December 24, 2021

'Twas the Week Before Christmas (warning: large photos)

Written to share the story of the past week for my partner and I and our little girl, Bathsheba, who is 10 years old! This is the story of what we went through, the illnesses we all suffered, how we supported each other as a family, and the joy of health and life that we share with all of you special friends on DU. On the occasion of my 20th year as a member of DU, here is:

‘’Twas the Week Before Christmas”
by Keopeli




'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house
Bathsheba was chasing a scurrilous mouse;
My masks there were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes of avoiding the pandemic scare;
Bathsheba eventually climbed in my bed,
While visions of viral loads danced in my head;
My cat curled up and lay right in my lap,
We both shut our eyes for a long winter's nap,
The morning soon came, and I don’t mean to flatter,
My instincts knew then that something was the matter.
I wiped clear my eyes and arose like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
I looked all around for I certainly knew,
Something was amiss and I hadn’t a clue,
When what to my worrying eyes did I dread,
But Bathsheba who strangely remained in my bed,
The sweet little girl was not lively nor quick,
I knew in a moment that she must be sick.



A horrible fear swiftly rose in my veins,
And I screamed, and shouted, and called her by name:
"Bathsheba! My sweetheart! Why have you not hollered?
This time in the morning I’m usually bothered!
Each morning you meow and beg me for feeding!
Today you lay motionless! Why aren’t you bleating?"
My tears now flowed quickly, I sprang to her side!
“My dear little girl, you have nothing to hide;
Tell me what’s the matter and I’ll mend you quick!
But she was too weak just to say she was sick—
And then, in a twinkling, I knew what to do
To the Vet we will go right away! And we flew!
No sooner had I taken her to the Vet,
Then the doctor prescribed medicine I would get.
I wrapped little Sheba, from her paws to her head,
And for three days she lay in my big comfy bed;
I worried and fretted she wouldn’t recover,
Always reassuring, so she knew I loved her.
Her eyes—after three days—they started to liven!
After three days of prayers, my girl was now thrivin’!



I showered my girl with my kisses and tears,
The pills that she took had allayed all my fears;
She no longer lay in a ball at my feet,
Now she could think of nothing else but to eat!
We shared our rejoicing, her illness had burst,
We were confident then we had gone through the worst.
But suddenly and without warn I was smitten,
My little cat’s illness on me now was bitten;
Collapsed in my bed I grew suddenly pallid
I felt so ill nothing else seemed to be valid;
I even feared covid caught me unaware,
I took a home test, but found covid not there,
Still, I laid for three days in miserable suffering,
My friends brought me soup, but I could eat nothing;



A cat can pass their little virus to me!
Now I know better. More careful I’ll be!
I’ll no longer bury my face in my kitty
When she’s taken ill, I’ll avoid all that pity!



When three more days passed, I felt oh so much better,
And just days before Christmas! So I’ve written this letter
To remind us all, life’s so precious…and health,
And wellness is much more important than wealth!
With a spring in my step, I am Christmas preparing,
Wrapping my presents for giving and sharing.
My friends and my loved ones, I want to remind
To cherish your health and, if I may be kind,
I wish on you blessings and a life free of fear—
“Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year!”

August 13, 2021

US broadcast group threatens legal action over Polish media law

Source: Politico

U.S. broadcast company Discovery is threatening to bring legal action against the government in Poland after lawmakers there passed a controversial media law that tightens rules for foreign companies.

The legislation, which must still pass the Polish Senate, proposes only allowing companies majority-owned by entities from the European Economic Area to hold broadcast licenses. That would exclude U.S.-based Discovery, owner of TVN, one of Poland’s most popular TV stations, and its all-news subsidiary TVN24.

The news channel, whose license expires on September 26, has been a thorn in the side of a government that has made great efforts to bring the media under its control.

Discovery said in a statement Thursday that it sent notice of its intentions to Polish President Andrzej Duda and that while the company “continues to strive for a positive resolution to this situation … should this fail, Discovery intends to commence arbitration proceedings” under a U.S. investment agreement with Poland “and seek full compensation for Poland’s breaches.”

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/discovery-poland-media-law-legal-action/

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Discovery is promoting the Free Press in a country whose government is hyper-conservative and trying to crack down on the dissenting and alternative press. IOW, they don't want people knowing the truth, which has a liberal bias, as Colbert famously quipped. My question: why is Discovery so bold in favor of truth and democracy in Poland but doesn't mind waddling in our murky sub-democratic press issues in the USA? Unfortunately, I already know the answer: money, of course.

Still, good for the Polish people that an American company is standing up for their rights and freedoms. Let's have more of that on the home front!

May 16, 2021

Dear DU Friends, I am asking for your help if you are or were active in your County Dem Party

I live in NM and am 54 years old. I have decided to become more active in my County Democratic Party. In the past month, I was elected Vice-Chairman of my county Ward, my Precinct's member of our County Central Committee, and was just appointed as the Chairman of the Communications Committee. I'm excited and honored to actually win two elections and by trusted to run the Communications Committee.

I know that many of my friends here at DU (where I have been a member since 2002) are active in their local parties. Being a rural county that lately votes Red, we need a lot of structural changes and growth. Our new County Party Chair is a great progressive and, during the past wave of county party elections, progressives have basically taken over the local party.

Here are my questions to all of you:

1. Is there a DU forum that features discussions on how local party officials run their operations and help each other?
2. Is there a forum anywhere on the "interwebs" where veterans of local political efforts share ideas, success/failure stories, and resources?
3. Is there a good resource for progressives on how to create good and effective communication efforts at the local level?
4. Are there any of you who have walked this road (mostly running the communications arm of your local party) and are willing to share your knowledge/experience?

We have an upcoming special election (in one month) to replace Deb Haaland, our former US House Member who is now the first Native American head of the Interior Dept. Keeping this seat blue is paramount to Dems retaining control of the House. With little to no structure in place (an underused and clumsy website, a facebook page with a host of administrators, many of whom lost the last election (since they were Blue Dogs) with ulterior motives), an unused Twitter and Instagram account, and a Newsletter that tends to bounce or get rejected as spam with an outdated contact list, I have a lot of work to do in a very short time.

Whatever help you can share will be valued and greatly appreciated.

In solidarity,

Keopeli

PS - If I don't respond right away, it's because I'm busy being a Middle School teacher, an acolyte at my church, a caregiver to my octogenarian parents, a director of three community choirs, or being a good partner. Fear not - I will respond as soon as I am able! And thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with me.

February 26, 2021

Bill would prevent transgender females from competing in girls, women sports

Bill would prevent transgender females from competing in girls, women sports

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Some New Mexico Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill to level the playing field for female athletes competing with transgender athletes born as males. One of the sponsors of the controversial bill says this legislation all comes down to safety.

“To allow men or boys compete against women is fundamentally unfair and it’s dangerous and it takes away lots of opportunities for these girls; scholarships. You compete to win because winning is good for you psychologically, it encourages you to do other things and to excel in other things in your life. So when you take that opportunity away from girls it’s devastating,” said Representative Zachary Cook (R-Ruidoso).

House Bill 304 is called the Women’s Sports Protection Act and would prevent female athletes from competing with transgender athletes born as males. The bill state that there are only two biological sexes and that biological sex is determined at fertilization or at birth. It goes on to say that men have higher natural levels of testosterone which results in higher speed and power during physical activity, which leads to a performance gap between males and females.

Right now, under the New Mexico Activities Association bylaws, a student must compete in the gender officially listed on their birth certificate. In New Mexico, you are now allowed to amend your sex on your birth certificate. If passed, this would apply to not only middle and high schools, but universities in New Mexico. Opponents say the bill could increase any stress transgender people already deal with which include sexual abuse, bullying, and suicide.


[link:https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/legislature/bill-would-prevent-transgender-athletes-born-as-males-from-competing-with-females/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR0ijLF2dO8GtL7rp0OPTjxNIrkmTljLJ00BDN77-T0BpAn6DEJDAZH6R1c|

February 18, 2021

APS makes the right decision. (They didn't really have a choice, thanks to teachers.)

Albuquerque Public Schools students will continue learning virtually, although the board Wednesday night cleared the way to expand in-person learning slightly to include additional small groups of students, possibly those at risk of failing or seniors who need the additional help.

The Board of Education voted 6-1 to allow limited in-person groups, but otherwise remain in remote schooling.

Wednesday night’s decision almost certainly ends any hope for APS’ 13 high schools to participate in the four fall sports: football, soccer, volleyball and cross-country. Because of the pandemic, fall sports had to be pushed into the second semester.

According to APS data, about half of parents are ready to get their children back to school and half aren’t on board.

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A teacher at the meetings said that teachers are eager to come back, but they want to do so safely. Amen!



https://www.abqjournal.com/2360888/aps-stays-virtual-but-allows-some-small-groups-ex-decision-effectively-ends-hope-for-any-of-the-four-fall-sports.html