Bonded Forever: Benjamin and His Mema

 

There is the one.

Maybe not for every child.  But there certainly was for me.  There is that one grandparent you develop an exclusive, close bond with. It was certainly true for me. I was very close to my mother's mother, Grandma Martin. She passed from ovarian cancer when I was only 12, but there is hardly a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

The same is true for Benjamin.  He was bonded with his Mema, Rose.  I've seldom seen a closer, loving relationship than I have between these two.

It started very early. Both Alison and I worked, so Rose would pick up Benjamin from Daycare. They would spend quality time together, including reading, sharing the day's events, snacks, and, of course, Dumbo.  Benjamin wanted to see that movie again and again and again, and she would patiently watch with him, taking in his excitement at the train scenes.

They loved to go to the movies together.  Alison and I did not see many of the animated films aimed at children, as that was Mema's and Benjamin's thing. He would always get the kid's snack tray, which included popcorn, candy, and a drink.

One time, Benjamin was out with my parents and Mema.  They ate at a restaurant and then went to the movies.  They settled in, and Benjamin piped up, "Where's my poptorn?" Even though they were full, you never saw three grandparents get up so fast in your life, all wanting to get him his 'poptorn." Was he a bit spoiled?  Yes, but that is the job description of grandparents!

Year after year, birthday after birthday, they were always there. Together, always loving, always finding joy in each other.

As he grew older, their relationship only deepened.  She supported him in whatever he chose to do.  There was never judgment, never a cross word.  

As her health declined, he continued to be there for her, even on her last day in the hospital ICU.  He drove down from his new place in Warner Robins (Benjamin is a computer programmer for the Department of the Air Force), and they had a two-and-a-half-hour conversation. He sat next to her hospital bed and held her hand.

That night, she came home.  The last three months had been rough, but she was very happy to be at home, with friends, food, and Wheel of Fortune. After only two days, she passed Saturday morning.  

Benjamin was not there.  At least physically.  Their bond was there, and it will always be there. 

The bond is there.  Benjamin will never forget her.  There will not be many days when he does not remember her.  

My boy is an amazing man.  He is loving, supportive, and kind.  And I would love for Alsion and me to take full credit for that. But we can't.

It comes from them. The bond between a boy and his Mema.

A bond that will shine forever.

 

Into the Dark: Late Spring Speculatron - Saturday Political Soap Box 304

 Will we find our way out of it? Will we ever see the other side of our authoritarian nightmare and return to a more civil democratic republic?  Will we escape like Hungary finally turning aside Orban, or will we live in a dystopian nightmare for decades like North Korea?

I don't know.  We can only turn to the SPECULATRON *   and guess.  

Will we plunge ever further into the dark? Or will we finally turn to the light of democracy and resume America's path to greatness and freedom?

I don't know. 

Well, that kind of destroys the spirit of prognostication, don't it?

There are many reasons to fear that we will not return to democracy anytime soon.  Many of our institutions are hanging by a thread.  Courts dominated by right-wing extremists who could negate progressive legislation, an Electoral College skewed towards advantaging small rural states and southern conservative states, relentless gerrymandering by conservative legislatures designed to lock in power for generations, a media largely dominated by rich right-wing zealots, a Christian Nationalist church with over-sized influence, and an increasing debt that will saddle future progressive efforts.

Is there hope?

Yes.  Consider the picture above.  Yes, Republicans use ridiculous cultural issues to inspire their supporters.  Vilifying trans persons is just the newest boogeyman.  They've been doing stuff like that for generations.

But sometimes, the fires rage too high, and they bring enough people over to make a difference. Optimistically, I feel like we are approaching one of those times.

What could that mean?

MIDTERMS

Everything else being equal, given (I pray) a minimum of election interference, the Democrats should take control of the House.  There may be no amount of gerrymandering that could prevent this - they are overestimating how many solid Republican voters there are, particularly in the Hispanic community. 

The Democrats should have a solid majority, somewhere between 20 and 40 seats.

The Senate may be closer.  I think the Democrats will eke out a thin majority (two to five).  Nice, but not a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.  But enough to halt the approval of the most heinous Trump nominees, and (hopefully) freeze the Supreme Court.

And yes, the Democrats should use hearings to investigate the administration's wrongdoing and, if necessary, impeach. But no impeachments will work - there will still be too many Senate Republicans.  So this effort should not be the only thing that Democrats are known for.

They must pass popular progressive legislation in the House, even if the Senate filibuster stops them, even if the President vetoes it.  There must be a clear record not just of stopping the administration's constant excesses, but of a traceable record showing the American people the path they will take when we elect a Democratic President in 2028.

2028 President

And in that 2028 election, Democrats need to nominate a TRUE Progressive.  Mealy-mouthed candidates who receive large corporate donations are not needed.  AOC, Talarico, and Ro Khanna would all be significantly better choices than corporate centrists like Newsome, Buttigieg, or Harris.  Don't get me wrong.  If one of the centrists wins the nomination, I will still vote for them.  And I do believe they can be competent, practical leaders.  I just don't think they meet the moment.  Without decisive progressive legislation that favors the working class, the Democrats will once again be fleeting, as the Republicans rev up the cultural nonsense and tell the working class - see? They didn't do anything for you, did they?

There is little hope that the Republicans will nominate a decent candidate, one who, although conservative, supports constitutional democracy.  The shrinking base has shown in recent Republican primaries that they do whatever Trump wants, no matter how irrational.  So they will nominate from a narrow band of extremists - Trump (in direct violation of the constitution and ignoring his crumbling health), Vance, a sold-out Rubio, and even someone from the America First crowd - MTG, Tucker Carlson, and others, even more vile and disgusting.

So, yeah, that's my more optimistic take.  Even if we take this path, it may take many years to self-correct.

But I got high hopes.

At least for this post.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

AOC 28

*patent pending.

Return of Wednesday Wanderings!

 

 Back in the Golden Days, when I would post almost every day, I had a feature called Wednesday Wanderings.  It would allow me to comment on multiple topics, things that I didn't think justified a full post of their own, or I was too lazy to expand.  Well, I'm back!

Health Update

I'm doing pretty good!  I had a follow-up rheumatology appointment, and I got my best analysis of the problem to date.  What I had assumed was primarily rheumatoid arthritis may be as much osteo-related (bones) as it is.  It has helped refocus my treatment, and I feel much better.  I should be going in for a bone density test very soon.

They asked me if I had broken any bones.  Uhh, just twice.  Once, around 8 or so, when a kid shoved me out of the garage window, I tried to brace myself with my right arm, and I about snapped it in half. The second was in high school, playing soccer, when I ran into a kid and bent my right-hand index finger back. Come to think of it, I might go back and make a whole blog about these incidents.

My Dad, who grew up on a dairy farm and chugged milk and dairy products, developed osteoporosis in his 80s. My mother, who was lactose intolerant and avoided dairy, had bones like a rock.

My son Benjamin has broken two of the hardest bones to break, his shoulder blade and femur.  He might ought to have a bone density test.

Talarico Tracker

Stuningly, last night, Texas Republicans selected Ken Paxton as their Senatorial candidate.  Ken Paxton is super corrupt from many different angles - financial, political, and sexual.  I mean, really, he's corrupt enough to make even Trump envious as to what he gets away with.

I saw an interview with a Texas voter who said he was going to vote for his incumbent Senator Cornyn, but he switched to Paxton after Trump endorsed him.  I mean, really? Can you imagine being that far up the butt of a cult?

Paxton should be an easier candidate for Talarico to defeat.  Unless Musk deploys his space lasers again.

Reading

Currently reading the second novel in the Beartown hockey series.  It's by Fredrik Backman, a Swedish writer, set in a small Swedish town, and rich with interesting characters.  Fortunately for me, it has been translated into English, which helps me immensely.

I'm also reading a collection of the earliest Supergirl stories, dating back to the late fifties.  I like reading about the early character developments of our most iconic superheroes.  

Movies

Not seeing too many. Looking forward to the Supergirl movie in June, and will soon re-read the graphic novel it is based on, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Continuing my watch of the Top 100 Science Fiction movies of the 20th Century, I am stuck on The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. A 1953 movie that helped start the giant monster trend has been difficult to find.

TV

Just finished The Boys.  Loved it! I've read the entire Boys comic series (some 60-plus issues), and yeah, I realize the TV show ended somewhat differently, but I'm more than ok with it.  I'm super tired of everybody whining about how series end on TV.  It's impossible for writers and others to come up with an ending that will make everyone happy.  The parallels between the series and our increasing drift towards fascism were incredible, especially since some of the storylines predated some of Trump's vile antics.

Well, I've wandered enough for one post.

Wanderingly Yours,

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

Ya Gotta Get Up! Ya Gotta Get Up! Ya Gotta Get Up in the Morning!

 Come on, Scout!  Up and at'em!

Alison started her new Summer schedule at work.  The good news?  She'll have Fridays off! Yay!  The bad news? Mondays through Thursdays will be longer days, starting work at 7 AM instead of 8 AM!

I usually get up (or am rousted) around 6:25 to help take care of the pets (letting them out, feeding them, etc.). That time is now 6 AM.

You would think I'd solve this by simply going to bed earlier, to balance things out.  But nah, I'll stick with my 11:20 time to turn off the TV and start the headed-to-bed routine. I'm stubborn that way.

It could mean I drift off while reading, or fall asleep during a cabinet meeting.  But I have to be careful.  Any nap may make it harder to fall asleep that night.  

I normally get about five and a half to six hours of sleep a night.  If I try to do more, insomnia could result.  At least enough to keep me in my usual range of hours.

I know all the theories about how much sleep people need, but I feel like everyone has their own internal clock.  There is greater variance in the amount of sleep required than is popularly expected.  At least that's my non-medical expert opinion.*

But without heavy drugging, there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it anyway.

Oh, well.

Anyhoo, I like being awake.  I...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Sorry.  Took a brief nap.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

*just think. If I were RFK Jr., all my non-medical expert opinions could become Federal law!

Quickie Georgia Primary Update

 

Just a quickie review of last night's Georgia Primary.

Governor

Keisha Lance Bottoms was the decisive winner in the Georgia Democratic primary for Governor.  She won 56% of the vote in a crowded field, with the next-closest candidate mustering only 19%. This means she can hit the ground running, while the Republicans...

have a very divisive runoff ahead of them.  Burt Jones, the Trump-endorsed lackey, receiving 38% of the vote, while the most racist candidate I've seen in this state since Lester Maddox, Rick Jackson, finished with 33% of the vote.  The best news is that my congressman, Buddy Carter, finished third and is now out of politics, at least until 2028.

Speaking of good news, the Democratic candidates for Governor received 54% of the vote, while the Republican candidates received only 46%.  Yes, more Democrats voted than Republicans!

Unfortunately for me, the bad news is that the county I live in continues to be MAGA SOAKED REPUBLICANS, with 91% voting for the Republican Governor candidates, and only 9% voting for Democratic Governor candidates.  This godawful percentage has held true for a decade or more. 

US Senate

Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff was unopposed.  I would still love to know his total vote count, but I have not yet found a site reporting it.

The Republicans have two awful candidates in their runoff: Mike Collins, a Trump-backed extremist with 41%, and Derek Dooley, a nepo baby with 30%.  His father, Vince Dooley, was the much-loved Georgia football coach.  This apple, however, is very far from that tree. Georgia Republicans have a tradition of foisting sports-related names on a distracted populace (re: Herschel Walker).

US Congressperson 1st District

Speaking of nepo babies, Jack Kingston's son, Jim Kingston, snagged 52% and thus avoids a runoff.  I don't know much about him, except that he was endorsed by the orange conman, and he's not Buddy Carter.

The Democratic runoff will be between Joyce Marie Griggs (35%) and Amanda Holloerll (25%).  The person I voted for, Patrick Wilver, finished a distant 5th with 7% of the vote.  I'm not ashamed.  I will ALWAYS choose the candidate that I think will move us most quickly to true universal healthcare.

I lean against Joyce Marie Griggs.  She is in the moderate/conservative wing of the Democratic Party. I will likely vote for Amanda Hollowell, but I need to do a bit more research about her positions.

Georgia Supreme Court

I am sad to report that both pro-civil and human rights candidates lost to far-right Christian Nationalists. This was non-partisan, with no party labels, and not enough Democrats did the research to figure this out.  Had they followed the Governor's voting pattern, we would not be looking at such a disaster.

Well, I said I would be brief, and I have failed to do that.  I will try to address other races in subsequent posts. There are a number of Democratic runoffs, so Democrats need to show up in large numbers!  Let's keep outvoting the Republicans!

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

Georgia Primary: Lost Who to Vote For? Saturday Political Soap Box 303

 

PatrickJ Wilver, candidate for 1st Congressional District

This is a tough one.

Many of you have probably already voted in the Georgia primary, but I'm voting on Election Day this year only because that's what best fits our schedule.

It'd be difficult to come up with endorsements this year.  There are many candidates this year, and it's hard to find much information about many of them.  

I'm going to tell you where I'm leaning, but I highly encourage you to research for yourself.  

This is only for the Democratic Primary.  If you want to vote in the Republican primary, I really don't know what to tell you.  Most of their candidates are groveling to be the candidate closest to Trump. Good luck with that, attaching your star to a President whose star is falling to Reath, disintegrating before our very eyes.  The only thing I beg you is not to vote for Rick Jackson - a vile bigot running racist and cruel ads.

Governor

Keisha Lance Bottoms

Former Mayor of Atlanta...considered for Vice President by Biden

In this one, I have decided not to fight the inevitable.  She may not be the most progressive candidate, but she is competent and more than capable of being Governor.  She's the most likely to get over 50%, and I would really like to avoid a runoff.  The Republican race is likely to end in a divisive runoff, and I would rather our candidate have the lead time to consolidate support.

Another good choice would be Jason Estaves.  He may be a bit more progressive than Bottoms, and he seems like a good person, with some charisma and speaking skills.

Nabilah Parkes

Former State Senator. Gwinnett County

I'm leaning here right now.  She is experienced as a politician and an activist, and I believe will be good on healthcare and insurance issues.  Since she has legislative experience, she may be able to herd the cats in Georgia's legislature.

I'm also considering Josh McLarin.  He is also a State Senator representing a district that covers parts of the northern suburbs of Atlanta.  His legislative priorities are similar to Nabilah's, and I have seen some TikTok Georgib-based progressives endorse him.

Secretary of State

Cam Ashling

A progressive who also has financial and small business experience. She has the experience to handle all the needs and concerns of small businesses, with licensing and other services offered by the Secretary of State.  She is being on election integrity (OUR kind, not THEIR kind), and I believe has the analytical skills to be a good Secretary of State.

I'm also considering Adam Consonery, Jr. He is the candidate who has most clearly endorsed ranked-choice voting.

Georgia 1st Congressional District

Patrick J Wilver

He's a veteran (West Point Graduate), an activist, and a college student at Georgia Southern. He's young, energetic, sharp, and able to connect with the younger voter while still appealing to the rest of us (including this old man).  His platform is the most progressive, and he most clearly states his support of true universal healthcare.  He's capable of attracting the working-class vote and moving Congress away from corruption and toward addressing 21st-century issues, not gridlock and culture-war madness.

Joyce Marie Griggs is likely to receive the most votes because of her name recognition, but she is not my choice. A conservative-to-centrist Democrat, she has run and lost before and is unlikely to build the coalition needed to win in the General Election. I am most likely to vote against her in a runoff, so I am hoping that a genuine progressive is her opposition.

I won't go into all the others.  There is a lot. You do need to vote for Miracle Rankin and Jen Auer Jordan for the Georgia Supreme Court.  They will help protect us in matters of women's reproductive rights, voting rights, and workers' rights and interests.

Without details, where I'm leaning on other races -

Attorney General  - Tanya Miller

Commissioner of Agriculture - Sedrick Kent Rowe, Jr.

Commissioner of  Insurance - Keisha Sean Waites

State School Superintendent - Anton Anthony (Otha Thornton also looks good).

Commissioner of Labor - Brett A Hulme

Public Service Commissioner - Angelica Pressley (only if you want someone advocating for YOU instead of the insurance companies).

Court of Appeals of Georgia - Will Wooten

Court of Appeals of Georgia - Fatima Harris Felton

I normally don't vote for unopposed candidates, but I am making an exception for Jon Ossoff. He has been an excellent Senator, and I am proud he represents Georgia.  We need to send a message to the lunatics running on the Republican side that we will keep the best, like we did with Ralph Warnock (the best speaker in the Senate). 

Please, if you read this and have other recommendations, please let me know. I'm open to any thoughts as to who the most progressive candidates are.

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

President Talarico

 

In hindsight, some things seem obvious.

When Barack Obama spoke at the 2004 Democratic Convention and electrified everyone who saw it with his "there are no red states, there are no blue states, there is only the United States of America" speech, it began a trajectory that quickly launched him towards the Presidency.  His message of hope, his cool, calm intelligence and empathy, connected with what many Americans wanted to return to after the years of unnecessary wars, massive deficits, botched disaster relief, and a crashed economy.

President Obama achieved many things, and he ably served two terms, righting much of where America had gone adrift.  He left a gap, however, in that he campaigned as a progressive but governed as a centrist.  This left some disappointed in the breadth of his achievements. 

On the darker side of the inevitable, the resentments simmering, especially by the white working class, led to the consideration of something I thought no one ever considered. In retrospect, the path was determined when the orange grifter came down the escalator with his Epstein wife in June 2015.  With the Democratic elites' rejection of Bernie Sanders, who could have had a broader appeal to the white working class, and the selection of legacy centrist Hilary Clinton*, the ascension of that narcissist was sealed.

And we as a country have suffered irreparable harm over the last ten years.  The Constitution is being shredded, Republicans move solely to the whims of their mad King, racism is ascendant, the economy is declining, and democracy itself is evaporating.

Now, many want to move away from the madness of Trump, from the rule of old men**, from a time when every day you wake up to a new horrific action from an administration built on greed and corruption, revenge and racism. 

Not only has the government been corrupted, but so has the very religion that many in this country have followed.  Christian Nationalism has led the faith into a dark place, worshiping power and control instead of love and generosity.

Enter James Talirico, State Senator from Texas.  Unlike many Democrats, he does not shy away from Christianity.  But his is not a Christianity of fear and hate.  His is one of love and light.  He calls us to use our Christianity to love and help others.

He is running for the US Senate in Texas.  His opponent will either be current Senator John Cornyn (an older mainline Republican who nevertheless kowtows before the antichrist-like Trump), or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (a deeply corrupt politician, both in money and in sexual misconduct). If Talarico wins, I believe that will launch him on a path to be President of the United States.

Some Talirico quote -

"We as Christians are called to do more than charity. We are called to challenge the systems that make charity necessary." 

"As the hymn says, 'they will know we are Christians by our love.' We have to get back to that."

"The covenant that binds “We the People” together rests on this promise: Power flows from the consent of the governed. When that covenant is broken, when leaders choose their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders, we are not merely witnessing a political maneuver; we are confronting a moral trespass against the very heart of democracy."

He often uses quotes from Matthew that emphasize the importance of taking care of those in need - 

for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

Although I very much like James Talarico, this is not a direct endorsement, just a likely path.  I still am very much for AOC to be our next President.  And current polling shows her to be one of the most popular politicians in the country.

Many things could happen that could divert us from this path.  Talarico has a lot yet to prove, and I don't know of any skeletons (or, with Trump, whether that even matters anymore).

But I do know this.  Whether his path leads to the Presidency or not, his path shows the only way forward for Christianity to survive.  If  Christianity continues down the path of Christian Nationalism. It will either wither away or make Christianity completely unrecognizable.

Even more important than the light that James Talirico shines on democracy is the light he shines on our restoration of faith.

Until next time.

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

* this is not to flame Hilary Clinton. She was the most qualified person to be President, had the talent and temperament to be effective, and she won the popular vote.  She just wasn't meeting the moment that fit the anti-establishment mood.

** make no mistake.  I feel that Biden was a good and arguably great President.  The things he accomplished with the small Congressional margin he had were nothing short of miraculous.  But he was old.  And with the cyclical nature of our politics, like when the elderly Eisenhower was replaced by the younger, more charismatic John F Kennedy; between Biden and Trump, we are ready to turn to a younger generation.