Spinning
We have looms and we have spinning wheels. Too numerous to count. Ha! I’m guilty of being acquisitive. I doesn’t help that Colleen is too. But this post is about picking images. And today I spun Lightroom and recall this memory.
The time is September 2014 in Saudi Arabia. What would you know about living in a totalitarian government in which freedom could be snatched at any moment? How about being reminded that freedom is a gift every day? How about if you have taken simple freedom for granted each and every day of your life? Unrestricted travel? Not here!
My old boss is in a dungeon placed there without stated charges by the prince. A man can be wealthy and then imprisoned the next day. Does it sound like a scene from medieval times? I had to leave my cat behind… another long story. I was blessed to escape. I got out without too much red tape and with too much drama for anyone’s liking. But I’m out! The parting gift was the worst cough/cold of my life given to me by a pair of random fellow travelers on the airplane. Thanks a lot. The relief (of my escape) was palpable then and even today. Living in Saudi was an experience not to be missed. I miss the scuba dives in the Red Sea. I miss some people I met. I do not miss being living in a totalitarian regime.(Happy New Year, Gen)
Are there parallels in American history today? The once and future king… The vast majority of the population live in freedom they take for granted. Never was this so true. I wish you could have walked in my shoes.
Look-out
You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. Just when you think it can’t get worse, you realize that a serious mistake was made. Things never felt right since the election and inauguration. Things feel right; well, a bit better.
It’s not over by a long shot. People still believe in 45. But they were always a minority. Each day becomes a little more desperate. Just because Fox says “it is” doesn’t make it so. There is no fake news. It is what it is. Platitudes. But the truth is becoming more apparent with each passing day. One news show opens with, “Today is Day 432 and counting” as though the count will end at some point. We are getting nearer and nearer to the Day of Reckoning. We don’t need no stinkin’ yard signs to tell us which way this one’s going. Pack your bags.
Do you suppose they might pass gun control laws if they took away security at the Capitol and the White House? You know? Replace it with the same security they have at the school. How long will congress put up with the same security like the kids in Parkland or in any other public venue near you? You should have equal security and equal healthcare to congress. Why not?
Side By Side
Look close. Side by side. I see this in retrospect as I view the edit. The ladies chose to take stand not by chance but by determined design.
They are in front of Trump International Hotel. On the margin… things played out. There will always be someone to try to change the dialog and shift the argument. It’s magic. Watch one hand while the other does magic. 800 demonstrations around the world. One purpose and one voice. For once, I am encouraged. Hopeful. But it ain’t over till it’s over. I’m voting. Another republican announced he would retire. Reason: He couldn’t win with Trump as president. A republican would have to deal with Trump’s base versus an aroused moderate base repulsed by Trump.
Marginalized… no more
I don’t ordinarily post twice in a day. I’ve been traveling. I’ve been processing. I’m moved. I’m hopeful. Maybe you weren’t there. Or the news did not mention. Fox reported crowds of “tens of thousands” grossly misstating the actual numbers of 800,000 upwards of a million.
Folks were on the margin of the rally for “March for our lives.” They chanted against gun control. It happened in DC and I read about the boy on a hill in Utah saying, “Take it from me.” (his AR-15). I passed folks who were chanting to the passersby that Planned Parenthood was a sponsor of the rally for gun control. Margin, they were marginalized on this day. This crowd was just one of more than 800 demonstrations around the world. Even with my extended telephoto the stage is barely noticeable in front of the Capitol.
The NRA has a war chest of more than $1 billion dollars to tell you that the second amendment is sacred. That’s more than enough to hand Marco Rubio $3 million in contributions. And there is much more money that has gone to many other members of congress.
“No more.” “Vote them out.” “Enough is enough.” And on and on. Slogans signs. Peaceful demonstration.
What I realize is that the boy on the hill and chants from the margins are indeed marginal. They are not the majority. There is a debate. It ends when no more kids are killed by guns. I got kids. Mine are at risk. Do you have kids? Are you a kid? Were you a kid once upon a time?
I’m old now. I saw 9/11 up close and personal. I was moved. Sad to say I’m am again moved deeply by what I witnessed. I bear witness to you who see this post. I’ve heard the arguments. Nothing can win against one more dead child.
If you are a Congressman who is not listening – one student speaker spoke, “Get your resume ready!”
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