Supernatural ended a week ago, and I am still not over it. I have many thoughts about the finale, both positive and negative, and I am still not ready to confront them.
In lieu of my opinions and emotional upheaval, I decided to share a few links of things that posted in the days leading up to the last episode.
BEWARE SPOILERS
Continue readingThanksgiving today is fraught with its past and the reckoning that is still to come in many ways.
For those of us who grew up in non-Christian households, Thanksgiving was and is the great equalizer. We can all celebrate it without the religious baggage and without not fitting in. We gather as a family, we express our gratitude and our love, and it’s the one day of the year that nearly everyone has the day off, at least until a couple of years ago when retailers began to open on Thanksgiving Day.
There are of course exceptions, but it is a day for everyone.
Of course, that is also not the entire story. From the Native American prospective, settlers coming to the new world caused trauma beyond belief. We are only beginning to open up and discuss and educate ourselves to be inclusive, but also to move forward as a country.
While I believe the original Thanksgiving story despite knowing its clear embelllishments, I think it’s important to distinguish between the Columbus and future expeditions’ theft of land and genocide and that early settlers and Native Indians, as they were known at the time, did work together, and to celebrate the help that the Native Peoples gave to the Pilgrims should be recognized. The Pilgrims, and other Native-friendly settlers wouldn’t have survived the new world without the help of the indigenous people already living here.
Here are two ways to begin educating ourselves:
Thirty Everyday Phrases that Perpetuate the Oppression of Indigenous Peoples
UPDATED: 25 NOVEMBER 2020
For a number of years, Supernatural merchandise has been offered with a portion of the proceeds going to charities chosen by the actors.
They’ve been offered through different organizations, although more recently, they are primarily offered through Stands.
What follows is a list of some of those charities and organizations if you can spare some time to volunteer or money to donate.
The series finale aired last night and can be watched today on The CW app.
There’s a lot going on here. Please read through the graphics, links, and information, and then use this post as your starting place. I will add information in new posts weekly.
We flipped Georgia blue for Joe and Kamala; we can flip the Senate blue and get to work for the American people.
Tomorrow is the first day that absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out.
The deadline for voter registration is December 7th. Even if you requested an absentee ballot for the general election, you MUST request a new one for the Jan. 5th runoff. Early voting begins December 14th.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
How to Help Win the Two Georgia Senate Runoff Elections
My Voter Page for Georgia. All the information you need from the state of Georgia for the runoff.
Request your absentee ballots at this link.
Vote Save America is working with America Votes – Georgia to help make sure to help make sure the organizers who’ve been there 365 days a year are getting as much funding as the candidates themselves. There’s a ton of interest, energy, and donations flowing into the state, so America Votes – Georgia is making sure they get distributed directly as needed to groups that are having the biggest impact on the ground.
They include:
Donate here to make sure Ossoff and Warnock get Every Last Vote.
The Get Mitch Fund will go directly to the two candidates.
Today is Election Day; the last day of the 2020 Election to make your voice heard.
My Home Page is now temporarily an Election Resource Page. It includes voter protection hotlines including for the deaf and hard of hearing, some informative graphics from Vote Save America including how to volunteer and help people waiting in long lines.
When the polls close tonight, it will probably not be over. Here are a few resources to follow or get on email lists. It is also a good idea to support investigative journalism. I can’t afford a lot, but the two things I subscribed to in the last year or so are The Washington Post (on Kindle) and Cafe Insider, which features former US Attorney Preet Bharara and a few of his closest friends and associates who bring national security information to life on several podcasts with interviews on a variety of other subjects as well. These are both well worth the monthly subscription.
Others:
Andy Slavitt’s Podcast: In The Bubble
Penzeys Spices – they have really stepped up in the last four years to help Americans know the issues and walk the walk on their values and ours.
Jesus on Twitter – I know, I know, but this Twitter feed has a way of distilling things into simple terms and reminders and adds a calming feeling in the midst of chaos. (And this Jesus Twitter specifically)
And of course, your own Representatives and Senators. Know who they are, know their online and phone information and continue to hold them accountable. They work for you.
Please add any of your own recommendations in the comments.
Below the cut are some graphics related to VP Biden’s policies including a comparison and timeline between his and Pres. Trump’s covid response/reactions.
Continue reading
As Jon Lovett and Jon Favreau said last week, it’s time to:
GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!
What is is your plan to vote?
I was originally going to fill out an absentee ballot and mail it in as soon as humanly possible, but looking at my other choices, I’ve decided that my PLAN is to vote early and in person. There won’t be any lines and there are two early voting polling places very near my home.
No procrastination. No time wasted. No worries about mail sabotage from the current Postmaster General and/or AG Barr.
On October 24, I will be voting early.
If for some reason that doesn’t work out, I can still request a mail in ballot by October 27. [NOTE: This is specific to my state of residence. Check your own deadlines at Vote Save America – Find Your State.
I’m ready to go!
Here are some handy links from my friends at Vote Save America for all of your voting information needs. They are your one stop shop to get out the vote.
Save These States or Adopt one of the critical battleground states: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Every Last Vote. Make sure they’re all counted, including your own.
Learn more about the Candidates and why VP Joe Biden is the best choice to be the next President at this crucial time.
Save America and MOBILIZE.
Donate where it counts.
Here are a few links/videos from the Democratic National Convention 2020!
Democratic National Convention Schedule and Speakers
C-Span for Night 1 (you can use this to jump off to the rest of the convention events as well
Michelle Obama’s Convention Speech:
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
John Lewis, Twitter, 2018
Continue reading“A republic, if you can keep it.”
As attributed to Benjamin Franklin when asked in Philadelphia if we have a republic or a monarchy.
This will link you to my post last year on Juneteenth. I tried to include a variety of views and thoughts.
I made the decision not to do new content this year for the simple reason to encourage you to search out Black voices about today and what it meant in history and what it means today.
As I see things posted, I may return and link them below.
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 