Biden & Harris: A Victory for the Ages

 Joe Biden Has labored long and diligently for this nation; locally, in the senate, as Vice President and resulting in today’s vote count he has been elected President of the United States of America. This is no small feat. He and his running mate; Kamala Harris have prevailed against tremendous opposition and what some would call impossible odds. By the grace of God, Almighty the election was decided by the American citizens, America’s diverse populous.  

To paraphrase a lyric from a popular nineteen sixties radio song. “The dark days are done and the bright days are here.” The meaning being that Biden wants to reunify the country and work across the aisle with Republicans as one nation; “neither Red nor Blue; but as one.” The realities are Biden will not solve all of the nation’s problems; no administration can do the impossible. In light of this the Bidden administration will give all their heart and being to a glorious quest of righting many of the nation’s ills and paving a better future. Biden is in certain ways the embodiment of the legendary literary character Don Quixote. The spirit of that great novelized figure has been missing in our contemporary world order and dealings with all aspects of life. 

                                                                                        

The road to success has not been a straight or easy path. He has faced personal losses and hardships while he has yet to succumb to total defeat. In the words of his colleague and supporter Jim Clyburn; “Biden never learned to stay down; he always rises to the occasion.  His losses become opportunity for growth while always fighting the good fight.”

As a woman of color, mixed race and the daughter of immigrants’ Kamala Harris; in the minds of many, would never rise to the office of Vice President. She has defied the odds and made history. She will prove to be an excellent choice as she works with Joe Biden in the best interest of all citizens.

I write this blog on the day of the announcement of the Democratic candidate’s victory; following the counting of an enormous number of citizens turning out as early voters, on November third and equally many more voting by mail in ballots.  It has been cause for an abundantly protracted amount of time of counting of ballots. In spite of this there is the presence of peaceful gatherings in the streets and avenues of America. There is a new optimism and hope. There is also relief and tears of comfort and consolation.  The nation will be made whole. 

Biden and Harris have since spoken from Delaware to a large receptive crowd of well-wishers, supporters and the press. Their speeches were hopeful, powerful, and informative and stuck the right opening tone for what is to be the Biden era. Following Harris’s acceptance speech and introduction Biden burst onto the stage in a full trot/sprint showing the strength and vigor of a man energetic and excited about taking on the job of Commander and Chief of a Great Nation, the strongest in the world, the United States of America. Fire Works, music and reveling followed; again making for a sense of truth, beauty and optimism.    

Congratulations President-Elect Joe Biden; Congratulations Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. We love you both! We look forward to the next four years. We wish you every success!   

When The White House Went Dark

 Sunday night May 31^st 2020 The White House goes dark. President Donald Trump hides in the bunker beneath the main floors strickened in personal terror. Police and protesters clash in the streets outside; around the surrounding grounds of the White House and throughout other parts of the nation’s capital. 

Metaphorically and philosophically the White House and nation went dark in a somewhat gradual and very real moral way when Mr. Trump was sworn into office January 1^st 2016. His presidential  lies, half-truths and fabrications began with Trump disputing the crowd size of his inauguration over President  Obama’s.  He declared war on the press calling  all reportage that painted him in a bad light or was contrary to his twisted narratives “Fake News.” He extended his ire to his own intelligence community and the FBI. He was out of the blocks with a vengeance and there was no “Honey Moon” for “Mr. Trump,”   

The current climate of unrest is tied to the death of African American Citizen; George Floyd at the bidding of four Minneapolis police officers, Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic  and a greatly suffering economy. 

 At the present Trump continues to tout false cures, untested procedures and quackery as remedies for the corona virus and uses race bating and brutality as solutions to civil disobedience. In his own mind the crumbling economy and unemployment rates are fine so these things are not even addressed. If at all he wants to dangerously reopen all businesses and social activities. This in spite of warnings from his own medical advisors and scientific authorities. Members of his cabinet and appointees are filling the jails as much as they are implementing  policy. Many of the president’s men have been indicted and many convicted (at least six individuals) for criminal activities, a number of which they have admit to. The numbers include his personal lawyer’s paying of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels for various extra marital escapades with his boss. Most recently his advisor Steve Bannon was arrested for fraud and is currently out on bail as he awaits trial. 

                                                          Unrest @ The White House

Trump when not playing  golf remains busy. He is at this moment trying to suppress voting by shutting down the USPS with the aid of his crony Louis DeJoy; Post Master General who is also his ardent supporter and campaign donor.  DeJoy is removing mail sorting machines, mail boxes and cutting workers over-time hours across the country.  This due to Trump believing fewer voters equal fewer votes against him and will benefit his campaign in the end. The Trump  abuses of power, ignorance and attempts to form a sort of dictatorship  not unlike Putin’s Russia are very important to him. His intentions are to subvert the constitution while staying in power for as many years as possible.  He would love to destroy our system of a three branch system of government with clear separation of powers at the federal level. In this he is most dangerous; a true threat to democracy. 

  

Lastly and equally distressing is Trump’s allusions  to and possibly mentally delusional remarks on the fore mentioned idea of his staying in office after what he will surely call an unfair and rigged election. This is of course if and when he hopefully and prayerfully loses his bid for reelection.  The election happens in a period just over two month from now. Given that he might   attempt to stay in the White House beyond his term I am convinced that he will be evicted shortly after the swearing in of former Vice President and Senator Joe Biden. He will be removed (if not by his own free will) then by members of the Secret Service or if need be the United States’ Armed Forces (Rule of Law will prevail) as Biden takes over the reins of Commander in Chief after his swearing into office; the afternoon of January 1^st 2021.

The Trump Bomb

The Untimely Death and Aftermath of George Floyd

 How long does it take to kill a man? What method of murder is the most efficient? What is the price of a human life? The answer to these questions are wide and varied, almost unlimited. In the particular horrific case of George Floyd we have certain answers. 

The untimely death of Africa-American George Floyd came about four weeks ago on May 25th. He was sentenced, tried and executed by four White police officers. Three to physically commit the act and as with every daylight crime, one assigned to be lookout. This being done to prevent any by-standers from intervening. The motto; “To protect and to serve” took on a unique and unintended meaning that day. The officers protected their Minneapolis community from a handcuffed, physically restrained helpless man as they served their unanimous decision to terminate him. All following little deliberation and committed without passion, effort or struggle. They did exhibit a sense of coolness, emotional distance and callousness. Their hands in their pockets in a manner of normalcy and familiarity with the inflicting of death. Due to being captured on video this tragedy shortly became national and international news. The results of which are still growing and resonating. The world collectively heard a plea for mercy; one that we had heard before but somehow expected to not hear again: “I can’t breathe.” 

The time passage in the case of George Floyd’s death was approximately eight minutes. Eight minutes for the breath to leave his lungs, his heart’s beating to stop, his brain functions to cease and for the accused police officers to feel comfortable that this man was beyond any chance of recovery. 

 The method of murder was death by the collective weight of approximately seven hundred pounds placed stratigally on Floyd’s back and neck; again, as he lay helpless. The knee of one officer (Derek Chauvin) conveniently slid between the head and shoulders on Floyd’s vulnerable and weak human neck. This as Chauvin strategically increased pressure from time to time while ignoring Floyd’s begging to him and his other assailants; “please…I can’t breathe…” 

The price was a mere twenty, presumed counterfeit dollars. From the point of view of his murderers the equivalent of nothing; a valueless existence.

In the following days and weeks; the aftermath of Floyd’s death, the United States have seen many drastic and well documented events in response. Protests both peaceful and violent, marches from coast to coast and a new and deeper, inclusive meaning of “Black Lives Matter” has emerged. Spain, Syria, Australia and the UK are among the vast world nations to march and exhibit symbols of solidarity with Americans in this crisis. 

 There has been positive dialogue, genuine anguish along with public and police reaching out and coming together in unity. We have seen and heard both good and bad words and actions from law enforcement and politicians. Mural tributes to Floyd’s sacrificial death have sprung up; again nationally and internationally. NASCAR has removed the symbol of oppression and slavery; “The Battle Flag of the Confederacy” (“The Stars & Bars”) from all of their racing events. This as many iconic and offensive statues of racist historical figures are toppled and removed. There are even calls to defund and abolish the dated form of American policing.  

There are many signs of hope amid the chaos. We can learn from all that is happening in this current time of unease with COVID-19 also not showing many signs of deflating or going away. There is no doubt that these are unusual, uncharted stressful times. Yet times given the opportunity that can see political and spiritual lasting agents of change.

To date across the country and abroad the protests continue, the marches and the rallies continue. An abundance of good will offerings continue along with the deaths of innocent Black Men and Women; American Citizens, at the will and discretion of the Nation’s Police continuing as well.