Normal – conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
Abnormal – deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying.
As I write it’s the Summer Solstice. Here in Madison, Wisconsin, my home, it’s traditionally been celebrated, pagan-style, with bonfires and festivities marking the longest day of the year at Olbrich Park on Lake Monona. near my home.
“In northern European countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Midsummer is a festive celebration. When the summer days are at their longest, and in the north, it is the time of the Midnight Sun, festivals generally celebrate the summer and the fertility of the Earth.”
This year, the event, as celebrated in the past, is cancelled and replaced by a Virtual Summer Solstice, emblematic of The New Abnormal. At least for awhile, the things we took for granted, from how we congregate and celebrate holidays — to what we expect from our elected officials on how to protect us — has been suspended, reimagined, or discarded.
Virtual Summer Solstice – Brad Horn
There’s something incongruent, a kind of oxymoron to a Virtual Summer Solstice Celebration. Pagan Zoom, a bonfire like television fireplaces. It’s simply one of many traditions we took for granted in the past, that now we let go and grieve. Full disclosure: I would not support hundreds of people gathering at a lakefront park for a bonfire as we have in other years, or last fall for the Autumnal Equinox at Olbrich Park. For our own health — and the health of our city and neighbors — we need to practice behaviors to prevent community spread of COVID-19.
Autumnal Equinox, Olbrich Park, Madison, WI 2019
Pandemic & Power to the People
As the world began to transition to what has been euphemistically described as The New Normal, a number of events have occurred. On Memorial Day, May 25th, George Floyd, a black man alleged to have passed a counterfeit $20 bill, was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, witnessed by the nation on a video taken at the scene. The eight minutes and 46 seconds of the officer’s knee on Floyd’s neck restricted his breathing, as Floyd begged him to stop and cried out for his dead mother. This tragedy precipitated weeks of protests by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages, races, and political beliefs, in cities all across the United States and the world.
George Floyd Mural – Photo Credit: National Geographic
This death is not the first of a BIPOC by police, who are mandated to protect and serve the public. The difference is that these deaths, alleged crimes, are being documented on video and witnessed by the nation. It is a tipping point, a moment when the citizens of our country, regardless of the color of our skin, or our religious or political beliefs, mandates that we take an inventory and check our conscience on what is justice in America. Black Lives Matter. Defund the Police, and Power to the People are painted in yellow on the streets where protestors once rallied.
BLM Washington, D.C.
Photo-Op, Peaceful Protests, & Polls
During the peaceful protests in Washington, D.C. the President, his cabinet, family, aids, and members of the military marched to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, after tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons, dispersed protesters to clear the streets, so the President could create a made-for-television, reality TV, photo-op, holding a Bible in front of the church. “The whole world is watching!”
Trump’s attempts to characterize the protests as violent and the looting in some cities as the work of Antifa was quickly disproved and was viewed as a tactic to inflame his base of supporters, and exacerbate, rather than provide the leadership to calm and address the concerns of the public.
Recent political polls show that Trump’s support is slipping and Biden is leading by a growing margin, including in swing states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona. Trump’s handling of the pandemic also receives low marks and a lack of confidence that he has the best interests of the public in mind. In fact, recent revelations from John Bolton’s new book, The Room Where It Happened, evidence suggests that Trump is only motivated by his own personal gain and reelection in 2020.
Rulings, Rallies, & Racism
Trump has touted both the economy and his appointment of conservative judges as the report card to measure his success as POTUS, unfortunately the pandemic has wreaked havoc with the economy, causing record-breaking unemployment numbers, increased cases of COVID-19 and over hundred thousand deaths (and rising), closed businesses, food insecurity, and the list goes on.
Rulings
The Supreme Court dealt Trump and the White House a couple of surprising rulings this past week. The first, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that federal law protects LGBTQ workers from discrimination. From CNN coverage:
“The landmark ruling will extend protections to millions of workers nationwide and is a defeat for the Trump administration, which argued that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that bars discrimination based on sex did not extend to claims of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The 6-3 opinion was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s first Supreme Court nominee, and joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the court’s four liberal justices.”
Later in the week the Court ruled on DACA, blocks Trump from Ending DACA. From CNN:
“The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program that protects hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation.
The 5-4 ruling was written by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor.
In penning the opinion, Roberts once again sided with the liberals on the bench in a momentous dispute that will infuriate judicial conservatives who are still bitter that he once provided the deciding vote to uphold Obamacare.”
Rallies
Today, Trump holds his Tulsa rally at BOK center which holds 19,000 people. Overflow crowds of 40,000 are expected to join. Trump claims over a million people applied for tickets. This is happening while COVID-19 cases are increasing in Oklahoma. Though temperatures will be taken on admittance and masks will be distributed to rally attendees, they are not required to wear them, plus hand sanitizer will be available. Rally-goers were also required to sign a release form that attendees, “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19” and agree not to hold the campaign or venue liable should they get sick.”
Before the rally began, six Trump staff from the rally advance team tested positive for COVID-19.
Inciting violence, racism, and hate at his rallies.
Originally, Trump scheduled the rally for Friday, June 19th, the Juneteenth Celebration. From Wikipedia,
“Juneteenth…(Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Originating in Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the United States, with varying official recognition. Specifically, it commemorates Union army general Gordon Granger announcing federal orders in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, proclaiming that all slaves in Texas were free.”
Racism
What made this date and selection of Tulsa, Oklahoma most disturbing and tone deaf was the massacre and tragedy of the Greenwood District referred to as Black Wall Street, a Tulsa neighborhood of thriving black businesses, banks, and professionals that was the site of the largest white racist terrorist attack, bombings, and murders of over 300 of its black citizens and total destruction of some businesses and homes on May 30, 1921.
Greenwood District Massacre of Black Wall Street
Trump later claimed that he’s responsible for raising awareness of both the Greenwood tragedy and the Juneteenth holiday, when in fact, most critics believe he was unaware of its history, or he in fact, chose the date to fire up his base of supporters.
To further underscore Trump’s racist position, he threatened any protesters of his rally with the following tweet:
“Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!”
The Mob President & His Consigliere
Lastly, events occurred at the end of the week, reinforcing the accusation that Trump’s White House is an operation run like the mafia. First, when former W.H. cabinet members or appointees resign or are fired they’re bad-mouthed and threatened with lawsuits if they reveal any information about Trump’s organization and are treated like “snitches.” This week Bolton was the target. Last night, a Federal judge denied the Trump administration’s attempt to block the upcoming publication of Bolton’s book.
Last night after 9:00 p.m. William Barr, Attorney General of The United States, and purported Trump consigliere, announced the resignation of Geoffrey Berman, US attorney for the Southern District of New York who has investigated a number of Trump associates, including Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, Rudy Giuliani, and the former New York mayor’s associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.
After learning of his “resignation” in a press release, Berman released the following statement”
” I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate,” Berman said. “Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption.”
The New Abnormal and What Does it Mean?
Trump’s efforts to restart the economy and “return to normal” has put the country, its people, and our world-standing at risk. His mishandling of the pandemic is literally killing Americans. Trump’s response to the injustice and murders of communities of color is fueling hate, violence, and division rather than tamping it down, uniting, and comforting the nation.
Ignore the warnings
Trump’s Friday night firings of appointees, inspector generals, and justice department employees and attorneys, including the total dismantling of nonpartisan respected journalists of The Voice of America and related worldwide media is an effort to create a propaganda arm and obstruct justice. His White House can be described as a criminal operation. He has been impeached, yet remains in office. Former members of his cabinet, advisors, and family have been, currently are, or will be charged or convicted of crimes, as cases are pending and others may be filed in the future when he leaves office.
The hallmark of Trump’s presidency, The New Abnormal, is characterized by how he feeds his own ego, fills his and his family’s pockets, and enriches the 1%, while he denies justice, due process, equal protection under the law, and prosperity, safety, and security to the American people.
On this longest day of the year, let us keep our eyes open, remain vigilant, lean into the light, and fight the good fight.
Here’s an anthem from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, “Power to the People.”
Power to the People – Detroit
Related Reading from Mixed Metaphors Oh, My!
2020 Vision: Cataracts, Candidates, & Critical Choices
The Toilet Zone: A Government of Men
Thanks, LInda! I am about to propose something I think you will like, so stay tuned!! Lewis