In case you missed yesterday’s news, Georgia broke an all time record for number of people voting on the first day of early voting.  Today was the first day of early voting here in North Carolina, and the local NPR radio station reported that by 10 AM, already more than 27 thousand people had cast their ballots.  One media outlet in the eastern part of the state estimated that by the time polls closed today, almost 900K votes would be cast – about 12.2% of registered voters.

We went and voted around 5:30 PM at one (of only 4 – thanks a lot republicans for cutting our polling sites to the bone!) polling places in Cabarrus County, and one poll worker commented, “We’ve had a steady crowd all day long.”

So my votes are cast for 2026.  And I did something today that I’ve never done before.  For the first time, I voted a straight ticket.  Every Democrat on my ballot got my vote; I could have cared less if I knew them or not.  I knew – beyond any shadow of a doubt, that anyone with an “R” beside their name would not get my vote.

And before anyone accuses me of being a “Dem Sheeple,” let me be clear.  Our nation is in trouble.  Inflation is out of control,fuel prices are out of sight, and America’s moral reputation is in shreds worldwide.  And despite the infantile (and asinine) nonsense that continues pandering to the ignorant and stupid that it’s “All Biden’s fault!” or “It’s those COMMIES!” (Or Muslims, women, Woke, DEI Libs, or whatever cliche’ that’s the flavor of the day…) The GOP and their sociopath-in-chief own this.  They did it with their insane tax cuts to the ultra wealthy, letting an out of control toddler in the White House spend money on tacky gold crap for the Oval Office, or starting wars they have no idea how to manage or finish.  (And I haven’t even mentioned the corruption and stealing, the insider trading and market manipulation that’s making a certain family rich but would see you or me sent to prison!)

So… I voted blue.  Top to bottom.  And hope every single republican up for re-election gets tossed out on their ass.  It’s not blind allegiance to the Democrat party – of which I’m not a part, never have been, and never will be.  It’s the simple recognition that those in charge for the past two years have damn near done more damage to America than can possibly be fixed in our lifetimes.

I hope the Democrats understand that receiving our votes isn’t blind loyalty.  It’s a test.  If they don’t actually deliver on all the things they are promising, we’ll throw them out as well. (I really – REALLY – hope you are listening Mr. Jeffries or Ms. Harris.)  But let’s face it, America is in one hell of a mess.  And since January of 2024 only one political party is responsible.  It’s long past time that anyone can get away with the sophistic and stupid “Blame Biden.”  (Or even worse, “Blame Obama!” – almost ten years after he was in office!)  My vote is my response to that reality.

Oh, by the way?  I know – beyond any shadow of a doubt – that there’s no way, no how, my thoughts will actually change any minds of those 27% of registered voters who are totally, firmly in the MAGA universe.  Like he himself once said, they’d vote for Trump even if he stood in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York and shot someone.  In regard to these “true blue Trumpkins?”  Nothing will change their minds and I’m not going to waste any effort in trying.  It is what it is with them and it’s long past time for the rest of us to simply move on.

But for the 90 million Americans that did not vote in the last election?  I hope some of you were among those record shattering crowds voting yesterday and today.  I also hope the rest of you know how important your vote matters this year.  I believe that our nation’s literal future depends on it.  So please folks:  Get up off the couch and get your asses to the polls.  The image below (which lives on the rear window of every vehicle we own) says it all.

First and foremost:  I’m glad the Tennessee Vols won today’s game with Auburn.  While they still have a long way to go – especially on offense – they are looking better than many thought they would look this year.

But dear God, WHO made the decision to put these God-awful ugly “X” helmets on the team today?  The tacky gray uniforms are bad enough, but putting an orange “X” in stead of the traditional “power T” on the helmets?  What the hell are they thinking?

And that goofy looking “UT” on the fifty yard line is just as bad!  General Neyland is turning over in his grave.  Doing something this ugly?  It’s embarrassing.

UK, France and Canada sanction Israeli settlements in West Bank as Britain accuses settlers of ‘ethnic cleansing’

I haven’t had a chance to post about this while traveling up to Acadia National Park this week.  But Canada, the United Kingdom, and France issued blanket sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.  Any and all goods, services, and contracts are now forbidden if they stem from these settlements that continue being developed on stolen Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

CNN has a great article on it HERE:

UK, France and Canada sanction Israeli settlements in West Bank as Britain accuses settlers of ‘ethnic cleansing

I keep wondering:  Will our leaders here in the U. S. show this same kind of courage?  Or will they continue kowtowing to Trump, Netanyahu, and the likes of AIPAC?  All while Palestinians continue having their homes destroyed, their land stolen, and in far too many cases… dying?  Isn’t it past time to grow a set of balls America?

On a solemn day like today – oddly enough with the weather around New York very much like it was on September 11, 2001 (I’m in New Haven, Connecticut as I write this) – every single living President of the United States has been in attendance at the solemn ceremonies in New York City at Ground Zero… except one.  And that miserable excuse of a President can’t even stay awake while attending a ceremony at the Pentagon.

But the MAGA universe continues to buy this guy’s lies about how he was actually THERE at Ground Zero – had to be pulled away – is a hero and patriot just like all the BS images he gets Natalie to post in the middle of the night.

And their “proof?” That’s being posted non-stop over on Facebook?  (Even by my own brother, who actually should know better.)  This photo below.They don’t let facts dissuade their unwavering belief in their Maga Cult leader – like the little fact that this pic was taken on top of Trump Tower, up on 5th avenue, looking east out over the East River – and didn’t happen anywhere close to the actual day of 9/11.  (When Trump was safely tucked away at Bedminster playing golf.)

It’s true… MAGA(t)s – including my own brother – are among some of the damn dumbest, smart people I’ve ever come across.

File this in the “WTF” folder…

Have our friends and family in Germany lost their ever loving minds?  That these far right nutcases are actually gaining enough power to influence the entire country?

I always thought Germans were more intelligent than this.  (Or at the very least, they had memories clear enough to remember their mistakes from the 1930s)  Which truly poses a question I’ll need to ask my brother-in-law or sister-in-law:  Is the MAGA insanity that’s affected 30% of Americans contagious?  Has it found a way – like a virus hitching a ride on an airplane – to infect Europe?

I used to say “God help America.”  If this continues, it might become “God help the entire world…”  Since it appears we are losing our F/N minds.

AP News ran an article today, quoting Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.  He said in a discussion with Rom Braslavski, one of the former Gaza-held hostages, “I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night. Not just those who pose an immediate threat — there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people.”

That certainly jibes with what we heard last week by Palestinian presenters at the “Christianity Without Christian Zionism” conference in Louisville, KY.  The Jewish settler mantra towards Palestinians while they force them out of their homes and steal their land – “REMOVE… then ERASE…” certainly agrees with such a callous and brutal thought like Gvir’s.

And it raises a really important question:  Why do we – as we hear news like this coming from Gaza and the occupied West Bank – why do we find all kinds of mental gymnastics to excuse, mollify, or even condone such violence?  Why are so many American Christians – almost all involved in the evangelical / fundamentalist protestant churches in conservative areas of our country – willing to support Jewish organizations that seem to believe, as a matter of course, that violence or murder of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ is somehow a righteous mindset, blessed by God himself?

It’s as if Matthew 25 no longer exists in the King James Bibles these people read.  (They certainly have forgotten Paul’s words in Romans 10:12 and Galatians 3:28 – otherwise they could never condone statements like one Baptist’s pastor’s nonchalant comment to the youth in his church when he said, “The Jews are better than us.  You need to understand that and just get used to the idea.”)

How is it possible we condemn other cultures as barbaric and terrorists when they prove they are willing to fight for their beliefs (either right or wrong; either valid or non-valid).  But we can still pump BILLIONS of dollars worth of aid to a nation whose leaders clearly state their desire to murder others who have as much right to their land as anyone else?  (More so than Jewish settlers who use God as their excuse to steal Palestinian homes!)

Once your eyes are opened to this ongoing tragedy?   To the continuing Genocide that’s happening right before our eyes?  You will begin to see this kind of hatred and barbarism in ever single news cycle.  Every single day… in practically every avenue for information… Benjamin Netanyahu’s barbaric government proves it’s not worthy of a single dime more of United States aid.  Call your Congressman or Congresswoman.  Mail your Senators.  Make your voice heard:  “Not one dime more to Israel. No bombs, no planes, no missiles, no drones… until they get their own house in order and recognize others’ right to life.

I spent a few days processing all the information from the conference in Louisville last week, and some of them are distilled in the video I recorded on top of Roan Mountain in East Tennessee.

I’m in Louisville, KY, at a 2-day conference my church is sponsoring, called “Christianity Without Christian Zionism.”  It’s the first of multiple events that have arisen from our General Assembly’s recent actions, where we as a denomination have been courageous enough to call the Genocide that continues in Gaza and the West Bank exactly what it is – a GENOCIDE.  (Despite the scofflaws in our current administration to the contrary, or the efforts by the MAGA universe, AIPAC and other evangelical entities trying to convince us otherwise.)

Two days of incredible wisdom, shared by some of the best and brightest theological minds we have in our nation.  Some shared by people who are pastors, leaders, teachers and theologians who are Palestinian and working in the occupied areas of Gaza and the West Bank.  Our last Zoom presentation this afternoon was from two people who stayed up late in Bethlehem to share with us what it’s really like to be Christians and Palestinian living in a perpetual state of siege due to the Israeli government’s heavy handed policies.

While there’s a LOT to process – something for which I’m actually glad I have a few days of driving to ponder and think – One thing is already crystal clear.  You can call Christian Zionism a lot of things; a money making scheme, a way to keep the evangelical church linked to Israel in a codependent and enabling (and decidedly unhealthy) relationship, a way to continue persecuting an entire people regardless of their faith or nationality, an actual heresy which some churches and Christians should fall on their knees asking God’s forgiveness for, (Are you listening Robert Jeffress, John Hagee, Mike Pence, and a whole cast of others?)… But you flat out better NOT call Christian Zionism any kind of holy partnership with God whereby Scripture is being fulfilled and Jesus’ return is being hastened!  ‘Cause that isn’t even CLOSE to being true!

One of our presenters told us all today: “Speak the truth!  Call this pernicious heresy out for what it is.  And if people get pissed off by this truth?  So what?”

I think she’s 100% on target. Being anti-Zionist doesn’t mean I’m anti-Semitic.  (But if someone wants to think I am?  Knock yourself out.)