Here are all the posts from this thread that got lost from an update file restore: I don' know the authors but you can claim yours! They run from most recent to 7:30 pm PT August 11:
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@dannyboy i am not sure why you would need to remove the entire tree to repair a roof? Can't you just prune any branches that touch the roof? That being said, i think the best way to make up for the loss, is to plant more trees. Trees do better in a community of other trees and plants. It is really important for all of us to help create a tree canopy where we live, whether or not we intend to stay in the same place forever, or not.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Ahhhh the plot thickens!!!!
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Senator Warren is seeking a probe of DeJoy. Good for her.
This USPS sabotage is fascism in plain sight. Infuriating.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
In addition to the other suggestions about honoring the life of your friend, your special tree...if it becomes apparent that you must remove it, you could ask for guidance on how to use the wood to become an honored member of your family in your home. To be among you forever, witness to your family’s life, and an heirloom to pass down forever.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
This is random...I just did the most fun thing!
I took an unplanned drive to check something out 1 1/2 hours away. Driving back, I had a thought and pulled over at the nearest gas station.
I’m on a FB group “Joe Biden for Florida”. Was thinking about what might be a great theme song for their campaign. I posted “Let’s have some fun! What’s a great campaign theme song for Joe and Kamala?”
Well the response has been immediate and super positive! So many uplifting, heart touching, toe tapping songs out there! My suggestion was “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, because when I see Joe’s megawatt smile it just makes me happy!
If you want your spirits lifted and to have a little fun, do this on your state’s FB page for Biden/Harris.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-postal-service-usps-mail-in-voting_n_5f3537a9c5b64cc99fe32d58
This post is for @allyn and anyone else who can maybe shed some light on this. The Orange One has admitted on national television that he is trying to kill the USPS with the express intent of interfering with the election. That (to me) is pretty much blatantly unconstitutional for a lot of reasons, but given even if another attempt at impeachment would likely not have enough time to be completed and would ultimately probably be futile since the Senate is would not convict, what - if any - legal options are there to combat this? Is there any person or group that would have standing in court to fight this?
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Love hearing you say that. Im white, so I grew up with all the privileges entailed in that. My daughter is mixed(still just black to the world for those who don't know) and I want her to have all those privileges I did. She is 8 now so I know they all won't be there, but I'm loving the fact that I can point to Kamala and say "look honey, you can be VP/POTUS if you want to and work hard enough," which is something I couldnt say to her with any real confidence before.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Thank you so much for this, I appreciate it and I'm honestly glad to learn that what I thought about Kamala's perception by people of color was wrong. This gives me more hope than you can imagine.
Namastè
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
MAS,
LOVE it! TrishaCT
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Posted by: @melmystery
That is a tricky situation, and as I've mentioned in a previous post, sometimes you've got to prune or even cut down a tree even if you'd rather not.
Moonbeam is right, meditating to connect with the tree spirit is a great idea and perhaps the tree itself would give you an idea for a proper offering if you do end up cutting it down completely.
I would honor the tree spirit in much the same way that hunters (those who hunt for food, not for sport) honor the spirit of animals they hunt. Personally, I'm a vegetarian, but if I thought too much about it I might have ethical issues about eating plants too. ;-)
If you do end up deciding to cut it down, I would suggest doing something special with the wood from the tree, especially if you feel it grew there just for you. I don't know what kind of tree it is or how large, but there's everything from using a cross-section of the tree as a table to dedicating a large limb as a walking stick to using smaller sticks for crafts. If the tree produced seeds or saplings, perhaps you could cultivate one of these in a part of the yard away from buildings where you would honor the spirit of the tree through its progeny. If not the seeds or saplings of this tree, you could always plant another tree in its place - though away from buildings.
My thoughts exactly!
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@mas1581I would agree . Trump is version. 1.0 and she is version 2.0 or more But still the wolf in an updated sheep covering. She doesn’t own her roots And has completely embraced her southern surroundings as her own. IMHO.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@besoulinspired as an Indian-American woman I completely agree! My family, and large swaths of my community are so inspired and over the moon. It meant even more because Tuesday was a huge Hindu holiday/auspicious day (Janamashtmi - the birthday of Lord Krishna)!
It's such a contrast to "Nikki" (aka Nimrata) Haley - who long ago renounced any remaining connection to her actual origins.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
YES YES YES!!
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@besoulinspired Inspiring in every way.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Kamala Harris does not have a problem with the Black community. The whole “Kamala is a cop” thing was manufactured nonsense pushed by dark operators. They thought we were stupid enough to buy it. While some young Blacks did, traditional Black voters understand this country better than it understands itself- thus the SC primary. Unfortunately, most of America only knows the Black community through the lens of their one Black friend, what they see and are told on TV, or what they glean from a few Black blue checks on Twitter who may or may not embrace the culture. This country never bothered to listen to us, so a lot of false assumptions are made about what and how we think. Biden’s pick of Kamala for VP was highly emotional for many Black women. But not just Black women, but women whose parents were immigrants- particularly south Asians who have had to navigate an awful color caste system. Kamala for VP means everything to millions of us who feel seen for the first time. We have children (me included) who will have grown up with a president and hopefully a VP who look like them. When I grew up, the idea of me - a black girl - becoming president was unthinkable, but for my three children it’s simply another option. Just thinking about this brings me to tears. You may not fully grasp how much this means if you grew up with certain privileges, but this is a big deal. I belong to a number of national Black women’s organizations. We are already organizing and we are a powerful force. You are about to witness a push by Black women that will make the 2008 election pale in comparison.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@dannyboy, I am not Melmystery, but I can offer my two cents if you do not mind. To me Druidism is the spirituality/religion when it comes to trees. A lot of the rites and celebrations have a tree in the center of it all. The most is of course mistletoe, which Americans still use during Christmas. The Maypole is also an aspect of what druids used to do. The oak tree is one of the most holy of all.
There is an organisation from the UK that has since spread and is basically a group of neo-druids called the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. They offer a lot of interesting courses as well, with lots of tree lore.
Long winded as I may be, my point is that Druids then and now always asked the trees permission to cut branches. Prayers are also said. If you feel strongly about this tree I'd suggest meditating underneath it and see what it tells you. Should you decide to keep it, take a look at Muckross Abbey in Ireland. The tree is one of its most amazing features and the site is very spiritual because of it. You could go for something like that
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@lowtide Apparently Nikki Haley was complaining vocally about some popcorn she ordered via social media that hadn't come yet and yesterday the Lincoln Project was on FIRE teasing her about that. This makes me feel a little better because I was wondering if a running mate switch would get them less engaged -- but they see her as a collaborator and my hunch is even in a different political climate a few years down the road (god willing) they may hold that grudge and continue to remind those in America with short term memories about this current President and what he did in four short years.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Well said.
@allyn it takes many different forms. Me, for instance will hear a random voice in my head Monday, have my gut scream at me on Tuesday, see a stoll photo in my head out of the blue on Wednesday, hear my mother's voice in my head telling me something(she's still alive) on Thursday, then have one of my palms itch like crazy out of nowhere on Friday. Then on the weekend, I will be totally calm when I should be freaking out over something or freak out with anxiety over something seemingly minor.
Its just a matter of figuring out how to decipher all the different ways you get told stuff. I believe everyone is psychic(unless they shut it off which I have done at times before) but most have no clue how to properly interpret the messages.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@melmystery - I have a weird and probably out of left field question for you and anyone else out there who may have some insight. I've always felt the power of trees. I think my "muggle" father did as well -- he had a deep reverence for them and refused to ever take a branch that wasn't sick or infested, let alone cut one down.
Our farmhouse is home and I love it, but it was built in 1865 and while updated -- it is definitely showing its age. There is a tree growing next to part of the house that was added on to and constructed poorly. The roof there is leaking. It's not really a room we use much (my daughters do art there but have grown accustomed to the buckets when it rains and work around them) but to fix the leaky roof, my wife says the tree that grew there (was not there when we moved in, but started growing right after we bought the place) has to go for it to be fixed properly.
I'm HOPING we can prune back the branches causing the issue, but I'm afraid she might be right. Can I offer some spirit and light to the tree? (I honestly feel like it grew FOR us and just -- made a mistake where it went -- into the foundation and onto the roof) Essentially whether we prune (ideal) or cut it down entirely (I will bawl) -- what insight do you have on what I can do to appease the spirit of the tree -- because that tree has one I can feel big time.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
"Now, I am not psychic, but my gut tells me..."
My dear.....that is the nature of being psychic....whether it is listening to the voice/conscience in you head, heart or gut.....it is the same thing. You underestimate yourself.....
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
My understanding is that african-Americans love Biden, but Harris not so much due to her prosecutorial history. They will vote for Biden anyway, and it will help if B&H work a bit at straightening out her profile with people of color. It may also swing a few MAGATs of Indian descent back over to the dem side, as they tend to skew more to the right.
Harris is the first do no harm candidate. She is also the most qualified.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@numerologist Yay!! Thank you for sharing something so upbeat!! I’m listening to Biden’s speech right now and I’m so excited about this moment - winning the fight for the soul of the country.
I intuit he's trying to take attention from the constant Biden/Harris press coverage and peddle more of the "make America white again" trash that he sees as being effective.
I just don't think that song is playing like it used to...
New reply has been posted on your subscribed topic - Joe Biden.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’…” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
@melmystery I have a deep love of trees as well and it breaks my heart whenever one is sick or dying. Thank you for bringing trees to the forefront of our awareness in your discussions. We must love and respect them; without them, we cannot exist on this planet.
Welcome @luminous. Love your alias.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Amen Jeanne! I finally got power back last night, HOWEVER I still can't get my internet and Cable provider to come until this Saturday. WHY? they are the only game in town - only other option in my area for TV/Internet is dish. I can't stand dish TV. We also have no land line phones either. My street is one of a few that only has one provider for internet and TV: Spectrum (formerly Charter cable). And Eversource - well our governor, Lamont and our senator, Dick Blumenthal both are speaking out against Eversource. The Eversouce CEO gets $11M - for what? He should be fired.
ps: I've had to limit my time here on your forum and on the internet because I'm using my iphone as a hotspot and I don't have unlimited data.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
Ok, some thoughts on the next few months:
- Kamala Harris. This was not a surprise to me. As I mentioned before, one thing she had going for her was that she was a democrat office holder with a Democratic governor. When she leaves her position to become VP, Newsom will replace her with another Democrat. This is why I felt Warren and several others didn't have a shot. If, for example, Warren got VP, her seat would have been filled by a Republican, because her state's governor is Republican.
Even the spate between Harris and Biden can be used positively. By picking her, Biden is sending a message that he is willing to let bygones be bygones, so long as you were willing to work together with him and make compromises. So disenchanted Republican voters may think, "well, if he can forgive Harris, then maybe he will work with our Republican representatives."
But the major issue (although this may be unpopular to say so) is race. Although none of us wants to admit it, race is a big factor here, but it is not so much about George Floyd as it is about swing states. The black voters in America, even though they make up about 14% of the nation's vote, are remarkable united and organized in such a way that it puts other groups to shame. Now consider the black vote population in swing states such as Florida (13 percent), Michigan (13 percent), North Carolina (23 percent), Pennsylvania (11 percent) and Wisconsin (5 percent.) If the vast majority of these voters break for Biden and Harris, then they win the popular vote and the electoral vote.
- I sense something huge is coming up that will devastate the Republican party and Trump.
Now, I am not psychic, but my gut tells me that around the end of September and throughout the month of October, we will see one or several huge stories that will damage Trump (AKA October surprise.). Trump's enemies have waited for their moment, and it is finally upon us. We don't know what form it will take yet, but it is coming. It may be a taped conversation where Trump aligns himself with Putin. Or the death toll from Covid 19 may spiral out of control in key states. Or children may start dying of the disease in large numbers, and the Lincoln Project may start showing commercials of child-size coffins and children on ventilators while showing Trump's message about how children were "immune" to Covid 19. Or maybe one of Trump's legal battles with DA Vance or Jean Carroll may result in damaging information. The possibilities are endless.
I think that if Trump senses by mid October that he will lose, he will resign and blame it on health problems. Trump may be stubborn but I feel his worst fear is being exposed as a big loser, and if he suspects that the Democrats have overwhelmingly won early voting and a massive wave is coming for him, then he will jump ship and the rest of us will celebrate in the streets. I pray this happens, least he tries to sabotage the country before he leaves. Trump's legal battles have never been about winning, but about delaying things for as long as possible until his opponent gives up or he bows out and tries to spin it as a win for him. This election will be no different, but it is up to all of us to take part of early voting so we send him a clear message that there is no hope for him to win in November.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
HOPE
This word is floating around all over since yesterday’s announcement. I’ve heard many in interviews say they feel the stirrings of hope now. It’s running through this community, too. The first thing I told my husband when he got home from work yesterday is “I almost think I can hope, now.”
I remember Jeanne dreaming about being hidden in the rubble of a bombed out city. It feels like now, maybe, we can venture out and assess the landscape, in a new way.
Yes! I know I did (take a deep breath of relief.) Things do feel a bit lighter and that is a very welcome feeling.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
I have family in TN-- granted they are in the center of the state- Nashville but they are there and are liberal Democrats-- my sister (Kris) and niece (Ally) and we are FB friends with a guy who lives in the city there too who is an attorney- Brian D. So if you like, - I don't know if you do FB but if you do I can see about getting "y'all" connected so you don't feel so alone there. Thanks for letting me practice my Southern- don't get to do that too often here in NY.
https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.gillies.75 is a link to my page and you are welcome to send friend requests--actually anyone here is!
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
The bar is low as it could be. Its probably underground. That said, she isn't crazy, she's not suffering from dimentia, he has an IQ above 90, she's not owned by Russia(she wouldn't have left the UN post if she was), and she wouldn't get a second term because what republicans are left wound never elect a woman to the white house.
RE: The Great Unraveling and the Great Turning - Rebuilding a Progressive America in the Future
I can see Rice as Sec. of State, obviously, but I don't know enough about most of them to guess where they might be placed. I think he should wait to ask Ms. Warren about any position until we see how the Senate shakes out. She may be needed there.
I think that if Trump senses by mid October that he will lose, he will resign and blame it on health problems.
I don't know who posted this originally, but I missed this line the first time I read it. As I read it just now, I immediately flashed on the vision that someone posted about what looked to be an inauguration in a dark-paneled room with Pelosi there and not looking happy about it. That was followed by the thought that Pence would pardon the Orange One and maybe a few others before they could actually be charged with anything.
Not sure if this deserves its own topic or not, but it’s certainly tied to all of the election chaos.
Does anyone have a read on what’s happening with the Post Office? The Mango Menace’s installed stooge has begun to systematically dismantle or remove key equipment (sorter machines, mail boxes, etc.) in mostly Democratic areas, with special focus on Portland & Oregon. This is a Very Bad Thing that stands to harm not only the election, but businesses, seniors and rural citizens by removing/disrupting what was formerly a reliable, affordable delivery service.
That was me. Again, it is just a theory based on what I have seen from the Predator in Chief so far. While he has tried to portray himself as a fighter who never quits, his history shows anything but. For example, some of the things that he suggests that he plans to do, he quickly backtracks from. Remember when he was planning to bring Taliban leaders to Camp David to announce a so-called "peace agreement" with them last year? Or when he stubbornly refused to endorse masks for four months before finally asking for them in July? There has been so many instances over the years of Trump saying he is going to do something, then quietly backtracks and pretends that the plan was never his in the first place.
Even his "legal victories" are not so much victories as they are about him delaying the case as long as he possibly can in the hopes that the other party eventually gives up.
So it is my hope (or gut feeling) that the following best-case scenario may happen:
1. Democrats and/or Trump's enemies will begin releasing a series of damaging stories around the last week of September and throughout the month of October. Why the last week of September? Because that is the week Biden and Trump are set to have their first debate. If I were the Democrats, I would begin to release damaging information then so that Trump will be on the defensive during the debate.
2. In the meantime, between now and the beginning of October, it is my hope that Democrats will take advantage of early voting, because they believe the Republicans will try to stop voting on election day and hope to make their voices heard before then.
3. When the Republicans look at the poll numbers in mid-October and see the overwhelming numbers of Democrats in early voting, they will finally put pressure on Trump. Trump will rage, but then consider the following-"Do I really want to have a vote and show just how many people hate me? Or should I quit due to alleged health problems and then be able to brag that if I were still well and able to run, the Republicans wouldn't lost so badly?"
4. Trump, being Trump, will feign a health problem (likely his bone spurs again) and try to resign gracefully. Pence will briefly take over and issue a blanket pardon for Trump, Barr, Trump's family, and everyone else in the administration (Note: this still won't matter, as DA Vance from New York can still prosecute Trump and family for tax fraud, as it is a state crime and not a federal crime.) The Republicans are then swept away by a mass blue flood as their voters don't show up.
Now, Harris may be upset in your vision because she and Biden were robbed of the chance to demonstrate exactly how hated Trump is and what a loser he is, but I would say that this may be short sighted. It would be far better for the country in the long run if he resigned (so we can call him a quitter) versus him trying to stay in office and trying to damage the election process further.
I sincerely pray that this happens, and that our October is full of happiness as we waive the evil orange monster away just in time for Halloween. Again, this is probably wishful thinking, so I appreciate any insight any of you have.
@allyni love that you set this intention . It feels like a good path: I would just add - IMHO - “this or something better for our greater good “
Regarding Rump's stated intention to slow up the Post Office in order to undermine mail in ballots, how is this not an impeachable act? It represents a clear and present danger to, and a deliberate subversion of, the functioning of our Democracy...and he ADMITTED it on Fox News! How is this not actionable???
Regarding Rump's stated intention to slow up the Post Office in order to undermine mail in ballots, how is this not an impeachable act? It represents a clear and present danger to, and a deliberate subversion of, the functioning of our Democracy...and he ADMITTED it on Fox News! How is this not actionable???
I agree. There are likely lawsuits underway now. But getting a stay on this sabotage will take time.
Here is an interesting article about the removal of the sorting machines.
Postal workers are not happy.
I think I will drop off my ballot in person. In AZ we can drop off a mail-in ballot if we wish. We can also vote in person early and drop-off early if we desire.
https://news.yahoo.com/postal-workers-sounding-alarm-mail-203218629.html
Did anyone watch Rachel Maddow last night? She read the Forward of Michael Cohen's book, which is coming out in early September. Cohen acknowledges and understands why people don't like him. In his view, it's only the gangsters who can reveal the secrets of organized crime. He said to understand the inner workings of the mob, you have to talk to the bad guys. And he was one of T's bad guys. I'm sure Cohen has a lot of tell.
I think you can find the Forward to the book if you Google it. Pretty riveting.
I hope someone is paying attention to the fact that Ivanka got a trademark for voting machines.
I think he can try all he wants to try to steal the election. If many people want him out they will stand in line just like the people did in Wisconsin they stood and in line and voted. The Republicans under estimated the citizens then and they are doing it now. This is a make it or break it election.
Also some good news. NBA teams are offering the stadiums for polling places. Those are big venues and the people can practice social distancing.
I would LOVE to see him called before the House to answer the Post Office mess and have Katie Porter ask a few questions.
Just Katie. One follow-up after another.
The slow drip drip drip followed by the full flow of the spigot.
The Katie Porter Torcher Chamber of truth and facts.