democracy

How I Spent July 4 (or, How I Learned to Stop Trump Derangement Syndrome and Love the Semiquincentennial)

July 6, 2026

Happy Semiquincentennial, Everyone! First, I apologize for the long gap in posting. I was just teaching so much in April-June, plus lots of family and other things going on, that I just didn’t have the time or energy or mindset to post on the blog. I teach in a year-round school, so classes just ended … More How I Spent July 4 (or, How I Learned to Stop Trump Derangement Syndrome and Love the Semiquincentennial)

Upset About the Videos You Saw Coming Out of Minnesota This Weekend? Here is What to Do About It NOW!

January 26, 2026

First, a question…do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that when I type the letters “em” into my search engine, it defaults to the link to the Email Me page of my senior US Senator? I had such a juxtaposition this Saturday. I was basking in the glow of watching … More Upset About the Videos You Saw Coming Out of Minnesota This Weekend? Here is What to Do About It NOW!

What Are You Doing for Labor Day?

August 29, 2025

In some ways, it seems like this summer has flown by. In others, it seems like it has lasted forever. Or maybe that’s just me. How has it been for you? I substitute teach at a year-round school. For the first time ever, I taught the last day of the 2024-25 school year and the … More What Are You Doing for Labor Day?

I’m Back…Thanks to One Person

August 16, 2025

I’m sorry. I know I’ve fallen out of communication for several weeks now. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be in touch. Part of it was that I’ve just been really busy. I teach at a year-round school, so I taught the last day of school for 2024 (Wednesday July 2) and the first … More I’m Back…Thanks to One Person

Don’t Be Fooled: What Is Happening in LA Is Part of Trump’s Shock and Awe Campaign

June 12, 2025

I imagine most Americans have been upset seeing the scenes from Los Angeles. But we may be upset for different reasons. For those who only watch Fox News, I believe it is confirmation that the liberal cities are full of criminals defying the laws and who need to a strong President to put an end … More Don’t Be Fooled: What Is Happening in LA Is Part of Trump’s Shock and Awe Campaign

Democracy Won in North Carolina!

May 7, 2025

For several weeks, I’ve been covering the court cases over the election of Allison Briggs to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Her Republican opponent has been contesting the election, using the Donald Trump approach of throwing anything against the wall and seeing what sticks. What he has mostly settled on is contesting overseas votes … More Democracy Won in North Carolina!

The Griffin List: An Addendum

April 9, 2025

I got a question from a friend about my blog post yesterday on the Griffin List. So I’m adding this post to make things clearer, because this is a very important issue. In my first post (click here to see that), I was focused on the photo ID issue. That’s because it could be especially … More The Griffin List: An Addendum

NC Voters: Check the Griffin List to Make Sure your 2024 Vote is Counted

April 8, 2025

After the high from the Raleigh Hands Off rally this weekend had faded a bit, one of my friends asked, “Well, what do we do now?” I have some suggestions I will be offering in later posts. But right now, probably the most important thing North Carolina voters can do is to ensure that they … More NC Voters: Check the Griffin List to Make Sure your 2024 Vote is Counted

Motivational Music Monday: April 5 Edition

April 7, 2025

I chose this song in honor of the estimated 5 million people who participated in over 1,200 Hands Off rallies in all 50 US states and multiple other countries. This is not your average “protest song.” Leonard Cohen songs often have many layers, and you never know when he is being ironic. But I hear … More Motivational Music Monday: April 5 Edition

What a Spectacular Saturday!

April 6, 2025

Saturday, April 5 was one great day for me. It was the first day of the Regular Season of our local Farmers Market, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market. Our Market runs all year long, but many farmers and other vendors don’t come during the “Winter Market” (November through March). Thus, the first day of the … More What a Spectacular Saturday!