In light of the current attempts to deport Dreamers, I thought I would repeat my blog of 6 months ago, enumerating just a few of the immigrants who have made huge contributions to our country.  Remember, those of us who are native-born are Americans by accident of birth; those who choose to come here do so because they believe in the promise of America.


Throwing immigrants out and preventing immigrants from coming into our country is still a major aim of this administration.  There are the thousands and thousands of immigrants who have made enormous contributions to the American way of life.  Here are just a few of the notables:

Albert Einstein, Germany, Physicist

I M Pei, China, Architect

Irving Berlin, Russia, Composer

J J Audubon, Haiti, Ornithologist

Andrew Carnegie, Scotland, Industrialist 

Joseph Pulitzer, Hungary, Journalist

Madeline Albright, Czechoslovakia, Secretary of State

Nikola Tesla, Croatia, Inventor

Sergey Brin, Russia, Founder of Google

Alexander Graham Bell, Scotland, Inventor

Pierre Omidyar, France, Founder of Ebay

Maxwell Kohl, Poland, Department Store Founder

Jerry Yang, Taiwan, Yahoo! Founder

John Nordstrom Sweden, Department Store Founder

Nooshun Hashemi, Iran, Philanthropist

Jamshed Bharucha, India, Neuroscientist

Rupert Murdoch, Australia, Fox News Network

Arianna Huffington, Greece, Publisher

Firouz Naderi, Iran, Director at NASA

Arieh Warshek, Israel, Nobel Prize Biochemist

Romana Banuelos, Mexico, Secretary of Treasury

Domenico Ghirardelli, Italy, Chocolatier

Charles Elachi, Lebanon, Director Jet Propulsion Lab

Max Factor, Poland, Cosmetologist

Edward G Robinson, Romania, Actor

Al Jolson, Lithuania, Singer

Knute Rockne, Norway, Football Coach

Jule Styne, England, Composer

Elia Kazan, Turkey, Director

Maria von Trapp, Austria, Singer

 And special thanks to all of my grandparents for being immigrants to the United States.  Without them, I wouldn’t be here!!!

 

Nobody needs a permit to fight Nazis.

The recent events in Charlottesville along with Trump’s immoral response that further revealed his true nature, prompted me to again peruse the book entitled “Hitler’s Willing Executioners,” by Daniel J. Goldhagen, an in-depth study of the causes of the Holocaust.  The lessons to be learned are undeniable, and yet they are currently being denied. 

The following paragraph is a direct quote, but subsequent notations are my paraphrasing:

The [perpetrators] were Germans acting in the name of Germany and its highly popular leader, Adolf Hitler.  Some were ‘Nazis,’ either by reason of Nazi Party membership or according to ideological conviction; some were not …The perpetrators killed and made their other genocidal contributions under the auspices of many institutions.  Their chief common denominator was that they were all Germans pursuing German national political goals.”

People who staffed the political system as well as the broader German public, accepted Hitler’s authority as desirable and legitimate.

Hitler’s non-interventionist leadership style created a great deal of leeway for subordinates to design the policies.

Germans deemed the press to be especially “poisoned.”

The German government temporarily settled on legally and administratively isolating Jews and pressuring them to emigrate.

German society was focused on an urgent threat with accusations of rape and murder against Jews.

The Holocaust constituted actions at odds with the intellectual foundations of modern western civilization, as well as Christian and secular ethical norms and yet everyday Germans accepted them.

Historically, the expression of nationalism has gone hand in hand with the expression of antisemitism.  In Germany and elsewhere, nationalism and antisemitism were interwoven ideologies.

Calls were made to keep the Jews out and to expel those already in the country.

The Nazi Party was the most radical political party in history to gain control of a European government and it did so through electoral means.

The Nazis came to power due to a confluence of factors, including the seeming threat of a leftist takeover.  Many Germans voted for the Nazis as the only political force that appeared capable of restoring order and social peace and of restoring Germany’s status as a great power abroad.

 

Keep in mind that a German government spokesman has said that the Charlottesville events were diametrically opposed by the entire German government.  Apparently, Germany has learned the lessons, but Trump denies those lessons.

For the multimillions of us who are appalled and worried that history is repeating itself, we must continue to fight with every ounce of strength.  We will OPPOSE hatred, racism, white nationalism, Nazism, fascism in all forms, voter suppression, exclusionism, bullying, suppression of the press, antisemitism, anti-religion of any kind, anti-diversity, anti-immigrants, the KKK, and DONALD J TRUMP.   We will continue to say, “NEVER AGAIN,” and “WE SHALL OVERCOME,” and we will act on our words.  Our gloves have come off.  I know that I will be marching again!

Fox News Executive Vice President implores Republicans to back off Russia by saying, “Enough, COMRADES.”  Enough said.

I’m proud to be a liberal.  I’m especially complimented when someone derisively calls me a “lib,” because it indicates acknowledgement that I care more about other people than they do.  So here’s a few statements of what I’m proud to believe – no research on my part today, just thoughts from my heart:

·        I believe that decent, dignified and respectful treatment of people should never be based on their skin color, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual preference.

·        I believe that anyone’s religion (or lack thereof) is a private matter and should never be the basis of national policy.

·        I believe that people who have been privileged in life (such as myself) have a moral obligation to help those less fortunate.

·        I believe that public education is the backbone of this country.

·        I believe that immigrants have always made huge contributions to the progress of America.

·        I believe that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness includes the ability to receive healthcare.

·        I believe in the patriotism of dissent.

·        I believe that the balance of power in the United States government is of utmost importance.

·        I believe that no one is above the law.

·        I believe that our elected officials serve us and not vice versa.

·        I believe that urging violence to solve problems is abhorrent.

·        I believe that our government should not be run by politicians bought by billionaires.

·        I believe that bullies have no place in in the schoolyard, in society or in the government.

·        I believe that the earth is ours to care for and not to destroy.

·        I believe that a woman should have control over her own body.

·        I believe that governing should never be by Twitter, by humiliation or by insult.

·        I believe that excusing sexual predation as “locker room” talk is never acceptable.

·        I believe in the absolute freedom of the press.

·        I believe that political self-aggrandizement is evil.

·        I believe that enemy governments should not be influencing our political processes.

·        Finally, I believe that the leader of the free world should be sane.

Ivanka might lose her security clearance.  Her Chinese workers have better credentials.

Medical researchers are studying Sean Spicer’s brain to determine how he’s able to speak without a brain.

For those of you who aren’t aware of the details of the Watergate scandal, let’s take a look at some of its timeline and see if we can see any parallels with Trumpgate.

In November, 1968, Richard Nixon was elected the 37^th president of the United States, defying all odds, since he had lost the presidency in 1960.

In June, 1971, the “Pentagon Papers,” the Defense Department’s secret history of the Vietnam War, was leaked to the New York Times and Washington Post.

In September, 1971, the White House “plumbers unit,” which was formed to plug leaks and broke into the psychiatrist of the leaker of the information.  The White House denied any involvement.

In June, 1972, 5 burglars, including a White House aide, broke into the Democratic National Committee office in the Watergate complex, with intentions to bug the office, but they are caught.

In September, 1972, the attorney general controlled a secret Republican fund to gather intelligence against the Democrats.

In October, 1972, the FBI establishes that there was a massive campaign of political spying and sabotage on behalf of the Nixon re-election effort.

In November, 1972, Nixon is overwhelmingly re-election.

From January, 1973 through April, 1973, White House aides and staffers are convicted of conspiracy and burglary, and others resign over the scandal.  Nixon fires the White House counsel, John Dean.

In May, 1973, the Senate Watergate committee begins its hearings.  A special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, is named.

In July, 1973, a formal white house appointments secretary, revealed that Nixon recorded all conversations and calls in his office.  Nixon refuses to turn over the tapes.

In October, 1973, Nixon fires the special prosecutor and abolishes the office.  Attorney general resigns.

In November, 1973, Nixon declares, “I am not a crook.”

In April, 1974, the White House releases 1200 pages of edited transcripts of the tapes, which shows an 18-1/2 minute gap.

In July, 1974, the Supreme Court rules that Nixon must turn over the tapes.  The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passes the first of 3 articles of impeachment.

In August, 1974, Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. President to resign.

Anything sound the least bit familiar?

During the scandal, a humor columnist, Art Buchwald, wrote a tongue-in-cheek list of instant responses for the loyal Nixonites when they had to defend the administration.  Here are a few of them (capitals are my emphasis):

·        A President CAN’T KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING his staff does.

·        The PRESS is blowing the whole thing up.

·        The Democrats are sore because THEY LOST THE ELECTION.

·        Are you going to believe a rat like John Dean or the President of the United States?

·        Wait till all the facts come out.

·        What about Daniel Ellsberg stealing the Pentagon Papers?

·        IT HAPPENS IN EUROPE all the time.

·        People would be against Nixon NO MATTER WHAT HE DID.

·        WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT FINDING OUT WHAT YOUR OPPOSITION IS UP TO?

·        Maybe they went a little too far, but they were just a bunch of eager KIDS.

·        Franklin D. Roosevelt DID A LOT WORSE THINGS.

·        If the Democrats had the money, THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THINGS.

This could have been written yesterday.

Kellyanne Conway says get a job instead of Medicaid.  All those nursing home residents might need some help filling out the applications.

There is much to worry about in the new Trumpcare bill, including such things as the loss of insurance coverage for 22 million Americans, premium increases for ages 55 to 64 of 294% at poverty level and 96% for the well-to-do, higher deductibles, the lack of inclusion of essential health benefits, the freeze on Planned Parenthood funding, allowing states to opt out of annual or lifetime coverage caps,  allowing states to allow insurance companies to remove coverage requirements for certain pre-existing conditions, and the elimination of the mandate for large companies to offer affordable coverage to their employees.  It is opposed by the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association American Academy of Family Physicians, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Association of Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and many, many more.

Furthermore, one of the most egregious aspects of the plan is the decrease in funding of Medicaid, which provides health insurance to 72.5 Americans, including those in poor households, pregnant women, children, those with disabilities and elderly patients.  The recipients must be citizens or lawful permanent residents.  Mandatory coverage includes hospital, physician care, lab, x-ray, long term care and home health services.  States are given the choice of covering optional benefits, such as prescriptions, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry and hospice care.  Any decrease in Medicaid funding could have disastrous results for many Americans, including those who don’t even care much about the disadvantaged.

Studies have shown that Medicaid assistance has positive effects, not only for the patient but for society as a whole.  The disadvantaged who have received Medicaid compared to those left to fend for themselves medically have more employment, higher earnings, greater education attainment and lower incarceration rates.

Some important feature are the coverage of pregnant women with adequate prenatal and postpartum care, not solely based on income.  Additional coverage is provided for the medically needy, which includes those special needs children who are receiving adoption assistance.

An ever-growing issue in this country is long term care for the elderly.  The average cost for nursing home care is over $90,000 annually, which is not covered by Medicare unless it’s a brief period following a hospitalization.  Fortunately, for those who need extensive custodial care in nursing homes and do not have the resources to cover the charges, Medicaid can take over.  In general, when a long term care patient’s assets are depleted down to $2,000, Medicaid will pay.  Some states have an even higher limit and many assets don’t count towards this ceiling.

What happens if Medicaid funding is cut?  What will we do if our funds are depleted?  Will they throw us out of the home onto the street?  Will our children have to take us in?  Do we just go ahead and die?  Does the Republican Congress or the President even care?

Let’s all stay strong and continue to fight this travesty.

Republicans will no longer answer questions in the hallways.  It’s because they act like high schoolers without hall passes.

Sessions says he gets nervous answering questions quickly.  After all, he needs time to make up his lies.

As a former environmental biologist, I am appalled at the denial of man-made climate change.  Let’s take a look at the issues.  First, what is it?  The use of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, which trap heat within the atmosphere.  The average temperature of the earth has risen 1.4° F. over the last century and is projected to rise as much as 11.5° F. over the next.

There are a range of effects to this phenomenon.  A few of them include a global temperature rise, warming oceans, decreased snow cover, ocean acidification, rising sea levels due to the melting of glaciers, severe weather events, and droughts which can lead to wildfires.  Rising sea levels alone can have enormous effects on coastal areas, including flooding, erosion, contamination of drinking water, and loss of animal and fish habitat.

NASA says there is a 95% probability the current warming trend is due to human activity.  All evidence from ice cores, tree rings, coral reefs and sedimentary rocks show climate response to greenhouse gas is occurring ten times faster than other warming factors would produce.  Military and intelligence experts believe our withdrawal from the Paris Accord poses a threat to national security and could have a devastating impact on the availability of critical resources.  Ninety-seven percent of scientists polled by the National Academy of Science believe in man-made climate change.

Let’s play the devil’s advocate for a moment.  Let’s pretend there’s only a 1% chance that climate change and all its devastating effects is man-made (an erroneous assumption, but let’s go with it).  If there was a 1% chance that the food you give to your children and grandchildren was poisoned, would you ignore the danger?  Would you claim that the scientific evidence was fake?  Would you say, let’s gamble?  I sincerely hope not, and we shouldn’t treat climate change with the same ignorance.

Delusional Trump believes he invented the 19^th century phrase, “priming the pump.”  Maybe we can get him to think up, “Dump the Trump.”

Trump’s lawyer says there has been no income from Russia … with a few exceptions.  The Boston Strangler was a model citizen … with a few exceptions.

More and more of us are joining the Resistance to stop the insanity of the current Trump government and to help preserve American democracy..  If you haven’t yet participated, here is a list of just a few websites and their missions for you to visit and become involved in those which reflect your own passion to effect change:

www.Marchfortruth.info - Join a march on June 3 to let our elected leaders know that American citizens want answers.

www.Actionnetwork.org – Easily collaborate with allies on joint actions.

www.Credoaction.com – Millions of people taking action for progressive change.

www.ACLU.org – Working to defend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

www.DGA.net – Supporting Democratic governors and candidates across the nation.

www.DCCC.org – Supporting Democratic House candidates every step of the way to victory.

www.ADL.org – Dedicated to stopping the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.

www.swingleft.org – Actionable opportunities to control the House in 2018 by supporting progressives in swing districts.

www.foe.org – A fearless voice for the planet, believing all people deserve to live in a healthy environment.

www.foeaction.org – Fighting legislative battles on issues of environmental degradation.

www.boldpac.com – Political action committee dedicated to increasing the diversity in the House and Senate.

www.civilrights.org – The nation’s premier civil and human rights coalition.

www.knockeverydoor.org – Volunteers who go into communities and start conversations about the progressive change our country needs.

www.moveon.org – Take action and sign the petition(s) which represent your passions.

www.taxmarch.org – Extending beyond one day of marching, the coalition continues to fight for a fair economy that works for us all, while calling to see what’s in President Trump’s tax returns.

www.peoplesaction.org – Fighting for community over greed, justice over racism and people and planet over big corporations.

www.butcott.com – Targets Trump business associations so you can boycott them.

And a brand new one …

www.mailmetothegop.com – If you die because of Trumpcare, this organization will assist in sending your ashes to a Republican member of Congress.

Choose one or many!