Open Letter to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Dear Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez,

I know you represent the 14th district of New York, and that tending to their needs and hopes is your first responsibility.

But I want you to know, you represent me too.

You represent all who are disgusted with racial prejudice, with all sorts of prejudice, tearing us apart while the president of the United States fans the flames of racial fear.

You represent everyone who is sick of people working hard all their lives, with poverty their only reward.

You speak for us who are ashamed of how the United States responded when its own citizens in Puerto Rico were devastated by hurricane Maria. Let no politican dare ever say, that the U.S. has nothing to apologize for.

You represent us who see how much suffering and pain is coming — is already here — with climate change.

You are so much more than the vote of the 14th district of New York. You are the voice of America’s conscience. Be, for us, for all of us, the living proof that one may hold power, and still speak truth to power.

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Ain’t I a Woman?

Black history month begins today in the USA.

Today’s google doodle features Sojourner Truth. It’s well worth learning about this great woman, this great black person, this great American. It’s women’s history. It’s black history. It’s American history. It’s my history too.

God Bless the Queen

May she rest in peace.

Make America Great Again

Mother is the name for God in the mind of a child.

When mother and child come here because they hope for a good life in a great nation, not only will we not let them in, we will separate mother and child.

Is that how you make America great again?

Take a Knee

Note: this post has nothing to do with climate change.

You might know George Takei as Lt. Sulu on the original “Star Trek.” He’s an American of Japanese descent — born here, raised here, every bit as American as any other citizen. But during World War II he and his family were put in an internment camp, for no other reason than being of Japanese ancestry.

While there, American citizens locked up with no charges filed, no due process, no constitutional rights, they were forced every day to face the flag and pledge allegiance. From behind a barbed-wire fence.

Forced allegiance isn’t patriotism. It’s fascism.

The NFL (National Football League) announced yesterday that all personell must stand during the national anthem. Those who wish not to, must remain in the locker room until it’s over. The NFL policy is forced allegiance. It’s not patriotism; it’s fascism.

This country was founded on freedom, including the freedom to protest. Stifling protest is a slap in the face to the principles we were taught to honor. I hope that during the first game of the season every NFL player will “take a knee” in protest during the national anthem.

Anything less would be unpatriotic.

Definitely Off Topic

I recently posted about congressman John Shimkus’ using the story of Noah to deny the danger of global warming. In comments to that post, I approved a comment which was a diatribe against religion (Christianity in particular) because of church-sanctioned discrimination against homosexuals. Ordinarily I would have deleted such a comment because it’s definitely off topic. But I let this one through. Let me tell you why.