I slept for forty years
My eyes closed to injustice
But I’m awake now
Patriotism
Might mean kneeling in protest
Soldiers bought that right
We might not condone
The paths these protesters trod
But their rights remain
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I would ask every American to read the amendment. Take it in. Understand its ramifications. Then try to tell me that Colin Kaepernick doesn’t have the right to take a knee during the national anthem.
You might not like that he does it. You might believe he’s disrespecting the flag. But the truth is, Mr. Kaepernick is exercising his rights as a citizen under the First Amendment.
Now, our president has called Kaepernick and other athletes who have chosen to sit or kneel rather that stand at attention during the anthem “sons of bitches.” Trump did this at a rally of his followers in Alabama. No doubt there was much celebration when he chose those words: Sons of bitches. Not only has trump cast aspersions on these athletes, but on their mothers, as well.
Does the president also have the right to free speech? Indeed, he does. And what did he do with that right? He just insulted a good portion of the American populace and those of us who stand with them.
So, who is the real son of a bitch?
When up becomes down
Two wrongs might make something right
Topsy turvy world
Fake news could be true
According to the hucksters,
Else it’s all a ruse
Care to take a chance?
What’s behind door number one?
Pure propaganda
We once had a dream
Outrageous and oh so near
The heavens stretched wide
Malignant fears grew
With a pen’s stroke, hope seemed dashed
Editing lives
Calling on giants
Defend these youthful dreamers
These Americans
A matter of time
Everything boils down to this
All things fall away
Raging storm, dark clouds,
Nothing will last forever
Light permeates all
Dreamers, hold on,
We promise to fight for you
Looking for that light
A couple of days ago I shared a meme on Facebook that caused tempers to flare. I first included it in this post, but honestly, I feel like I’ve been through the ringer. ¡No más! So, I deleted it before publishing.
Basically the meme was a take on the whole “weather catastrophes are the fault of….(insert gays/feminists/atheists/Muslims, etc.).” only this one jokingly put the blame for Hurricane Harvey on Trump, and then asked, “see how ridiculous that sounds.”
Obviously I was trying to make a point about how ridiculous some of the wacky religious and/or political pundits sound when they blame catastrophic events on homosexuality or feminism or any number of unrelated events, so the amount of vitriol the post attracted was rather stunning. Clearly it was satire.
Was I not aware of the suffering people in coastal Texas and surrounding areas were experiencing? Well, yes, I am aware and have posted numerous links to responsible agencies who are accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Harvey, and I’ve donated to more than a few such organizations myself. If I thought I could be an asset instead of an aggravation I’d be volunteering there right now. The good folks of Houston and beyond are going to need help for many months to come, and I’ll help in whatever ways I can.
Have I no sense of shame? Certainly I do when shame is warranted. This isn’t one of those times.
What has happened to me? Apparently I used to be a good person, but I’m not anymore. Huh. I’ve always tried to do the right thing. I haven’t always been successful, but I look out for others and treat people kindly.
The meme is in poor taste! I don’t believe it is; however, cutting a proposed one billion dollars of funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s budget in order to finance a wall between the U.S. and Mexico is certainly crossing a line that far exceeds the realm of good taste, and I don’t see any of the folks who lambasted me over my meme having a meltdown over that.
Several folks lectured me on my morality and ethics. Oddly enough none of them would be my first choice were I to go in search of a teacher on those issues.
A thoughtful friend sent this to me after reading the battering posts. I take great comfort in good friends.
I continue to pray for all those affected by Harvey. Yes, I do. Even those who think I’m a bad person.
If you want to support a great organization that’s helping out folks who’ve lost everything to this devastating storm here are more verified links:
https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053
Peace, people.
Surrendering to Love
By Leslie Noyes
Hate is thick out there
Marching through the city streets
Tearing us apart
Love is present, too
Quieter, yet pervasive
Calling for action
Now we have the choice
To which do we surrender?
I'll always choose love
Wouldn't it be nice? I found this on a friend's Facebook feed.
Actually, having suffered from mega jet lag this past week I was going to give trump a pass on failing to notice his massive limo was directly in front of him when he deplaned. But then I saw this and thought, “Nyet! No passes for trump.”
Double down on democracy, speak your mind, and honestly. Support a free press, and denounce those who’d silence
The Fourth Estate. A patriot is neither left nor right, but one who upholds the Constitution. Refuse to succumb
To the treachery of bluster and lies. We know better! Some have had their eyes clouded, others feel dismay,
Yet we are Americans. We believe in liberty, in justice, for ALL, and we will not be led astray by this sham of a leader.
Praying for Eyebrowz 