Happy Monday Morning, People! And no, I am not being sarcastic. Yes, we are surrounded by liars, bigots and racists. But… like the song says… we’ll find a way. Life finds a way. Dig deep, be authentic, have integrity. yes, I’m spouting tropes, but isn’t that true of all the great half-time speeches? There’s a reason a trope reaches that status. The great ones transcend. Here’s some more… we got this, love is greater than hate, just believe, and the greatest of all… NEVER GIVE UP!
I’m not going ostrich on you guys, I promise. Last week was rough…again. You know, in another administration I would look at a female Attorney General or a female Director of Homeland Security and point to these women as achievements, signs that society that is moving forward. These two? I just shudder. Pam Bondi (aka Peroxide Skeletor) couldn’t even woman up enough to look the Epstein victims (who are badass, by the way) in the eyes. Hey Pam, thanks for the whole Dow update- as soon as you screamed it the market dipped over 700 points. And that walking bit of Botox combined with silicon and supercharged with hate, Kristi Noem, is the stuff of nightmares (and not just for puppies).
For instance, DHS just served every online player with administrative subpoenas requesting the names, emails, websites, etc. of people who have criticized or tracked ICE. Unlike traditional warrants, administrative subpoenas do not require approval from a judge before they are issued. Instead of seeking court authorization first, DHS can sign and send the demands directly to tech companies. Legally, these don’t have a lot of teeth, However, it is up to those subpoenaed companies to resist and risk making the Orange Diaper Baby (that’s ODB for short) start throwing his toys out of his crib and having a basic tantrum. In another time, this type of subpoena wouldn’t worry me too much. These days? Well, we have seen that the oligarchs are only too happy to kiss the…ring of ODB if it means that they can take their billions to trillions to gazillions and the rest of the world be damned. So, yes, I have concerns. Here I am, writing my little opinion pieces, exercising my First Amendment right to Free Speech and yet, these days? Kristi Noem would call me a domestic terrorist. (To be clear I’m just a short woman who likes Doctor Who living in Norcal.) I guess as long as all she’s doing is calling me names then she’s just exercising HER Constitutional rights, but she seems like she prefers the whole shoot first, ask questions never because she’s too busy making up the cover story scenario. I am NOT a fan. So yeah, powerless or not, these subpoenas are making my spidey senses tingle.
To be fair, the spidey senses have been on high alert for the past year. While I am completely aware and paying attention to them, I do see events which hearten me. Bless the people of Minnesota. ODB really, really wanted a riot (or four) and to be able to call for martial law. He wants to do it to the whole country so that he can skip the midterms *shudder* but Minnesota remained the collective adult in the room. Despite at least two of their neighbors being murdered in broad daylight, they didn’t give in to hate, they continued to film, to protest peacefully, and to stand up for their rights. They did the heavy lifting for all of us. Love them.
Slowly, bit by bit, some Republicans are reaching the inexorable conclusion that ODB may have gone too far, that this isn’t what they signed up for. And, again bit by bit, enough of the Epstein Files have come to light, that I think it’s pretty clear that it is NOT a hoax, that the powerful are being protected and that justice has NOT yet been done. And I have to say, I don’t think anyone (on the left or the right) is about to let this go. Unless, of course, you are one of said child rapists, then you would of course be all about the move along, nothing to see here tactic. Republicans are asking questions, waking up from their stupor and voting (in some cases) by conscience not party lines. I love that for them. I love that for us. If Congress actually got involved and did their due diligence, their JOB and we had the checks and balances that are part of the government’s designs, we could right this ship.
So, yes, I am still desperately worried, but I see some sunlight. Spring just might come after all. Or to use Those Damn Crows words, “Can’t see the stars, but I swear they will shine again.” Please enjoy this week’s song We’ll Find Away by Those Damn Crows. This quintet hails from Wales. (That rhymes!) They were founded in 2014 and their name comes from a phrase shouted by drummer Ronnie Huxford’s father while feeding birds in his garden. I have really been enjoying them. Hope that you do, too!!!
