I respect local law enforcement. I would call them immediately, if I or someone were in danger. I trust our police. I count on our officers to be trained appropriately. The misuse of power and weapons by the police has a long history in the United States. Remember the images of police, aided by German Shepherds, aiming hoses at protestors during the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960's? Recall the tear gas used during the anti war protests a few years later? In my lifeti

Renee Good was white, blond, and drove a family car. The angry mob of ICE agents who surrounded her car could see evidence of family life within the red SUV--stuffed animals, snack wrappers, and other flotsam from children. Those facts did not stop the agents, also white, from yelling at her, grabbing the driver's side door, trying to open the door, and then, one of them, shooting her in cold blood. Not one of these guys inferred that this woman was not a troublemaker, a murd

I woke up on January 1 and decided not to look, listen, or watch the news. I was invited to two parties on New Year's Day. To be in a celebratory mood, I pretended that Trump and the current regime did not exist. People I spoke to at the parties said jokingly that I was looking at the world through "rose-colored glasses." I laughed and said, "just for a few hours." I needed a few hours of respite from the constant barrage concerning Trump's unconstitutional actions. I t was m

Robert Reich, whom I have followed for a year, wrote a piece today called “The Shittiest Year.” He asked the question, "What was the worst year?" I do not think it is wise to pick one year as the worst, since tragedy and goodness occur simultaneously every year. However, 2025 stands out as pretty bad for the United States. I know how and why. Trump came to power. A wise person who wrote about the Holocaust said the important question to ask is How. Trump won the election bec

Multi-culturalism serves an important purpose, facilitating increased understanding among divergent groups. Knowledge of the other decreases hatred. On Friday night, I had the privilege to attend a Shabbat service sponsored by a small independent group. The event was held in a small African American church in Potomac, Maryland. The historic congregation--AME Zion-- has served a Black Community for a 100 years. Recently, the church was rebuilt due to water damage caused by its

I sound "holier than thou," but bear with me. Mea culpa. Why are so few willing to be involved? My question is for those comfortably retired, empty nesters, and those who do not have to work. I guess my brain was formed differently. I feel very lucky. Ever since I was 14 or 15 years old, I felt the strong need to help others less fortunate than myself. Without direction from adults, I set forth on my journey. Not being bold or confident as a teenager, I tread with tiny steps-

The messages about antisemitism are confusing. Recently Tucker Carlson interviewed Nick Fuentes, a self-described Nazi and Jew hater. Carlson did not disagree with Fuentes' incendiary stance regarding Jewish people and Israel, in particular. In addition to disparaging Jews as part of an international group of financiers and conspirators, Fuentes also repeated a belief--also uttered by Trump--that Jews are not loyal to the United States. Carlson did not object to Fuentes state

So simple to forget Donald Trump and his henchmen/women. So simple to think, here he goes again and go on with whatever we are doing. So simple to think all is well when the government reopened today. So simple to forget the activities of DOGE in January of this year. So simple to lose track of Trump's convictions and impeachment trials. We have to constantly wake ourselves up to remember and stay vigilant. I am guilty of falling asleep. In the last 3 days, I have been jolte

On a recent trip to Uzbekistan, our group had finished a day in Samarkand, a large city with amazing monuments. Particularly surrounding Registan Square, there are madrassahs which are stunning in architecture and design. Looking up at the structures is breathtaking. Samarkand was the home of Timur or Tamerlane, the Muslim leader of a renaissance in central Asia. Madrassah in Registan Square Our guide, Shadior

I learned today that I am a Content Creator. I listened to a congressional hearing on C-Span and realized that I fit the bill. Sounds...

Words matter. To me, this remains a major sticking point on all sides of our political divide. I turned the car radio onto C-span today,...

I rejoined Facebook recently which is probably a mistake. I clicked on a post, the title of which was The Chinese Adoptees Who were...

HOW MUCH CAN WE BEAR WITHOUT GOING INSANE, WITHOUT LOSING OUR SENSE OF MORALITY? HOW CAN OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL STARVE THEIR...

I am embarrassed to say I have been obsessed with the stories about the tragic floods in Texas. Since childhood, I have been interested...

I feel a deep and profound sorrow that at least half of the voters--and their representatives--cheer an ill egomaniac in lieu of...

On June 23, at approximately 6 p.m., I read that Iran bombed a U.S. military base in Qatar. I nervously called my sister to talk about...

The positive energy of No Kings this past weekend contrasted deeply with the glum feeling of Trump's military parade. Admittedly, my...

Finishing a post by Heather Cox Richardson, I am struck yet again by the contrast between the presidency of Lyndon Johnson and Donald...

To illustrate the idea that everyone has a story, I am reminded of The Key. When I visited the West Bank in 2013, I saw many pictures of...

Am I hallucinating or are there more black pick-up trucks on the road? I had a hunch what these vehicles, empty truck beds and...