I experienced a strong feeling of deja vu yesterday watching Michael Cohen speaking before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. I was reminded of being glued to the Watergate hearings in 1973, living in a caretaker’s 1880 farmhouse in a communal environment with my husband and two year old daughter. It was jaw dropping, to say the least.
However, 1973 is worlds away from 2019. The Senate voted 77-0 to establish a special investigating committee on abuses in the 1972 campaign. It was presided over by universally respected North Carolina Senator Sam Ervin, a strict constitutionalist. He was particularly irate about Nixon’s extraordinary extensions of presidential powers, including the ‘impoundment’ of funds authorized for expenditure by Congress.
Most amazing was the fact that the hearings were televised by all three commercial networks, which speaks to remarkable civic high mindedness back then. After awhile, they began rotating the coverage but PBS continued to carry it live daily.
Everyone was watching…televisions found their way into the workplace, college students skipped classes, no housework was done, lawns were unmoved. Pretty much, life came to a screeching halt. The hearings were compared in import to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
One letter to the editor appeared in the Washington Post stating, “Never have I enjoyed watching television more…with the spectacle of high human drama interwoven with the finest possible example of the democratic process at work unfolding before my eyes for hours on end, with no rehearsal, no canned laughter, very little commentary (none needed!), and, best of all, no commercial interruption.”
Take that in: ‘FINEST EXAMPLE OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AT WORK.’ Wow. Absolute truth. As everyone knows, I am a flaming liberal and proud of it….having marched in my share of anti-war rallies, Equal Rights Amendment rallies, Pro-Choice rallies. But, glued to that 12 inch black and white TV, I fell in love with conservative Sam Ervin. I fell in love with his wit, his southern folksiness, his integrity and character. He loved his country and was determined to see that truth won out over deceit.
And, after months and months of testimony and hollow denials by the President, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered the President to turn over evidence to the special prosecutor and the House passed three articles of impeachment. Nixon resigned 10 days later in August 1974.
The rule of law won. The Constitution held firm. These Democrats and Republicans were predominantly men with high ethical standards. Of course, there were the rogue defenders of the rogue President, but they were clearly in the minority.
Fast forward to 2019 where independent thinking is in short supply, where cable news has contributed greatly to the tremendous divide in our country, where many families cannot sit down civilly to Thanksgiving dinner anymore, where the gap between poor and rich is greater than ever.
Fact Checker has documented that President Trump has told close to 9,000 lies since taking office. Bill Clinton was impeached for telling one. The Republican Party has abandoned the rule of law. By supporting Trump at any cost, they have chosen the law of rule. Whoever rules aka Trump can get away with anything as long as they hold the Senate. They cannot even bring themselves to call out Trump for his love affairs with the worst and most violent dictators in the world.
This country is in trouble. Serious trouble. One of the most chilling statements by Michael Cohen yesterday was his prediction that if Trump loses in 2020, he will not give up the Oval Office willingly. He will have to be forcibly taken out of there. A sentiment I’ve had since the day he took office. The Trump Mob is in charge.
The Trump Republicans continued their attack on the witness’s credibility yesterday, who deflected them saying, “Yes, I lied for Donald Trump.” “Yes, I was a fool.” And he gave them fair warning also. They’ll go down in flames with The Donald. Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, I admire Cohen’s bravery and he’s probably safer in jail than anywhere else. He should worry about his family.
I have no idea where this is going. I never expect to see Mueller’s Report if he ever finishes it. And, how could he in light of this complex quagmire of lies and omissions? But, no amount of evidence will ever move the Trump base.
This is 2019, not 1973. Where are the Sam Ervins? Where are the people in the President’s party who will support truth, justice and the rule of law? They were certainly MIA yesterday.
I still think this country will fight back. They’ll fight for the Constitution and the rule of law. I don’t think it’s too late. What will it take for the Republican Party to find its moral compass? I have no idea.
But, maybe, just maybe we’ll experience the opportunity to see that “finest example of the democratic process at work.” For the sake of our children and grandchildren, I fervently hope so.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Transition Day
Sometimes, I’m just stunned by what seems to me to be such an imbalance in this life. Today, a special soul transitioned to the other side. He was my daughter’s brother-in-law, my grandson’s godfather. Beloved by a host of friends and just finding a very comfortable niche in commercial real estate.
He was married in 2015 and became a father just over a year ago. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer a few weeks later. He was 34 years old.
He and his wife were positive from Day 1, writing posts on LifeLine to update us on his treatments and spirit, On his 35th birthday, dozens of friends sent pictures dressed in specially made purple tee shirts emblazoned with “F*** Cancer, Stay Positive.”
How was this possible? No family history. He was athletic, strong, took good care of himself. If anybody could beat this, we thought it would be Geoff. He had youth on his side. He fought every step of the way…even the last week when he could barely breathe and was in abject pain, he wanted to live for his beautiful wife and that adorable little boy, barely a year old.
I’m reminded of my own husband, who passed at age 39. Who withstood treatments that were toxic to his body, eventually, leading to nightly dialysis because his kidneys were compromised by drugs. But, he did it. And, he gladly did it because it meant another day with his family.
And, now, begins the transition for Geoff and for his family here on Earth. I don’t begin to understand how some people lead charmed lives and others have to deal with immeasurable sadness.
But, I do know this. Tragedy often leads us to the absolute gift of living in the moment. My mom used to say, “Every day is a gift.” I didn’t get it when I was a young, not-so-wise thing. I get it now, though. Love your friends, love your family, love yourself. Live in gratitude. Find joy. It’s everywhere.
Geoff, you are loved and always will be. You will be missed but I’m pretty sure you’ll be near.
He was married in 2015 and became a father just over a year ago. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer a few weeks later. He was 34 years old.
He and his wife were positive from Day 1, writing posts on LifeLine to update us on his treatments and spirit, On his 35th birthday, dozens of friends sent pictures dressed in specially made purple tee shirts emblazoned with “F*** Cancer, Stay Positive.”
How was this possible? No family history. He was athletic, strong, took good care of himself. If anybody could beat this, we thought it would be Geoff. He had youth on his side. He fought every step of the way…even the last week when he could barely breathe and was in abject pain, he wanted to live for his beautiful wife and that adorable little boy, barely a year old.
I’m reminded of my own husband, who passed at age 39. Who withstood treatments that were toxic to his body, eventually, leading to nightly dialysis because his kidneys were compromised by drugs. But, he did it. And, he gladly did it because it meant another day with his family.
And, now, begins the transition for Geoff and for his family here on Earth. I don’t begin to understand how some people lead charmed lives and others have to deal with immeasurable sadness.
But, I do know this. Tragedy often leads us to the absolute gift of living in the moment. My mom used to say, “Every day is a gift.” I didn’t get it when I was a young, not-so-wise thing. I get it now, though. Love your friends, love your family, love yourself. Live in gratitude. Find joy. It’s everywhere.
Geoff, you are loved and always will be. You will be missed but I’m pretty sure you’ll be near.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Amazing Grace
You may recall that I had to reschedule my trip to Cassadage, the winter home of the best mediums in the world. That day was, unfortunately, plagued by torrential downpours all over the state, so I did not fancy driving over three hours to my destination. The new date was this past Wednesday.
I’ve been visiting Cassadage since I was 19 years old…over 50 years and counting. There are decades when I never went and then there were turbulent times when I visited more often, generally, for solace and confirmation. I couldn’t tell you how many different mediums I’ve seen, but I can tell you I’ve never been disappointed.
My first visit was pretty stunning….in a good way and a very bad way. As soon as we started, the medium began coughing and clearing her throat. “Do you have a male relative who passed because of a throat problem?” I knew immediately it was my great grandfather who died when I was around 5 or 6 who I visited in Mobile, Alabama when he was quite ill with throat cancer. At the time, I had dropped out of college.
His message to me was that he saw me speaking in front of people and I should go back to school. At the time, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life and teaching and speaking in front of people had no appeal to me. Even at that young age, many of my female peers were hopping on the marriage and baby train. But, fortunately, no one was that interested in me and vice versa.
That was the good part. Of course, I enrolled in classes immediately. The bad part was about my grandmother. The medium told me that she was very ill and terminal. About ten years earlier, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer but had surgery and recovered. But, this part of the reading, just undid me. I adored my grandmother. From day one, she had encouraged me. Her positivity helped me to overcome my own mother’s negativity. When I shared this with my mother, she called the reading the “devil’s work.” Sadly, the following month, my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer and shortly after that, it metastasized and she was gone within a year. So much for the “devil’s work.”
I will say that is the only reading where I received such a catastrophic message. That’s not to say all the readings are sweetness and light. To the contrary, I get messages about staying away from red wine, standing up for myself and advice about relationships that I, in hindsight, consider fairly toxic.
Fast forward from 1966 to 2019. I was definitely feeling a bit apprehensive about this reading. After all, this is the first one since my mom passed in September. I didn’t know if she would come and if she did, what her message would be for me. Our relationship was tenuous at best. There were times when I felt for my own peace of mind, I should just cut her out of my life. I still had vivd images of physical and emotional abuse. There was pretty much nothing about me that she agreed with: my politics, my childrearing, my marriages, my life’s work. The Bible said a woman’s place was in the home, not in the workplace.
And, so, for decades I tried to maintain a polite relationship. I looked for what we had in common and stuck to those topics. When I visited, we had a to-do list of things we enjoyed together. What would our conversation be now that she’s gone?
I greeted my medium with a hug and a smile. She started the reading with the Lord’s Prayer and, immediately, asked, “Has your mother passed?” I nodded that she had. “She has a very strong energy, a ‘my way or the highway’ kind of energy.” Yep. That’s Mom alright.
“She wants to tell you what happened when she died. She says she had a slight headache and decided to lie down on the couch. That’s the last thing she remembers until she ‘awoke’ to find her mother standing next to her. Her mother held out her hand and said, ‘Let’s go.’ It was all very peaceful.” This is exactly how we found her….lying on her couch, no signs of struggle anywhere. She had high blood pressure…the only medication she was on at age 92. She was independent until her last breath. Exactly how she wanted it.
“You were my wild child,” she relates. I laugh. “I’m sorry. I love you. I am sorry for so many things. I tried to stifle you but now I appreciate who you are. I was stuck in my ways. Fear-based. Scared I wouldn’t go to heaven. Now, I know there’s no heaven. There are lots of imperfect souls here. I didn’t have to be perfect. Now, I know it’s not all about religion. There are different realities. I’m changing my tune.”
“I would love to be able to apologize to my children and grandchildren. Please let them know I’m different now.”
By this time, I’ve soaked five tissues with my tears. The reading continued for another 45 minutes. My father and grandparents ‘spoke’ to me, primarily about personal family concerns. And, I know, most people will read this and be highly suspect, but I choose to believe because there’s just no way anyone would know this stuff.
So, my mom, Grace, said "I'm sorry." I've waited my whole life to hear those words. Amazing.
I’ve been visiting Cassadage since I was 19 years old…over 50 years and counting. There are decades when I never went and then there were turbulent times when I visited more often, generally, for solace and confirmation. I couldn’t tell you how many different mediums I’ve seen, but I can tell you I’ve never been disappointed.
My first visit was pretty stunning….in a good way and a very bad way. As soon as we started, the medium began coughing and clearing her throat. “Do you have a male relative who passed because of a throat problem?” I knew immediately it was my great grandfather who died when I was around 5 or 6 who I visited in Mobile, Alabama when he was quite ill with throat cancer. At the time, I had dropped out of college.
His message to me was that he saw me speaking in front of people and I should go back to school. At the time, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life and teaching and speaking in front of people had no appeal to me. Even at that young age, many of my female peers were hopping on the marriage and baby train. But, fortunately, no one was that interested in me and vice versa.
That was the good part. Of course, I enrolled in classes immediately. The bad part was about my grandmother. The medium told me that she was very ill and terminal. About ten years earlier, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer but had surgery and recovered. But, this part of the reading, just undid me. I adored my grandmother. From day one, she had encouraged me. Her positivity helped me to overcome my own mother’s negativity. When I shared this with my mother, she called the reading the “devil’s work.” Sadly, the following month, my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer and shortly after that, it metastasized and she was gone within a year. So much for the “devil’s work.”
I will say that is the only reading where I received such a catastrophic message. That’s not to say all the readings are sweetness and light. To the contrary, I get messages about staying away from red wine, standing up for myself and advice about relationships that I, in hindsight, consider fairly toxic.
Fast forward from 1966 to 2019. I was definitely feeling a bit apprehensive about this reading. After all, this is the first one since my mom passed in September. I didn’t know if she would come and if she did, what her message would be for me. Our relationship was tenuous at best. There were times when I felt for my own peace of mind, I should just cut her out of my life. I still had vivd images of physical and emotional abuse. There was pretty much nothing about me that she agreed with: my politics, my childrearing, my marriages, my life’s work. The Bible said a woman’s place was in the home, not in the workplace.
And, so, for decades I tried to maintain a polite relationship. I looked for what we had in common and stuck to those topics. When I visited, we had a to-do list of things we enjoyed together. What would our conversation be now that she’s gone?
I greeted my medium with a hug and a smile. She started the reading with the Lord’s Prayer and, immediately, asked, “Has your mother passed?” I nodded that she had. “She has a very strong energy, a ‘my way or the highway’ kind of energy.” Yep. That’s Mom alright.
“She wants to tell you what happened when she died. She says she had a slight headache and decided to lie down on the couch. That’s the last thing she remembers until she ‘awoke’ to find her mother standing next to her. Her mother held out her hand and said, ‘Let’s go.’ It was all very peaceful.” This is exactly how we found her….lying on her couch, no signs of struggle anywhere. She had high blood pressure…the only medication she was on at age 92. She was independent until her last breath. Exactly how she wanted it.
“You were my wild child,” she relates. I laugh. “I’m sorry. I love you. I am sorry for so many things. I tried to stifle you but now I appreciate who you are. I was stuck in my ways. Fear-based. Scared I wouldn’t go to heaven. Now, I know there’s no heaven. There are lots of imperfect souls here. I didn’t have to be perfect. Now, I know it’s not all about religion. There are different realities. I’m changing my tune.”
“I would love to be able to apologize to my children and grandchildren. Please let them know I’m different now.”
By this time, I’ve soaked five tissues with my tears. The reading continued for another 45 minutes. My father and grandparents ‘spoke’ to me, primarily about personal family concerns. And, I know, most people will read this and be highly suspect, but I choose to believe because there’s just no way anyone would know this stuff.
So, my mom, Grace, said "I'm sorry." I've waited my whole life to hear those words. Amazing.
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