Exercising our First Amendment rights today

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Commitment to non-violence

As we enter a period of public protest, and counter protest, both sides need to both show restraint not to let tempers get to them and to be committed to non-violence. Protest is not disloyalty. Protest is part of the process of American democracy. That is why our constitution includes a bill of rights. Take the right to peacefully assemble and protest away and you have killed everything this country stands for. For America to be America the right of citizens to protest has to remain and be respected – by both sides.

This is far from over! There are going to be a lot of protests ahead. There already has been violence and hate speech on both sides. If we do not condemn hate speech and violence on BOTH sides there is a real danger that this could evolve from passionate conversation to civil war.

One trend I have been seeing is a process of dehumanizing those we disagree with on these issues. There are bullies on both sides. That does not mean everyone from one side or the other are bullies. If you look at history, when people dehumanize the people they disagree with, the outcome often is not pretty.

It's okay to grieve

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It's okay to grieve the tragedy that Trump's election as President of the United States represents to many millions of Americans. How I felt when I woke up on the morning of 11/9 (the day after the election) can best be compared to how I felt on the morning of 9/11.

Before 11/9 Racism, misogyny, intolerance of sexual minorities and xenophobia seemed to be on the decline in America. It was like this dangerous monster was being chained up in the corner, still dangerous but chained. After 11/9 it is like the monster has been set free.

It is like waking up and finding the America you loved and believed in, was overnight occupied by a malevolent army – supported by a minority of the American people.

Take Time For Self Care

It's okay... Cry, wallow, watch garbage TV, eat pot brownies, do what you have to do. Remember you have a right to feel whatever you feel. Anger, sorrow, depression, fear... The whole range! Getting it out is good. If we bottle our feelings up they will just come out anyway, perhaps in inappropriate ways.

Do what you need to do to be ready. The time will come to set aside our grief. We are going to have to have the mental space for what comes next, forming the resistance.

The Political Tragedy of 2016

The Great American Political Tragedy of 2016

Like many progressives I think we have had a huge political tragedy in this country. I believe a lot of people are going to be victims of that. In my opinion it was very undemocratic and yes, I feel anger – among other emotions.

This is democracy?

In any other democratic country this would not be an issue. The majority should select the leader. That's the way "We the People" is supposed to work in a democracy. The American presidential election process is different. The process is broken. It is broken when twice in 16 years a president, chosen by a minority, is forced on a majority, because of the electoral college, a process created to protect slavery. In my opinion that is not democracy.

But, Trump won!!!

Yes, he did. He was lawfully selected. But, that "victory" is nowhere near fair and square. Trump used dirty tricks that would have made Nixon blush!

Those liberal are just "crybabies"

Crybabies, for protesting? Protest is part of the process of American democracy. That is why our constitution includes a bill of rights. This is far from over! "They" may soon control the presidency, the senate, the house and maybe even the supreme court but the right to peacefully assemble, speak and protest is still protected by the constitution.

Take that right away and you have killed everything this country stands for. For America to be America the right of citizens to protest has to remain and be respected.