Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Functional Democracy

I am aware that we have not yet entered the Summer season, but believe me when I tell you that Fall is not all that far away. In case you've been living under a rock, let me be the first to inform you that here in the USA, we have midterm elections in the Fall. And maybe more than they have been in a very long time, these upcoming midterms are slated to be ugly, divisive . . . and critical.

I know that you will see this piece as being biased, and I suppose you'd be right to say so. But please do not judge until you've read the ending. Because although I have my own opinion, pretty clearly expressed here, it's not my point. The point is about all of us, our rights and responsibilities. Most importantly, it's about the fact that maintaining a democracy means that whether you agree with me or not, I value your right to vote according to your own conscience. In fact, I implore you.

Democracy, it's not that it's bigger than you and I, it's that it IS you and I. | www.BakingInATornado.com | #politics #democracy


In this country, in this moment in history:

we are normalizing lying.

we are normalizing bullying.

we are normalizing blurring the lines between church and state.

we are normalizing putting capitalism over protecting the environment.

we are normalizing allowing others to usurp women's right to drive decisions in matters of our own bodies.

and yet, once citizens are born and living, we are normalizing limiting our obligation to provide food to the elderly and those in desperate circumstances.

Glazed Mango Tart with Pistachios, a crescent tart topped with ripe mango slices, baked with a glaze, then topped with crunchy topped pistachios. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

Glazed Mango Tart with Pistachios
Glazed Mango Tart with Pistachios, a crescent tart topped with ripe mango slices, baked with a glaze, then topped with crunchy topped pistachios. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert


we are normalizing the idea that the ability to access health care is an option not a right.

and yet we are normalizing being constantly forced to pay for golfing trips.

we are normalizing forcing our military to put on a show because one man wants to honor himself with a parade.

we are normalizing the idea that discrimination is acceptable, pretty much towards every minority in this country, be it religious, sexual orientation, gender or race.

we are normalizing manipulating the tax code to benefit the rich.

we are normalizing (and in some cases even denying) the shooting of our children.

we are normalizing the falsehood that gun safety law protection means doing away with the second amendment.

and yet when it comes to the first amendment, we are normalizing publicly targeting not only certain media outlets, but specific reporters by name.

we are normalizing alienating our global allies.

we are normalizing going from the most influential country in the world to being a laughing stock.

we are normalizing public attacks on our intelligence community.

If this is okay with you, register to vote.

If this is not okay with you, register to vote.



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Glazed Mango Tart with Pistachios       
                                    ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 Pillsbury Crescent Roll Sheet
2 ripe mangoes
3 TBSP butter
1 TBSP brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 TBSP apricot jam
1/4 cup unsalted pistachios

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the crescent roll sheet onto the parchment paper and flatten to about a 14 X 8 rectangle.
*Melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar and cinnamon.
*Skin the mangoes, remove the pits and slice. 
*Using a pastry brush, brush about 1/2 of the butter mixture onto the crescent sheet. Whisk the apricot jam into the remaining butter mixture and set aside.
*Arrange on the mango slices onto the crescent sheet, leaving about 3/4 inch edge. Brush the remaining butter and jam mixture onto the mango. Fold in the edges of the crescent sheet and pinch the corners.
*Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the pistachios. Serve warm.

20 comments:

  1. Amen!!! and that tart looks so yummy...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Renee, for reading all the way through, and for the compliment on my baking too!

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  2. Well said. Yes voting is still our right and duty mid term and every election not just the big presidential. Voting down the ticket has never been as crucial as it is now. Also reminding your senators and congress people how you expect them to vote!

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    Replies
    1. The hardest part these days really is, sadly, getting those who are supposed to represent us to truly represent us. Morals, values, words, they all count.

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  3. Amen. This is a duty for all citizens, regardless of where they stand. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. As hard as it is to encourage those who see things so much differently from the way I do, it's important that all of us make the effort to have our voices heard.

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  4. *stands up and claps widely* Karen for President!!! I agree with all of this. This is the most amazing thing I've read in such a long, long time and I'm so proud of you for writing it. *does Cabbage Patch dance out of the post while chanting "Go Karen, Go Karen, Go Karen..."*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for such high praise, Sarah.
      And can I see video of that dance and chant, please?

      Delete
  5. You have echoed my thoughts exactly, Karen. It is incumbent on all of us to decide that democracy must not die and clear and free voting, unnumbered by unlawful roadblocks, is crucial to keeping democracy alive. Reisa

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    Replies
    1. I knew this one would speak to you, Reisa. In so many ways we often think alike.

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    2. Yes it is important to vote and let your voice be heard. We are a Republic which stands behind every single person and through democracy which our laws are made. It is incumbent of us to speak freely what our thoughts are and be respectful of others and their opinions whether we agree or disagree.

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    3. Well said, we need more democracy in our democracy and more respect in our society.

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  6. I still feel guilty that for the first time in my life, since I have been old enough to vote, I didn't the last election. It was too far from the hospital for me to get there. The recipe looks good

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    Replies
    1. You had something way more important going on. I'm sure you'll be proud to vote this Fall.

      Delete
  7. I don't get why some people don't vote, they complain about the government but don't exercise their right to vote right a right so many in many countries do not have, vote and have your say

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    Replies
    1. I completely agree with you, Jo-Anne. If you don't participate you have no right to complain about the results.

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  8. Can we elect you for president? I completely agree with all of it. I can't believe as a nation we have sunk so low in such a short time. The power of the vote is the only option we have left and I hope that people will take this very seriously and look around them before casting it. The tart looks delicious!

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    Replies
    1. No thanks, my friend, I"m honored but that's a job I don't want. I can't even imagine the stress level.

      Delete

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