Not Easily Dispelled

Voice Your Truth

February 3, 2017

I’d like to start this post with a quote from Harry Belafonte (soon to be 90) as reported in the New York Times today (in an article sent to me by my mother):

It’s my last chance to say whatever I feel the need to say. And I think I’m formulating what that utterance should be. What have I not said that needs to be said more forcefully and more precisely? There are times we mute ourselves, we censor ourselves because we have this false pride, this need to be liked. Rather than worry about being liked, are you telling the truth, putting your best foot forward? I try to, but there’s something missing here, and that’s what I’m looking for: What’s missing?

Figure out what your truth is and what’s missing and say it. Go here for some ideas: 5calls.org. My two sisters from NC did so yesterday. One from the top of Vail. It’s easy.

Of course, it is a little difficult to find your voice when your jaw is in the dropped position, but I’ll try. Here are a few of the things that have caught my attention lately:

Foreign Relations

I have embarrassingly small insight into foreign relations and diplomacy, but I know enough to be nervous.

  • There’s the wall, of course, to keep the “bad hombres” out. We’ve been told Mexico will be paying for the wall. Perhaps by taxing U.S. consumers.
  • First he said the Israeli government expanding the construction of Jewish settlements was okay. Now, he said that might not be helpful. (I’m perfectly okay with him changing his mind. I wish others had been okay with Hillary occasionally changing her mind.)
  • His phone call with the Australian Prime Minister was a little tense apparently and may or may not have ended abruptly. Unfortunately, there are two versions of the phone call regarding the outcome: Trump’s version and the Prime Minister’s version.
  • He is getting tough on Iran. Which sounds like it might be necessary, but why don’t I have a good feeling about it?
  • Then there is Yemen. The New York Times reports, “where everything that could go wrong did.” I’m sure this will get the same scrutiny as Benghazi. Trump decided to move forward with the raid in consultation with his closest advisors, which included his son-in-law and Steve Bannon. I probably need to write a whole separate post on Bannon and his role on the NSC.
  • So far, we appear to be on excellent terms with Russia.

The Republican-controlled Congress

They’ve been so busy this year! Who knew? And most of it has involved repealing or working at repealing things:

  • Funding for Planned Parenthood
  • Obamacare (i.e., the Affordable Care Act)
  • Protection of streams from coal mining
  • Extension of prohibitions on gun ownership to disabled social security recipients judged mentally incapable of managing their own affairs.
  • Coming soon I’m sure since Trump is encouraging it: The Johnson Amendment which prohibits tax-exempt non-profits (e.g., churches) from participating in a political candidate’s campaign.
  • Another coming soon due to Trump executive orders: Dodd-Frank financial reform law

What am I forgetting?

One thing they are working towards creating? Stricter voter ID laws. This is intended to prevent millions from voting illegally as they did in this past election. (Sarcasm.)

And we will see if they “go nuclear” with the Democrats over the Gorusch nomination.

In Honor Of (not so much)

  • International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Trump made no mention of Jews or anti-Semitism
  • Black History Month – Frederick Douglass lives!
  • National Day of Prayer – Trump prayed for Arnold and The Apprentice.
  • The Bowling Green Massacre – Oh wait, that was Kellyanne. Not quite sure who she was actually honoring.

As usual, closing with two tweets to ponder:

 

 

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