I remember when I was in college and as a young adult laughing (kindly) at my mother because she watched C-SPAN on TV. At that point in my life I was busy with many things – classes, a job, and hanging out with friends. Yes, I was a Mass Communications major and I then went on to work in a radio newsroom, and in other areas of radio and TV. So, I was somewhat connected to the news of the day. I worked in a building in Baltimore that housed the NBC-TV affiliate and two radio stations. I remember so very well being in the newsroom when Three Mile Island’s nuclear plant upstream from us had a leak. I remember Reagan being shot on the street in DC, and I remember many other news stories during those years that I was there. But – I never remotely thought to sit and watch C-SPAN and our Congress in action. In fact, during that time, MTV was new and my television at home was often turned to it. I did watch hours of music videos, one after another.

My mother watched C-SPAN because CNN was barely around, and there were no other 24 hour news networks. “The Big 3” (CBS, ABC, and NBC) had their morning news shows and nightly 6:30pm half hour. There were some Sunday morning programs like “Meet the Press” but we obviously were busy on Sunday mornings, and we didn’t have the ability to tape shows or have the ability to pull up ones that had already run.

Times were different. So my mother watched C-SPAN. It was how she could watch our legislature in action. Unscreened. Unfiltered. Basically one camera live showing whatever was happening in the chamber. As a kid for a few years we lived right upside of DC, in Rockville Maryland, and back then we drove down into Washington often, and we could walk right into the Capitol. The people’s house was open for us all. I have stood in the Rotunda – walked the hallowed halls of Congress. We watched the proceedings from the balcony. We even rode the shuttle cars under the Capitol to the cafeteria in the large Congressional office building next door. We freely walked in that building too and popped into our Senators and Representatives offices. In the cafeteria we ate right along with the legislators. Somewhere we have a picture of us on the shuttle.

Yes, times were very different. My mother admired the members of Congress. I think we all did. We had the opportunity to be up close to them.

Because the House did not have a Speaker yet this past week, the C-SPAN cameras (yes they are still the only ones there) were allowed to show anything they wanted to show and that is why we saw lots of negotiating, and we saw who sat next to who. We saw much more than we often can. (The house has open seating within the party sides. Seniority allows for up front seats though.)

I watched a lot of the coverage this past week . C-SPAN shared the live feed with the other media outlets so it was easy to watch. It was a great civics lesson on how our elected leaders do their work. There is a lot we complain about when it comes to Congress, but I was fascinated by the orations. Most were well done. Congressmen and women have much experience of speaking in front of people, and they have writers on their staffs to prepare the words.. So, there were some really good speeches I found it interesting that the House still uses vocal votes, not electronic ones, for big issues…. like electing a Speaker of the House.

Am I becoming my mother?!?! Ha! Well, we all know there is no way to deny that the acorn falls near the oak tree. My past, her interest in Congress, our trips to the Capitol, my jobs in news stations , have all led me to where I am at this age.. At 66 I am my mother!!!

Am I going to watch C-SPAN all the time now? No, there are many more choices now where I can tune in and get the news. I also have decided if I’m going to watch, and care, that I should go one step farther and be an activist. It’s my right as a free American. I’m not just going to know about politics and politicians, I’m going to work for certain issues, and contact state and federal Congressional members. The world of technology makes it pretty easy to do that now, and I think if my mother had it back in her day she might have reached out too.

Parents teach their children by how they ‘live.’ When I was a kid my dad always got Newsweek Magazine delivered in the mail each week and he read it front cover to back. I often picked it up from our coffee table and read it too. The 6:30pm nightly news was always watched in our home.

We become what we know. We care about people and issues, even our country’s government and Congress, by what we see and learn.

I like to think that my political awareness and interest has a family connection. I appreciate that my parents made it a part of my growing up. I get it now why Mom liked to watch C-SPAN.

We are getting ready to say goodbye to 2022. Are you happy about it? There are only two more days left in the year, and it is a custom to think about making resolutions for a new year coming, perhaps for a new start with something, or for a stop to something, or maybe to make changes for better living in the coming months.

Have you started to think about one – or two resolutions ?

First, I think I want to look back on the year that is about to go and to give it a proper send off. In general it’s been good. Really good! I am fortunate that there were no major life changes – or a death – close to me. We all have been in relatively good health, and we are financially comfortable. Just that sentence alone is something that so many can not say. I don’t want to take that for granted.

There were lots of fun experiences throughout the past year. I was blessed to have good people around me, and even when I was alone I felt contentment. Again, I know I am lucky to be able to say that.

So, 2022, I’m not really happy to see you go. I’m not searching for a big change, or a new love, or a pot full of money. Nope. I’m good. If 2023 ends up like 2022 I will be fine.

Therefore – what kind of resolutions should I think about for the new year? What isn’t going right in my life that needs work?

One is my church connection. I have been an involved member of my church for many many years but this past year I stepped away from it. It’s not that my faith is faltering for I continue to keep it foremost in my life. I want to continue to grow in faith, to learn more with an open mind, and to rely on God’s closeness in my life. I stopped a long time ago asking God to do things for me – because instead I should be doing things in His name. Big difference. I have nothing to prove. I am thankful for God’s grace. I stopped thinking that God will be happy with me if I do the right things, because He is already happy with me, and he is forgiving to me when I mess up. That gives me a lot of peace. So, my resolution for the new year is to respond better to that. I am becoming more ecumenical due to playing music at various churches and that’s a good thing. In this new year I hope to find some ways to ‘be active’ with peaceful methods of giving. I’m just not sure how yet – or what I will do. Maybe it will be shown to me, but I need to be alert to possibilities.

I do know this coming year I will continue to prioritize my husband, my grown children and my amazing grandchildren. I want to continue to be in their lives, to enjoy them, and to help them when I can. These are precious times.

I want to use my crockpot more! I keep seeing all kinds of videos on line about easy one pot meals and I want to try some out.

I want to continue with practicing the piano. This past August I made up my mind to sit down at the piano and play it at least every other day. I have kept it up. Practice makes perfect, right? I know that playing often keeps my fingers and my brain working.

I’m all about working my brain these days… not just with piano playing, but with reading, and with my line dance classes. I’m at the age where brain activity is important. Use it or lose it! I want to also get back into crossword puzzles. Ever since we stopped getting a real newspaper delivered I have gotten away from doing them daily – and I miss it.

I will also continue to support human, social, and political issues I believe in. I think by engaging with things ‘beyond myself’ I can’t help but feel more compassion for others. And really, we ALL need to do that!!! It’s how we can learn to live in peace beside each other. I will always believe in equal rights for all, and I will support causes and politicians that are heavy on making changes for equality.

My other passion is turning our country around when it comes to the gun psyche we have here, and the false belief that guns save lives, or provide protection. They don’t people!! Gun accidents, especially by children, and irate moments, and road rage, and the mentally ill – all are deadly with guns. Mass shootings in America is an every day event – and it’s just so sad that half of our politicians worry more about getting votes to stay in office, more than keeping people alive. I have not been personally touched with a horrible gun death yet – but it could happen any day here in America. My grandsons are off to public school this year and I bet they will learn shooting drills – as kindergartners. I don’t want them to grow up in a Wild West world where everyone is ‘packing’ and a dispute is settled by gunfire.

As we turn the calendar page (or should I say our phones automatically go to 2023) these are things I hope to focus on, and issues where I will put my time and efforts.

Last resolution: Do my best to focus on positivity! Don’t let the ups and downs of daily living, of what is in the news, or what I see on social media, ruin my day.

I welcome all of these things in 2023! I look forward to where the new year leads me.

It’s almost Christmas Day. Here’s a reminder: Dec. 25th is the FIRST day of the Christmas season, not the last one. Christmas lasts until January 6th, the first day of Epiphany. When you start the celebration early, you tend to get tired of it early. It’s a challenge I have every year. Everybody is in such a rush! . Trees up early. Lights on houses lit by Thanksgiving. Christmas music on the radio by December 1st. It seems everyone is in a hurry to have Christmas – and then in a hurry to get it over with too.

So, are you doing anything different this year? Maybe trying to pause or take it slower? And, are you doing anything to help reduce the stress of the season?

I’ve got all my gifts purchased. Most are wrapped. I spent time over two days this week listening to Country Christmas music while I wrapped. There is such great music out there. The classics are wonderful – but there is just SO MUCH to choose from!. Do you have a favorite? Do you try and keep gifts ‘even’ in quantity and price? I do, and it gets difficult sometimes. I guess I worry that it will look like I favor one person over another, and I don’t want anyone to feel like they are less. Because, they are not. Do you have that one person who is really hard to buy for? I think we all do.

Temps are supposed to be pretty chilly here over Christmas, which is unusual. I live in the south and I love that I don’t have to bundle up to go upside. This year I might have to though – but thankfully there will not be snow. Wondering: Why do so many Christmas songs have lyrics about snowmen, and sleigh rides, and ‘baby, its cold outside’? Jesus was born in a desert area and climate.

Speaking of Jesus: He is the reason for the season! Another reminder. Sometimes we get so busy with everything else we forget about the baby born in the stable in Bethlehem. Mary & Joseph left Jerusalem to get away, to save the baby boy from death, and they could not even find a room in an inn. Mary delivered Jesus with just Joseph there, and animals. Have you had a baby? You we’re probably in a hospital – with painkillers and a pediatrician and other specialists standing by just in case. Imagine this very young couple dealing with labor and childbirth alone! A bright star was high in the night sky for the next days after the birth – and shepherds followed it and came down from the hills, and learned wisemen came from afar. They knew something was up! How? From the prophets who foretold what would happen. Still -most thought that another grown king was going to come and save them!

We should have learned then that kings are not spiritual leaders. Right? Even today we worship the wrong ones. We look to those with the most money, or with a wonderful PR department. The arrival of Jesus as a baby was the opposite of all that was expected. And since then He has turned the world upside down. Read the Be-attitudes. Blessed are those poor in spirit, those who need comforting, the poor, and the weak, the hungry, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who are pure in heart. Jesus’s arrival and his message was different than what society put favor in, what people looked up to. His messages was about acceptance of all, about the love of your neighbor (and enemy), and reaching out to teach and help.

As Linus said in the Peanuts Christmas story…

And suddenly there was with an angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”

Okay. So, it wasn’t Linus who said it first. It comes from the book of Luke. The angels announced his birth, and they said he will bring the way to peace and goodwill. Here. For us. All of us. On earth.

Christmas seems to me today to be about spending money, and tacky sweaters, and Santa Claus at the mall, and special coffee drinks, and blow up balloons in front yards. No wonder we want Christmas to be over on December 26th. Trees shed their needles, light strands burn out. Garbage cans get filled with bags of paper and boxes. Everything pretty has lost it’s shimmer.

So it’s time to move on. A new year – and a new celebration is around the corner. Right?

Hmmm.

I hope to keep the true Christmas story – and the meaning of following Christ – for a lot longer then to the new year. To epiphany and beyond! (Said in a Buzz Lightyear voice!) Imagine if we all could.

Today is December 14, 2022 – 10 years ago to the day since the Sandy Hook mass shooting of the children and teachers at the elementary school. Can you imagine being a parent and preparing for Christmas, and having a 7 year old so excited about Santa Claus? It’s ten days before Christmas and the excitement is building. Even in the schools it’s the final week before the holiday break and special parties and programs are being prepared.

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s supposed to be the time of peace and goodwill to men and women.

The unthinkable tragedy that happened ten years ago today is beyond heartbreaking. In fact I think it is so hard that many people prefer not to think about it, to put it in the past, to forget that horrible day. I had CNN on earlier and they were reporting on this ‘anniversary’ and it was still so difficult to watch.

But the parents of those innocent children never will be able to do that. Every year now as they prepare for Christmas they relive December 14th, and all the horror of their blooded children shot dead in their decorated classroom.

The parents from Uvalde, the families of the Las Vegas dead, and all the other mass shootings in the United States (too many to name them all) will somehow get through Christmas again without their loved ones, so many of those gone by gun violence were so young.

You are thinking, geez Marla, what a Debbie Downer you are! Gun violence in America is just going to happen. Move on. Forget it. Be happy at Christmastime. Well, my biggest wish for Christmas is that we collectively do something about the gun epidemic we have in this country. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, and the impact of his time on earth, we have to think about his teachings. It was about loving your neighbor, working towards peace, turning the other cheek. It was about helping those in need – in anyway. It was not about arming yourself, or fearing others, or putting your rights before others – especially children.

Today is an extremely sad day in our country. The mass murder of 7 year olds at school – and since then we have done NOTHING to stop it from happening so easily again. We may not stop all of them, but we haven’t even tried to make guns safer, to limit gun ownership, and limit the types of weapons we allow citizens to purchase. It is disgraceful. It is beyond callus for those parents who hurt from our non-action.

So, I apologize to the survivors. I send a hug to all the parents today hurting.

I will continue to work on some changes to make America less gun-crazy, and more peaceful – through voting, through donations, through peaceful demonstrations, and through expressing myself here and wherever I can. I can not live my life as a Christian without putting children above guns.

I will always remember my daughter’s entire grade singing at their holiday school program so many, many years ago “Let their be Peace on earth – and let it begin with me.” Out of the mouths of babes. Let them grow up. Let their parents and grandparents know they are safe from mass shootings at schools. Just do something.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, and as I do every year, I feel the urge to write a musing. I have so much on my mind as we go into the pre-Christmas season. Advent is the time of preparation as we await the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. My Lutheran roots tell me that Advent is it’s own, very special time. Without it Christmas becomes a big blur throughout December. The church calendar I am familiar with has Advent for 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, and then the ‘season’ of Christmas extends to the start of Epiphany, January 6th.

I’m not a conservative Christian in most ways, but when it comes to honoring the past, and putting the emphasis on Jesus at Christmas I push back on so much of the commercialism, and all the glitter that blinds us to not see the glow of Star of the East. I like lighting the Advent wreath candles. Opening Advent calendar doors. Singing Advent hymns.

Advent is a time of patience. It’s a time of waiting. It’s a time of hearing about why Mary and Joesph left their homeland and traveled to Bethlehem before the birth. It’s a time to re-tell the story of what was going on then, and why the normal places for them to stay were full, and Mary & Joseph had to find a spot in an animal stable. Somewhere safe, somewhere simple.

It prepares us for the joy of the Christ child born on Christmas Day.

These days it’s all so hectic, and all about shopping, and special music programs (not a one happens AFTER December 25th during the true Christmas season.) It’s all about rushing around, here and there, Don’t get me wrong. I love all the music and I am playing at least five times in performances during the first two weeks of the month. Band and handbell groups. I have rehearsals mixed in too. I enjoy it and the music is absolutely beautiful this time of year.

But everything is squished in. It’s hurried. A bit crazy. Each year I tell myself I am not going to get caught up in the ‘extras’ of Christmas and barely have time for the ‘reason for the season.’ Every year I say it. Yet, this morning i printed out a blank December calendar to write everything in. Each day has something going on.

As I sit here I think, what do I want on my Christmas list this year? What is important this year? Remember the beautiful song sung by Amy Grant: “My Grown Up Christmas List.” The words include: that wars would never start, everyone would have a friend, right could always win, and love would never end.

My list this year includes all of that, and:

Acceptance for all people, for all kinds of people.

More live music opportunities. Concert experiences. (Ok. It’s a selfish desire. Sorry, not sorry.)

Good health for my family.

Peace – in our minds and hearts. Peace stops violence.

Peace brings contentment.

I wonder if we could stop the expectations of the season… Would it be better? Centered more on Christ? Would we go into January (still the Christmas season) without being worn out? Drained from December? Happy it’s over?

So, today, the first day of the preparation season of Advent, I have taken my fall decorations down. I am beginning the process of SLOWLY “preparing the way.” Preparing for the way of the Lord! Preparing the lights that shine like the stars in the sky. Preparing the presents to remember the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child. Preparing to experience Christmas fully.

Not yet. But soon.

I consider myself a pretty common sense person. Yet, almost every day I see or hear things that make me go ‘huh?’ Here are a few.

The new meaning of the word ‘woke.’ From what I can tell it’s calling a person a name because they are a type that makes certain everyone else is included, and is treated equally. Perhaps some think that ‘woke’ people go too far, but can you really go too far when it comes to caring for someone else and wanting them to share in all that is possible?

Dr. Oz vs. Fetterman. Remember when Dr. Oz WAS a physician and was all about people having good health and using medicine and surgery to improve their lives? All of a sudden he puts a man down for having survived a stroke? And, he uses it as political leverage? What happened to a doctor speaking about a person overcoming obstacles? About the strength it takes to rehab, and to get back, and want serve in a civil leadership role?

Herschel Walker. Herschel was an awesome football player back in the day. It’s a rough sport, and as we are finding out now, ‘getting your bell rung’ on the playing field has short term AND long term problems. I think maybe Herschel had too many concussions and maybe that’s why he can’t remember paying girlfriends the money to go have abortions. Or, maybe he has “Trump Syndrome” where you never admit to anything, lie easily and often, and think you are the better than everyone else.

Kanye West. Ye. Huh? Please, Ye, go get treatment. You have had mental issues for a long time. You actually have money and can afford to pay for help. Go, get help.

How did Halloween become such a HUGE money spending holiday?? It’s second to Christmas. Yep, I don’t get it. I like pumpkins, gourds, and other fall things but I don’t get the zombie, scary, horror, bloody, guts and gore – and ALL the money people spend on it to make their homes look like houses of terror. My real question is why do people like the dark side of Halloween?

Why are school boards becoming hotbeds for parents, for pushing book banning, and religious issues?? Hey, parents, want to make a difference in your child’s life? Set an example of how mature people should act Be respectful. Go be a classroom volunteer and help a teacher. Read to your kids – often! Have family discussions around the dinner table. Pray with them at mealtime and bedtime. Take responsibility for raising children. And, I guess if you can’t handle what is happening in your local public school, then homeschool them. Oh wait. That requires time and attention to your kids.

Wordle – yes. Heardle – maybe. Nerdle – huh?

Political violence. Who is ultimately responsible? How can anyone think it’s acceptable? Ever? I know both political parties have their share of wackos but there is definitely a larger number of people causing havoc coming from the Republican side these days. If I was a member of that party, I would be quite disappointed.

November temps in the low 80s. It’s lovely but I still say “huh”? Global warming? My spring bulbs are sprouting. I have seen a few trees flowering, confused and thinking it’s Spring.

And speaking of November, why do we still change the clocks? I REALLY don’t like it getting dark at 4:00pm. It’s time to stop changing our clocks!

Election deniers. Huh? Real definition is living in an alternate world where truth doesn’t matter and you can say anything without any responsibility. Add Alex Jones to that list. Other similar words: Crazy. Hurtful. Bizarre. Beyond confused. Power above caring.

Speaking of…. Trump said yesterday he will ‘very, very, very, probably” announce soon that he will run for the presidency again. HUH????? Please, just go away. Put your time, efforts, and (other people’s) money into fighting all those lawsuits against you. Remember the ‘stop the madness’ ad? I plead to Trump to stop – just STOP!!! He has done enough damage to our country. Go away.

Oh, and speaking of narcissistic men: Elon Musk. Huh?

At this point I just want to say that if women ran the world we all would be better off. Sure, there are a few crazy women out there, but women are not the ones that shoot people in mass killings, or break in to homes to ‘make a point,’ or want to hold supreme power over others, or want to decide what others do with their bodies, and decide who they love. If I see a woman running for office – I applaud her. I support her. I usually vote for her.

We all have times when we see and hear things that just seem obviously ‘right’ yet others are unsure about it. I think it’s important in these crazy days to say ‘huh?’ And call it out. There are enough sane people out there that need to say ‘huh?’ Because just because we read something, or hear something, or like a certain person, we can’t give it a pass. It’s why we are where we are right now. We can be better.

What makes you go ‘huh?’

Yesterday ‘early voting’ started here in South Carolina so it’s time for me to do my civic duty. I’m off to the poll in just a couple of hours, way ahead of the actual “Election Day” on Tuesday, November 8th.

Most states have early voting now and I think it’s a great idea to make it as easy as possible for citizens. Most have mail-ins and some have drop-off voting too. There are lots of ways to get your vote in and people have no excuse for not participating. As I have always said, if you do not vote you do not get the right to complain. But better yet, if you do not vote you do not get the opportunity to make our country better.

I have always taken voting seriously. I have taken it seriously even when I have lived in counties and states that usually go opposite my choices. Even when I feel like my vote doesn’t leave the county I live in and when I get frustrated by it. That seems to happen frequently.

This election seems more serious than most. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel a heavier weight riding on the outcomes from this Election Day. Obviously, the Supreme Court reversal of Roe has many, including me, upset and wanting to get back to allowing women the right to choose. But also on the ballots across the country are candidates who still deny the truth in the last national presidential election. Even though lawsuit after lawsuit, case after case, has shown that President Biden received the most Electoral College AND popular votes, there are people denying this truth and running on lies. Now the cynic is me says that all candidates lie, and to some extent it is true that promises are made that never get accomplished. But, the extent of blatant lying, and wacky beliefs, and fringe loudness is over the top these days. So, voting by the reasonable people becomes a ‘must’ so we can keep sanity in our system.

Our system. Some think I might be over dramatic when I worry about the democratic system. But I do. We are living in a time when forces are working to stop a true democracy, and prefer to see autocratic leadership. We came close to this during President Trump’s term, but thankfully he was too scatter-brained, and he had a revolving door in his administration. He could not accomplish what his ego wanted.

When I think back on how Trump said the election was rigged BEFORE it happened, and how he tried to declare himself a winner before all the votes were counted, and how for months after (and really up to now) he declares he won – and cites lies about voting machines, and hidden suitcases of votes, and then tried to create new Electoral College voters, and to top it all off, he threatened his own Vice President to stop the final count and approved of and led an insurrection to the Capitol. If that isn’t someone trying to undermine democracy I don’t know what is! (And if you don’t believe all those things happened then you are living in a world not based on realities, and are accepting the lies.) I truly hope justice happens for Trump. He has created so much heartbreak and divided us all beyond what I thought could happen.

Yes, democracy is being threatened when we have people put into our heads that the voting system in America is tarnished – when those with a megaphone purposely try to get us to question if our vote counts, and if we truly elect our leaders.

That’s why this mid-term election is so important. Yes, we want our taxes to be used well, and we want medical and pharmaceutical needs to be reasonably priced, and we want our cities to be safe, and we want gas prices to go back down some. We want immigrants to be properly vetted, and we want our veterans taken care of in all their needs, physical and mental. There are countless issues facing America – and you can vote for the candidates who reflect your personal approach to solving some of the problems.

I have heard on the news that early turnout to vote is big – already bigger than in past elections. That gives me hope that the sane Americans are pushing back. I think those who never worried before are worried now, and I hope that is why bigger numbers are turning out.

I’m voting today – but will have to wait until November 9th, or later, to know the results. Michael Moore said the other day he thinks this will be a huge vote for democracy – and I hope he is right. We need to start getting past this loss of faith in the system, and we need to stop those out there trying to make it continue.

How to do it?

Go vote!!

I have a favorite Jason Aldean song, that came out a long time back, called “The Truth” and it’s about a guy who is still very hung up on a woman, and he doesn’t want his friends to tell her the truth that he is. A couple of the lines are:

Tell ’em anything you want to…. just don’t tell ’em all the truth.

The truth is I’m asking you to lie, and we both know it ain’t right…

But if you ever loved me, have some mercy on me. Tell ’em anything you want to…

Just don’t tell ’em the truth.

A love relationship is often ruined by lies. By coverups. By keeping secrets. Yet, the guy in this song is so desperate he wants his friends to lie for him.

Lies are told when people are afraid, or embarrassed, or they want to look good to someone else. And if you grew up like me, you learned at an early age that your lies will get you in the end. It’s really, really hard to keep a lie going. Eventually, yes, sooner or later, the lie will catch up with you. At that point trust is gone. Other’s faith in you is gone. And, finding a reason to believe in a person is difficult.

Well, you probably know where this is going…

Not telling the truth in relationships is deadly. Lies between two people will end it. And, not telling the truth in politics should be also. If you know that a politician has told lies over and over, and then covers up the lies with more lies, and uses people to help keep the lies going – they will eventually be found out. But, in today’s political arena getting caught in lies is a one day news story and doesn’t seem to cause deadly damage to the politician, We hear “they all do it.” “It’s how they campaign.” “They lie to constituents just to get their vote.” We RARELY hear of a ‘truthful politician,’ one who keeps his word, and honors the pledges he or she makes on the campaign trail.

Years ago Stephen Colbert coined the word “truthiness” – his definition: The belief in what you feel to be true rather than what the facts will support.” He wrote “Truthiness its tearing our country apart. It doesn’t seem to matter what the facts are. It used to be that everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. Facts matter not at all now. Perception is everything.”

Stephen’s word “Truthiness” and the definition ring in my head today as I get ready to turn the TV on at 1:00pm to watch the last January 6th Committee hearing.

Too many Americans don’t want to hear facts, and they do not want their perception, their belief, to be changed. They do not want to confront lies. They have already lost trust in truth. They only want to accept what makes them feel good. They will not turn the TV on and watch.

In the justice system facts are everything. Jurists are told to only accept direct facts and testimony, given under oath – and all the witnesses are to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If a person on the stand is caught lying they can go to jail. TRUTH MATTERS!!

I believe it still does.

I learned long ago that I can not live with myself if I purposely tell lies. I would not be the type of person I want to be. I would not have good relationships. I would not be a believable person. And, thankfully, I’m a bad liar – and if I try to lie it eats away at me. To know me is to get the truth. And – It’s a lot easier to live a truthful life.

The events that happened on January 6th, and the involvement of our president, are facts. There is no doubt. There has been months of truthful testimony, and stacks of documents that show of the planning of an insurrection, the details of the day, AND how some tried to coverup their ties to it afterwards. The whole “Great Lie” of Biden not winning the presidential election has been a mountain high of lies, from voting machines not working, to getting alternative Electoral voters. It’s insanity to me to NOT see the truth.

The truth matters. In politics. In relationships. In life.

Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful place, especially at this time of year. It’s also a pretty small island with not a whole lot of full-time residents. It’s a vacation destination for those who want to rest and to experience the beauty of the northeast coastline. It’s not a cheap place to live. In general not a whole lot goes on on Martha’s Vineyard except business connected to tourism. .

But as we have seen in the news, two planes carrying a total of about 50 people were dropped off there with little but what they were wearing and maybe a small suitcase. A video camera person came along to record the event.

Those that were dropped off came from South American countries, via Texas and then Florida. The ‘guests’ were gathered up, and Gov. Abbott and Gov. DeSantis approved spending the money to charter planes and fly them to Martha’s Vineyard. (They also paid and sent some to Washington DC and other northern cities.)

But it backfired. At least it did in terms of being a political statement. The two governors wanted to get the immigrants out of their states and to let someone else worry about them. Up in Martha’s Vineyard though they took it to heart. The residents came out to help. Some provided the travelers with food, and some put them up in vacant hotel rooms. Some even invited them into their own homes. After a day of ‘hospitality’ the immigrants were moved over to a local military base that had available housing.

It didn’t solve the immigration issue going on in the United States, but it showed what compassion people can have, even when not given any time to prepare, and make plans. The Martha’s Vineyard residents are now an example of the good of the American people.

I was in my early 20s when many had to flee from Vietnam as Saigon was taken over and the country was under communist control. Those who were anyway connected to the old regime literally ran for their lives. Some grabbed the last free planes out. Some got on small boats to get away. Small, crowded boats in the Pacific Ocean. Once seen and then saved from the waters they were brought to the United States – with nothing. Nothing. No clothing, goods, no jobs waiting, no place to live, and not even knowing the language. The church I attended ‘adopted’ a Vietnamese family, which included if I remember right, 4 or 5 adults and one little adorable four year boy. Our church members secured an apartment for them, gathered furniture, clothing, etc. then set them up in ESL (English as a second language) classes and found jobs for a couple of them as kitchen help in restaurants. They helped with legal paperwork for them, assisting them on trips to make them official and safe in our country.

Back then it was refugees from Vietnam. Now the refugees come mostly from Central American countries that are impoverished unless you are a rich, powerful drug lord. They live in fear – for their women and their children. The men are often forced into illegal activities under duress. They are so scared they take off – sometimes on foot – and cross countries, looking for a place to become official and feel safe.

When these refugees (I like that word better than illegal immigrants) get to our border we treat them with little compassion (or none), want to send them back, make them stay for months in tents on the Mexican side of the border, and offer little help to better their lives.

A certain media outlet will say they are murderers, and sneaking in drugs (and that’s why we have a drug problem in the US – ha), and they are trafficking children. Well, I’m not saying that none of that is happening BUT I truly believe the rhetoric used is factually wrong, and is purposely used to scare Americans.

I believe these refugees just want some help, they want some Martha’s Vineyard compassion, and they want to come and live in the US to be a part of the American dream.

The Department of Immigration has become a political hotbed. So much has been out there about building walls (which literally and figuratively is anti-American if you ask me), about Border Rangers raiding trucks and vehicles, and just ‘how bad’ these people are trying to come here. Well, many die trying!! Bodies are found in the desert, and bodies are washed away in the rivers because they can’t swim.

The people working the southern border see some pretty sad things. I know they must be overcome, perhaps bitter, and wished the refugees wouldn’t try to sneak in. They have to catch them, put them in basic holding buildings, send them back – and catch them again. I think it must be a pretty lousy job.

So, who is to blame? Is it the refugees? Is it those governors who don’t want them in their states? Is it the Dept. Of Immigration, maybe overworked and under employed? Is it changing laws? Is it the networks scaring you?

The United States was founded by immigrants. All of us our from immigrants except the Native American Indians. It was the land of opportunity, and the place to come to live safely. We used to encourage to ‘send us your tired and poor.’ We used to love to hear the stories if grandparents and great-grandparents coming here, finding a piece of land, a place to live, raising a family, working and being proud of the journey. We used to be a travel destination.

What happened? Why do some now look at those same people, those who are running and looking for a better life – and say ‘don’t come here!’

I have seen memes on Facebook about we need to be more like Martha’s Vineyard. And, yes, we do. We need to think about how to welcome the stranger, and to provide temporary support, and we need to show our humanity. And just have little compassion.

Much of the news today, as it has been for a few days now, is about the events memorializing Queen Elizabeth in Great Britain, but we also need to concentrate on the 30 plus subpoenas that were delivered to those who were close to Pres. Trump while he was in the White House. Today – over 30 subpoenas went out by the US Dept. Of Justice. There is even discussion now to ‘invite’ the Vice President at the time Mike Pence.

The last time we had so many concerns, the legal action, and even a special committee formed, was back when the Watergate scandal took place in the 1970’s. Then and now do have different alleged issues but both have one thing in common: a president who thought and acted like a King.

Power is addicting and holding the top elected office must be quite a head game. Both Nixon and Trump had strong egos and close associates to them that fed it all the time. Nobody in the inner circles felt comfortable pushing back, and some even close by were in cahoots with them.

Justice was given to President Nixon I suppose. He never admitted to his part in the Watergate break-in plan but he knew he would be found guilty, so he resigned. I remember that Saturday night well – when he came on TV and resigned. I was only in high school but it’s something that was pretty crazy and therefore it has stayed in my mind all these years. The anonymous “Deep Throat” meetings with young Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein and telling them of the ‘cancer’ in the White House. If you are younger than me, and you just might be – ha, read Woodward and Bernstein’s book “All the President’s Men” or at least watch the movie (it has Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in the starring roles.) It’s not fiction. It’s American history.

So, today slowly, thoroughly, the justice department and the Committee investigating the Jan. 6th insurrection, are moving forward. They are mounting up thousands of interviews, and papers, and it’s impossible at this point to think that it is all made up. It is not political meanness – although there is plenty of that around. This is a serious investigation into illegal actions by a twice impeached (in one term) president.

President Trump wanted to be king of the United States. He wanted to do what he wanted, going against everything from traditions, and protocols, to withdrawing from groups with our allies, etc. This appealed to a percentage of citizens, and those people fed his ego. He held rallies much like a king would – on stage, showing off, feeling so very important.

I’m reminded of the childhood story, a Chinese fairy tale, of the King (Emperor) and his new clothes. I just reviewed it and the moral is that it is best to be honest, to speak truth about what it is right. Do you remember the story? The king was given invisible clothes – made by con men, and he and everyone were told only fools could not see the wonderful clothes. So nobody was honest enough, strong enough, to tell the king that he had no clothes on. Nobody wanted to be considered a fool – but in the end they all were!

In the end truth comes out.

Justice comes.

I continue to wait, to watch the proceedings and hearings, to listen as a dishonest president finds out he has no clothes. Pres. Trump has tried and tried to act like a king, to make things up (from crowd size numbers to election numbers) and to think he is above the US law- and truth. He is not.