Category: government

hearing differently

Those of us who attend Christian churches that follow the common lectionary are hearing 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and Matthew 5:1-12a (the Beatitudes) this Sunday.

These passages struck me differently this year because of what we are seeing in Minnesota and across the country where people are standing up to the powerful for the sake of justice and mercy.

In I Corinithians, we hear “God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.”

In Matthew, we hear:
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I know it will be a long haul and take a lot of work and witness, but these passages give me hope that the millions of us – of all faith traditions or none at all – who are not powerful individually will be able to re-establish a society that respects human dignity and rights for all the people.

JC’s Confessions #34

the sin of being American

In the first few seasons of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert did a recurring skit, then a best-selling book, called Midnight Confessions, in which he “confesses” to his audience with the disclaimer that he isn’t sure these things are really sins but that he does “feel bad about them.” While Stephen and his writers are famously funny, I am not, so my JC’s Confessions will be somewhat more serious reflections, but they will be things that I feel bad about. Stephen’s audience always forgives him at the end of the segment; I’m not expecting that – and these aren’t really sins – but comments are always welcome.

I’m guilty of being an American.

In the opening blurb for JC’s Confessions, I say that things I write about here “aren’t really sins” but this post will be an exception.

In Catholic theology, there is such a thing as social sin.

From the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church  

#118 Certain sins, moreover, constitute by their very object a direct assault on one’s neighbor. Such sins in particular are known as social sins. Social sin is every sin committed against the justice due in relations between individuals, between the individual and the community, and also between the community and the individual.  
~~~from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website

Although this is a society-wide, structural sin, it mires all of us in the evil being done in our name and with our tax dollars. One needn’t look far to see the injustices being perpetrated on individuals, families, groups of people, and entire countries by the Trump administration, despite millions of us protesting against it and numerous findings of illegality by the courts.

Despite my own objections and (tiny) actions, I still bear responsibility for this sin. The truth is that I have benefitted from this system, in ways that others cannot. For example, my Italian grandparents and Irish great-grandparents were not considered “white” when they arrived in the United States, but their descendants with our pale skin and American accents found it much easier to fit into our society and find opportunities for education and employment. While it seemed that the United States had made progress in recognizing and redressing discrimination and prejudice against people of color and immigrants, those gains are being obliterated by the current administration on a massive scale.

One of the many insidious things about the current state of affairs in the United States is that too many people are not recognizing the responsibilities we have to each other as communities, as a society, and as a nation. While I happen to have a faith tradition that supports this viewpoint, in our democracy, our responsibilities to one another are the foundataion for everything. Our Constitution begins with “We the People.” It’s about all of us, not just the powerful or wealthy or Christian.

The Trump administration in its policies has made clear that they don’t consider themselves to be serving all the people, instead catering to the rich in economic and regulatory matters and punishing in any way possible millions of people who are immigrants, of color, LGBTQIA+, non-Christians, Democrats, women, liberal, progressive, residents of Democrat-led cities or states, experts in their field, or anyone who doesn’t support their agenda in some way.

Somehow, while I can see and acknowledge this sin and my part in these systemic injustices, those currently abusing their power in government, business, and communities refuse to accept responsibility for their actions, instead blaming those whom they victimize while excusing their own unethical behavior. A recent, outrageous example of this is the ICE/CPB aggression against protestors who are peacefully exercising their First Admendment rights, while Trump pardoned nearly all those who had participated in the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The Catholic Church does offer ways to seek absolution for our sins but these focus more on personal sin, not social sin. One aspect of seeking forgiveness for sins is that you are supposed to avoid committing that sin in the future, an impossibility with social or structural sin.

I realize that many of you, if you have managed to read along this far, may disagree with the entire premise of this post, reasoning that I’m not responsible for the actions of my government and society that I oppose. You may even be inclined to offer forgiveness. I do appreciate that sentiment and thank you for your support. Even more, I thank you for whatever way you help your neighbors and uphold human dignity.

We are all in this together.
*****
This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. There is still time to join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/30/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-30th-2026/. The prompt for today is “cinnamon.” It’s one of my favorite spices and you may be wishing I’d written about that instead…

positive movement?

Vote for Democracy #54

Like millions of others in the US and around the world, I’ve been horrified by the actions of federal agents from ICE and CBP in Minnesota, Maine, and many other locations.

It looks like the massive outcry and protests after the murder of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the obvious lies from administration officials about it may finally have moved the Trump administration to rein in some of the terror they are inflicting.

Greg Bovino, who has been termed “commander-at-large” of Customs and Border Protection, has been on the ground directing operations in Minneapolis; he will now be leaving the state. Trump is sending Tom Homan, his border czar, to Minnesota to head up ICE/CBP operations there. It’s not that I trust Homan, who, among other things, was instrumental in the unconscionable family separation policy in Trump’s first term, but, at least, he was saying that investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti needed to happen before conclusions were drawn, as opposed to Bovino, DHS Secretary Noem, Vice-president Vance, and other administration officials who immediately labelled the victims as “domestic terrorists” who deserved to die.

Trump has also reportedly had productive conversations with MN governor Walz and Minneapolis mayor Frey, which is a good sign, although surprising after Trump vilified them repeatedly over the last several weeks.

It seems that Trump and his administration may finally be realizing that the majority of the country opposes the unlawful arrests and violence that ICE and CBP have undertaken. The vast majority of court cases have been decided in favor of plaintiffs, not the government, although, shamefully, the government lawyers have lied to judges and defied their orders on many occasions. While many Democratic officeholders have opposed Trump’s actions, finally some Republicans are speaking out, as well. Chris Madel has dropped out of the Republican primary to be governor of Minnesota because of the ICE/CBP assault on his state by the Republican administration.

I believe, though, that the greatest credit for this pullback goes to the people of Minnesota, who refused to be cowed even by violence against them. They organized to watch out for their neighbors and bring them food and supplies when it was too dangerous to go out because ICE/CBP were taking people off the street if they were people of color or speaking a different language, even if they were citizens or had legal status. They protected schools and students. They blew whistles to warn if agents were in the area and filmed agents’ activities to document what they were doing. They held a general strike to protest what was happening. They held many rallies, marches, and vigils, even though Minnesota winters are very, very cold. Their persistence, strength, and goodness are a great service to the nation and a great example to other locations under threat.

No one knows if this will be a turning point and Trump administration will stop their lawless campaign against immigrants or not, but it seems that Trump at least realizes that his actions are condemned by the majority of the country.

There has been a lot of discussion, however, that large-scale deportation is only part of the plan – that the real endgame is to militarize our cities and interfere with or suspend the November elections.

This possibility was made explicit when Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Gov. Walz, demanding concessions, which included handing over complete voter data to the federal government. In the United States, state and local governments are responsible for running elections, not the federal government. It is feared that the Trump administration would use such voter data to try to suppress the votes of people who are unlikely to vote for Republicans. Trump has also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops in Democratic-led cities and states, which is not allowed in general under the Posse Commitatus Act. Having the military patrolling would suppress votes as eligible voters, especially people of color, would be afraid to go to their polling places.

I hope that this will be a pivot point and that Congress and the courts will be able to stop the abuses of the Trump administration. Perhaps there will be impeachments or resignations of some of the administration leaders responsible for these abuses.

The ordinary folks of Minnesota have been resolute in defending our rights and the common good. May their resolve, action, and compassion inspire members of Congress to do the right thing and uphold their oaths of office.
*****
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/27/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-27th-2026/

a message to the US Congress

Vote for Democracy #53

(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)

Dear Members of Congress,

You have powers under Article I of our Constitution that you need to assert immediately.

You should go into emergency session and pass legislation that rescinds Donald Trump’s ridiculous tariffs against our European allies who oppose his wildly illegal attempts to annex Greenland. While you’re at it, rescind the rest of the tariffs Trump has imposed that infringe on trade treaties, which is the vast majority of them. These are adding to inflation for consumers and have caused uncertainty – and even closure – of US businesses, especially small businesses.

You must also make clear that only Congress can declare war. Trump, though he is commander-in-chief, has no authority to attack another sovereign country, especially our allies. He cannot attack Greenland. Period. Congress as a body should also remind the military that they are bound to follow the Constitution and must not follow illegal orders.

Speaking of illegal orders, they must also make clear that the US military is not authorized for deployment domestically. The Posse Comitatus Act forbids using the military as law enforcement within the country. Yes, there is the possibility to call in troops in the event of insurrection, but there is nowhere in the US that people are threatening to overthrow the government. (Oh, and when there was an insurrection when Trump was president on January 6, 2021, he failed to uphold the Constitution and put down the insurrection; he actually encouraged it and now denies it happened.)

You must also make clear that Congress controls spending and the president and the executive branch only execute the laws that Congress passes. You must make clear that you will not authorize funds to buy Greenland or any other sovereign territory. While you’re at it, you should stop the stealing of Venezulean oil with proceeds going to offshore accounts.

It’s time for Congress to do its job as defined by Article I of our Constitution and centuries’ worth of laws that you have passed.

Sincerely,
Joanne Corey

*****
This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/18/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-18th-2026/

deterioration

Vote for Democrary #52


(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)

The Trump/Vance administration is becoming increasingly unhinged, vindicative, violent, threatening, lawless, and terrifying.

I’m increasingly afraid that Trump will do something from which future administrations will not be able to recover.

One of those things is Trump’s threats to own Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark. Denmark is a long-time ally of the United States and a member of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which has prevented a third World War breaking out in Europe since 1949. Part of the treaty is that any member can ask the others to come to their aid if they are attacked. This is in Article 5 and has only been invoked once, when NATO allies, including Denmark, deployed their militaries to defend the United States after the Al-Qaeda attacks on September 11, 2001. In fact, Denmark suffered the greatest casualty count as a proportion of population of any of the NATO members in that conflict. Because of Trump’s threats against Greenland, troops from other NATO nations have arrived on the island to bolster its defenses and, I hope, deter Trump from taking military action there. The United States has long maintained a military presence in Greenland, currently the Pituffik Space Base. If Trump attacks Greenland and Denmark invokes Article 5, the other member states would come to their aid and be at war with the United States. This would break NATO and destabilize the global order. It’s a huge, looming danger and I hope Trump will follow our law and drop his ridiculous idea of taking control of Greenland, but I don’t know what will happen.

On the domestic side, Trump is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act and send US military forces to Minnesota, even though there is no actual insurrection and the governor, other state and local government officials, and the residents there object to the current federal ICE agents deployed, who have already wreaked havoc in the state. The military does not belong on our streets and is prohibited from being there by the Posse Comitatus Act. Of course, the disgusting fact is that, during Trump’s first presidency, he enocuraged an actual insurrection on January 6, 2021 and then pardoned those who took part when he became president again last year. Trump is now “joking” about not holding elections in November but often his “jokes” turn into what he actually thinks and intends. It would take a huge military and law enforcement presence to prevent an election from occurring and there is a fear that Tump is trying to normalize using our military domestically so that he can prevent the election from happening or selectively suppress voting in places where Republican candidates would likely lose.

I could go on, but I think that will have to do for today.

Millions of us are using every nonviolent mechanism we can to oppose the actions and threats from Trump and his administration. Some members of Congress are finally standing up for democracy both here and abroad but we need more.

I lack the imagination to know what Trump might do next but I am increasingly terrified. Most Americans disapprove of what Trump and his administration are doing and are appalled at his actions against citizens, immigrants, and other countries. There has already been so much damage done and I know that there will be more before he can be stopped.

I just hope we can stop him and begin the hard work of repairing as much of the damage as possible.

*****
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/16/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-16th-2026/

One-Liner Wednesday: Renee Nicole Good

murdered poet gifts
words crowds magnify Renee’s
voice radiates Good

Sharing again the haiku I posted Monday about Renee Nicole Good, whose death at the hands of an ICE agent in Minneapolis has horrified millions in the United States and around the world.

Please join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays and/or Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/14/one-liner-wednesday-jusjojan26-the-14th-decisions-decisions/

haiku for Renee Nicole Good

murdered poet gifts
words crowds magnify Renee’s
voice radiates Good

After finding out the day after her murder that Renee Nicole Good was a poet, I woke up Friday morning with the idea for this haiku in my head. I worked on it and sent it to the nearly-impossible-to-make-the-cut Rattle Poets Respond, which requires submissions by Friday midnight that relate to news from the last week and were written in that time.

After the anticipated rejection arrived, I pondered whether to try another venue or publish it here. I had the rare opportunity to meet with the Grapevine Poets yesterday and decided that I should share it here so it would be available in a timely manner.

I used to meet with the Grapevine Poets for early-evening workshopping every other week but haven’t been able to for most of the last two years due to my health situation. Yesterday, we had an afternoon craft discussion, which I could manage because I could muster enough energy and brain power at that time of day.

During this time of health struggles, I haven’t been able to write poetry very often, so I’ve seized this opportunity. I like writing haiku and tanka and those forms hold the additional appeal of being very short, which matches my limited energy and ability to focus. I haven’t shown this to anyone so this is just coming from my own head and heart.

A feature of this haiku is that I chose to forgo punctuation and capitalization, other than Renee’s name. This gives the opportunity to read the lines with pauses in different places, which places emphasis on different words. It also makes this haiku particularly dense. I’m not sure if this works for other readers or not, but I would appreciate any comments that anyone might like to share.

This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/12/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-12th-2026/

SoCS: Onward!

Don’t get me started writing about the horrors of the Trump administration, especially in stream of consciousness, because it would go on for pages and pages and be incredibly painful to read.

Nobody needs that, especially because it wouldn’t be helpful in making changes that are needed to protect lives.

I’m sending prayers and well wishes to all those protesting and speaking out against the autocracy and evil that has befallen the US and afflicted so many here and across the world. While very few of us have any real power in the government, I believe our numbers will eventually prevail to get us back on a path that honors our Constitution and laws and our highest ideals for equality, compassion, and care for all people and our common home, the earth.

Stay strong but remember that, when you need to rest, others are there to carry on until you can rejoin the effort. Although I wish we could get to a better state of affairs quickly, this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint.

Onward!
*****
Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday/Just Jot It January today is “don’t get me started.” If you would like to join in with either effort, you can find details here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/09/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2026-daily-prompt-for-jan-10th/

an unexpected association

While visiting the London contingent of our family, we often rode by a JFK Special School. For people from the United States, JFK commonly refers to President John Fitzgerald Kennedy but we assumed that these schools must refer to a different JFK.

Our daughter and son-in-law, though, told us that the school program is named after President Kennedy. The schools are for students with special needs and recognize the Kennedy family’s involvement in the development of education for those with special needs. While there are some stand-alone schools for those with the most complex needs, many of the JFK programs are now within schools where students are mainstreamed.

President Kennedy signed some of the first legislation to assist people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Many members of the Kennedy family across several generations have been involved in helping those with these conditions, most notably JFK’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who worked through the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation for many years and founded the Special Olympics. Rosemary Kennedy, another sister in their large family, had been born with an intellectual disability and is thought to have inspired Eunice in her work.

It’s great to know that so much good has come from the work of the Kennedy family, not just in the US but across the world.

This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/05/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-5th-2026/

extrajudicial

Vote for Democrary #51

(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)

Not the post I expected to write this morning.

The Trump administration continued its assault on the Constitution and the rule of law yesterday by using our elite military forces to kidnap Venezulan leader Maduro and his spouse and bring them to the United States, ostensibly to be tried for drug trafficking charges. This follows months of bombing boats and killing crew members coming from Venezula and other Central/South American countries, also ostensibly tied to drug trafficking.

These actions appear to break both United States and international law.

What should happen is that warrants or charges should be issued and arrests made, not bringing in the military or killing people without trial.

In the case of Maduro and his family, charges should have been brought with an arrest taking place if he left his country. This is the usual protocol followed with national leaders, as we see with cases of war crimes. (One of the terrible things about Trump inviting Putin to Alaska last year is that Putin is under indictment for war crimes and should have been arrested upon entering the United States, but was not.)

I don’t know what the evidence is against Maduro and whether he will be convicted at trial. In the past, the United States Department of Justice did not indict on serious charges unless they felt sure they had enough evidence to convict but the Trump Department of Justice has hollowed out many of the veteran prosecutors and has had a number of high profile cases fall apart because they have not had proper evidence before filing charges.

It’s obvious, though, that Trump’s aggressive behavior against Venezula is not about drugs. If Trump was serious about jailing drug traffickers, he would not have pardoned former Honduran president Hernández, who was convicted on drug charges and serving a 45-year prison sentence in the US.

Instead, this seems to be about power and money. Trump plans to “run” Venezula for the immediate future and bring in his fossil fuel patrons to take Venezulan oil. You may recall that Trump asked for millions of dollars in campaign funding from the fossil fuel industry for his 2024 campaign and this move in Venezula would be the latest handout to benefit them.

The Trump administration is claiming this was a law enforcement action rather than a military incursion, trying to skirt the Constitution which states that only Congress can declare war. I don’t know what will happen with this because the Republican majority has been reluctant to insist on exercising their Constitutional duties.

I am worried that Trump has started a war with Venezuela that will further destabilize the country. Maduro was acting as president despite having lost the last election. The apparent winner, Edmundo González, was forced into exile because the military still backed Maduro. Maduro’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, should assume the presidency but will probably be considered illegitimate because she was elected along with Maduro. Most countries were already sanctioning Venezuela because Maduro was still acting as president despite having lost the election. I’m not sure how they will react to Trump saying he is going to “run” Venezuela. There may be action in the United Nations.

What I can say is that I think Trump’s action was unconstitutional, illegal, and unwise. I hope that he will be held to account, along with the Cabinet members and other people involved, but Congress does not inspire confidence in this regard.

It’s hard to predict what will happen, so I won’t try, but I wanted to be clear that I think this action against Venezuela was wrong.

This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. To join in, please visit here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/04/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-4th-2026/ for more information.