Chainsaw

No, Elan Musk. You can't use your chainsaw to destroy U.S.Democracy!  Are you enjoying it?  Are you proud of yourself? Or is it all about those billions of dollars in government contracts you have gained? 

 No, Donald! (That's what Vladimir calls him).  It is wrong for you to disrupt our relationships with our NATO and EU friends. Putin will cheer and do anything he wants to.

Power to interpret laws

 No, Mr. Trump. You and the attorney general should not have the sole power to interpret laws.  

Ukraine

No, President Trump, Ukraine did not start the war. Russian invaded Ukraine almost 3 years ago, Feb. 2022. 

Empire

 Elan Musk won't rest until he is in charge of a global Financial Empire. Donald Trump wants to be Emperor. What do we want the United States to be? What do we want a president to be?

Why are Trump's approval ratings high?

 A new CBS News/YouGov poll found that 53% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s overall job in office so far. 

Most respondents said they would describe the 78-year-old Trump as “effective,” “focused,” “tough,” “competent” and “energetic,” 

But presidential orders have already affected many people, and will affect everyone soon.  Cutting back health research will affect all of us, and not just those living with a chronic illness. Eliminating The Federal Consumer financial protection bureau will hurt all of us. Cutting back public school funding for children and youth with disabilities will hurt our entire communities. When will people finally realize what living under a dictator means?

Burton and Norma

 I have not posted a picture of us for awhile.  Here are Burton and Norma now--at ages 86 and 87.

USAID and Musk

 Do not shut down USAID. The US Agency for International Development provides assistance to countries recovering from disaster and trying to alleviate poverty. It combats the spread of disease and promotes democratic reform. USAID programs aim to support economic growth, combat the spread of disease, promote democratic reform, and address food insecurity. The agency also provides assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to alleviate poverty, and emerging from periods of conflict. Elan Musk insists USAID is a "criminal organization. It must die."  He also insists, along with Trump that the Federal Department of Education be dismantled. This will mostly hurt youth who live with a disability and schools in low-income neighborhoods. Elan Musk is not co-president. Is money the only reason he has so much power?

The day before, Musk wrote on X that USAID is a "criminal organization."

"It needs to die," he wrote. 

He also insists, along with Trump that the Federal Department of Education be dismantled. This will mostly hurt youth who live with a disability and schools in low-income neighborhoods. 

Elan Musk is not co-president. Is money the only reason he has so much power? 

Cancellation of MLK Day, Junteenth and Black History month

 In response to President Donald Trump's banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the Pentagon's intelligence agency will not be celebrating programs and events, related Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, (both Federal holidays), and Black History Month which begins today. We in Mason City, Iowa, will hold a community-wide celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History month February 16th at 4:00 p.m. at 1st Congregational UCC Church. All are welcome.

Blame people with disabilities

 You know my heart,friends. And how upsetting it is to see members of the disability community spoken of this way by anyone.

Trump took aim at DEI as the problem when an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided and crashed Wednesday night into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. Miles O'Brien is an independent American broadcast news journalist specializing in science, technology, and aerospace who serves as national science correspondent for PBS NewsHour. O'Brien, himself an amputee said, there is no factual evidence to say people with disabilities cannot perform at the same level as able bodied people. To say that is a further part of the  tragedy. 

Contact Government

Feel like there's nothing you can do? Pause on Federal grants, deportations, executive orders! One simple direct action is to call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell them which representative or senator for whom you want to leave a message.  Call the White House to leave a message for the president at 202-456-1111 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Their staff counts messages for or against an issue or action. Personally and together we can make a difference.

Laughter

 In the midst of many complex issues that trouble us, we have many challenges to face.  We also need to find joy and laughter.  Here is a picture of son Joel laughing until he cried and of Burton similarly laughing his head off. Our family was playing Fictionary on Christmas, including son Kirk on Factime from Texas.