Iridescent Lens

I really love being an American and living in such a beautiful country. I honor our great laws, values, and government, and I am so concerned about the abuse of power President Trump and his Republican cronies have supported in the past few years. When a president shows no interest in the bogus influence of a foreign country on our government, and when a president's closest advisors have been repeatedly arrested or part of a alarming revolving door of advisors/administrators, there's clearly a problem at hand. Further when a President of the United States doesn't follow simple norms of civility, respect, and character that problem becomes greater, and when a president stays silent in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and inhumanity, the kind that's at play at the border, we clearly have a leader who does not respect the essence of our country's value which is the goal of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all." American has a big probl

Christine Blasey Ford had courage to come forth with a very personal, hurtful story of past abuse. Her story will bring positive change over time. Although I believe that Kavanaugh should have stepped down for his own sanity and the betterment of the country, he has taken the oath and now serves as a Supreme Court Justice. Hopefully he can take what just happened and reflect upon it. Hopefully he can work against his narrow privileged perspective and begin to see a broader, more diverse, and good America--an American filled with people of diverse race, gender, class, culture, lifestyle and more. Hopefully he will not make Constitutional decisions based on his narrow personal perspective and focus, but with a broader, more reasoned, and humane perspective. He can redeem himself by making decisions that reflect the most broad, humane, positive decisions--decisions that will ensure that his daughters and the daughters and sons of every other American will be able to live in a country

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