Possible headline: Woman w/out Healthcare Dies of Sepsis *

The real headline should be: Republican Mom Kills Own Daughter

“I didn’t think MY daughter would die,” cries Karen, a good God-fearing Christian who voted for Republicans because they and she passed judgment on anyone who had an abortion. “Only bad girls, promiscuous girls need abortions. That’s not my daughter.”

And then—gasp!—her daughter turns up preggers. It doesn’t matter HOW it happened: a consensual first-time lover, a consensual romance, a non-consensual perverted step-father/brother/uncle, a pastor who indulged his sexual nature.**

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW IT HAPPENED. If a woman is pregnant and does not want to have a child, abortion is the solution. If a woman desperately wants to be a mother but finds she’s lost her baby in the womb, abortion is the solution.

Mother Karens who think “my daughter had a miscarriage so she’ll get the care she needs” will be crying when they learn that, too, is an abortion–and it’s being outlawed!

Abortion is often necessary when a fetus dies within the uterus, with an ectopic pregnancy, incomplete miscarriage, or potentially fatal bleeding due to a placental abruption, and when birth control fails.

Abortion is healthcare–and a fundamental right. The government does NOT have the right to tell women they can’t have this procedure—under any circumstance, wanted pregnancy or unwanted pregnancy. The ramifications are extreme when the mother is not yet ready to give birth.

As long as men have penises, women are going to get pregnant. Many are wanted; many are unwanted. A woman should have the option to choose if the pregnancy continues or not.

Of course termination should be as early as possible; termination after 20 weeks only if the life of the mother is at risk. When healthcare is available (education, contraception, immediate access to abortion medication and procedures), women live.

According to The Conversation, a non-profit, independent news organization, the number of pregnancy-related deaths will increase by 21% the first year alone with our Hispanic and African-American sisters paying the biggest price.

This is unacceptable. This is avoidable—by reinstating a woman’s right to control her own body.

Medical doctors are not making these decisions. Politicians are. Specifically, white, Christian men and women, based on their own religious beliefs, are driving this assault on women. The Supreme Court of the United States of America made this decision.

This ultra-conservative, right-wing group of Justices will continue their assault on our individual freedoms. The right to PRIVACY is of utmost importance. And the separation of Church and State must be maintained.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution says:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Republicans calling for abortion bans based on their own beliefs are betraying their oaths to the Constitution. And more importantly—they are killing their own daughters! Our daughters.

If you don’t believe in abortion then don’t have one! But you not believing in abortion doesn’t deny the fact that thousands of women will need that procedure just to stay alive.

We must vote Republicans out of office. Other issues matter not once you’ve lost control of your own body. I will fight daily for my daughter, her daughter, your daughter, all daughters. I will support and vote for every Democrat on every ballot knowing Democrats protect this right.

Will you vote for Democrats in 2024? Or will you let Republicans kill our daughters?

Lindee

* I jest. So many women die of sepsis yearly that it isn’t even news. Just like the multitude of gun deaths. It’s tragic and sad.

** Based on my personal experience of being kissed by a Catholic priest when I was 16, so fuck-off with any righteous indignation of my disparaging remarks against clergy.

Is it audacity? Is it perversion? Is it boredom with their own lives? What is it exactly that makes Republicans—and specifically Christian Republicans—think they can legislate what happens in our uteri? Or in our bedrooms?

It’s NUNYA: none of your friggin’ business.

Would any of our rights be threatened IF it weren’t for people sticking their noses where they don’t belong?

“There’s your business, my business, and God’s business,” writes Byron Katie in her book Loving What Is. Ironically, the book is about accepting what can’t be changed, and instead, changing your perspective to be okay with what is. Katie uses a method she calls “the work” to help people understand why they are emotionally triggered, and she talks them through the mental barriers to help them learn and grow.

Right now, the whole damned Republican party needs to do a Byron Katie workshop. I want to know WHY Republicans think what happens with my body is any of their business. It’s not!

There’s your business, my business, and God’s business.

Your rights end where my body begins. And, you do NOT know God’s business. (I don’t care how often you reference the Bible or go to church, you’re not God and you do not know.)

Of course, these people understand the concept. They are the same people who cried MY BODY MY CHOICE when it came to wearing a mask. “Freedom,” they say. “Keep the government out of it,” they whine.

Where is the logic?! Where is the reason?! How can they not equate one with the other?

Because it’s not about freedom; it’s about power and control over women’s bodies.

Roe v Wade has been settled precedent for 50 years. I’m not willing to concede its overturning by a partisan Supreme Court established by a corrupt president.

I do not accept “what is” in this situation. Instead of changing my perspective, I’m working to change the Court.

First—it’s not done yet! It’s time to don the pussy hat and take to the street. It’s time to write and call the Senators. If SCOTUS does overturn Roe v Wade, it’s time to put money and time behind pro-choice candidates, knock on doors, and help turn out voters in November.  

Republicans will not stop with regulating our uteruses. The right to use contraception and to love and marry who we want are the next on their hit list.

Why? Because they have their friggin’ noses where they don’t belong.

Republicans, focus on your own damned body—and leave mine alone!

#LoquaciousLindee

Silumtaneous Usage TV and Digital and TV and Audio

How often do you watch tv and work on your computer at the same time? I’m doing it right now. According to Nielsen’s 1918 Q2 Total Audience Report, 45% of viewers are always or very often using another digital device while watching tv. Only 6% of tv watchers are using an audio device while watching tv.

Why? Because we LISTEN to our tvs as well as WATCH them!

TV commercials NEED SOUND! We consumers don’t just watch tv, we listen to tv; we HEAR a message. As the old adage goes:

YOU CAN’T SHUT YOUR EARS!

Seldom does the TV screen have our 100% attention visually. In addition to the 45% that is not 100% engaged, another 28% are also looking at a second screen. And, many of us are also on our cell phones! Are you getting the stats?!

We are not WATCHING TV, so every time a commercial comes on and THERE IS NO SOUND, WE DO NOT GET THE MESSAGE. TV ads that flash words on the screen without a narrator reading them OUT LOUD are wasting money and an opportunity! Politicians—can you hear me?!

Almost ALL of the political ads right now have video clips of Donald Trump telling lies. They play his words over and over again and on the screen image they flash the world “lies.” BUT NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WORDS ON THE SCREEN. If you are listening but not watching, the ad reinforces Trump’s message. There should be a narrator saying the words OUT LOUD!

Narrator: DONALD TRUMP IS LYING.

Then the narrator gives the CORRECT INFORMATION OUT LOUD! So people can hear it if they happen NOT to be watching. Which is the majority of us.   

Conduct your own experiment. You watch tv, right? Contrast these two videos:

Eleven Films does it right. Although they don’t use a narrator, each clip includes AUDIO that tells the story. This 2:00 video calling Trump out for his Coronavirus incompetence is easy to understand even if you aren’t watching but only listening.

“You can’t trust this President to do the right thing,” says a person in a voice-over of a picture of EMTs rolling away a body. Then next clip shows Trump calling Coronavirus “the new Democratic hoax.” On comes another visual of people being screened by emergency personnel with the voice-over, “not for the sake of our country.” EVERY important point is emphasized with visuals AND AUDIO.  

WATCH AND LISTEN to this video from Eleven Films. They are on a mission to save Democracy. Subscribe to their Youtube channel and #Resist! And Democratic candidates—please hire Eleven Films to get your message out!!

BREAKING: the American Virus: We Will Prevail

Contrast that with this commercial from The New York Times: The Truth Can Change How We See the World

New York Times: The Truth Can Change How We See the World

The commercial begins with ocean scenery and Janelle Moonaea, a beautiful African-American woman, telling the story of 20 enslaved Africans being delivered to the shores of Virginia and sold to the Colonists. “America was not yet America,” she says, “but this is the moment it began.”

THEN, NO MORE SOUND BUT THESE WORDS COME ON THE SCREEN

“Words from

The 1619 Project: How Slavery Shaped America

The truth can change how we see the world.

Truth is worth it.”

Then the New York Times’ logo appears.

LIKE WE SAW OR HEARD THAT!! A beautiful ad by the New York Times, apparently one in their “Truth can change how we see the world” campaign. Great campaign, but here’s the BAD NEWS.

NO ONE IS GETTING YOUR MESSAGE. YOU GOTTA SAY THE WORDS OUT LOUD!

According to a random ppt presentation I found on LinkedIn, people remember:

10% of what they read

20% of what they hear

30% of what they see

50% of what they see and hear

80% of what they say

90% of what they say and do

So, if you want people to remember what your tv commercial “says,” you’ve got to help your audience SEE and HEAR your message. If you can get them up doing the hokey-pokey and singing along, even better.

#LoquaciousLindee

Company Brain: Company Voice

How are you?

This is where the discussion starts. A question. A seemingly simple question, relatively benign. I might have gone with something a little less nebulous trying to avoid the customary “fine” response; perhaps something weather-related: hot enough/cold enough for you? A safe topic. Who doesn’t have opinions about the weather?

What I’m looking for is a spark. A commonality, a thread. Do we think alike? Am I threatened if we don’t?  

I understand not being free to speak your mind in all situations, or it’s not prudent to say what your brain is thinking. Especially if you’re the one starting the conversation, you have to be discerning; you have to use your “company brain.” The layer of your brain that serves pleasantries and kind thoughts, puts a positive spin on traditional ways, gives the benefit-of-the-doubt and agrees to be a team player. The part of the brain that uses the “company voice,” a respectful, polite tone-of-voice—delivered with a smile–as it compels the person to continue to work on behalf of and for the good of “the company.”

Another explanation: my friend refers to it as her Mom’s “company voice.” Her Mom used a pleasant tone-of-voice with company: the neighbors, the neighbors’ kids, door-to-door salesmen, and the church choir. People she didn’t know well, “company,” she met with mutual respect as the kind human-being she was: she smiled, listened, offered well-wishes, pleasant thoughts, and helped when she could. She showed that person respect in stature and tone.

Both definitions of “company,” at the office or at home, imply you temper your speaking when the situation calls for it. That includes what you say and how you say it. (There’s another blog here about appropriateness and circumstance which I’ll save for another post.) Today’s question: Can you temper your language and tone-of-voice? Can that be done? And if so…

Can we temper our thinking as well? There’s an element of chicken and egg thinking here. Which comes first? Tempered, controlled brain or steady, controlled voice? Hmmmm.

What if we could? Temper them both: thinking and speaking. Could we create kinder, more respectful discourse if we went back to the pleasantries? The “company” voice, however you define it.

What pleasantries would you add?

(Let me just add PLEASE and THANK YOU to the top of the list.)

And, I’d want to be respectful, but that word is subjective. Each of us has something to say about the subject—especially when it comes to politics and Donald Trump, (aside) know what I mean? And here’s the switch.

What if. What if it was a gift when someone shared with you what they think?

Isn’t it a gift when someone shares their thinking with you? (eye roll, obviously there are extremes) But not everyone feels free to talk about what lies OUTSIDE the “company” voice and brain. For many, it’s not pleasant at all. I’m reminded of the movie “What Dreams May Come” with Robin Williams where he and his wife’s thinking created both heaven and hell. #RIPRobinWilliams #loveyoumissyou

When someone shares with you what they think of Donald Trump, it goes one of two ways: you either unite in your immediate disgust and disdain for the harm this man is causing and you’re in hell, or you find yourself looking squarely into the eyes of someone who thinks nothing like you but believes they and Donald Trump are heaven-bound. (Lord! Have mercy!) It’s time to use your company brain and voice!

We can barely put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. How can we possibly put ourselves inside their brain, let alone their dreams or their reasons for supporting Trump? We can’t. But with polite, respectful conversations, we just might find out why. We’re going to need to know and understand if we expect to heal from this divide. We’ve got to seek to understand what each person believes. And that takes conversation. With enough of it, we might realize we are more alike than different, that we want many of the same things, and we all share the bond of being human beings on this planet.

Sometimes all it takes to start the conversation is a question.

“How you doin’?” Joey Triviani.

A spark. A willingness to treat someone you just met or barely know as “company,” as part of “the company”: to think and speak kindly to them, about them, and for them. To work with them for the good of the company, the planet, and ALL of our people.

Loquaciously, 

Lindee Brauer 

#LoquaciousLindee

Need a Christmas or holiday gift? Buy and give Penzeys Spices and help save Democracy! I kid you not.

Penzeys Spices is doing more than manufacturing and providing tasty, quality seasonings, they are sharing their positive, inclusive, hopeful message on social media. In addition, they are actively buying Facebook ads to help combat the onslaught of Trump’s lies. So far, Penzeys has invested around $100,000 on Facebook ads. That may seem like a lot, but compared to the $1 MILLION/week Trump is spending to poison our minds, it’s barely a pinch.

All of my family and friends are getting mini box sets because a large portion of the proceeds are going to fight Trump. My favorites are the Soul, Kind, and Vote gift boxes. Just read the description for the Soul Box and I’m sure you’ll agree, Penzeys spices are good for heart, mind, body, and spirit.

Buy Penzeys Spices!

Once you do your holiday shopping at penzeys.com, go follow Penzeys on Facebook and the other social platforms. They often write about the damage Donald Trump is doing to the planet and its people. They often call out the injustices of the Trump Administration and they’re asking us to get involved.

If all companies were as conscientious as Penzeys, the world would be a much better place. Unfortunately, the all mighty dollar is what drives most companies. Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook I’m talking about you! Therefore, we MUST support the companies that call out the cruelty and criminality of Donald Trump, and Penzeys does that. 

And, in the meantime, while they fight against social injustices, Penzeys encourages each of us to do what we can to fix our own small worlds. For many of us, that starts at home, over dinner. Show your family how much you care. Spice up their lives with Penzeys Spices.

#LoquaciousLindee

Zuckerberg helps Trump lie, cheat, and steal another election.

Donald Trump is bombarding us with lies on Facebook.

Trump’s campaign is spending over $1 million each week in Facebook ads FALSELY stating that fact-checked, debunked conspiracy theories are indeed true. His base is eating it up, using Trump’s hatred to fuel their own.

There are lies about immigrant caravans, lies about Democrats wanting to take your guns, lies about Russia’s role in electing Trump, and most recently lies about Ukraine, Joe Biden’s son, and impeachment.

What is Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook doing to combat Trump’s efforts to use them as a willing foil? A tool? HELPING, that’s what. Facebook has CHANGED their third-party, fact-checking policies to state politicians are the ONLY ones that can OPENLY LIE on their platform. I can’t lie on Facebook. You can’t lie on Facebook. The companies we represent cannot lie on Facebook. But politicians are different, says Zuckerberg and his Trump-loving head of global elections policy, Katie Harbath—who, by the way, was Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani’s Deputy eCampaign Director from Feb 2007 -Jan 2008. Oh, and she was Chief Digital Strategist for the National Republican Senatorial Committee from Aug 2009 – March 2011. Yeah, now tell me this new policy ISN’T about getting Trump re-elected.

According to Julia Wong, a Guardian US technology reporter, “Trump’s Facebook page has launched 5,883 different ads since news of the Ukraine-call whistleblower broke on 18 September, 40% of which mention impeachment, according to a Guardian analysis of the Facebook political ad archive. The Trump campaign has spent between $1.3m and $3.8m promoting the impeachment ads, which had been viewed between 36.5m and 43.9m times, as of Wednesday. (The ad archive reports spending and impression data as a range.)” Clarification: Wednesday, October 9 equals 3 weeks of running ads.

Trumped-up Charges

Trump’s 30-second impeachment ad, with millions of views, WRONGLY edits together visuals and narrative implying then VP Joe Biden “promised Ukraine a billion dollars if they fired the prosecutor investigating his son’s company.” News stations have refused to air the ad due to out-right manipulation of the facts.

Lies repeated again and again are believed. According to Wired.com,
“Facts don’t actually matter: People repeat them (lies) so often that you believe them. Welcome to the “illusory truth effect,” a glitch in the human psyche that equates repetition with truth.” Wired further points out, “Marketers and politicians are masters of manipulating this particular cognitive bias—which perhaps you have become more familiar with lately.” And Trump is mostly targeting older, white women—the demographic that helped him win in 2016. The ones who don’t mind he’s an adulterer and brags about grabbing women by their _______. Well, you know what he said.

Facebook users must be diligent. Don’t be fooled by Trump’s constant barrage of garrbage. You are being exposed to his garbage daily thanks to Facebook. According to Market Watch, “Trump’s campaign has spent more than $21 million on those two platforms since the 2018 midterm elections.” They were referring to Facebook and Google. Here’s Trump’s ad spend on Facebook Dec 2018 through March 2019 BEFORE he ratcheted-up the impeachment ads. If this doesn’t scare the crap out of you, what will? Facebook users are being brainwashed.

Russian money helps Trump spout LIES of Facebook.

Elizabeth Warren calls out Zuck

Elizabeth Warren, who Zuckerberg FEARS because of her intent to regulate Facebook should she become President, is turning things back on Facebook. This is her post regarding Facebook’s negligence in the 2016 election and pointed assist in Trump’s 2020 presidential run.

Trump is a Russian Asset. Zuckerberg is a Russian Tool.

If you agree with Warren, sign her petition now.

Facebook has an obligation: to be neutral, but they are not. They are clearly helping divide this country by hiding behind 1st Amendment rights of protected, free speech. Facebook says people should be exposed to all information and make their own decisions, but the constant deluge of LIES is being believed. Facebook could simply fact-check the politicians LIKE THEY DO WITH EVERYONE ELSE. Instead, Facebook is clearly selling out Democracy for the dollars and rubles.

Enjoy your fame and fortune, Mr. Zuckerberg, as you help Trump continue to crap on the Constitution, imprison brown kids, and allow the Kurds to be slaughtered. You truly do suck, Zuck. #FFacebook

#LoquaciousLindee

Suicide Hotline, 800 273-8255, Trigger Alert!
If you are suffering, call the Suicide Hotline: 800 273-8255

It’s okay to kill yourself, is the theme of A Star is Born movie.

And what a kick in the teeth it is. It’s okay to kill yourself IF you love someone enough and you’re afraid you’ll damage their career. What the fuck?! Who produced this? Was it Bradly Cooper and Gaga? Or are they just the ones that perpetuated—YES, PERPETUATED THAT guilt trip: IF you love someone enough, it is NOT okay to kill yourself! They are NOT better off without you! THAT’s the LIE depression and especially that suicidal voice in your head will tell you. ‘It’s okay to commit suicide and leave the planet because those around you would be better without you.’ And that just isn’t true.

The movie A Star is Born is telling that story.

And I don’t remember that in the original with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. John Norman does indeed die in the end, but it’s a car crash. HE DIDN’T HANG HIMSELF for fucks sake. He died a tragic death, but not at his own hand. At the hand of fate, or God, or the Universe, whatever you believe. If that was the message intended, that he crashed his car on purpose, I guess I missed that in the remake of the musical remake of the original. If you’re interested, google “A Star Is Born wiki.” I’ll have to go back and watch the end of the other movie. Maybe it did end that way. And if so, maybe THAT’s when I was conditioned to believe that my family, my kids would be better off without me.

I’ve had those thoughts, twice in my life. They were dark, low spots. And I was truly convinced I was hurting those around me by being me. I had shrinks telling me I was bipolar and that I wasn’t all right. I don’t remember anyone telling me I was mentally ILL, but they put me on lithium. Yes, One-Flew-Over-The-Cookoo’s-Nest lithium. I turned into a zombie, my own personal version of the walking dead. I did that for two weeks, but my spirit bust loose and through the haze. I KNEW there was more for me to do than trudge through life in a big-pharma-induced coma. I told the Doctor I WOULDN’T be taking drugs. At least not THAT drug. Today, I use natural cures and exercise and a whole lot of yoga to combat depression, and that nasty little gremlin in my head that says others would be better off without me? That little fucker is gone. I know my family needs me, and I’m here for the long haul. On fate, God and the Universe’s good graces.

I’m here to say, don’t kill yourself. Whatever you are going through WILL eventually be okay, because if it’s not okay, it’s not the end. Maybe that’s a warped philosophy to many. For me it’s been proven again and again in my life. There’s also your business, my business, and God’s business. I didn’t say we’d each necessarily see the happy ending in this lifetime; that might happen from the other side. That’s God’s business. It’s a mystery. It’s thee mystery. And someday I’ll know. Someday, we’ll all know. Until then, I’ll tend to my own business—and yours! If you’ll let me. I’m here with an ear. There are many of us. And we need you to do your part. You need to speak-up. Talk! And since I’m not available 24-hrs a day, the angels at the Suicide Hotline are, and they are ready to help:

 800 273-8255

I guess Bradly Cooper never got that message. He should have called.

I was disappointed in A Star Is Born. And I was angered. Cooper and Gaga were awesome together, but creepy after. The song “Shallows” was overplayed. Watching them together made me really uncomfortable. It was weird. Thumbs down. I give it one star. I hated it. I hated everything having to do with it, the remake. It reminds me of the darkest part of myself and my many lives.

Life is hard. And it hurts sometimes.

But. It is also precious! And life is a gift! And having kids, friends, a partner, a passion, a purpose, and a job make the hard times bearable, because tomorrow IS another day: another chance to get it right. IF you don’t buy into the LUDICROUS THOUGHT THAT THE ONES YOU LOVE WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU.

That’s pure bullshit.

That’s what THIS star says.

#LoquaciousLindee

P.S. Why Worry when you can Wonder. Read more…

Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending, speak without offending.

Live without pretending.

I grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. Staring at the back end of a Holstein and shoveling what came out was a daily occurance. That’s about as authentic as you can be. It wasn’t until my 30s that I adopted a new phrase: Fake it ‘til you make it. I first heard it when I joined Mary Kay Cosmetics. Meaning, envision who you want to be, and pretend you are that until you become that. Pretending was encouraged and a way to “visualize” a brighter future. I did that for years…until I returned to my true authentic self. Today, I’m just me, not pretending to be something I’m not.

Love without depending.

We’re taught that love is a two-way street; that’s what a relationship is—a never-ending circle of give and take, each person giving to and depending on the other. But is that really what love is? Isn’t the real challenge to love without expectation of love in return? Especially when you don’t agree?

Listen without defending.

Conflict is uncomfortable, especially with someone you love. The challenge is to fully listen to them—even when you want to defend your point of view. Most people are simply waiting for the other person to stop speaking before they add their “two cents.” It’s in these moments, most especially, that we have to keep quiet and let another person express their views. Even when there is no solution in sight, listening is the key to moving the relationship forward.

Speak without offending.

If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all. That’s Mom logic and advice I heard often growing up. That philosophy fit for a long time…like the fake-it-til-you-make-it mantra. … And, I think that’s the reason I’ve fallen back into pretending. I am NOT happy with the state of the world. I don’t trust Donald Trump or the Republicans to govern. They are absolutely trampling on human rights: brown people, black people, women, Vets, the lgbtq community–and the planet! There are atrocities being perpetrated on the American people and especially immigrants, and because I don’t want to say anything offensive, I find myself not saying anything at all. Given our current political climate and state of affairs, this is no longer an option!!

It’s time to step up and speak out—even if you can’t be kind. If you have conflicts with someone, look for common ground. There is more that unites us than divides us. But when human rights are at stake, we MUST speak up and defend the rights of others—even if that means offending someone else with our words.

Will I continue to live, love, listen, and speak with respect to others? Yes, I will. But I will not pretend what is happening in America is tolerable or acceptable. When conflict arises, I will live without pretending to agree with others when I don’t. I will love the person I’m disagreeing with without depending on their acceptance or approval. I will listen without defending my point of view but vow to do my best to help them see it my way. And I will speak without offending knowing respect and compassion are keys to healing conflict—and ultimately the world.

#LoquaciousLindee

 Read more about Political Correctness

I read this excerpt from Elisabeth Parker, Writer and had to share.

My best girlfriends have jokingly talked about an intervention for me, a political intervention. They think I watch too much politics on TV. They can’t watch. It’s too brutal and Trump too vile. They’ve tuned out. They don’t want to know. And they think I should take a break as well because I go crazy watching Trump and the GOP lock kids in cages, do business with the Russians, take money from middle-low income people–all while destroying the planet!

But who is going to pay attention? Who is going to speak-up for immigrants and champion the young souls Trump has ripped from their caring parents’ arms? Who will stop Trump from seizing private and public lands to erect his racist, ego-driven wall? Who will fight for education for our young and medical care for us all?

I will. And I need your help.

As a white woman, a woman of privilege, I’m embarrassed that the majority of white women voted for Trump. I don’t understand it. Have they no empathy for others? Perhaps Trump’s destructive policies haven’t reached them personally, yet, but they will…in the form of lower pay, loss of control of our bodies, discrimination against LGBTQ people, and dependence on men. Women voting for Trump voted against their own interests. They’ve conceded their power to a bunch of old, white men. Men of self-imposed privilege that, in most cases, they’ve taken through entitlement and violence.

A woman on my twitter feed, a Trump supporter, is pissed. She totally bought into the #GOPTaxScam. She believed Trump had her best interests in mind. But, she’s not getting a tax refund this year. She’s having to pay $5000 instead. That was her red-line. She says Trump has lost her vote. That saddens me.

Not that Trump has lost her vote, but that KIDS IN CAGES ISN’T a red-line issue for her. That saddens me and sickens me. What have Americans become? She represents the worst in humanity; she’s desensitized to another human’s pain. Trump brings that out in people. He’s vilified immigrants to such a degree that some white people no longer care, if they ever did. Privilege brings that out in people.   

I vow to use my time to stay educated on the issues—and educate others! And, I vow to use my privilege to fight for people of all colors, sizes, shapes, and flavors. And I invite you to join the cause. The question is:

What will you do?

Will you step-up and speak-up? Are you still tuned in? Do you KNOW your country needs you? Democracy needs you? Right now! Use what you have to make a difference. Don’t wait for the pain to arrive at your doorstep. Have empathy for others. Use your own privilege to make a difference.

#LoquaciousLindee   #whitegirlprivilege  #libertyandjusticeforall

I’m Out and Proud!  a #TrumpBuster

I, Lindee Brauer, aka Lima Bravo, as one citizen of the United States, I humbly call for the resignation of Donald J Trump, leader of the angry, fearful and hopeless.

Trump’s terrifying vision for the United States was on display at the State of the Union address, and it continues to play out daily in terms of destructive and abrasive policies. Let the media hash-out what Trump said, separate fact from fiction, what they think is worth mentioning. As for me?

Here’s what Trump DIDN’T talk about:

  • The thousands of kids he has in cages!
  • Preventing another Trump government shutdown!
  • The National Butterfly Center in Texas, the land he is fixin’ to bulldoze down to build a wall the size of his ego.
  • PEOPLE WHO WERE MURDERED and/or affected by GUN VIOLENCE, including the kids from Parkland. #ParklandStrong #WithYouFred and other folks
  • Climate change and its threat to our survival.
  • The 1.5 TRILLION DOLLAR US deficit.
  • How he was plotting to build Trump Tower Moscow through-out his entire campaign and how he’s Putin’s bitch.

Let’s talk about the things Trump didn’t mention. #RussianAsset

More to come…

#LoquaciousLima #TrumpBusters

Also, see #DouchebagWisdom douchebagwisdom.com