Supreme Court

Similar to the Dobbs decision to overturn 1973’s Roe v. Wade on 6/24/22 and eliminate abortion as a constitutional right, yesterday the Supreme Court majority just repealed Chevron (Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council), their landmark 1984 decision. As Amy says in this article, “The Decision will likely have far-reaching effects across the country, from environmental regulation to healthcare costs.” The destruction of yet another long-standing precedent. Is there any doubt about the power grab of the “flagrantly corrupt”, far-right Supreme Court majority? What’s next on their docket to overturn?

When I cast my first vote in the presidential election decades ago and thereafter, I was informed and well aware that, in essence and of utmost importance, I was casting my vote for the supreme court justices. So, everyone who refused to vote for presidential-worthy Hillary Clinton in 2016 because of her gender and “unlikability”, plus the Electoral College system, enabled thingamabob to appoint 3; thereby, sending us back to the dark ages and bringing us to this brink of constitutional crisis. I remain curious as to how this will all play out.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-chevron-curtailing-power-of-federal-agencies/

Presidential Elections - USA

My sentiments exactly!

Now, let’s add Joe Biden’s age irrespective of the enormity of what he’s achieved with a partisanship Congress and a younger, capable Vice-President ready to assume the reins should something happen to him. What’s the alternative? A narcissistic psychopath who will destroy our country and destabilize the world? (Applicatory adjectives courtesy of George Conway.)

Foudroyant

“Sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling.” Word of the Day from Dictionary.com. So, will tonight’s presidential debate be overwhelming in effect? How about the new season of The Bear streaming today? Stunning; dazzling? Foudroyant moments?

Leaf Blower Silencer

This good news makes me so happy! The noise pollution from leaf blowers is ridiculously bothersome especially in the early morning hours when meditating. Obviously, I’m not alone; hence, the invention. I just wish the time line for availability was earlier than 2 years.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/students-invent-leaf-blower-silencer-attachment-corporation-expects-to-be-selling-them-soon/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-06-2024

Congratulations, brilliant students, and Hallelujah!

Birthday Card

Along with unusual and beautiful garden roses, I received this card with the handwritten words, “Love, beauty & happiness are the same.” His words really struck me. Even though I’ve had my fair share of uphill battles beginning in childhood and have found myself in adulthood choosing the right hills to die, that is, which issues to pursue with wholehearted conviction, e.g., divorce, I certainly understand love and beauty. That’s essentially how I roll, what motivates me, and makes me feel happy. However, with the plethora of books and perhaps indoctrination on the linear formulas for happiness as if it’s a sustained state, I would not have linked the 3rd one. Now, I get the impact and truth of his wisdom, that each time I feel love (connection) and observe beauty, I feel happiness. So, again, what’s important is recognizing and embracing these moments rather than buying into happiness as a prolonged state of being and unhappiness if it’s not achieved.

Modicum Of Justice

On a typical Thursday 3 days ago, I woke up early to meet a friend in Marin for a hike at Tennessee Valley. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I followed it up going to a favorite, nearby health food store before jaunting back to SF. As I walked into my apartment, there was a Signal ping on my phone. A neighbor sent me the news flash that thingamabob was just found Guilty on all 34 felony counts by a jury of his peers. His new title, Convicted Felon. That’s on top of adjudicated rapist. No matter how this plays out in the courts, meaning with our evangelical, militant far-right SCOTUS, and election, he is and will remain the epitome of extreme narcissistic personality disorder, sexism, elitism, patriarchy, misogyny, bigotry, racism, injustice, and every other possible vile human behavior. As a society, we are at the crossroads of choosing good or evil in November. What’s clear is that he will destroy whatever he can and, if he’s going down, he will take all of us with him.

Of course, I felt astounded and happy with this verdict holding him accountable. Normally, I refrain from watching much of mainstream media because of the unhealthy effects on my psyche from the format and endless loop of fear and drama. However, feeling quite exhilarated, I glued myself to MSNBC to listen to Rachel, Nicole, and the rest discuss this historic event. I give a heartfelt thank you to the stupendous judge and 12 jurors for their dedicated service to justice and the rule of law.

Jail time? In addition to the felony accounts, there are 10 criminal contempts of court. Here we go. We’re all on this crazymaking ride!

Homemaker

During a commencement speech at Benedictine Catholic Liberal Arts College in Kansas on May 11, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told female graduates that “homemaker” will be one of their most important roles in life. He encouraged women to trade in their career goals to get married, have children, and be a homemaker.

He’s certainly entitled to his conservative catholic beliefs and running his life accordingly. And, make no mistake about it, he is upholding and perpetuating the suppressive, oppressive system of patriarchy with underlying misogyny rampant in Catholicism, other religions and sects, and so many fields of endeavor globally. Women can choose to be complicit or not. (Interestingly, since 1988, his mother chose to work as a medical physicist in the Winship Department of Radiation Oncology at Emory University.) The 2003 movie Mona Lisa Smiles comes to my mind about the portrayal of women in society in the 1950’s.

What happens when the fairytale ends? When the husband and wage earner dies unexpectedly or they part ways? This is something I know a lot about as my mother was a homemaker, and my father died leaving her stranded with 4 young daughters. And, I happened to become a homemaker. After 24 years of investment and taking care of 3 lives, it was shocking to find out my low worth assessed by our legal system when a divorce became necessary. Even though my contributions were crucial and enormous, not being the wage earner, I did not have equal value and was treated as such. I am living proof that full-time homemaking is not an optimal choice of occupation for women. Per economist Myra Strober in What A Wife’s Worth (Stanford Magazine March/April 1998), "Full-time homemaking is probably the riskiest occupation around. It has no protections except the ones that the courts give it.” That is, I add, judges who have unlimited discretionary power with no accountability.

Comprehensive conversations on this important topic are much needed to address the mythology, societal deficiencies, attitudes, and paucity of protections involving value and finance. Hopefully, narrating my experiences will spark these, highlight the overall war on women, and create positive changes.

When hiking and discussing the kicker’s speech with a friend a couple of days ago, I asked, what century are we in? Her reply - the 1600’s.

Yikes!

Tenderness

It’s the word that popped into my mind when I finished this work in acrylic paint. Sometimes I forget the importance of treating myself with tenderness as I journey through the days. It was definitely a crucial element missing in my marriage and, as time wore on, contributed to the unsustainability of the union.