November 2025

28 and 29 Nov 2025

“Two days of “sign waving”: Yesterday, Black Friday, we were in Jacksonville at the HUGE St. John’s Town Center. 

 

 

Veterans held the coffin flag of a father and WWII veteran. He helped liberate Dachau and earned the Silver Star for courage. He was anti-fascist (Antifa) long before the word became political. The fight for humanity continues. 

On a lighter note …Despite the chilly weather, Firepit warmed us with music that included Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Woody Guthrie, Patti Smith, etc.

Today, continuing with an economic theme, I added a couple more signs to our weekly Neptune Beach sign waving. Then it was time “to walk the talk,” so I took Dave out for lunch at one of our local, small businesses. 

 

“I pledge to be a conscious consumer. I will support businesses that invest in our communities and withdraw my dollars from those that don’t. I will spend intentionally, stand in solidarity, and make sure my money reflects my values. We ain’t buying anything less.” - We Ain’t Buying It Pledge”

22 Nov 2025

“Food Drive Week #4: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:39

And “sign waving” … This week a group of military veterans in Congress released a video reminding military and intelligence service members that they are required to refuse unlawful orders. 

The core legal concept the lawmakers invoked is correct: military personnel must not carry out blatantly unlawful actions, and their oath is to the Constitution; but the legal standard is narrow, not broad. Unlawful orders are not simply orders someone dislikes or finds questionable. They involve clear violations of U.S. or international law, such as intentionally targeting civilians or committing acts explicitly prohibited by law. A lawful order that may be controversial, politically fraught, or later judged unwise is not “unlawful” under the UCMJ. (Uniform Code of Military Justice)

Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers exist at every command level, and the system emphasizes clarity through the chain of command rather than personal legal interpretation by individual service members.

The lawmakers intended to reassure service members that constitutional norms still matter, especially during this volatile political time. Meanwhile, I expect service members will have been briefed (again) on Articles 90 and 92 of the UCMJ.

The video concludes with the words spoken by Captain James Lawrence, USS Chesapeake, to his men when he was mortally wounded during the War of 1812: “Don’t give up the ship.”

With loyalty to our Constitution and adherence to the law, we must not “give up the ship” - we will persist.”

15 Nov 2025

“Food Drive Week #3: ‘Righteous anger is usually not about oneself. It is about those whom one sees being harmed and whom one wants to help. In short, righteous anger is a tool of justice, a scythe of compassion, more than a reactive emotion. It is a chosen response and not simply an uncontrollable reaction. And it is one's collective responsibility, and one's feeling of deep, empowering connection.’ - Archbishop Desmond Tutu 

We seem to connect easily with the hungry. We feed them. So why is it so hard for people to connect with the young girls who were sexually abused by powerful men? Hungry people should be fed and the violated should have justice. We should all be standing up and speaking out in support of these victims instead of trying to protect the men. I am righteously angry.  

The House of Representatives is set to vote next week on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation aims to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified records related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein. Contact your Representative and ask that she/he vote in favor of the Act. Connect with the girls, spend two minutes seeking justice for them.”

8 Nov 2025

“Food Drive Week #2 - Florida Governor DeSantis has ruled out a state-level program to fill the funding gap created by the federal shutdown. He dismissed calls from Democratic lawmakers and county officials to declare a state of emergency for food insecurity, stating that the federal government is responsible for the funding of the program. 

Meanwhile… Neptune Beach Coalition unites in a shared commitment to help our neighbors. (Also, two women drove by, saw us, went to a grocery store, and dropped off food donations!)

Veterans' Day!

“We love our country. We love our families. We cherish our freedom and independence. And we always come together to defend and protect our nation. Let’s remember: Unity doesn’t require uniformity. Just a shared commitment to the common good.” - Neil Ghosh”

1 Nov 2025

 

I received this message Thursday from the BEAM CEO. I volunteer in the BEAM food pantry. - “Urgent - with federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits being suspended due to the government shutdown, thousands of families in our community are due to lose the support they rely on to buy groceries starting THIS WEEKEND!

BEAM is preparing to make sure no neighbor goes hungry — but the need is growing by the hour and will be significant by next week.

I’m asking — from one neighbor to another — will you help us respond immediately by making an emergency donation? “

Many thanks to my fellow Neptune Beach Coalition “sign wavers” for responding with your generous food donations today- that was right-neighborly of you!  

Firepit provided welcome musical encouragement!

Your gifts have been delivered and are on their way to a neighbor’s pantry. Our Food Drive will continue next Saturday.”

October 2025

25 Oct 2025

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” - 1st Amendment, United States Constitution

 

18 Oct 2025

“This is what democracy looks like! For our little beach community, turnout was fantastic!! During No Kings2 people enlivened the words of the 1st Amendment - in the form of their choice. Most held homemade signs, sang, chanted, some wore costumes and one man blew bubbles while children chased them. 

 

 

I met many first-time-protesters (young and old), extremely frustrated Republicans, and friends. We chatted about opportunities for political activism while waving to a multitude of happy people honking horns. Only a couple vehicles with Trump and MAGA flags gave the finger and yelled obscenities. I gave them a peace sign while the young woman next to me yelled, “Jesus loves you anyway!” 

… this is not the end - Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.

“The people have the power to redeem the work of fools.

Upon the meek the graces shower, 

It’s decreed, the people rule.

The people have the power!” - Patti Smith”

15 Oct 2025

“Visibility Brigade: This afternoon was my first Rush Hour Resistance.  On an I-95 pedestrian overpass, we literally stood with our messages posted on the overpass, waving at passing cars, reminding everyday people that they are not alone in these unprecedented times.

I couldn’t photograph our signs due to inaccessibility (after all this is an Interstate!) but I was able to capture some of the nonviolent messages we chalked on bridge as well as our American flags.

 

My favorite thing was listening to the honks (especially the semi-trucks!!) and seeing the waves as people drove under us. Speaker Johnson described us as “terrorists” but would terrorists culminate their activities with a group hug?”

11 Oct 2025

“It was a blustery day with some drizzle, yet my signs and I accomplished another Saturday protest! 

Today was the last day of Banned Books Week. With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale "1984" serves as a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship.

The right to read belongs to all of us! Censorship has no place in American society. We must defend our rights, and we must not be so fearful that we silence ourselves.

Vigilance. Resistance. PERSISTANCE.”

4 Oct 2025

 

4 Oct 2025

“It has been a week! … from a bizarre rant from Hegseth and Trump’s 72 minute sleepwalk through a list of partisan gripes in front of our top military leaders … to ICE’s escalating military tactics causing chaos in Chicago - it is tempting to simply tune out the news. Many people readily admit, “I don’t follow the news, it’s too depressing.”

I agree, what is happening (particularly in Chicago!) is depressing. Yet, it is also important to be an informed citizen and that means being knowledgeable about what is going on. What to do to maintain some equilibrium?

My humble tips: 

It is okay to limit your exposure and take regular breaks from the news.

Get summaries from authoritative, reliable sources like Heather Cox Richardson. 

Take action. Channel your energy into positive action: donate, use 5calls.org to contact elected officials, volunteer, explore organizations that support your cause like turnoutpac.org, VoteVets.org, fiftyfifty.one, nokings.org, etc.

Finally, spend time with friends and family doing enjoyable activities. Engage in uplifting media! 

Take a breath. While the news may not be “fun,” it is important. Being knowledgeable about political, social, and global issues enables us to participate actively and thoughtfully in a democratic society.

Vigilance. Resistance. PERSISTENCE!”

September 2025

27 Sep 2025

“Our founders risked their lives to build a nation where freedom of speech was a birthright, not a luxury for a privileged few. It is guaranteed in the First Amendment of our Constitution and vital for a healthy democracy. This freedom of speech is ours to claim, or to lose - we can shrink into silence or we can speak. 

While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future. So today, for just a few minutes, I hope you will reflect on our founders’ courage. Then consider how your fearless free speech today, whether spoken, written, or symbolic, will ensure free speech for ALL in the future. 

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. “- Ellie Wiesel”

20 Sep 2025

“Events of this past week were the inspiration for my new sign for our protest this week. 

Words are words. 

Violence is violence.

And the distinction makes all the difference.

Protect speech. Punish violence.

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” - George Washington”

13 Sep 2025

“1. Sign 1 is a repeat from June following the assassination of Melissa Hortman, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, the murder of her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert. Sadly, gun violence has claimed even more lives this past week. Violence is never the answer. Our history shows that violence only fuels division. “Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity.” - Tao Te Ching , Verse 31

2. Sign 2 was inspired by a meme posted by a friend. Which said: “People are scared to say stuff, but I’m not and that’s why only three people like me. “

That meme reminded me of three people - Hans and Sophie Scholl (siblings) and Christoph Probst. They were members of the White Rose, a movement that was one of the few German groups that spoke out against Nazi government policies. Christoph’s and Han’s war experiences and the apathy of German citizens in the face of the government’s fascist policies, compelled them to speak out. Sophie said, “Stand up for what you believe in. Even if you are standing alone.”

In late January 1943, the Scholls distributed pamphlets urging college students in Munich to resist. But a university janitor saw them and betrayed them to the Gestapo. Hans, Sophie, and Christoph were executed on February 22, 1943. 

Sophie’s last words: “Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?"

1 Sep 2025

“Stop the Billionaire Takeover" Visibility Rally at the St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville: My signs were inspired by a display I saw at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago. It was a political cartoon (courtesy of the Library of Congress) by Bernard Gilliam and published in “The Puck” magazine during the Gilded Age. It illustrates the growing wealth disparity and exploitation of workers.

 

Fantastic turnout and lots of honks and waves today. I met a sweet dog named Shelby; there were a variety of signs (1st Amendment rights in real-life); 

and I sang along to a few songs (This Land is Your Land, The Answer is “Fighting Fascism” - aka The Answer is Blowing in the Wind, etc.).

"Without labor nothing prospers" - Sophocles