Day 56.

This is a long game. But we did something, and we should take credit where it’s due.

We did this. Thanks also to some sharp journalism.

The Goodlatte Amendment – a rules change to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics was proposed in the darkness of the House Republican Caucus last night; was approved there; and then was dropped like a hot potato today, after Congressional phone lines were flooded with angry calls. We did this. (not Trump!) Shame works. Keep your eyes open and speak up, loud and clear. We can do this.

If we keep doing what we’re doing. Keep our eyes open; stay connected; and be ready to act fast.

Today I made plans to connect with a local group and keep doing what I’m doing, along with more in-person, local work. This is how the most difference can be made – on the ground. I hope everyone can connect – for support, and to make a difference.

See you on the ground.

I just came across news that Congressional Republicans have voted, in Committee, to functionally gut the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Don’t agree? Say No.

Contact your representative ASAP. It’s important to do this Tuesday morning if you can.

 

Day 55. I’m healing up, and getting ready for action.

There are a lot of people starting groups to act in the face of what’s to come. I’m proud and relieved to see that I’m one of many. As we get ready to engage, I’m seeing that some of these have a broader audience than I do. That makes me think about how I can help in the best way possible.

I’ve discovered Wall-of-Us, which publishes four actions each week, along with scripts and background. I find their work well-researched and generally oriented in the right direction. Some is stuff that’s very easy to do online, like this action, tweeting at advertisers on Breitbart News, to get them to remove their ads. It’s already had some success. I did it, and it was very easy (and can even be automated)

Others emphasize working locally, and I think that’s especially important. As I’ve written before, local actions are tactics the Tea Party used to great effect in the past.

In addition to the work I’m doing here, I’m also thinking about how to best work locally, in person, to effect positive change.

Day 54.

So… I ran into a metal step today while I was rushing around trying to get laundry done before guests came over. And I opened up a gash on my leg, which proceeded to bleed through my jeans in a somewhat frightening fashion. Ouch.

Don’t worry – the jeans were salvaged. My leg is raised, bandaged and iced. I’ll never be a shin model, but hey, that wasn’t a real possibility, was it?

Anyway, this is the second time I’ve slipped on stairs (while rushing around in socks in the past week.) I think the universe is trying to tell me a couple of things. To wit:

1. Stop rushing around in socks on stairs. You will hurt yourself.
2. Slow the heck down.

I will be doing both of these things. I’ve got grippy slipper-socks and a pained leg that gives me every incentive to slow the heck down.

In my slowed-down time, I’m doing some reading.

1. I’ve been reading “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine (so men say that I’m intense or I’m insane). Seriously, I am reading it.He’s a fairly electrifying writer, and it feels like the words of a twentieth-century liberal mind being spoken from out of the past.
2. I’m also reading this Brookings paper on my favorite clause of the Constitution. As I’ve written here before, the Emoluments clause requires permission of Congress before an office-holder can receive certain benefits from foreign powers. This paper is a thorough rundown of what the clause means, including the fact that it’s been invoked by at least one president, Jackson, who asked Congress for permission to accept a gift from Simon Bolivar – and they said no.

We need demand that our leaders do the same.

Day 53.

The sun set later today than it did yesterday. This will continue every day for some time (though not forever). This gives me hope.

Tonight we lit nine candles rather than curse the darkness, and to celebrate the victory of the light.

Tomorrow is a new year. I resolve to connect with others, and to give more light. The more of us, the brighter. The more of us, the more we can hope. We cannot do this alone.

I wish you a New Year filled with light and hope, even in dark times.

Day 52.

It’s a holiday week, and many of us have been officially away from work. I’m seeing a lot of conversations on social media that, frankly, that I don’t find productive. Boycotting isn’t always effective; doing nothing is not doing something. If someone deplorable got a book deal, but you’re boycotting other authors distributed by the same publisher, I am not convinced y0u’re effecting positive change.

What is effective?

Having conversations. Especially with someone who you don’t always agree with. This involves listening more than talking; both give and take.

Reading the news to understand what the stakes are. This means especially understanding the current state of the United States’ relationship with Russia.

As we head back toward the coming year – and legislative week – let’s keep our focus on what’s important.

Day 42.

One of my boys asked to know more about the war in Syria.

I don’t know enough yet to explain all of the political pieces to him. I was trying to figure out how to explain it to him in a way that was real – both true to the experience and that he and his brother can understand (my boys are almost six).

Then one of my favorite booksellers from my favorite bookshop recommended, as one of her best-of-2016 picks, The Journey, by Francesca Sanna.

Sanna met refugee children and combined their stories to create this brilliant book told from a child’s perspective – but with an awareness of an adult’s perspective too.

The story has darkness, and fear, and worry, and shows the heartbreaking decisions families have to make when they’re trying to stay alive. There are also moments of strength and hope.

I bought it and we read it tonight. They worried about the things kids worry about – why they had to leave their cat behind. Where their suitcases went. Why their mommy is crying.

On the last few pages there was a note of hopefulness, though it doesn’t always end like that.

I’m meditating on this book tonight, on the journeys going on today and every day.

I’m also donating to the White Helmets today in honor of my favorite bookseller.

Day 39. I got to go to see a ballet today, which means I had a few moments of madly-grinning-unbridled joy watching 2 dozen dancers in formation throwing snow confetti and/or convincingly impersonating flowers in bloom. There was a lot of grace on display. Dance is hard work and the effortlessness of floating is the hardest part.

I want to display a bit more grace myself. I want to speak the truth and to speak it with grace. I struggle with this because I can be a bit, shall we say, direct. Less than graceful.

I read this article today about Derek Black, a man who grew up the son of Don Black (founder of Stormfront), the Godson of David Duke. He was a self-styled white nationalist, and he was an active one – he had a radio show with his father and had helped to popularize the concept of a white genocide. Until he went to college, and in a more diverse environment than he’d ever known, he began to feel uncomfortable with the beliefs he’d been living comfortably with his whole life. While he was away for a semester abroad, news of his past got out on a campus forum; when he returned he was ostracized.

Then Matthew Stevenson invited him to Shabbat dinner.

Stevenson displayed a lot of grace that night, and for many nights at many Shabbat dinners over the weeks and months that followed. Reading Eli Saslow’s article, it’s clear to me that Black’s mind would not have been changed if he hadn’t been invited and if he hadn’t been treated with such grace.

It’s not the answer to everything. But it’s something I can control.

I’m aiming to reach out to people who might not agree with me in the coming week, and to do so with grace. It won’t be effortless but I’ll try to make it look so.