Happy Tax Day in the United States! Why is it important that we pay taxes? I’m not for wasteful spending, but we need to elect people that line up with our values and do not want to take away our rights.
Category: politics
Did something shift?
Heather Cox Richardson thinks something shifted this week with the president threatening to destroy an entire civilization. I want peace so bad along with mature adults to be in charge of our country that I will hold some hope that at least one of these awful wars will end soon. Somehow, we need real leadership!
Peace on Earth!
Peace and Hope
I start with Bruce Springsteen, me trying to be positive and hopeful.
“Good evening, Los Angeles,” he said. “Welcome to the Land of Hope and Dreams tour. We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas. We pray for their safe return.
“The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock and roll in dangerous times. We are here in celebration and defense of our American ideals, democracy, our Constitution, and our sacred American promise. The America I love, the America that I’ve written about for 50 years, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration,” he said.
“Tonight we ask all of you to join with us in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unrivaled corruption, resistance over complacency, truth over lies, unity over division, and peace over war.”
Below is from Heather Cox Richardson:
It feels like something shifted in the United States this week after President Donald J. Trump threatened on Tuesday that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” As professor of human rights, global affairs, and philosophy Mathias Risse of Harvard University’s Kennedy School noted, the Geneva Conventions prohibit “acts or threats of violence whose primary purpose is to terrorize civilians.” He notes that Trump’s threat terrorized 90 million Iranians by threatening them with genocide.
Trump has continued to struggle to assert his power over Iran since Tuesday, and has continued to fail. Yesterday former secretary of state John Kerry told Jen Psaki of The Briefing that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and George W. Bush to strike Iran, and they all refused him. Only Trump was willing to go along.
But negotiations have been rocky all along, and today Trump warned that if Iran didn’t come to a peace deal, the U.S. would launch even deadlier attacks. “We have a reset going,” Trump told the New York Post. At 9:31 this morning, Trump’s social media account posted: “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!! PRESIDENT DJT.” At 12:27, Trump vented some of his apparent frustration that the Iranians have been trolling him, posting: “The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and ‘Public Relations,’ than they are at fighting!” A minute later, he posted: “The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”
Trump continues to try to shore up the international right-wing authoritarian project even as people are turning against it. Today he threw the economic might of the United States of America behind Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, who gutted Hungary’s democracy and turned the country into an authoritarian state. Orbán is deeply underwater ahead of the April 12 parliamentary elections in Hungary. Vice President J.D. Vance has been in Hungary to support Orbán, and today Trump posted: “My Administration stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it. We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued Leadership! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
A recently revealed transcript of an October 2025 phone call between Orbán and Russian president Vladimir Putin shows Orbán promising to be a “mouse” aiding the “lion” Putin, telling the Russian leader: “In any matter where I can be of assistance, I am at your service.” Tonight Hungarians filled the streets to protest Orbán, chanting “Russians, go home.”
Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal reported today that Trump has repeatedly promised to pardon his top officials before he leaves office and that he brings up the subject frequently. In a recent meeting, he said: “I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval [Office].” In response to a request for comment by Meredith Kile of People magazine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The Wall Street Journal should learn to take a joke; however, the President’s pardon power is absolute.”
But Tuesday has given momentum to those trying to rein Trump in. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top-ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, made a record of Trump’s recent bizarre behavior in a letter today to the president’s personal physician, Captain Sean P. Barbabella.
Raskin noted that “[e]xperts have repeatedly warned that the President has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline. And, in recent days, the country has watched President Trump’s public statements and outbursts turn increasingly incoherent, volatile, profane, deranged, and threatening.” Raskin recounted Trump’s wild social media posts and weird performance at the White House Easter egg roll, what the congressman called “a bizarre display that shocked tens of millions of Americans and astonished observers across the political spectrum.”
Raskin wrote that Trump’s “apparently deteriorating condition has caused tremendous alarm across the nation (and political spectrum) about the President’s cognitive function and continuing mental fitness for the office of President, and prompted concerns about the President’s well-being.”
Raskin asked the White House physician to “[c]onduct a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of the President, including a formal cognitive screening instrument, and publicly release the results; [p]rovide a detailed report on the President’s current mental and physical health status, including any medications he is currently taking and their potential cognitive side effects; and [m]ake yourself available for a briefing, under oath, with Members of the Committee on the results of this assessment.”
Former secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg said on Morning Joe today that the gradual destruction of the United States under Trump changed suddenly on Tuesday. “For the leader of the free world, the leader of this country, to just make a nakedly genocidal threat against another civilization, as if the United States of America was a death star that was going around blowing up civilizations, of course that crosses a new line, and, of course, that’s a new low,” he said.
Buttigieg continued: “I think the really important thing to remember is that the effects of that kind of thing will outlive Donald Trump long after he has departed the scene, the collapse in trust, not just affection for the United States, but trust in the United States, and it’s very important that not just allies but, frankly, also adversaries that we’re negotiating with when we’re making a peace deal or some other kind of deal, that they have a level of trust that there is stability in the United States.”
Those trying to write off Trump’s threat as bluster or just Trump being Trump were missing the point, he said. “[T]he reality is that the whole country is being judged. Even though most Americans don’t support him anyway. The whole country is being judged just for tolerating that kind of thing at the White House.”
The pushback against Trump is spreading across the United States. Jess Craven of Chop Wood, Carry Water today called out rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen’s opening last night at his concert in Los Angeles:
“Good evening, Los Angeles,” he said. “Welcome to the Land of Hope and Dreams tour. We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas. We pray for their safe return.
“The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock and roll in dangerous times. We are here in celebration and defense of our American ideals, democracy, our Constitution, and our sacred American promise. The America I love, the America that I’ve written about for 50 years, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration,” he said.
“Tonight we ask all of you to join with us in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unrivaled corruption, resistance over complacency, truth over lies, unity over division, and peace over war.”
—
World Health Day
April 7
Let’s work to make the world healthier and safer instead of destroying it!
Today is World Health Day in recognition that the world needs to work together for world health. this years theme is to stand with science.
On World Health Day a world leader is calling to bomb Iran to destruction. What nut case would call for destroying a whole society and culture. These are real people. They are kind and intelligent people. I was there the last time Trump was president. The citizens were so friendly and wanted to talk to the outside world. They agreed that the United States and Iran had terrible governments, but they said we both have good people.
People I met in Iran
I hope the military powers will say NO to such stupidity.
Instead of sending bombs and insults lets work for world health and world peace.
World Health Day 2026: Together for health. Stand with science
World Health Day 2026, observed on April 7, will focus on the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” This year’s campaign aims to renew the commitment to science as the foundation for better health. It highlights the transformative impact of scientific progress and international collaboration on global health. The campaign encourages people everywhere to support and trust science, as it is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are calling on people to renew their commitment to science, which is essential for addressing health threats and safeguarding the health of future generations. The campaign also emphasizes the importance of scientific research and collaboration in tackling global health challenges.
April
Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we have ever known! Carl Sagan
Can’t wait to see the first butterfly. This is the mourning cloak, usually the earliest butterfly
Be kind to our Earth and to all people and all life!
Yay, April, the best month of the year. It is a month of Hope and Joy. It is Earth Month, calling us to action to protect our Earth. It is native plant month and Arbor Day and Earth Day. It is a month to watch for migrating birds, clean up our yard and finally ride our bikes. April is a month to spend outside!
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’. This theme is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference where we live and work.
Unfortunately, my country is at war. We need to be concerned and speak out against killing people, wasting money, and harming our earth, but we can’t allow a few silly men to destroy our joy.
More than ever we all need to make a difference. ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ is Earth Days’s theme, get put there and make a difference.
Every day I spend time outside; I look for new spring happenings, I look for new buds, new birds, new sounds, and new life. I focus on what is joyful and good and spend time with good people. I work daily on reducing the plastic we use in our home, we drive minimally, clean storm drains, and strive for creating zero waste.
What is good today? The New York Times has a new, “Look for the Good newsletter sign up to get next week’s sent to your inbox.
Important: The Earth is not merely a resource to be exploited; it is sacred ground, our shared home. What we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves and to all of those who come after us. What exactly do religions teach us about Earth Stewardship? 
Read more: 
https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/…/sacred…
Be kind, be safe and enjoy your time outside. And remember, what is good? PEACE on EARTH
World Happiness Day
“I have the power yo make me happy or unhappy. I can choose what it will be!” Dalia Lama
These are the results of this year’s World Happiness survey. The United States fell to 24th behind Saudia Arabia.
| This year’s findings include:The Nordic countries retain the top spots in the world happiness rankings, Finland is No.1 (again!), followed by Iceland then Denmark; Costa Rica has jumped to 4th place. Young people’s happiness is falling in English-speaking countries. In places like North America and Western Europe, young people are significantly less happy than 15 years ago, unlike most of the world, where youth wellbeing has improved. Heavy social media use is linked to lower wellbeing. On average, those who use social media for longer periods report lower life satisfaction than light users. Not all screen time is equal. Activities like messaging, learning, and creating content are linked to higher wellbeing, while passive scrolling, gaming, and “browsing for fun” are linked to lower wellbeing. How social media is designed really matters. Platforms that encourage connection tend to support happiness, while those driven by algorithms, influencers, and comparison tend to harm it Many people feel ‘trapped’ using social media. A lot of users say they’d actually prefer social media didn’t exist, but they keep using it because everyone else does. Connection in real life matters far more. Feeling a sense of belonging (e.g. at school or in community) has a much bigger impact on happiness than reducing social media use alone. |
| The research is clear – we need to prioritise connection and community over scrolling and disconnection. |
Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair
If you’re coming to Minnesota, wears some flowers in your hair!
An English family, the Marsh Family, wrote a song for Minnesota. See them sing below. Thank you for the support. People living in Minnesota are being attacked by their own government. The number one job of government is to keep people safe. What is going on?
Watch the Marsh Family here:
ICE Out Minneapolis
Federal Agents Not Allowed On This Property
Our American government has created chaos and fear in Minneapolis and some parts of greater Minnesota. People living in the United States of America are disappearing.
My city is under seige from our own federal government. Our immigrants and people and children that aren’t white have gone into hiding. Last week students at one Minneapolis high school were pepper sprayed. Safety mandated our children not attend school, walk on the street or go to playgrounds. Many helpers are delivering food to families confined to their homes. Many helpers are also monitoring minority business and neighborhoods. doing what they can to keep everyone safe.
Below link is from MinnPost
A city’s limit (From the New York Times)
Minneapolis is on a knife’s edge. One week after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good, aggressive arrests have enraged residents. The Trump administration has redoubled its effort to deport illegal immigrants, sending officers into residential neighborhoods and the parking lots of big-box stores in search of people to grab. They’ve also detained — and roughed up — several U.S. citizens, and social media is awash in viral videos of the confrontations.
Meanwhile, activists have sought to observe, document or impede the agents, Julie Bosman reports. On WhatsApp, neighbors watch out for immigration officers and run from their homes to shout at them. “It feels like our community is under siege by our own federal government,” State Representative Michael Howard, a Democrat, told The Times.
The encounters can be terrifying. My colleagues verified images circulating this week that show agents tackling a man at a gas station and shoving Elliott Payne, the president of the City Council. Payne told my colleagues that there were federal agents equipped with assault rifles and combat gear patrolling the streets, repeatedly unholstering their handguns. “It feels like a military occupation,” he said.
Some of the stops go beyond ordinary law enforcement. In a few of the run-ins, you can feel the animosity building between federal officers and citizens they serve. One man The Times spoke to said he was glad that there were other people around to film his encounter with federal agents, which occurred after they rammed their car into his, forcing him to a stop.
He said he believed the presence of people with cameras had helped lead the agents to let him go. But as the crowd grew — the crowds always seem to grow now — and began to yell at the officers, he worried that the situation could tip over into something darker, something violent. “It makes them act different. NYT
Start From Where you Are!
Yes, we all can make a difference. Small changes can lead to big changes.
A great thought for the day. How can we have more control? The world can be a discouraging place. Especially when we have elected officials that are taking us in the wrong direction and wasting taxpayer dollars. The only thing we have control of is our own behavior, and instead of being angry we can use that energy to make a positive difference. Below are some ways you can make a positive impact without much effort. Good Luck. Below is from the Carbon Almanac:
When countries and companies lessen their commitment to targets and activities for climate change, it can be disheartening as systemic change is critical for big impact. If you feel powerless to influence systemic change, you can start where you are.
Some ideas of how to start:
- Start by having a conversation with friends
- Start by taking one less trip in a combustion engine vehicle
- Start by shopping at a thrift store
- Start by buying produce that is not wrapped in plastic
- Start by bringing a reusable mug to your favourite cafe
- Start by finding a local environmental group
And my list to get you started:
*Always carry reusable shopping bags
*Never idle the engine of your car
*Write letters to elected officials and newspapers expressing your opinion (positive and negative)
*Plant a native plant or a native tree
*Listen, smile and be kind
The key is to start (or keep) taking action. One action can lead to another and then another. And by sharing what you are doing, you can inspire others to join.
Sun Day/Peace
A Tribute to The International Day of Peace. Please Live Peace, Be Peace, Push Peace, Vote for Peace and Meditate or pray for Peace. These wars in Ukraine and Gaza just can’t continue!
Last night I had the Strangest Dreem by Ed McCurdy
Last night I had the strangest dream
I ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war
I dreamed I saw a mighty room
The room was filled with men
And the paper they were signing said
They’d never fight again
And when the papers all were signed
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads
And grateful prayers were prayed
And the people in the streets below
Were dancing round and round
And guns and swords and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground
Last night I had the strangest dream
I ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war
Sun Day
Sun Day is a day of action on September 21, 2025, celebrating solar and wind power, and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. Solar energy is now the cheapest source of power on the planet – and gives us a chance to actually do something about the climate crisis. But fossil fuel billionaires are doing everything they can to shut it down. We will build, rally, sing, and come together in the communities that we need to get laws changed and work done.
Earth Overshoot
| On July 24, we had used all the resources that the Earth can generate in a year. We are using more resources than we can replace, or living on borrowed time. The day we want to reach is December 31. |
How can we use ;ess resources
From the Carbon Almanac. On July 24 we hit Earth Overshoot Day for 2025. Earth Overshoot Day is noted every year and the date is announced on World Environment Day. It marks the day when “humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services … exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year”. Global Footprint Network, a research organization focused on the operation of the human economy within the Earth’s ecological limits, hosts and calculates when Earth Overshoot Day will occur, with this year showing that humanity is using the planet’s resources 80% faster than ecosystems can regenerate. July 24 is the earliest in the year that Earth Overshoot Day has fallen, with past dates going back to 1971. In those 54 years, humanity reached its overshoot day on December 31 once, in 1972.
Calculations for overshoot day are based on the National Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts, and this year’s calculations revealed that due to the ocean’s reduced capacity to store carbon, an increase in per capita Footprint and a reduced per capita biocapacity, Earth Overshoot Day fell eight days earlier than it did in 2024. In addition to Earth Overshoot Day, Country Overshoot Days are also calculated each year, seen here. These dates represent when the planet’s ecological resource budget would be used up if every place on Earth consumed at the same level as residents in that particular country.
Credit: Global Footprint Network 2025, www.overshootday.org and www.footprintnetwork.org.
A campaign working to reduce the strain on the Earth’s resources and bring humanity’s consumption into better balance is #MoveTheDate. The goal is to move the date of Earth Overshoot Day to December 31 or later every year, ensuring that the resources taken from the planet can be sustainability regenerated by the ecosystems. Solutions range across five major areas: planet, cities, energy, food and population. This solutions map tracks solutions being implemented across the world. Check it out to see if there are any near you.
Visit the Earth Overshoot Day website to learn more about how it is calculated, as well as the economic and ecological implications of humanity’s continued overuse of resources.
My Five things you can do:
Strive for zero waste–Reuse, Reuse, Reuse and Refuse!
Drive Less
Reduce your plastic footprint–No single use plastic!
Plant native plants and raingardens without chemicals!
Don’t waste food.
Health4earth 