My father had a cliche for every occasion of which “principles cost” was one of and in fact, they do. Saturday @ Chicago’s No Kings demonstration found me walking well over a mile- something I haven’t done since Halloween. Our cabbie got mad because of the crowd and refused to take us to our destination, dropping us 5 blocks away.
I’ve demonstrated because of the Vietnam war, to end the draft, for Women’s Rights, against Nixon, Bush, the Muslim ban and Citizens United, Trump 1 and now Trump 2. I’ve demonstrated so long that it wouldn’t feel right not to. I even attended the Chicago Seven Conspiracy Trial.
How’s that for liberal cred?
Democracy thrives with our active participation. It’s not passive and takes effort to maintain, something new to most younger Americans. So there was no doubt we were going. Unfortunately, my leg has been fucked up since Halloween so I’ve had to cut out pretty much everything that entails walking over a block.
“Can’t you take us to where we agreed to/paid for?”
“I’m not going any further.”
“I’ve got a bad back and it’s hard for me to walk.”
“I’m not going any further, sorry.”
So we got out and walked because, well I feel the above is true, and know principles cost. Slowly, painfully, wearily… we walked over the bridge downtown to the Daley Center. Each time I’ve pushed it the consequences have been brutal with nerve pain shooting down my hip, thigh, knee (front and back) calf, shin and ankle. At one point I took to sleeping in our jacuzzi to mitigate the pain and the last thing I need is more of that bullshit, but democracy calls and I’m listening and hope you are as well.
Normalization of extremism is crucial to fascism and the GOP is the leading proponent of it- meaning we need to resist.
Early Saturday morning, just before the march we woke up to a political assassination in Minnesota and once more a right wing fanatic was to blame, not a drag queen, not an immigrant.
Prosecutors say this registered Republican Trump voting evangelical private security guard wore a “hyperrealistic silicone mask” with a black tactical vest and held a flashlight and 9mm Beretta handgun, with more weapons including assault-style rifles in his SUV, which was decked out to look like a real police vehicle. He stalked and murdered a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in their home and attempted to kill a second legislator who he wounded along with his wife by shooting 17 bullets into them.
He stopped at two other houses besides. Authorities found “voluminous writings” in the suspect’s vehicle and at his home. By reading his de rigueur manifesto we know him to be a political terrorist.
According to police he planned to kill the Democratic Governor and Attorney General along with a hit list numbering over 70 including 45 elected officials (Democrats all) plus abortion providers and pro-choice advocates.
While “America’s Hitler” (Vice President J.D. Vance’s infamous comment about his future boss) was busy having a birthday parade no one attended, over 5 million people in 2,100 demonstrations showed up around the country, and not one insurrection.
Butt hurt in response to his humiliating birthday bash, Vlady’s boytoy dug in Sunday PM issuing an executive order increasing ICE deportations in Democratic cities (Chicago and New York) and firing one more across the bow to the VA staff allowing them to refuse to treat Democrats and unmarried veterans.
Gotta ask, will any Republicans grow a pair?
Chef/percussionist/writer/reprobate and lover of all things beautiful & delicious, Chef Alan Lake’s culinary career includes East Bank Club in Chicago; Sunset Marquis in W. Hollywood; Izakaya Hiwatta in Ichinomia Japan and legendary nightclub Purpur in Zurich, Switzerland. Working all around the world for over four decades, he's won numerous awards, professional competitions and distinctions. He’s the author of Home Cookin'- The Stories Behind The Food and The Garlic Manifesto- the history of garlic going back to 10,000-year-old Neolithic caves and contains facts, fiction, folklore, myths and legends (besides 100 recipes).
A lifelong musician that plays 70+ percussion instruments, he coined the term “Jazzfood” to describe his cooking style i.e. “solid technique coupled with tasteful improvisation.” He views his food as he does his music and writing and has been known to bust a pout if subpar in any way.