How does a democratic government react to a democratically elected (allegedly) “leader” that has gone rogue terrorist on his own (allegedly) people? I really think that we need to take a pause in all the election talk right now, unless it has to do with what we all can do to protect our polls and right to a free and fair election this year.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch this interview with Mayor Durkan, please take the not-very-long pause to view it. She is warning everyone of the truth in front of our very eyes if we’d open them.
It is alarming and depressing on so many levels. Both of these things when you listen to every word and wish that you’d hear them more often. Not from other mayors as our cities, one by one, get invaded by Trump’s goons, but from every elected official on down, starting with Pelosi that says “Enough!” and starts speaking out publicly while working to do everything they can to ensure, oversee and protect our elections.
Since writing a few days ago re my growing alarm while watching Trump’s latest and largest-to-date horror show unfold, I have watched for a headline or press conference announcement. Maybe, first, that Speaker Pelosi declares that Trump is threatening the citizens’ right to vote. She would then start every legal process the House has to help states protect their polling stations (even if all she can do is open investigations due to Trump’s veto power; and useless Senate.)
Next up, maybe a unified front of all mayors from every city and town, top to bottom, that condemns these unconstitutional and oppressive acts; this dry run for — as Durkan said — martial law. Maybe leading up to and on election day if we let him. It needs to be a universal defiance.
Things started out promising in the Kansas City area. Our mayor signed a letter, with several other mayors, telling Barr and Wolf to stay out of their cities unless invited. Then the next thing I hear is that Mayor Lucas acquiesced. Under the pretense of federal “help” solving local crimes. The hell you say, Mayor? Once you let those guys in, they never leave! You are opening up your streets — our streets — to Trump’s secret police.
And instead when I google-news with Pelosi as the subject: there is Pelosi saying that they are going to “delay recess” until they pass a Covid-relief bill. And that’s great. But can we also not go on recess until we figure out what Trump is doing with his secret police and unmarked vehicles, uninvited, in some major cities?
All the talk about a blue wave and states in contention, and so on — that is great news. And if it stopped there, I’d be feeling pretty good right now too. But instead our leadership are not doing enough to a. protect our cities and citizens from Trump/Barr’s Brownshirt’s; and b. enough to shore up our voting booths and ballots.
The naked emperor keeps shredding our country right before our very eyes, like a puppy pulls up the living room carpet with his teeth, while everyone in the room can’t seem to notice. I know we’re all exhausted and just wish the election were tomorrow. But it’s not. It’s too long down the road to do anything other, if you are a House member, than stay in open session and look after Americans’ rights.
In other words, Dear Leadership Class: you look after us so we can look after you on election day? Win-win! Deal?
Otherwise it’s going to be lose-lose. Lots of losing going on. Mostly lives and rights. And clean water. And wildlife. And quality of life for most of us. And a habitable planet.
But there will be plenty of time for Debbie-Downness later. Or maybe there will a cathartic howl when this nightmare is finally over come November if we all do what we can right now. That means civilians and our servants on Capitol Hill. #Resist. #CallYourReps.
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
- Abraham Lincoln