Not sure if I wrote this post for you or for me.
I was close to the end of my volunteer shift at the Food Pantry yesterday. The morning had been tougher than usual (see the upended boxes we didn’t have time to flatten) and I was tired. Then I got this text from Len, “Don’t look at the news.”
I’ve never received anything this cryptic from Len in my life. I told my co-worker Nancy I needed to look at the news because something weird was going on.
She replied, “The Supreme Court.”
We looked at each other and then I swore. She nodded, “Totally. I agree.”
Immunity. They gave immunity to Trump.
If you don’t know what this means, read Heather Cox Richardson and Joyce Vance.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/july-1-2024
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/scotus-actually-presidents-are-kings
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I’m so scared and angry. Many of us are. What can we - who are committed, informed, and unpowerful – do?
Hang on here. I’m not changing the subject.
I’m just back from a walk which is a fine thing to be able to say. Several months ago I messed up a knee so badly it was hard to walk without pain. I went back to Stephanie the Physical Therapist who gave me a variety of exercises to do. Now, a mere two months later, the pain is gone and I can walk. I do the exercises (almost) every day and assume I’ll be doing them the rest of my life. Stephanie was surprised when I told her I still do the shoulder exercises she have me years ago. Not hurting is one of my favorite things.
This last PT go-round I realized that the issues with my knees are connected to the way I walk. I looked pretty normal on the outside, but I unconsciously tightened my gait, curbed the sway of my hips, held my arms straight instead of letting them swing. I was using energy to keep my various walking parts upright and in check.
I think a lot of us, especially women, do this. We are not even aware that we have learned ways of being ourselves in the world that keep us more tucked in. The energy we use to do this becomes a strain inside us as our muscles work to control our stroll.
I’m doing exercises that strengthen my quads – the four long muscles in our thighs from our torsos to our knees. When they are strong a person’s knees are not taking all the weight and work of walking.
So now when I walk, I remind myself to breathe deep. Take slightly longer strides. Let my hips swing with my natural gait instead of trying to constrain my movement. I’m sure from the outside I don’t look much different but from the inside, I’m looser and easier and I have more energy and take less ibuprofen.
So what does this have to do with yesterday’s Supreme Court decision that creates a path to constitutional destruction?
Don’t clench. Build the strengths that you, as one concerned American DO have. Don’t sit this out. Don’t give up. Don’t stay home because it aches to move.
Do the small exercises over and over.
Vote. We are descended from men and women who made great sacrifices for our nation. Voting is the way we honor veterans. Keep in mind we are not choosing BFF’s and sweethearts. We vote for representatives who best represent what we care about for ourselves and our families.
Donate money. One of the things that happens when we give as little as $5 is that “small donation” racks up not just funds but also numbers. When it comes to elections and campaigns, number count a lot.
Don’t despair about Biden’s poor debate performance. Yes, it sucked but one night “off” does not abrogate fifty years of experience. Want to see Biden’s strength? Look at his Cabinet (His Cabinet) This is the first cabinet in US history which is 50% female and which is this diverse. If Biden resigns or dies in office there is an experienced and well-organized cadre of Americans ready to keep doing our work.
Contrast this with - of the 44 people who served in Trump’s Cabinet – only 4 of them endorse him now. Forty of them will not support him.
Show upfor what you can. Most communities in the US will be having a 4th of July parade. Go online to your county’s Democratic website or Facebook page, see if they are recruiting people to march in your community’s parade. Join if you can. Len and I will be marching in ours.
Waukesha 4th of July Parade! · WisDems (mobilize.us)
(PS look at this cute secretary!
Yard signs. Make calls. Write letters. Talk to friends, family, neighbors as you can.
Keep breathing. Swing your hips. Take the space you need to be yourself. Keep moving.
As they say, it’s not over till the fat lady sing. And we are the fat ladies.
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