Election Day and America's 250th Anniversary

 I absolutely LOVE history. My favorite time is America's founding. That might show in other blog posts. So, until election night of 2024, I had been looking forward to celebrating America's 250th milestone. But Trump won. I have been avoiding patriotic stuff because of the embarrassing and tasteless nonsense that happened around the 4th of July. I read about the concert being planned that all of those stars backed out of. That sounded great! That was supposed to be about pride in your country, not politics. But instead of classy we ended up with what we got, embarrassing. Americans can't have nice things. 

Until Tuesday, November 3, 2026!!! OH! THE PRETTY NUMBERS!!! There are also more to come. All that republican redistricting, backfired! YESSS!!! Blue is such a pretty color. A historic night like that was the PERFECT way to honor America's 250th anniversary. It's poetic that the man who wants to end democracy in America was defeated by democracy in America. 

Just as the founding fathers (and the wives who advised them) intended. There are so many ways republicans tried to make it hard for democrats to vote. So many ways they tried to rig this election. All of it backfired. States so red they are like ripe tomatoes suddenly resemble blueberries (shout out to Texas). We were saying, "Kansas is a nice thought, but that's a reach". Yeah, it wasn't. After two years of college in South Carolina, I have been watching them carefully. I didn't hope. Annie Andrews can't do it. Democrats might get a district to pair with Clyburn's but the senate? Yeah, we will have a democratic senator from South Carolina. A sentence I didn't think I would say. Today I found the letter of acceptance into that SC college I got on September 24, 1998 (my senior year in high school). 

Elation put it mildly as I watched most of the people I had been following for a while win. The ones that are left, have yet to be called! Talarico. Not gonna lie, I kinda have been excited about the prospect of this since the Texas house walkout last year to prevent a quorum. Video below. I spent the night watching the MSNOW election coverage with various versions of excitement. Let's review some of the list of names. 

We’re breaking quorum (Talarico on fleeing the state to prevent the redistricting)

Names that are only here because what the founding fathers built 250 years ago has endured through oh so much challenge. Because the basics of what was intended was for the people to choose their own government. No kings, no dictators, only politicians that must represent the people or answer to them at the ballot box. 

Who I have been watching:

James Talarico - Senator Texas

Gina Hinojosa - Governor Texas

Bobby Pulido - House District 15 Texas (He's the Tejano star that campaigned performing at quinceañeras). 

Josh Turek - Senator Iowa (Paralympian who played horse with Obama)

Rob Sand - Governor Iowa ("not redder, not bluer, better and truer" - Ossoffesk)

Keisha Lance Bottoms - Governor Georgia (from George Floyd Atlanta to this)

Jon Ossoff - Senator Georgia re-elected (LOVING him for president!)

Roy Cooper - Senator North Carolina (Plain speaking does it "makes stuff cost less")

El Sayed - Senator Michigan (too progressive for me but he has some good ideas with health care)

Sherred Brown - Senator Ohio returns (yes, Ohio)

Amy Acton - Governor Ohio (so, her opponent featured her mom who supported a child rapist. Seriously? Of course she won! 

Annie Andrews - Senator South Carolina 

Adam Hamilton - Senator Kansas

Greg Pappas - Senator New Hamshire (first open gay senator)

Rebecca Bennet - NJ house district 7 (Kean's district and borders mine)

Troy Jackson - Senator Maine (look Kavanaugh does vote with the liberal jurors more than you think. But Susan Collins sunk herself confirming Hegseth and RFK Jr.)

The only loss was Chris Gallant in NY House 1, but he is a gay guy with a decades-old ad for sex toys to fight against in a very red district. At least it took a few days to call! 

I am still following Mary Peltola for Alaska senate. She's leading but it's not called yet. 

Weren't on my radar until election night but still excited to see:

Zach Dembo - KY district 6 (Was on The Beat on MSNOW and I loved everything he said)

Jamie Agar - NC district 11

Sam Forstag - Montana district 1

Still to be called but I can't believe I am about to say this. Scott Colom - senator Mississippi (he's been in the lead for days.)

Still to be called but Darren Soto - re-election FL district 9 (was redistricted to Trump +20 and he is still in the lead)

George Washington didn't want parties. We can blame Hamilton and Jefferson for this ultra partisan mess we are in. Look at those names I have been eyeing. Look at those states. They have different versions of being democrats. What unites them is a desire to address affordability starting with undoing the ACA mess republicans made in the summer of 2025 and do something to stop corruption. Hakeem Jefferies can work with that. We have an answer to the question, what is the democratic party's future?

The AI Conversation - Thank Seth MacFarlane

 I have been reading a lot about AI. The New York Times has also had some podcasts about AI. But something important is missing from the conversation. We can thank Seth MacFarlane for creating The Orville. That show started the conversation, now it's time to finish it. 

Seth MacFarlane - IMDb

The Orville (TV Series 2017–2022) - IMDb

The Orville takes place 400 years in the future. MacFarlane Created it with Star Trek vibes. It talks about a lot of different topics but often reflects on today. That includes a 2015-time capsule episode that is must-see. It has 3 seasons and is on HULU but there are negotiations for a 4th season. 

The Orville is a spaceship. The fleet of spaceships is for the union, a collection of people from different plants. Like a planetary UN. Admirals hold the same positions as in the current US Navy. It is structured off of the US Navy. MacFarlane is Captain Ed Mercer. Having given that position in the first episode. The show gets you thinking about real life. That's why it is so awesome. Here are my thoughts. 

1. They have synthesizers that can make anything you want. All needs are addressed. In multiple episodes, especially the final one, they talk about how that is only possible because they do not have a currency. No money means everyone's needs are met. People's worth is on the work they volunteer to do. In that final episode they talk about how if you introduce this technology too soon, the rich and greedy will hog the technology and make things worse for those who can't afford it. That is my biggest fear about AI right now. It is being introduced too soon. The rich are using it to enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us. We were warned about this years ago, in The Orville. We can be ready for it, once greed and selfishness are replaced by a desire for everyone to have everything they need. 

2. Let's talk further about that lack of currency. In many episodes they go to a new planet and that is a surprise. But economic gaps getting bigger and bigger have created the have and the have nots. The rich can weather these rough financial times while many others are ruined by them. When progressives talk about a universal income. I think of this. What they are really saying is "everyone should have the same amount of money or at least enough to afford what they need". I say what we need is to eliminate the need for currency in the first place. Wealth is about status. Will the wealthy ever agree to those making less suddenly not needing money for a good life at all? The Orville is a roadmap to how to accomplish that. Because on the show, status is about integrity and the work you do, not your income. 

3. The Orville the ship is an exploratory vessel. It observes other planets from afar and documents what it can. They have an important rule with a strong punishment. You can't be seen by life on the planet, or you have to blend in like you live there. Some planets have people not ready to know there is life on other planets. There are exceptions for emergencies. The final episode of season 1 talks about this. But I compare this to all the real-life military people who have seen unidentifiable flying objects and have concluded that we are likely really being observed by alien life, but they have determined we are not ready to meet them yet. If you want them to change their minds, treat immigrants better and drop all racism. They won't come if they won't be welcomed. 

A lot of the technology in the show uses AI. Later evolutions of AI. In real life AI is developing too fast too soon. It's causing a lot of needless harm because of it. It is the only thing supporting the stock market right now and that is the exact problem the show talks about frequently. The greed, the lack of oversight, all of it could very well lead to the kind of wars and revolutions that destroy the planet. No wonder all the AI billionaires want to build spaceships to escape. Sorry bros, the only fix for this is to stabilize income equality. That universal income should be paid for by AI corporations and their CEOs. Exclusively. Or, better yet, follow The Orville's advice and eliminate all currency and need for any financial transactions of any type. 

Make all of the necessities free for everyone. 

Caring In The Middle

 I have not posted since May 31st. The whole family has been busy. Zach is 17 years-old now so, that means more freedom and modified rules. I still need communication even if he makes most of his own decisions. Most rule modifications are a later curfew and when to tell me if he will be home for dinner. 

I have been doing what parents of kids about to start senior year in high school do. I have been thinking about what I will do now that my time no longer completely revolves around him. I have a plan, joined a couple of important committees at our summer place, and have been busy. My dad is now 79 and some of that "busy" means as Zach needs me less, he needs me more. 

Lots of people are in this position. This is one of the few things about me that is common. Somehow, I am busier now than when Zach was on two baseball teams in the spring playing both Saturdays and Sundays with weekday practices. Because Zach still needs me. It's a good feeling. 

It's a mix of tiring and enjoyable. It also means lots of time with people I love. Zach has gone to prom, got inducted into the National Social Studies Honor Society, completed camp at a college in NJ, got his driver's license, and has been overall busy. Dad has had some basic needs we are still working on meeting but there has been some good progress. 

I have been doing something I am good at, planning entertainment events and a few other things. I also have been re-adjusting our seasonal meal-plan spreadsheets and added seasonal plans for when it's just me and Josh. Because that happens now. I'm back to doing the dinner dishes but I have a good "eating alone" routine. 

Zach has chosen Environmental Science for his major. It is far from a surprise for me. Originally, he wanted to be a Structural Engineer for the environment part. Today he is re-visiting a college he saw when considering business and tomorrow he sees Rutger's. We held off on Rutger's until he chose a major. He liked where he did camp, but they do not have Environmental Science. 

This year is going to be a wild ride. Senior year always is. Planning for the future while living the life you have for many years. In the midst of that, making sure my dad's needs are met and that he knows he is loved. 

My dad is lucky. My brother and I live in the same town that he is in. He sees us. My brother helps with finances, and my family does food and appointments. Anywhere else he would need assisted living. But, because we are here, he has the love and support he needs to be in a nice apartment. A lot of people his age as not as lucky. He also gets visited by friends and other family all of the time. 

It's an interesting time in life. Sometimes at 45 I feel too young for it. But my average parent friend is 5 - 8 years older than me. The math adds up. I don't know emotionally how I will handle this upcoming school year. But I am trying to be prepared for the changes. Like everyone else in my situation. 

Are We in World War 3?

Ukraine vs. Russia

China vs. Taiwan

Israel and America vs. Iran

There is a slew of other countries either actively fighting or close to is with each other. At what point do we call this what it is? World War III. Countries not involved are talking about what side to take. Allies are being called on. Some countries are fighting multiple other countries. 

I am a history fan. I love it. My favorite time period is around the founding of the USA. Zach's favorite time period is WWII. As I read about world conflicts in the news there keep popping up references to the World Wars. The similarities list is growing. If we are not there yet, we are knocking on the door. Just think about how WWII started. Trump, Putin and Xi are frequently compared to Hitler, Mussilini and friends. There is a reason for that. 

With all the countries sending weapons and the new ways to fight wars. With all the attempts and peace deals. It all makes me wonder. Why isn't this being called WWIII? What would be different to change that labeling? Can't we say the event that started this was Russia's stubbornly failed attempt to take Ukraine? No? Why wasn't the kidnapping of Israeli citizens equivalent to the killing of Archduke Ferdinand? 

The Allies vs. Axis sides are different now. Who would side with whom is different. Although, when American and Russia should be enemies in WWIII Trump seems more like a Russian Ally. We don't want WWIII. But denying that's what this is. That doesn't mean it's not happening. Actually, by not forming those formal alliances and joint battle plans we are making the chaotic mess unmanageable. They won't end without those alliances in place. When all countries and one side are in sync. We are supposedly fighting Israel's war as allied support. Somehow, Israel has become the support. It's WWIII. 

The current status of these nations is on my mind as I think of my ancestry and Duolingo. My love of history adds wealth to my ancestry and the languages I am learning. How the statuses of countries like Germany have gone from enemy to ally. My ancestry has always been an interest. I am embarrassed that we still had distant family in Italy during WWII. I have been learning a bunch of languages in Duolingo. I complete a unit in one language than move on to the next. I recently added two languages. All of the languages I am learning have a connection to me. 

Spanish - I learned it in school and so use it sometimes. The familiarity is comforting. We also had ancestors on my dad's side land in Northern Ireland on the Spanish Armada, so I have Spanish blood too. 

French - "Pourquoi" was my first word (why? Je ne sais pas (I don't know)) with dance, it also provides the comfort of familiarity. 

Chinese - Zach has been learning it in school. I added it for a challenge but it's something we bond over. He won't be talking it in school next year. But he said he will continue it on duo to not lose it. It gets frustrating but the challenge and bonding is good for me. 

Italian - I have talked about my Great-grandpa Rocco. Joe DiMaggio's tailor in a previous post. I can feel the connection to my family as I do these lessons. More comfort. 

Irish - my strongest heritage on all sides is my Irish heritage. Gaelic has always interested me. So, I decided to add this yesterday. It's hard but fun. It's the same familial connection as Italian. The same comfort. Linking me to them. 

German - This is the complicated one and the one that makes me think of WWII and WWIII. Josh's family is mostly German ancestry. Like my Italian side, only distant relatives in Germany during WWII. His dad was stationed in Germany during Vietnam, so he knows a little German. Josh has had a curiosity about it so, I suggested we do it together. Something to bond over. A comfort (odd since it is German). English is actually a Germanic language so there is a lot more in common than you'd think.

It turns out, I might have German ancestry. 

The original side is combining my dad's than my mom's ancestry.com tests, the parts that there is only one of them with. The 45% and 6% is my mom's percentage of the same thing my dad has. This was done over a decade ago. 

So, Scandinavia and Finland were part of Germania before the Celts took Germania. But there is more. Germany itself is in Western Europe. I have Ancestors that spoke a Germanic language (Norwegian most likely and Finnish) and might myself have German ancestors. 

 That's my calculations for what I am. If you pull out a map you can see, we weren't big on long distance travel. The only real surprise was European Jewish. I am curious about how that happened, but I carry that less than 0.5% with pride! Shalom! 

My Italian grandma (Rocco's daughter) used to say, "we're from Southern Italy, the best part!" She insisted we were the part that was superior to the lesser top of the boot. It's also the part furthest from Germany (and not the part Caesar was governor of) so, I have hope they were WWII allied sympathizers. I have always been curious about why that was considered so much more refined than the top of the boot. Probably the Caesar thing. 

It's Too Soon For AI

 The Seth MacFarlane TV show, The Orville, took place 500 years in the future. It was a Star Trek parody. In it, there was a planetary union consisting of members from multiple planets. There is no income. What they had were machines like a matter synthesizer and a food synthesizer that make food and objects. Everyone has access to them so, no one needs an income to meet their needs. 

The Orville - Wikipedia

The Orville season 3 - Wikipedia

A recurring talking point in the show is that a civilization has to be ready to share everything. To be open to not having a wealth class structure. People did not receive an income. Incomes are not needed any longer. Currency is no longer necessary to procure necessities to survive. Their worth is measured on their character. They observe other planets and have a strict rule against "planetary contamination". Meaning, you can't be seen by people of that other culture unless necessary. That's because some cultures are not ready to learn that there is life on other planets. 

I think about these synthesizers as I read about AI. We are not ready yet. This doesn't work when greed exists. What the show warned about when they talk about introducing it too soon, is happening now. In the final episode of The Orville: New Horizons. A girl from a previously visited planet is brought back. Her planet is like ours is now and she is trying to sneak the Orville tech back to her home planet. They talk about the dangers it could lead to introducing this technology before people are ready for equality. 

Right now, jobs are being lost with nowhere for those employees to go to earn a living. New college grads can't find work either. The rich are greedily getting richer at the expense of the lower and middle class. GDP is not a good reference for the economy since it doesn't give a realistic view of what life is like. Currency is essential and is being withheld. Class structure is still in place. 

These AI companies need to be regulated. They need to be required to create jobs instead of hogging the entire bakery. They need to give away the baked goods inside. What is about to happen is more violence. People get desperate when they lose their jobs and can't find new ones for too long. When the laws work against them and the courts side with the rich and greedy fat cats that put them in this position to begin with. The response is violence. Like that Molotov Cocktail thrown at Sam Aldman's house. That violence will happen more, juries will side with the defendant because of their own issues with AI, and no one will have sympathy when these AI enablers and their customers are targeted. 

Because it's too soon for AI. Yes, everyone has access to it. But we do not have that "everyone gets an equal share of the pie" mentality yet. Income is still necessary and we are in survival of the fittest mode. Until everyone no longer needs to worry about their needs getting met, it's too soon for AI. Because those matter synthesizers are what comes next. But, if they come before equality is embraced, then the rich will hog it and violence and destruction will follow. 

Is AI the next step towards that fictional universe Seth MacFarlane created? Possibly. But for it to truly serve us all it needs to be regulated, and the economics part needs to be addressed. A basic income provided by a large tax on AI companies might sound expensive. But that might be what it takes to prevent violence and start the process of embracing economic equality. 

The Draft and My Son

 I have been reading a lot about a major change happening to the draft. The Selective Service System will be moving to automatically register all eligible 18-year-olds by the end of the year. Our draft dodger-in-chief has been struggling with recruitment so, this makes it scary. Zach will be 17 years old in June. Meaning, he will turn 18 next June with Trump in office. 

What to Know About the U.S. Military Draft Pool and Automatic Registration - The New York Times

They are having so much trouble with recruitment that they are loosening rules and raising the enlistment age limit for the Army. At Zach's school a parent gives permission for who can talk to their child. Military, Jobs, and Colleges. I checked off jobs and colleges but not the military. How many other parents have shut the military recruitment officers out with doing the same?

Army Raises Enlistment Age Limit to 42 and Eases Marijuana Rules - The New York Times

Across the political spectrum there is talk about Barron Trump (age 20) being drafted. After all, Trump wants to be a king, and king's sons serve in the military. But we all know Barron inherited his dad's "bone spurs" (wink wink nudge nudge). Barron Trump will not be serving. How will those that get drafted feel about that?

Drafting Barron Trump? The Manosphere Wants to Talk About It - The New York Times

But since Vietnam no matter what party the president belonged too. They wouldn't do it. Not just because of personal experience with it. It just was a formality to register. Even Cheney as VP would never have advised it. There are few things I respect about George W. but, I respect that he respected the people too much to call a draft. 

My brother had to register in 2002. We talked about this yesterday. I had so many questions and so many fears. He was a huge help in calming me a little. He said that he was very afraid about being drafted. It was a reasonable fear for a long time during the Iraq war. Instead, the military boosted recruitment and that worked. At that time the military was still respectable, and the President was only issuing legal orders and following rules of conduct.

My brother doesn't know the person's age when they are taken off that list. He says for all he knows he's still on it. But then he reminded me of all the steps for a draft. Even if Zach's number got called, there are steps along the way. 

Trump needs a large military for strength. Originally, recruitment was still strong. But it is weakening after the misuse of the National Guard. It's not what Americans signed up for so, it's harder to find people who will sign up. If we are lucky, recruitment numbers will be high enough to hold Trump at bay, and he will not call a draft. They are using the unique tool of telling citizen children of undocumented parents that serving will protect their parents from deportation. 

U.S. Citizens Are Joining the Military to Protect Undocumented Parents - The New York Times

The only saving grace there is that my brother explained that congress would have to approve a draft and even those who back the war in Iran are not likely to support a draft. If Trump tried the executive order route, democrats would sue and a judge would immediately put a freeze to it. 

It's political suicide to support a draft. He's a lame duck so he doesn't care. Personal ambitions might help but, this threat of a draft is coming at a time when if democrats flip the house and/or senate in November, once they are sworn it, American men are safe! But we have until that point to worry. What will republicans do? Even if we flip the house and/or senate, what will a republican lame duck majority do between the November election and the start of the new congress? I still don't see them supporting a draft even if it goes again Trump. They have their own political ambitions and that would tank them. 

In one of the articles above, the one on Barron Trump, it stated that currently men have to sign up between the ages of 18 and 25. My thinking, was "this is a loophole! Zach will still be under 25 when Trump leaves office so, he can register at that time and still fit the law!" That is not the case with automatic registration. But how accurate will automatic registration be? Why is this what the military is spending their budget on instead of replenishing a depleted weapon stock?

Interceptor Missiles Save Lives, but Stockpiles Are Dwindling - The New York Times

Trump Maintains That U.S. Has Ample Weapons as Iran War Depletes Stocks - The New York Times

If Zach were to get called there are two ways he would likely not have to go. Possible medical issues and college. This is something else my brother and I talked about. My dad was medically excused when drafted twice for Vietnam because for two years in a row he had ulcers. He also was a college student. My father-in-law had enlisted on his own in the military. I talked about it in the post below from May of 2024. The post is about the classified information that Presidents have but for national security purposes are not made public. The history channel has a TV series called Secrets Declassified hosted by David Duchovny about these very things.  

Home With Mommy: President Biden's Complicated Situation

My brother and I talked about the Vietnam draft. He thought my father-in-law would judge our dad for having not served. But I have talked about it with Josh's parents. They both feel that there is nothing wrong about my dad not serving because he had a legitimate reason both times. He wasn't dodging the draft like Trump did. That is the difference. My dad sometimes feels guilty. Someone else had to go instead. But, again, he had a legitimate reason. No draft should have ever been called in the first place! 

Zach has some medical problems that in the past would have led a doctor to excuse him in a draft situation. But the rules have been loosened in recent years to allow more people to enlist. Would he still be excused? I know that Josh's parents would support Zach getting a medical exemption in drafted because these are real issues and it would be under real circumstances. My brother also pointed out that Zach will be in college and can get a student deferment. But doesn't deferment mean he would still be possibly re-drafted after college? Another loophole! By the time he's done with college we'll have a new president. Even the MAGA extremists are dodging questions about a draft! The next president, no matter the party, will not call a draft and might end any previous draft called. 

With the Selective Services automating registration while we are in an unpopular war, I am far from the only mother worried about this. It's not a good idea to take people who don't want to be there and make them go. They don't have the dedication and drive that those who willingly enlist do. On a battlefield, that could put others in danger. What percentage of American soldiers lost in Vietnam were drafted? I am guessing that number is higher than those who enlisted. 

While my brother and I talked about his concern in 2002, I found myself in the weird position of coming to President George W. Bush's defense. That post on Biden's complicated situation is about his decision to help Israel and the classified situation room information that the public might never have access to. 

With The Iraq war, you know the White House Situation room was used before going to war. We don't know the information those in that room had and the sources they came from. But we know a lot of congress after getting that same information sided with the war if reluctantly. The information was wrong. But we don't know the sources of that information in the first place. 

George W. had to work with the information he had. This was serious for him. Trump is just bored and likes watching the American military blow things up. 13 America soldier have lost their lives in six weeks, and we aren't even boots on the ground yet! Yes, this mama bear is scared and angry. There are a lot of scared and/or angry mama bears heading to the poles this November. Knowing that, what will republicans do? How do you save America? You make sure no draft is called unless the globe faces nuclear annelation! 

Zach ... Undecided

Zach is 16 and a junior in high school. This post is about him and because I know better, he has probably read and approved it by the time you are reading this. I also get his approval before any pictures of him are posted in any post. 

Zach is currently looking at colleges. He has a good SAT score from December and is taking them again in early May. He also has a great GPA. In a lot of ways, his biggest problem is the same that mine was. We are both creative people. Zach loves Photography and Graphic Design and will definitely minor in one of them. But almost no one can make a living in the arts so, he's trying to think of what to do along with them. I recommended business, particularly Marketing. He got an A+ for the class this year and did like it. He is just iffy about it. That recommendation has a story. 

My degree is in Dance. When I was a sophomore in high school I tried to think about what I wanted to do for a living. I liked kids and I thought dance was the only thing I was sort of good at even though it seemed like everyone else was better at that too. In case you can't tell, I had about zero self-esteem in high school. My first real non-babysitting job was with a YMCA after school program in town as a Counselor and I loved it. 

I got into my first-choice college in September of my senior year and majored in Dance and Education. But the program changed in my second year so, I transferred to a school closer to home. I also got into all three schools I applied to at the time. To make Dance a major at my new school I had to link it with something else. I linked it to Education and Management. 

I connected with my management teacher right away and in one class, Ethical Life, had to volunteer as an After-school Counselor. It's when I decided I wanted to be a teacher but, I continued my dance degree and got certified to teach through Alternate Route. I made Management my minor and dropped education. 

So, how does someone who wants to be a classroom teacher graduate college with a degree in Dance and a minor in Management but not Education? I had already taken core Education classes. Enough to pass the PRAXIS by 25 points. The PRAXIS is the test you take to get a teacher certification. Most Education majors pass it by less than that or have to take it multiple times. My college was in Pennsylvania and so my plan was to get a master's degree in education in NJ. But I was also planning my wedding so, I never did go to graduate school. But I am certified to teach Preschool - 5th grade and was a tutor at a local Sylvan Learning Center for years. 

I forget the timing and order those decisions. One influence was that there were four dance teams you had to try out for and I didn't get into any of them. Stage fright will do that to you. I also am just not that flexible. That's when I decided to teach in a classroom. I did have a dance teacher talk to me. She was worried about me when I announced my decision to not peruse dance as a career. That's why I told Zach to see what happens in college. Your experiences with your professors shape your life, and not always in the way you think they will. 

Throughout my time at this other college, I connected with other business professors and liked my classes. I did have to take Macroeconomics as a summer course at a nearby college because I had taken it online and wanted a better grade. That turned out to be fortuitous. The school I took Macro in over the summer was the same school Zach visited last weekend. He looked at their business department. Possibly the very classroom I took that class in. 

My advice to him before that visit was to start college undecided. Take the general education requirements and see if there is a subject or teacher you connect with. Then you can explore majors and careers that will mix his creative side and his practical side. He thought about his current teachers and was more solid on the Photography or Graphic Design minor. That's also when he told me he would take a closer look at the business department on the tour. 

He might do something different than business along with his visual arts minor. But I talk about my management classes because I think it will help. The New York Times had an article in early February (2026) on the possible new Disney CEO. That was the person who later got the job. He started out majoring in sculpture, wanted to actually make a living, and transferred and switched to Marketing. I sent that article to a list of people including Zach and his Guidance Counselor. Zach had heard some stories about negative experiences working in Marketing and this was a positive story. It also was an outside link showing how other creative people choose to make a living through business. I actually always thought Management would be a better focus than Marketing for him, but he shut that idea down a while ago. 

The main thing I told him about these visits is to make sure he likes the school, campus, and can probably find a major in their offerings. At the bare bones basics we hope he won't have to transfer like I did. He needs to make these decisions for himself. But they are very hard and very important decisions to make. What career will fit his personality and needs, even when they conflict? 

Right now, Zach is undecided. Even when he was much younger our rules for a decision were that it had to be safe, legal, and age appropriate. I don't know how many jobs that crosses off the list but it's a good start. He's just so intelligent. Because of that, he has a lot of choices, and I hope he reaches his potential. 

Our Founding Mothers and Slaves

 I am a big fan of history. American history is messy, rich, and short and sweet at 250 years. But there is so much from the time of our founding never documented. Especially about the wives and key slaves of our founding fathers. Wives have always held influence over their husbands, even if they aren't given credit. Some slaves became close confidants of our founding fathers. There is no documentation on what they did. But here are my theories. 

George Washington was so devoted to England. But he was not treated as an equal. Having been ignored and overlooked too many times is what drew him to join the continental congress. It's what drew him to lead us in the Revolutionary War and it's what made him want to be a part of molding the country we were to become. 

He never wanted political parties. You can even say Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton caused the problems we have today by creating parties. George Washington wanted Presidents to be elected by who they are and what they believe, not be party. If we had stuck to Washington's vision, we would be in a better place. He was guided by the basic question of "what is right? What is best for the majority?" But we wouldn't be there without the two people who influenced his thinking most. Martha Washington and his slave/valet Billy. 

Yes, he was a slave owner. I want to make this very clearly that slavery should never have been a thing in the first place. Washington was conflicted about slavery but, we were too new a nation to do something about it right away. The southern economy needed slaves to work. There never would have been enough support to even fight for freedom in the first place if they tried to end slavery when the country was being formed. It was an impossible question. How do the rich southerners stay rich without slaves? There was no answer at that point in time. This made the Civil War necessary but, we would still be second class citizens paying England to ignore and abuse us if we tried to end slavery in the beginning. Again, we don't get the support we need to become America if at that point in time we tried to end slavery. They wouldn't have motivation to fight England if we tried to take away their wealth. That mentality for formed the second the first slave arrived in America. That mentality carries with the southern racists of today.

In that time, a kid in a well-off southern family got a slave kid to serve them. Billy was given to George Washington. Throughout Washington's travels through battles, Billy was there. Washington trusted Billy. I suspect he asked Billy for advice when he was struggling with hard decisions. Billy knew him best and probably helped keep him pushing. Kept reminding George why they were in this. Billy was there so, he was able to help on a "I see it myself" level. Upon Washington's death, Billy was freed. Billy had been treated well by George when serving. We may have surrendered or lost the war if Billy wasn't there supporting George Washington when he was needed most. But we will never know. 

As for Martha Washington? A lot is made of those seven years George was at war. I saw a History Channel special on George Washington, and it said Martha visited him every weekend she could. Upon his death she burned their letters at his request. It is unknown if they loved each other. But I think they did. Do you really think she just arrived on base and did nothing? She too supported him, kept him fighting, and possibly even used her female mind to suggest battle plans the male mind might not have considered. Women and men do have a different approach to things. She was a mother to the troops and brave. How much of our success can be attributed to her? Betsy Ross may have sewn a flag. Sewing is what women of that time were supposed to do. But Martha was strong and intelligent! She will never be given credit for the role she played in keeping the fight alive until victory! But this country is not possible without her encouragement and advice with George needed it most. 

Martha Washington wasn't the only Martha helping our nation along. Martha Jefferson made Thomas Jefferson into someone else. When watching the History Channel special on Thomas Jefferson I kept thinking, "Thomas Jefferson was hypocrisy in human form!" His writings differed from his actions pretty much always. All of his best writing was done by him in Monticello...where Martha was. 

When I mentioned that at Thanksgiving some of the men said, "he plagiarized the Declaration of Independence". So, the idea that great ideas could come from a woman of that time was brushed off as "that can't be true". It wasn't fully plagiarized, and Jefferson wrote many more things that were not plagiarized at Monticello with Martha around. How else do you explain his writing being so contradictory to his actions? 

She wasn't even the only woman he turned to! Sally Hemings was the known slave/mistress of Thomas Jefferson. Long after his wife died, he was an ambassador to France. We could not have won the Revolutionary War without our ally, the French. That last battle in particular made France important to America. Sally brought his younger daughter to him in France. While she was there, their sexual relationship started. I have my theories on that too. 

Missing his wife's guidance, Sally was the only woman there. She was his wife's half-sister. His father-in-law also fathered a bunch of kids with a slave. When he died, that slave and their kids came to Monticello. They were all given what was considered cozy positions in the house including Sally. 

I suspect he turned to Sally as he used to turn to his wife. Only after that did the sexual relationship start. She got a room close to his at Monticello when they were home. I thought it was cruel that she wasn't at least freed upon his death. His only living daughter did free her after he died though. But, after all she endured, why didn't he free her? I think because he thought of her as his wife. There may have not been vows spoken. But you don't free a wife. He needed her. She filled the role Martha Jefferson had filled. She kept his written words great. 

These are two examples of founding fathers whose greatness would never have happened if it wasn't for the wives and slaves who will never get credit for the parts they played. How many other founding fathers have similar stories? How many other wives and close slaves do we owe gratitude to?

I think slave owners of that time were like bosses of today. Some were the dominate and abusive type seen in Roots. These are the bosses of today against unions, paid time off, fair pay in general, you get the idea. But I also think there were the slave owners who didn't pay their slaves but didn't harm their either. With George Washington when he learned a steward was abusing slaves, he fired the steward. He was more abusing to soldiers that abandoned the fight then he was to his slaves. The worst he did was use some slave teeth in his dentures. We don't know the complete story on how that came to be though. If there was a better way to restructure the southern economy, he would have done it. Perhaps Mary Todd Lincoln contributed to helping Abraham Lincoln with this issue decades later. 

                                                                    Martha Washington

I Speak English, Yo Hablo Español, Parlo Italiano

 Sometimes I have talked about my Great-Grandfather. He was Joe DiMaggio's tailor. Joe DiMaggio was known as a star Yankee player and for his fashion style. I get complimented on my taste a lot so, I credit Rocco's genes. But I didn't know much about my Great-Grandmother, Adeline. So, I asked my dad. They are my mom's grandparent's but, she died in February of 2024 so, asking her was not an option. 

My dad met Adeline twice. At my parent's wedding and she came to their first house for dinner once. In a previous post I talked about it. Rocco came to America from Italy when he was 17. The deal was he would marry Adeline and learn his father-in-law's trade. Adeline's chauvinist of a dad needed someone to pass the business down to. It wasn't a love match but, they had lots of kids so, they clearly enjoyed each other sometimes. On Rocco's deathbed he told Adeline he loved her for the first time. She called him a bastard and walked out. But the more stories I hear, the more I think they grew to love each other and just never actually said it. She was used to chauvinistic men and chauvinistic men don't share their feelings so, I think that was what took her off guard. Rocco clearly softened through time in America. When his own sons did not want to be tailors, he got them a trucking company. 

My dad said that Adeline hardly knew any English so, he didn't really know what to say to her. This never added up for me. My mom and her family lived with Rocco and Adeline for many years. I never remember my mom or grandma speaking Italian. Who ALSO lived with them for years? My mom's younger brother. So, I texted my uncle who lived with them until he was 8 years old. 

He said that the grandkids were strongly encouraged to speak English. Rocco, being in business, must have seen that this is the strongest path to success. My grandma spoke both English and Italian and apparently was the one writing to family in Italy. My mom didn't speak Italian but, mostly understood it because she knew Latin and French. 

I asked my uncle if Adeline's Dad knew Rocco's Dad from Italy. Yes, the families knew each other before so, the conversation in letters was probably along the lines of "hey, your son is about my daughter's age, does he want a future in America? He just has to marry Adeline, and I'll teach him to be a tailor". I also suspect the reason for this is because Adeline didn't have any brothers. It does make me wonder if I still have family in Italy. 

As I think about Rocco's story, I believe he came in what history calls the First Immigration, I think about all the racial profiling today. These days a browned skin person could get arrested and detained even if they are a law-abiding legal citizen just for speaking Spanish. Rocco saw back then what some Latinos are seeing now, in America you can remove barriers to success by speaking English. 

I am in agreement that immigrant criminals and illegally entered immigrants should be deported. But things go too far. People here legally and citizens are getting arrested and detained even when criminal activity is absent. Their lives are affected for doing nothing wrong. Because speaking Spanish is completely legal. 

Adeline clearly knew more English than she let my dad know about. My uncle said he would always tell her "I don't understand you, I don't speak Italian". Meaning she felt more comfortable with Italian but could speak enough English to communicate with her grandkids. How many Spanish speaking people are in her situation? We can't forget that most of us in America have ancestors that at one time were in the same situation as those today who speak English as a second language and not a primary language. 

I am doing Duolingo in 4 languages and have been for over a year:

Spanish - because I took 6 classes in it through the years so why not, it's important and I use it

Mandarin - Zach has taken it for 10 years and does it in Duo so it's a challenge and good bonding

French - Between Ballet and "pourquoi" being my first word, it makes sense. It's harder than you'd think

Italian - Ancestry, it's easy because of how much link Spanish it is. 

I say, embrace the multi-lingual! 

So, Who's The Democratic Leader? Trick Question.

The Democratic party currently does not have a leader. That's a good thing. Before I elaborate, I'll address the "wish list" of democrats that if any were worthy of being the leader the list wouldn't exist. But I have a "wish list" of my own. 

Current candidate "wish they had an open primary so this person could have run in 2024" list:

1. What about Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Shumer? Are you serious? He's too old for it, too established to bring the fresh ideas we need. We actually need to replace him as leader with Sen. Klobuchar. 

2. What about Rep. Hakeem Jefferies? We need him for speaker! He's a great person to go to for ideas on who should lead the party. But he is where he belongs, where we need him to be. 

3. What about Gavin Newsome and AOC? Have you seen how many registered democrats fled that party since 2020? That's the year we started catering to progressives like them. It's outright stupid to put the party in the hands of the very people chasing voters away! 

4. What about sensible moderates like Josh Shapiro, Andy Bashir, Gretchen Whitmer, Amy Klobuchar, and Pete Buttigieg? I generally like this list. Amy should be our new senate leader. But if any of them were the answer, we wouldn't still be looking for a leader. 

That brings me to my wish list:

1. We need someone between the ages of 40 and 60. Experienced enough to have seen and learned a lot, young enough to understand a larger swath of the country (kids as parents, adults as themselves, and seniors through their own parents)

2. We need someone focused on the issues that everyone faces. Look at the rising prices of things people need to buy to live, not the stock market or the GDP. You lose touch with voters when you are crunching those numbers instead of the same numbers they are crunching when doing a regular household budget. 

3. Someone who has a long list of what needs changing and a surgical approach to how to change it. The system that has worked since the 1940s doesn't work anymore. We need someone who will fix it, add to it, take away what is no longer needed, and isn't afraid to redefine how we think (like FDR did). 

4. A moderate that will listen to everyone and not minimize that legitimate concerns of everyone. The anti-everything and everyone part is noise, what are the real anxieties?

5. Someone who will change how the party thinks, change what our platform is. We need a new platform. We need new things to focus on and new ways to solve problems. We need someone who is strong and charismatic enough to be a proud democrat that is not in the most current mold of a democrat. 

Here are my top two choices:

Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona

and

Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey

Both were originally in the house in the class of 2018. Sen. Gallego won in Arizona when Kamala lost by doing exactly what my wish list was. His people felt heard and understood. He did what we need to be able to do to get control again. He has ideas worth taking seriously. 

I have been following Andy Kim since that 2018 election. Being in my state, he flipped a red district no one thought could be flipped. The one democrat in that election we were less sure of. He did that, and continues to win, by doing what my wish list is. There is a picture of him cleaning up the capitol on the day after the Jan 6th insurrection. THIS is the leader the party needs! 

President Biden filled his cabinet and advisors with social diversity. Progressives loved it. Voters did not vote on their social standing they voted on their views. The next democratic president needs to fill their cabinet and advisors with location diversity. Represent as many states as possible among those who advise you. Because that is how you understand Ameria.