Applauding the “Never Again” movement, another inane decision from a chaotic Whie House and our cat comes in from the cold cellar

“Protest beyond the law is not a departure from democracy; it is absolutely essential to it.” 
                                                                                                                                                            ― Howard Zinn
                                                                                                                                  

AUBURN, Maine — You just witnessed this nation’s teenagers take charge of their lives when they came out in droves across America to protest incessant gun violence in schools.

They delivered rousing speeches and vowed to make an indifferent congress and apathetic president accountable — and if they continue to drag their heels — thousands of young people have made a solemn promise to vote them out of office in the midterms.

These courageous and admirable teens gave us all a civics lesson and re-enforced what Harry Truman said: "Decisions are made by people who show up." And we haven't seen much of that from our leaders.

I stand with them as a part-time teacher and as a responsible adult who was proud of their courage and determination when they spoke before thousands of supporters in Washington D.C., Boston, New York as well as cities in Ireland and France.

This was a worldwide event and these teens were loud and clear with their message: Never again.

I guess the children of this country shall lead us because most of our leaders continue to bow to the NRA or they are too busy sparring with a chaotic Oval Office where indecision and indifference rules. Many of our leaders just don’t get it that these wonderful kids are frightened and weary of the senseless slaughter of their peers.

But they delivered on their promise and a word of caution on a sunny Saturday to our nation’s leaders — “we are not going away and we will vote to make a change.”

I will join these brave teens at the polls when the midterms roll around this year and will gladly show any insouciant politician the door.

Speaking of the White House

Let me get this straight! 

Transgender people won’t be allowed to serve in this nation’s military thanks another absurd decision by the Oval Office.

Why? 

They are American citizens who are willing to stand between us and harm’s way. Another words, they are putting their lives on the line for all of us — including the people in the Oval Office.

In the end, does it really matter that these brave souls are transgender when they pick up a rifle to protect us.

During World War II, the military insisted blacks weren’t capable of flying war planes. Obviously, racism was the backbone of that backward way of thinking of people who just happen to be black.

Well, thanks to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and wife, Eleanor, black men were given that chance and proved they were equally capable of flying P-51 Mustangs and knocking the enemy out of the skies.

They are now known as the Tuskegee airmen, who were honored for service to their nation.

Transgender people deserve the same chance to serve their country.

But it is just another derisive and uninformed decision from the current and befuddled administration.

And Cindy Lou finally came out

Our new cat, Cindy Lou Who, has been hiding all over the house for five weeks.

The hairy critter is like the lead character Keyser Soze in the movie, “The Usual Suspects.”

And like that, poof, Cindy Lou is gone.

From time to time, we had at several sightings of our aloof cat before it dashed off into the darkness of our damp cellar where she hid out like a wanted convict. She would leave dead mice in her wake. We would hear creeping around at night, but when we went to take a peek, she was out of sight.

But this week was break through with relations with our stealthy cat. The thaw came swiftly.

Thanks to my wife’s love and devotion to animals, Cindy Lou decided to give our upstairs accommodations a try.

She is still here and she let’s us know it when she is around. This cat likes to talk and craves attention and still disappears for hours in the cellar.

He now sits on the chair with his own blanket or is in the kitchen getting high on catnip.

I am just glad we are finally friends with the elusive hairball.

Cindy Lou finally feeling right at home.

Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” 

— Edward R. Murrow

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. “

— Hubert H. Humphrey

“Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.”

                                                                                         —Natan Sharansky

AUBURN — Witnessing a sea of humanity snaking through the streets of our nation’s capitol during the women's march reassured me that common sense, dissent and freedom are alive and well in the United States.

If you have a gripe with what you just saw across America and in fine cities around the globe, writer letter or relocate to a nation ruled by despots who intimidate and murder citizens for their opinions and outspokenness. 

If the current administration can’t understand what just transpired on the streets of Boston and New York City, then it doesn’t comprehend the intricacies and brilliance of the United States Constitution and its citizens, who gave us an old-fashion lesson in civics this weekend.

I stand with all women who demand to be treated with equality and respect — in and out of the workplace. I have no problem with a woman governing this nation. As a liberal democrat from the great state of Massachusetts, I voted for Mrs. Clinton after taking issue with President Trump’s acerbic remarks directed toward a female candidate and President Obama during an ugly campaign.

I grew up with three sisters and learned quickly that they are a formidable force when they band together. 

Nobody in this nation should be considered a second-class citizen.

Being bitter about Clinton’s loss is a waste of precious time, but what I can’t understand is a president with a Twitter addiction and his disdain for the Fourth Estate — the press. Calling the press to a briefing and then admonish it over the reporting of the size of inauguration crowds is simply absurd. This is the same nonsense when the president reeled off tweets about SNL skits about him.

Should the current administration move the press out of the West Wing, does the president truly believe reporters are going to go away or news organizations will start pandering to him?

When the press is doing its job right, I know the nation is doing well and not sliding toward rogue status, where life is cheap and leaders are assassinated when their countrymen grow tired of being tortured. We vote our presidents out of office. It works better that way.

By the way, the press isn’t going anywhere. Whatever it takes, the Washington Press Corp will file stories from the Watergate or from a phone booth like Clark Kent. The press will continue to keep a watchful eye on the U.S. government and its leaders, who need to be held accountable for their actions. 

I think we sometimes forget our officials work for us, but we reminds ourselves and politicians every time we vote. That is why citizens were standing up for themselves this weekend. It is our duty as Americans and to the founding fathers of a country that embraces dissent and debate.

This nation has always been a work in progress and I would like it to continue moving forward no matter who is in office.