29 August 2026
Today a man decided to roll coal as he passed me standing by
the side of the street. As he gunned his engine, black smoke billowed out his
exhaust pipe - he accelerated causing a generator with wheels in the bed of his
pickup truck to roll backwards opening his tailgate, and the generator with
miscellaneous items crashed into the street. With the help of two fellow protesters,
we pulled the generator into a safe place, and I picked up the other items from
the street. The man returned for his items without a simple “thank you” for collecting
his property.
Tampering with or removing pollution control devices like
diesel particulate filters to produce thick black smoke is a direct violation
of federal EPA Regulations. Intentionally directing exhaust at crowds or
individuals is as an assault on public safety. And somehow, I’m considered the “radical!”
We have heard and seen many expressions of free speech from
people who disagree with our political views. That is their free speech, they
have the right to express their opinions. However, many people often treat free
speech as a privilege that only applies to what THEY are comfortable with, or
speech aligned with THEIR political views, rather than a universal right. These
people forget that there are limits. The limits include physical harassment
(assault and/or battery) by crowding someone too closely; blocking their path;
throwing things at them; and touching their bodies, their clothing, or their
sign. Physically approaching a protester, with or without a weapon, in an
aggressive manner, with or without, verbal threats (i.e. “I am going to kick
your a**" etc.) as well as rolling coal go way beyond protected speech – these
are violent actions.
Our ongoing peaceful protests include normal, democratic behaviors - standing on a public sidewalk beside a street, holding static signs, signing petitions, registering voters, and periodically collecting items for local charities.
Standing up for free speech is not radical; it is a foundational principle of a free society and constitutional democracy.
Our mere existence every Saturday is a visual reminder of peaceful resistance – perhaps that is why people think we are “radical.”
“Protesting on public roads is as American as apple pie, … People can turn the page in a magazine or change the channel on TV, but streets remain one of the few places where we have to confront ideas we might otherwise tune out - and that’s why our rights to protest on streets, sidewalks, and in public parks are so important.” - Vera Eidelman, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
22 August 2026
It has been a good week – considering the usual dystopian chaos. The Florida primary election has concluded, and we are ready to move on to the mid-term elections. Already the Democratic nominees are (again!) holding unscripted town halls and meeting face-to-face with citizens.
Everyone was surprised that Angie Nixon won the Democratic Senator nominee. I wasn’t. Before deciding to run, she traveled around the state for LISTENING sessions – unscripted, in public. I admire Vindman but he moved to Florida 3 years ago, wouldn’t debate Nixon, and didn’t “mix” with the people. Meanwhile Nixon had been a union organizer, served in the Florida Legislature, and is a small business owner- a bookstore. Nixon has a public servant mindset, demonstrated stewardship of public assets, and she doesn’t accept corporate money.
“The word on the street” was - we were voting for Angie Nixon even though Vindman has name recognition and lots of financial support. But, however, if Vindman won, we would unify behind him … but he didn’t win.
I exited the Republican party several years ago when they decided to campaign on the dehumanization of people who don’t fit their “demographic.” They continue to focus on fear, anger, and hatred while supporting 100% of the current administration’s’ corruption, cruelty, and chaos. Initially, I was registered as NPA – No Party Affiliation. This past year I met and talked with several Democratic candidates as they were collecting signatures on their candidate petitions. They held unscripted, public events and even stood with us on the sidewalk sweating in 104-degree heat index and listened. They demonstrated in word and deed how to “walk the talk,” so I reregistered as a Democrat.
I have no idea what the future will bring. As mid-term elections draw near, there may be attempts to interfere with our fair and free elections by “enemies, foreign and domestic” – especially “domestic” ones! Resistance is essential if we are to remain a democratic republic.
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
15 August 2026
Early voting for primary elections continues …
Who said this? “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.” Hint – It wasn’t a ‘jihadist’! Playing politics with the voting process is nothing new …
Germany, 1932: To ensure a Nazi majority in the election, Nazi organizations "monitored" the voting process. A voters' list was created, and each voter received a numbered ballot. While tabulating the ballots, the back of the ballots with no-votes for Nazis were marked with skimmed milk. Then the “milked” ballots were compared to the numbered voters’ list and the Nazis had the names of the people who did not vote for them.
As a result of the election, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag. Although Hitler lost the presidential race, as the leader of the party who held the most seats in the Reichstag, he was appointed Chancellor in January 1933. On March 5, 1933, Germany held its last contested election amid voter intimidation and repression paving the way for the Enabling Act and Hitler’s fascist dictatorship.
For those who opposed the Nazis, the groundwork had been laid in 1932 by the “milked” ballots. The first people sent to Nazi camps were political opponents of Hitler's Nazi regime. When the first official concentration camp, Dachau, opened on March 22, 1933, Heinrich Himmler, as police president of Munich, officially described the camp as "the first concentration camp for political prisoners." The initial prisoners included people did not vote for the Nazis along with people who supported a variety of anti-fascist political parties.
As you remember, the Holocaust soon followed. Then the world was consumed by a war in which an estimated 40 to 55 million civilians died. Nothing good comes from playing politics with the voting process.
The Nazis used political violence, propaganda, and political scheming to destabilize the Weimar Republic and take total power. Unfortunately, we have also seen ominous signs of where things may be heading this mid-term election year… the use of violence by MAGA “organizations” to disrupt voting and dispute results … The Speaker of the House delaying or blocking the swearing in of Democrats … war … “detention” centers …. continued propaganda about the voting process … will our democratic republic survive? … NOTHING good has ever come nor will ever come from playing politics with the voting process.
“Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” – Abraham Lincoln … but we can acknowledge it, learn from it, and refuse to repeat it!
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
8 August 2026
Early voting for primary elections is underway in my community. VOTE!
Who said this? "What I want to do is this. I just want to find, uh, 11,780 votes." HINT: It wasn’t a “dumocrat”!
U.S.A., 2026: The President has declared that the election process should be federalized and states should turn over sensitive voter information. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is pressuring states to sign agreements to allow the executive branch of the federal government to “flag” voters as “ineligible” and then require the states to remove them from the voter rolls. Playing politics with the voting process is nothing new …
Aspen, Colorado, 1970: The County Clerk marked pages in the voter registration volume for certain new registrants that were "young and unconventional in appearance.” (aka “long-hairs”, “bikers”, “hippies”) Those marked were to have their votes disqualified as “ineligible.” Why? The Clerk assumed the “young and unconventional in appearance” would vote for Hunter S. Thompson for Sheriff. The Clerk and a “small group of vigilantes” wanted THEIR candidate to win. This attempt to play politics with the voting process failed. The rule of law prevailed, and the Clerk was criminally charged. The “young and unconventional in appearance” voted. Even though Thompson lost the election (173 votes to his opponent’s 204), We the People won.
While the attempt by a county official to “flag” voters and designate them “ineligible” may seem trivial, it is not. The same thing may happen on a national level if the DOJ is successful in its unconstitutional efforts to collect sensitive voter information. Then who or what will stop this administration from designating voters “ineligible” for any reason or no reason?
The Constitution clearly gives the power to regulate and administer elections to the states and Congress, NOT the executive branch. Currently, every DOJ lawsuit in trial court (18 so far) has been dismissed. This is a victory for voters and the rule of law. But the fight to protect voters’ privacy and uphold the constitutional balance of power is far from over. If this administration continues to play politics with our elections, We the People have a lot to lose.
“My greatest fear is that one day we may wake up and our democracy is gone.” - John Lewis
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
1 August 2026
We are continuing to collect school supplies for our local students and practicing Free Speech …
This administration has expanded military operations through airstrikes, threatened war crimes, increased regional deployments, and support for Israeli military actions across multiple fronts. The war has not remained contained within Iran. We’re seeing a rapidly widening conflict with growing devastation. In addition, we are spending an estimated $2 billion a day, all while gas prices are soaring, and many Americans struggle with the basic costs of living.
The cost of gas pales in comparison to the human cost of his war. Already, dozens of US service members and thousands of civilians across the Middle East – including a school-full of children in Iran have been killed. The President acted unilaterally - this is his war of choice. He is responsible for the death and destruction.
Despite the scale of the conflict, there is still:
- No clear objective
- No defined endgame
- No credible off-ramp
The human and economic costs are staggering and growing. The American people are overwhelmingly opposed to this illegal war, and our opposition must be loud. At the very least, every American should call or email their Representative and Senators to express their opposition to his war.
If your representatives are Democrats, urge them to unify their efforts so there’s no path forward for the war through compromise or backdoor funding.
If your representatives are Republications, remind them of the political, economic, and humanitarian costs of this war – emphasize the political cost of supporting this war - your vote!
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
No comments:
Post a Comment