Neither Liberal Nor Conservative

I am not the typical "liberal Eastern American University Professor." I am old enough to have added many conservative values to my "coloring book" over the years, while still preserving the ingenuous quality of integrity and kindness that underlies American youthful patriotism. I believe in America.

I do not believe in Donald Trump. He is a "capitalist"-- not a Democrat nor a Republican. He doesn't believe in "less government"; he believes "he IS the government."

The Executive branch of the government is not the only branch of the government -- it is held in "check" by the judicial and legislative branches. Since the Republican majority in both houses of Congress has apparently abrogated control of the government and its policies to President Trump, in favor of finally sneaking by their own hyper-conservative agenda. Weasels like Paul Ryan are complicit in Trump's fiats, and therefore are partially responsible for them  

America is in trouble; America has a cryptofascist as a President.

Trump the Demagogue

Of all of the ridiculous "executive orders" and "executive decrees" ordered by Donald Trump, the immigration "ban" versus Muslims from selected countries is the cruelest, stupidest, and most unAmerican of all. There are now protests at our largest International airports -- there should be! Republicans are rethinking the strategy of letting Trump do what he wants in trade for their own ridiculous and short-sighted agenda, especially as regards the Affordable Health Care Act.

When this kind of duplicitous "leadership" holds sway -- the world need watch out. We may have our own homegrown version of Hitler, or Mussolini. And he is a wouldbe playboy and underhanded "dealer" named Donald. And his henchmen in the House of Representatives now espouse and promote their own brand(s) of anti-Obama, anti-Democratic, anti-Liberal, and anti-human prescriptions.

I feel sorry for us all! Please someone help us.

On Trump ...Degrading America

Articles in all the free presses of the world have now turned to trying to analyze Donald Trump. First remember that he is "doing what he said he would do" during the campaign, as distasteful and stupid as many of those tweeted proposals were.

Now the world press, on all levels, is dropping headlines such as "Is Trump Mentally Ill?" or "Trump Can Be Removed From Office Without Formal Impeachment!" and one of my favorites, "Trump Is Ruining America." "Yes" perhaps to many of the thoughts expressed within those articles and exposes, but "no" to the concept that we couldn't have expected all this. We knew what a soulless wretch Donald Trump was, attractive children or not; and yet we presumed he would nor could not be as bad as his twisted and cynical rhetoric. Guess what? He is as bad as advertised; and he did the advertising himself.

More Reflections on my ECCA and LCCA Students

Being young I think means at times "being distracted"; being young also means being smart (and unspoiled) but also maybe  a bit lazy about what one knows or what one doesn't know. As I reflect on teaching 14-year-old's, I realize I prefer them to the typical 18-year-old's. Why?

The older students have had several more years to be "ruined by education" -- to be stifled by "time honored methods"-- which I am just as guilty of relying on as all the other teachers I know. How does an aging teacher keep from being a bore? Or a jerk?  Or someone whose only response to youthful energy is a "tsk, tsk!"   I don't want to be that guy, that dull teacher -- but my ECCA students are already deluged by knowledge (as was last term's). I want all my students to greet knowledge with "fresh eyes" and "open minds." But even at 14, for many, that is too late  to really be "all in" for knowledge.

The definition of an "intellectual" is: a person who can live their life with an open mind. I am still struggling to keep my mind open -- to youth, and process, and growth.

A Sense of Calm

What Americans need now, most of all, is a sense of calm. Surviving and enduring the years ahead will be difficult for Republicans and Democrats alike. Because few of us think exactly like our new President and even fewer approve of the way he will execute things.

There will be "blows" to normalcy, to the way government(s) usually get things done.  There will be shattered traditions which have been mainstays of our political and civic background. Our new leader will tell us that change is good -- and it is. But not change that distorts the truth or reverts everything to base economics. Capitalism is not the only game in town -- and it is not "more important" than democracy itself. It is a system of financial exchange -- and that is all. It is not war, nor patriotism, nor compulsory, not absolute. It is a system of financial exchange.

MacTrump

"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it was done quickly..." A quote from my favorite plays, from one of my favorite playwrights, at one of the plays most important times!

If affords multiple lessons for our time (in America and in the world). It suggests that one must never hesitate. That for "the war" to be won, we must act quickly and continuously. We must resist; we must stand up for ourselves (and the weakest among us). Tyranny and bad judgment must never be tolerated; we cannot give away our rights nor our conscience. We are bound to "do the right thing" no matter what, no matter when.

Don't just send a dollar, or three, or five! It is not about money, Democrats -- Independents -- and normal Republicans. It is about resistance and living life fully -- on the grid -- in full view of our "overlords."  😅

Rapture ... and Love

In times of egregious stupidity and overwhelming selfishness in our politics, ordinary people look forward to the simple things, The touch of a child's hand, a gentle handshake from a friend, a soft kiss from a wouldbe lover.

The elements of life that mean something really connect with us and "mean everything" when we are beset from without by our own government, our own guilty politics, our own selfish capitalist system. Normal things of family and relationship and friendship float away on a tide of anger and regression -- but only if we let them.

Hold on to the precious blocks of building life -- love, respect, rapture. And pleasure, joy, and enthusiasm. All the very important aspects of life still exist -- but only if we let them. Nurture the images of magnificence within you. Cherish the memories of past victories and future engagements.
Learn a 'new friend.' What are they like? Who are they, really? What gives them pleasure? What makes them happy? Do you know? Can you try?

Remake yourself every day. Make your own thoughts lift you up, above the morass of the ordinary. Above the meaningless twitter of birds with no brains. We have a new crop of "hollow men" today. Don't let them contain you -- or repress you -- or distract you. You are your own joy...to be shared with others.