Which of the issues discussed

in this article are most frightening?  It's hard to choose, but I'll go with the report that President-elect Trump is refusing daily briefings from national security officials because, according to his spokeswoman, he's getting his information from "other sources". If this doesn't concern you, you may want to hold your breath, because your head is definitely in the sand.

It's okay for the KKK to have rallies

because that's protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, but it's not okay for people to burn flags, so we'll amend the Constitution to prevent it?

We will see the country his way

or we'll go to jail?

Our President-elect

says things that are not based in fact.  At some point, this is going to have a big impact on our nation.

First against the wall...

This is one of the most frightening things I've seen so far.  Sean Hannity, of Fox News, has called for a ban on access to the White House for his rival news outlets. This is the path to fascism.  This is how a president becomes a dictator.  For the time being, I'll continue to hope that Trump doesn't actually take any of these steps down this path.  But it's becoming more and more clear that the political far right in this country does actually want to pull this country into fascism.

On this Thanksgiving day, I am thankful first for my family and friends and second for the fact that President-elect Donald Trump has not taken any concrete steps toward fascism.

An important read

Times like these lead me to morbid thoughts.  If you have not already done so, I urge you to read Art Spiegelman's Maus.  It's a graphic novel about his father's experiences, including the Holocaust.  With January 20 coming up on us quickly, it is best to know what we may be facing.

Never again, right?

She lived a long life.  May she rest in peace.

I hope you are paying attention.

This is how it begins.  They float ideas out there that they intend to make happen later.  That way, it's not a surprise to the populace and the people don't fight back. Please recognize, a person who represents our President-elect just said, “There is precedent for it” in relation to internment camps.  Not "internment camps are a crime against humanity and stand in stark contrast to every principle this country was founded on".  Not "the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II is among the worst decisions ever made by the American government".  Just “There is precedent for it”.  How long will it be before, instead of us saying, "No, he'd never create internment camps" we are saying, "No, he'd never run death camps"?  Are you willing to be judged by history, as the German people are, for letting Hitler do what he did?  This is the question we are faced with, and he's not even President yet.

It is time to start thinking about how you will react when the worst starts happening.  "They are coming.  They are coming."

If the fist was in a different face...

While watching this video, I couldn't help thinking that the white people who are hollering and screaming in the background about a woman who was clearly resisting arrest would be just fine if that very same police officer was shown shooting an African American male for no reason.  I hope that's not the case.  And if it is, I hope that this incident will help them to see that police brutality is not acceptable, no matter the color of the victim's skin.

"We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness."  -Thich Nhat Hanh

Charges filed!

Officer Jeronimo Yanez, the man who fatally shot Philando Castile last summer, is being charged with second-degree manslaughter.  This needed to happen.

Hooray for the humans!

Good job, team.  This really inspires me.  These young men make me proud of humanity again.

Very interesting...

There's lots of interesting information about our country here.

"Certain things in our country should disqualify you" -Stan Van Gundy

"What bible are you reading?"  Some reactions from NBA players and coaches.

Messed up times

When you turn to comedians to hear the truth that your politicians can't even understand.

Remember, "this is not normal"

John Oliver is really good.

Positive words from the Michigan Department of Education

Encouraging.

Less than a week after the election

Fox and Friends host, Pete Hegseth said, when speaking of the anti-Trump protesters, "They're not pro-American liberals who are frustrated with conservatism.  They're anti-American and they want to foment chaos across our country." Those are not just throw-away words. He is saying that the people who are protesting against Donald Trump are "anti-American". He also called them "Communists", "anarchists", and "anti-Semitic".  This is an attempt to discredit American Liberalism, to take away our ability to criticize the President.  This might be a good time for a refresher from Dictionary.com:

"fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism."

Are we there?  No, we're not.  And hopefully, we never will be.  But if you can't see a possible beginning in actions such as these, then I suggest you look a little closer.

A terrible loss

for anyone who values integrity.

Yes, it has already begun

Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist.  I've been told repeatedly that I need to wait and see what happens.  "He may be the best president this country's ever had" I believe were the most recent words.  I urge you to read that article in the link.

The NBA is filled up with strong, good voices right now.

Gregg Popovich.

It ain't much,

but it's something.  I'll be wearing one, despite its trendiness.  You never know, it might mean something to someone who needs it.

This is what you chose, America.

Sickening.

Make America Kind Again

This woman is going in the right direction.  It's superficial, it's a slogan, but it's focused on the right thing.  I may need to get me one.

Steve Kerr for Vice President!

You may click here.

Stan Van Gundy for President in 2020!

Speaks honestly.  Has decency.  What more do we need?  It's a good time to be a Pistons' fan.  That's something, at least.

What's wrong with you?

If even this guy get's it, what's taking you so long?

No matter what happens tonight,

our lives and our responsibilities will be different forever.

If Trump wins, he'll show us our responsibility.  It will be our job to react appropriately to and oppose whatever type of hate he brings into the world.  If we elect him, it will be our job to limit the damage he can cause.

If Clinton wins, we'll be in just the opposite situation.  It will be our job to remind her that she is only president because she ran against the worst candidate in American history and that she wouldn't be president if the Republicans had fielded a viable candidate.  She will have no mandate.  Her job will be to do as little damage as possible until we can manage to get a better candidate elected.  Our job will be to remind her of that as frequently as possible.

When you listen to the victory speech...

...think of this:  

"frothing at the mouth about the scapegoats that they've chosen for us. With every racist pointed finger I can hear the goose-steps getting closer. They no longer represent us so is it not our obligation to confront this tyranny?"

No matter what happens tomorrow...

This man is a problem:

The rule of law and the value of human life mean nothing to him.  He's someone to keep a close eye on.

Let it be right!

The breakdown of society continues

Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway admitted to MSNBC’s Brian Williams Thursday night that the Republican presidential candidate’s recent campaign-trail proclamation — that Hillary Clinton faces a “likely indictment” by the FBI — is based on inaccurate reporting. Still, she said, factual or not, “the damage is done to Hillary Clinton.”

She is flat out saying that she doesn't care about facts, that the only consideration that is important to the Trump campaign is damaging the enemy.  This won't change if he becomes president.  This is how he'll do things.  It's obvious.  Don't claim to be surprised later.  Make the right decision now.

"A great project"

Another of my internet friends, Robert Zieger, is doing something great in the world. He lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He's come into contact with an orphanage outside of Kinshasa. In his own words, he and a colleague are "spearheading the A Bed for Each Child Project, through which we are raising funds to double the living and sleeping space (and toilet capacities) for these 70-80 kids (and the next generation)." It's clearly a worthy goal. If you have the time to read about it and maybe even donate to the cause, it will be greatly appreciated.

If you are considering donating, it might aid your decision to know that from his many posts on DBB, Robert is easily recognized as an honest, kind-hearted person. On top of that, the project is "being sponsored by Lantern Projects, a well-established organization through which donations are handled. Given Lantern's long history, this gives our project a certain credibility. More importantly, Lantern is a 501(c)(3) org, meaning that all donations are US tax deductible."

There are so many bad things happening in our world.  This is a simple way to make a positive difference for another person.  I encourage you to do so.