May 22 Blog: Thinking About These Times and Memorial Day Events

Dear Friends:  

I keep trying to find ways to express succinctly what I think is really going on with the Trump regime and around the globe. Mark Chadbourn’s post comes close.  

Evil forces are very threatened by how close humanity is to a much better way of living and being, a way of living that is advocated by all the world’s great religions and philosophies. David Brooks expressed it well I think in his piece How to Survive the Trump Years with Your Soul Intact. 

If you do not have a subscription to the Times, Brooks says: “If there is one word to define Trump’s atmosphere, it is “pagan.” The pagan values of ancient Rome celebrated power, manliness, conquest, ego, fame, competitiveness and prowess, and it is those values that have always been at the core of Trump’s being... [It] has always appealed to grandiose male narcissists because it gives them permission to grab whatever they want… It is built on … systematic exploitation,… callous tolerance of cruelty, [and is] a dehumanizing value system.” He goes on to say the way to “rehumanize” ourselves is to get involved with humanitarian efforts.

What is at stake is civilization. I firmly believe people will come to their senses and realize that pre-Judeo-Christian era “values” will not serve anyone well. People always do come back to these values. The question is how hard and how long will it be to recover from the destruction when they do? I don’t know. 

Meanwhile, we need to resist as much and as loud as we can. It may not seem like resistance does much, but it does. Courage is contagious. The resistance movement in this country is continuing to build momentum. The next big resistance event will be June 14, Flag Day the day of Trump’s Soviet style military parade downtown. Indivisible and other groups are organizing a large counter-demonstration in Philadelphia (perfect location for Flag Day) and encouraging many smaller demonstrations with the “No Kings” theme around the country. 

The 14th is a Saturday, but Rush Hour Resistance will be on our bridge with our “No Kings” banner and more. We of Action (WofA) and DMV Banner Drop and 50501 are working to get as many overpasses as possible participating with the regional “No Kings Day! June 14 Visibility Brigade(s)” message that day. If you’d like to help, let me or them know; sign up using the hyperlinks. I think there will also be a counter demonstration downtown at Meridien Park, but I believe it’s probably better to be anywhere but DC that day.

One idea I’ve heard, which I like and would like to have my readers’ thoughts on, is doing The People’s Oath at these events. The People’s Oath is an oath much like what the President, federal employees, police, electeds all take to defend and protect the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic.  I think it could do a lot to shine light on what patriotism means and how far MAGA has taken this country away from its founding values.

Memorial Day is this Monday and it’s a good time to reflect on the meaning of our nation and those who have sacrificed for us.  Tomorrow Friday, May 23rd there will be a candlelight vigil at 9:00 pm at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 5 Henry Bacon Dr., NW, Washington, DC 20002.  On Sunday, the 25th will be the annual Rolling to Remember rally at the Pentagon. The North Parking Lot will open at 7:00 am, but we expect a large group of riders to come in from Fairfax where they will have gathered for breakfast. “Kickstands up” is at 9 am and they will ride to the Pentagon then.  

Finally, I want to note the passing of one of our great public servants: Gerry Connally. I had the privilege of working with Gerry when he was a member of the Fairfax County Board and as a Congressman. His commitment to service, fighting spirit and good humor will be greatly missed. 

Yours in Resistance and Hope,   

Libby