Welcome 😄 to Friday’s Roundup of Good News!
It’s the day before the longest night. Or maybe Saturday night is the longest; I'm not sure. The wizards of astronomy tell us that the 21st is the solstice — the winter solstice, as this is written for an American audience.
But sometimes it has felt more as if we have been stuck at one of the poles, with six months of winter and night. With so many lies, so many injustices, so many cruelties, it has been a dark time for most of us.
However, instead of (just) cursing the darkness, we have been lighting candles. We have been helping each other through this bleak space and time of American history.
We have made great progress, but there is still much to be made. So enjoy the holidays and get your strength back, because we will need all who can fight.
Regular Scheduled Programming
No one here is naïve; we are aware of the very bad stuff that is happening. Some of us expected it: the cheating, the lying, the chaos, and yes, even the attempts to cling to power despite the clear will of the people. But we are here to read the efforts and the positive results of those (including us and our fellow gnus) who are working so hard to save our country from those very bad people. We are furious with them for what they are doing and we are letting them know. Remember:
💚 There are more of us than there are of them.
💛 They are terrified when we organize. THERE IS LOTS OF EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE TERRIFIED!
💔 They want us to be demoralized. We have to keep demoralizing them. Name, blame and shame! IT IS WORKING! WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE DEMORALIZED!
💙 The best way to keep up your spirits is to fight. So, take the time to recharge your batteries, but find ways to contribute to the well-being of our country and our world.
💙 Toxic 🍄 Trump Matters 👎 & Russia, Russia, Russia 🐻
So far, the new news has been rather sparse on this matter. Journalists and pundits are getting ready for the holidays, and they are also exhausted from the weeks and weeks building up to impeachment.
So enjoy the headlines:
And the opinions — this one could matter:
And this cartoon:
💙 Democrats Are Great 🌊
Republicans 🐘 Got Nothing 👎
We impeached the president! I was listening to Maddow during the immediate aftermath, and she warned that they were waiting to show Pelosi’s press conference — and to show the press conference of the Rs. But then she announced that the press conference of the Rs was canceled. Were their throats sore from shouting bad-tasting lies all day? Or were they too demoralized? Or are they planning a press conference a little later? All possibilities to consider.
Current list of the retirements in Congress Axios
More Republicans than Democrats are exiting Congress in the lead up to the 2020 elections. Twenty-two GOP representatives and four senators are retiring without bids for higher office, compared to five Democratic representatives and one senator.
Republicans believe they won’t win… at least not the House
In the meantime, Pelosi says she’s waiting to see the rules before she sends the impeachment articles to the Senate. Quite understandable, as McConnell has told the whole world that he has no intention to be impartial. McConnell hit back with some taunting, calling the House impeachment shoddy. We’re all going to have to go out and shout the truth until we go hoarse. *sigh*
Nevertheless, on Thursday night, Senator Chuck Schumer (on Rachel Maddow) was pretty optimistic. He also pointed out that McConnell has not been that sure-footed about this. After all, why brag to the world that you intend to hold a sham trial? If McConnell hadn’t done that, the House probably would have sent over the articles without asking for lots of assurances. Instead, by tipping his hand, he helped Team Blue.
Finally, there was a Democratic debate last night! However, as I am writing these words, it hasn’t happened yet. One thing that occurred at the rally that I attended Tuesday was a discussion with other activists. Everyone had somewhat soft support for particular candidates and is ready to work like mad for whoever gets the nod. Tulsi Gabbard excepted, of course.
BEYOND THE BELTWAY
Kentucky’s new governor reorganizes school board — Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Delivering on a campaign promise to teachers who helped elect him, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear used his first day in office Tuesday to overhaul the state school board. ✂️
But the crowd that braved the bitter cold gave him a rousing ovation when Beshear announced that he had wielded his executive authority on day one to disband and then recreate the Kentucky Board of Education. Beshear, who had expressed concerns about the previous board’s affinity for charter schools, said he appointed new members committed to public education.
“These members were not chosen based on any partisan affiliation, but based on their commitment to make our schools better, to put our children first,” Beshear said.
Beshear’s handpicked replacements could remove Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis. The new governor’s forceful action will be popular with many educators who believe the education board and commissioner have advocated for charter schools at the risk of hurting traditional public schools.
We’re so glad Kentucky has a governor who cares about Kentuckians! Voting rights and Medicaid have already been rescued by him.
Nevada reviews 2019 work done on natural resources — NRDC
This year was one of rapid progress for clean energy and climate commitments in Nevada. In fact, it may be the most impactful year Nevada has ever seen on these issues. With a new administration and the nation’s first female majority legislature, this year saw bills passed and signed on renewable energy standards, energy efficiency, electric transportation, and greenhouse gas reduction, as well as executive branch steps toward an inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy. The year also saw troubling reminders that the climate crisis is already here; accelerating our transition from fossil fuels to clean energy will support the state's air quality and public health.
In this blog, we’re highlighting some of the actions the state has taken to build a clean energy, low-carbon future that will foster healthy communities and a strong and diversified economy. ✂️
On January 16, Governor Steve Sisolak delivered his first State of the State, in which he declared that his administration would not spend a second debating the reality of climate change before taking action.
California celebrates 1,000,000 solar roofs across the state Good News Network
After thirteen years of hard work, California legislators are now celebrating their historic milestone of reaching one million solar roofs installed across the state.
Former Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown and other local elected officials joined local high school students, business leaders and workers, renewable energy advocates, and community leaders marked achieving one million solar roofs across California during a celebration event at Buchanan High School in Clovis.
In 2006, then-Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Million Solar Roofs Initiative into law, which set a goal of building one million solar energy systems on homes, schools, farms, and businesses throughout the state. In 2019, the idea that once made international headlines for its “wow factor” is now a reality.
Tennessee to continue welcoming refugees Daily Kos
Yet another Republican-led state has said it will continue to resettle refugees, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s announcement on Wednesday that the state will continue to welcome families, following a Trump administration executive order that has given states unprecedented power to slam the door on them and reject them.
“The United States and Tennessee have always been, since the very founding of our nation, a shining beacon of freedom and opportunity for the persecuted and oppressed, particularly those suffering religious persecution,” Lee said, according to The Tennessean. “My administration has worked extensively to determine the best outcome for Tennessee, and I will consent to working with President Trump and his administration to responsibly resettle refugees.”
Lee had been under pressure from local organizations and faith groups, which said in a letter earlier this month that “Tennessee evangelical churches and ministries have been active in serving newly arrived refugees for decades, and we pray you will not restrict the ability for us to love our global neighbors in this way.” The Trump administration has said that localities and states must say in writing whether or not they’ll join in on this refugee-bashing (happening just in time for Christmas), but none to date have agreed to block these families.
🐍 Schadenfreude 🍎
I am not as high-minded as Speaker Pelosi. Our country was invaded by the Russians. So, yeah, I’m going to enjoy stinging the cretin who has allowed babies to be put into cages.
And there’s this.
📣🏅 Let’s Honor Truth 🏅☀️
This week’s truth medal goes to the Democrats in the House (minus a couple) and the one Independent who spoke truth to power, put constitution and country over their political futures in some cases, and voted to impeach the Russian asset in the Oval Office.
They earned their medals, not just for making their brave stands for the truth, but for managing to sit through all the lies told by the Rs during the process, which one congresswoman (Pramila Jayapal) said was exhausting (she spoke to Maddow Wednesday evening, but the transcript isn’t yet available).
Here are just a few:
Lie: The Democrats first wasted $30 million on the Mueller investigation. Reality: The Mueller investigation was started by the Republicans, and actually earned money for the government through fines and confiscation. And got results!
Lie: Jesus had more due process than tRump. Reality: tRump has been offered due process, but he has refused to participate. Oh, and no one has tried to whip or to crucify him; all a conviction would do is fire him.
🌹 Let’s Celebrate Love ❤️
The world’s best father Daily Kos
Caterer Lamont Thomas of Buffalo, New York was thirty years old in the year 2000, and recently divorced.
He found out that some good friends who were going through some very hard times had their son taken from them.
"In the beginning, I was helping out some friends. They had lost their child to the system. I went on and got certified and became a foster parent."
He asked his two biological children, Anthony and LaMonica, if they would mind sharing with other kids that desperately needed a home and a family.
They both readily said yes.
So he took in young Michael Thomas, "He knew my biological parents. He was my third foster home and it ended up being my forever home."
Since then, Lamont has fostered 33 children.
And permanently adopted, at that time, five of those he fostered.
The first was in 2007, when he adopted twins Germayne and Tremayne, then there was Germaine, and then Janie, and then he adopted the boy that started the ball rolling, Michael, who now works as a critical care nurse.
And there’s more. Lamont has just taken five tiny siblings, who otherwise would have been separated by the foster care system. Who he’s also adopting. Single father of twelve. Go read it.
On Sunday I also heard a piece on Parents for Peace, an organization that helps families who have loved ones who have succumbed to extremism — such as ISIS and the Klan. They sometimes do interventions and get people out of these things. If you want to listen, I found a link:
Many of us want to turn our backs on the Rs (who are often extremists, in that they follow lies and hate instead of promoting truth and love) — but they are also victims, working against their own self-interest.
📎📎Odds & Ends 📎📎
Exciting increase in mountain gorilla numbers — Ecowatch
The outlook for eastern Africa's mountain gorillas is growing brighter, as a recent census released on Dec. 16 shows that the subspecies' numbers have risen since 2011. Scientists believe there are now at least 1,063 mountain gorillas living in the wild.
Tara Stoinski, the CEO and chief scientific officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, said the results of the latest census were "incredible, given what's happening to other wildlife populations, and given the high level of threats that they face."
"It's a real testament to the level of conservation action that's happening for these populations," Stoinski told Mongabay.
A Soyuz rocket carrying ESA's CHEOPS mission has taken off from Kourou. CHEOPS will investigate known exoplanets in more detail. This way we can learn more about their mass, density and perhaps even their atmosphere. ✂️
Scientists have long theorized with near certainty that there are countless planets in the universe, given the sheer numbers of stars. But it has only been possible to truly prove this since the 1990s.
Since then, thousands of so-called exoplanets, i.e. planets outside our solar system, have been discovered. As of yet, we don't know what these planets consist of or whether they have atmospheres.
That's why the CHEOPS mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to investigate some of the known exoplanets in more detail.
The Russians are good for sending things into space. No boycott there, please.
The billboard, which was designed by Daan Roosegaarde and his studio in partnership with the University of Monterray, is just one of the billboards currently set up in Monterray, Mexico. Each ad space has been coated with a specialized resin that attracts nearby air pollutants and converts them into oxygen when exposed to direct sunlight.
The photocatalytic nanotechnology works similarly to the mineral-based surface treatment that allows these GUNRID curtains from IKEA to cleanse airborne pollutants from indoor spaces.
The billboard generates the same amount of clean air as 30 trees every 6 hours and it can function for up to five years.
Since the heavily-polluted Mexican city is nestled in a valley where there is very little space for trees or greenery, the billboards are considered a revolutionary new tool for urban health.
And, speaking of billboards, you can “drive your billboard”. Daily Kos
I have been reading (lurking I guess;>) for several years now and felt a need to share how I have been “Speaking My Truth”. But first I have to acknowledge The Freeway Blogger ( can’t remember name) for posting and encouraging others to post signs on overpasses, bridges, fences and where ever else one can find to post their truth about the state of our country and the politicians selling it out to Russia and anyone else willing to funnel money to corrupt politicians !
I have been doing something similar that I believe all of us can and SHOULD do. Granted signs on freeway overpasses and bridges get thousands if not millions of eyeballs on them if we’re lucky enough for them to stay up a good length of time. My action has been to fly brightly colored signs in my rear window of my car and many times in the left rear window. I drive a subaru wagon and I make the one in the rear window about half the height of the window so I can still see out of it. But I can never look out of the left rear so if you are worried about blocking any of your rear window then just use that window. Now I may not get as many views as “Freeway” does but there are a few advantages to this method. The first is that it still gets viewed by thousands of eyeballs, second is that no one can take my sign down, third is that I can change my message quickly and safely.
Now before some of you pessimists start crying about “Oh my god aren’t you afraid of retribution or someone flattening your tires or damaging your car or worse ???” My first answer is always “ If you don’t speak our truth than you have already lost. (given up?) Then I tell them more truth. For every angry look or the occasional middle finger I get I get at least 9 people honking and waving, thumbs up, yelling “Right On” and “I Love your signs” and actual people seeking me out to commend me or leaving notes of thanks and encouragement on my windshield when my car is parked. I now look for parking spaces that are right in front of the grocery store of what ever business I am going to so that more people see it.
💙 What You Can Do to Rescue Democracy 💙
It turns out that participation in democracy is not just an every-four-years event but requires active participation, like, whenever you can find time. However, given that we have taken back the House, the tactics moving forward need to be different. Indivisible has ideas to share.
Indivisible 2.0
This Guide is for what comes next. The 2016 Indivisible Guide was about using constituent power to defend our values, our neighbors, and our democracy. This Guide is about using our constituent power to go on offense.
Offense is exciting, but it’s more complex than defense. We have the opportunity to use congressional oversight to hold Trump and his cronies accountable. We can set the legislative agenda with a bold progressive vision rooted in inclusion, fairness, and justice. But none of this is automatic — we have to demand it of Congress.
And some other ideas:
You can relax and recharge.
You can join protests and freeway blog.
You can help register new voters.
You can smile.
You can get out the vote for special elections.
You can reach out to upset Republicans. Remember, a lot of them crossed over in the midterms! Get them to feel good about being blue.
You can share your ideas below.
🌻
🍀 “My experience has been that work is almost
always the best way to pull oneself out of the depths.” 🍀
Eleanor Roosevelt
🔥 If you’re going through hell, keep going! 🔥
Winston Churchill
🌹 🌹 🌹
TRUTH MATTERS. LOVE MATTERS.