I find myself becoming an editorial writer again. My newspaper is failing miserly in its duty to speak truth to power. So I will; it’s who I’ve always been.
I have started. Here is what I wrote about what is happening in Minnesota:
Trump has declared war on Minnesota for the same reason that Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were attacked. Let’s connect some dots to better recognize that. I’m sure others have gone through this same exercise, but I wanted to see it on paper and share it.
It’s not about Somalis or welfare fraud, although those give Trump hot button excuses. (The fraud deserves and was receiving appropriate attention.)
No, the war on Minnesota and Minnesotans is happening because Minnesota has come to represent EVERYTHING Trump and the MAGA crowd despise. When he looks at Minnesota Stephen Miller must retch. Our humanity, our wonderful diversity and welcoming heart, our compassion, our inclusivity, though imperfect all, are horrors to him; we represent every single value he and Trump hope to destroy.
That need to destroy Minnesota came into stark focus for the MAGA crowd during the Minnesota Legislature’s glorious 2023 session. With the barest of majorities and a large surplus, Walz and Hortman and Hoffman and Erin Murphy and Kari Dziedzic rallied their DFL colleagues to go for broke. They:
• Codified abortion rights to make them more secure.
• Passed legislation making Minnesota a safe haven for LGBTQ and trans people.
• Passed free school meals for all.
• Established paid family and medical leave.
• Enacted significant gun control reforms, including a red flag law and expanding background checks.
• Legalized recreational cannabis.
• Enacted automatic voter registration and provided for pre-registration for 16 and 17-year old.
• Provided free tuition for college students from low-income families.
• Indexed school funding to inflation.
That's a really impressive list. We Minnesota voters elected the officials who accomplished this true Minnesota miracle. This is who we are. Trump and Miller could not let it stand. They could not let Minnesota remain, to borrow, with glee, a phrase from the original pillager, Ronald Reagan, a shining city on a hill, a beacon reflecting the good of America, a foothill toward Martin Luther King’s mountaintop.
We did not ask for this war, but we must win it, for the sake of the entire nation. May we do so with the non-violent grace and courage of John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.
Very impressive! It makes me feel some hope for the U.S, but I 'm happy I landed back here in Montréal just in time. You Minnesotans are very inspiring!
In my experience, prayer doesn't necessarily change a thing, but it absolutely changes the person who prays, giving them "the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
I appreciate this post on many levels Maura. Instead of wringing our hands and becoming more anxious, there is always prayer. I volunteer at a monastery in Guilford where the nuns pray for the salvation of mankind every day. And when I’m there, it’s one of the few times I’m truly at peace.
Powerful piece. The Bernie Bush observation about prayer ending the Cold War is something I'll be chewing on for awhile because it cuts through the usual military triumphalism we hear. I've noticed in my own comunity that people are most effective when they pair direct action with these quiet practices like prayer or walking, basically anything that keeps them from burnout while staying engaged with the mess infront of them.
Excellent, as always, Maura. And if this 77yo (who believes life is immediately better if you can just walk among the trees in the woods/forest) ever gets a tattoo, it will be “Solvitur Ambulando.” (Thanks for the idea, Carol McCarthy.)
Finally time to read this during my morning coffee and awakening time. I find myself sleeping less and fretting nervously. Walking Max keeps me from flying off into insane rants. Dawn this morning in now powder blue skies, with snow capped peaks to the west and rose gold colors holding a tiny bit of waning moon to the SE. Prayer is hard for me, even this many years sober, but it feels like time to pull out a journal and start talking to whatever is beyond. Never in 79 years did I fear my country until now…
The Republicans fear Trump's retribution. Speak out against him - and he will make your life miserable, or at least take you to court in an effort to deplete your financial resources. Intimidation is his game, and he's very good at it. However, if the Republicans band together, they can overpower him. They just won't do it. They value their jobs and their bank accounts more than democracy. Either that or they've actually drunk the Kool-Aid.
"Pray as if everything depends on God; Act as if everything depends on you." Quote attributed to St Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.
I find myself becoming an editorial writer again. My newspaper is failing miserly in its duty to speak truth to power. So I will; it’s who I’ve always been.
DO IT, Jim! I started a substack 3 years ago just to keep my head from exploding.
I have started. Here is what I wrote about what is happening in Minnesota:
Trump has declared war on Minnesota for the same reason that Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were attacked. Let’s connect some dots to better recognize that. I’m sure others have gone through this same exercise, but I wanted to see it on paper and share it.
It’s not about Somalis or welfare fraud, although those give Trump hot button excuses. (The fraud deserves and was receiving appropriate attention.)
No, the war on Minnesota and Minnesotans is happening because Minnesota has come to represent EVERYTHING Trump and the MAGA crowd despise. When he looks at Minnesota Stephen Miller must retch. Our humanity, our wonderful diversity and welcoming heart, our compassion, our inclusivity, though imperfect all, are horrors to him; we represent every single value he and Trump hope to destroy.
That need to destroy Minnesota came into stark focus for the MAGA crowd during the Minnesota Legislature’s glorious 2023 session. With the barest of majorities and a large surplus, Walz and Hortman and Hoffman and Erin Murphy and Kari Dziedzic rallied their DFL colleagues to go for broke. They:
• Codified abortion rights to make them more secure.
• Passed legislation making Minnesota a safe haven for LGBTQ and trans people.
• Passed free school meals for all.
• Established paid family and medical leave.
• Enacted significant gun control reforms, including a red flag law and expanding background checks.
• Legalized recreational cannabis.
• Enacted automatic voter registration and provided for pre-registration for 16 and 17-year old.
• Provided free tuition for college students from low-income families.
• Indexed school funding to inflation.
That's a really impressive list. We Minnesota voters elected the officials who accomplished this true Minnesota miracle. This is who we are. Trump and Miller could not let it stand. They could not let Minnesota remain, to borrow, with glee, a phrase from the original pillager, Ronald Reagan, a shining city on a hill, a beacon reflecting the good of America, a foothill toward Martin Luther King’s mountaintop.
We did not ask for this war, but we must win it, for the sake of the entire nation. May we do so with the non-violent grace and courage of John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.
Well said, my friend! Keep going!
Very impressive! It makes me feel some hope for the U.S, but I 'm happy I landed back here in Montréal just in time. You Minnesotans are very inspiring!
Thanks. (I am about 40 miles from the border, closer to Thunder Bay, Ontario, than closest American city.
I don’t pray very much these days, but for this, I will. For your midterms, for your Republican senators’ spines. So we can all feel safe xx
Thank you, my friend!
This is a positive, action-oriented philosophy! I am also an adherent to the “Solvitur Ambulando” practice. In fact, that is my next tattoo.
In my experience, prayer doesn't necessarily change a thing, but it absolutely changes the person who prays, giving them "the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
From your keyboard to God’s ear. Amen.
I appreciate this post on many levels Maura. Instead of wringing our hands and becoming more anxious, there is always prayer. I volunteer at a monastery in Guilford where the nuns pray for the salvation of mankind every day. And when I’m there, it’s one of the few times I’m truly at peace.
Powerful piece. The Bernie Bush observation about prayer ending the Cold War is something I'll be chewing on for awhile because it cuts through the usual military triumphalism we hear. I've noticed in my own comunity that people are most effective when they pair direct action with these quiet practices like prayer or walking, basically anything that keeps them from burnout while staying engaged with the mess infront of them.
Excellent, as always, Maura. And if this 77yo (who believes life is immediately better if you can just walk among the trees in the woods/forest) ever gets a tattoo, it will be “Solvitur Ambulando.” (Thanks for the idea, Carol McCarthy.)
Mike Johnson needs to grow a spine.
Finally time to read this during my morning coffee and awakening time. I find myself sleeping less and fretting nervously. Walking Max keeps me from flying off into insane rants. Dawn this morning in now powder blue skies, with snow capped peaks to the west and rose gold colors holding a tiny bit of waning moon to the SE. Prayer is hard for me, even this many years sober, but it feels like time to pull out a journal and start talking to whatever is beyond. Never in 79 years did I fear my country until now…
The Republicans fear Trump's retribution. Speak out against him - and he will make your life miserable, or at least take you to court in an effort to deplete your financial resources. Intimidation is his game, and he's very good at it. However, if the Republicans band together, they can overpower him. They just won't do it. They value their jobs and their bank accounts more than democracy. Either that or they've actually drunk the Kool-Aid.
Literally from your mouth to God’s ear on this one!
Thank you, Maura. My thoughts, precisely!!
Amen, Maura, amen!
Amen to that.