BELIEVE IT!
What we see before our very eyes is what women have known in their bones. Another male (ignoring counsel from a female department head) is using innuendo to condemn a woman who is competing for a (thus far) male job. Whatever the facts surrounding Comey-gate, this is what it all boils down to.
Let him try; let all the dissenters try -- they have yet to stop her. Hillary is training us well. We too can achieve self-confidence through fighting back. We too can increase our ability to overcome barriers. We too can show persistence in reaching our goals. And we too, like Hillary can say we will never, ever give up!
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
THE TRUMP EFFECT
More than any other presidential election, this one with Hillary Clinton as our probable winner makes me feel exceptionally proud. I imagine it's much like how African-Americans feel in 2008 when Barack Obama becomes our first black president. Never before have I been able to say that the President of the United States looks like me! For girls, there are no words to express the impact that Hillary's Presidency will have on them. They will be reminded every day of possibilities that now exist for them The effect it will have on their self-confidence is immeasurable.
On the other hand, for me there is a very real Trump Effect. I'm not sure if this exists for others as it does for me. What is it? About a month ago, in my front window I display a large Hillary sign. There is one also for our Democratic Governor Bullock, for our Democratic Senate candidate, Denise Juneau (who is also Native American by birth), and several others for down-ballot races. Last week, I remove all my signs from the window.
The Trump Effect is fear -- fear for my own safety. Who knows what kind of reason a Trump loser might need to take out their anger on a Hillary winner? Based on what I learn about Trump supporters, it doesn't even have to be a neighbor. It can be any crazy that is set off by an in-your-face sign -- they can be just as trigger-happy as their leader Donald. My only consolation is that I continue to make phone calls for Hillary at the phone bank, urging folks to get out and vote for her.
I know that it's not over until it's over. And my fears may be unfounded. But if Hillary wins, it will be a huge celebration for a majority of women and many men. Every day that I turn on the news and hear Hillary's increasing poll numbers; every time I see more confidence and enthusiasm in the faces of Hillary supporters, even political pundits; every time I hear the fact that morale in the Hillary camp is rising -- I feel so grateful to be living at this time in history.
Hillary is the very embodiment of the saying, "In order to be successful, a woman has to work twice as hard as a man." Not only has she had to face over-the-top barriers in past years, but also the radical lies that have been told in this campaign, all the physical and grueling aspects of this campaign. She's endured all the mud-slinging and is still overcoming barriers today. In order for her to convincingly win this election (so Donald can't call foul), she works to make the winning margin so great that there's no room to call the election rigged. Russian-sponsored Wikileaks be damned!
Today my morale rises as well. Hillary is in New Hampshire at a rally. Out onto the stage walks the Democratic Governor Margaret Hassen, the Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, and the next Democratic President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. Three powerful leaders who just happen to be women; what a team. The best part? This is the start of something big! (with apologies to the song-writer).
More than any other presidential election, this one with Hillary Clinton as our probable winner makes me feel exceptionally proud. I imagine it's much like how African-Americans feel in 2008 when Barack Obama becomes our first black president. Never before have I been able to say that the President of the United States looks like me! For girls, there are no words to express the impact that Hillary's Presidency will have on them. They will be reminded every day of possibilities that now exist for them The effect it will have on their self-confidence is immeasurable.
On the other hand, for me there is a very real Trump Effect. I'm not sure if this exists for others as it does for me. What is it? About a month ago, in my front window I display a large Hillary sign. There is one also for our Democratic Governor Bullock, for our Democratic Senate candidate, Denise Juneau (who is also Native American by birth), and several others for down-ballot races. Last week, I remove all my signs from the window.
The Trump Effect is fear -- fear for my own safety. Who knows what kind of reason a Trump loser might need to take out their anger on a Hillary winner? Based on what I learn about Trump supporters, it doesn't even have to be a neighbor. It can be any crazy that is set off by an in-your-face sign -- they can be just as trigger-happy as their leader Donald. My only consolation is that I continue to make phone calls for Hillary at the phone bank, urging folks to get out and vote for her.
I know that it's not over until it's over. And my fears may be unfounded. But if Hillary wins, it will be a huge celebration for a majority of women and many men. Every day that I turn on the news and hear Hillary's increasing poll numbers; every time I see more confidence and enthusiasm in the faces of Hillary supporters, even political pundits; every time I hear the fact that morale in the Hillary camp is rising -- I feel so grateful to be living at this time in history.
Hillary is the very embodiment of the saying, "In order to be successful, a woman has to work twice as hard as a man." Not only has she had to face over-the-top barriers in past years, but also the radical lies that have been told in this campaign, all the physical and grueling aspects of this campaign. She's endured all the mud-slinging and is still overcoming barriers today. In order for her to convincingly win this election (so Donald can't call foul), she works to make the winning margin so great that there's no room to call the election rigged. Russian-sponsored Wikileaks be damned!
Today my morale rises as well. Hillary is in New Hampshire at a rally. Out onto the stage walks the Democratic Governor Margaret Hassen, the Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, and the next Democratic President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. Three powerful leaders who just happen to be women; what a team. The best part? This is the start of something big! (with apologies to the song-writer).
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
A LEAP -- into the Unknown
Right where I need to be! This is my feeling as I begin writing this morning. It's the learning, making connections with others, feeling challenged to write and to write well. Giving and receiving ideas, suggestions on how to make writing better. Feeling one with the group. Seeing respect and acceptance in the eyes of others, students, instructors.
How long has it been since I know I'm exactly where I need to be? Years, I think. Teaching, heading back to school for advanced degrees, running a school, raising a daughter, teaming with a partner, consulting, volunteering for Peace Corps in Bulgaria, writing off and on -- all have their benefits. All bring rewards.
But now -- this is different. This is the first time in my life I'm living totally alone. I can be and do as I please. Lo and behold, I think I've found my niche!
It hasn't come easily. After my husband passes in New Mexico, I move lock, stock and barrel to Roundup, MT. My daughter and her husband live near Roundup. To be near family seems a natural move. Giving back to the community in different ways (in other words, volunteering) in Roundup turns out to be a gift to myself in return.
Volunteering at the Musselshell Valley Historical Museum has been of great benefit. What joy to read, learn of stories from the past, and share them with interested visitors. It's not Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey, even. It's better; it's the real McCoy. These are genuine articles, stories written about/by ranchers, settlers, miners and mysterious situations that may or may not have happy endings. More to the point, they can (and have been) fodder for others' writing as well as my own, both fiction and nonfiction.
After four years, a shift in family circumstances allows for a new lease on life. I leave my daughter, my house, and Roundup (just not my Museum Board membership). Feeling scared, nervous, more than a little unsure of myself, I move to Billings. Out of all the activities for which I've signed up, the Writing Workshop at Montana State University Billings (MSUB) has been most rewarding -- for all the reasons above (Introduction to Windows 10 through Community Education comes in second). Accepting challenge, learning new concepts and contacts, making progress -- this is the thing! And the reward.
Got a chance to take a leap? Just do it. It's worth every step of the way.
Right where I need to be! This is my feeling as I begin writing this morning. It's the learning, making connections with others, feeling challenged to write and to write well. Giving and receiving ideas, suggestions on how to make writing better. Feeling one with the group. Seeing respect and acceptance in the eyes of others, students, instructors.
How long has it been since I know I'm exactly where I need to be? Years, I think. Teaching, heading back to school for advanced degrees, running a school, raising a daughter, teaming with a partner, consulting, volunteering for Peace Corps in Bulgaria, writing off and on -- all have their benefits. All bring rewards.
But now -- this is different. This is the first time in my life I'm living totally alone. I can be and do as I please. Lo and behold, I think I've found my niche!
It hasn't come easily. After my husband passes in New Mexico, I move lock, stock and barrel to Roundup, MT. My daughter and her husband live near Roundup. To be near family seems a natural move. Giving back to the community in different ways (in other words, volunteering) in Roundup turns out to be a gift to myself in return.
Volunteering at the Musselshell Valley Historical Museum has been of great benefit. What joy to read, learn of stories from the past, and share them with interested visitors. It's not Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey, even. It's better; it's the real McCoy. These are genuine articles, stories written about/by ranchers, settlers, miners and mysterious situations that may or may not have happy endings. More to the point, they can (and have been) fodder for others' writing as well as my own, both fiction and nonfiction.
After four years, a shift in family circumstances allows for a new lease on life. I leave my daughter, my house, and Roundup (just not my Museum Board membership). Feeling scared, nervous, more than a little unsure of myself, I move to Billings. Out of all the activities for which I've signed up, the Writing Workshop at Montana State University Billings (MSUB) has been most rewarding -- for all the reasons above (Introduction to Windows 10 through Community Education comes in second). Accepting challenge, learning new concepts and contacts, making progress -- this is the thing! And the reward.
Got a chance to take a leap? Just do it. It's worth every step of the way.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Down the Rabbit Hole
Up is down and down is up in the world of make-believe. Alice finds all manner of confusion and disorientation in her Adventures in Wonderland. Donald Trump must find this story very comforting since that is the kind of world he seems to inhabit -- assuming, of course, that he can focus long enough to hear it.
The list of up-down and down-up situations is too long to categorize here (and is on-going as we speak). However, here are a few current nuggets.
His surrogates are beginning to show signs of physical strain required to continually explain that up is down and down is up. Examples?
Up is down and down is up in the world of make-believe. Alice finds all manner of confusion and disorientation in her Adventures in Wonderland. Donald Trump must find this story very comforting since that is the kind of world he seems to inhabit -- assuming, of course, that he can focus long enough to hear it.
The list of up-down and down-up situations is too long to categorize here (and is on-going as we speak). However, here are a few current nuggets.
- He considers himself "smart", a "genius" because he has lost so much money in business that it's very likely he has paid no taxes for about 18 years.
- He has done so well in his three marriages that he can now criticize Hillary for her one marriage.
- He considers his best qualification for the presidency to be his temperament -- the one characteristic critical thinkers in our country find a total failure.
- Just because he wrote a check for research on business possibilities conducted in Cuba during the embargo doesn't mean he's done any business in Cuba. All illegal of course.
- As recently as this morning (10/3/16), Donald speaks to retired military brass and voices his concern about protecting our country's cyber security from countries like China, Russia, etc. Not more than a month ago, Donald himself calls upon Russia to hack computers in our country.
His surrogates are beginning to show signs of physical strain required to continually explain that up is down and down is up. Examples?
- Pence in a recent interview on MSNBC can't wear enough makeup to cover large, dark spots on his face.
- Guiliani, also in a recent interview, seems to get his tongue all twisted around in his mouth when trying to explain why Donald is a genius.
- The facial expression of Boris, in a question-and-answer session, is telling. His eyes go dead, his mouth droops, his shoulders slouch and his voice becomes an automaton. It sounds like remnants of Stepford Wives and he's one of the wives.
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