Driving dirty air
The Republican Party, which is now Donald Trump’s Republican Party (DTRP), has long heralded itself as the party of less big government and more local control. They’ve argued that states, cities, and counties know what is best for them and they should set standards. DTRP dislikes car emission standards set by California’s elected leaders so … Continue reading "Driving dirty air"
How We Have Failed Since September 11, Redux
First posted here on September 10, 2014 How We Have Failed since September 11 Tonight President Obama will address the nation about ISIS and any actions that we may take in response to the horrific murders of Americans and innocent civilians at the hands of terrorists. Tomorrow there will be an observance in my community, … Continue reading "How We Have Failed Since September 11, Redux"
A serving of justice lite
Two days ago a friend described the criminal court proceedings against the careless driver who killed my bicycle-riding husband, David, as a “lite order of justice.” Why? What’s the punishment for killing a law-abiding cyclist in Georgia? Careless driving resulting in a cyclist’s death is considered a misdemeanor, and the penalties are hardly harsh. A … Continue reading "A serving of justice lite"
McConnell finds his voice
After weeks of political laryngitis on the government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) found the will to say that fellow Republican Rep Steve King (R-Iowa) should “find another line of work.” During a recent interview lasting almost an hour, King said he doesn’t understand how white nationalist, pro Western civilization, and white supremacist language … Continue reading "McConnell finds his voice"
Can Governor Kemp deliver for rural Georgia?
Today marks a new era in Georgia, one that follows a contentious race for the governor’s mansion. Will Brian Kemp and the GA Legislature deliver on promises to rural voters? Rural hospitals are fragile, while access to care is difficult in regards to insurance coverage, number of providers, and transportation. Will legislators swallow hard and … Continue reading "Can Governor Kemp deliver for rural Georgia?"
Expressing sympathy isn’t rocket science
After the death of my infant grandson in December 2016, my husband’s tragic death on April 30th of this year, followed seven weeks later by my mother’s death, my family has been the recipient of both kind and what are really thoughtless comments from people who are trying to express their sympathies. My friends shared … Continue reading "Expressing sympathy isn’t rocket science"
Two things about this election
There are two things I’ve thought before the election and remain committed to as we wait for more votes to be counted. 1. Georgia needs to change our Constitution to require a Secretary of State to resign if running for a different office. Changing the Constitution shouldn’t be the path to solving every problem, but … Continue reading "Two things about this election"
I’ve changed my status
Last month I made a change to my FaceBook account I really never imagined possible. It is one of the hard realities I have lived with since April 30th, when a series of phone calls, the last from my friend, and deputy coroner in Washington County, told me that my husband David had been hit … Continue reading "I’ve changed my status"
Hear the candidates with your own ears!
Early voting is underway across Georgia with hotly contested races for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner, and of course Congressional districts. Being an informed voter requires doing the homework, and one of the best ways to do that is to listen to the candidates themselves. I love political pundits and editorial columns … Continue reading "Hear the candidates with your own ears!"
The new generation of leaders
The Friday Photo Decatur High School, Decatur, GA Students walked out or took a knee on Wednesday because #enoughisenough. I stood with them and for them.
Taking thoughts and prayers to the bank
The Friday Photo February 16, 2018
Donald Trump’s Seven Dirty Words
Donald Trump isn’t afraid to use hate speech, but words grounded in science, facts, and evidence scare him and his followers so much that he is banning the use of seven words by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The words are: vulnerable entitlement diversity transgender fetus evidence-based science-based What are Trump and his … Continue reading "Donald Trump’s Seven Dirty Words"
When people don’t mind being lied to
“They May Have Been Phony in the Past But They Are Very Real Now” Sean Spicer on employment numbers released on March 10, 2017 “I’m not in the job of having evidence” Kellyanne Conway on CNN, March 13, 2017 Sean Spicer said Trump used air quotes when accusing President Obama of “wire tapping” (sic, Trump’s … Continue reading "When people don’t mind being lied to"
When the data scare folks
Earlier this week I found this nifty tool for comparing the healthcare plan proposed by the Republicans (Trumpcare) to the current plan in place (Obamacare). Let’s call the plans what they are, since the Republicans considered attaching the former President’s name to the health care plan he championed, which provided affordable insurance to over 20Million … Continue reading "When the data scare folks"
One way the Republican health plan will impact my rural county
Last night I used this nifty tool released by the Kaiser Family Foundation to calculate how the proposed health care bill released by the Republicans Tuesday night will impact Washington County. In Washington County, if you are 60 years old and making $40,000 a year (per capita income is under $38,000 in my county), the … Continue reading "One way the Republican health plan will impact my rural county"
Enslaved people are not immigrants
Dr. Ben Carson, recognized as a brilliant surgeon, used some “alternative facts” in comments to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff today, as he begins his work there as the Secretary of the agency. Carson chose to describe enslaved people forced onto boats and brought to the United States, as immigrants. I looked up … Continue reading "Enslaved people are not immigrants"
What I’m reading about last night
What I’m reading about last night (link to the address is below from the New York Times): WAPo: “In describing his bleak vision of a ruined United States exploited by foreigners, Mr. Trump wrote a series of checks he almost certainly cannot cash.” The ugliest moment in the 60-minute address came when Mr. Trump announced … Continue reading "What I’m reading about last night"
Who isn’t in the room now?
The duties that the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence include participating in discussions and decision-making in the National Security Council. Trump has decided that they don’t need to attend unless specifically asked. Their job every day, all day, is to protect our country. They’ve been told to wait … Continue reading "Who isn’t in the room now?"
Breaking bread in a mosque
The Friday Photo January 27, 2016 Heeding the observation a wise friend shared with me the day after last year’s election, I am making a concerted effort to desegregate what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the most segregated hour” in our country. In November I visited the church just a block down the street from … Continue reading "Breaking bread in a mosque"
Calling his bluff
Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto refused to fall victim to Trump’s childish demand that Mexico pay for a wall that Trump insists on building on the Mexico-United States border. Instead of tolerating the behavior of a spoiled child, Neito said he’d just stay at home. Every business threatened by Trump’s insistence that he would impose … Continue reading "Calling his bluff"