Category: current events

One-Liner Wednesday: COP 28

As North America slept, delegates from around the world concluded the global climate conference in Dubai, when the chair—local oilman Sultan al-Jaber—quick-gavelled through an agreement that included a sentence calling for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.”

That may not seem like much—it is, after all, the single most obvious thing one could possibly say about climate change…

And by itself it will accomplish nothing….

But it is—and this is important—a tool for activists to use henceforth. The world’s nations have now publicly agreed that they need to transition off fossil fuels, and that sentence will hang over every discussion from now on—especially the discussions about any further expansion of the fossil fuel energy.

Bill McKibben on the final COP 28 agreement by 190+ countries

Feature photo by Thijs Stoop on Unsplash

This super-sized One-Liner Wednesday is part of Linda’s long-running series. Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2023/12/13/one-liner-wednesday-how-do-i-know/ 

One-Liner Wednesday: Lessons & Carols invitation

For those in the Binghamton/Norwich NY area, please join the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton for our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols this weekend!

This concert promotion message is brought to you as part of Linda’s One-Liner Wednesday series. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2023/11/29/one-liner-wednesday-sometimes-2/

plans for a second Trump administration

The Trump presidency featured a wide range of cruel and immoral speech and actions, including separation of children from their parents/guardians who came to the US seeking asylum in violation of national and international law, then not keeping the records to reunite them; suppressing scientific COVID information while spreading misinformation that contributed to higher rates of death and illness in the US than in other nations with comparable medical systems; speaking approvingly of authoritarian governments while criticizing our allies; bullying and firing government officials he deemed insufficiently loyal to him personally; and lying about his election loss, filing baseless legal challenges, and fomenting an insurrection.

It was a difficult, dark time for the country that laid bare and worsened existing divisions along racial/ethnic, religious, partisan, gender, and geographic lines. The Republican party has devolved into a party driven by grievance rather than one dedicated to governing for the common good of all the people.

Donald Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 while under indictment on 91 federal and state felony counts. There is a planning operation underway for a second term, dubbed Project 2025, through a group of right-wing think tanks that seeks to politicize the Justice Department to seek revenge for political views, to deport millions of immigrants and refugees, to invoke the Insurrection Act to allow the US military to operate domestically, and to give the president additional powers that are not subject to checks by the courts or Congress. Trump’s rhetoric during the primary campaign includes him talking about seeking revenge and retribution against members of the Biden family and administration and against Republicans who don’t agree with him, including former members of his administration. He has raised the possibility of the death penalty for former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. He is using overtly fascist language, such as calling his perceived enemies “vermin.” Trump’s verbal attacks, both via social media and in person at campaign rallies and interviews, seem to be increasing threats of violence against those Trump targets, such as Judge Engoron and his law clerk in the New York civil fraud trial.

What is most alarming is that many Republicans in government and many Trump supporters are openly embracing anti-democractic, unconstitutional, and illegal actions, such as doing away with birthright citizenship, limiting voting rights for people who disagree with them, using the military against the public, and outlawing abortion and birth control. I am appalled that there are those characterizing the United States as a white Christian nation, when it is, in reality, a pluralistic society made up of people of many races and ancestral heritages with a wide range of personal beliefs.

I know that I will not vote for Trump or any candidate for office at any level who supports him and his dangerous ideas. I will try to get the word out as best I can what those dangerous ideas are because some of the people who support Trump only hear his rhetoric and not the countervailing facts. For example, I encourage people to read the indictments against Trump, which lay out a lot of the underlying evidence. It’s also helpful to read the report of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, as well as the Mueller Report. I also am supporting voices and organizations that are working to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and the common good.

I’m also worried and scared about violence, oppression, and losing my free, if flawed, country to demagogues, authoritarians, and fascists.

This post was difficult to write, in part because I am so disturbed about what has been happening and in part because I know I’m just a small voice in a very large and loud media environment. But I had to try. The future envisioned by Trump and his acolytes is just too terrifying to silently ignore.

Photo credit: Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

failure of leadership

The search for a new Republican House speaker was long, fraught, and ugly – and resulted in the election of Mike Johnson of Louisiana who apparently does not have the mindset, skills, and experience to effectively govern.

Given that his own Republican conference is fractious and has only a slim majority, he should follow the lead of the Republicans in the Senate and work with the Democrats to craft legislation that can garner the votes of both a majority of Democrats and Republicans. Passing bills with only Republican support in the House isn’t going to do any good when they will not be taken up in the Senate and, even if they were, wouldn’t get the president’s signature. Legislation needs to be in line with the budget agreement already passed in the spring. Bills also need to be “clean,” meaning that they shouldn’t have unrelated amendments tacked on, such as federal abortion restrictions.

There are crucial pieces of legislation that need to pass soon. One is for funding for Israel and Ukraine, for border security, and for humanitarian and disaster relief, both at home and abroad. Another is a continuing resolution to keep the government funded until the final appropriations bills are adopted. The current resolution expires on November 17, so this needs to happen very soon to avoid a government shutdown. The Farm Bill, which covers a five-year period and is up for renewal now, needs to be enacted; besides framing bills, it also includes important nutrition programs. It would be nice if actual appropriations bills were passed – the Senate committees have passed these bills but the full Senate can’t vote on them until the House has acted – but an omnibus bill that folds all the budgetary bills together is also a possibility.

It’s possible that if Speaker Johnson does put bipartisan bills on the floor, a disgruntled House Republican will force a vote to vacate the chair, meaning to remove the Speaker, but the vote won’t succeed if the rest of the conference sticks together.

The Republicans have an opportunity to show that they are able to govern in a responsible way, fulfilling the promises made in the Preamble of our Constitution. Any member who instead chooses obstructionism should not be re-elected in 2024. We send our representatives to Washington to govern, not whine.

Photo credit: Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

Lewiston

Another mentally ill man with an assault rifle mowing down people, including children, who were out with family and friends enjoying recreation and sharing meals in another US city. This time, it was Lewiston, Maine. As I write this, there are 18 confirmed dead, although only eight have been officially identified. Assault weapons cause such grievous injuries that even family members may not be able to identify victims by sight, so forensic methods need to be used. Thirteen people are injured.

As of October 27th, the Gun Violence Archive has recorded 566 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2023, which is tragic and appalling. The total number of deaths due to gun violence is 35,389 with 19,800 of those being self-inflicted, which is also tragic and appalling.

The entire population of Lewiston, Maine was listed as 36.617 in 2021. Would we finally be able to get more governmental attention to the issue of gun violence if we think of it as an entire small city dying due to guns rather than looking at each individual instance in isolation?

Even though there is support from over 80% of the public for some gun safety measures like universal background checks for all gun sales, Congress has not been able to pass these into law. The House Representative whose district includes Lewiston has apologized to his constituents for his prior opposition to gun safety laws and now promises to support them. I challenge other members of Congress to look at gun violence in their own districts and states, whether they are mass shootings, individual homicides, accidents, suicides, or woundings, and determine a path to make life safer for all people.

It’s too late for 35,389 people this year but not too late for countless others. Congress, act now.

Photo credit: Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

horror and sorrow

I don’t have words that adequately express my horror and sorrow at the death, injury, trauma, and destruction in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

We know that more will be added.

The fate of hostages that Hamas has taken is a primary concern for people around the world.

I understand that Israel is trying to warn civilians to leave northern Gaza before they invade but it’s impossible to re-locate so many people in such a densely populated area when there is a total embargo on bringing in aid, there is no electricity, there aren’t safe shelters, and the borders are sealed so they can’t leave Gaza. There are two million people in Gaza, about half of whom are children and teens. Only a tiny number are terrorists and militants. The vast majority are trapped and suffering.

We don’t know how this immediate situation will resolve but we do know that it is another chapter in a decades-long struggle. We don’t know when or if there will be a resolution that brings about lasting peace.

I am also struggling with reports of attacks against Jews and Muslims around the world. I know in the United States many synagogues and temples are being offered extra security as they prepare for Sabbath services.

All the major religious traditions teach peace. Secular philosophers teach peace. How can some still not hear that message and live it?

Another new Speaker

Not that there is ever a good time for the United States House of Representatives to be without a Speaker – and thus unable to consider any legislation – but now seems like a particularly unfortunate time to be in that situation, with no House-passed budget bills that could clear the Senate; ongoing wars in Ukraine, Israel, and elsewhere; and important work needed domestically and internationally around climate action and disaster relief.

The two leading candidates for Speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, probably don’t have the votes to be elected by the majority Republican conference because they are too far to the right to work with the Senate to get legislation through both chambers.

I think the more moderate Republicans should look among their ranks for a nominee for Speaker who can work with Democrats to craft bipartisan legislation that can pass the House and the Democratic-majority Senate. The Senate has managed to pass all twelve fiscal year 2024 appropriation bills out of committee with large bipartisan majorities, which are in line with the spring debt ceiling legislation. If a new Speaker were to put these bills on the House floor, they could pass with Democratic and Republican votes from members who actually want to govern, as opposed to the Freedom Caucus and other similarly inclined Republican House members who seem intent on just not having a functioning government at all. (The Constitution stipulates that government funding bills must originate in the House, so the Senate can’t pass their version of the bills until the House acts.)

I believe that this Republican nominee should not be someone, though, who voted against certifying the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election after the mob had attacked the Capitol and sent members fleeing for their safety.

My hope is that, if a reasonable candidate comes forward and speaks with the Democratic leadership, the House Democrats will supply enough votes to elect a Speaker quickly so that needed legislation can be put in place, showing our citizens and the international community that our democracy can function in a civil way for the common good. If the new Speaker keeps their promise to preside in a bipartisan way, following the lead of the Senate, they would be insulated from threats by the far right Republicans to “vacate the Chair,” i.e. throw the Speaker out of their job as we just witnessed for the first time with the ousting of Kevin McCarthy.

House Republicans, it’s time for you to step up and put our country first. You were elected to govern, not obstruct. The Senators and President Biden have shown that bipartisanship is still possible.

Follow their lead.

Photo credit: Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

New Poem: On August 24, 2023

For some reason I cannot ascertain, I’ve been having poetic responses spring to mind from current events lately. After having them rejected by the venues that I know that concentrate on current event poems, I am publishing them here at Top of JC’s Mind, as I did last week with my Georgia RICO indictment poem.

This one is much shorter, almost but not quite a haiku. (Syllable counting is difficult when you use numbers.) It is a response to Donald Trump surrendering to authorities at the Fulton County, Georgia jail and then raising money using his scowling mug shot, which I’ve already seen more times than I care to.

As always, comments are welcome.

On August 24, 2023

Inmate P01135809 
says “NEVER SURRENDER!” 
but he does.

GA RICO poem

No, really.

While reading the indictment from the Fulton County, Georgia grand jury last week, I found a poem.

No, really.

A found poem is one that is constructed from a preexisting, usually non-poetic text. As I was reading the 161 acts that are listed as evidence of racketeering, I was struck by the repetition of “an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.” Repetition is a common feature of poetry, so the rhythm of this mantra resonated with me. I took the last line from each of the 161 acts to construct this poem.

Most poems are meant to be heard, as well as read. This one is probably better experienced as a visual piece, allowing the repetition with its variations to weigh on you. As always, comments. are welcome

from The Acts of Violation of the Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act – a found poem by Joanne Corey

  1. The speech was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  2. This telephone call was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  3. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  4. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  5. This meeting was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  6. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  7. The false statements and solicitations were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  8. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  9. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  10. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  11. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  12. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  13. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  14. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  15. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  16. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  17. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  18. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  19. The request was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  20. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  21. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  22. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  23. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  24. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  25. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  26. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  27. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  28. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  29. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  30. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  31. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  32. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  33. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  34. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  35. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  36. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  37. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  38. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  39. This email was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  40. This request was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  41. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  42. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  43. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  44. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  45. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  46. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  47. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  48. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  49. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  50. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  51. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  52. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  53. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  54. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  55. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  56. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  57. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  58. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  59. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  60. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  61. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  62. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  63. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  64. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  65. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  66. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  67. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  68. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  69. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  70. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  71. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  72. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  73. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  74. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  75. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  76. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  77. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  78. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  79. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxiii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  80. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xvi) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  81. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  82. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  83. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xvi) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  84. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  85. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  86. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  87. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxvii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  88. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxvii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  89. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  90. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  91. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  92. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  93. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  94. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  95. This telephone call was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  96. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  97. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  98. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  99. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  100. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  101. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  102. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  103. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  104. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  105. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  106. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  107. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  108. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  109. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  110. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  111. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  112. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  113. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  114. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  115. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  116. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  117. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  118. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  119. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  120. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  121. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxvii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  122. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  123. This request was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  124. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  125. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  126. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  127. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  128. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  129. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  130. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  131. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  132. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  133. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  134. These were overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  135. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  136. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  137. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  138. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  139. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  140. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  141. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  142. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  143. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  144. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  145. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  146. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xix) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  147. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xix) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  148. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xix) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  149. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  150. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  151. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  152. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  153. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  154. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  155. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(B) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  156. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  157. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  158. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxii) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  159. This was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  160. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxv) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
  161. This was an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3(5)(A)(xxv) and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.

One-Liner Wednesday: another indictment

Sadly continuing with a recent practice, here is a link to the most recent, devastating, sprawling indictment of Donald Trump, this time under the state of Georgia’s RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) law around interference in the 2020 election.
*****
Please join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays. Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/16/one-liner-wednesday-that-feeling-when/