Day in Blue

This post is overdue, but here's a shout-out to the South Carolina Democratic Women's Council, led by Susan Smith of Pawleys Island.   Their presence definitely was felt at the South Carolina State House on May 15.  These determined Democrats made an impression and an impact that day.    This large, well-informed group of women came from all over the State to spend time talking with legislators and the media.  The sight of this blue tide makes me very happy.  And proud.  Don't count Democrats out, y'all.  We're going to turn this state purple yet.  And maybe in my granddaughter's lifetime, it will be bright blue.   I have decorated my car, "Partner," with a Sheheen bumper sticker.   Everybody in the USA, please join S. C. Dems in supporting him.  I know you'll miss the late night jokes, but we still have enough Republican legislators around to keep you entertained.  We need Vincent Sheehen in the Governor's office working for all the people of South Carolina.   Seeing that he's elected in 2014 is a giant step toward turning purple.  Then blue.

 

Visit the S. C. Democratic Women's Council's web site: http://scdwc.org/ and like them on Facebook!

JFK's Birthday

"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" ~  President John F. Kennedy, August 1, 1963 in Bancroft Hall.  (Image and quote from the United States Naval Academy's Facebook page.)

It's beyond by ability to imagine that this vibrant, youthful President would be 96 years old today.  His boyish image is forever frozen in our memories.  To remain young in the minds of others is small consolation for a life that ended tragically and much too soon.

 

People who knew him well— when he was in the service and until his death in Dallas—have described the horrific pain he was in most of the time.  He managed to hide his health condition and his pain in order to enter in the military  He reportedly slept with a sheet of plywood under his mattress during his time in the Navy, and took an assortment of prescription drugs in an effort to manage the pain. 

 

His determination to serve his country during wartime—despite the pain—makes him a hero in my book; that's before considering the lives he saved in the PT boat experience most of us have heard or read about.  It took considerable courage and endurance to put himself through the rigors of political campaigns, as well— for the Senate and later for the Presidency.  

A historian who examined his medical records was stunned at the extent of the health problems that the seemingly vigorous president dealt with.  "There was hardly a day that went by that he didn't suffer terribly," presidential historian Robert Dallek, a history professor at Boston University, told ABCNEWS' Good Morning America.  (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125593&page=1#.UaZPbeuvXbk)

It's a pleasure to think of JFK today—May 29, 2013.  I'm not even tempted to imagine what he would be like at 96 if he were still with us.  Instead,  I'm thinking "Of course he's a Gemini."  The Gemini men I know (including my son) are excellent communicators; they're charming and love to learn.  Even though attractive and charismatic, they generally are humble, too. And a little restless.  Sounds like a fit, doesn't it?

Thank you for living so fully, so courageously on this Earth, Mr. President. It's an honor to remember you on your birthday.  In the photo here, you look serious; your eyes seem to contain the weight of the world.   But when I close my eyes and see your face, those Irish eyes are smiling.   As they so often did.

Yep!

(From Politics with Jarred and Dave/Facebook)

Breeding the Nutrition Out . . .

A link to this article was posted by a friend who was sorry to miss the anti-Monsanto march in Columbia.  It's from the NY Times Sunday Review.  Even if you ordinarily read the Times, you might have missed it over the holiday weekend. Certainly good food for thought here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/opinion/sunday/breeding-the-nutrition-out-of-our-food.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

Dancing on Mars

This is a political blog, created to talk about issues, politics,  causes and activism. Ways the progressive/Liberal point of view can make our crazy world a little better.   However, some Lucy Lefters have asked about my book, Dancing on Mars,  and I'm happy to share "the particulars" as my grandmother used to say.  (Now I'm channeling Joe Biden, God love him.  You know I love him.)

Dancing on Mars is a genre-bender—mostly lively memoir, combined with what some generous, candid women told me about living a married or single lifestyle.  This helped answer a question I'd been mulling over for quite a while: Whether partnered or married women are "happier" than those living solo.  There's a spiritual journey that takes me off the "road most traveled" and "notes from a recovering Victorian."  Some original poems are sprinkled throughout, strategically placed to amplify the prose.  I've been happily surprised by the response to the poems; I'd been a little skittish about including them.  I treated some heavy subjects with a light touch made possible by humor.  You have to have a finely-honed sense of humor to be a Democrat and thrive in SC, right?

 

 Although it's been called "Everywoman's book," some wise men have enjoyed it, said it made them laugh—and cry; there are a couple of favorable reviews written by men.  In fact, if you'd like to see what people are saying, you're more than welcome to check out the reviews at Amazon.  Last time I looked, there were a number of generous ones, only one unfavorable.  A cranky Republican? 

 

I'm realizing, as I write this, that the book isn't really a misfit for Lucy Left.  Actually it tells about a small-town Southern girl's initiation into politics at age six—meeting mill shifts and handing out cards at the polls.   There's also insider perspective on what it's really like to work as Senate committee staff.  And then the FBI "sting."  So, it's political, too!  The title? Yep, it's explained in the book. 

 

 (The cover is from a photo of a painting I did.  Photo looks much better than the painting!)

 

 

In attempting to link the reviews here, I found it impossible without also opening my personal page there.  So sorry.   Still, if you have time and inclination,  I hope you'll go to amazon.com and look for Dancing on Mars by Lucinda Shirley.  The reviews should be there.   It's available in paperback as well as Kindle, and the audio book was just released. (I've been asked whether I'm the reader.   I'm not.)   It's also available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Thank you for indulging me in this shameless plug.  If you read it, let me know what you think.  I can take it—even though I have a Liberal's soft heart.

The First Memorial Day

From The Post & Courier (Charleston, SC) and shared on Facebook:  Our most-read story this weekend was Brian Hicks' 2009 story about the first Memorial Day in Charleston.

If you haven't read it, now is as good a time as any: //www.postandcourier.com/article/20090524/PC1602/305249938

This April 1865 photo courtesy of the Library of Congress shows the graves of Union soldiers who died at the Race Course prison camp in Charleston, which would later become Hampton Park. On May 1 of that year, former slaves gave the fallen a daylong funeral.

 

Robert Ariail Rules

Ariail would win my vote for most creative editorial cartoonist of the year— if there were such a contest and I had a vote.

History Repeats When We Fail to Learn

(Source:  Pink Progressives/Facebook)

Stop Monsanto - Petition

(from CREDO Mobile/Facebook)

Help Sen. Jeff Merkley repeal the Monsanto Protection Act.

Take action by signing petition here: http://goo.gl/0FRGi. Then share this image to help spread the word.

Shopping Guide for Processed Foods

(Source: Tracey-Lee Robertson/Facebook)

Most of us know that whole foods (meaning foods that are not processed) are best for optimum health—as are organic foods.  I can't always get organic produce, but I am particular about the chicken and turkey I buy.   For me it needs to be free-range and without antibiotics or hormones.  Not always easy to find but worth it.   The Monsanto GMO issue is another significant incentive to eat fewer processed foods!

About Monsanto

(Image via Food Independence/Facebook)

So considerable grassroots opposition carried zero weight with Congress—again.  And then damned if the President didn't sign off on protecting Monsanto from future litigation involving their genetically modified food products.  Congress refused to even to label GMOs so we can know if we're ingesting this stuff.  Genetically modified foods are not labeled in most other countries; they are banned!!!  Why should I be shocked by the Congressional approval of this horrifying legislation?  It's simply another reflection of all that's changing at the hands of super-wealthy corporations and individuals in our Democracy.  A democracy in which our collective voices are getting stronger and our influence becomes ever weaker?  Yep. 

This is a powerful reason to buy locally-grown foods—and to grow some.  Let's give a hand to the hard-working family farmers.  They might just save us.  There's a post at Forward Progressives that speaks to what we can do about Monsanto and GMOs—including buying organic and locally-grown produce as well as growing our own vegetables.  Also, we can do some research to learn what products contain GMOs and not buy them.  Here's the link:

http://www.forwardprogressives.com/stop-monsanto/

 Here's a video of commentary around the President's signing the bill and the scourge of corporate power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbXpRReaHk&feature=youtu.be

 

Marches planned around the USA and all over the world were held just after Congress bowed to Monsanto's will.  And then President Obama signed the bill into law!  (Remind me to add this to my list of arguments for the next time a Republican says Obama is hostile toward business!)  Wonder what the First Lady thinks of GMOs and whether they'll be on the White House menu?  Bet they'll be taking extra good care of that backyard garden.

 

Then there's the blatant conflict of interests called out in this Iowa Independent article:

http://iowaindependent.com/32870/justice-with-past-monsanto-ties-should-recuse-himself-environmentalists-say 

 (Photo from Anti-Monsanto Project)

This certainly is.  Revolting.  I want to wash all this dirty dealing off me.  I only wish a shower could wash the sad reality away.

More Than 166,000 . . .

"How can we let the voices of gun dealers and manufacturers drown out the cries of children?"  asks Marian Wright Edelman, CEO of the Children's Defense Fund.  See her article, "Numb--Spiritually Dead--Nation."  (Sorry,  the direct link to the article itself didn't work, but here's a link to Huff Post.   www.huffingtonpost.com)

I was stunned to see these numbers:   Since 1963, more than 166,000 children and teens have died from guns on American soil—more than triple the number of U.S. soldiers killed in the Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars combined.

 

(Image from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America/Facebook)

 

 

How ironic that our nation's treasure continues to be invested in "fighting terrorism,"  defending ourselves against it— while terrorism is flourishing on our own city streets, down dirt roads in our rural areas and any damn where there are firearms.  Babies shooting babies.  Guns being marketed to six year olds and being purchased by their parents!  A tragedy like Newtown grabs our collective conscience for a while, preys on our minds and grips our hearts.  Then the instant a political "scandal" or a natural disaster becomes the lead story, the issue of gun violence turns into white noise.   

If any of you have been procrastinating about taking some action, Marian Wright Edelman's article is a call to spiritual awakening.  Read it, please, and then let's get to it.  Or back to it.   We can e-mail and sign petitions, even on holiday weekends.  You can call your representatives in Washington and any other Senators and members of Congress you can make time to call.  And, yes, do call the White House.  Call about legislation and regulations to ensure fewer of our children experience gun violence.  Experiencing means being wounded, killed or traumatized by witnessing  gun-generated terrorism.  The mental and emotional state of our children is fragile.  And they are all our children.  Living in fear erodes the goodness in humans.  And it leads to depression.   Surely we can fight for our children's physical and emotional well-being.  For their lives.  Surely we can raise our voices so a little boy can celebrate his 10th birthday without fear of being shot in a random act of violence a third time. 

On Monday we will memorialize those who have died in wars.  How about also taking time to memorialize more than 166,000 children and teens who have perished as a result of gun violence since 1963?   How about turning this shameful number into positive action, into advocacy for children?  Into doing whatever it takes for their cries to be heard over such voices as Wayne LaPierre's for the NRA.  Let's get to work and make this a memorable Memorial Day.

 

Noted on Sunday, May 26:  NBC News reports that the TSA seized 65 firearms this past week at airport security checkpoints; 54 of the guns were loaded.  The only person I want "carrying" on my flight is the federal marshal who might be on board.  Don't get me started on the subject guns in bars and restaurants.   Mercy.  I may never eat out again.

Hope for the Palmetto State

I'm feeling hopeful about my home state for the first time in a long time.  South Carolina has pretty much gone to hell in that handbasket we've heard so much about.  The natural beauty of our State remains.  My love for it remains.  But I have no respect for the governmental leadership in Columbia.   We've had a state treasurer and agriculture commissioner go to jail and a governor who was fined $74,000 for a record number of ethics violations.  And those are just some of the widely publicized things.  It would be impossible (and dull reading) to enumerate all the deplorable decisions they've made, all the bad legislation that's been proposed and even passed in some cases.   It's enough to make a South Carolinian feel hopeless, don't you think?  

 

So, why is it I'm feeling hopeful now?  Vincent Sheheen.   First of all, who he is gives me reason to hope.  When I say "who he is" I'm not talking about his family, even though there's a strong legacy of honorable public service associated with the Sheheens.  I'm talking about this authentic man.  This extremely bright, energetic, down-to-earth, and unselfconscious man whose easy self-confidence is laced with a gracious humility.  He's absolutely comfortable with who he is.  He has been serving in the Senate, and he ran a good race for governor and lost last go around; if he's not jaded by now, he's not likely to be.

 

 (Thanks to Elizabeth Montgomery for this photo.)

If you know me or read Dancing on Mars, you know what a high value I place on authenticity.  Believe me, I know it when I see it.  I can feel it.  I can hear it.  And I had the pleasure of hearing this authentic man,—South Carolina's reason to HOPE—on Monday evening.  Susan Smith, a determined activist and leader of  South Carolina Democratic Women,  invited Sheheen to meet with the Waccamaw Neck Democrats at Pawleys Island.  What a great crowd—meaning size and the caliber of interested, active people in attendance.  People, like me, who have been disheartened about the way things have been going in our State.  I liked what he had to say and the way he said it—very comfortably, without notes.  It was as if he were in a one on one conversation rather than making a speech.  No notes.   Whether speaking or talking and listening, he clearly was enjoying himself.  By the way,  he's an excellent listener.

 

Vincent Sheheen is ready to be our Governor.  He was defeated by a narrow margin in the race with Nikki Haley in 2010—and don't you know a lot of people wish they'd voted for him when they had the chance?  He has written a book,  The Right Way - Getting the Palmetto State Back on Track.  I've read about a third of it so far and am more than a little impressed.   First, it's beautifully written, clear and easy to follow.  He offers some rich history, a civics lesson and, best of all, his ideas for getting this State back to where we should be. 

 

Ohhhh, yeah, there's good reason to feel hopeful.   But our "Hope" needs our help.  Get involved in the Sheheen campaign.  Send him a vote of confidence with a contribution.  I'll be involved; you know he's good if I've already broken my campaign sabbatical vow!  Even if you're not from South Carolina, you're welcome to help.  The only people I can imagine having a reason to oppose him would be comedy show hosts.  Vincent Sheheen has a great sense of humor, but he's no joke.   Come on 2014! 

http://sheheenforsouthcarolina.com/

Independent Lens?

Update May 26, 2013 -  It's the Koch brothers.  Again.

(

(Image from Democratic Governors Association)

The link gets you closer to an opportunity to sign a petition.  You'll need to click one more time, on the first option you see.  Best I could do.

http://www.action.democraticgovernors.org/page/s/stop-the-koch-brothers-add-your-name-fbpp 

          ****************                       Original Post                    ****************

The word "chilling" has been overused recently.  Still, I would use it to describe what's been going on at PBS; it's what happens when private money exerts influence over public entities.  It makes my stomach clutch to know (thanks to the stellar journalism of Jane Mayer at The New Yorker)  that the Koch brothers' power is being felt at PBS.  And these guys are on the brink of buying eight newspapers, as well.   I doubt they're buying these papers for profit, since print media is not something a shrewd investor would be shopping for right now.   They'd be instruments for influence-peddling, not objective news.

Please read this piece at Truthout. 

http://truth-out.org/news/item/16494-pbs-killed-wisconsin-uprising-documentary-citizen-koch-to-appease-koch-brothers

 

We all need to be aware, beware, of what's going on with the Kochs and their determination to buy America.  They're getting way too close for my comfort.

Moore, Oklahoma

In the aftermath of a tornado whose magnitude defies adjectives, I'm stunned to read that Senator Tom Coburn will refuse to vote for tornado relief—that is, without offsetting those funds with budget cuts.  Can you believe it?  This Republican represents Oklahoma in the Senate.  He's a doctor, for heavensake.  "Do no harm" should apply to tragedies like this, too.

 

  

Senator Coburn apparently had no problem with paying for the war in Iraq.  Check out Igor Volsky's piece at Think Progress:   http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/05/21/2039981/oklahoma-senator-wont-support-tornado-relief-without-budget-cuts/

 

 

Wonder how he voted on tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans?  Looks like he voted "no" on extending the Bush tax cuts for all except the wealthiest Americans.  Apparently that was a symbolic vote, since tax bills must originate in the House.  Later, Coburn voted to extend all the Bush tax cuts.  If he had voted for the very wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share,  we could have gotten some decent  revenue without holding tornado relief funds hostage today.   Shame.

 

 Many in the tornado's path have lost everything—from homes and cars and businesses to the ultimate loss of a child or other loved one.  Senator Coburn is showing himself to be stubborn and heartless when his constituents need someone with less ego and more compassion advocating for them.  Especially today.   But that's right; he doesn't need to pretend to care.  He's not running in 2016!

 

I hope the citizens of Oklahoma elect a Democratic senator in the next election!  I don't care how red the state—  I believe they might just decide that Democrats have greater compassion and common sense, as a rule.  No doubt they could use a senator with a good heart as well as a good head.

 

Prayers for Oklahoma and all who have been affected by yesterday's tornado.

Holding Space for Activism

Dawn Legona McDonald, self-described "accidental activist" had this to say on Huffington Post:

"For many of us this new foray into political advocacy has not been without its negative consequences. Friends have been lost over differences of opinion. Family lives have been upturned because Mom has a new "job." We've had to learn how to hold space for our activism without allowing it to damage us emotionally - something that is a constant challenge." 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dawn-slegona-mcdonald/the-reality-of-an-acciden_b_3224289.html

  

Ms. McDonald's cause is gun reform, an issue close to the hearts of Lucy Lefters.  Of all the  points she made in the piece, here's the one that led me to some deep reflection:  "We've had to learn how to hold space for our activism without allowing it to damage us emotionally— something that is a constant challenge."

 

I sometimes feel emotionally damaged during or after intense periods of activism.  Damage also can manifest as physical weariness—exhaustion if I'm not really careful.  I usually begin some new advocacy by promising myself to be less emotionally involved.  Keep it cerebral, right?  I don't live life exclusively on the intellectual plane—so how can I not get emotionally involved in an issue or election that matters to me? 

 

Emotional fallout sometimes exacts a steep toll, a state of turmoil.   A cocktail of anger, judging, regret, disappointment and even depression.   I felt all those things after Mark Sanford was returned to Congress by voters who had a rare, rich opportunity and blew it.  Elizabeth Colbert Busch would have made a far superior member of Congress.  After the heartbreaking results were in,  I questioned the accuracy of the voting machines.  The margin made no sense.  After I wore that question out,  I questioned whether I'd done everything I could to help Elizabeth win.  The answer is we probably never do everything we could.  I did send money, not a lot but more than my resources allowed.  And I posted supportive messages on Facebook and blogged and made friends crazy with e-mail overkill.  Will you vote for her?   Will you contact every human you know in that district and tell them about Elizabeth?  (I got in touch with a cousin in Mon-freaking-tana because she had lived in Charleston; she was more than willing to contact friends and former colleagues there.)  Just before the election I sent a reminder that every vote would be critical; "please be sure you and everyone you know gets to the polls."  I included a link to polling places. 

On election day I could have stood as close to a polling place as the law would allow, holding up a Colbert Busch sign; I could have expanded my calling and messaging to strangers by phone banking—and I'd rather have a root canal than do the latter.  There's always, always more we can do.  And a whole lot of people did a whole lot more.   They have my respect.  Many times I've been one of those people—losing sleep, not seeing a healthful meal for weeks and weeks, living an insanely passionate and single-focused life.  A life that can't be sustained.  Balance must be restored or we flame out. 

 

So, what I've learned over a lifetime of political involvement and passionate advocacy is this:  I have to set limits.  I have to.  I "hold the space" for activism, and I take care of myself first.  Took a long time to learn I simply have to do that.  There's a reason the flight attendant tells us grownups to put the oxygen masks on before we attend to the children.  We simply have to save ourselves, care for ourselves; otherwise, we can't be effective in our activism for sustained periods of time.  I said "we" here.  You might be stronger, more focused, less emotional.  You might be able to do far more than I can.  And that's wonderful.  Good causes need all the voices they can get.  And all the workers who are willing and able.  

Sometimes mine will be one of the voices.  At certain times I'll be able to work harder than at other times.  The difference is my intentional commitment to take better care of myself.  Not to say "yes" when I need to say "no."   "Yes" is the word my mouth is more comfortable forming.   So,  I have to use all the self-discipline I can muster not to say it.  I do what I can—often not in highly visible ways—for the causes or candidates that compel me to act.  And I still "backslide" and put more of myself into the activism, get more emotionally invested, than is good for my health and well-being.  I no longer do all I can; I do what I can in order to maintain some semblance of balance in my life. 

 

A source of great satisfaction for me now is encouraging and affirming other activists.  I enjoy cheering them on as they make me very proud—giving themselves, free of charge, to whatever causes just might make things better.  Let's hear it for the activists, y'all.  Give them a hug or a kind word when you can.  Or, better yet, a home-cooked meal!

The VP Gives Us Hope

Vice President Biden, in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, says the White House is jumping “right back” into the debate over guns, despite the recent failure to pass background check legislation.

Biden says he got calls from four senators who voted against the legislation expressing some degree of regret.

Visit the Washington Post to read the rest: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/10/biden-on-guns-were-going-right-back-at-it/

Tolerant Gun Safety Advocates

(from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.)

PHILADELPHIA MOMS WON'T BACK DOWN: At one of our Mother's Day events last weekend, gun violence victims spoke about the need for background checks to help save lives; meanwhile protestors jeered and held signs that read “Hands Off My Guns,” “Stop Fascism,” and “My Right. My Freedom” with a picture of an assault rifle: http://tinyurl.com/c3z2wsx

 

Glad the finger in the face isn't a gun.  Yet.  Whatever happened to basic manners?  Respecting one's elders—at least enough to keep one's finger out of an older woman's (or anyone's) face. Of course at the Mother's Day Parade in New Orleans, 19 people were wounded by gunfire.  Maybe the worst thing from that is how we're beginning to shrug off these events—"nobody was killed" after all.  Mercy.  

 

As of last week 71 children had been killed by guns—since the Newtown massacre.  That exceeds the annual total number of gun deaths in some countries.

Slate is partnering with @GunDeaths on Twitter for an interactive, crowd-sourced tally of the toll firearms have taken since Dec. 14.  Check it out.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2012/12/gun_death_tally_every_american_gun_death_since_newtown_sandy_hook_shooting.html in

 

 

Keep Tabs on Congressional Votes

Thanks to Debbie Trolsen  for sharing this site.  Debbie's a friend and an advocate for causes you'd care about.  She'salso a regular visitor to Lucy Left.  I think you'll want to check out this site.  I just signed up for upcoming vote alerts.   It's free, and if the mail gets unmanageable, I can always unsubscribe.  There's a tab for Advocacy 101 or something akin to that.   I won't go there tonight but will be spending some time tomorrow.

 

Enjoy exploring this resource:   http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/

A Thought

About the IRS singling out Tea Party groups applying for tax-exempt status, I understand the fellow in charge was appointed by President Bush.  A thought:  Whose skin does the Tea Party get under most?  Whose primary election parades have they rained on?  Mainstream and old guard Republicans!   So, if there was political motivation behind hassling Tea Party groups to provide more information than other applicants, maybe Democrats weren't to blame?  Time will tell.  We're only beginning to wade into this water.

 

One more thing:  Remember the big brick house on K Street in DC that was owned and occupied by a group of Congressmen who categorized it as a church for tax purposes?  (Rachel Maddow did some in-depth reporting on it a few years ago, and I read about it in Jeff Sharlet's The Family.)  Who knows?  Maybe the IRS is just taking more precautions these days.  Gotta watch people who think they're "taxed enough already" when, in reality, they're paying the lowest taxes since the 1950's.  

 

We'll stay tuned.

Children Killed by Guns

At least 71 since Newtown.  Check out Mother Jones for the sad details and get revved up to call Senators and House members to push for background check bill passage this year.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/gun-deaths-children-newtown-caroline-sparks-crickett-firearms

Interest and Commitment

Admission:  Over time I've been both of those people.  There have been periods of being interested and periods of being committed to causes and candidates.  However, core beliefs (for example, justice and equal rights for all) deserve my commitment throughout life. 

  (Image from First Ask Why/Facebook.)

Time Out

Good morning, dear Lefties.  Beautiful morning here in the South Carolina Lowcountry!  Sun shining, windows open—I'm easing into this day.  Inhaling peace, exhaling the depressing Busch-Sanford election results; inhaling peace, exhaling the horror of real guns being marketed to young children and their hopeless parents; inhaling peace . . .  inhaling peace and balance.

 

On Mother's Day my friend in Miami will spend time with other compassionate women, writing to mothers whose children were killed at Sandy Hook.  Next week let's talk more about reducing gun violence and about the jaw-dropping NRA gathering in Houston.  There's still a chance background check legislation will make a comeback in the Senate.  Last I heard, we need 3-5 votes (have heard both) to pass it in that body.   

 

For now, I need to regain my equilibrium.  Some of you might be feeling the same way.  Let's breathe and make time to connect with nature and the people we love.  Let's reconnect to the heart of what moves us to activism.  Let's go back to our center, the core of who we are as humans, and rest there for a bit.  Stillness is rare, and I need to immerse myself in it.  I need to savor the moments.  I need to listen to the birds instead of television talkers.  I need to commit to balance, to feeling peaceful, even when this crazy, chaotic world tempts me to sign up for crazy. 

 

We'll re-engage with the challenges soon enough.   For now it's time to honor our mothers, the mothering/nurturing aspects of ourselves, and—not least—Mother Earth.  May you have a very special, peace-full weekend.

 

Namaste, y'all. 

 

 

  

 

 

FYI

(Image via the I Hate Fox News Facebook page)

Benghazi. Again.

This morning the (U.S.) House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform met to hear three so-called "whistle blowers" from the State Department testify about Benghazi.  For eight months Republicans have been repeating the same tiresome talking points.  They keep repeating them even after exhaustive investigation by the Accountability Review Board and a no-holds-barred Senate hearing on the subject have shown those talking points to be empty accusations.  South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has been repeating the talking points to every media outlet that will give him camera time ever since—no doubt posturing for his next election. 

 

I was able to hear only part of today's testimony on the car radio.  I have a lot of respect for Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and liked what he had to say about honoring those killed in Benghazi, and stressing the importance of hearing and protecting"whistle blowers" from any government entity.  Cummings then said something that needed saying:  That the House hearing was all about politics and the hope of finding something to discredit Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State when the Benghazi post was attacked.   Republicans dream that somewhere, somehow they can make Hillary into something less than the mega-popular "might be" Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, whose popularity numbers are nearly off the charts.  There's no subtlety in the GOP lawmakers' motives for turning Benghazi into "Groundhog Day."  They're after Hillary.  Period.

 

Earlier today Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), who participated in the Senate hearing on Benghazi, said he was" fairly satisfied" about how the Benghazi tragedy was handled—after testimony at the Senate hearing and reading the cables and reviewing other evidence.  The top military people in our country have testified that everything was done that could have been done, sad though the outcome, with four American lives lost.  An independent Accountability Review Board gave a positive report, assigning zero blame to the Secretary of State. 

 

Media-reported leaks had indicated today's whistle blowers would be making major news at today's hearing.   Committee member Matt Cartwright (D-TX) said he was on the edge of his seat, expecting a bombshell at any moment.  Not only did no jaw-dropping revelations come out of the hearing, Rep. Cartwright said there literally was no new information offered.   He did say that witness Gregory Hicks, deputy mission chief for the U. S. in Libya gave his account of the day of the attack, and it was interesting to hear a from someone who had been there.  But no new insights or facts came out.  He said the hearing was "a waste of time."  As far as I know, none of the three who testified (Gregory Hicks, Mark Thompson, and Eric Nordstrom) had anything to say about not being "allowed" to tell their stories.  

 

One more thing.   As Republicans continue their efforts to smear Hillary Clinton, when they say that the public wasn't given accurate information after the attack, when they say someone (and they mean Hillary) in the State Department didn't take the Benghazi attack seriously enough,  and as a result four American lives were lost, I have this thought:  If they want to talk about lives lost and someone "paying a price" or being "held accountable," I'd like to refer them to the invasion of Iraq.  We still don't know everything there is to know about the non-existent"weapons of mass destruction" that led the Bush Administration to invade Iraq and involve the U.S. in a decade-long war of choice.  I'd like to hear someone ask the next  GOP lawmaker who makes the "Four Americans were killed in Benghazi" statement this:  "And whom would you hold accountable for the 4,486 American soldiers killed in Iraq and the approximately 151,000 (estimate from the Iraq Family Health Survey) Iraqis who died?" Not to mention all the human beings who were horribly maimed there.  Did President Bush and his team ignore the Presidential Daily Briefing saying Bin Laden was determined to attack America, that he might use airplanes?  Sure looks like they didn't take the PDB warning seriously.

 

Somebody, please ask them.  It's way past time.

Borowitz on the Sanford Comeback

Check out The Borowitz Report at The New Yorker.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/05/mark-sanford-comeback-gives-hope-to-liars.html?mbid=nl_Borowitz%20%28117%29

The Morning After

(from Facebook via Mike Furlough)

No, I haven't been off hiking for the past few days.  Just busy contacting people in S.C.'s 1st Congressional District and people who know people who vote there.  I probably insulted some friends and relatives in following up more than once to be sure they were voting.  Forgive my zeal, please.

 

Elizabeth Colbert Busch was a fine candidate.  She and her team ran an admirable campaign.  I have no doubt she would have made significant contributions in the Congress.  I know she would have stood up for all the people in the 1st District and for South Carolina. The loss is the district's and our state's.

 

Heartsick though I am,  I'm also a little relieved for Elizabeth today.  She can go back to her real life and probably live more deeply with far less stress.  I have little doubt she will be happier.  She might not know that yet.  After such intense work, giving the race all you've got, it takes a while to reclaim equilibrium.  That reality applies to the candidate as well as staff, and passionate volunteers.  We're all busy today second guessing and wondering how the hell that margin was as big as it was.  I wondered whether the voting machines will be examined.  Seriously.

 

Although I wasn't officially or directly involved with the campaign, I have been a passionate supporter.   From my perspective, I don't believe there's anything the Busch campaign could have done better.  When I mentioned my shock over the vote margin last night, a friend reminded me that the Republican legislature redrew the districts; the deck is stacked their way.  Bigtime.  I knew that, but wasn't thinking of it at the moment the AP declared Sanford the winner.  Or I should say "the victor." 

 

It's chilling to know that so many voters were willing to send Mark Sanford back to Washington.   Yep, my home state will continue to be a punch line.  No doubt about it.  

 

Thank you, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, for running the good race.  Your fans are wishing you the very best—starting with some sleep!   Later, who knows?  Whatever your path, you will find other ways to shine your light.  Carry on!

Tax Evasion

 

Indeed!  Mitt Romney's not the only one with money stashed in offshore banks.  Let's talk about economic patriotism, shall we?

New Colbert Busch Endorsement

A new endorsement for Elizabeth Colbert Busch; no, not Larry Flynt.  It's Sanford he's backing.   Charleston's Post and Courier gives voters clear, solid reasons for the endorsement.  Here's the lead-in:

 

"Spring is a time for new beginnings, and nowhere is a fresh approach needed more than in the nation’s partisan-gridlocked capital. Elizabeth Colbert Busch offers the 1st Congressional District new, responsible leadership. Voters should send her to Washington."

 

May reason prevail among voting Republicans and Independents, and may Democrats get out and vote in great numbers on Tuesday, May 7.   For Elizabeth Colbert Busch, of course.   Lucy endorses her wholeheartedly, and I'll be contacting friends in the district this afternoon to remind them of the importance of their votes.  And I'll urge them to remind their friends and colleagues.  I repeat:  Special elections can be tricky.  Let's cover all the bases and get out the vote!

 

 Here's a link to the full editorial endorsement:

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130505/PC1002/130509616/1021/a-new-leader-for-the-lowcountry

 

 

Ethics Bill Passes South Carolina House

Comprehensive ethics legislation passed the South Carolina House this past week.  In a guest column in The State, House member Beth Bernstein (D-Richland) says it's the strongest ethics bill since the aftermath of Operation Lost Trust.  (I was sole staff to the Senate Ethics Committee during the FBI "sting" known Operation Lost Trust and write about it in my book, Dancing on Mars.)

Rep. Bernstein points out an aspect of the legislation that seems especially significant: " . . . our bill would establish a Joint Legislative Ethics Committee made up of legislators from both bodies, as well as laypeople. The committee would have equal representation from both parties and equal representation from the Legislature and the general public."  Having members from the public at-large serving on a Joint Legislative Ethics committee might eliminate the impression that the committees simply wink and nod their way through investigating complaints filed against their members.  (I can speak only about my own experience with the Senate Committee, but I recall committee members taking complaints very seriously.  I recall the committees investigating complaints and following the law regarding penalties when complaints were found to be valid.  Some were complaints, filed by disgruntled citizens, for example, who had wanted a lawmaker to vote a certain way and didn't get their wish.)

The bottom line on ethics, to me, is the more sunshine the better.   We've heard that in public service things should not only be right, they should also look right.  A Joint Committee with citizen members having equal votes would go a long way toward accomplishing both goals.    Here's a link to Rep. Bernstein's column:

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/05/05/2754608/bernstein-moving-forward-on-ethics.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.thestate.com/2013/05/05/2754608/bernstein-moving-forward-on-ethics.html

One More Thing Today

on gun violence in America.  Key word "today."  I just watched a Bill Moyers show with Francine and David Wheeler, parents of a Sandy Hook student.  Their son was murdered before the hoped-for experience of losing his first tooth could become a reality.  It's an excellent show and worth checking out if you didn't see it.   It definitely fanned the fire of commitment to do whatever I can to help bring positive change to reduce gun violence.

Here's the Moyers site: http://billmoyers.com/

Had a Hunch—

(from Democratic Underground via Rachel Maddow Fan Page/FB)

UPDATE ON THE TRASH REDUCTION ACT

MORE INFO ON THE TRASH REDUCTION ACT of 2013, just in from Goffinet McLaren.

Note:  Gofinet will keep you posted on the progress of this legislation and any activist alerts at  http://www.chirpingbirdsociety.org

For those who haven't read it, here is the original article:
http://plasticbagbanreport.com/u-s-nationwide-plastic-bag-fee-bill-announced/  

Here is the vital info.

Bill Number:  H.R. 1686  Title: Trash Reduction Act of 2013

Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to
the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Co-Sponsors:
 

Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Portland, Oregon. Phone: 202.225.4811
Website: http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/
Rep. John Garamendi of Walnut Grove, California. Phone: 202.225.1880
Website: http://garamendi.house.gov/
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. Phone: 202.225.8050
Website: http://www.norton.house.gov/

Bill H.R. 1686 is currently in these committees:
Committee on Natural Resources. Chairman: Doc Hastings. Ph: 202.225.5816
Committee on Ways and Means. Chairman: Dave Camp. Ph: 202.225.3625

Sanford's Celebrity Endorsement

Well, Lord have mercy, it looks like family values champion Larry Flynt (Hustler Mag) has endorsed Mark Sanford in the 1st Congressional District race.  That's a tough act for Elizabeth Colbert Busch's supporters to follow.   But being one of her supporters, I must say (yes, I must) that this one item made my laugh quota for the day.   A gift ECB didn't even have to unwrap.  The irresistible item was posted by a Facebook friend, originating with WIS-TV in Columbia, SC.  

I'm half expecting Sanford's K Street brothers to dash down to the S. C. Lowcountry and chastise Brother Mark about this contribution.  ("Brothers" meaning residents of the impressive house on K Street where this Congressional "christian fraternity lived at one time.  If memory serves,  they listed it a church (a church!) to get a lower tax rate.  See "The Family"by Jeff Sharlet.)  Family values role models and economic patriots, those guys. 

Hustler Magazine publisher Larry Flynt has written a check for $2,600 to Mark Sanford's Congressional campaign and has thrown his support behind the GOP candidate, calling him the "sex pioneer of our time."

DETAILS: http://bit.ly/12jd7KM

Activist Alert

One of my favorite environmental activists, Goffinet McLaren, let me know about Congressman Jim Moran's (D-VA) "Trash Reduction Act of 2013."  Goffinet urges people to call Congressman Moran's office to thank him for introducing this important bill, hoping it will inspire him to fight the uphill battle he will be facing.  That seems to be the case for all environmental legislation that finds its way to the Republican-majority House.  Congressman Moran's number is 202 225 4376.   I just spoke with one of his staffers who was clearly pleased to hear gratitude expressed.  They don't get too many "thank you" calls.  It only takes a couple of minutes, so call if you will.

Here's an excerpt from a press release about the bill, and there's a link at the end of this post if you'd like to learn more.

Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, today announced introduction of the “Trash Reduction Act of 2013,” to impose a five-cent fee on “single use” plastic and paper bags at grocery and retail stores. The fee would reduce littering and encourage use of reusable bags. Revenue from the tax would support the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

 

“According to the Environment Protection Agency, the average American throws away about 4.4 pounds of trash each day. The results of this waste can be found in our oceans, now home to floating landfills ten times the size of Virginia,” said Rep. Moran. “Small steps like replacing plastic bags with reusable ones yields large returns in reducing the amount of trash we create.”

 

The “Trash Reduction Act of 2013” is modeled after the successful bag tax policy implemented in Washington, D.C. in 2009. The number of plastic bags dropped from the 2009 monthly average of 22.5 million to just 3 million per month by the end of 2010.
  (To read more, click the link.)

http://moran.house.gov/press-releases