Opinion

The US senate may control the fate of the republic

Joe Manchin, Krysten Sinema and any other waffling Democrats need to make sure that they recognize the gravity of the moment. The Human Infrastructure bill and a strong version of the For the People Act need to pass the senate by any means possible. If the senate cannot confront the climate crisis, voting rights, holding Trump insurrectionists accountable, immigration, and civil rights we may be in for dictatorship. Republicans have shown they are unafraid of accountability from voters with their consistent outrageous statements and actions. This is not the time to try and change the spots on the leopard with talk of bipartisanship at all costs. This is the time to act decisively to protect democracy, decency, and human dignity. Research and act to defend your values, and I hope the evil of white supremacy is not at the top of your list.

Opinion

Infrastructure 1.0

The US Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but the House of Representatives will not pass it until the For the People Act is presented for their vote as well. I think that Speaker Pelosi is right to take this stand because the bulk of climate crisis legislation is in the second bill. Climate Crisis is receiving a lot of attention because we are running out of time to preserve a future for human civilization as we know it. The For the People Act addresses social and scientific crisis that threaten to destroy our society. It is not socialism for our government to focus resources and energy to address existential threats. Private enterprise will be the dominate vehicle for meeting the critical challenges that we face, but government must represent people’s hope for a better society and future.

Opinion

Olympics spirit

The Olympics give us all a chance to see people engaging in fair competition and being satisfied with doing their best. In America today we see many people wanting to rig situations so that they cannot lose. Some want our society to place advantage on birth in the right family, race, or class. Politicians want to set up elections so that they choose their voters and determine the winner based on party. Trump and Republican governors give pardons to criminals based on solely on politics, while daring anyone to hold them accountable for criminality and indecency. Social media shows more examples of average people seeking to shape reality to meet their desire. Denying COVID, refusing to be vaccinated or wear a mask, assaulting flight attendants after boasting of wealth and influence. Many in our society have a problem with effort being recognized and accountability being equally applied. Research and act to for a dignified, decent future where effort and humanity is recognized.

Opinion

The Latest Lie

Many Republicans have the strategy of continuous lying to avoid accountability for their words and deeds. The latest example is Governor DeSantis of Florida as he avoids responsibility for adding to the misery from COVID (preventing local mask mandates for example) in his state. The strategy of lying appears to work for a large chunk of Americans; they want deceptive politicians who will carry out their desires for personal elevation and status at the expense of others. The politicians who can do this best are the biggest liars with the least morality. If America does not reject this path we will lose our republic. Research and act to stop the torrential Republican liars from twisting government power to attack democracy.

Opinion

Ammunition shortage

Reports of an ammunition shortage are in the news today. Why is there a shortage? Maybe there were outbreaks of COVID at the ammunition factories, or perhaps the record level of gun sales has led to more demand than supply. Americans seem to be preparing for violence with years of record gun sales and more guns than people. You have to hope that at least many of the guns are in the hands of responsible persons who are both progressive and conservative. Several politicians on the right have made veiled threats of overthrowing the government, or unleashing mobs of angry people to exact some sort of revenge for unnamed injuries. Climate change (and COVID) has many people getting ready for the breakdown of society so weapons figure into that scenario. I no longer think it is realistic to ban firearms, but I do believe that the castle doctrine can be returned as the central idea for legal gun ownership. We have a lot to be concerned about and the lack of trust in our society only feeds suspicion of each other. Research and act to develop a society of true dignity and respect for life.

Opinion

Shoes dropping like a hail storm

Trump scandals are no surprise to anyone paying attention, but the pace of revelations about his malevolence and attempts to undermine our democracy is picking up. I hope the US justice system redeems itself and holds a high level criminal like Trump accountable. I suspect that the crime wave in US cities is related to the crime wave Trump ran in Washington. We need to make sure that the phrase “No one is above the law” is more than a platitude. Research and act to protect our republic by rejecting Republicans who enabled and still seek to protect Trump’s crime spree.

Opinion

Staying the course

Under President Biden’s leadership the United States is starting to heal and strengthen, but Republican victory in the 2022 congressional races can reverse that quickly. America is nowhere close to being out of danger. Until insurrectionists are held accountable and the truth informs the majority of American decisions; we face new horrors. Some politicians talk of bipartisanship at a time when one party (Republicans) is trying to create a one party state or autocracy. The pandemics (COVID, climate crisis, tribalism, increasing autocratic power, etc.) assaulting America and the world are not going away, only determined American leadership provides the best outcomes. The wisdom of the crowd comes out when the people have access to the truth; this has been America’s strength. Research and act to protect the vote for yourself and all citizens

Opinion

The sun will come out tomorrow

The drive for American leadership in the energy revolution is strengthening. and will grow stronger, thanks to a government/private-industry partnership. Building infrastructure and middle class resiliency will create a dynamic society working to solve huge problems (COVID19, healthcare, voting rights, equality, Climate Crisis to name a few) with truth and science. Healthcare, energy, cyber, educational, and human infrastructure are required for America to remain a robust world leader. The sun will continue to rise and heat this planet whether we do our part and protect a human-friendly atmosphere, or not. Research and act with urgency to protect truth, science, and a future for the human race.

Opinion

Risk Inflation or Oblivion?

Republicans are saying that the Biden Administration wants to spend too much money on human and societal infrastructure, but what is the alternative? The majority of people currently alive believe that the climate is changing rapidly for the worse. Do we wait for the point of no-return to act (have we already done so)? Inflation is a bad economic outcome that can be corrected, but a climate hostile to civilization is not. We have received more than enough warnings from nature to begin our response; the time to act is now. The situation with COVID19 attacking the unvaccinated in a new wave of destruction is an example for us to consider, multiplied exponentially to understand the risk of climate crisis. Once the climate turns against humanity it will not stop until modern society is destroyed. Research and act to prevent catastrophe. The planet will be here after we are gone, but our selfish and egotistical society will be gone if we do not change.

Opinion

Doom?

The Climate Crisis seems to flex it’s growing muscles every summer with extra months added for good measure. I have read articles about it for more than thirty years and we now see events they predicted would be signs of endless death and danger. Fires in arctic areas and melting permafrost, floods, drought, and rising seas toppling buildings. The news is noticeably bad and even the deniers no longer come out in the open. Like the pandemic the reality of nature forces everyone to either take notice and respond, or die. I still have hope that as a global society we can respond and save the civilization that we have developed, but I am sure time is running out at a faster rate than predicted. Research and act to save the future from becoming a nightmare ending in extinction.