(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
I’m so thankful that millions and millions of voters peacefully and forthrightly made their voices heard in the United States midterm elctions, making clear that we stand for democracy, decency, and neighborliness.
This post is part of One-Liner Wednesday, brought to you be Linda Hill, a Canadian blogger-friend. Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/11/04/one-liner-wednesday-procrastination-hurts/
Vote for Democracy #61
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
There have been so many outrageous horrors from the Trump administration that it has been impossible to chronicle and comment on them all, but one of the latest ones has sparked a lot of public discussion, so I wanted to post about it.
Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the execution of Nidal Hasan, who was found guilty in the shooting at Fort Hood in 2009 by a military tribunal, would be livestreamed for the public. The plan is that Hasan will be executed by military firing squad at Fort Hood on Dec. 3rd. Adding to the horror is that fact that Hasan is paralyzed from the waist down, a result of the police response to the shooting, and uses a wheelchair.
I have opposed the death penalty since I was a child on moral grounds and my church and many other faith-based and human rights groups also publicly oppose it as an affront to human dignity. It has been shown not to be a deterrent to crime. There is also the fear that, because Hasan was motivated by Muslim radicalization, Islamist extremist groups would use his public execution as a rallying point to recruit more members and carry out attacks.
We also should not look at suffering, pain, and death as entertainment. Part of the reason that there have not been public executions in the United States since the 1930s was that they sometimes turned into public spectacle, echoing history such as the torture and killings in the Roman Coliseum. Nearly all countries in the world have outlawed capital punishment and the few that do allow it usually keep it out of public view. Most videos of people being executed in recent times are of terrorist groups killing their hostages.
I believe that death sentences should be commuted to life in prison. The community is protected and the state does not itself commit murder, interrupting the cycle of violence and recognizing human dignity. There will probably be legal action to block the livestreaming of the execution and also to delay it. It is even more complicated than other death penalty cases because it came through the military rather than civil court system. Perhaps, the administration will listen to the outcry and change their plans.
We can hope.
Vote for Democracy #58
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
When the United States celebrated our Bicentennial in 1976, I was a teenager. There were many local activities in my small, rural New England town, spread out over the year. There were also many events in Washington and other major cities that were on television and covered in print publications. The country was recovering from the Vietnam War and Watergate. There was progress being made on civil rights for women and minorities. Things felt hopeful and celebratory. Granted, this was a small-town girl viewpoint at the time, but it was my experience of the country’s 200th birthday.
Today, on the 250th anniversary, the Semiquincentennial (or half-500 for those of you not into Latin), I find that celebrating is not a thing I can do. The level of public government corruption is staggering. Large corporations and their founders/CEOs are exploiting their workers and the public to amass unimaginable wealth while barely paying any taxes to help civil society function. Immigrants, women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who follow any religion or philosophy other than a particular subset of evangelical/fundamentalist Christianity are losing legal protection, their civil rights, and, sometimes, even life and liberty, due to the egregious failures of the Trump administration and their sycophants in Congress, the courts, and state and local governments.
There are, however, two things that give me some hope.
The first is recognition that the United States has weathered major assaults on our democratic republic before, with the Civil War being the most prominent example. There have also been other times when fascism threatened, such as during the 1930s-40s. I can only imagine what it must have been like for people in the US in those times, living with those dangers and unsure how things would resolve. I wonder if they felt similarly to the way I and millions of others feel now. Knowing the country has made it through other crises gives me some hope that we can do it again.
The other source of hope is the millions upon millions of people who are rallying, calling out corruption, advocating for change, and helping their neighbors in these fraught times. I’m grateful for the prominent public figures, journalists, and writers who are speaking out, reporting on what is happening to the country, and sirring others to action. Addressing the damage Trump and his minions have caused will be a long, difficult slog in the coming years but smart and principled people are laying the groundwork for needed changes to shore up our democracy. Many things that prior administrations observed as ethical norms will need to be codified into law with means to compel compliance. Legislative procdures will need reform so that one party or faction can’t block or steamroll bills. Voting rights need to be strengthened and districts drawn to give voice to cohesive, local communities. Civil rights need to be universally upheld. The Supreme Court must be reformed and recent, unconstitutional decisions overturned. The tax system must be overhauled so that weathy individuals and corporations pay their fair share. The social safety net must be strengthened so that no one lacks basic necessities, educational access, medical care, and a dignified life. The United States must act responsibly with other countries, abide by our treaties and trade agreements, assist our allies, aid those in need, work to reduce pollution and protect global climate, and use our military to promote peace. Realistic, humane, and comprehensive immigration reform, including a path of citizenship, must be enacted and implemented. There needs to be some mechanism for accountability for those who acted illegally or unethically, whether that becomes a truth and reconciliation commission or can be accomplished through federal or state courts. The federal courts may be constrained by unethical Trump pardons – and, by the way, there need to be limits put on presidential pardons so that they return to their traditional use as being a means to show mercy to people who had been convicted of crimes who expressed remorse and, usually, had completed their sentence or who had been given harsh sentences for non-violent crimes.
All that and more…
A lot of work but still a belief in the promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” from the Declaration of Independence and the “more perfect union” that “promote[s] the general welfare” from the Preamble to the Constitution.
In honor of the 250th anniversary, we need to speak out, vote, and act for democracy so that the world’s oldest democracy continues to be one. I can’t guarantee another 250 years, although I can hope for it.
If you are in the US, please join in. If you are in another place, please remember that there are many here who oppose Donald Trump’s destruction and corruption. We will do all we can to re-join you as a nation of values, generosity, and good will soon.
Vote for Democary #58
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
Donald Trump has been corrupt for a long time but, in his second administration, they don’t even try to hide it. The crypto schemes. Donors getting big contracts from the government, sometimes without any competitive bidding. The president promoting companies in which he is invested. The tearing down of the East Wing without proper authority and using taxpayer funds to build a ballroom after saying it would be privately funded. Not spending funds that Congress had authorized, such as ending USAID, which has resulted in untold deaths when critical health and nutrition programs overseas were cut. The president and his family profiting from his presidency so that they are over a billion dollars richer. Deporting people without due process. Lying over and over about individuals, groups, and countries. Starting a war without authorization or public support. Investigating people without cause. Ignoring court orders. Filing a bogus lawsuit to try to wrangle a deal to create a $1.776 billion slush fund to dole out to supporters along with an agreement that any past tax malfeasance from Trump, his family, and his businesses could not be investigated. I could go on, but you get the idea.
In contrast, last week saw the official opening of the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago. While most presidents have a library, President Obama chose to create a community center with a park, public spaces for a variety of activities, a museum, and a public library branch stocked with some of the President’s favorite books. There will also be a digital archive of presidential papers, replacing the prior practice of having them all on paper. The opening ceremony on June 18, 2026 was a joyous celebration with music and inspirational speeches, including from Barack and Michelle Obama. The Center opened for visitors the next day, which is a national holiday commemorating Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when Black people who had been enslaved in Galveston Bay, Texas, learned that they had been freed by Lincoln’s Final Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863.
It was heartening to see people from across the country and the world come together to celebrate being in community, upholding the common good, and nurturing present and future generations. It was also a reminder, with our nation’s 250th birthday only days away, that we can make progress as “We the People” toward “a more perfect union,” despite the current administration’s malfeasance.
It’s time for all people of good will to stand up for each other, especially for those most vulnerable, and reject those who would supress or divide us.
Together, we can do it.
Our 2017 Chevy Bolt just passed 70,000 miles (about 113,000 kilometers). We still love driving it and hope to keep it for years to come.
With gas prices as expensive as they are these days, it’s especially nice to be driving an electric vehicle. Bonus: we own solar panels in a community solar farm, so charging at home is very inexpensive.
I’m just hoping that, when we do decide to replace our Bolt, we will have lots of EVs from which to choose. EVs are winning increasing market share in most of the rest of the world, so the United States will be playing catch-up after the damage the Trump administration has done to the EV industry.
Vote for Democracy #57
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
The United States is facing even more serious challenges to our election system.
The US Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Callais has set off a spate of redistricting in southern states which, while they are being labeled as partisan, are effectively race-based, even though primary elections are very close, or, as in Louisiana, already underway. All of these states are looking to cut down the number of Democrats and Black elected officials.
This morning, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the April vote that would have redistricted that state and potentially added more Democrats to the US House of Representatives in the midterm elections in November.
It’s very discouraging because Trump and the Republicans are actively trying to stay in power through manipulating the electoral system, even though their policies are increasingly harmful and unpopular.
It’s time for citizens to take back their electoral power. Given that new district lines will make it more difficult for Democrats and people of color to elect their preferred candidates, voter turnout will be crucial. It may, though, not be sufficient to overcome these new obstacles. Voters who are registered as Republicans need to vote against all Republican nominees who favor these unfair and unconstitutional policies and help elect officials who believe in the principle of one person, one vote and who will uphold our civil liberties and rights.
I admit that this is a discouraging time in our efforts to uphold democracy but we must keep working on it. As Joyce Vance titled her recent book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable.
Vote for Democrary #56
While May 1st is observed around the world as International Workers’ Day, it’s usually not a big thing in the United States, which observes Labor Day the first Monday in September.
This year is different.
Indivisible and other organizations are spearheading May Day Strong, calling for no work, no school, and no shopping today. There will be rallies in some places for those who are able with others, like me, participating from home. I’m wearing my “Presidents are not Kings” shirt and refraining from shopping today. (No work and no school are every day things for me.)
One of the messages today is “Workers over Billionaires.” The hope is that a show of economic power will draw attention to the unfair tax structure in the United States and the undue influence that wealthy individuals and corporations have over our government. This is also tied to current abuses of power by the government, trying to strip rights and protections under the law and interfere with elections.
As it happens, May 1st is also observed as Law Day in the United States. The Amercian Bar Association explains this year’s theme:
The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams. The ABA encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams.
This dovetails well with the May Day actions and No Kings, Hands Off, and other rallies that have been happening during Trump’s second term. Law Day seems even more urgent this year with the lawlessness of immigration enforcement and detention/deportation without due process, election interference, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, and the decisions of the Supreme Court that fly in the face of precedence and the Constitution.
I don’t know what the impact of this May Day and Law Day will bring but I am looking at it as another step in the movement to restore the rights and freedoms of the American people, taking back the power from the corrupting influence of autocrats and oligarchs.
There is a third thing about May 1st that is important to me. It’s the first day of EDS & HSD Awareness Month. (EDS is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; HSD is the related diagnosis of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder.) I was diagnosed with hypermobile EDS (hEDS) in January, although as a genetic connective tissue disorder, it has always been there. I hope to do several posts this month to continue to raise awareness and to update my readers about my current treatment trajectory.
Of course, there will be more posts in my Vote for Democracy series, too. The caveat is that there will never be as many posts as I would like, unless/until I can clear the brain fog and get more energy back. There will be other topics popping up, as well. You can never tell what might be at the top of JC’s Mind!
Or maybe you can….
While I’m grateful that a partial ceasefire was declared in the Middle East yesterday, I call on the United States Congress to immediately return to Washington to remove Trump from office because he publicly threatend destruction of a civilization, also known as genocide, in violation of international and United States law.
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays! While this particular post of mine is very serious, many of the posts in this series are more fun or have lovely photos. Learn more about the series here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/04/08/one-liner-wednesday-im-not-opening-up/
Vote for Democracy #55
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
I wanted to add my voice to the millions in the United States and around the world that I am opposed to Trump and Israel’s war against Iran.
In particular, I want to say that it is absolutely unacceptable to bomb infrastructure that civilians use, such as power plants, roads, bridges, and desalination plants. To do so is a war crime, as recogonized by both US and international law. Military leaders given such orders have a duty to refuse them because they are illegal.
I have long feared that Trump is mentally ill and it seems his condition is deteriorating. He should be removed from office by the 25th amendment which provides for the removal from office of a president who is unfit to serve.
I fear, though, that no one will intervene and Trump will perpetrate war crimes against the Iranian public. As a US citizen, this action is undertaken in my name but I am disavowing it here, not that I expect it to have any impact.
I appreciate Pope Leo speaking so forcefully and so often on behalf of peace. If only Trump would listen to him and the millions of others trying to avert any more war, death, and destruction.
Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week is “portrait.”
The photo above is a new portrait of me today, dressed in honor of the third No Kings! Day held in the United States in Donald Trump’s second term.
There are over 3,300 marches, rallies, demonstrations, or other events planned across the country with a few being held in other countries in solidarity.
Due to my health issues, I won’t be able to be at any of them in person, so I am declaring my solidarity here on my blog.
I’m hoping to watch some of the coverage on television. This is the largest yet of the No Kings protests against the rising autocracy we are experiencing here in the US with Trump and his administration. The situation becomes more dire by the day, especially with the Iran war.
Of course, there are also the ongoing problems across many issues both domestically and internationally. The flagship protest for No Kings today is in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, where an alleged immigration crackdown early this year led to terror, including the deaths of two US citizen observers who were trying to assist their immigrant neighbors and other citizen observers.
There are also many organizations that are standing up for our Constitution, laws, ethics, values, and humanity and rights. Special shout-out to CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. They do a lot of legal work in trying to call attention to and file suits about the abuses of power in the nation’s capital. I ordered this shirt from them – in yellow, which is one of the colors associated with No Kings.
I also appreciate how the No Kings events are held. They are peaceful and designed for there to be safety and fun for participants. Some people even wear fun costumes, like inflatable animals.
Even while people are having fun, though, the cause is very serious.
Presidents are not Kings!
