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