So Let's Be Brave

We sit together. Jane Fonda and JB Pritzger deliver joint addresses for everyone everywhere. Their grasp of this dangerous moment and their abilities to communicate it—their mutual belief in the power of kindness and empathy to both endure and defeat tyranny. Fonda: “We are in our documentary moment. It is not a rehearsal…. So let’s be brave.” Pritzger: “The root that tears apart your house’s foundation begins as a seed…. Seeds of Nazis started with everyday Germans looking for someone to blame.”

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaMarch 14, 2025Fonda, Pritzger, bravery, unity, love, democracy, activismComment

Warming This Winter's Chill

The beauty of human hands. Hearing is believing. His fingers and voice in flight, guitarist Lindsey Buckingham vows that he’s “Never Going Back Again.” Hey now, enough, he reiterates, “been down one time / been down two time.” Haven’t we been down one time, now two times, too? Want to find out what it means to win? “Yeahhhhhhhh.” Stevie Nicks blends her voice with Buckingham’s. Yeah.

hints that springtime nears

democracy calls our names

as we swim birds sing

Tunneling Toward Light

Learn new dance moves. Clear the mind. Take a walk. Hold hands. Have faith in a new generation of leaders. Discover and support winning coalitions. Focus on efforts to reverse the deadend course ahead. light at tunnel’s end - night stars and morning glory - positivity

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaNovember 27, 2024grief, democracy, electionn, hope, coalitionsComment

Chickens Coming Home to Roost

finish line in sight / excitement for the future / keep pushing forward....

nine long trauma years / Kamala Harris rising / joy repairs our hearts

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaOctober 28, 2024elections, vote, democracy, hope, kamalaComment

You, Me, and the DNC

speeches songs poems / DNC plans push forward / haiku trip with me. now 5-7-5 / counting fingers, tap-tap toes / wings for your rhythm.

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaSeptember 1, 2024Kamala Harris, tim walz, democratic national convention, vote, hope, democracyComment

Turning…Twisting…Thanking

Thank you to sweet sifters Andy Barkan and David Hogg. Thank you, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Thank you for the laughter vaccine. Thank you Jimmy Buffett. Thank you, Democracy.

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaNovember 18, 2023Marietta McCartyBarkan, Hogg, Jasmine, Crockett, democracyComment

“I AM THE WALRUS”

Meet Grace Linn. Root for Autumn Peltier. Hail the Tennessee Three. Capping off today, Brad Mehldau makes elegantly simple piano-sense of “I Am the Walrus.” Here’s to playing the keys of life as melodically. Pansies. Us. Melodies-in-the-making.

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaApril 24, 2023beatles, justice, racism, freedom, democracyComment

Looking for the Good

Dawn never flashes her signal on an old day. Thank you, pansy and bluebird pairings. Freshly-squeezed limes. Coffee aromas. Simmering onions. Loosening muscles. missing capital letters, thank you. Thank you, Webb Telescope. Thank you, awaited envelope. Thank you, cracks in everything. Seeing hearts singing, thank you

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaJanuary 27, 2023democracy, gratitude, music, hopeComment

Our National Treasures: Public Libraries

Public libraries. A bedrock of democracy. Essential for healthy democracies and necessary for their survival. Bliss? I’d like to check that out, please. Renew indefinitely? Yes, ho whoa, yes, please.

Blog: From the Philoso...MariettaApril 21, 2022libraries, democracy, books, public service, Leaving 1203Comment

2016 Election Tests Democracy, Me, and You

I’m putting the campaign behind me, hopefully with at least a tincture of the grace and love of country shown by Secretary Clinton and President Obama in their speeches this morning. If she, the winner of the popular vote, asks us to do as she is and “accept the result and look to the future,” then I’m with her. If she believes on this of all mornings that “fighting for what’s right is always worth it,” then game on for me, too. I know she’s right—and that I can work harder for those marginalized by poverty, bigotry, and injustice. If her love of country and commitment to its improvement remain steadfast, who am I to give up and dream of Canadian sunsets? She's also correct that her loss is painful and will be for a long time. But heartsick and staying active and positive can co-exist.

A Positive Election Plan from the Khan Family

Thank you to the Khan Family. You’ve shown the world a compelling generosity of spirit and redefined the meaning of patriotism. You’ve made the US look good and inspired many of its citizens toward active caring. Yes, we can remain positive and hopeful, reach higher and participate actively during election days—in our own lives, within the circumstances that every day brings.

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