Busy day in DC
last update: 03/28 @ 14:13

In addition to the No Kings march, it was also the kite festival by the Washington Monument.

And the Cherry Blossoms are in peak bloom. While we didn’t swing by the tidal pool, we did check out the kites after crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge en-mass.

It was perfect (though cool) day to be out and about.

While the mood of marchers was good, the reason for the protest really is depressing.

We’ll keep pushing for better times ahead.

And maybe our country will soar again, like these kites…

…or is that too much of a stretch?

(Small plug for new functionality of the blog, click the “Protests” topic tag below to see more posts like this one.)

No Kings Three
last update: 03/28 @ 14:06

The rumor in the crowd was the “LICE” came from Vashon Island, Washington. We’re not sure if that’s right or not, but they were a great addition to the march today.

Sarah and I opted for the march across the Arlington Memorial bridge this morning.

The organizers were hoping for 4,000 to beat the No Kings Two turnout of about 1,500.

To our eyes, we think they met their goal.

That’s the first time I’ve been on a metro platform when they just opened the gates and asked us to walk out without paying with our cards.

The backup at the exit was large enough they are having trouble unloading trains on the platform.

That tells me it was a good turnout.

And that was just one of the early marches to converge on the mall this afternoon.

We were happy to be part of the protest against the current administration and its refusal to follow the constitution.

It is heartening to see others who believe in the rule of law as well.

Sarah rocked her butterfly wings again, “No orange monarchs ‘cept butterflies!”

I really miss precedented times
last update: 01/11 @ 17:06

Sarah and I added our voices and faces to this afternoon’s anti-ICE protest in Alexandria (again). It really is appalling to see what can happen in our country. I wish I felt like there was more I could control about the actions our government is taking; supporting and voting (for sane politicians who seem to understand the Constitution) does not seem like enough.

A good day for a protest…
last update: 10/18 @ 15:32

…and a good turnout. We brought some of the MRC / PodSquad folks in on the metro with us to join in DC’s No Kings protest today. I was very happy with the turnout and did not feel bad about sneaking out early before being trapped in the crowd.

I would, of course, prefer to see the entire DC metro area population out on the streets, complaining about the current administration — but this seemed a fair sized percentage.

Local Rally
last update: 09/01 @ 11:19

Pretty good turnout for our local Melt ICE rally this morning.

And it was educational: we didn’t realize our sheriff was voluntarily collaborating with ICE. We have an election coming up in a couple months now…

Protest
last update: 04/19 @ 19:04

Today’s protest and march was organized by Refuse Fascism.

It started on the other side of the Washington Monument from April 5th’s Hands Off protest and then marched down 15th to Constitution around the White House.

It was peaceful and well attended — not huge, but enough folks to fill Constitution from 15th to 17th; I think that’s thousands.

I appreciated that march up Constitution Avenue; if our elected officials actually honored the oath that they took to the Constitution, we’d start to see things getting better.

Sadly, we’re not seeing that yet.

And a bit alarmingly, there were some posts this morning warning that there could be violence which would likely be met by a large law enforcement reaction.

There is a real concern that the administration is looking for an excuse to really clamp down much harder of our free speech and right to assemble.

Sarah got me reading Heather Cox Richardson and Heather got me reading Timothy Snyder

Timothy today posted a reminder of how that scenario has played out over time and reminded his readers of Lesson 18 of his book On Tyranny:

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives. Modern tyranny is terror management. When the terrorist attack comes, remember that authoritarians exploit such events in order to consolidate power. The sudden disaster that requires the end of checks and balances, the dissolution of opposition parties, the suspension of freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and so on, is the oldest trick in the Hitlerian book. Do not fall for it.

Hands Off!!!
last update: 04/05 @ 17:36

That was today’s protest.

Sarah and I were happy to add our voices and faces to the crowd that was well beyond the capacity of the Sylvan Theater at the National Monument.

We continue to hope that our voices are starting to be heard — but no clear changes from the current administration yet. We’re also holding our breath to see if the judicial system can stand up to the onslaught.

Stand Up!
last update: 03/07 @ 16:47

I went to the Lincoln Memorial for the Stand Up for Science protest today.

It was good to see there was a fine turnout, and I thought they could have used another set of speakers further down the reflecting pool as it was sometimes hard to hear where I was. That also strikes me a good sign for the turnout.

The focus of the event was on the current administration’s refusal to understand or pay attention or give credence to science. And all the needless suffering and death coming both short and long-term for both Americans and folks around the world from the actions of this administration.

I do realize one protest will have little effect.

But I hope a steady drum beat of protests will keep the attention of of folks who will help to turn the tide in the mid-term elections.

WOW
last update: 11/07 @ 17:53

Not at all the election I hoped for and expected.

I feel bad for my (former) colleagues at PTO (and other executive branch agencies); they will have some chaotic times ahead.

And, in the back of my mind, I had factored working for Trump again in my decision to retire in the summer.

I am saddened, dismayed, angry and feeling at a loss. But I’m not going to crawl into a hole and hide.

And I’m not going to let the election change who I am and what I believe or, really, to shake my faith that generally, we’re mostly all good people. Clearly I disagree with the priorities of many, but I’m going to hope, when things get really dark, they will come around. I hope to recognize those who won’t come around and avoid wasting my time with them.

I hope to be aware of, and able to add my voice of protest against, efforts to subvert or overturn the constitution.

And I’ll continue to look for advice and hope from trusted voices like The Guardian, Heather Cox Richardson and Ken White, among others.

And I’m going to give myself time outside to enjoy where we live and let my head clear and thoughts percolate.

But it will take awhile to get over the shock of this election loss.

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