Thanks, Jim. It all brings home what Molly Ivins said in her final column... Make a lot of noise and don't stop speaking truth to power. It was the war back then, but we're in a war now, and we're losing.
Her advice is still fresh..
—
We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, "Stop it, now!"
—Molly Ivins—
—
Bet she'd rank high on Trump's "Nasty Woman" list today.
Thank you for all of this. I didn't know about your earlier experience with the No Fly Watch List and I'm appropriately appalled. Trump holding up the obviously doctored fake evidence is even worse, of course, for what it says about how far gone we are. Some time ago I entertained brief fantasies of emigrating, still have a bookmarks folder of relevant links and such, but now I want to stay here 'cause I don't want to miss the next "Nüremberg trials" and dancing in the streets. I wonder what we'll call them.
Jim: I well remember the book "Bush's Brain" co-authored by you & Wayne Slater (RIP). I had no idea your earlier books resulted in you being placed on a watchlist. Terrifying.
Thank you for your personal story of harassment. I’ve heard from others of unexplained stops and searches. I’ve been fortunate and despite frequent “hand checks” never been treated as you have been. These are the days that …..
Garcia gets all of the attention, and deservedly, but a young 18 yr old Venezuelan immigrant, Neri Jose Alvarado Borges in Lewisville, Tx waiting an asylum hearing, working in a bakery, and living with his family was swept up
by ICE because he had an autism awareness tattoo honoring his brother that ICE said was a gang tattoo. He too was sent to that hell hole in El Salvador along with another youth from NYC, Merwil Gutiérrez who had filed for an asylum hearing and was working and living with family, again, NO RECORD, NO GANG ACTIVITY, just WORKING! Not taking anyone’s job, selling drugs, taking drugs, collecting public assistance, WORKING!
Good point, Mike. There are far too many similar stories right now that are not getting national coverage. A long piece laying them all out, or at least those known, could have political impact, but who knows? This is another country, not my own.
Thanks, Jim. It all brings home what Molly Ivins said in her final column... Make a lot of noise and don't stop speaking truth to power. It was the war back then, but we're in a war now, and we're losing.
Her advice is still fresh..
—
We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, "Stop it, now!"
—Molly Ivins—
—
Bet she'd rank high on Trump's "Nasty Woman" list today.
Molly got it all from the beginning, amigo. More people should’ve listened.
Thank you for all of this. I didn't know about your earlier experience with the No Fly Watch List and I'm appropriately appalled. Trump holding up the obviously doctored fake evidence is even worse, of course, for what it says about how far gone we are. Some time ago I entertained brief fantasies of emigrating, still have a bookmarks folder of relevant links and such, but now I want to stay here 'cause I don't want to miss the next "Nüremberg trials" and dancing in the streets. I wonder what we'll call them.
But I think we'll get to dance, I really do.
I hope you’re right, John. I’d dance till the end of time, if possible.
Thanks, Jim Bob.
Thanks so much for reading, my friend.
Great story I was stop at Heathrow on the early 70’s.
Jim: I well remember the book "Bush's Brain" co-authored by you & Wayne Slater (RIP). I had no idea your earlier books resulted in you being placed on a watchlist. Terrifying.
Thanks, Jack. It was and remains disheartening and frightening.
Thank you for sharing your personal story. I know someone with a similar experience back around 2000.
Thank you for your personal story of harassment. I’ve heard from others of unexplained stops and searches. I’ve been fortunate and despite frequent “hand checks” never been treated as you have been. These are the days that …..
Yep, these are those days….
Garcia gets all of the attention, and deservedly, but a young 18 yr old Venezuelan immigrant, Neri Jose Alvarado Borges in Lewisville, Tx waiting an asylum hearing, working in a bakery, and living with his family was swept up
by ICE because he had an autism awareness tattoo honoring his brother that ICE said was a gang tattoo. He too was sent to that hell hole in El Salvador along with another youth from NYC, Merwil Gutiérrez who had filed for an asylum hearing and was working and living with family, again, NO RECORD, NO GANG ACTIVITY, just WORKING! Not taking anyone’s job, selling drugs, taking drugs, collecting public assistance, WORKING!
THIS is making us safe and “great” again???
Makes me ashamed to live here!
Good point, Mike. There are far too many similar stories right now that are not getting national coverage. A long piece laying them all out, or at least those known, could have political impact, but who knows? This is another country, not my own.
I wish I could but not possible now.