, I agree wholeheartedly.
I also think anyone applying for police work needs a thorough background check and an initial psych evaluation to screen for suitability.
Hiring, along with clear and written standards for recruitment and a trial period before acceptance need to be required. Hiring practices must be addressed on a national basis.
I completely agree. Thank you for adding this.
Good ideas, but the (3-month) probation period already exists. Too bad that it's mostly a rubber stamp. The police seemingly will accept and protect any thug displaying the approved behavior -- respecting the Blue Wall; suspicion and/or hatred of minorities and any critics; conservative politics, including support for 1/45, etc. Too bad for the public in general, and BIPOC in particular.
Two major scandals currently engulfing the Boston PD illustrate the problem of no accountability for police Good Old Boys. The former longtime head of the BP Union has a long history of molesting children; the new, now suspended Commissioner has an older history of domestic violence. Both sets of offenses have been covered up, at high levels of city govt as well as the BPD. Search for "Boston Globe police scandal" to find plenty of reporting and opinion. Fortunately acting Mayor Kim Janey (1st Black, 1st woman) takes it seriously. It could spell trouble for Marty Walsh, who should be a good Labor Secretary.
And re-frame policing as community advocacy, or safety services...
Exactly! I so wish "Reframe Policing" had been the slogan instead of "Defund the Police."
Wander upthread; I use the term "refocus police".
Thank you for refocusing my attention!
Earlier today I read that police depts nationwide have been defunded of over $10 billion in the past year. That is progress. Hit 'em in the budget, it's the only place they feel anything!
Decertify police unions that shield bad cops. Do away with or severely limit qualified immunity (which should really be called near-total impunity). Decreased budgets without significant other changes only leads to slower and less effective policing where it's truly needed.
Re-direct funding to provide community social workers and mental health specialists -- people who create one-on-one relationships.
Exactly! It isn't enough to take the money away from policing. The money needs to be redirected to the programs and specialties that will do so much more to build and strengthen communities and the connections between people that make individuals and communities thrive.
Just for a reference, "$118bn was spent funding police forces in the U.S. in 2018, according to the Security Policy Reform Institute. It collectively makes American police forces the world's third-most expensive military organization, after the U.S.'s official armed forces and China's." https://bit.ly/2REhVkT
😳Whoa!😳 Makes me wonder what the citizenry reaction would be if this statistic became the lead story for a few weeks in every sort of legitimate news media.
I could only find this BoingBoing site and not the chart at the source of Security Policy Reform Institute, in case anyone has better luck:
https://www.securityreform.org/
In Kansas City some was moved to focus on social services. Maybe not enough, or soon enough, but every step is valuable in healing our people.
100% on that one. We should all be calling them Public Safety or Peace officers. Something we can do now to start changing the culture.
Some of us are working on that...
But only call them that after weeding out the ones who cannot prove that they deserve those titles!
I agree. They're trained in exactly the wrong ways to be police, and since their upper echelon in charge of their agenda(s) comes with the same history, the worst characteristics and actions are encouraged. Policing should never be us-versus-them!
"Too many people with hammers; all convinced every problem is a nail"
A century and half after slavery was abolished, slave patrols still continue.
Or the equivalent of colonialists being paid for scalps of Indigenous Peoples. Lately it feels like there has been a contest among some law enforcement to see who can get away with murder.
Sad but clearly true.
Both Christy and Cathy have it right. Unlike lynchings of Blacks and massacres of Indians, there are no bodily trophies, but "the gratitude of their peers" is still sickening.
Exactly right!
The police have become occupying forces in cities and towns. Rural areas, too. How long is Police Academy training? Not long enough.
Think about it. Law enforcement are called out to every societal problem through the 911 system. They literally respond to every call. Heart attacks, mental health crises, robberies, misbehaving children in schools and homes, accidents, lost children, and loads of false alarms. The qualifications of a law enforcement person is often a high school diploma or equivalent. Then a few months at advanced training and periodic updated training after that. Yet they are required to come in contact with every type of angry, disturbed, frightened, dangerous, upset, and other quirky emotion person out there with a professional knowledge that one person with this history cannot possess. It's very similar to the educational situation in which one classroom teacher is required to teach 28-40 students with a wide variety of backgrounds, disabilities, family structures, abuse situations, poverty, lack of quality parental involvement, addictions, etc. In a school of 600 students there may be 1 or 2 social workers and one psychologist who focuses entirely on testing. It is an impossible situation. We need to change the initial qualifications and attributes of people entering law enforcement and provide adequate staffing to assist in differing situations.
I met a young school psychologist a year or so ago and as a former educator was very eager to hear about her job, thinking she must have counseling as part of her remit at the high school where she is employed. Nope! Her job totally focused on testing, she hated it, and she was thinking about looking for other work because she didn't have any chance to work with the students. Here was a young, Black, well-educated woman who had so much to offer - whose education was wasted on something the majority of teachers will tell you cannot reveal much about the intelligence, potential, or ability to learn of students. Standardized tests tell you how good the subjects are at taking standardized tests. Period. I had to use standardized testing when I was teaching ESL to adult immigrant and refugee students. What a waste of time.
We need to re-distribute tax monies from war-making to social systems. Just think what the cost of one military bomber could fund. Then consider one nuclear navy submarine; one battleship, etc. We are funding the military-industrial-political-0.9% instead of folks in need.
Not nearly long enough!
Qualifications for Deputy in my county:
Minimum of 19 years of age, High School Graduate, CJSTC Law Enforcement Certificate, Valid Fl Driver's License, Must be eligible for bonding, and Basic computer skills.
Old enough to drive, but not old enough to drink. Young enough to be easily swayed by older officers and inculcated into "the way we do things", and young enough to be very cocky. Does not make me feel safe at all. A pod of older teenaged white boys will press my "caution" button more quickly than any other group I encounter.
No amount of formal academy training can undo the dire impact of the "real training," i.e. socializing into the ways of American policing. College Criminal Justice programs and the academy include lessons to humanize policing, but it's easy to ignore them when compared with the relentless socialization.
Hammers work well with nails, not as efficient with screws, not at all efficient with bolts, and what the heck do you do with a garden trowel? (My pet analogy).
Although it's almost time for pitchforks.
De-militarize the police speaks to the benefit of police as part of a community coalition rather than brute force.
TC, as a 30 year retired cop, I agree with you 100%. I have worked with some amazing Veterans, from Korean War up through GWOT. I see a very different cadre coming through these days who reflect some of the experiences you mention.
Excellent point! Though that seems a stereotypical criteria. Better that they all be screened for narcissistic, racist and bullying personality traits? I think some organizations do require such?
Yes, I know two young men, one of color, who want to be police because they want the power of having a Glock. I counseled one's girlfriend on what police are actually supposed to be doing and the Glock is the last draw after all other measures have been tried to Keep the Peace. Like skills in ascertaining mental health issues, diplomacy and de-escalation skills might actually save lives. Or tazing rather than shooting to kill. Chokeholds and other forms of torture or destruction such as landmines should become extinct in our future new world, once the political troglodytes of insurrection and seditionist and their leaders have migrated to the tarpits of time.
Thank you TCinLA. You are, sadly, very correct. Not the right people for policing. And a good example of what our imperial adventures have done to those who have served---tragic. I have a relative who suffers PTSD and effects of Agent Orange and other chemicals from Viet Nam. It has been a terrible burden for him and his family.
I hope the VA has done right by your relative. If not, I can recommend the DAV for help in getting them to do so. (There is no cost.)
Thanks for your concern, Kasumii. He has the care he needs now, but years back it was a struggle for his wife to manage things (web, reading, no travel for years (loud noises, etc.) Thanks so much for your comment on police force in your town. I have a friend who does psych eval tests for fire and police departments. He has some stories, shall we say.
Amen.
Totally agree! Is it not the military ethos to shoot to kill and take no prisoners?
No. That concept is from the movies and bs propaganda. There are rules and laws concerning killing and taking of prisoners in combat. Military personnel are not trained - or shouldn’t be - to be mindless killing machines. There is so much more to being in the military than that socially constructed, ridiculous saying.
This is particularly the case with BIPOC folks because we have seen numerous examples of white people brandishing guns and killing people who were arrested without "incident" by cops. Here in western MO/eastern KS we are learning more about a number of police killings that were highly irregular and suspicious, including one in which the parents of a suicidal teenager called 911 and SAID to the dispatcher that their child was suicidal. The kid was brandishing a WATER PISTOL. The cops shot him a dozen times. Although the cops involved have been suspended, they are still in uniform and still being paid. In the meantime, the city council and mayor voted in favor of moving a small portion of funds from the police force and into a fund to be used for mental health services, to hire more social workers, and to develop better and more effective community organizations to improve the situation especially on KC's east side, which is largely Black and poor/working class. The Ghastly Ones immediately started screaming that Mayor Lucas was "defunding" the police, aided by the execrable governor, Mike Parson. The KC police department is not controlled by the mayor and city council--it is overseen by the Ghastly Obstructionist Party-controlled state legislature. However, we pay the taxes that pays for city services, including the police. So the funds can be distributed as the mayor and city council sees fit. Mayor Lucas is scrappy and he doesn't back down from a fight; the white rightwing criticism is barely blanketed with an illusion of "moral" outrage, but it is in actuality racist propaganda and deliberate misinformation.
A small correction: the child was brandishing a BB gun--completely harmless except at point blank range. And an update: the Police Board of Commissioners wants to sue Mayor Lucas because, as they state it, they want "total, unfettered control over police budgets." So that places the issue right up front: they want total lack of accountability and they don't want the situation in KC to improve. As the mayor said, the police budgets have gone up every year and the murder rate in the city has too: so what are they doing to help stem crime????
Thank you, Linda for these details of our local picture. We want it to improve.
Unfortunately, everything Linda said is true. I don’t live within the city limits of KCMO, but am surrounded by it. Mayor Lucas is very smart. I pray that he will succeed in righting this wrong.
I am also in the nearby, Cheri. Admire Mayor Lucas so much!
This is awful, Linda! All professionals should be held accountable to an impartial authority. There can be no law and order with a lawless police force!
I live in a small community and receive a bimonthly crime report. “Crimes against persons” are almost always, with a rare exception, listed as “family violence.” I wonder if the police department has social service or mental health staff? Something for me to f/u on.
Family violence is the most frequent form of crimes against persons (which should also include sexual assaults of both spouse and children). I doubt your local agency has those resources you mention; it is one of the things that would be best addressed by looking at the underlying situation (housing/food insecurity, substance abuse, and mental health issues were present in almost every DV arrest I made.)
DV = Domestic Violence. And yet, look how against the "violence against women" act most of the GQP is.
They’d rather have women buy guns. Unless they are black women. Now, that would truly scare them.
Criticism of efforts to include money for social service and mental health staff in police budgets is mischaracterized as "defunding" the police, rather than recognizing it as a part of the law enforcement function.
If there were an editing function available, I would delete the first two words of this posting.
Dang, that is an awful situation. I'm not sure how the balance between the purse strings of the legislature and the management by the city would work well in any way.
Any day with less than 10,000 progressives in the street is a wasted opportunity.
I am not so sure protesting in the streets is the answer. In one of her lectures, Dr R talked about the 60’s with the young progressives marching in the streets while the movement conservatives ran for school board, city Council, etc. Let’s be smarter this time around and spend our time going to school board meetings, City Council meetings, registering people to vote and connecting with our neighbors in garden and book clubs, running for office and attending rally’s supporting candidates we believe in and using our money to actually help others and elect candidates we believe in.
We also need to be much smarter in framing the issues. “Defunding police” sounds draconian but demilitarizing them is absolutely understandable. Americans don’t know what socialism is - they don’t equate it with their Medicare or social security.
I have always used "refocus" the police, and to use a tool box analogy; when you are a hammer, you treat every problem like a nail. Works great with nails, not as well with screws, and completely inept dealing with bolts or garden trowels. Today's cops, by training, selection, and temperament are good in many things they do; just don't make them do the things they're not good at.
I've used this many times when talking with cops: how many times have you walked away from a call saying "I'm not a damn social worker" or "they don't need a cop, they need help finding a house/job/daycare" or "how the heck are we supposed to solve that kind of a problem"? The answer to that question is "nearly every day."
I have said to let the cops do what they're good at and trained for, and not have us take our hammer to a call where a bolt is the problem.
This is a much better way to have a discussion about this hotbed issue. Using a simple analogy everyone can understand. Also highlights how even police will agree that many (most?) situations need “public service” rather than law “enforcement.”
Exactly, Ally House, the choice of terms was very unfortunate. Work to re label this effort would likely be rewarded.
Refocus is certainly a better analogy, Ally. And I think that likely most cops feel the way you do. Wondering though, if perhaps when adding additional people to the social/safety parts of the job - I think those people should be able to comprehend WHEN the issue goes beyond social assistance and needs law enforcement. In specific cases It could go just as badly in the opposite direction as these disasters happening now. Needs to be education and training on both sides of this if it is going to be successful.
Absolutely!
Agree. Language matters. Too often a slogan is made so quickly without enough thought about how the opposition can, and will, turn those very words against the cause they were intended to help. Exactly as it happened in this instance. Repub folks instantly turned that slogan into “leaving communities unprotected,” which was not at all what the original suggestion was meant to do. Sad that such a needed change has been foolishly weaponized.
Agreed. However, we can’t really demilitarize the police until we actually move forward with efforts to demilitarize America.
Sure we can. We can start by demilitarizing the police, and by talking about the kind of police we really need - to town councils, to legislatures, to mayors, congresspeople. Loudly and consistently, so the point gets across. Demilitarizing our culture can follow from that. We have to start with what is accessible.
Good point!
We absolutely can. Perhaps then “Peace Officers” will speak up and take a stronger stand on “demilitarizing” the militarized cult of #45. Police unions have power. They could start using that power to support life instead of murder
This is a root problem for me with the over-weaponizing of America that has happened over the last 30 years by my reckoning. Namely, its become an arms race. As the population becomes more heavily armed, the police are obliged to increase their level of weaponry and distrust during interactions with citizens for their own safety. It's a vicious spiral with terrible consequences for community, and I lay it right at the feet of the NRA.
Police unions will have a long haul getting there.
Precisely!
I cannot tell you how many of my white family, friends, and acquaintances react very badly to "defund the police." We had a police intention in my city to purchase a tank-like vehicle. Loads of letters, emails, and an actual protest got the purchase nixed.
Yes! May I copy and post Grace?
I suggest copying and posting Grace's comment, not Grace herself ....
Hahaha. You are funny.
🤣😅😂
It bears repeating, and I have not heard "demilitarize" consistently.
It's hardly an original thought, but of course.
Right. When I first heard the term "Defunding police", I thought that makes no sense. It's a vague and inflammatory comment without any qualifications attached. I sometimes wonder who chooses those phrases and then gets them carried by the media. Also, when a party or politician is marked as makes a vague comment like "cut social security."
The right uses the fearfulness of their base to win on issues, and it’s just malpractice on the part of the left to ignore this and double down on language that hurts our causes ( and the country ) in the end.
Quite right.
The choice of words is nearly everything...
Precisely!
In Florida, under mini-Trump control, we got a new law taking away local control of budgeting for police. The law prohibits reduced funding for law enforcement without state approval!
Our Legislators have systematically removed local rule time and again over Covid rules, tree ordinances, police reform, school
policies, corporate liability, environmental protection, rentals, etc. Every time it benefits big business at the expense of citizens.
Great point Elizabeth! Nothing wrong with protesting but not at the expense at all those things you mention. We must be active and involved in government locally first and foremost
Surely, we can do both protest and run for office.
This.
Let's do both.
Nonviolent protest isn't a panacea, but certainly is part of the answer. Our Youngers of today are less likely to "drop out" of the system (or drop acid) than when we, Baby Boomers in my case, were the Youngers.
All of this!
I do think we should be doing both.
I remember sitting in on a conversation in the report writing room one time between one of the old school (1970-1990) cops talking with some of the young turks of the mid 1990's, just as I was starting to get involved as a Use of Force instructor, right at the beginning of the "Officer Safety" movement. This guy (who I never really hit it off with, but was still good to work with) said "Ya know, sometimes you just have to fight the guy; even if he resists, you just can't kill him for that." That stuck with me, and is really profound when you look at where we've gotten with the now popular "Warrior Mentality" prevalent in law enforcement.
I was taken aback by the 5% increase in white support, also. It is time for all Americans to wake up and pay attention to systemic racism that is rampant across our nation.
I also thought thats a really little piddly increase, considering all the white faces in those protests across the country (and world). Doesnt seem that could be correct.
We're pretty far from any real reckoning, though. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/25/america-racial-reckoning-simon-balto?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Sadly, very true.
A 5% increase in white support for BLM does indeed feel pathetic. I wonder what the support rate was prior to the very visual murder of George Floyd. As cell phone cameras (and even video cameras - remember the video of Rodney King's beating and maiming by LAPD) have been recording police brutality for many years now, I would hope that support was already substantial. We've seen police violence - particularly against Black folks, but not limited to that section of our population - our entire lives (those of us in our 60's should at least remember Watts, even if we were too young to be aware of earlier anti-segregation violence in the south). But much of the violence and brutality of the civil rights era came to us in edited snippets, rather than the full-length concentrated recordings that citizen observers post on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and other social media. Maybe the videos taken by ordinary citizen observers rather than reporters is finally breaking through that theatrical fourth wall created by the carefully edited and curated "news" we saw on our TV screens in the era before we all had a video camera in our pockets.
Once in a while, and it is very rare, I read a comment by a highly respected subscriber, which appears to be too extreme to me. My experience as resident of NYC, an active member of civil rights organizations, knowledge of police brutality and interactions with law enforcement years before the use of cell phone cameras, I would not make a claim, such as yours:
'The police seem not only determined to never take any casualties, they will barely even risk any casualties and instead shoot first, often to kill. That negative goal is actually one of the better explanations for their violence toward segments of the public.'
With many others, I support basic changes to policing from hiring to qualified immunity. There are innumerable cases of the police acting as hit squads against minorities, particularly Black men. Disrespect for minorities is common. There are many more than a few bad apples. I demonstrated in cities where the police were particularly frightening. Most, American people, including progressives, don't have any idea of how lethal the police can be. Withal, I think that your comment wrongly labels the majority of them.
Dear Prof. HCR,
Thank you for beginning with the extraordinary death of a very ordinary human being. Truth be told, neither I nor many other US citizens will ever forget the name of George Floyd. Like so many African Americans before and after him, George Perry Floyd, Jr. did not deserve to die, and certainly not in the manner in which his death was executed. No one deserves that manner of degradation -- no human being, no living being, merits the torture of being deprived of air for 9 minutes and 29 seconds for having passed a $20 counterfeit bill.
George Floyd lived, loved, and was loved. What gave callous, vainglorious Chauvin the right to use his whiteness as a weapon of misperceived justice? George Floyd may not have been a perfect man, but he was a living soul -- he deserved the chance to better himself, to fulfill his dream of seeing his children grow, graduate, marry, and have their own children -- to live through that very basic, very natural cycle of life. He was not given that opportunity because of racism and bigotry.
How much more racism and bigotry are we willing to witness before the final ENOUGH? Some southern states want to ban race theory from their classrooms in order to avoid teaching their children to hate their country -- what is more important, to be disappointed in your country or to despise and degrade other human beings because of the color of their skin? What kind of human beings do we want to send forth into the world?
It’s very interesting to hear from young children what they learn at home. I taught kindergarten in Ohio in 2000-2001. We were learning about who the presidents were, as in a short list of their names. One little boy piped up and said, “My dad says Bill Clinton is a white tailed doofus.” I’m sure he heard a comment his dad made, and l doubt it was directed at the boy. Of course, children think their parents are speaking truth. Teaching children to hate handicaps them.
You have got to be carefully taught.
Good ole "South Pacific"!
Thank you David, the first time I saw “South Pacific”, I was a young person. That song was so powerful, as a child I got it’s meaning. I’m 75 now, and ever time I see the movie, that song says it all, “you have to be carefully taught”.
My Granddaughter was asked by a friend, “who did your parents vote for”? She knowing that the girls parents were big dt supporters lied and told the girl “my parents voted for dt as well”! My Granddaughter did not want to loose her friend.
Both girls are 8. And so it goes on. Children are being carefully taught.
You beat me to it!
Truth! In my experience, however, many young people in Alabama aren't buying the race card. I'm the "crazy aunt" to whom they share what they don't want their parents to know. If you are an Amazon Shopper (not promoting Amazon), you can make purchases through its Amazon Smiles platform and direct donations to the Equal Justice Initiative based in Montgomery, AL and known for its "Lynching Museum."
"Home" https://eji.org
Kelly, 'crazy aunts' rock! It is really important for kids to have that one special adult in their life who accepts them unconditionally. And keeps secrets!
Well put Jenn!
Don't make assumptions re whether George knowingly passed a counterfeit bill. Web search reveals the $20 bill is the most common counterfeit bill and that as many as 60% in circulation could be counterfeit. Fraud is a "specific intent" crime, meaning the act must be knowingly to be a crime. This is likely why isolated events of passing counterfeit bills are treated with a ticket and a fine. Law enforcement resources are better spent on the kingpins who are engaged in producing and placing into circulation counterfeit bills.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/us/george-floyd-bill-counterfeit.html?smid=url-share
Most of the people I know in Alabama say they don't believe racism exists. These people are afraid of change and view attempts to highlight racism in their world in order to appeal for change as a threat. In their mind, if POCs (persons of color) are given more rights, white people lose rights. This "zero sum game" regarding rights must be exposed for the illogical argument that it is. All citizens have rights and those rights must be protected. maybe Kristen Clarke will make a difference. She was approved by the Senate yesterday.
"DOJ nominee Kristen Clarke wants to make the promise of 'justice for all' a reality - ABC News" https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/doj-nominee-kristen-clarke-make-promise-justice-reality/story?id=75476613
I can easily agree with the statistic on counterfeit bills. For many years my husband and I ran a small cafe in a small town, high tourist area. During that time we had two instances of receiving counterfeit bills - both times it was a $20. And both times it wasn’t discovered until after making the nightly deposit; the bank would send a notice that they’d changed my deposit by deducting the twenty. We lost revenue and could do nothing about it.
(We tried using the special marking pens for a while (they look no different than a felt-tipped marker) but few staff could/would take the time to use it during a meal rush. Someone even tossed one away once thinking it was a dried up felt-tipped marker).
And, unfortunately, only one Republican voted for her. Vote was 51-49
"Today we learned that the Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., has recently called together a special grand jury to hear a number of cases, including whether to indict former President Trump, other people in charge of running his company, or the Trump Organization itself."
This is the news I've been waiting for, and what I believe the former president has been most afraid of. I suppose it is unlikely that we will see a public trial on tax/bank/insurance fraud and a simultaneous congressional Jan. 6th Insurrection investigation as we approach the 2022 election, but we might. Wouldn't it be nice to see all those chickens coming home to roost at the same time.
Three little words: Indict, Convict, Incarcerate. And the sooner the better.
From your keyboard to god's ears. Unfortunately, if I were an odds-maker, I would predict that, as to those three possibilities, the odds-on likelihood is maybe, probably not, and almost certainly not. He will successfully delay and file endless motions and appeals. The one ray of hope is if someone central to the investigation takes a plea and provides truly damming evidence. Here's hoping!
Agreed, and I think it’s safe to say that SDNY will spread the indictment will name a number of people in the organization who, faced with serious jail time, may testify.
That would be the hope. But Trump has been so good over the years at covering his tracks and obfuscating that I really wonder if Vance or anyone else can successfully put him in prison before he dies. He is old and clearly unhealthy.
Perhaps the old DJT will not outlive the indictments, but if the younger DJT and a whole passel of others involved are indicted, convicted, incarcerated, and required to surrender ill gains and pay reparations, I'll be satisfied.
Yes, they are definitely vulnerable and much more likely to live long enough to do some time. Or at least be reduced to having to work for a living.
Sorry about the poor editing.
Can we also incarcerate before indicting?
kimceann🌈 (WA)16 min ago
Darnella Frazier's letter, read on media tonight, was quite moving, reflective, and truly sad. She is a brave young one. The conviction of the primary murderer is an exception, not the rule. When conviction becomes the rule, we will have made some progress. When we de-militarize our police, that will be progress.
When Manchin and Sinema publicly beg for the Republicans to join them in voting for the Jan 6 investigation, and one is to be found, perhaps they will have provided themselves cover with their electorates. Whither, integrity?
Cheers for Vance and the tedious process of legal investigation! May the force of truth be with them.
I suspect some backlash for the party operatives who have allowed the voting machines to be defiled. What a costly error in stupidity. Count the broken laws and regulations regarding chain of custody, etc., with voting records.
As idjt holds himself in his elevated malignant narcissist stance, throwing everyone else under the proverbial bus, his claimed divinity must be put to rest. Time for Congress to clarify that no one is above the law. The response of the court will be most interesting.
Wonder when the "Proud Boys" will begin to understand how they are being used. Manipulated just like the rest of the cult followers: means to the ends of others.
Gratitude, Heather, for your weaving our story into coherent narrative.
If the two worthless DINOs were serious with their BS, they would tell the Republicans that if they do not see some "serious activity" over on that side, that "our opinion could change." So long as Joe says that regardless of the outcome of the vote on the 1/6 commission he will support the filibuster, they know they can get away with it. But the two DINOs are so bad they make Collins and Rmoney look "not that bad."
Manchin keeps putting himself out on a limb from which he may not be able to get down. By continuing to say in such strong terms that he will never vote to get rid of the filibuster, he leaves no room for him to back down if necessary. Better to keep his mouth shut.
What do I think of Manchin and Sinema publicly begging for the Republicans to join them in voting for the Jan 6th siege on The Capitol? My eyes squint in an attempt to see them clearly. What do they see clearly -- protecting their power and prestige as United States' senators, the Constitution, the right to vote, the roles of their fellow elected representatives and the former president in the attempted insurrection on the United States of America ?
'Cheers for Vance.....' He gets no cheers from me. He's been the District Attorney of New York County since January 2010 and Robert Morgenthau before him. How much time have they had to investigate Trump and his ilk? Why have these real estate developers gotten away with murder? Why have the rich gotten away with not paying their fair share of taxes and bleeding the rest of us? Maybe they really aren't supposed to pay their 'fair' share of taxes. How have the lawyers helped our democracy? How have they tipped the scales of justice?
There is a sub stack written by Greg O’Lear that lays out a case that TFG was a songbird in various mafia prosecutions an thus protected/untouchable.
David, 'TFG': taken for granted? Please write out when communicating with me. Thanks.
The former guy!
Otherwise known as he who shall not be named, Cheeto or the duke of Orange.
They donate to DA campaigns. The winner decides which cases to pursue, sometimes based on donor status. Bah.
Like I said above, self-destructive behaviors. I live in AZ and the 'fraudit' is a classic case of brand destruction. Bless thier hearts. /s
No "s/" needed, just every ounce of southern matron oozing contempt and politeness at the same time!
so good, that description!
As they say “You can’t have Crazy without AZ in the middle.” 😜
I have known Barbara Cegaske for years. As a Democrat in Nevada, I have voted for Barbara whenever she has been up for election and I support her in everything she has accomplished. I cross the aisle when the Republican candidate is far better than anything or anyone else. She is beyond ethical and has ALWAYS done the right thing. Even when she is attacked by her own party she shows class and common sense. Shame on the Republican Party for try to defame a woman whose priority is the State of Nevada and it’s constituents.
Thank you, Dr. Heather.
I sometimes wonder, if a word count was possible, how many times in all media during 45's term was the word "unprecedented" used in connection with him? I for one will likely never again see or hear that word without the taint of 45, nor also without a sense of relief that he was indeed "un-Presidented" by the American people. 🤯 I just hope he gets the consequences that he deserves.
Sleep well! 💜
"That a grand jury is considering whether a former president committed a crime is unprecedented."
The proper term for anything The Worst Boomer Ever did is "unpresidented."
Uncanny, TC!
TC rips off the best one liners. Let’s them loose that is. With his permission I will rip unpresidented off many times in the future.
'To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.'
'But what of black women?... I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.'
'The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?'
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois
Brava.
Tonight was a lot to unpack—and we seem to have a lot to process constantly. HCR, it's a relief to get this pertinent information from you. I especially appreciate how you cull and gather the important events from the day. I'm so grateful to hear your measured and intelligent voice in the midst of situations, events, and details that feel challenging (and sometimes out of reach). Thank you for remaining solid and dedicated.
I am currently getting all my political news from Dr. Richardson. Great job! Thanks.
As much as I like Heather’s letters, they are a starting point for political news.
The first thing I read every morning!
Yep. The best place to get it!
It is unwise to rely on one source of information...that is how Fox Followers have become so tunnel-visioned.
My wife follows the news closely. She and I are of the same political persuasion. She keeps me posted and we have lively discussions.
Thank you, Professor Richardson.
The filibuster must change or end.
If the filibuster ends, how will the Senate end debates? They need to adopt a procedure for it, as the House did?
From tonight, Video of HCR educating us on he filibuster: https://youtu.be/eD2kNVhm6TA
Whew, that was a lot. We’ve got a long road ahead but “paths of victory we shall walk”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW99bjzYojo
ODETTA -- "Paths of Victory" (1965)
The trail is dark and dusty
The road, it's kinda rough,
But the good road is a-waiting
And boys it ain't far off.
Trails of troubles,
Roads of battles,
Paths of victory,
We shall walk.
I walked down to the valley,
I turned my head up high.
I seen that silver linin'
That was hangin' in the sky.
Trails of troubles,
Roads of battles,
Paths of victory,
We shall walk.
The evenin' dust was rollin',
I was walking down the track.
There was a one-way wind a-blowin'
It was blowin' at my back.
Trails of troubles,
Roads of battles,
Paths of victory,
We shall walk.
The gravel road is bumpy,
It's a hard old road to ride,
But the clear road's up yonder
With the cinders on the side.
Trails of troubles,
Roads of battles,
Paths of victory,
We shall walk.
The morning train was movin',
The hummin' of its wheels,
Told me of a new day
Comin' across the field.
Trails of troubles,
Roads of battles,
Paths of victory,
We shall walk.
I listened to this song as a kid; Odetta was one of my Mom's favorite singers. Thanks for posting it, and taking me both back and ahead.
TPJ, thank you for this. Reposted.
Thank TPJ, especially for the link to the song. 'We shall walk.' reminded me of 'We shall Overcome'. It was the first time that I heard Odetta sing it. Is it a version of Bob Dylan's 'Paths of Victory'? The lyrics are very close.
Thank you so much for these words.
Thanks for that!
Paths of Victory was an outtake from Dylan’s album, The Times They Are A-Changin’. The original recording is on The Basement Tapes along with tons of other gems 😉
"Paths" is on the second, longer Basement Tapes, not the first, immortal double album. That's the one I listen to.
There's also the version by the Byrds, c.1967-68. Still my all-time favorite American band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pnRGVtCZ5U
Earlier tonight, a friend came up with a very useful analogy about FOX News. She believes the network functions as a "one-room schoolhouse" where every pupil comes from a troubled home.
I totally subscribe to an overview that EVERY Trump voter grew up in a home with at least one horrifically troubled parent, whether the "unions" that produced them were composed of educated, affluent men and women or the worst kind of redneck, racist trash. Just think ... 74 million sets of parents, 100% devoid of decency in the truest sense of the word. (And to think that people talk about "black parenting" as an American problem. LOL.)
Gently, now. People are not trash. As someone who grew up being called 'redneck white trash' I understand the temptation. But that is racist.
I hold fear of those 'good ole boys' who would just as soon off me as look at me because I'm a Lesbian. I have avoided Alabama over 20 years due to the rampant fundamentalism and willful ignorance.
The "New South" can be found in large metropolitan areas, but in rural spaces, children are still being taught fundamentalism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc.
The culture is sick. I don't have a recommendation other than kindness.
You have a point about characterizing the 74 million who voted for tRump. But as a child of Holocaust survivors., we CANNOT lay down and play dead by just accepting Trumpism and its racist awfulness. That is exactly what many of my direct relatives did...and where did that get them...the gas chambers of Europe! I will continue to call these horrid people out. I, personally, will never let this brand of fascism stand unchallenged. And will defend my right to do so!
Hear, hear, Mariann!
In complete agreement, Mariann. Naming, calling it out, challenging the racist awfulness, yes. A thousand times, yes. I can't be safe living in those sick spaces. You, and all of us, need to challenge and speak out. Not necessarily in their faces.
Women, children, POC--if we don't "know our place" and behave as chattel in the presence of these creatures, are seriously at risk of physical harm. As an 'uppity' child, the experience of corporeal abuse led to a blessed early departure. I'm just saying that the culture is not safe space. Not that there is actual safe space, but many are safer than others.
I agree also, but thinking about the current road rage, mask rage, vaccine rage etc etc - the quantity of mass shootings - I know I would be hesitant at speaking out in one of those situations - I have to be honest as an 83 year old woman- lets face it - any single lone woman at any age - can be at risk of physical harm - as you said Kim. I admit I AM more outspoken than I was when I was younger, but the circumstances getting involved in any kind of dispute - domestic or otherwise? Much hesitation.
Well, Maggie, that is what I see as wisdom. One of the basic teachings of nursing education was the notion that one must take care of the self first. Otherwise, one would be unable to care for others. No matter what age, this remains a truth. Strategic interventions have become more important as I age.
I agree, Kim
Well said!
Thank you, Kim. Love trumps hate.
and Trump hates love.
Trump hates truth.
unfortunately, he wouldn't recognize if it jumped up and bit him. I'm not sure he hates it, just that he doesn't know and doesn't care whatever it is.
To discover the truth you have to first want to find it.
Unless he pays for it.
One-way contractual relations! The real thing requires an ability to give and he only knows how to take....and he's been taking all his life trying to make up for its absence.
My mother didn't love me, and I never tried to destroy democracy.
Love isn’t bought; sex is.
How many people similar to the man we are talking about have any idea that there is a difference?
Good point
Morning Stuart!! It's a late night for me. G'night.
Sleep well.
TFG has no capacity to understand love, but clearly craves it.
Are you familiar with the Buddhist concept of the Hungry Ghost? It's a being with a huge hunger and a tiny mouth, so it's perpetually unable to quell its appetite. When I think of Trump and his craving for love, that metaphor always springs to mind. While repellant, he is also pathetic.
Such a perfect visual.
Big stomach, bloated face, little mouth, tiny hands...
Exactly … hungry ghosts, the gaki ... spirits condemned to eternal hunger ... in a state of perpetual thirst and lick the drops of spilled water in a temple cemetery.
https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/syuzou/meihin/emaki/item03.html
Incredibly TFG is both repellant and pathetic, while his handlers are just plain disgusting.
Every time, TPJ.
kimceann, I agree our culture is not healthy. Kindness and compassion are a good place to start. I also think the most horrid parts are beginning to self-destruct.
From your mouth to the Universe!
Agree Charlie.
From my knowledge of the Trumpers whose backgrounds I am aware of, your hypothesis is on strong ground sir.
One thing that is helpful to remember is that racism isn't inherited as much as it is taught. How do we stop this? Perhaps it is finally, slowly, slowly happening.
OMG ... Google just informed me that the lines in the anti-racism cartoon I remember from my youth were lifted from the famous Broadway hit, "South Pacific" ... from incredible song by Rogers and Hammerstein, "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught". As I said, if there has actually been any TRUE progress in individual racist white supremacist hatred in America, it has been glacial at best. And at worst ... worst than ever.
Hard to believe, but on my family's first television set in the 50's, there was a public service animated cartoon about racism that played quite often. It included the following lines: "They start off when you're young teaching you how to hate, like before you are six or seven or eight". In those days (this was in deep south Louisiana, btw), there was NOTHING hateful on TV ... now, there is almost NOTHING played in over half the homes in America except hate-filled propaganda on FOX and other copycat Fox networks, not to mention daddy and mommy and PeePaw and MeMaw glomming on to hate radio during trips to school, Disney World, etc. Progress is glacial, to be sure .... but the reality is that children who grow up with hater parents are more likely to end up as Republican racists than in my generation. Discouraging, to put it mildly.
With every grandchild of mixed heritage.
The 'one-room schoolhouse' metaphor makes total sense. It explains the bubble of deliberate ignorance they live in today. (And yes I did go to a one-room schoolhouse for a couple of years)
Just a quick personal note to y'all, since folks on here are kind of in a little "neighborhood", of sorts. I haven't been on much in the last couple of days and probably won't be for a little while. My mom, who I have cared for and seen to for the past 13 years (the last 10 with just her), passed away yesterday morning at the age of 97. Needless to say I am devastated as she has been the main focus of my life since my dad's passing in 2011. Of course, as those of you who've been through these things before know, there's a LOT of stuff, material and mental, to work through. No matter how much one prepares (I mean, she was 97!), the actual event can leave you reeling. Being a hyper-sensitive, emotional, artist who is too cerebral for his own good, all the feelings come rushing at you in a tidal wave. In this all-too-silent house now I am allowing myself to grieve and to do a lot of thinking and reflecting about my mom's long life. There have been weepy moments aplenty--and will be for a while yet--but also a lot of happiness and pride in what she did with her life and how it affected other people. She was moderately well known among the old guard of the medical community here as being a top-notch nurse. I know she was very highly regarded (I'm finding out now just how well she was thought of with the ongoing outpouring of sympathy) and I can't say how much that lifts my broken heart. She lived to serve. To help. To save lives. To help heal. She did it out of a sense of duty, not expecting anything in return. She won awards and stuff, but they essentially didn't mean much to her. Her nursing colleagues here consider her one of those "unsung heroes" that just do their jobs and quietly, gently show by example. But this little 90-some-odd-pound woman had an enormous impact on the nursing community here--or so I am told. However, she did what she did out of love. Pure and simple. And she passed on that love to my brother and me. We were truly truly blessed.
With these and other thoughts swimming about in my head, I find I simply cannot face current events and fights right now. It intrudes harshly into the aura of peace and love and happiness I am surrounding myself with in musing on the life of my beautiful, amazing mother. I'm most assuredly not posting this in an attempt to garner pity or generate sympathy--I'm getting enough of that as it is--but because this little bunch of people here who have stumbled into my life have given me a lot of hope and courage, and I feel like I can share something personal that has been a momentous event in my life. You all understand. As I thank Providence for the life of my mom (service is next week), I am reminded yet again of being thankful for the GOOD things in my life. One of those is this little community. You guys rock. I may disappear for a spell and lurk for a little while, but will keep reading HCR's letters and y'all's wonderful, thought-provoking commentary. God bless you all.
In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.
Amen
Bruce, how right you are to put other matters aside right now and focus on honoring your amazing mother, grieving your loss and beginning the journey of healing. May you learn things about her you never knew from those who also loved her.
Step back into the river of this conversation when you're ready. Until then brother walk gently.
Dear Bruce, if you like, please share the date/time of the service. Next week your friends here will focus our energies then, and boost attendance in spirit. It would be a privilege.
Bruce, sounds like you are doing a great job of dealing with the loss of your Mom. We are working on the services for my mother. Her favorite priest was on vacation until today ,so services will be next week....she was 94 & a retired nurse too! You are so right about how much others thought of our parents. I've been impressed by some of the stories. I'm sure you are too.
Thanks for letting our community know. Hugs to you.
As fate would have it, a retired priest and her husband (we're Episcopalian) have moved back here and she is the daughter of a doctor who worked closely with my mom for many years. My mom absolutely adored him, and I KNOW she would be tickled and touched beyond measure that she can do the service.
Bruce and Betsy, my heart goes out to both of you. Kids are the proof of the pudding, and you are each one of those kids--clearly the lucky product of a Magnificent Mom!
I honor your mother for her service to others and for having raised such a fine son. Sending you much love as you travel this new path.
Bruce, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss - I hope that the past 10-13 years meant learning of how she came to live her life from her youth to her 90s. My mom was 103 when she died - also an RN early on. She went to nursing school in Philadelphia then worked in NYC as a public health nurse. I wish I had asked more questions when I was younger, but I do remember some of what she went thru. I hope you were able to hear of your mom's life before you came along. Things were much much different back then! Since she has actually lived with you for so long, its going to be tough for some time. I'm guessing all the people here in this community will send their good wishes too.
Oh yeah. I grew up with her always working and heard lots and lots about her experiences. Her early life (she wanted to be a nurse from when she was like 4 or 5!) is pretty well known to me, all the way up to when she eventually became the Director of Nursing for the Medical Center (now around 500 beds) from '77 to '86. Isn't it interesting how so many of these old-school nurses manage to live to such ripe old ages?? I guess there really is something about helping and healing your fellow human beings that adds years on to a life!
So glad you were able to do that. Old school nurses were & are "tough old birds"! I do remember mom's opinion that back then "the drs thought they were god"!!! Think about how different the nurse's duties are now than they were then with much fewer aides/assistance - they did it all!! Then I think about nurses presently - with all the added paper work involved!
I am so sorry Bruce. You have lost not only a wonderful mother, it would seem, but also a dear friend. Take care of yourself now. In AA they have a saying for trying times...."Easy does it." You will be missed. God bless you.
Oh, Bruce, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. I have come to believe that I know you through your posts and your sharing your personal experiences with us here. My heart goes out to you. No matter how old our parents are, or how sick they may have been, when they finally leave this world, it is never easy. My mom had pancreatic cancer and so we all knew she was up against incredible odds, but even then, when she died it was a real blow. May the memory of her give you comfort and as President Biden says, bring a smile to your lips in good time. From my humble opinion, she did an incredible job of raising you and giving you the virtues that you exhibit here and throughout your life. God bless.
Sandy Lewis1 hr ago
Slavery based Racism is the original sin of our democracy. Today’s Republicans are racism’s defenders. Many are passively racist - and silent. To ignore racism in any form is to enable racism in every form.
Sez it all in thirty-four words.
Substack doesn't tack comments onto the posting upon which they are commenting, other than by an indentation which does not always work. That's why this site is such a mess. These are the thirty-four words to which my posting referred: "Slavery based Racism is the original sin of our democracy. Today’s Republicans are racism’s defenders. Many are passively racist - and silent. To ignore racism in any form is to enable racism in every form." It was posted by Sandy Lewis.
I believe that original sin goes back further to the genocide of the First People of our nation (by the colonials).
Yes.
No. First is way back. Way way back. Book of Genesis and Book of Job. And more.
First Sin was in The Garden of Eden with an apple from tree of knowledge 🍏 🍎 and The Evil One, the flesh tempted, poor dear Adam and evil Eve, The Devil, God, a snake for symbolism, then the compressor built by CGG or Chicago Pneumatic Tool, a black hose running across Rosie’s lap signifying the reptile, the distant jack hammer, Rosie the Riveter as her robust self, think women in WWII, women emancipated, working and supporting war, per Isaiah, The First Prophet, by MichelAngelo, on the cover of Saturday Evening Post, May 23, 1943, (?) by Norman Rockwell, the Stockbridge, Massachusetts communist and atheist that painted her sweet halo and the American flag 🇺🇸 flying. Perhaps Norman was hedging his bet. Don’t they all? Communist at 20, you have a ❤️; at 30, you have no 🧠 brain. Original Sin is essential, and action in perfect accord with the feeling that justifies is not sin.
Next?
Well, Sandy, I certainly would not want to debate the Adam and Eve story and all the rest you mention, I would like to bring you back to the real focus which I, as I read it above is based upon the factual history of our democracy.
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive.”
Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17.
Scottish author & novelist (1771 - 1832)
Scott also featured the Spider King, Louis XI of France, as a main character in "Quentin Durward." I think Scott had a thing for, or about, spiders.
As of yesterday, 53% of the ga-ga old boomer losers who form the Republican Party believe the Worst Boomer of All is the "rightful president." I wish that generation would hurry up and Make America Great Again with their permanent departure. (thankfully I am a "war baby")
Not a slam on the "good ones"but it turns out only 15-20% of boomers "actively participated" in The Sixties. For the other 80% either the Fifties never stopped or all they did was play with the surface - listen to the bad R'n'R bands and get stoned.
Thanks for the exception. We tried really hard to change our world. Feels like there were more than 20%. True-true that for many, the 50s never ended--and still haven't.
And, of course, their fantasy of what the 50s were never actually existed.
Well, those 15-20% in the 60’s encouraged a greater percentage in the 70’s. And so on into every following decade. And we started listening to some really good rock-n-roll.
It might be a little larger a percentage over the time since, but I'd be very surprised if it was more than 30%. If it was, our politics would be vastly different.
And then there were people like me. Graduated HS in the 60s , got married right away and began a family. I didn’t fit into the protesters, the drug scene or much of the rock ‘n’ roll back then. I didn’t want to live the way the 50s were, and those of us like that needed to forge our own way, more informed but I needed to leave home and didn’t see any benefit to college. Raised three girls and finally earned a degree in ‘93 and another in 2001. I’m still trying to stay informed and searching for ways to get involved while I am interested, healthy, and physically active. At the present time I’m putting my money where my mouth is.
Can you just stop the War Baby/Boomer Baby - wish the Boomers would drop dead nonsense? Many, many War Babies are deeply invested ideologically in Trumpism and making America Great again as are many of those who came up during the Depression. Separating what you term the good boomers from the bad boomers is divisive and is a false construct...especially when the time span, 1946 - 1964, is considered.
A lot of the Sixties actually happened in the Seventies. Environmental, women's, gay rights movements all are Seventies phenomena, including widespread middle-class drug use and long hair on men.
In the long run we are all dead.
-- John Maynard Keynes
So, so true.
Dayum Daria, you're on a roll this morning. Took the words right out of my mouth (again).
Stephen, sometimes I just can't keep my mouth shut. Today was one of those days. 😉
Take no prisoners, D. Nonviolently, of course.
Actually 15 - 20 % was pretty good and we're not done yet. "Keep on truckin" (R. Crumb?)
Crumb indeed.
So, just out of curiosity, are you dissing R. Crumb?
As one of the 15-20% I think 🤔 that there were a lot more of us than that, certainly some more involved than others, but the tentacles of the culture that we developed are still reverberating to this day. We didn’t start the civil rights movement but we participated in it, the music of our generation is still relevant. Bob Dylan who turned 80 a couple days ago deservedly has a Noble because he spoke so eloquently for our generation. There were a lot of us, and while there may be fewer of us left today than there were back in the day, I posit that we are as relevant today as we ever were, just look 👀 at who won the elections 🗳 including the senate seats here in GA.
A depressing fact is how many younger people still ( white men ) still listen ONLY to oldies radio. And it’s always the worst stuff.
Technically, by gross generalization, I am a boomer (b. 1958). My parents were older, and although my Dad was a WWII Veteran (enlisted at age 26), my folks waited 9 years to have me; as the oldest child, I did not have older siblings introducing me to the music and culture of what is generally regarded as "boomer culture". My music was that of my parents, ranging from classical music (esp. Bach organ music) to the folk music of Pete Seeger, Odetta, The Kingston Trio, and The Weavers. My first protest, however, was an anti war protest in 1967 (again with my parents) when the young hotheads were yelling "Bomb Hanoi". None of this stuff was "my stuff". I had no family members who fought in Viet Nam. I was one of those more "listen to bad R&B bands and get stoned" but by HS, we weren't really Boomers as much as Jones Generation, most of us.
My mom wanted me to join ROTC since she thought if I was drafted I’d do better since I argued at 11 that women should be allowed in combat. But I went to art school :)
Wait, what? In Vietnam? There was a worry that women were going to be drafted? I know some went, but I thought they all went as volunteers. ??
Grace: How could women have been drafted? Is my memory fuzzy? Women weren't in the 1969 lottery, as I recall. Even now, women needn't register for selective service.
They weren’t. My mom was afraid that if ERA passed we would be. And since I was still in junior high in 1970, there was time for me to prepare for the worst. They were not opposed to the war until around Kent State I’d say.
But remember, the R party is very small and shrinking. Focus on that number meaning only 14 % of all Americans. You could probably find 14% of any group who would agree the moon is made of cheese. Let’s start ignoring the tantrums and focusing on the healing connections with our fellow humans.
Exactly!!
👏 yes Cathy Mc!
👍
Take heart: 70% of Americans who are eligible to register to vote do register, and the rest do not. Currently, between 26-31% of registered voters self-identify as Republicans. If 53% of them say they think Trump is our secret president, while horrifying, recognize that that is 53% of 26% of 70% of Americans that have lost access to reasonable news sources and to reality, and that works out to be about 9% of American adults. (Accounting for Independents brings to total to about 11.5%.)
I have to remind myself of this because when I hear "70% of Republicans," or "53% of Republicans think Trump is president" I think "70% of Half the People Who Matter Think Trump is president" and it's just not true. Still horrific to think about people who are that far gone from reality though.