Is all of this political turmoil messing with your sleep?

Same here. Here are some tips on how to cope.

OK, I had to take a little break from writing about current events. I found that I wasn’t sleeping much, and when I did my dreams were very tightly woven with the day’s current events. My mind couldn’t let go and it was getting very creepy. Continue reading “Is all of this political turmoil messing with your sleep?”

A first step in rebuilding common ground

So, three kids are in an adjacent room and you hear a crash. You go in the room and see a vase broken on the floor. You ask what happened:

Child 1: “The dog knocked it from the table. Terrible dog.” 

You look and confirm that the dog is outside. “Fake news” starts early. You ask again:

Child 2: “We were playing and then the vase fell over, but I didn’t do it as I wasn’t closest to the table.”

You ask again:

Child 3: “We were running in the room and someone tripped me and made me knock the vase over.”

Each child reported the same event differently, but when pieced together you can get a pretty complete report of what really happened.

We benefit from seeing an event through multiple lenses.

It’s human nature to gravitate towards that which reinforces or doesn’t challenge our existing views. This appears to be the case in our media consumption.  (In psychology this is called the selective exposure theory.)

According to Pew Research Center Studies:

At this point, we don’t expect to even agree on the basic facts.

Pew Research Center – Basic facts are in dispute

This isn’t surprising, as we don’t start from the same place.

Trump supporters relied heavily on Fox for their election news and information.  No single source was as pronounced among Clinton supporters, but this is perhaps due to the perception that there are more liberal leaning news options.) (Pew Research Center – Trump, Clinton Voters Divided in Their Main Source for Election News)

And we have tended to think that our own news sources are more trustworthy than others.

Press Widely Criticized, But Trusted More than Other Information Sources

The path to rebuilding common ground starts with some understanding of other sides of an issue. But where to start?

While this diagram from Imgur may not be perfect (the center may be more liberal than is shown here), but it’s a good place to start. Try to:

  • Focus on reading and sharing from sites that are more centered
  • Venture out of your safety zone
  • Remember that understanding something doesn’t require that you agree with it

It may not be pleasant, but we need to make the effort.

My two cents:

  • I am not a fan of ANY cable TV news. In order to fill a 24-hours news cycle, the headlines are hyperbolic and views too often vitriolic. And too often we are watching the news while doing other things, and can’t give the attention that the topics require.
  • Try reading instead. You control what you read, when you read it and you can more easily compare multiple sources.
  • You may want to start introduce new sources slowly and not venture into the comments section until you are very ready.
  • While social media is good for entertainment, it isn’t ideal for gaining an understanding of an topic. Use sparingly.

Sources

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ambigamy/201402/selective-exposure-calling-inconvenient-news-irrelevant

http://www.journalism.org/2017/01/18/trump-clinton-voters-divided-in-their-main-source-for-election-news/pj_2017-01-18_election-news-sources_0-01/

http://www.people-press.org/2016/10/14/in-presidential-contest-voters-say-basic-facts-not-just-policies-are-in-dispute/

http://www.people-press.org/2011/09/22/press-widely-criticized-but-trusted-more-than-other-institutions/

 

A few good quotes for President’s Day

Today seems like a very good day to reflect upon the words and wisdom of honored Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

George Washington

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

 

Abraham Lincoln

“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

“Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”

 

 

Useful term of the day – Narcissistic Personality Disorder

After this week, I think we all know what Narcissistic Personality Disorder looks and sounds like.

But just in case… here is an official definition:

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”

Source

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/definition/CON-20025568

How to stay grounded in times like these

How are you feeling today?

Stressed out? Forgetful? Overwhelmed by the increasingly bazaar and disconcerting national events?

Recently a friend and I were discussing how we both were having a hard time focusing on the tasks at hand. I constantly find myself distracted and forgetful, and too often a bit short-tempered.

We are not alone. Turns out that a lot of us are feeling stressed.

According to the recent American Psychological Association’s (APA) report Stress in America™: Coping with Change,” two-thirds of Americans say they are stressed about the future of our nation, including a majority of both Democrats and Republicans.”

Not surprisingly, Democrats are more stressed out by the outcome of the 2016 election and the future of the nation overall, but Republicans are also stressed out about the future.

Given that tensions are high, we can we do to stay grounded?

Talk with supportive friends and family

Most every morning I have a conversation via text with a few close friends. Sometimes we share our dismay at recent events, or exchange a funny video that makes us laugh. The conversations are usually brief, cathartic, empowering and always reinforce our friendship.

Act with kindness overall

With many of us on edge, a little act of kindness can go a long way.  If someone bumps into you (or you into them), imagine the difference it makes if you give a big “hello” or “good day!”

If you see someone who needs help, why not stop and give them a hand. Showing acts of kindness not only help others but also ourselves. It feels good to be kind.

Watch your news consumption

There is so much real news to take in, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  Set up some time to dive in, decide how you want to act (not react) and then get out.

Take a break from Social Media

It’s become a great way to get your blood pressure up.

Be compassionate

As much stress as I feel now, I know that there are many others who live with constant stress. Going forward we could all benefit by showing greater understanding and compassion.

Don’t get discouraged

There is a lot that needs fixing in our nation (and the list seems to grow every day), but together we can make things better.

Sources

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.aspx

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/emotional-support.aspx

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-political-change.aspx

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/02/stressed-nation.aspx

www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/15/515366975/feeling-way-more-stressed-out-youre-not-alone

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/emotional-support.aspx

 

 

 

 

It’s time we reclaim our common ground

We are responsible for making our political system more functional

Our physical world has two poles (north and south) that are bitter and cold. The vast majority of humanity lives much closer to the equator, in a much more productive climate.

Our political world feels very similar. The current system is set up to force us away from our common, productive ground and into hostile extremes.  We won’t survive such a move and need to do all we can to regain our common ground.

It is up to us, the people, to:

  • Reach out to others who may not share our POV
  • Focus on listening to them with compassion, not judgment (I’ll admit, this one challenges me at times)
  • Have conversations grounded in verifiable facts (If you can’t agree on what is true, either work together to uncover the facts or move on)
  • Admit when you don’t know something, or are wrong
  • Politely agree to disagree when necessary.
  • Don’t focus on changing someone’s view. Enhanced understanding is a valuable outcome
  • Hold politicians from BOTH parties to the same standards. What is un/acceptable for one party should be un/acceptable for all

A broad variety of perspectives in our nation should be our greatest strength, not our most easily exploited weakness.

Reclaiming our common ground won’t be easy, but it is very necessary.

Not sure where to start?

I’ll be posting a variety of views that are honest and heartfelt, not confrontational and angry.

For today, check out the CNN segment Trump gives America’s ‘poorest white town’ hope.

How and why to say NO to Stephen Bannon’s latest power grab

Should we be alarmed by the appointment of Stephen Bannon (Trump’s chief strategist) to a membership role in the National Security Council (NSC) Principal Committee?

Heck yes! Please call The Senate Committee on Homeland Security at 202-224-4751 (It’s an answering machine. Leave your name, number and a brief message) or email them (https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/contact) to register your position.

I used some of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s message and tweaked it a bit.

“I very strongly believe that the demotion of key members of the NSC Participial Committee and the inclusion of an individual whose primary responsibility is political in nature is highly detrimental to the strength of our great nation. I am also very concerned about the individual’s role in crafting the executive order behind these changes. Partisan politics have no place in our national security.”

Not convinced? Keep reading.

What is the NSC?

This is how the Trump administration defines the NSC and their role. (you will have to cut and paste the link https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc, as my direct link was mysteriously severed). 

Ah, let’s go back to the archived Obama Administration site. There we see: (bolding and italics mine)

  • “The National Security Council (NSC) is the President’s principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials.”
  • “Since its inception under President Truman, the Council’s function has been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies.”
  • “The Council also serves as the President’s principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies. The Chief of Staff to the President, Counsel to the President, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy are invited to attend any NSC meeting.”

As with most Trump moves that have garnered opposition, the objections are two-fold.

The more readily grasped objections are that Bannon has little relevant experience and is a not seen to be a very good person overall.

But the objections aren’t just specific to Bannon. Someone, perhaps Bannon,  also included in the EO the demotion of several of the most influential members of the committee, giving Bannon even more influence. More specifically the OE “someone” crafted:

  • Removed two key members, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence, and said that they would be invited “issues pertaining to their responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed.” (which should be pretty much every time, but is now at the White House’s discretion)
    • The Director of National Intelligence is responsible for starting off discussions with an intelligence briefing, but Trump has made it clear how little he values intelligence
    • The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff used to be a key adviser to the president and others on the military consequences
  • Diminished the role of the national Security Advisor, who would normally be the one to work with the President on NSC matters.

This is not OK

 

Thanks for moving forward with me

Sources

https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc

 obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/nsc/.

msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/bannons-white-house-role-draws-sharp-criticisms-reason

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-danger-of-steve-bannon-on-the-national-security-council/2017

cnn.com/2017/01/29/politics/susan-rice-steve-bannon/

www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/01/the-trump-national-security-council-an-analysis/514910/

nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/trump-not-fully-briefed-on-bannon-nsc-order-report

www.npr.org/2011/05/31/136829586/what-does-the-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-do

nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/trump-not-fully-briefed-on-bannon-nsc-order-report.html

 

Inspiring and timely quotes from Frederick Douglass

Though Fredrick Douglass passed away on February 20, 1895, his words ring true today.

 

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.”

“To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.”

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

Finding out more about this great man is easy, just click here!

Addressing the alternative facts of Trump’s immigration policy

If you have a conversation about the immigration ban, it will be helpful to know:

PT’s claim: “My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. ”

Nope.

FactCheck.org’s article (Trump’s Faulty Refugee Policy Comparison (Factcheck.org) is detailed, but the gist of it is: (bolding is mine)

What Trump did:

“President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27 that bars Syrian refugees from entering the U.S. indefinitely and bars all other refugees for 120 days, and keeps out visitors for 90 days from seven predominately Muslim countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Initially, as ABC News reported, administration officials said the ban also applied to U.S. green card holders reentering the United States from those seven countries, though they could get a waiver to reenter. But two days after Trump signed the executive order, administration officials said green card holders, who are permanent residents, would be admitted on a case-by-case basis after additional security screening.”

Key differences in the policies:

“… what Obama did was not a ban, and it did not involve visas.”

“There was a delay in processing Iraqi refugees in 2011 after it was discovered that two Iraqi refugees living in Kentucky had been involved in roadside bombing attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq. One of the refugee’s fingerprints were found on a detonation device in Iraq, prompting U.S. immigration, security and intelligence agencies to use federal databases to rescreen about 58,000 Iraqi refugees in the U.S. and more than 25,000 Iraqis who had been approved to enter the U.S., but had not yet been admitted, Department of Homeland Security officials testified at the time.

The Kentucky case not only caused a backlog in processing Iraqi refugees in 2011, but it also resulted in an overhaul of the refugee screening process.

The Obama administration’s actions were limited to one country and in response to a specific threat — the potential for other Iraqi refugees to take advantage of a flaw in the screening process.

By contrast, Trump ordered a far wider ban — albeit also temporary — without identifying a specific threat.”

Read the full executive order text here

Appalled by the immigration ban?

There are many things that you can do

Day 8 of the PT regime and I continue to be astounded by the lack of respect they have for the United States and what makes us great.

PT has been forced to back off slightly, but he has demonstrated time and time again that he is a sore and vindictive loser. We must make it clear that his actions are unacceptable.

If you can, please:

Support organizations that are speaking up

Demand that congressional leaders will live up to their constitutional and moral responsibilities

Both Ryan and McConnell were strongly opposed to Muslim bans not too long ago, but seem to have misplaced their convictions.

Email Paul Ryan (In my note to him, I referenced his words of August 1, 2016 “America’s greatness is built on the principles of liberty and preserved by the men and women who wear the uniform to defend it. As I have said on numerous occasions, a religious test for entering our country is not reflective of these fundamental values. I reject it. Many Muslim Americans have served valiantly in our military, and made the ultimate sacrifice. Captain Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice—and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan—should always be honored. Period.”)

Email Mich McConnell (McConnell has stated that “I Don’t Want to Criticize Them for Improving Vetting.” This recent act by the Trump regime isn’t rooted in improving vetting and he knows this.) I cant provide the direct link to McConnell as they have Blacked direct access (https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform)

Want to read more about what should happen going forward?

Some Top Republicans in Congress Criticize Trump’s Refugee Policy

A Clarifying Moment in American History

Read the full executive order text

Looking for more ways to help?

Please check out my list of causes to support