It's a dangerous fall from a steep cliff, ending in a life (liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) altering collision.
The fall from that cliff had been coming. I saw the signs, we all did. From the moment that narcissistic bigot took his pseudo-regal trip down that escalator, to all of the lies, disrespect, and bigotry, to the growing support he garnered, the signs were all there. And each was a step towards that cliff.
The not one, but two impeachments where his cultists proved there would be no accountability. Another step.
A denied pandemic, increasing the death toll, shooting after shooting after shooting with no gun reform. Step.
The packing of the courts and especially the Supreme Court by those not qualified, who lied at their hearings, and under circumstances denied (with malicious intent) to the preceding administration. Step.
The deadly attempted coup. The denial of the insurrection, the continued lack of consequences. Step. Step.
It was two Supreme Court decisions that were the final push. For the first time in our history, this Supreme Court is taking away rights. The ability to trust, just as the forefathers did, that no matter the personal beliefs, we would all work fairly and honestly, conduct ourselves with dignity, strive to build and strengthen a more perfect union has been proven a myth.
And the full and complete loss of what was clearly naivete, that is the life (liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) altering collision. A sense of security, the collateral damage.
Over the past few years, I've developed some strategies to keep me from being too disheartened. Limiting (not head in the sand denial, but limiting) news intake, playing brain exercising games, reading, writing, and recipe development, feeding others, food is love, all necessary temporary distractions.
Grilled Raspberry Mustard Chicken
But
for comfort, reassurance some level of peace, I've turned to beauty for that. There's
something about nature that taps into a place of serenity, brings
joy, evokes a smile.
I
plant my outdoor pots, watch the plants grow, the flowers bloom. I wait
for the trees in the back yard to green, look forward to the rustling
of the leaves. Wait for the Lilacs to ping their tiny buds open in
harmonious unison, and smell their fragrance whenever I'm near. I
anticipate each morning, seeing which Day Lillies will burst open, then
close again at night, as others show their colors the very next day. I
go out in the yard and bring some of that beauty indoors, what I call my
yard bouquets.
But beauty doesn't do it anymore.
We
all know the treasonous head of the cult party will run again. He's
going to run on his despicable additions to the Supreme Court. He's
going to run on that court's decision to strike down NY's attempt to
keep their citizens safe by enacting a sensible gun law. He's going to
run on that court's decision to strike down Roe v Wade, something all of
his additions to the court agreed not to do. He's going to run on a
threat made by Thomas (a clearly compromised "jurist") that reproductive
rights and gay rights are next. And he's going to run in a climate of
gerrymandered districts, voter suppression, voter purging, and limited
access to the polls by targeted groups.
I
did have some scintilla of hope that trump would be stopped by
indictments, if not on federal charges, then maybe in the states of
Georgia and/or Arizona for his election fraud. But shockingly, it seems
that being arrested doesn't disqualify you.
Two
months ago, a man in jail in Indiana, awaiting trial for the vicious
murder of his (cancer stricken) wife, won his Republican primary (he did
later withdraw).
I have fallen from that cliff of naivete, no longer disillusioned by the belief that we, as a nation, and those we elect to represent us, pledge allegiance to the constitution. Or to the belief that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is meant to be guaranteed for not just a few, but for all.
We are just days away from the 4th of July. Those who lived in our country then were living in the most significant time in our history, the birth of an independent nation.
"A republic, if you can keep it."
Those of us living in our country now, are living in the second most significant time in our history, the real and present danger of the death of an independent nation.
Grilled Raspberry Mustard Chicken
©www.BakingInATornado.com
2 lg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing
1 TBSP stone ground mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp honey
Directions:
*Cut each chicken breast into 3 fairly evenly sized pieces. Place into a gallon sized plastic bag.
*Cut each chicken breast into 3 fairly evenly sized pieces. Place into a gallon sized plastic bag.
*Whisk
together the dressing, mustard, garlic, and honey. Pour into the bag
with the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least two hours up
to overnight.
*Preheat
the grill to medium hot, about 400 degrees. Remove the chicken from the
marinade, place on the grill, close the grill and immediately lower the
grill to medium.
*Grill the chicken for about 4 minutes, turn each piece 1/4 of the way around and grill for another 4 minutes.
*Flip
the chicken over, grill the other side for 4 minutes, turn each piece
1/4 of the way around and grill about another 4 minutes. Make sure the
chicken is completely cooked through, there is no red, and the juices
run clear.
A perfect recipe for a hot day, which we are supposed to have today. Ran it past the family cook (husband). I hear you about the other topic. I try to concentrate on my flowers, too, and the local birds, but it's hard. This overturning of Roe is such an all-encompassing decision decision affecting so many facets of "privacy" - we still don't even know how far reaching it is yet. And, while chilling can be good for chicken, chilling decisions aren't good for our Republic. Yes, if we can keep it.
ReplyDeleteAnd now they're talking about "addressing" same sex marriage, reproductive rights, and who knows what else. There aren't enough flowers in the world . . .
DeleteMy heart will continue to ache and grieve until we work together to create the kind of world where, for the most part, no woman has to make this heartbreaking decision ever again.
ReplyDeleteIt's a heartbreaking decision, but it has to be a personal decision.
DeleteI feel for those women who has lost what should be their right, as illegal abortion doesn't save lives it costs them
ReplyDeleteI agree, and even for those not affect by having that choice to make, it's still about control, and about the direction the country is going in, in general.
DeleteI just hate what has happened and what will happen in the future because this is far from over.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and that is both terrifying and heartbreaking.
DeleteI limit news intake a lot. I know it makes me not up with the times but we do what we can. Hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI think that may be the best way to have a good week.
DeleteI can't believe that at my age, I'm left to feel such rage at what has transpired. It has had such an effect on me that I can't even listen to national news anymore. The viciousness, antisemitisim, anti everything that is not White/Christian (Christofacism) is more than appalling. I know people who are moving out of the country. I would, too, if I could take my family with me. I have simply lost hope, not only for the U.S. but for much of the world. We simply are destroying ourselves in so many ways. UGH!!! Reisa
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel, and envy my friends in Canada. But I also know that leaving is exactly what they want. When all the traditional republicans in the senate who could not live with the new agenda left, they were thrilled, able to fill those spots with trumpets.
DeleteI'm home and can FINALLY respond on your site! This is an amazing article, Karen. Sadly, very, very true!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane, support from my international friends means a lot.
Delete