I am prepared to be realistic, and hook on to my logical sense rather than feel hopeless / depressed. Some of that emotion is certainly good because it rouses us to action. I've been encouraged by reports of the Johnson warning his caucus members not to hold Town Halls, while the Democrats are, and they are getting, appropriately, reamed out. My perception I've held of Democrats has always been one of weakness even if they are in the right, but much of that seems to be due to a lack of unity, lack of leadership, lack of planning, lack of solid goals, and a lack of realism. I voted for Chuck Schumer and would again, BUT, I as a constituent, I did write asking him to consider stepping aside from leadership, which I am sure he will do in due course. He's an exceptionally hard worker and I've witnessed his successes here with things I thought impossible. He's a team player and not an egomaniac, and he does what is right, not what will feed his ego, etc. The GOP is in power because it tossed aside the old playbook. The Democrats need to have the confidence to toss their old playbook aside too, and I suspect it may be more toward Bernie Sanders and AOC. We can't fight the equivalent of nuclear arms with dueling pistols at dawn in a gentlemanly manner. Let's be realistic. The Democrats do indeed need to have a message to meet everyman, and not just specific individual groups. As I heard Adam Kinznger discuss on The Bulwark, the resistance needs to be unified on one goal, and not their own special interests. Yeah, black lives do indeed matter, and transgender people's rights need to be respected as well. But to break it down into subsections defeats the purpose of uniting under a common goal. Not only does this apply to anyone in opposition to this administration, but certainly the Democratic Party. One trait of the GOP is that they know how to take orders like "good" Nazis. Regarding Caturday, is Pancake aware of this attention devoted elsewhere and outside the country? (Glad you had a wonderful trip, Asha. You work hard, and you deserve to play harder, as they say. Thank you as always for keeping us apprised of the news....)
PS, Schumer would be a hypocrite not to resign as minority leader because of him pressuring Biden to give up his re-election bid. Furthermore, that occurrence of Joe Biden stepping aside for "the good of the country" underscores how there was NO PLAN. They should have stood behind President Biden from the beginning, or figured out who their alternative was / who would replace him in the event he did not continue to run. I love President Biden, but as he admits, he is old. That being said, not much older than President Geritol. The fact there was no plan shows the lack of leadership. Yeah, I debated whether to write to Chuck because he really is a mensch, but the reality is kindness don't do politics well in this day and age.
Thanks for taking us along to Kenya thru your photos here and on Insta.
The speed at which dumpster fire is moving on all fronts must really be to just break everything possible, with no plan at all to replace any of it with anything better. There's not even an attempt to gaslight fake plans. And one half of Congress does not care.
I hope the empty chair town halls keep going and grow to become one of the biggest resistance narrative stories on the news night after night.
Zoom Office Hours will be during my “spring break” week. I probably will be able to make it.
My students have a cybersecurity tabletop war game Thursday. I’m trying to avoid using the “Insider Threat” scenario posed by DOGE. We’re watching that in realtime on the evening news.
The story of International student Ranjani Srinivasan escaping to Canada from ICE officers coming after her needs to be highlighted on how to flee the US !!
The only nice thing about living in a northern terminus community of the Underground Railroad is that the path was set out back in the 19th century. Finding a boat is the hard part, though.
Love the pictures! Thanks for sharing
Great Shelley quote too!
Thank you so much for the wonderful photos. They made my 83 yo old day filled with warmth enjoyed your happy moments
Thanks so much, not only for sharing the NYT opinion, the incredible photos, but also that wonderful quote by Shelley. I shared.
Safari pics are amazing!
I feel as though I were there, Asha! Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures. What an adventure.
I am prepared to be realistic, and hook on to my logical sense rather than feel hopeless / depressed. Some of that emotion is certainly good because it rouses us to action. I've been encouraged by reports of the Johnson warning his caucus members not to hold Town Halls, while the Democrats are, and they are getting, appropriately, reamed out. My perception I've held of Democrats has always been one of weakness even if they are in the right, but much of that seems to be due to a lack of unity, lack of leadership, lack of planning, lack of solid goals, and a lack of realism. I voted for Chuck Schumer and would again, BUT, I as a constituent, I did write asking him to consider stepping aside from leadership, which I am sure he will do in due course. He's an exceptionally hard worker and I've witnessed his successes here with things I thought impossible. He's a team player and not an egomaniac, and he does what is right, not what will feed his ego, etc. The GOP is in power because it tossed aside the old playbook. The Democrats need to have the confidence to toss their old playbook aside too, and I suspect it may be more toward Bernie Sanders and AOC. We can't fight the equivalent of nuclear arms with dueling pistols at dawn in a gentlemanly manner. Let's be realistic. The Democrats do indeed need to have a message to meet everyman, and not just specific individual groups. As I heard Adam Kinznger discuss on The Bulwark, the resistance needs to be unified on one goal, and not their own special interests. Yeah, black lives do indeed matter, and transgender people's rights need to be respected as well. But to break it down into subsections defeats the purpose of uniting under a common goal. Not only does this apply to anyone in opposition to this administration, but certainly the Democratic Party. One trait of the GOP is that they know how to take orders like "good" Nazis. Regarding Caturday, is Pancake aware of this attention devoted elsewhere and outside the country? (Glad you had a wonderful trip, Asha. You work hard, and you deserve to play harder, as they say. Thank you as always for keeping us apprised of the news....)
PS, Schumer would be a hypocrite not to resign as minority leader because of him pressuring Biden to give up his re-election bid. Furthermore, that occurrence of Joe Biden stepping aside for "the good of the country" underscores how there was NO PLAN. They should have stood behind President Biden from the beginning, or figured out who their alternative was / who would replace him in the event he did not continue to run. I love President Biden, but as he admits, he is old. That being said, not much older than President Geritol. The fact there was no plan shows the lack of leadership. Yeah, I debated whether to write to Chuck because he really is a mensch, but the reality is kindness don't do politics well in this day and age.
I lived in Kenya 1985 to 1998 - Safari pictures are a fun reminder. Great country!
Thanks for taking us along to Kenya thru your photos here and on Insta.
The speed at which dumpster fire is moving on all fronts must really be to just break everything possible, with no plan at all to replace any of it with anything better. There's not even an attempt to gaslight fake plans. And one half of Congress does not care.
I hope the empty chair town halls keep going and grow to become one of the biggest resistance narrative stories on the news night after night.
My wife and I visited Kenya's national parks many years ago. The wonderful feeling from that trip never left us. Wonderful pictures.
Such awesome pictures! Did you take all those yourself? (Except the ones with you in them, of course)
There are a couple that look like the photographer is just a few feet away from the big cats. Kinda makes me shudder. Lol
Glad you got a great vacation away from the hard work you put in for all of us!
Love the pics.
Zoom Office Hours will be during my “spring break” week. I probably will be able to make it.
My students have a cybersecurity tabletop war game Thursday. I’m trying to avoid using the “Insider Threat” scenario posed by DOGE. We’re watching that in realtime on the evening news.
The story of International student Ranjani Srinivasan escaping to Canada from ICE officers coming after her needs to be highlighted on how to flee the US !!
The only nice thing about living in a northern terminus community of the Underground Railroad is that the path was set out back in the 19th century. Finding a boat is the hard part, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5gVyF0XI8o
I'm relieved that no leopards ate your face.
Love the pictures. Reminds me of our visit in 2005. Awesome experience, lovely people.