5:32 AM, Eastern Time, Wednesday, November 6, 2024

 

"WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?"

 

HOLD THE LIGHT ~ Blog4Peace 2024

Tomorrow, the United States will hold one of the most divisive and consequential elections in its history.  The outcome may not be known for days, and it may be questioned for weeks or more.  The next U.S. President will have worldwide impact.  

Many states also have critical ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, and are choosing who they will send to the Senate and the House of Representatives.  And choosing to fill state and local community offices.

Once all is said and done, it is really not over.  As responsible citizens, we cannot just turn away for another two years or four years thinking "well, I voted, I did my part". That is not enough.

HOLD THE LIGHT     

All lead busy lives, but one has to make room to stay if not politically active, at the barest minimum "politically aware".  It has taken time for the political arena to evolve to the corruption, the cruel discourse, the mis-and-disinformation so common today, and it is on the shoulders of all, it cannot be laid at the feet of one party or one person.  There are those who use it more boldly, loudly, frequently, but all use it.  As a citizen and a voter, we can and must hold each and every person we elect ~ each and every person we vote for ~ accountable.  We must HOLD THE LIGHT toward them, to what they say, to what they do.  Otherwise, that vote was no more that a mark on a piece of paper.  

If you live outside the "megapolis" that has become the cities of Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD along the I-95 North corridor toward New York, you may not be aware of the furor that rose recently when the venerable WASHINGTON POST (owner, Jeff Bezos/Amazon) spiked the editorial endorsing Kamala Harris for President.  He did this 11 days before the election.  He wrote, as did CEO William Lewis trying to justify/explain the decision.  Poorly.  Causing multiple resignations from the Editorial board and renowned staff journalists, and to date losing over 250,000 subscribers cancelling in protest.  

This from the newspaper that won a Pulitzer Prize for "ATTACK" its coverage of the January 6, 2021 insurrection.  And has endorsed other candidates in this election cycle.

The WASHINGTON POST banner carries the line: Democracy Dies In Darkness

And it will.  Unless each and every one of us HOLD THE LIGHT up to it.  As individuals, demanding it from our leaders, demanding truth from the media, not allowing only the deep-pockets to speak for us.  I've been a regular reader of the Washington Post for just over 60 years, even subscribing during the years that I lived out of the DC/Baltimore metro area.  But many more years have been lived and worked in this area than anywhere else, and I call this home, with pride. And I want to hang onto that pride.  Not to see it diminished by politicians and government "leaders" who come to work on behalf of themselves, seeking power and money with no real love of country or their fellow citizens within.  So, yes, we must HOLD THE LIGHT up to all in power, or yes, our DEMOCRACY will DIE IN DARKNESS.   

BLOG4PEACE 2024 

A SUNDAY STROLL

Several commenting earlier this week were kind enough to offer compliments on June's November header.  

So, we thought to take the opportunity today to share a little about the "photograph" behind her.  

It is a close up of the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, photographed on an recent "almost" autumn day.

We live at the corner of Mount Vernon Place in Baltimore, MD.  The older photo (top) is of the church, looking across the traffic circle.  It is Victorian Gothic architecture, and was completed in November, 1872 and serves its congregation still today.

The photo (below) shows the traffic circle, the centerpiece of Mount Vernon Place,

with Baltimore's own Washington Monument and the church in the upper right corner.  This photo was taken from the 18th floor community room of my apartment building.  Park areas for gathering, lunching, and community events

extend out from the Monument in each direction and the entire area is

designated a National Historic Landmark District. 

Two images of the church, taken walking by and from the park.

This area is beautiful and relaxing in all seasons.  Wonderful for people-watching,

for pet-watching and so much more.

For anyone who would like to see a short video of this

truly beautiful and historic neighborhood,

click below:

MOUNT VERNON PLACE

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JUST SAYIN'

 

THE FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER and JUNE IS THANKFUL

Hello.  Meow.  November, the first day.  I'm really thankful it has arrived, and maybe you are as well.  Why?  Well, this was the first year I ever gave mine Mommy "purrmission" to cut BOOLATRY short.  And meow, I had other cute costumes to show-and-share, so I was giving up a lot, fur real!  We talked it over, and I knew that this whole pawlitical-thing was very impawtent to her, more this year than ever before.  And she wanted to have her say about it.  Since she's been posting on this blog many more years than I have, it seemed the right thing to do and I said, OK, have at it Mom!

The compromise was that she'd stop at the end of October and let me have my bloggie back!  So, here I am.  Aren't you meowing-happy?  It seemed to me that by now, most humans have purrty much made up their minds, one way or t'other about voting, she's had her say, and whatever will be, will be.  And we'll all come out on the other side and do our best to "make the best of it". Meow!

Before pawing off for today, we both do want to say that we're very thankful that everyone who took the time to "comment" on posts over recent days did so very respectfully and thoughtfully, even if not in agreement with us.  And we could tell that others, who may also not have been in agreement with us ~ as is their right ~ simply did not comment during this time.  All good, and again, thank you one and all.  

In the days, weeks and perhaps even months ahead, no matter the outcome, many will feel good, many other will not.  But we can all keep in mind "the golden rule" and that kindness matters.  

 

MAKING A CHOICE

If you went out to the market, or a nearby farm to choose a pumpkin ~ to decorate your front porch this year.  Or maybe several, some for the table top or just here or there inside your home, it's reasonable to think you looked for and chose the ones without flaws.  The ones that best represented what a pumpkin should be in every way possible.  

As we choose a president for the United States of America, the leader of the free world, who will serve all of us in the years ahead, we have an obligation and a responsibility to choose the one who is the very best in every way possible.  And the choice has been clear for a very long time.  Character and words and decency matter.  Morals and behavior matter.  How we treat our neighbors, our co-workers, how we treat those we do not even know ~ that matters.  

We can talk of democracy, we can talk of policies and yes, these issues are important, and it is critical to be informed and educated about these.  But underlying these issues is the character of the person and that will determine their ability to be a leader.  Choose well, it matters.

And little cat JUNE adds, just because she can, and can be "catty" about it ... I think orange is just fine for the pumpkin at my front door.  It is not at all fine for the leader of my country!  I voted BLUE.