While out grocery shopping today, I found myself humming The Star Spangled Banner, and wondering whether it will still be waiving proudly as a symbol of rule by the people, of the people, and for the people; and for freedom and opportunity when this sick era is over.

I feel that America is slowly slipping away, like a spouse you’ve been married to forever and had never thought you would part with. She had changed and grown distant, made it clear that she wants a new life, one without you. Valentines Day had become a sad occasion. Things have changed.

My copy arrived today from Amazon!

Over the years, I’ve read a lot about what happened in Europe during the 1930s and during the Holocaust; I never thought I would see something similar unfolding in my lifetime. And why the hell are we sending immigrants to prisons in Cuba?

Watching the monstrous wave of evil insanity towering over America is like seeing a slow motion video of people on a crowded beach caught in shock as a gigantic tsunami looms far above and towards them. Horrible to watch, and nothing can save them, us.

Lincoln and the Union were able to buy us an additional 165 years of nationhood. Thank you, President Abraham Lincoln.

I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto!

Lately I think about these words a lot: “And that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

I just remembered that what really got the white Christian nationalists riled up was the election of President Obama, twice. That and three other things: changing demographics, the rising number of talented non-whites to positions of authority, and more real integration occurring.

“Come and dance with me,” says life. “Your tomorrow is not guaranteed.”

Frederick Douglass, a great American who was never afraid to defy and confront the powerful on behalf of the powerless. Happy Black History Month to all.

We must not, as individuals, dwell too long on the nation’s or the earth’s disasters, for our personal reality demands our attention, too; and that reality is closely hemmed in by swift-flowing time, our very life substance. Also tend to what is before and around you. Time. Peace.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that a man who absolutely cannot be trusted with top secret information, who controls our nuclear arsenal, who has the wisdom of a two year old, who is a close pal of Putin, who loves flattery, and who is madly impulsive is president?

Our best weapon against the person occupying the White House is the man himself, I remember during more optimistic moments.

While all eyes are on the drama and fireworks in Washington, MAGA people at the state level are quietly amassing power and changing laws so as to make it nearly impossible for any candidates except the Republicans to win elections. 2026 is going to be tough for anti-trumpets to win.

Seeing what tRump is doing to our government is literally like seeing a soulless sexual predator kidnap a bright young college student and forcing her to become a morally degraded, heroin-addicted prostitute. And the justice system can do nothing to stop him! (Photo borrowed from the internet.)

Here’s an excerpt from the article about Aryan people in the Encyclopedia Britannica to ponder as you think of trump and Musk …

The more often our media show ordinary Palestinians going about their lives, and sharing the same worries and concerns that any of us would were we in their circumstances, the better it will be for humanity. Hate divides us, harming everyone it touches. (Borrowed photos.)

Unrestrained by any guardrails, the malignant beast charges forth, drunk on his freedom and ability to shatter lives and inflict pain.

I had to laugh this morning, despite news headlines, when I tried to imagine orange-face and his cronies actually trying to live up to The Four Agreements. But then, they are too busy trying to defecate on and trash the Republic.

Meditators are correct: breathe in, hold it, and release. Let go, relax, and be still. This is the way.

As the orange felon has made clear many times, he wants the police officers in our communities to act like violent vigilantes against whoever they care, particularly black and brown people. Be careful out there, men of color. Too many cops agree with tRump.

It is ironic that con artists, thieves, criminals of all sorts, traitors, etc., are about to be placed in charge of our nation, free to steal billions, abuse women, deny the human rights of millions, turn against allies, embrace deadly enemy states, worsen climate, destroy at will.

Spiritual teachers, in preparing to speak to their people next time, might want to ponder whether there is any truth in our religious scriptural admonitions to do good, to help each other, and to avoid doing evil, as they teach; or is it all rubbish? Are honesty and truthfulness worth it?

On the evening of the final day of the Constitutional Era, I find myself wondering whether a congressional or a military coup is possible here, whether I will need to do the unthinkable and buy a gun for self defense, and and just how bad can it get?.

I’m trying to breathe slowly and consciously, to not hyperventilate, as we head into the dark storm of hate-filled uncertainty coming tomorrow… this deliberate attempt at the suicide of our democracy …

This whole round up and deport the immigrants thing reminds me very strongly of Hitler’s ploy of stirring up widespread hate and fear of Jewish people, then start rounding up and disappearing them with little open opposition. Just coincidence, I guess.

I’m still trying to grasp Tim Cook’s capitulation to the orange felon. It is as though no corporate entity, no matter how principled they seem, can be trusted anymore.

Remember how when trump was elected the first time and it felt literally as though we all had been thrust into an alien universe. What if rich and the power hungry on the right saw a universe unfolding before them much to their liking. What if they are enlarging and moving fully there now?