The White House -- America Under Siege -2017

The Muse of the Day 

March 6th 2017 

The day started calmly, but by nightfall, protests began.

 

Day 2: The White House became a top-secret research facility, and the taking of our liberties began. 

Trump began stewing about the inaugural crowd size as strong protests against his administration continued.

Day Three: Kellyanne introduced the world to the term ‘Alternate facts….’ 

Twitter brought us another term: #Spicerfacts. 

Trump: "Mexico has been terrific. The president has been really amazing." His euphoria didn't last.  

Before the week ended,  Vicente Fox tweeted that the real cost is around 25 billion USD.

Day Four: January 23, 2017. Doing business in the Oval Office: Trump's assault on women begins."We've got your best interests at heart, ladies. Believe me."

Day Five: Moving right along… A group of US ethics lawyers filed a lawsuit against the president, alleging he was violating a constitutional ban on accepting payments from foreign governments through his hotels. Mr. Trump described the lawsuit as "totally without merit." How could we forget that he also implemented a hiring freeze on some federal government workers?

Day Six: Torture is back in style, and the topic of building walls resurfaced. He toughens policies on sanctuary cities.

Day Seven: Plans for a meeting between the President of Mexico -- The Donald annoyed Mexico. 

'As long as you live, you'll never see a photograph of seven women signing legislation about what a man can do with their reproductive organs.'

And then we're at day 45:  The King of Schemes was angry, but he signed travel bans. 

Day 45 - We didn't know it then, but America was under siege.   I fault the Democratic leaders. The GOP came out swinging, and the Democratic leadership dropped the ball; they should have made a strong, powerful comeback. 

Me? I'm an ordinary citizen. But I recognized the handwriting on the wall when I read the GOP's 2016 Party Platform.   Yes,  I read it from cover to cover.   If others had read it, they kept it on the downlow. Stupid!!! Idiots. I raised my voice many times, but my warnings fell on deaf ears. 

I wonder if the Democrats bothered to read it. At that time, I didn't understand the depth and breadth of the GOP plans in 2016.  But I knew something nasty was afoot. So, that's where we were in 2016... and here we are in 2026, and we're facing additional plans envisioned by the MAGA and the nasty boy-man.

The GOP leadership immediately recognized him for what he was and is - a fraud.  But the GOP thought that Pence could control him. Pence might have had a better chance of doing that if Bannon and Stephen Miller hadn't come into the picture. But those batshit crazies came on board, and what was mildly crazy became dangerously crazy. 

Trump and The Company have tried to disconnect, separate, divide, and classify us. Daily, they lead us on a journey of fear. 

The King of Schemes and his team of thugs aren’t nearly done with the tinkering and toying with our freedoms, rights, and liberties. The process of reforming the nation and world at large continues to unfold.

About me: I'm 84- a civic-minded mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and human rights activist.  At 55, I joined AmeriCorps.  Okay, that's enough about me.

Challenge everything: join the #Resistance.  #Remove_Trump -#Remove_Bannon, #Resist_Pence, #Resist_Ryan.

Walk Softly

The Muse of the Day Walk softly on the warm earth, 

walk a narrow path; go through the narrow gate, 

a beautiful something is waiting.

Walk the narrow path; go through the narrow gate.  

Walk Softly beneath the blanket of stars. 

 

There was a time when the holy ones 

 walked among us, and the waters 

 ran fresh and clear; when the 

 fields were full of flowers 

 and honeybees. 

  

 There was a time when the air was fresh,  

and the skies were clear.  

 

Mankind has drifted afar: How long 

can he shut his eyes; his ears? 

  

Why did Mankind forget the dream? 

Forget his mother, father,  

brother, sister, neighbor; 

lover?  

 
Mankind has drifted afar: How long  

can he shut his eyes, his ears? 

 

Man has forgotten the soft rains of spring  

Forgotten that young children need  

to run barefoot on the grass on  

lazy summer afternoons. 

 

You and I share the universe together 

Earth is where sacred things happen: 

 Heaven is all around us_ but who will 

 re-awaken man - remind him  

 of this?   
 
Mankind needs to be reminded 

many times, in many ways,  
that Earth is the place  

where sacred things  

 happen. 

 

Walk Softly - 2014 

Rachel Wolff 

 

Photo Kiva, Canyonlands National Park, Utah  

Photo by Grant Collier 

Challenges

The Muse of the Day 

Life in the mid-1800’s 

1790 - 1865

Challenges 

Rural life in the mid 1800’s was lackluster, bordering on tedium and any opportunity to see something different was welcome. A special event ‘even one in their ‘own township range’ was always well attended. The entire week was always devoted to farming and farm chores, and the evening was designed and filled according to the family's makeup and temperament and income.  

The class castes were gentry or working class or gentry and for ease and comfort one stayed in their own income community – the community where they fit in the best. In those days the welcome greeting was either “Howdy” or Good Day and men tipped their hats no matter if they were gentry or not, the hat was tipped. The shopkeeper or farmer addressed the gentry by ‘Sir’ and ‘Mam’ yet his friend was called by name. Most men rode on a horse, mule, wagon, or carriage, or walked. 

Perhaps he lamented the mode he traveled, but this was the way, most people traveled. 

This was a sign of the times, getting to the event was the goal. How they got to any event was dictated by their standard of wealth. But anything with wheels or four hooves was better than walking on your two feet; and much faster.

In rural America in the mid 1800’s men were out and about but the wife/mother had little chance of escaping domestic duties since women were the heart of the domestic scene. This was her lot yes this is what she wanted, if she chose her suitor wisely then she was content. There were few options if she made a mistake, in her choice of mate she had few options. Divorce was possible but cost money - money she didn’t have. 

A man could divorce his wife if he chose to, but divorce was a rarity in rural townships. Women aged quickly in those times. She had a dress she wore for working on the farm and if she was lucky she had a dress for church. She didn’t paint her face or her nails; get a tattoo she didn’t buy perfume or shave under her arms or legs. A mirror was not part of the rural home décor. She was clean as she could be if she had access to water, but there were no daily showers or long hot soaks in a bathtub. 

Her ‘monthly’ was dealt with in the way of the times. There were no patented pads in a box to be found on the shelf in the shop, she had no money to buy them if such things were available then, not in this era – she used materials at hand and dealt with it as best she could. And no matter if she had a mirror to see herself she would fit right in with the rest of her peers and so would he, his wardrobe was as limited as hers. 

The FARM was LIFE - everything they did was centered on the farm. Life was hard and harsh but she knew it would be and she went into marriage with her eyes wide open, she had to - there were few surprises for her. If he was lucky she knew how to cook, knit and sew. She knew how to do all the other household chores. When she married – she submitted for the most part since she had few ‘legal rights.’ She could not vote, she might have had an opinion but it did not matter. Women did not have the ‘right’ to vote. 

Even when she had a baby at her breast and several ‘Little’s scurrying around and for the most part she submitted when he wanted sex, saying no was unlikely and yes likely she wanted what he wanted and she had so little in her life she was willing to forget about the event happening nine months later and so she lifted her skirts and spread her legs, thinking – hoping ‘perhaps she would not conceive this time- perhaps;’ but If she did conceive she accepted this as the price for a moment of ecstasy. 

If there was a social event the women, even a mother with a baby went along to any event or she stayed at home. But likely she went along because going to any event was an opportunity to relieve the harshness and tediousness of her life. The young girls went because the young boys went. It was always a time for dreaming and looking. The infant went and grandma too, this was an opportunity for the women to gossip or exchange clippings of a plant or learn a new knitting pattern. 

No matter, the following day would be a variation of the previous day, week, month, or year. The younger men went because it allowed him to find a pretty girl, the older man went to see how well his neighbor’s crops were doing and/or to indulge in a measure of whiskey and/ or to hear the word of God depending on the event.

But no matter why he went he had to be up before or with the rising of the sun since the cows needed milking, the ground plowing, and water needed to be brought in for cooking, and a myriad of other farm chores needed to be done. The farm was a little god always demanding attention and tending and he better pay attention to it otherwise he and his family starved. 

The gentry may have gone to a restaurant for a meal on a rare occasion but this was an unheard-of unknown luxury to the rural farmer like my great-grandfather who likely only went into town to get the supplies he could not grow or manufacture on his own, while he was in town he learned the prices his crops would bring him at the harvest. He also learned of the latest news. He also found out who was sick or died. Cholera was rampant, measles, mumps, and chicken pox were deadly, and the mosquito which brought such deadly sickness- that damn little bugger!  

***The Challenge of Man: The man of color and, the man with pale skin look the evening sky and both appreciate its’ beauty. Both men have a vein of blood circulating through their veins, yet men with pale skin plan for war to keep men of color in bonds and chains.

***

President Lincoln was the man of the hour. The man who faced the greatest challenge. His faith was bolstered by his religion of the frontier life. Every life in those times was simple, yet there was complexity within the simplicity. Life in those times involved clearing land, felling trees, and yes bartering whisky and grain either on the roadway or the waterways.  

Hiding from the tax man was also a way of life.  No matter your personal status everyone met with the ‘tax man’ or hid from him. If he hid he lost everything and for a man who has nothing there is always something to be taken to be sold at auction to pay against the back taxes, and it was. It might have been the ordinary like the milking stool or a chest, the clutch of hens the black kettle over the hearth, or the mule, the horse, or cow. Anything and everything was seized for auction to pay the back taxes. 

The meal of the gentry was consumed from a plate of china or pewter, and the  meal of the ‘working class’ was consumed from a wooden platter or a bowl. What each man ate and when he ate was determined by another or when the chores were complete. 

Man survives in many ways.

There were many moral dilemmas to be encountered by both the gentry and the working class. One of the dilemmas Lincoln encountered along the road to the presidency was the institution and face of slavery. Lincoln had the temperament for the Presidency. He was a man of firm, solid, and steadfast belief in his religion yet he was congenial and socially minded he understood the essence of harmony. He was ‘sensitive’ to many persuasions that swayed politicians.  

Sages v Tin Gods -- War - Oligarchy

The Muse of the Day  10-08-2023

Sages v Tin Gods

War - Oligarchy 

The wisdom of the sages reveals many wonderful things: Spiritual truths are mystical and magical.  Spiritual truths are soft and warm. They warm the heart and soothe the soul. Stronger than steel and strengthens the spirit.  Peace, the sages say, is created within the heart.   

 

The world, if showered with compassion and wrapped in a blanket of love and kindness, could be a beautiful place for everyone.   

 

'Earth is the place where sacred things happen; this is the only planet where people dream, live, love, and die. Earth, the pale blue dot is the only place in the universe where man witnesses a baby's birth; hears its first cry; and listens to the mother sing a sweet lullaby.'Carl Sagan 

 

What makes a house a home? A home is what we create with our hearts; what’s created inside is the place we want to return to at the end of the day. We need that comfort and safety. We need the warmth we create from our love, our passion, our joy.  

 

 What about love? Love has within it a redemptive power. Love, you see, is creative and redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love—love means respect... There’s something about love that builds up creativity. Hate demolishes and leaves desolation, but love recovers and redeems. “Hate is destructive.” Martin Luther King Jr.,  

 

“Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness, of justice, of tranquility and peace cease to shine. ~ Bahá’u’lláh. Religion should never obscure the light of justice and tranquility.  

 

At no time in history have citizens lived without suspicion, fear, animosity, and greed. Many people believe the strength of their nation lies in the strength of their military.  This is not true; the real strength comes from the will of the people.    

 

But some vulgar men have drifted afar: they have shut their eyes and ears.  The vulgar men no longer care about others. These men have forgotten what it means to dream; they’ve forgotten their mother, father, neighbor, and lover, too. Forgotten about the soft rain of spring, of young love, of young children running barefoot on the grass on a lazy summer afternoon.  

 

The sages of old foretold of the vulgar men with worldly power, men who are always seeking war.   

 

War --

Putin: The oligarch of the day mingles with others of like mind. He ignores the plight of the people. This oligarch is a vulgar man, a man of extremes and fanaticism. He’s a misfit who menaces the life and liberty of others. He lives in opulence and luxury and dines on rich food that’s served on expense plates. Drought and famine surround him, while children die of hunger and thirst.  He ignores facts, the long drought, the famine.        

  

This oligarch lives for war. He made the final decision and called his warlords to meet him in his office. “I’ve made my decision. You will assemble your fighters... The invasion will commence tomorrow at dawn.” “But why? Someone asked. The oligarch glared at the man who dared to question his Decision.  

 

“They are a threat, that's all you need to know,” he said. “The next man who questions me will become my new Janitor.” Without another word, the Oligarch left the room. In silence, the warlords looked at each other; there was nothing to be said. They had their orders, and orders were orders. They left the office to carry them out.  

 

Ukraine: Zelenskyy - The leader of a small country hurriedly put disaster plans in place. They had no time to delay putting a plan into action.  They lacked so much. Hours later, the Leaders faced the camera... Finally, someone stepped to the microphone.   He had prepared a statement, but the words stuck in his throat. After some time, he said, “The oligarch has sent news … war comes.”  

 

With those words, millions of people began the process of fleeing the city. Where would they be safe? Would they have time to get to safety? But millions stayed... they had to stay and fight. They had to defend their family, their lives, their livelihood, and their country.   

 

Compassion - Love Kindness

The world, if showered with compassion and wrapped in a blanket of love and kindness, could be a beautiful place for everyone. Instead, while sirens blared and rockets exploded, this small country quickly trained citizen volunteer soldiers. Men, women, and young men, if old enough, were quickly trained. Soon, these newly minted citizen soldiers were lying beside older, well-trained soldiers.   

 

The new people wisely listened to the older soldiers. The lives of everyone depend on their remembering the lessons.  The old soldier hoped the new ones would be quick learners. Failure to learn meant injury or death. Nervously holding on to their arms, they kept grumbling to themselves.  Now they are part of the defense against the raiders.  Ready to defend their homeland, their lives, their families, and their homes.  It's cold, but they’re clad in warm clothes. But each has a reason - a purpose now. They lived to fight for their family, home, and their way of life. They have a country to defend.   

 

Local people pleaded for help. They were angry, bewildered, and frightened.  Sirens blared; an attack is imminent. Tanks rumble, rockets fall -- People have no time to grieve or mourn.   

 

There are cold days and dark days. fearful days. Days of black smoke. Sunny days. Destructive days, rainy days. Sad days.  Noisy nights; dreadful nights. Lonely nights. Sleepless nights.  

 

The invaders push deeper into the zone. Another attack is imminent. There will be more brutal street fighting. Danger hides in unexpected places. Everywhere there are signs of death and destruction... 

So many frightful sights; grisly sights: hideous sights. Days and nights of absolute turmoil. Utter devastation. Children crying, Mothers crying. Fathers crying.  

 

Many people are praying. Others are cursing. So many broken homes, windows, and broken bones. Shattered dreams. Shattered lives: An angry young man wearing black pants and a jacket tugs at the arm of a young boy. A frightened woman wearing tight black jeans and a pink hat hugs a child. A shoeless youngster wanders the streets. “I want to go home.” A woman holding a rifle asked him. “Where is home?” “The young boy pointed: “It was there...”   

 

Some people are sitting, staring at nothing. - This war is a threat to other nations.  The Oligarch's War has redrawn the map. The Oligarch plans a bloody and brutal war.  

 

Street fighting has begun, but during the lulls, protesters come into the streets. Many with homemade signs pleading for help. Other signs tell the oligarch to stop the madness.  The oligarchs ignore the signs; they stick to their agenda.   

 

Subways became bomb shelters – they became lost and found centers; a place to pray, to cry, to rant and rave, a place where babies are born, a triage center. A place where people die; a place for bodies.  

 

Raids and explosions are constant; fear, anger, grief, sorrow, and confusion are always present. Then, one afternoon, a raider sees the subway and recognizes it for what it is. He finds his group leader to report his discovery. The leader forwards the information. Hours later, the subway is rubble. A series of bombs turned it into a large burial chamber.   

 

Lasting peace will not be found by dropping bombs or by terrorizing others. Lasting peace will not be established through endless peace treaties. Peace treaties are often broken. Peace treaties do not uncover the real reasons for war.  

 

Real strength lies with the integrity of the people: The world needs acts of kindness, forgiving thoughts, and hope if we are to move mankind closer to the realization of world peace.  We need many individuals to draw us closer to the moment when the human family sets the world aglow in a light-filled expression of love and peace.  

 

Otherwise, we will be left with the cruel man who is willing to use his will–his religion, his prejudice, and his wealth-that destroys the rights, liberties, and freedoms of those people they disapproves of or objects to.  

 

Tin Gods:

The little tin gods seek their own devices. They are intolerant people who won’t change their minds, but they surround themselves with like-minded people who feed their egos.   

 

The tin god systems workers deny people their right to exist. They will deny adequate housing and health care. They create stumbling blocks to prevent people from voting. It was the tin gods who dominated systems that treated women as chattel or property. In the past, the tin gods denied women the right to vote and took away their reproductive rights. The tin gods decided that doctors were to remain silent about ways for a woman to prevent pregnancy.  

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