AND THE WINNER OF THE BEST REALITY SHOW IS.....

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Have you noticed as you watch conservatives speak on news stations, with the exception of Fox News, how the majority of Republicans and their supporters proceed to talk over the interviewer and other guests to such a degree that comprehending the conversation is nearly impossible? Has extreme repetition of words and not allowing the opinions of others into the conversation become the norm by which we are being convinced to cooperate with this current administration?

Well, after this long 'week of crazy,' the concept of the manipulation of our country's beliefs and her people, by various formats and ideologies, has become increasingly clear to most of us.

The dynamic of the culture in this country has changed dramatically. We can't just disagree with one another any more. If a person disagrees with someone else, he/she must also call them a liar and a phony. We are witnessing people being divided by religion, cultural beliefs, and backgrounds whether they were born here or living here with the hopes of citizenship. And, we are being manipulated into believing that diversity is undesirable as opposed to being, fundamentally, basic in making our country stronger.

To manipulate someone or something means to control them in a skillful manner. I may be giving way too much credit to this new administration by the use of the term skillful. However, their manipulation has reared its ugly head in several predominant political ways over this past 'week of crazy,' and, more than likely, will continue for as long as they can get away with it.

I have contended for quite some time that Trump and his supporters have been doing all that they could to follow through on their initiative of 'The Dumbing-Up of America.' Unfortunately, they have succeeded in far too many ways, already. 

A well educated nation is a strong nation with people who understand, defend, and are capable of transferring their intelligent ideologies along to other countries thus creating a cohesive union of nations. This administration is being led by a politician guided by expediency rather than principle with an inclination towards methods that are advantageous rather than fair or just. He has chosen many of his Cabinet appointees because they hold opposite views from what each position stands for or have no worldly idea of what a particular post is all about in the first place.....proving my point.

One of the most disturbing of these appointees is Betsy DeVos of Michigan. As a political donor and lobbyist who has spent decades working to dismantle public education and privatize public school, DeVos has yet to demonstrate any knowledge of civil rights laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. She appears to lack even basic knowledge of educational practice, which was evidenced in her descriptions of assessment and accountability measures for students and educators. And yet, she was his choice to handle the responsibility of protecting our nation’s most vulnerable students. 

Certain members of this administration know that 'The Dumbing-Up of America' begins with our children and, they are doing the best that they can to influence this president. If this country fails to grant our youth the right to achieve their full potential, regardless of their location or background, we undermine our mission and cause great harm to our public schools thus greatly effecting the bright and prosperous future of the United States through the imagination and education of our youth.

Poignantly stated by the National Memo, "Everything about Donald Trump is about appearances and his fragile ego. Unlike Lincoln, his agenda shows no promise of elevating above anything but a childish need for self-validation and a tyrannical need for the accumulation of power." This is precisely what has concerned many of us for so long now. Like the spoiled child that he is, he can be and is easily manipulated himself. 

To whom do we reasonably contribute the manipulation of this highly vulnerable president? The answer is conflated with the presence of Steve Bannon, and his history of white nationalism and agenda of propaganda and hatred, infused with the documented backing of the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin.

Bannon is viewed as one of the most influential people within the White House and his views have been significant in framing the way that Trump has begun his administration and is believed to have been a co-author of the term 'American Carnage' used in the inaugural speech. Last week, Bannon, who views the media as the opposition party, told the media to shut-up and listen for awhile. With Bannon's recent inclusion into the shaking-up of the National Security Council by downgrading the Joint Chiefs Chairman and inserting Steve Bannon, political advisor, it has been said that the Joint Chiefs attendance at security meetings will now be by invitation only. Government officials have told all of us that in order to hear the truth about anything, we must only listen to Donald Trump because only he speaks the truth. And, think about the fact that we have yet to ascertain the full extent of influence on Trump issued by Putin himself. 

Now, with executive orders flying around the White House as prolifically as paper airplanes decorated with black   squiggles made by a Sharpie pen, never to be seen or read by anyone outside of the Oval Office, the entire world has been accosted by a blanket ban designed to hurt all Muslims everywhere! Done in a 'back of the envelope' way, Republicans are demonstrating their lack of intelligence by initiating their knee-jerk 'reaction policies' that could ultimately place our own military troops stationed in the war zones of the Middle East in jeopardy. 

This Ban is a set-back on the war on terror and is a "self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism," says Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham. To add insult to injury, some Republicans are calling the protesters around our nation over the travel ban initiated over the weekend a "Flash Mob" and that the Left is still crying over their loss in the November election. This White House has only displayed tendencies that would harm the welfare of Americans and our troops overseas. 

This travel ban against the Muslims was not about protecting our nation from terrorists. Rather, this ban was about weakening our country from within.

I have believed for quite some time that this entire scenario was designed and utterly contrived to make us feel afraid. And, after this has been accomplished, Trump then rides in on his white horse to protect us from all of the terrible evil out in the world. This is the plan employed by this man to display his power and strength; a perfect example of a manipulated leader attempting to manipulate others. This is how his campaign was run. And now, using lies and deceit, his administration applies the same rules to their attempt at running our great nation. 

Tom Friedman is a New York Times columnist and author of his latest book,"Thank You For Being Late," tells us that the threat today is between the world of order and the world of disorder. "We shouldn't think 'in the box' or 'out of the box' anymore. We need to think 'without a box.' This is global  chaos and everything is connected with everything else. To lead and succeed, you have to be able to understand the world. You have to be educated, you have to read, and you have to know that all things are connected. Nothing is connected in a Trump world."

A prime example of his total disconnect is when Trump lopped-off the non-partisan people who were running our infrastructure in the State Department, pulling our Ambassadors to other countries, and sending their bosses packing. These are the people who, along with their many other duties, ensure the protection of the U.S. Government to American citizens, property, and interests in foreign countries. Is it just stupidity, or is there some form of a plan by Steve Bannon and the rest to weaken us? Especially after he has been identified with propaganda and right wing extremists!

Mr. Friedman once wrote of a friend who said that Americans kick around this country like it is a football when in reality, it is a Fabergé Egg. You can drop it. You can break it. There's so much at stake for us. If we grow weak as a country, if we get distracted, and get knocked off our values, our children will grow up in a fundamentally different world.

In Trump-land, the Republicans are showing a complete lack of intelligence. They are blaming the mixed messages they are sending out on a "Hyperventilating Media." They have mocked Senator Chuck Schumer's teary-eyed statement that the travel ban initiated over the weekend was mean spirited and un-American and all part of making us feel afraid. The president said that Senator Schumer's tears were fake and asked who his acting coach was. Belittling others seems to rank high as standard procedure within this administration. 

I, for one, am becoming exhausted by this 'all about Fears and never about Facts, Phobia induced' White House! I want action! For me, if being politically correct means upholding our Constitution, then I am, most definitely, politically correct! 

There are several words in our vocabulary that decidedly encapsulate how many of us are feeling right now and would help to counteract the negative emotions felt towards an administration that is serving to weaken our great nation by sending the world a propaganda message that will serve to make us less safe and more vulnerable every day. #Solidarity, #MutualRespectAndUnderstanding, #RespondToBadWithGood, and the most important of all: #RESIST!!

We must RESIST......

Thank you, Sally Yates, Attorney General of the United States, for your sacrifice for your country.  'We The People" means All of the people and you understood this more than anyone in this new administration ever will.

No one can deny that these last several days will always be labeled 'A Week of Crazy!'

Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

A series of essays.....

INSIDE THE GILDED PENTHOUSE ~ HIGH ABOVE NEW YORK CITY
Image by 'Curbed NY

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

First of all, as an avid news fan who occasionally wishes she'd not changed her initial major of Journalism at Indiana University South Bend to English, Secondary Education, upon transferring to Michigan State University, I believe that every single moment of our daily news is head turning and, absolutely, mind blowing!

Secondly, whether we agree or not with what is happening around us within this present political climate, I would have to say that this is one helluva time to be a journalist!!

Where do I even begin?

Before heading down a million roads towards greediness, hate, and personal vindictiveness that some of us associate with the new D.C. agenda, which includes conflict of interest, abuse of power, propaganda, possible spousal abuse, and the 'fear-then-relief' tactics used to manipulate both the general citizenry of our nation, as well as all groups and divisions associated with governing and watching over our best interests, I will choose my topic wisely today.

It is exhausting trying to keep up with everything coming down the pike out of Washington D.C. this week. Many of us knew it would be like this immediately following the inauguration last Friday. The whirlwind of executive orders and 'unfactual' news briefings are, almost, secondary to the pettiness and ego-bruising experienced by this new 'leader' who now, by the way, has the power to run/ruin our country. 

BILL MAHER ~ HOST OF THE HBO POLITICAL
TALK SHOW, REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER

When woman unite, as we did this past Saturday in the Woman's March 2017 that happened all around the world, we prove to be a force to be reckoned with. Jane Fonda was asked by Bill Maher, host of the political talk show Real Time, if the reason behind women marching so soon after the inauguration was because women were sore losers and were mourning the loss of Hillary Clinton as President. Her reply was, "We are not sore losers. It's because of rapid climate change....we know we don't have time to make mistakes. It's time to stop fretting and start fighting!" Boom!!

I never believed that Americans would have to make such a difficult choice in order to move forward. But, we do. We can choose the Constitution of the United States or we can decide to live in 'Trumpland' and deal with the variables that make-up this fear-ridden world. It's not a game. Adapting to this new era of ours, created by our own hand (I'm loath to admit), is imperative to our sound mental health and general well being. I choose our Constitution...!

In my estimation, his tactics can be likened to an high-speed missile attached to a steam roller. It's as if untethered velocity and indecent quantity have usurped logic and common sense for him. Possibly, another job or mission is occupying his thoughts these days and propelling him forward at such a rapid pace? Not to mention that his ego is being artificially flattered by paid performers whose every laugh and clap would send chills down the backs of a majority of people.

Sadly, my six-year-old grandson can weather most forms of 'varied opinion' and constructive criticism better than this man of seventy years of age! Without ever having to throw a tantrum at all.

I can picture a small boy by the name of Donald roaming the marble-clad halls of his family's home desperately seeking proof, even if it's only from his own reflection staring back at him via the multitude of gilded-framed mirrors and shiny stone walls, that his very existence on this earth was important....substantial. Each day of his life was spent proving his own worth and seeking praise and love from the adults that encompassed his world. 

FRED AND MARY ANNE MACLEOD TRUMP
WITH SON AT NEW YORK
MILITARY ACADEMY

I have never claimed to be a doctor or psychologist and I'm certainly not in any legal position to make direct comments on the whys and why nots surrounding Donald Trump, as an adult man or as a small child. What I am, however, is a Mother and a Grandmother. I have earned certain rights when it comes to opinions regarding praise, or lack thereof, sincere appreciation of a child's accomplishments and struggles by way of hugs and kisses, and the immanent importance of letting your child know how grateful you are to have them in your life; loving them with all of your being. That can only be described as a privilege and a blessing uniquely subscribed to by every parent in the world, biological or adopted. At least, it should be.

The child in the 'gilded cage' above may or may not have had the opportunity to experience unconditional love through the parenting he has received. And, no matter how much research I've accumulated on this topic, I will never know for certain due to the obvious lack of personal observation at the time. Studying history does have its limitations. But, if I were to venture a guess, I would have to say that this chronologically mature man is showing symptoms, based on his 'needy' and juvenile desire for acceptance and praise, of lacking the example of positive emotions early on in life.

Sadly, the White House has had to issue a statement this past Tuesday requesting privacy for the youngest son of Melania and Donald Trump stating that Barron, ten years old, has been made fun of and bullied on social media. Harassing children in any way has always been considered an understood taboo and it was unfortunate that a young, female writer for "Saturday Night Live," the longstanding nemesis of Donald Trump, would have tweeted a highly unfavorable post about Barron on Inaugural Day last Friday. She has been suspended indefinitely for her actions. I agree with that decision.

The focus of the White House was to extend the tradition of allowing the children of presidents the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight. Knowing exactly what Barron Trump has to look forward to, and having gone through eight years of scrutiny along the way herself, Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, is a huge supporter of Barron. Posting a statement on her Facebook page over the weekend, Chelsea encouraged people to "lay off Barron." Further stating that, "He deserves the chance that every child does...to be a kid."

Our society has become more understanding and protective of our children, especially when they are thrust into the spotlight. This consideration was, unfortunately, not the norm six or seven decades ago. I have to ask myself if Barron's father was a victim of harassment and low self esteem while at a very young and vulnerable age years ago. Did he reach out for help only to receive a blind eye, a harsh hit of competitiveness, without ever having the luxury of hearing from one reassuring voice....a kind or loving word in return?

Being the son of a seemingly loving mother, coupled with the wise words of others who have been there before him, I have high hopes that Barron Trump will survive and do quite well in this crazy, mixed-up world we live in today. I am, genuinely, hoping that all of us make it through these highly unpredictable times!

Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

I HEAR SOMETHING BUBBLING OUT THERE!!!

I will be the first to tell you that when I see Evil winning over Good, it's time to do something about it before it's too late. It may be in the form of a bully, a person getting away with murder, hurting another through lies and innuendo, or blatantly cheating others in order to get their way. When all of these aspects are combined in one group or individual and they are getting away with it, the ramifications are staggering and hurtful.

When the Trump/Pence ticket succeeded in our Presidential election in November, I was mortified to the point that it was difficult to perform the basic functions of breathing, eating, and sleeping. My faith in the meaning of all that is good was shattered. Fear for the future consumed me. The disappointment in my fellow man was unpalatable. Something quite evil was taking place and hiding under the covers like a small child could save me from it.

Well, of course, as a functioning adult this was simply nonsense. Even so, the dark shadow shrouding me from the light increased in size every day and I felt helpless and alone. The day I discovered that I was not alone saved my life. I understood that women from all walks of life were planning to march together in large, strong numbers in Washington D.C. on January 21 and that my own daughter would be marching among them. I heard that a strong-spoken, action taking Congressman had enough guts to tell the truth to the American people. I heard of a 'working guide' that created countermeasures to thwart the evil brewing within this new administration.

No, I am not alone, but for a very long time I felt like it and, it's a miserable feeling. Things are happening and footsteps are falling heavy along the path of Hope. We must work together to make our voices heard. We must stay strong and vigilant as we pull back on the evil shadow that attempts to blind us from all of the good that we know truly exists. If we try hard enough, we will win!

~~~J. Hughes

 A series of essays.....

WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON ~ 2017
graphic by Liza Donovan

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

You might remember cracking open the large, multi-faceted shell of a golden walnut with a silver instrument that resembled a crude dental device that might have been used to extract a tooth in the wild, wild west of the 1800's. I certainly do. 

It was always during Christmastime when my Mother would place a wooden bowl of mixed nuts out for family and guests to crack open and excavate. This excavation, by the way, was achieved by inserting a lethal-looking metal pick into the particular fruit/légume and relieving the tasty meat from its stubborn shell. Any sibling retaliation was always observed and noted while these archaic instruments existed in our living room. 

Occasionally, after all that hard work and anticipation, the reward was a bite of luscious seed that sometimes tasted as metallic as the pick being used to work it free. It was a hit-or-miss, messy, kind of an operation that had its benefits more often than not.

Life's philosophy of hard work, hoping for the best, and receiving occasional benefits from it all has always been one of my sound reasons for waking up in the morning. Since early November of last year, somehow, the pure joy of hard work and accomplishment has diminished for me.  Oh, I still go through the motions of the day and dirty clothes don't wash themselves, that's for sure. And, having Family stay for the holidays helped to occupy my mind and heart in a good way.

My very approach to life has been changed, altered, rearranged, reconfigured.....call it what you will, since November 8, 2016. And, I will be brutally honest with myself when I say that it has not been for the best. Coping techniques have become the norm. Now, toss in a pinch of disappointment in my fellow man; a smidgen of embarrassment for the embracement of pure greed and narcissism; a dollop of confusion about future chaos that's as plain as the nose on my face......and, you have a frightening recipe for disaster that will haunt (not nourish) us for many years to come. It will change our lives completely and set the stage for vulnerability, the likes of which we have not witnessed for many years.

When that 'future chaos' includes the praising of ideas and blatant collaboration with a madman from Russia, appointing the super-rich to some of the highest offices within our government, ignoring the health and welfare of millions of American citizens, depriving women of their right to monitor their bodies and protect themselves through Planned Parenthood, and, now...working diligently to swiftly weaken the programs set-up to assist all of us as we age, Medicare and Social Security, you and I both realize that there is a premeditated plan behind all of this!!

That is, of course, if we, truly, care about ourselves, as we should about every other living soul around us.

You do realize that pure greed is the sounding board by which those now in power (especially Congress) wish to conduct life and, the November 2016 elections have assured them of that power for a period of time that could break apart the backbone of this country, spewing it out in a million shattered pieces. Pure greed and their, seemingly, total disgust for our middle-class, our poor, our disabled, the homeless, women in general, minorities, education, health, and anyone or anything that serves to eliminate the chances of lining their own pockets with gold. You do realize this by now, right?

Maybe you thought that being able to hold-on to your precious weapons (guns) was the most important thing you had to fight for. Now, many of you are beginning to realize that it might be your health insurance that takes priority. The ridiculous notion that your precious guns would be taken away from you was only the fear driven into you over and over again by the NRA and anyone who wanted you to believe it for their own political advancement. You know that now, don't you? 

Let me be the first to tell you that this new regime that is infiltrating Washington D.C. and beyond will be a very tough nut to crack. Unlike the walnut that might be crushed under pressure but its seed relinquishes its hold, exposing the trickery and disparagement of human rights brought on by the so-called 'entitled in government' will be likened to the Brazil nut. These seeds will be much more difficult to extract from their shell and we will have to 'pick' our way through to the meat of our problems with intelligence, precision, and honest determination.

I hear it. I feel it. There's something bubbling out there and it is definitely not the sound of complacency!

The wisdom of Doctor Martin Luther King is ringing loud and clear through the windswept hillsides, metropolitan landscapes, golden meadows, and 'small town' America alike: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." 

I, ashamedly, admit to becoming silent when it came to the one instrument that I knew I could utilize to its greatest advantage, my writing. I sat back and cowered in my own small world of 'doom and gloom' without realizing that I had, overnight, become silent about things that really mattered to me. Guilty as charged. 

What had changed all of us who, deep down, knew better? Again, it was the bubbling sound of solidarity; the wisdom of realizing that we were not alone in this and that we could do something about what we knew was wrong and paralyzing to our well being.....if we did it together. As Congressman and Civil Rights leader, John Lewis, preaches from his heart and past experiences: "If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it. Get out there and push, and stand up, and speak out, and get in the way the same that my generation got in the way. Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."

Saturday, January 21, 2017, thousands of women and men will be marching in protest of the new administration and their agenda of stripping the American people of their rights to, and hopes for, a brighter, healthier future. The day after the inauguration, thousands of women have organized to march on Washington D.C. in support of women's rights and affordable health care. 'Sister' marches are planned for all 50 states and in 32 countries around the world. That's pretty powerful and should prove to all of us that we are not alone in this movement to stop something that is not right. Our voices will be heard. Our presence will be seen. Our numbers will be noted. 

According to USA TODAY NETWORK, "It means the rally is a starting point. For the women coming as far away as California and Hawaii, there’s concern that women’s rights could be rolled back by Congress and the new Republican White House. These include some of the causes women fought for dating to the suffragette convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls, N.Y. — such as affordable health care.

It's unclear how much impact the rally will have on the agenda of the incoming administration. Organizers hope the significance of the march, bringing together more than 100 different interest groups including Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, NAACP and MoveOn.org, will be a web of activism spun in its aftermath."

Something is bubbling out there and its intensity is astounding!

Another anti-Republican White House movement made up of regular citizens resisting the new administration's greedy agenda is called "Indivisible." 

Co-authored by many ex-Congressional pages, such as Mr. Ezra Levin, high school students who applied for the opportunity to provide supplemental support to House operations in a variety of capacities, "Indivisible" is a free guide that can be used however any person or group sees fit. 

So far, hundreds of groups have been formed all over the United States utilizing the knowledge written within this guide and website. Every single person who worked on it is a volunteer who is doing this in his/her free time without coordination or support from their employers. Their only goal is to help the real leaders on the ground who are resisting the Republican White House agenda on their home turf.

Mr. Levin explains that this guide recognizes the 'stages of grief' millions of us have gone through after this election. How many of us live in despair over the potential harm this administration has over so many of this country's good citizens. He and his fellow volunteers have firsthand knowledge of how Congress works and expertise in being able to dissect the Tea Party's tactical success. Their hope is to help you say, as a citizen: "This behavior is not acceptable!"

Go to indivisibleguide.com to acquire your copy of this helpful guide and learn for yourself how these former congressional staffers reveal their best practises for making Congress listen. And please, please spread the word! Only folks who know this exists will use it. Good luck. We will win.

Times are changing. We are feeling the power of solidarity and the desire to be a part of that sisterhood/brotherhood of change. I have often mentioned that being a product of the '60's has illustrated to me and my generation that coming together for a good cause does matter. It does work. 

Being a writer, I recognize the scenario of "good vs. evil" and how these opposite forces create a power struggle that is woven throughout every fiber of our history. Good is a thing which will not hurt anyone but evil does do damage. For example, ignorance, by definition is evil, while being educated in all current matters is just and good. 

Why would anyone consciously promote the downfall or decline of a group or groups of people? What benefit would that serve anyone? Is history, sadly, repeating itself? These questions I hope to tackle in the near future. But, until then please remember that it's okay to....  

"Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble." And, make your voice be heard!

Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved