"...words can never hurt me"

Sticks, stones- broken bones

Harsh words turn kind souls to stone,

Spirits stunned silent...

The Toxicity of Bigotry in Political Discourse

 

“Is not this a free country?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have not I a right to swing my arm?”

“Yes, but your right to swing your arm leaves off 

where my right not to have my nose struck begins,”

John B. Finch

At the root of our political divide, many Americans weaponize words to control marginalized groups, stifling any possibility of constructive communication. Exploiting a "God given right" to free speech, these hate-filled falses narratives reap equally hostile reactions and sometimes tragic consequences.

Unfortunately, most if not all of us don't seem to realize that protecting human rights in any context is non-negotiable, not even up for "debate." The very essence of our country's democracy depends upon all Americans empowering those who've been stripped of their agency, liberty, and influence via oppression, subjugation, harassment, intimidation among other abusive, illegal, and unconstitutional means:

In today’s political climate, what’s defined as political views is unethically intertwined with our basic rights as humans. Topics concerning the LGBTQ+ community, Black Lives Matter, ICE Detention centers, systemic racism, abortion and police brutality have all become political playgrounds for people to harbor their ignorance.

“I believe that political views are often used to debate the validity of human rights. This is what tends to create a divide in human rights,” Amnesty International member senior Sarah Elobaid said.

... “There is a difference between [political views and human rights] because human rights should not be debatable whereas political views are. People can morally debate issues up until the point where it jeopardizes or marginalizes a group of people.” Elobaid said, Sumi Rao, "Human Rights v Political Views.

Lone Wolf

Once vital and vibrant, 

brimming almost full, 

now a vessel-
broken and empty
gone is the being within.

In history honored or reviled
until others make their mark
not in flattery but in familiarity-
resentment, rage, retribution,
arrogance, entitlement...
only to be replaced-
the old with the new
same ol' shit
sooner than later.

In hindsight,
gunning-down 

the unarmed enemy of
our making might have seemed 

reasonable-
even heroic
until truth rewrites
sensationalized fiction:
there was no evil at all, 
only the unrelenting pain of 

innocence lost.

Still the anonymous crowd-
drinking lattes,
scrolling phones,
laughing at memes on
snarky social media
entertained by it all 

in the moment until
the next 15 minutes brings
another rebel, willing to
sacrifice everything for

Absolutely 

Nothing.

"Ballad of Spider John,"

Willis Allan Ramsey

"Don't Cry For Me; I'm Not Gone," Christy Ann Martine

Happy 71st Birthday, angel.

With love always,

Donna

"Heaven, Where True Love Goes,"

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

The Preamble...

"We the People of the United States,

in Order to form a more perfect Union,

establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,

provide for the common defence,

promote the general Welfare, and

secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this 

Constitution for the United States of America."

"What's Going On?"

Marvin Gaye

The Right to a Fair Trial...

First and foremost, it’s been a pleasure lurking on this and other sites these past months. Overall, I’m interested in reading about true crime and legal discussion although rarely posting. A long-time far-left progressive, I am anti-death penalty, pro fair trial, and pro restorative justice. I’ve read, heard, and seen nearly every single thing about this case available to the general public.

All those hours of research have led to the following conclusions: there seems to be a significant amount of valid evidence against Luigi Mangione, identifying him as the probable shooter. On the other hand, there also seems to be strong defense strategies, supporting a possible “not guilty" verdict. As far as the underlying “WTF?” motive, I don’t have a clue with no shortage of unsubstantiated theories to bait-click and share.

When the dust settles, Brian Thompson's murder will be just one in an overwhelming number of tragedies involving young men turning to violence as a last resort against perceived predators from within. I’m heartbroken for everyone involved- all victims of our country’s aggression, greed, expedience, and dysfunction. Therefore, it’s no surprise I am on Team Mangione, hoping he will survive this arduous process when many others have not for one reason or another.

"Dive Into Anything"

Sometimes keeping your mouth shut is not an option. 

"Genius of the Crowd," Charles Bukowski

there is enough treachery, hatred violence absurdity in the average
human being to supply any given army on any given day

and the best at murder are those who preach against it
and the best at hate are those who preach love
and the best at war finally are those who preach peace

those who preach god, need god
those who preach peace do not have peace
those who preach peace do not have love

beware the preachers
beware the knowers
beware those who are always reading books
beware those who either detest poverty
or are proud of it
beware those quick to praise
for they need praise in return
beware those who are quick to censor
they are afraid of what they do not know
beware those who seek constant crowds for
they are nothing alone
beware the average man the average woman
beware their love, their love is average
seeks average

but there is genius in their hatred
there is enough genius in their hatred to kill you
to kill anybody
not wanting solitude
not understanding solitude
they will attempt to destroy anything
that differs from their own
not being able to create art
they will not understand art
they will consider their failure as creators
only as a failure of the world
not being able to love fully
they will believe your love incomplete
and then they will hate you
and their hatred will be perfect

like a shining diamond
like a knife
like a mountain
like a tiger
like hemlock

their finest art

"...Unplug them people

And send them home

It's closing time,"

Lyle Lovett with Nanci Griffith

"Closing Time,"

Jay Joyce, Christopher T. Feinstein.