That Did Not Go Well

Voters, shame on us if we do not stop this madness in 2018.

"In 1980, Ronald Reagan campaigned for the presidency on a platform that included abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. Only recently created by President Jimmy Carter as a political favor to the teachers' unions, the department had failed to deliver either better test scores or more rigorous curriculum dedicated to academic excellence. That sounded like a good idea to me, because I have never believed in federal control of the schools. The vast majority of parents can figure out for themselves how to educate their children and how to provide them with good values. And if some parents can't do so, well, there's most likely someone nearby who can step in. That's what I mean by local control and by the wisdom of letting the fifty states--all those separate laboratories of democracy--chart their own courses on education. The challenge of good schooling, I firmly believe, is best addressed as close to the student as possible."  OnTheIssues

Ethicists and attorneys opposed Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. They knew their work would be endless if she were confirmed. It happened.

If you know an ethicist or attorney this is a good time to head to Washington, or to areas of the country who will be on the front lines opposing this President's cabinet appointments. The ethicist for the Obama White House said attorneys in Washington were bored for the eight years of the Obama administration. Now there's work for everybody.

Next will be the Attorney General, and there's little to no doubt Jeff Sessions will be confirmed. I am counting on the judicial branch of government to hold this administration in check but with the future of the Supreme Court in play, and Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, I am concerned.
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I have a confession. I am extremely bitter toward Evangelical Christians, the Church, and religion. I try to keep that under control but in this environment it seeps through. When you catch me expressing that bitterness I hope you will call it to my attention. I need to be held accountable.
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Now, on to more cheerful things. Here in Portland there is a woman who decided to give a crisp $100 bill to a complete stranger every day for 30 days. I don't have $100 bills to give away but there are other things we can do.

This morning when I read the blog Molly's Folks I was flooded with ideas. Instead of knitting a protest hat perhaps this would be better for my soul. I can embroidery, I enjoy working with felt. I could imagine giving one of these to little white haired ladies that block my path in the grocery store. There must be endless possibilities for using these hearts or other embroidered creations. There are many lonely people in the world and many people are very concerned these days. If not hearts then something else that can fit in your purse to show a little love to strangers.
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The big lesson of Trump's first 2 weeks: resistance works, by Matthew Yglesias

Your Guide to the Sprawling New Anti-Trump Resistance Movement, by Joshua Holland