democracy at risk Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Squinting Into the Future

Tonight’s post is one of my short ones. Ha ha – I say that, and I haven’t even written it yet. But I speak with confidence and believe my squinting into the future is accurate because because I’m sitting here, covered in warm snoring puppies, unable to keep my eyes open.

And tonight, while I would love to shake the cobwebs from my head and do whatever it takes to gain my second wind, I must refrain. No; I must do what I must to fulfill my commitment to my 1111 Devotion, but I also have a responsibility to be awake and aware tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn. So I need to get to bed.

Rare Sighting

The primary photo for this post contains a rare sighting of yours truly. I tend to be the one behind the camera far more often than in front of it, and I’d much prefer to post photos of anything else.

But the message conveyed on my mask (hat tip to my middle son, who actually owns this mask) is the reason why I must succumb to slumber far earlier than usual. As I’ve written about in the past, a very small contribution I’m happy to make to upholding and facilitating our democratic ideals is serving as an election official at our local polling place. And since my colleagues and I need to get everything set up and ready to throw our doors open to the maddening throngs of neighbors exercising their franchise by 7:00 a.m., I need to get bed earlier than usual.

And I’m tired.

My Message

If you live in a state (or commonwealth) that’s having elections tomorrow, I entreat you: please vote. Our elections have never been more safe or secure, yet far too many people in our country are operating under the illusion that fraud is rampant.

It is not.

Our machines are safe. Our elections are safe. The people with whom I work, and have worked for decades, are people with integrity and a passion for (small d) democracy. We care about the preciousness of everyone’s vote.

But we must exercise our right to vote if we’re going to keep that right. And nothing could be more important than taking a stand for free and fair elections. So please: take a stand for truth and integrity. Take a stand for the Earth. Take a stand for our children and their right to a free, well-rounded, public education. Take a stand for equality and inclusiveness.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that we’ll always have the rights and privileges we enjoy at this moment. If we don’t use our right to vote, we could easily lose it.

Vote.

Pacha and Brutus Approve This Message – Photo: L. Weikel

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Sky’s On Fire – Photo: L. Weikel

Dire, Honest Warning

I’d be lying if I tried to pretend I didn’t watch the Democratic Convention this evening. (Who would I be kidding anyhow? I’ve watched every night so far – you know me well enough to know that.) And as enthusiastic and hopeful as I’ve felt watching every evening, I came away tonight with the unmistakable verification of my worst fears. Barack Obama confirmed in a speech that could only be called a starkly dire, honest warning that we really and truly are at extreme peril of witnessing the destruction of our republic.

The speech he gave tonight was chilling. It was compelling. And if you were paying attention and really listening to him – and by that I mean not only hearing his words but also observing his expressions and paying attention to his mannerisms as he spoke – you could not miss the urgency in his message.

After that speech tonight, there can be no doubt that our country is in grave danger.

President Obama spoke with a concern and barely controlled combination of rage and despair over what we’re all witnessing. If you have even a cursory appreciation for how he has spoken at other conventions (or anywhere, for that matter), you know that this was remarkably different. This speech truly was a call to stand up and take responsibility.

Kamala’s Opportunity

It seems to me that President Obama laid out just how bleak and dire everything is right now not only because he feels the perilousness at hand, which he unequestionably does. But he also did it this way so that Kamala Harris could take this one night to introduce herself to the vast swaths of the United States that aren’t familiar with her, and not have to spend precious minutes of her time attacking Donald Trump.

We all know a vice presidential nominee’s main raison d’etre is to be the attack dog. This strategy enables the presidential candidate to ostensibly keep their head above the fray, while their partner prosecutes the case against the opponent (and in this case, the incumbent). Tonight it almost seemed as if Obama ran interference for Harris.

The chilling part, though, is my strong sense that Obama couldn’t have been more straightforward in his warnings. This is not a joke. It’s not hyperbole.

This election could very well be the last chance we have to save our country from falling into an abyss of tyranny and authoritarianism.

Plan Your Vote

As the Democratic party seemed to be hammering home all evening, it is essential that we do whatever we must to ensure that our responsibility to vote is exercised in this election. There are powers that be – powers that would resort to literally ripping mailboxes out of the ground to prevent you from voting by mail – that will do anything to remain at the top of the food chain in this country.

Especially as a result of the pandemic, we must make sure we know exactly what our deadlines and other rules are in our state (whatever state that may be). If you need help in getting the best information about voting in person or by mail in your state, text VOTE to 30330.

Armed with knowledge and a determination that no one and nothing will succeed in standing between you and your right to cast your ballot, you are unstoppable. You are a patriot. You will be able to look yourself, your kids, and your grandchildren in the eyes and say, “I voted. I did not sit it out.”

Vote. Vote. Vote.

The future of our democracy is at stake.

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