Thank you for these details on what is going on in DC. Just a matter of time before another city is selected for the same treatment. Trump only knows how to wreck things. This propensity will eventually be his downfall.
Gosh I'm sorry to see this. I thought of you and Diana when I heard this was happening, though I'm sure it's not people who look like you who are in view. Keep up your advocacy!
Loved those dancers outside the White House, maybe some of them were tourists...
Growing up I only heard my Mom say lock the doors once, we were driving home early morning hours through Ft Lauderdale from my grandparents the morning after MLK was killed. We'd taken that shortcut before, but never saw the level of violence in front of us. In retrospect it was bad, but we weren't afraid and most surely it got much worse. My parents expressed their sadness at what they saw around them.
Thanks for everything you do Robbie. Thanks for bringing these moments of clarity where the water too often gets to muddy to see clearly.
Great blog! Thanks for “your day” story - this is the DC I know. Yes, we have areas of high property crime - but that is often a sign of poverty, drug use or mental health issues. The “treatment” should be economic justice, better safety net supports, more affordable housing, greater access to groceries in wards 7 and 8.
Ah, Robby. I am so alarmed at this spreading fascist and racist agenda. Thanks for reading us in. And thanks as ever for the work you do on behalf of a more just society. I'll be in DC in September; hope to see you. Good luck on the book.
On Friday nights as a child we piled in the car to get hoagies from Jimmy’s in a Black neighborhood. Before my Dad left the car he would always remind us to lock the doors . “Safe at home on the stroke of midnight we would eat the meat that as Catholics we couldn’t eat on Friday.
I attended seminary in NYC in the 90's when the crime rate was higher than it is today; I lived there for three years, and I never saw or experienced anything threatening. I have traveled to many other major cities including D.C. I have never been afraid. Every community has its own unique problems--that includes my own small cityy situated in the middle of a rural county. Local police are trained to deal with the unique issues of their particular communities. The National Guard is rarely needed; they are deployed by governors when there are real emergencies. American cities are not under siege. Research shows urban crime in American cities is trending downwards. Their is no emergency in L.A or Washington D.C. that warrants the deployment of teams of ICE agents to chase down 'dangerous' immigrants; there is no need for the presence of the National Guard or the U.S. military to frighten law abiding citizens--especially when they are exercising their Constitutional right to participate in peaceful protests. It is an expensive abuse of power. This is a good time to call members of Congress, governors (5calls.org) and state legislators; tell them you expect them to stand firm against this dangerous power grab by Trump and his Administration.
Thank you for speaking truth to power. I was speaking to a congressional member today and our work is cut out for all citizens who understand the threat of Trump and his administration to our democracy.
I posted this on Heather Cox Richards post for August 14 and it seems relevant to share here as it all applies.
Great post! Thanks! Over the past few days I’ve been thinking about the Disney movie, “The Lion King,” animated version my daughters grew up watching. Seem’s like a prophecy of the situation we find ourselves in currently here in the US of A. Particularly, I find Scar’s song, “Be Prepared,” haunting!
The video of the dancers reminds me of the song "Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble" which includes the phrase, "Dancers who dance upon injustice..."
Thank you for these details on what is going on in DC. Just a matter of time before another city is selected for the same treatment. Trump only knows how to wreck things. This propensity will eventually be his downfall.
Gosh I'm sorry to see this. I thought of you and Diana when I heard this was happening, though I'm sure it's not people who look like you who are in view. Keep up your advocacy!
Loved those dancers outside the White House, maybe some of them were tourists...
Growing up I only heard my Mom say lock the doors once, we were driving home early morning hours through Ft Lauderdale from my grandparents the morning after MLK was killed. We'd taken that shortcut before, but never saw the level of violence in front of us. In retrospect it was bad, but we weren't afraid and most surely it got much worse. My parents expressed their sadness at what they saw around them.
Thanks for everything you do Robbie. Thanks for bringing these moments of clarity where the water too often gets to muddy to see clearly.
Folks can check out FreeDC - https://freedcproject.org/ or https://freedcproject.org/allies
Thanks for sharing this resource!
Great blog! Thanks for “your day” story - this is the DC I know. Yes, we have areas of high property crime - but that is often a sign of poverty, drug use or mental health issues. The “treatment” should be economic justice, better safety net supports, more affordable housing, greater access to groceries in wards 7 and 8.
Ah, Robby. I am so alarmed at this spreading fascist and racist agenda. Thanks for reading us in. And thanks as ever for the work you do on behalf of a more just society. I'll be in DC in September; hope to see you. Good luck on the book.
Thanks Jacqui for this note! yes, will hope to see you!
On Friday nights as a child we piled in the car to get hoagies from Jimmy’s in a Black neighborhood. Before my Dad left the car he would always remind us to lock the doors . “Safe at home on the stroke of midnight we would eat the meat that as Catholics we couldn’t eat on Friday.
Thank you, Robbie. Truth is a beautiful thing.
Well said. So sad to see us devolving into this kind of "terrorism"!
I attended seminary in NYC in the 90's when the crime rate was higher than it is today; I lived there for three years, and I never saw or experienced anything threatening. I have traveled to many other major cities including D.C. I have never been afraid. Every community has its own unique problems--that includes my own small cityy situated in the middle of a rural county. Local police are trained to deal with the unique issues of their particular communities. The National Guard is rarely needed; they are deployed by governors when there are real emergencies. American cities are not under siege. Research shows urban crime in American cities is trending downwards. Their is no emergency in L.A or Washington D.C. that warrants the deployment of teams of ICE agents to chase down 'dangerous' immigrants; there is no need for the presence of the National Guard or the U.S. military to frighten law abiding citizens--especially when they are exercising their Constitutional right to participate in peaceful protests. It is an expensive abuse of power. This is a good time to call members of Congress, governors (5calls.org) and state legislators; tell them you expect them to stand firm against this dangerous power grab by Trump and his Administration.
Thank you for speaking truth to power. I was speaking to a congressional member today and our work is cut out for all citizens who understand the threat of Trump and his administration to our democracy.
I posted this on Heather Cox Richards post for August 14 and it seems relevant to share here as it all applies.
Great post! Thanks! Over the past few days I’ve been thinking about the Disney movie, “The Lion King,” animated version my daughters grew up watching. Seem’s like a prophecy of the situation we find ourselves in currently here in the US of A. Particularly, I find Scar’s song, “Be Prepared,” haunting!
Be Prepared
Song ‧ 1994
I never thought hyenas essential
They're crude and unspeakably plain
But maybe they've a glimmer of potential
If allied to my vision and brain
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
And where do we feature?
Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared
Yeah, be prepared, we'll be prepared
For what?
For the death of the king
Why is he sick?
No fool, we're gonna kill him and Simba too
Great idea, who needs a king?
No king, no king, la-la-la-la-la-la
Idiots, there will be a king
Eh, but you said
I will be king
Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again
Yay, (alright) alright, long live the king
Long live the king
Long live the king
It's great that we'll soon be connected
With a king who'll be all-time adored
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won't get a sniff without me
So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Elton John / Tim Rice
Be Prepared lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Or sing along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHP4VbhtGJ4