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!