Amid the chaos, one less racist in Congress

Between pandemic and racial divide, 2020 has not been a feel good year. Quite the opposite. That’s why all of good will should celebrate the primary defeat of nine term congressman Steve King (IA -4). King has been championing white nationalism, anti-immigrant, xenophobic, homophobic policies throughout his nine term career, besmirching American inclusiveness and decency. It took nine terms for Republican leaders to become so embarrassed by his racism they stripped him of committee assignments, which likely tipped the election to safe conservative State Senator Randy Feenstra. King’s Facebook post after defeat was unrepentant. He urged Iowans to “continue to teach their children to oppose…same sex marriage”. One could make a book from King’s endless, deplorable public comments. Iowa Republicans just closed the cover on that shameful tome.

Poor city, state response to rioting aiding Trump’s re-election

Just a week ago Mayor Lightfoot blasted her new Police Chief David Brown for his failure to stem Memorial Day violence when 59 were shot in Chicago with 10 dying. But not a word of self-criticism for herself this past weekend when 82 were shot, killing 19, while much of Chicago’s neighborhood business lifeblood was gutted by rioters given free reign by overwhelmed police. In fact Lightfoot defended her response saying she didn’t prioritize the Loop over the neighborhoods, but simply couldn’t keep up with the 50,000 extra cries for help by her beleaguered citizenry. That should not have surprised Lightfoot. All she needed was see the anarchy in Minneapolis and immediately demand massive assistance from state police and the National Guard for Chicago. It seems every concerned citizen realized what was in store for Chicago except Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker, who after the massive destruction, incredulously said Illinois will provide Chicago whatever it needs to restore calm. Too late, Governor.

Besides the loss of vital resources for Chicago’s most needy communities, Lightfoot and Pritzker’s public safety failures give electoral ammunition to the deranged quasi fascist stoking fear and loathing of Democratic leaders in his desperate bid to retain the presidency. If public order is not restored, Trump will exploit that weakness to another four years of neglect to the very people and communities most in need of a sane presidency.

Antifa Nation

I must thank President Trump for a moment of personal enlightenment. He’s made me aware that for the past 70 years I’ve been a member of the domestic terrorist group Antifa. Back around first grade my parents informed me about WWII, the Holocaust and Nazism. It was a difficult concept for my young brain to grasp but it spurred a lifelong commitment to anti fascism, which is precisely what Antifa is short for.

Seven decades on we have a cynical, McCarthy channeling president using the very name for today’s anti fascists to demean every person or group who opposes his quasi fascist tactics to maintain his grip on the presidency. He demonized Antifa twice yesterday before his deplorable action of sending the military, firing rubber bullets, flash-bangs and tear gas to stampede and clear peaceful protesters out of his path to walk from the White House to a nearby damaged church for a ‘law and order’ photo op. Trump missed the irony of pledging his solidarity for peaceful protesters, demanding justice and jail for violators; then behaving like the violators he pledged to arrest.

I wear my Antifa moniker with honor. Anti fascism…now more than ever.

Be careful what you wish for

Compared to untold millions, the pandemic has affected me barely a whit. Neither I nor any in my family has experienced death, illness, financial ruin. My minor inconveniences are insignificant to those so affected. The worst has been occasional panic attacks that I’ve got the bug and it will kill me. They started when cooped up in a room with 40 other seniors at history seminars in FL just when the country started shutting down in mid-March. A day long trip to Kennedy Space Center with thousands increased the angst.

The 24/7 news cycle hasn’t helped but it’s hard to turn away. Subconsciously, I yearned for something to knock pandemic from the endless coverage. Little did I realize that a deadly knee to the neck would quickly escalate peaceful protests to civil unrest and riots nationwide not experienced in half a century. Calling out the National Guard is becoming as common as sheltering in place.

Given a choice, I’d go back to 24/7 pandemic coverage over seemingly intractable racial divide that defies solution in a heartbeat. Be careful what you wish for….indeed.