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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch 6/2/2020
The Church came out to express its horror that it was misused for inciendery remarks. It expressed love over divsion, and worked hard to separate itself from Trump and his remarks.
Our checks and balances and safety measures have been (deliberately) eroded. I watch with disbelief as our country seems to be going up in flames.
The whole issue of tear gassing and flash bombs against the peaceful demonstrators was just horrible. All for a photo op that was easily seen through as a fluff piece. He's not making friends. This type of thing will not get him re-elected (I hope!) Guess you know where I stand. Oh well.
He was holding the Bible upside down! Not important in a way, but just showing how it is a prop. It is clear from photos that at least some of the people who are most violent in many cities are not from the local community. As far as provoking violence, he had a tweet about if people tried to come onto White House grounds, they would be met with vicious dogs and weapons and something about how the Secret Service was eager for this, something like "We put the young ones, up front, sir, they want to do this". (Every anecdote where someone calls him sir is a fabrication, by the way.) It seemed like he hoped this would happen so he could look tough crushing them (while he hid in the basement.) If you think protests are bad now, watch what would happen if the army gets involved.
Good examples came from Des Moines, where police knelt with protestors, and Flint, Michigan, where the sheriff took off his helmet and marched with protesters. These only work if the police have already spent some time building up relationships with the community.
I too have been moved by policemen in cities hugging black people and marching with them, kneeling in honor. This is what we should be focusing on, because this is how change begins. I still have hope for this great country. Then we will rise from this terrible terrible blight stronger and more compassionate. We are almost there people! Vote! And stand with everyone in our nation, we are all the same, or we are all different, but we are all one world, one country, one community, one people.
How quickly the focus has turned away from the underlying problem of biased and violent police officers. Now the police are being asked to be even more violent?I love what's happening with caring and enlightened officers and police departments. Mayors and police departments in every city should pay attention.
I happened to watch a video of Biden addressing the nation from Philadelphia. It was soothing, inspiring, calming. It put it into perspective and reminded all that now is the time for change, that it can change, and outlined many steps that can and should be taken, most pretty straight forward. It was what any president should be doing. I'd forgotten what presidential really looks like. There have been many presidents whom I considered less than stellar, and some practically incompetent. But this!I have a meeting in a bit -- need to do some writing and pull it together before then. The meeting starts just as tonights 8PM curfew starts, ironically.
Weighing in from Western Canada... There was a protest here - yesterday, I believe - and I saw a photo of a couple of our police officers kneeling with a black woman at the protest. <3
Been a rough few days for me. I'm not currently anywhere that has a protest, which makes me a little antsy (I've been able to join protests in the past, but the past didn't have COVID, and I'm worried about that risk too :/). Where my friend lives was really close to some looting on Sunday night, and another friend is currently at a protest and I hope he'll be all right (though today I think things have been calmer, from what I've been told). Sleep has not been my friend lately. Just kinda watching and waiting to see how it goes. This probably goes without saying, but I'm finding our federal government's actions absolutely unacceptable right now. The threats to send in the army, using military helicopters to fly low over DC protestors, wanting to declare "Antifa" a terrorist organization (when it's not even an organization, pfft). Don't like the trend of police attacking journalists, either. I've studied civil unrest and war/conflicts, and the signs are quite worrying.
Like many others I am worried and heart broken at the actions taking place in our country. I keep asking myself how we got to this place, when did it become ok to be rude and insulting and act the bully (looking at you Mr. Trump). We should be able to trust and look up to those in charge not feel shame and remorse over those that should be role models and cool headed in tense situations. Right now everything feels so broken and I truly wonder if we can set any of these wrongs right. The world seems like a really ugly place right now.
I live in a purely residential, ethnically and economically diverse neighborhood on the UWS of Manhattan. It's a bit of a cul de sac. Other than the AIDSWalk and Cinco de Mayo parade, we see no action. It is always quiet, even pre-COVID19.At 10 pm, protestors suddenly were marching by when suddenly I heard someone attempting to antagonize the protestors and trigger reaction. There were some poppping sounds. Many police cars descended, police in riot gear were every where. Throughout, the leader of the protest kept things calm and the group together and moving, constantly repeating Do not engage, keep moving, do not run.
The protestors passed on, a large police force and ambulences following. Looked like they were only there to keep it peaceful and looter free.
NYC may not have joined the protests over COVID19 restrictions. But civil rights and social justice? We are out, wearing masks if necessary.
Having lots of "marshals" from within the activist community is key. This was a major focus of the 1963 March on Washington. The organizers knew there could not be any violence or even questionable behavior. If you look at pictures, you will see how well-dressed everyone was. So in order to assure no problems with behavior, or with anyone having a medical need, etc., there were many group leaders. In an ideal situation, police would also see those things as their role, to assist.On a different topic, my husband and I just attained 46 years of marriage, Our wedding was June 2, 1974. We celebrated by picking up sandwiches to go, but also we looked at some old photo albums, which was fun. For some events, we each remembered different parts of what happened.
Happy Anniversary Robin! I love how you celebrated. :)
Happy Anniversary, Robin! What a nice way to celebrate.I am disheartened by what is happening in America. My husband who fought in Vietnam, sustaining serious wounds when he stepped on a land mine, has said: "I feel like my life's work was useless ... this is not the country I fought for."
Our little corner of the world is fairly peaceful .. for now. But a fireworks display put on to celebrate graduation (organized by a parent, put on by a professional company, and with relevant permits from the village) got all sorts of nasty and hysterical chatter on the NextDoor website. People assuming gunfire, or worse. People assuming the race of the "perpetrator." It was ugly. Fortunately it was "just" words flung about and not fists or bullets. But it showed how quickly fear and nervousness can turn to anger and retaliation.
The Orange Man's repeated reliance on cyber bullying, name-calling, belittling and shouting do nothing but reflect poorly on him AND on our nation. He has given bullies everywhere "permission" to behave badly.
I stand (symbolically for now) with those protesting the police brutality and mentality that resulted in the death of George Floyd (and too many others). My heart is lifted to see the many peaceful protests, and the coming together of people of all races / cultures in support of the issue.
However, those who are taking advantage of the situation to loot and destroy property should be arrested and prosecuted for those crimes.
It was my wedding anniversary yesterday as well. Only been married 8 years though, but we've been together since the end of the last millenium, so you can tell we weren't rushing the marriage part... ;) We celebrated with a bottle of cava, handmade chocolates and tipsy talk of life, death and the universe, so only mildly different than a normal night :D
@ Robin-Happy Anniversary-i also love how you celebrated!@ Theresa-be aware, be safe friend!
I was so touched by the Oakland County Sheriff(my county by the way) who stood weapon and riot gear free and joined with love in the Protest. This is how community's are bound together-this is truly a man who cares about the the people he has sworn to protect.
My stomach turned and ached when I saw what the damn a-hole in OUR White house did. I too thought there was nothing more this idiot could do to piss me off anymore than I already am.
My daughter is a journalist, so that aspect of the unrest hit right to the bone. There was a protest the other day in one of the communities she covers and I was a nervous wreck while she was there. Thank goodness all was peaceful and she made it home safely.
I feel such deep sadness for our country right now. So many people hurting in so many ways and while the internet and computers have brought new ways for us to communicate, I feel at times we are just not communicating at all.Twitter allows us to put out sound bites, but presidential soundbites are not what is needed to convey understanding and healing.
Stoking the flame and pretending you are acting with strength and law and order does not make it so.
I've looked at so many pictures of Syria, before and after, so I know this is what happens when a leader unashamedly brings the force of the military against his own country and people.
We have seen that this president is willing to teargas innocent people to get a good picture. He does so with a smile on his face and a bible in his hand and no conscience or guilt. This to me was a clear violation of the first amendment and he is sworn to uphold the constitution. I say this knowing that tomorrow he will do something even more shocking and vile.
I feel all my petty problems are just so small and we need to move forward with a resolve to listen and a resolve to heal and to be caretakers of justice.
Johanne wrote: "It was my wedding anniversary yesterday as well. Only been married 8 years though, but we've been together since the end of the last millenium, so you can tell we weren't rushing the marriage part...."Happy Anniversary!
Robin wrote: "Having lots of "marshals" from within the activist community is key. This was a major focus of the 1963 March on Washington. The organizers knew there could not be any violence or even questionable..."Congratulations!
Robin wrote: "On a different topic, my husband and I just attained 46 years of marriage, Our wedding was June 2, 1974. We celebrated by picking up sandwiches to go, but also we looked at some old photo albums, which was fun. For some events, we each remembered different parts of what happened. .."Happy anniversary, Robin and hubby!!
Johanne wrote: "It was my wedding anniversary yesterday as well. Only been married 8 years though, but we've been together since the end of the last millenium, so you can tell we weren't rushing the marriage part...."Happy anniversary to you!
Thanks all! And congratulations to you Robin.
I also want to add my congratulations to Robin and Johanne for your wedding anniversaries. I hope you both were able to tune out the craziness of our times and enjoy your celebrations. Each year of marriage is something to be proud of!
Thanks, everyone, and delighted to know Johanne shares the date! I really didn't want to get married in June because it's such a cliché. But I was in grad school and needed to wait till end of semester. We got married outdoors at our college in Minnesota and had a weekend honeymoon in Minneapolis.
Happy Anniversary, Johanne and Robin!
Happy Anniversary Johanne and Robin!!I've been a bit at a loss as to what to contribute this week. What's going on in the US breaks my heart and I don't know how to react.
I want to say something wise, but I'm not there yet. I want to keep posting on my blog, but I reminds me of how privileged I am that right now my biggest concern is what to read or write.
I feel like the first thing that I can do is to become educated, so I've started to reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism... wow... I'm a couple chapters in and have been listening to the audio edition with an open mind. So much good information and now I'm sad. I know that this book is now at the top of the Kindle charts and I really hope more white people read it with an open mind.
I've made a ton of progress on the memoir I've been writing and I've become active in a writer's group that I joined. That's been a ton of fun.
Charlotte wrote: "Happy Anniversary Johanne and Robin!!I've been a bit at a loss as to what to contribute this week. What's going on in the US breaks my heart and I don't know how to react.
I want to say somethin..."
I've thought that I would devote a certain part of my summer reading to African American writers and books about racism.
I think that it is crucially important and because of my age and the virus, I wouldn't feel comfortable at a public protest.
I think that we need to radically change our thinking as a nation about race and racism.
Robin wrote: "Having lots of "marshals" from within the activist community is key. This was a major focus of the 1963 March on Washington. The organizers knew there could not be any violence or even questionable..."HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! What a great milestone!
Booknblues wrote: "I've thought that I would devote a certain part of my summer reading to African American writers and books about racism.I think that it is crucially important and because of my age and the virus, I wouldn't feel comfortable at a public protest.
I think that we need to radically change our thinking as a nation about race and racism...."
I'm definitely going to try to continue my education with at least a book a month if not more.
I think this book is great, it's making me question my actions and my thoughts.
Johanne wrote: "It was my wedding anniversary yesterday as well. Only been married 8 years though, but we've been together since the end of the last millenium, so you can tell we weren't rushing the marriage part...."And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you too!
Joanne wrote: "@ Robin-Happy Anniversary-i also love how you celebrated!@ Theresa-be aware, be safe friend!
I was so touched by the Oakland County Sheriff(my county by the way) who stood weapon and riot gear f..."
One of my friends is a reporter for our local news. I worry when he is out at times like this, and in hurricanes and such. I don't know how his wife and son survive it.
Too many police cars racing by my apartment this last hour or so for my comfort. Our weak mayor is contributing to the tension.s I would not be surprised if Cuomo moves to remove him as mayor. He already delivered a thinly veiled threat to do so if DiBlasio and the NYPD don't step it up.Aside from that, found some peace and calm today as I plowed through a pile of work.
While still seeing protest marches out my window, hearing far fewer sirens and helicopters. It's also been hot and humid, with rain showers that do not cool anything down but may be dampening some of the agitators (not the protestors - weather has never detered a New Yorker from protesting). And there is curfew every night until Monday. NYC is still protesting - peacefully. Seem to be fewer confrontations although still too much unnecessary violence everywhere breaking one's heart - I'm thinking about Buffalo tonight. NYC enters Phase 1 reopen on Monday, the very last region in NY to do so. It's a cautious reopening, less exciting and monumental as it seemed when first announced. Offices are definitely starting to be occupied again, if not fully staffed all the time. Courts are all open for all matters with new procedures. And, joyously for many of my clients, all construction can resume on Monday. Lots of projects have been on hold for months. Retail can open but most are sticking to curbside for a while. And Cuomo added restuarants with outdoor seating to the list - only the outdoor seating!
One of the joys of the last week has been more of my local favorite restaurants have reopened for limit hours for delivery and takeout.
Since I live near Columbia University, Manhattan School of Music, and a couple of seminaries, which have all be closed since early March, a majority of these restaurants' customers are not here, and it looks like remote education at the college and graduate level will continue into the fall. Many of us were worried that these wonderful restaurants would never reopen!
I'm severely restricting the amount and time of day for my news intake. Putting music on the BOSE instead of turning on the tv. It's actually been helping with work. While posting here I've been listening to Eva Cassidy.
I even managed to clean the house -- well mostly. And called A/C repair for the livingroom window A/C which floods into the room when used. Of course, it will be repaired once the heat and humidity leaves us and we have another cool spell. Like many things it was on my endless to-do list and just never got done. I could manage without using the livingroom window A/C when I was not home all day every day. Of course.
Anyone else managing to pick away at that get to someday 'to-do' list? Especially items that make life a little more comfortable during quarantine? Or keeps a spouse/partner/kid out of your hair for 5 minutes while you WFH? Share!
My boss called me yesterday, late in the day. They are content to have me work from home for the time being, as long as HR is agreeable. As I'm really in no hurry to retire, this works for me. I'll be 64 in August and had wanted to wait to retire until age 65 and Medicare.My husband and I are still basically cocooning at home and just venturing out to the grocery store and parks. I did have my hair cut last week, which felt wonderful. Our malls, movie theaters, restaurants, museums and stores are all opening or have been opened. I'm in no hurry to take part. I find that my driving is getting rusty. I miss seeing my family and friends a great deal. I continue to see my father, who is coming over for dinner tonight.
My boss at the hospital yesterday talked with me too, about whether we will be seeing a surge of covid cases here and across the nation, due to all of the demonstrations. We hope not, but it does seem likely.
Theresa, your posts are enlightening. I think it's wise that NYC is opening so cautiously. Do you plan to use your office a great deal or work primarily from home? I hope you enjoy the wonderful food from your favorite restaurants. I'm hankering for some delicious pizza, Indian food, and of all crazy things, some green tea ice cream from the local Thai restaurant here. (They will have to wait for me.)
Theresa wrote: "While still seeing protest marches out my window, hearing far fewer sirens and helicopters. It's also been hot and humid, with rain showers that do not cool anything down but may be dampening some ..." Theresa, I've been avoiding TV and the News too, so when I saw your comment about Buffalo, I was alarmed. I hadn't heard about it yet. Thanks for sharing that. It's disappointing all around. I'm sorry you have to hear it all the time. It would be nice to get away from it all for a while.
It was strange not going out for my anniversary this year. I made coq au vin instead. We usually like to go to the Finger Lakes this week. We got fast food for the first time in a long time this week. We had Indian food for my son's birthday (which made me sick for 2 days), and Pizza tonight.
I haven't made much progress on my to-do lists (other than my reading list - damn poll ballot), but my husband is happy puttering around fixing things. He started stripping and painting the deck this week.
@Holly - I will likely stick to once a week for now since I go in whenever need to. Or want a change of scene. Or temps climb back up and central A/C beckons - it's supposed to peak in upper 80sF today then drop back into cooler for a bit.
I have a hair appt!!!!!My county, Snohomish, went to our phase 2 yesterday and I have the very first hair appt when they open on Mon. I can't wait! Restaurants are going to be able to open at limited capacity and my yoga studio is going to open. I probably won't be going to yoga... I'm just not comfortable with that. But my hair studio is taking a TON of precautions so I'm a bit more open to that. My mom goes to the same stylist and she is going to wait since she is 73... although she has cut her own hair in the past and another stylist she used to go to taught me how to add in the purple color that she likes for ac, so Ic did that this past week.
Other than the first couple of days, Seattle has been having peaceful protests AND Seattle has banned the use of tear gas at protests!! Unfortunately, we have a George Floyd type scenario that happened a few weeks ago in Tacoma but thankfully, due to the protests they are taking a better look into it and investigating further.
If you haven't already, take a look at what comes up when you look at #blackinnature , #blackbirders or #blackbirdersweek... its a whole group of black naturalists that didn't realize that there were others like them. One guy quoted... "In 40 years of birding I never thought I would see the day when I wasn't the only black birder I knew." Through these hashtags they've been able to find each other and find support. The posts of their gratitude for know they aren't alone have been amazing!! I love it so much!! There are several that talk about the issues that they've had as black birders and searching for birds when people have thought that they were taking pictures of them or something.
@ Charlotte, I know what you mean about getting a hair appointment! I so enjoyed mine.I'm an amateur birder. I have a friend who's really into it who has dragged me with her many a time. I do want to look at #blackbirders. I'm so glad that they've been able to find each other.
Charlotte wrote: "I have a hair appt!!!!!My county, Snohomish, went to our phase 2 yesterday and I have the very first hair appt when they open on Mon. I can't wait! Restaurants are going to be able to open at lim..."
What a great thing about #blackbirders! More good that came from that incident.
Theresa wrote: "While still seeing protest marches out my window, hearing far fewer sirens and helicopters. It's also been hot and humid, with rain showers that do not cool anything down but may be dampening some ..."I went to Boston yesterday for the first time since right before the coronavirus shut down. My hair salon is on Newbury Street, which is the one where all of the looting was Sunday evening. Because I have avoided much of the news I was quite shocked to see all of the boarded up windows and the military police every couple of blocks. There were city police and other police all up Mass Ave (aka Massachusetts Avenue). Boston has city police, traffic police and then many different college police forces and they work together. When I came home I looked up news stories on what happened in Boston.
What I didn't see is the one campus building of my son's where they broke windows, etc, but that isn't on Newbury Street. I had no reason to walk out that way.
BUT the police in my town were able to avoid having things get as out of hand. When demonstrators refused to leave when they were supposed to, two officers took a knee, and that eased the situation so that people started to leave.
Karin wrote: "BUT the police in my town were able to avoid having things get as out of hand. When demonstrators refused to leave when they were supposed to, two officers took a knee, and that eased the situation so that people started to leave. . ..."Excellent example of a way to DE-escalate a situation.
Things have calmed down here in the greater Milwaukee area. The protests are mostly peaceful. The Police Chief and Sheriff have both walked with protesters, AND have come out against the criminals who are taking advantage of the situation to loot and steal. Many organizers of protest marches have pleaded with the general populace to remain respectful of George Floyd's memory, and have also expressed outrage and dismay over the criminal activity that is detracting from the message.
Hubby and I did go for our haircuts on Thursday. I was concerned, because the shop is downtown, just a block from City Hall, and I thought there was a possibility that a protest march might result in the streets being blocked off. But the protests that day were scheduled for later in the day, and we did not have any issues.
AH! Everyone is getting haircuts but me! Michigan salons will not open until the 15th I am checking everyday on line in hopes they will start taking appts soon, because I know my stylist will be swamped. For now, I am the the bun-lady
I am visiting my daughter in St. Louis. Because she has had recent chemo treatments, she is extremely cautious about the virus. We are even staying in the apartment of a friend of hers who is out of town. In our hometown of Madison WI, masks are everywhere but here we were driving around here and saw practically none, people going in and out of stores close to each other. One guy even came out of a store and spit on the ground! I can understand how if you see this all around, you would think everything is normal.
Just thinking, Meli has not popped in this week-hope she is ok-anyone know?
Joanne wrote: "AH! Everyone is getting haircuts but me! Michigan salons will not open until the 15th I am checking everyday on line in hopes they will start taking appts soon, because I know my stylist will be sw...""hand waving" no haircuts in NYC yet. Phase 1 starts in 30 minutes. I think haircuts and other personal services are Phase 3. I fear it will be July for NYC.
People have gone for haircuts in Massachusetts. All of the four boys /men got them, and the dog got groomed. But I am holding out. I just feel like I have held out this long, and I'm not going anywhere. I don't mind waiting until things slow down here. I don't even have a specific stylist or salon to call. Admittedly, this isn't the first year or two I kind of forgot.
What our "President" did yesterday is so disturbing, so shameful! Just when I thought I could no longer be surprised by his actions, that my disgust could not deepen, he gathers US Army forces in DC, the one place in the US without a governor who would have to approve it before military could be employed within state borders (DC is not a state), has them tear gas and fire rubber bullets on peaceful - let me repeat that PEACEFUL - protesters in front of a church damaged the night before by looters, and then poses with a bible for a F*ING re-election photo op! Do not for a second think that was anything other than that. And many of our GOP congressional representatives are still standing by either silent or supporting his actions.
This is NOT about politics, politicians! This is not about you and your political goals, political agenda, need to be in office. This is about life, death and justice.
For the last week as the violence and looting escalates (clearly incited by outsiders) I have feared I was becoming one of those crazy conspiracy theorists because I kept thinking that Trump was overtly and covertly inciting the violence and looters, encouraging the radical groups to violence, in order to use it as an excuse for imposing military law (called the Insurrection Act I believe) and cancel the election so that he and his family and cohorts can remain in power. My nightmares were filled with that scenario last night.
I'm just a NYC real estate lawyer, and while I have a good handle on aspects of Constitutional Law, I am by no means an expert and I'm not even sure I've even read the Insurretion Act (I will be soon). Is it really feasible? My intellect say no, it is not. The Constitution was drafted by those whose primary goal was to protect the budding fragile new democracy from those very actions used to assume and retain power. Just something as simple as needing State Governor's approval to deploy military within state borders is evidence of the protective measures our Founding Fathers built into the Constitution.
On top of that, NYC had more looting last night, including Macy's in Herald Square. That's 3 short blocks from my office -- I can see Macy's from the front door of the office building. An epic failure of the curfew, the NYPD, and our ineffective Mayor. I was in NYC in 1977 during the looting in the Blackout, when NYC was bankrupt, dangerous, in turmoil. It was brought under control far more quickly then than now because the NYPD and the Mayor stepped up.
Curfew is at 8 PM tonight. Let's see if we can get through without more violence.
Dark troubling days.