Iridescent Lens

I ache as I read about the Kavanaugh nomination and hearing. I ache as a contemporary, citizen, mother, wife, woman, and friend. This situation hits home on so many levels: I was a college student in the 80's and I saw behavior like that described often. I am a women and I've been harassed I am a mother who has done her best by her children all the while knowing I'm not perfect I am a mother of imperfect children who make mistakes and who are forever learning I am a citizen who wants the best for our country I am a wife who believes that matters of sexuality and relationships should be private matters so I cringe as I hear the reports and information revealed The Supreme Court is an essential part of our government. Those who serve there must represent the best and the brightest--they have to be people who can empathize with many while also demonstrating the discipline, respect, intelligence, and care to make decisions that will impact individuals and our countr...

President Trump is in the later years of life. He has less years to live than he has lived. I am in a similar position in life. He and I have lived many years, made many choices, laid a life path that is marked by multiple events. At this turn in the road, and at McCain's death, Trump has the chance to make amends with the following actions: He could apologize to McCain's family, the American people, and McCain's legacy for the demeaning, disrespectful words he used to describe McCain and McCain's service to country. He could come clean about his dealings with Russia and what seems like his illegal use of and/or reporting of election funds. He could share his taxes. He could rid his administration of cronyism and instead, work with the best and brightest, to lead our country. He could work with people of both parties to do what is right and good for all American people, not just a few. He could speak to his supporters and tell them that he is glad that they fo...

For a long time now, I've considered President Trump as an overcorrection--he's an example of what not to do and what can happen when our good work, efforts, and attention lapse. Perhaps Senator McCain's death and Trump's reaction is the greatest example to date of who not to be--we don't want to be people who let our own self-hate, grandiosity, lack of principles, and ignorance lead us to demean those who have done good work, demonstrated courage, and served others. One of Trump's lowest moments was when he demeaned McCain's bravery as a Prisoner of War as well as his service to our country. Trump, who avoided the draft due to bone spurs, painted McCain, who graduated from Annapolis, served in the United States Navy, endured torture as a POW, and then had a lifetime of public service, as a loser. This was one of the many glaring examples of how Trump has stepped on and demeaned others in an effort to raise himself up, however, the truth is, that with ever...

Trump's continual derogatory, demeaning, dismissive, and dishonest rhetoric, decision making, and use of time stands like a wall between an America that strives to reach its potential and an America that is mired in old think. prejudice, and lethargy. The wall he imagines is the person he is--an obstruction to a thoughtful, positive, flow of energy, ideas, and action that takes us ahead. We don't need walls, human or created walls, but we do need leadership--people who respectively, positively, and humanely lead us forward with the best of their ability. When we choose a president, we don't just choose one man or woman, instead we choose someone who will use their good judgement to appoint a leadership team--a group of hard working, invested, and imaginative people who will act on intelligence, experience, and collaboration with the best and brightest to lead our country ahead. The problem with Trump is that somehow he got the electoral vote. We've yet to specific...

The work for election 2020 has begun. What will you do? How will you prepare? What do you want? Like many, I want to right our country's path. I want to move away from the slander, name-calling, disrespect, and criminal behavior of the current Trump administration to better leadership. While I believe a president has to be strong, I don't believe they have to tell lies, demean others, name-call, tweet without discipline, incite hate, and promote greater prejudice and discrimination. I believe we should be looking for an incredibly strong leadership team with a president who is willing to acknowledge that he/she does not have all the answers, but that they do have the intelligence, experience, patriotism, and collaborative skill to work with the best and brightest people, people with great expertise and a will to serve, to lead for ALL Americans. As an American, this is what I hope for: A President Who Respects and Follows the Law I want a president who respec...

To spend a lot of money on a wall to fix the immigration problem is a crazy idea. A wall will only make the problem worse. You can dig under a wall. You can fly over a wall. You can blow up a wall. You climb over a wall. You can make a hole in the wall. Walls are not impenetrable. Instead we need to think deeply about this immigration issue, and make good decisions about it. First, we have to consider reasons for illegal immigration. People come for opportunity, opportunity to make money, opportunity to live a better life, and opportunity to increase their status back home. Then we have to consider the multiple scenarios of this illegal immigration--how does it happen, and where is it a big problem. After that we have to work at the issue step-by-step with our long term interests and humanity as a guide. Stop illegal drugs and drug sales; end human trafficking. For example, illegal immigration that supports illegal drugs, guns, or human trafficking, needs to be...

I wish these political days of shame and blame were over. I wish these days were replaced by respectful discourse and debate. The kind of civil discourse and debate that finds diverse people coming together with good process to make better. Instead we see many like our president and his cronies using shame and blame politics rather than positive, respectful efforts to share ideas, work with others, and move the country ahead. When we resort to shame and blame as individuals what we are really doing is showing everyone that we don't have a better idea, the perseverance to work for good change and development, or the smarts to move ahead. Instead we shame and blame others thinking that makes us stand tall, look better, and move ahead. But, all that shame and blame politics do is move us backward, waste time, and create divide. We can do better. First we have to rid ourselves of shame and blame--how often do we resort to blaming others rather than working for pos...