This July marked the 60th anniversary of the Landmark Civil Rights Act signed by President Lyndon Johnson July, 1964. This was followed in 1965 by the Voting Rights Bill. President Biden visited the LBJ Library in Austin for the Commemoration. Let's make sure all have the right to vote this year.
July has been "Disability Pride Month." As the month comes to a close, there has been little notice. Disability "Pride" means "Recognition." "Respect," and "Accommodation." Pride for me means I have an incurable disease, but I am more than my disease.
Over 1/4 of adults in the United States live with a disability. I have lived with my disability for 42 years. We need recognition, willingness to learn about our disability, understanding, accessibility, accommodation, and inclusion.
I give thanks for those who have been caring partners on this journey.
How many things are wrong, unconstitutional, and dangerous with what Donald Trump said Friday? "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won't have to do it again. In four years we'll have it fixed so good, you will never have to vote."
From Urbandale, Iowa, through to Eastern Iowa Monday there was at least one tornado, derecho winds, and large hail. Trees fell and thousands were without power. Officials are assessing damage. Our prayers are with those who are suffering from these storms and bad weather from the Climate crisis.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The 60th Anniversary Commemoration will be held at the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Presidential Library & Museum on the grounds of the University of Texas in Austin on Monday July 15, 2024, with a program featuring music, readings, and a keynote address by President Joe Biden. Also confirmed to participate is civil rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young, and the University Concert Choir. The Civil Rights Act was followed by the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
This week I am participating in our annual Religious Education Association meeting, this year by Zoom. How interesting and important to hear speakers and engage in dialog yesterday morning with a woman from Korea leading, and speakers from Indonesia and Brazil. Also part of the conversation were people from the U.S., Canada and Australia, people I have known through REA for years. The topic: Interfaith Studies.
Thank you all who were praying for my son Mark and his daughter caught in the approaching Hurricane Beryl in the Yucatan Peninsula on their way home from Colombia. We have now heard that their plane "made it out just in time." They are safely back in Phoenix, but it was 111 degrees when they arrived. However, thousands of people remain, living with the devastation and in the Caribbean. We pray for them and all who are living with the effects of the Climate crisis.
Our son Mark and his daughter Aimee, heading home from Colombia, S.A., are in the Yucatan Peninsula. We pray their connecting plane will be able to land and then take them home to Phoenix. We pray for all whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.
President Biden is being criticized for what they call his "halting" speech last night. We have known that Biden has been a stutterer since childhood. I have a disability. I have aphasia. For years I have had difficulty speaking at night without a script. Prejudice against those with a disability! This has nothing to do with Biden's wisdom and leadership. He is smart. He is not too old! How do you debate a person, Trump, who constantly lies and slanders you? Biden had the substance and truth! That's what counts.
What will you be doing today, June 20th, the Summer Solstice? Post what you will be doing. Dusk in Northern Iowa, at 9:10 p.m. and Dawn at 5:15 a.m. We are celebrating grandson Jackson's 18th birthday. (And for my friends in South Australia, what will you be doing on the shortest day of the year?)
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