Signs - Santee, CA

We have seen a lot of these signs throughout the various RV parks where we have stayed. They act as reminders to the cars that there are a lot of young walkers, runners, bikers, scooters, etc. With the vegetation on the sides of the interior roadways it is sometimes difficult to see people until you are right on them. These signs do help remind us.







On the other hand this particular sign is just too funny!

Berkeley Protests / Speakers - RESPONSE

Here’s a response from one of you that I thought we might all like to see –
“We have to stop trying to shut down free speech unless it is violent in nature. My concern is with the New Nazis and KKK. They are advocating violence against others.

An asshole like Ann Coulter just says things to get a rise out of Liberals. So the students at Berkley need to either to go an ask her questions or do silent protests.

Or better yet ignore her completely. Ann Coulter, Glenn Back, Milo are all looking for big displays of opposition. They love pissing off people so don't give it to them.

They can come to campus and say whatever they want as long as it isn't violent.

However you don't win the argument by not letting them speak. You win it by not allowing them to alter free speech.

Maybe all the students that dislike her could leave campus the night she is speaking and go help an organization she opposes like poor people, planned parenthood, meals on wheels, etc.

Just a thought”

Berkeley Protests / Speakers

The 1st Amendment protects peaceful protests in the streets and at universities. The key word here is peaceful. No matter who we might disagree with or object to, the protests need to be peaceful. Violence initiated by either side does not require a like-minded violent reaction. That being said, the 1st Amendment at its core protects freedom of speech. Whether someone’s speech agrees with me or you doesn’t really matter. What matters is the safety and freedom to make that speech in public! Everyone has the right to an opinion of their own and can yell that opinion from the roof tops, so to speak!

I know all of you already know this. I just needed to verbalize it, to remind myself that objections/protests are an American privilege and way of life that is not available everywhere. We need to peacefully honor the 1st Amendment! We need to allow, support and protect the rights of people with differing opinions to speak that message to their followers.

“If we held a minute of silence for every victim of the Holocaust we would be silent for eleven and a half years.“ from StandWithUS

1st Amendment - 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.

Dogs and Kids - Santee, CA

When Ruthi walks Karma, she meets lots of other dog owners and kids. Generally, she never learns the names of the adult humans but almost always knows the dogs’ and kids’ names. The other day she was on her ride around the park and stopped to drop off the aluminum cans to Sheridan (7yo) and Liam (5yo). Since Ruthi’s niece and kids have moved back to the mid-west, we found a new set of kids working for the environment and their spending money by collecting/recycling soda cans. Anyway, Ruthi was talking to the kids, their dog (Scooby) and their mother when she dropped off the week’s supply of cans. The mother wondered if Ruthi knew where Reid, another RVer, was now parked. Ruthi admitted that she doesn’t know many of the adults names but does know the dogs. The mother (Ruthi still doesn’t know HER name) told her that Reid had a golden retriever and German shepherd. And, Ruthi immediately knew where those dogs were currently parked and told the mother!

Saturday's Tax March in San Diego, CA

Did you march in your area??? I went to the rally/march in downtown SD. The Union-Tribune said 3,000 but I don’t know how accurate. People stretched down Broadway from Harbor Drive to the turn up 3rd Ave. there was a casual walking speed and distances between marchers – so who knows. But definitely not tens of thousands like in November; maybe all the snow birds are gone.

I anticipated that the crowd would be mostly mature white individuals but was pleasantly surprised by the diversity. Especially the younger (20’s and 30’s), there were many more than I had expected! There weren’t any anti-protests nor did it look like there were any “paid” participants. Considering the lack of organization and direction from those that were using the bull horn and trying to direct the crowd forward, if they were paid they didn’t live up to the employee code JJJ.

Since the president seems to be deaf to the requests/reminders we’ll just have to keep asking/marching on this topic or others (Science March on 04/22 & Climate Change March on 04/29). I see these marches, letters, calls, etc. positive actions in creative thinking and in the case of the marches – good expercise, too!

NOTE: I got my new quote below from my state senator, when she replied to one of my questions about current legislation being considered.

“The role of the Senate is first to protect the people against their rulers, and secondly to protect the people against the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led." –James Madison

1st Amendment - 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.

1ST Amendment

More on White House attacks on the media and those whose job is to do research, question, validate responses and then report their findings! Not only was the press secretary disrespectful April Ryan but also racist and misogynistic. (in my opinion!!!) I am sure Sean Spicer would disagree with my assessment of his behavior but that’s to be expected. If someone doesn’t understand racism or misogyny then they are bound to repeat behaviors that reflect that and not know it! (http://m.dailykos.com/stories/1649055)

As I have said before, continual attacks undermine the 1st Amendment. We need to stay vigilant. We need to question everything we see hear, read, etc. Even my emails! Don’t get discouraged or lax in your vigilance!

“I hate a liar more than I hate a thief. A thief is only after my salary, a liar is after my reality.” 50 Cent
1st Amendment - 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.