Revolution

 November 25 marks the day in 1783 when British forces finally left New York City after the Treaty of Paris led to the end of the American Revolutionary War. It had been a long war, starting in 1775 and there was still more to accomplish. The Constitution would not be established until 1787 and finally ratified by 13 states in 1790,  In order "to form a more perfect Union and establish justice" there is much for us to do today.

Winter?

 The grass is green. We have no snow.

Has winter come? How shall we know?

ICE

 Do you live some place where you worry that ICE and border patrol agents will knock at your door and pull you or a family member out and take people away? That is happening now in Raleigh-Durham N.C. Whether at home, school, church, or from the streets, people are being  disappeared. Maybe not "in my neighborhood" or "my town."  Maybe not yet!  If anyone in the U.S. is in danger, all of us are in danger. We dare not become complacent. We must continue active resistance. Now!

American Revolution

 Refraining from using the common phrases "The shot heard round the world" and "The Boston Tea Party," Ken Burns is so thorough in his new 6-part documentary "The American Revolution." Sunday night's episode was amazing. On Iowa Public Television the series goes all this week at 7:00 p.m, repeating at 9:00 p.m.  I encourage you to watch where you are.

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.