September 2023 – Susan Feathers

In Spite of Republicans, the Wheels of Democray Turn On, But for How Long?

Listening to Anthony Bliken’s address at the John’s Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies gave me an insight into the critical work of the Biden Administration across the world.

This is rarely seen or heard in the daily cacophony of news resulting from the very bad and sick behavior of a person who has duped Republicans and millions of Americans into following his authoritarian ideas. Rump is dangerous. Everyone of us Americans needs to understand that our current political moment is profound.

This moment mean everything that we hold dear in a democracy: the rule of law, a Constitution that we abide by, civil debate and compromise for the common good (to harken Robert Reich’s definition of the common good).

“Instead of being self-seeking individuals who happen to live within the same political and geographic boundaries, we are a group of people with responsibilities to one another.” – Reich from The Common Good,

I hope you will take time to listen to this address to learn how democracies work in the world and why the U.S. democracy is so important to other countries as well as our own.

No we are not perfect by any means but the critical point is that we must strive to fulfill the promise of our founding principle that all people are created equal and are indowed with inalienable rights.

In this address, I hear Secretary Blinken use the term “humility” describing how America is forming alliances with countries that we are responsible for hurting from our past wars and policies. The point is that we are striving to understand and respond to the great principles and values that our forefathers embedded in the Constitution.

Finally, I think the remarks of Mitt Romney, Senator, upon his announcement that he will not run again, are cogent to this post.

UPDATED: Doppleganger – This new book by Naomi Kline is a must read for understanding how AI and social media have created false realities through which, with no discernment, citizens can easily be duped. The book emanated from Naomi’s experience being mistaken for Naomi Wolfe. Folks they look alike but their political and personal values couldn’t be more apart. I have not read this book yet as it was just released, but I am basing my comments here from listening to an extensive interview with Naomi on Democracy Now.

UpDate: Great Center for the Constitution Celebration of the 1st Amendment:

National Constitution Center Free Speech Summit with Salman Rushdie

Deep Democracy Welling

In a joint statement on September 7, Presidential Centers around the nation published a statement and a warning to strengthen our democracy.

This is unprecedented, at least in my lifetime, and to me is a bellwether that citizens pay attention to the forces of autocracy that threaten our way of life.

Dear Friends,

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is joined by fellow presidential centers and foundations to reaffirm our commitment to the democratic values on which this country was founded.

As we constantly strive toward a more perfect union, it is important to recognize inherent human dignity, foster conditions for liberty, advance equality, and promote the general welfare of the United States.  When united by our founding ideals, Americans should reaffirm the importance of democratic values, civic responsibility, civility, and a pluralistic society.

We hope you will join us in this effort by reading and reflecting upon the statement, sharing it with your networks, and practicing the good citizenship that our democracy requires.

David J. Kramer
Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute
bushcenter.org

Read the statement here.

Beyond Margaritaville

Dedicated to Jimmy Buffet and Parrotheads Everywhere

Margaritaville Hotel – Photo by Susan Feathers

On Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island in Florida, Jimmy Buffet bought a half-completed hotel in 2010. After the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, tourism – the region’s main economy – went into a tailspin. Purchasing the hotel was Buffet’s gift of support to people of the Florida Panhandle he loved.

Beyond the Margaritaville Hotel lies the Gulf Islands National Seashore—seven miles of white sand beaches, swaying golden sea oats and translucent-green ocean. Way out on the tip end is Fort Pickens, one our country’s oldest coastal defense fortifications. The National Seashore is a place where sea turtles return to lay their eggs and sea birds migrate to raise their young, and where schools of fish, spotted eagle rays, and pods of dolphins hunt, mate, and play. People swim and snorkel in the warm gentle waves and sunbathe on white sand made of quartz crystals carried by rivers from the Appalachian Mountains into the Gulf.

Still other beach goers wear feathers and strut around on long, skinny legs, or beat the waves with a broad tail. Some soar above or dive into the waves for lunch or dinner. Beyond Margaritaville people, animals, beach and ocean all live and play together.

These are some of their stories. Some are for kids and all are for the “kid in you.” Read them together or alone to learn more about the lives of the people and animals that live in one of Earth’s most beautiful places. When you know about it, you’ll want to keep it for all to come.

[These stories are protected under U.S. Copyright Law. Read but seek permission to print. Contact me: susanleefeathers@gmail.com.]

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