A War President

 Trump has sent the largest U.S. air carrier into the Caribbean threatening Venezuela. Is he intent to become a war president? Venezuela is mobilizing 200,000 troops and militia in response to Trump's militarization in the Caribbean. Trump is intent on showing his own personal power no matter the consequences. We and the whole world are in danger.

Armistice Day

 

Luther

 Martin Luther was born on Nov. 10, 1483.  He was a reformer of the church and a reformer of education. He changed the Christian church and society. He wrote a letter to the mayor encouraging boys AND girls to go to school. His influence is felt today as much as it was almost 550 years ago. 

Two women

Two women to whom I have looked for wisdom and leadership: As a child, I watched Eleanor Roosevelt, a diplomat, activist, and humanitarian through her political and social activism. Her passions included human rights, civil rights, and supporting underprivileged communities. After FDR's death, she worked at the United Nations, a leader in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As an adult I have followed Nancy Pelosi, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. She became the first woman Speaker of the house in 2007. She is smart, strategic, and extraordinarily effective. 

Birthday

Today I turn 87. This is a picture of me--Norma--when I was seven, 80 years ago. 

 

Long Lines

 The lines were long. Courage and commitment were evident. Across the nation Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those in between turned out in major elections. They have major concerns about the present national administration. People used the vote to preserve the vote and democracy. 

ELection today

Today, Nov. 4, is Election Day. You may think you are too busy. You may say you don't care about politics.  You may say your one vote doesn't matter.  BUT IT DOES!  Vote as though your freedom depended upon it.  IT DOES.   

Nigeria. Trump the "war" president

 I ache for Nigeria where Trump threatens to "go in with guns-a-blazing" because Trump saysNigeria is persecuting and killing Christians.  The President of Nigeria said that there have been killings in his country, but the country is almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians and dedicated to freedom of faith and religion. Donald Trump craves the Noble Peace Prize, but he actually is a president who seeks war to show he is "strong." This shows in his changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. 

All Saints

 "Give Thanks for Saints" Give thanks for those whose faith is firm when all around seems bleak. Give thanks for saints of ages past and saints alive today. 

Malala 1

 "Instead of focusing on eradicating terrorism through war, we should focus on eradicating it through education"

Malala

devastation in Jamaica

 

There is no exempt area from Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica; The hurricane made a direct hit as a Category 5 storm, causing widespread damage, including widespread destruction, power outages for hundreds of thousands, and significant damage to hospitals and infrastructure. 

Food Prize

The 2025 World Food Prize was awarded in Des Moines to Brazilian microbiologist Dr. Mariangela Hungria for her work in developing biological seed and soil treatments that improve crop nutrition and yields. Her research has significantly helped make Brazil a global breadbasket. Attendees at the October 2025 World Food Prize forum included Dr. Mariangela Hungria, the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate, along with government officials such as the President of Ghana and the Vice President of Ghana, the Minister for Food and Agriculture of Ghana, and the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the U.S.. Leaders from over 75 countries, researchers, innovators, and agribusiness leaders also participated in the various events. Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is now chief executive of the The World Food Prize Foundation He served as the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017, during the Obama administration, and again from 2021 to 2025 during the Biden administration.