Voting

Squinting Into the Future – Day 1086

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Squinting For Sure – Photo: L. Weikel

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

(T-25)

Cloud Conclave – Day 712

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Photo: L. Weikel

Cloud Conclave

About halfway into our walk-around this evening, we became aware of a Gathering of Cloud Beings assembling in the west just after the sun dipped below the horizon. All of a sudden, great billowy Beings resembling the Michelin Tire man – or maybe more accurately, the massive billowy guy in the original Ghostbusters movie – started morphing and distinguishing themselves. Yup. The longer we walked, the more obvious it became: we were witnessing a Cloud Conclave.

To be honest, it didn’t look like it was a meeting of dire seriousness. Just a cursory glance at the participants lent the distinct impression that this was a first-time event for some of the Cloud Beings. Indeed, it almost felt as if several attendees were parents bringing their young ones to their first CC.

Witnesses to The Force – Photo: L. Weikel

A Bigger Deal Than We Realize

Perhaps all the activity we’re engaging in, the disturbance in The Force that’s occurring as people all over the country line up to cast their votes, is creating ‘must see human activity’ for the Cloud Beings. It’s possible they’re gathering now in order to get a sense of what, if anything, we’ll need on the final official day of this ‘season’ that’s capturing the attention of this particular flavor of human being. Or maybe it’s just entertaining for them to witness us masking up and social distancing, just for the opportunity to drop our envelope into a box.*

Certainly the Cloud Beings are aware that this type of reaction to an election – they are at least some of those we might consider to be Watchers, after all. And this fierce determination to make sure that each and every vote is counted probably hasn’t been anywhere near as intense for generations of human lives in the United States.

It is indeed a sight to behold. Just look at that: the citizens of the country renowned throughout the world as a light of democracy and a guardian of free and fair elections are finally, maybe, in the final days of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, going to finally get it through their heads just exactly how precious their single vote is.

Conclave from afar – Photo: L. Weikel

It’s Sacred

It’s exciting. It’s sacred. It’s both a right and a responsibility.

No wonder the Cloud Elders are bringing the Cloud Youngsters to a Conclave. The realization of just how precious each one of our votes is deserves recognition and celebration.

* I voted today: placed my ballot in its security envelope, placed that in the bigger envelope, then signed, sealed, and hand-delivered that to the drop off box at the old courthouse. Aaah.

Doylestown, PA – lines to cast ballots; Photo: L. Weikel

(T-399)

Dire, Honest Warning – Day 647

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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.

(T-464)

Use Your Voice – Day 357

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“When you vote, you speak for me” – Tohickon Creek – Photo: L. Weikel

Use Your Voice

This a gentle reminder to use your voice this coming week by – you guessed it – remembering to VOTE.

Perhaps I should be saving this post for tomorrow evening, so the reminder is fresh enough to propel you out to your car and onward to your civic engagement.

Perhaps.

Or maybe giving an affectionate nudge the day ahead of time will encourage you to take a quick look at your local voter’s guide in order to inform yourself of the races that are up for grabs in this off-year election.

Why Should You Care?

For instance, voting for judges (here in Pennsylvania, at least) is an opportunity to choose people who you would trust to make decisions and render judgments that can have a profound impact upon our lives. Sure, we all hope we won’t have to appear before a judge for anything other than, perhaps, an adoption. Or a name change. (I’m trying to think of the best case scenarios associated with court appearances!)

But let’s face it. In our litigious society, people often end up in court, often more frequently than they can afford, in order to have a stranger tell them how to resolve their differences. This can range from asking a person you do not know (and does not know you) to tell you how to split up your property or how much time you will spend with your child to resolving a business dispute or determining the fate of your adult child who made a fateful mistake (or awful decision).

Or maybe you’ll be part of a suit that asks for an environmental regulation to be enforced that will determine the fate of your drinking water, or an analysis of a statute that could take your land to make way for a pipeline.

Do Your Homework Now

My point with respect to most elected officials, but judges and legislators in particular, is the importance of doing your homework now, before it’s too late. Don’t assume your choices won’t make a difference. And above all, don’t assume your voice doesn’t matter.

You make a difference.

And if you want to learn more or get involved in promoting voting and strengthening our democracy, check out the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan group that does outstanding work.

Some Different Resources

As many of you know, I ascribe to the work of Machaelle Wright, founder of Perelandra, Ltd., and her approach to energetically working with Nature in order to co-create our health and the health of the planet. (Indeed, I didn’t bug you this month about doing your biodiversity practice on the first of this month, but I will remind you before December 1st!)

I admire the civic engagement the folks at Perelandra encourage, especially since they recognize the direct correlation between activism, our health, and the health of the planet and all who share it with us. They provide some excellent links to resources that you might find helpful here.

And for those of you who might long for a leader who inspires us to make a difference no matter who we are, and what circumstances we find ourselves in, you might enjoy this video.

Elections matter. Use your voice to declare what you value, who you care about, and what your vision is of our future. If you don’t, know one will know – and worse, others will make assumptions, and will do what they want because they’ll think you don’t care.

Use your voice – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-754)

Long Way Home – Day 190

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Image: www.northloop.org

Long Way Home      

As I was driving back from Amadell today, I was reminded of the Supertramp song of the same title as this blog.

It was indeed a long way home, but so worth it.

The journey was made even better by the exquisite weather we enjoyed the entire way home. The Appalachians were our constant companions and, to be honest, they beckoned to us to stop and explore them one day more.

Responsibility Calls

But alas, responsibility calls and we needed to get home.

Democracy in action called to us with an even louder voice than the two songs I offered you above.

Please get out and vote.

Take a look around and summon the courage to see what’s actually unfolding in our communities, states, and country. Obviously, I’m speaking directly to Pennsylvanians because tomorrow is our primary.

But it does not matter where you live. When your state has its primary and general elections: VOTE. Vote for your school board directors, vote for your supervisors, vote for you Register of Wills. VOTE.

Your rights, your voice, your power to maintain control over your own life depend on you exercising your RIGHT and PRIVILEGE to vote. Don’t squander your power by waiting until it’s too late and your rights have been lost.

(T-921)