Total Eclipse of the Sun

Total Eclipse of the Sun

I am a hunter-gatherer.

In my small band, we find what we need nearby.

This is a satisfactory lifestyle for the most part.

I have time to gossip and play with the kids.

A PBS documentary captured how we work together.

Although of small stature, we brought down an elephant.

All the hunters did not make it back,

But we shared the life-sustaining meat with everyone.

The beginning of the agricultural revolution was the end of contentment.

 We invented money, written language and laws to manage complex relationships.

Then came empires and governments. Some distrust our own inventions,

Fearful of the deep state pushing levers of power out of sight.

We were terrified by that first total eclipse of the sun in our primal African home.

But then, the sun reappeared. We thanked our gods for making nature whole again.

Today, science explains it all, as we put on our protective lenses.

Einstein was right: light bends as space-time warps.

Many millennia later, some of us feel an atavistic terror,

Not from the movement of celestial bodies, but actions of people in power.

Will the sun continue to shine on our liberal democracies?

Or will fascism’s dark clouds again threaten to blot out the sun?

Fema

Fema

The Holocaust never goes away.

Even the Deniers keep the horror alive.

My memories are as indelible

as the number tattooed on Fema’s arm.

Alabaster skin and platinum blond hair enthrall

a young girl as Fema styles my frizzy curls.

Leon trims my brother’s hair in the barbershop upfront.

Their daughter, a displaced person at birth, is my mirror.

I heed the command to heal the world,

but shy away from Friday night rituals.

When people question my Jewish identity,

I share my defining memory of Fema.

I know who I am.

Zero Sum or Win-Win

In yesterday's New York Times, Eduardo Porter gave an insightful analysis of the way a large segment of Americans see the social safety net. In my view, there are two types of people. One group sees life as a zero-sum game: if you are winning (i.e., getting an undeserved benefit from government programs), then I am losing. The other group sees life as win-win: we all benefit when people's lives are improved by the social safety net. ACA (Obamacare) is a win-win program. The health care proposal being worked on by the Republican-controlled Congress is zero-sum. I have an idea: instead of shrinking the social safety net to appease groups who feel they are being left out, why not expand the safety net so that everyone benefits? Oh, but that would be too Scandinavian.

This Is Bigger Than Email Server

Some people are still blaming Comey for the election of the 45th President. When you are living in the middle of history, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see clearly cause and effect. I read The Economist to help me look at today's world from a different perspective. 

This week's cover story is the upcoming French presidential election. The Economist editors sum up the difference between the top contenders this way: "The implications of these insurgencies are hard to exaggerate. They are the clearest example yet of a global trend: that the old divide between left and right is growing less important that a new one between open and closed."

When seen in a global context, the election of the 45th President is less an affirmation of American Exceptionalism and more another manifestation of the political forces of disruption that have been moving west from eastern Europe. Will the French election disrupt the long-running European social, economic and political contract the way Brexit did? 

Our response: Resist the forces that will close the future. Stay true to the openness and diversity that define American Exceptionalism at its best.

10 Steps to Staying Sane in Trumpland

1. Keep ACLU pocket U.S. Constitution with you at all times.
2. Show up at one Marco Rubio demonstration to establish your Resistance cred.
3. Sneak off on Saturday afternoon to see a live HD presentation of opera from the Met.
4. Don't read even one news story about Kellyanne Conway.
5. Let digital natives manage social media for the Lake Nona Democrats.
6. Focus on the long game: electing progressives in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
7. Read the obituaries in the New York Times to meet truly inspiring people.
8. Get thrown out of an Indivisible meeting to show you haven't lost your New York edge.
9. Build up immunity to constant viral revelations by repeating each morning: "Donald Trump represents an existential threat to the country and the world."
10. Finally, tell your family and friends you love them every day!

The Indefatigable Mr. Smith

I first met Carlos Guillermo Smith when I became a precinct woman for the Orange County DEC in spring 2010. He was the legislative aide to Scott Randolph in Tallahassee at the time. Last night, I was at the ribbon-cutting for Carlos's district office. He is now the Florida State Representative for House District 49.

I greeted Carlos with one question: Do you ever sleep? The indefatigable Mr. Smith said not much, with a proud smile. It seems about half the posts to my Facebook page are from Carlos, chronicling his debates, speeches, and media appearances. Although a freshman member in the minority, Carlos is not sitting back to see how it is done. His experience as legislative aide serves him well. He is determined to make a difference from the start. I am confident that he will.

I am proud to be a supporter of Florida State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith!

Income Inequality Starts at Home

Eduardo Porter is a left-leaning journalist for the New York Times whose column appears on the first page of the Business section every Wednesday. Yesterday's column described one cause of the shredding of the social and economic contract between employers and workers that contributes to the growing income inequality in this country.

I was reminded of the negative reaction when IBM moved from a defined benefit retirement plan to a defined contribution retirement plan (401k) and laid off worker for the first time in its history. No longer could workers count on staying with one company for their entire careers. Much of the recent discourse has been about globalization, technology and other economic forces. Read this article for another cause. And check out Porter's column every week. I always learn something important.

All Politics Is Local

After attending several Indivisible and Women's March meetings, I entered an alternate universe in the Odyssey Middle School cafeteria last evening. Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray had a town hall meeting with residents of communities along Lee Vista,  primarily east of Narcoossee Road. 

There was no talk of health care, immigration bans, reproductive rights or any of the topics that dominate the Resistance movement. This meeting was about threats to the quality of daily life in the neighborhood because of the volume and speed of residential and commercial development in the area, importantly including Lake Nona. Traffic was the big concern. Someone said he had trouble getting out of his community in the morning because of heavy traffic on the main road. This is important when you are trying to get to work on time. There were also concerns about the capacity of schools to absorb new students. From the back and forth between Gray and the residents, it was clear to me that many people there did not feel Gray had been an effective advocate for their positions. 

Electing a Democrat to the City Council for District 1 is a goal of many Lake Nona Democrats. It seems to me that doing so will require focusing on local issues that, for the most part, have not appeared on the LND Facebook page. I got lost trying to follow the discussion  of the road developments in the District, including an evacuation route mandated by the State of Florida. It was no surprise that there is a project to widen Narcoossee Road to six lanes from 528 to 417. But as one resident pointed out, that would mean removing the green space in the middle of the road. People didn't move here years ago to live in urban congestion. 

Candidates who run against Gray will have a real challenge, not because Gray is so strong but because the issues are so difficult.

Left of Steve Bannon

Just a thought as I read the posts and emails from people who are happy with the new DNC Chair and people who are unhappy. Do you know anyone active in the Resistance who is not to the left of Steve Bannon?

Let's take back the House and the Senate in 2018. Then let's debate whether we should work to improve the ACA as a transition to Single Payer or move directly to Medicare for All. First things first.

Just a thought.

Direction of Time

They raise their right arms
in salute to their new leader.

Previously undetected, the fast moving body
roils the cosmos.
The fabric of space-time twists and folds
in disconcerting ways.
Does time travel in two directions?

Images of brown shirts flicker
on the screen of my mind.

The Accidental Activist

Waving signs, chanting slogans is not my thing.

But The Resistance called on a February day

That mimicked a New York Spring.

“Where are you, Marco Rubio?”

Was not the forlorn lament of a lovesick girl.

Citizens were seeking redress of deep concerns a swirl.

I scanned the crowd for friends to embrace in solidarity.

With bullhorn raised, fired-up Trina called the crowd to action

To make a real difference, not to win popularity.

How to show my commitment was the challenge essence.

Pulling out my phone, I started shooting videos and photos

Posted to Facebook as proof of my presence.

In the war against fascism, I will not be a pacifist.

I am ready to join forces and take up the fight as

The Accidental Activist.

Supreme Court, States and Voting Rights

In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As a result of the decision, states and counties with a history of making it harder for racial minorities to vote no longer need prior approval from the Federal government to change election laws. The decision set off a wave of voting restrictions and voting roll purges in many states, including Florida. 

With the election of Donald Trump, many states have been emboldened to impose even more restrictions on the ability to vote, which are targeted at groups that normally vote Democratic. As we rally and protest against the President and the Congress, we must also focus on the Florida state elections in 2018. Under our federal system, states have enormous power over the voting process, which starts with registering eligible voters.

Democracy

Out of my comfort zone,
Into the fray.
Registering voters
Any time of the day.

Step right up!
Lots of forms at the station.
Democrat, Republican or
No Party Affiliation.

Take this chance
To have your say.
Don't let our democracy
Go astray.

Canvassing

Canvassing

Guard dogs, killer ants.
Next time I'll wear longer pants.

No one's home.
No one cares.
Unsigned petitions spell despair.

Then a smile, a warm hello.
Sure, I'll sign; my husband, too.

That human connection makes my day.
I'll be out again next Saturday!

Wewahootee Road

Wewahootee Road

Spirits of Native American warriors run on the hidden trail.

I was out chasing Democrats who Vote By Mail.

Dark was falling; the road ahead unclear.

The sign on the side of the road said I had a lot to fear.

“You’re on your own beyond this boundary.”

That was the warning from Orange County.

I steered slowly around potholes bigger than my Civic.

To some less committed, I might look heroic.

If I go missing, my F.O., Bryan, knows the plan. 

Point the searchers to the last turf I cut on VAN.

Re-entering paved roadway and seeing homes clustered,

I searched for my targets, trying not to feel flustered.

Voter Guides, cards for Charlie and George at the ready,

Checking my map, I kept my hands on the wheel steady.

Reading house numbers in the dark strains my sight,

But I struggle on with the help of an occasional light.

One strong supporter brightens my night.

She’s fired up and ready to join our fight.

Heading for home, I hear ghost warriors chanting of the beauty

That once graced the hidden trail named Wewahootee.

Secrets of My Success

As I embrace my proper role in the Resistance, I will be drawing heavily on the core strengths I have developed over many years. I will also give more to the ACLU. They already know what to do. Here are the five secrets of my success:

1. Showing Up. Following the teachings of that great American philosopher Woody Allen, I believe that at least 80 percent of success in life is showing up.
2. Low Expectations. "The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it." V. S. Naipaul. I try to begin with a realistic view of the present situation - not what I want it to be but what it is.
3. High Threshold of Pain. I can take a lot of punishment.
4. Resilience and Resourcefulness. Flanking maneuvers are my specialty. If a direct assault is not working, I look for a way around the obstacle. "The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and hoping for a different result." Albert Einstein.
5. Treating Everyone the Same. With respect. This is not only the right thing to do from a moral perspective, but also the best way to build allies and loyal teams needed to get the job done. 

VBM in the Magic Kingdom

VBM in the Magic Kingdom

I enter a Disney set with fairy tale castles dotting the lakeside.

Are there lost princesses hidden within the pastel walls?

Or rare Democrats seeking sanctuary?

Time will tell as I set out on my expedition.

Fully armed with clipboard, VBM forms, and black pens,

I knock boldly on the sturdy castle doors.

Twice, the Lady of the castle, faithful canine companion in tow,

Responds to my entreaties and pledges to vote by mail.

Surreal evening journey reflects surreal story of the contest

To be crowned Leader of the Free World.

Jousting is fierce and without time-honored rules of decorum. 

Chivalry is dead.

Marching through the kingdom and surrounding fiefdoms,

I focus on the task at hand, keeping at bay thoughts of cataclysm.

I block out the 24/7 cacophony of pundits and partisans,

Foretelling a future based on an unimaginable present.

I am a mere vassal, boots on the ground.

I leave strategy to the wise ensconced at campaign headquarters.

I desperately hope they will come up with a winning plan.

For tonight, I will knock on doors in the Magic Kingdom. 

Welcome to the Resistance!

I helped manage the Lake  Nona Staging Area for the Hillary Clinton campaign and other Democratic candidates the four days leading up to and including November 8th, Election Day. I went home about 7:30 PM, exhausted. I fell asleep without turning on the TV. When I woke up at 3:30 AM, I saw on my Facebook feed that Trump had won. This is the Call to Action I posted.

It is 3:30 in the morning. Now is the time to dig deep inside ourselves to find the strength to push the political pendulum back toward the center left. My parents lived through the Depression and World War II. I enjoyed the benefits of being alive in the second half of the 20th Century in the greatest country in the world. I will continue to fight for the future of my grand niece and nephews. Don't even think about packing your bags. We can do this. We must do this!

Welcome to the Resistance!