Here's the thing (2) . . .

Some days ago I mused about worrying about our country. I tried to put the best face on the current events with which we are currently dealing. But I am having a hard time doing that right now.
The senseless slaughter of Dallas police officers makes me feel deeply sad and discouraged. Their friends and families must feel absolutely devastated. I can see that Dallas' leaders are having a really hard time, also.

The "ambush" as it has come to be known, defies understanding, because it came at the conclusion of a very peaceful demonstration in a city that had made huge strides in effective law enforcement.
Dallas now has another big opportunity to model how to be in community. All who live in Dallas and their neighboring towns must continue to talk honestly and openly to each other, and to us.
We are rich and poor; Black, White, Asian, Muslim and Hispanic; Dallas and Tarrant Counties, Texas and the USA . . . we are all in this together, folks. We must maintain honesty and listen intently. The alternative is a downward spiral of violence and hatred that could put our nation is some serious jeopardy.

From blogging to what?

Like many of my web friends, I rarely blog these days, but I am active on Twitter.  "Follow me at Twitter," is one of my current Internet invitations.

I am also an active curator/editor of my auto-published editions at Paper.li.  Please take a look:

• Keep Up With the Day
• Speaking Up
• Washington DC Today
• Mind Matters Daily
• EARTH & SPACE FOLKS DALY

See you there . . .

Diversity vs. fear of "The Other" in governance

How different are political party attitudes about the idea of diversity in the workplace?  Historically, the Republican party has been a very long way from achieving diversity and inclusiveness. Republicans are living out fear of "the other" in their presidential campaign.  Compare the Republican lineup of "mostly white men," with the Democratic lineup, led in the polls by the first female having a real chance of getting elected.  Democrats in Washington have actually lived out "diversity and inclusion" in the Obama administration.

How diverse is the current Democratic administration led by President Obama?  The effort formally began with the establishment in the President's Office of Personnel Management of a Diversity and Inclusion in Government Council in 2011.  By 2013 Real Clear Politics wrote that the White House was very committed to a diverse cabinet.

How hard did the Democratic administration push for real inclusion up to 2015?  Yesterday, according to Juliet Elperin in the Washington Post, President "Obama has vastly changed the face of the federal bureaucracy."  Diversity initiatives are "baked in" at the cabinet level such as in the Energy Department and the Department of Veteran's Affairs, for example.

What happens when there is genuine commitment to diversity in the federal government workforce?  According to Chron/Small Business, there are some distinct advantages to having a diverse workforce.  There can be increases in productivity and creativity.  Our government's global focus demands a variety of language skills.  Additionally, a positive reputation for diversity enhances the possibility of attracting the best and brightest workers, who choose the government as their employer.

Why do so many Republicans believe that government cannot work?  We ended up with a deeply divided government in Washington, starting in 2013.  That year, the Lee and Low Blog, argued that the U. S. Congress lacked diversity, citing a number of unfortunate reasons.  Republicans took control of the legislative branch of government using gerrymandering, exclusionary voter ID laws, low voter turnout, inadequate campaign finance rules, along with racism and sexism.

What would have to happen for Republicans to elect the next POTUS?  It occurred to me that the Trump phenomenon currently manifesting in the Republican party indicates that achieving voter diversity is not one of their goals.  Contrast among their candidates is not high.  They have one African American, one female, and one Latino. 

What are their chances?  Not good in a general election.  There are far too many diverse voters, the "others" so feared by the Far Right.



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The Future of our Nation Examined Through the Eyes of Twitter

Do you ever worry about the future of our nation?
Re-reading my Twitter/HootSuite 2015 national news threads just now, proved to be alarming for me.

1. Budget War talk started early.
2. Republicans made head-spinning claims as soon as they took over.
3. Legislating under Republicans began with the meaningless Keystone Pipeline bill.
4. My own crazy state of Texas has not disappointed in its heartlessness this year.
5. The Secret Service admitted to having problems with alcohol.

The Republican budget that has just been introduced favors the "One Percent."  It would abandon large swaths of vulnerable people.  Even though they claim credit for an improving economy, Congress will do nothing to fix the essential infrastructure needed to support and continue that healthy economy.  The Keystone Pipeline benefits the Canadian economy.  Texas turns farther towards the extreme right as each month passes.  And we cannot protect the safety of the POTUS.  These realities reinforce my worry about what is happening to the USA in early 2015 .

But there are bright spots that should not be ignored.

• The Daily Beast writes: The Right Warms Up To Climate Change.
• We are understanding more about the brain.  This is Brain Awareness Week.
• Cory Booker continues to post tweets about possibilities.
• Anthony Snowden and Glenn Greenwald are still able to get together,
• Europe remains helpful to Iranian negotiation, even if Republican legislators are not.
• The state of Oregon made voter registration automatic.

Not all Congressional Republicans are stupid or corrupt.  Science continues to prevail.  Truth continues to have its brave apologists. We can count on our centuries old friend, Europe, to have our back.  Some states in the USA are not insane.  And optimists tweet.

 
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