Do NOT watch the inauguration. Low ratings will drive the orange felon crazy. Don't watch any coverage of it at all from Jan 19 through 11:59PM on the 21st. It will save your sanity to just do other things: read a book, drink hot cocoa, go for a walk, binge The Office or rent Wicked... whatever floats your boat. But don't watch the clown disaster show at all.
My wish is that the Bidens and Harris-Emhoffs and zillions of us attend a ceremony celebrating the life and work of Rev Dr MLK Jr instead at his memorial. and then drone footage can show a visual comparison of support for peace and activism over hate and destruction.
Good advice, though I have to admit, there is nothing that would induce me to watch anything to do with that jerk. I saw enough of him and his followers four years ago. No more.
Historical perspective is key. I am so shocked disgusted and horrified when I look at the legacy of Jimmy Carter upon his exit feom this mortal coil vs what is coming in. But history is not linear and the pendulum swings back and forth back and forth. But I think each time we do move forward, we gain a bit more when the pendulum swings back. Even though the unthinkable happened in the General Election, we have trans member(s?) of Congress. Openly gay politicians. Voters overwhelmingly support abortion and have enshrined it into some state constitutions.
I’d love and would have expected to see a female POTUS in my lifetime. Now I’m not so sure. But I’ll keep fighting for it. And I really see the impact of “Think Global, Act Local.” I really believe change happens at a personal level. Conversations w/family, neighbors, individuals. Not dictates from on high.
So huge thanks yo you, Jessica, and all your compatriots showing us the way. #onward
And those who read it and see in it our future our blessed. Says the woman who studied the history and sociology of science, but who grew up to be a writer because, well, how can we write in the absence of knowing?
Jessica- Since Senator Rubio's VM box was full and his website had no email info, I sent him a US Mail letter as follows:
January 6, 2024
The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Dear Senator Rubio,
On this, the anniversary of Donald Trump’s insurrectionist actions which you felt did not justify his impeachment conviction, I write to ask that you block the most outrageous of the incoming President’s cabinet nominees, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert Kennedy and Kash Patel.
In light of the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans and the rising threat of domestic terrorism in general, I urge you to oppose the confirmations of all four nominees. We need leaders in these positions with the qualifications and temperament to lead the agencies that keep us safe.
None of these nominees meets those qualifications.
Hegseth has virtually no management experience and a checkered history, Patel is focused on vengeance for Trump, Gabbard is a Russian stooge, and Kennedy’s anti-vax and anti-science views threaten our health. These people will put us in danger, and I urge you to vote no.
By the way, the reason I am sending a U.S. Mail letter to you is that your email address is no longer posted on your website, and your Washington DC voice mail box was full (as of this morning). I request you address these issues to make it easier for constituents to contact you.
OMGosh! Thank *YOU* for all of the clarity and HOPE you bring to your readers every single day! It will take all of the fortitude and bravery we can muster to get through the next four years. Luminaries like YOU and JEFF TIEDRICH reinforce that we are not insane, we are not in this alone, and we are NOT going to back down! We can do the hard work and we will RESIST! 💪💪💪
Question. Is it the Architect that’s holding up the installation of the plaque or is it smarmy, smirking Johnson? Or maybe the Architect at the direction of said Johnson?
Consider offering comments to legislators in copy under 500 words. I copied/pasted your text about the hold up on the plaque honoring Capital police officers directly into Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's email, but had to edit it down to <500 words. Thanks for sharing that info!
Thank you Jessica for the art lesson. Intriguing. Your essays are so important to all of us who know human rights are the key to a healthier happier life. We won’t stop working for them.
Beautiful essay about the Cloisters. I was a student nurse at Columbia from 1964-1966 and often went to sit in the gardens at the Cloisters. It was a peaceful refuge for this country girl in the city.
Happy New Year, Jess, and thank you always for all that you accomplish in moving us forward and keeping our heads above the deluge. I was gobsmacked by the info you supplied today about the SAVE Act and have called and/or written to my two senators and my district representative. I'm appalled that this is already on the docket and I will do anything I can to make sure it doesn't pass. I am very grateful for your prompt!
Moved today to share a portion of your post on my FB page, "So, too, one day, will we
... be lost to time. All that will remain of us is the tapestry of history, which will consist of the threads we weave into it in the time allotted to us." Pure poetry, profound wisdom.
Oh my goodness! I used to live on 175th St in Washington Heights and visited the Cloisters several times. I looooove the way you interwove the history of the tapestries with our own weaving of history - a beautiful essay. Thank you!
May I also share a suggestion from Malcolm Nance https://open.substack.com/pub/malcolmnance/p/forming-the-new-american-resistance?r=5mwrm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Do NOT watch the inauguration. Low ratings will drive the orange felon crazy. Don't watch any coverage of it at all from Jan 19 through 11:59PM on the 21st. It will save your sanity to just do other things: read a book, drink hot cocoa, go for a walk, binge The Office or rent Wicked... whatever floats your boat. But don't watch the clown disaster show at all.
I cannot imagine any universe in which I would turn that on for a moment, but good advice for those who can!
My wish is that the Bidens and Harris-Emhoffs and zillions of us attend a ceremony celebrating the life and work of Rev Dr MLK Jr instead at his memorial. and then drone footage can show a visual comparison of support for peace and activism over hate and destruction.
That is what Indivisible is suggesting more or less. Did you see?
I did see! I wish I could be there in person.
Good advice, though I have to admit, there is nothing that would induce me to watch anything to do with that jerk. I saw enough of him and his followers four years ago. No more.
So much beauty in your words. So much truth. It is perspective like this that keeps us going. And so we shall.
History is my greatest tonic.
Historical perspective is key. I am so shocked disgusted and horrified when I look at the legacy of Jimmy Carter upon his exit feom this mortal coil vs what is coming in. But history is not linear and the pendulum swings back and forth back and forth. But I think each time we do move forward, we gain a bit more when the pendulum swings back. Even though the unthinkable happened in the General Election, we have trans member(s?) of Congress. Openly gay politicians. Voters overwhelmingly support abortion and have enshrined it into some state constitutions.
I’d love and would have expected to see a female POTUS in my lifetime. Now I’m not so sure. But I’ll keep fighting for it. And I really see the impact of “Think Global, Act Local.” I really believe change happens at a personal level. Conversations w/family, neighbors, individuals. Not dictates from on high.
So huge thanks yo you, Jessica, and all your compatriots showing us the way. #onward
And those who read it and see in it our future our blessed. Says the woman who studied the history and sociology of science, but who grew up to be a writer because, well, how can we write in the absence of knowing?
Jessica- Since Senator Rubio's VM box was full and his website had no email info, I sent him a US Mail letter as follows:
January 6, 2024
The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Dear Senator Rubio,
On this, the anniversary of Donald Trump’s insurrectionist actions which you felt did not justify his impeachment conviction, I write to ask that you block the most outrageous of the incoming President’s cabinet nominees, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert Kennedy and Kash Patel.
In light of the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans and the rising threat of domestic terrorism in general, I urge you to oppose the confirmations of all four nominees. We need leaders in these positions with the qualifications and temperament to lead the agencies that keep us safe.
None of these nominees meets those qualifications.
Hegseth has virtually no management experience and a checkered history, Patel is focused on vengeance for Trump, Gabbard is a Russian stooge, and Kennedy’s anti-vax and anti-science views threaten our health. These people will put us in danger, and I urge you to vote no.
By the way, the reason I am sending a U.S. Mail letter to you is that your email address is no longer posted on your website, and your Washington DC voice mail box was full (as of this morning). I request you address these issues to make it easier for constituents to contact you.
Thank you.
William Welsch, Punta Gorda
Perfect!
What a great letter!
That was BEAUTIFUL!
Yes, one day we'll all be lost to the sands of time, even the dunderheads who are working to destroy our democracy.
Thank you for the gentle and fascinating metaphor & reminder.
Thank YOU.
OMGosh! Thank *YOU* for all of the clarity and HOPE you bring to your readers every single day! It will take all of the fortitude and bravery we can muster to get through the next four years. Luminaries like YOU and JEFF TIEDRICH reinforce that we are not insane, we are not in this alone, and we are NOT going to back down! We can do the hard work and we will RESIST! 💪💪💪
What beautiful thoughts and words. Thank you.
Thank you, Janina.
Question. Is it the Architect that’s holding up the installation of the plaque or is it smarmy, smirking Johnson? Or maybe the Architect at the direction of said Johnson?
Likely some combination of all, which is why we are writing to all of our reps about it.
Jess, for me your opening essay made tears well up. Solnitesque, one might say. And: Rebecca's writings are often Cravenesque!
The ultimate compliment, thank you. If I can achieve a fraction of her writing talent I’ll consider it a huge accomplishment.
Consider offering comments to legislators in copy under 500 words. I copied/pasted your text about the hold up on the plaque honoring Capital police officers directly into Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's email, but had to edit it down to <500 words. Thanks for sharing that info!
Sure! The idea came from one of you!
Thank you Jessica for the art lesson. Intriguing. Your essays are so important to all of us who know human rights are the key to a healthier happier life. We won’t stop working for them.
Beautiful essay about the Cloisters. I was a student nurse at Columbia from 1964-1966 and often went to sit in the gardens at the Cloisters. It was a peaceful refuge for this country girl in the city.
Indeed it must have been! And I doubt it’s changed much at all.
Happy New Year, Jess, and thank you always for all that you accomplish in moving us forward and keeping our heads above the deluge. I was gobsmacked by the info you supplied today about the SAVE Act and have called and/or written to my two senators and my district representative. I'm appalled that this is already on the docket and I will do anything I can to make sure it doesn't pass. I am very grateful for your prompt!
Thank you, Laurie!
I have always loved The Cloisters. Wonderful analogy.
And you know the anonymous craftspeople lost to HIStory were no doubt mostly, if not all, women. Plus çe change …
Absolutely
Moved today to share a portion of your post on my FB page, "So, too, one day, will we
... be lost to time. All that will remain of us is the tapestry of history, which will consist of the threads we weave into it in the time allotted to us." Pure poetry, profound wisdom.
Thanks, Kate. ❤️
Oh my goodness! I used to live on 175th St in Washington Heights and visited the Cloisters several times. I looooove the way you interwove the history of the tapestries with our own weaving of history - a beautiful essay. Thank you!
Lucky you! And thanks, Beth.
Such beautiful words connecting magnificent art to our difficult times
☺️🙏
You are amazing! Thank you for giving practical steps for us to hold hands and see our communities and country heal!