We take a two-hour taxi to Viñales with a couple from New Zealand. We talk about politics nearly the whole time. Not necessarily by choice, but because when you’re an American traveling abroad and your country has just elected a guy that the rest of the world considers to be a dangerous lunatic, specifically theContinue reading “Viñales”
Category Archives: Politics
How liberals lost the working class
“Uneducated white males.” That’s a phrase I heard from pundits leading up to the election and after it; that’s the base that elected Trump more than any other demographic. The phrase itself illustrates the main reason Trump won. It’s true that Trump drew racists and alt-right supporters; that he drew people afraid of what wouldContinue reading “How liberals lost the working class”
The morning after
I lay awake last night wondering why I felt so afraid. An aging orange caricature, a would-be media star screaming dissonant sound bites and superlatives, has launched himself to the highest political office in the world. What could possibly go wrong? I’m afraid for myself, for the wandering hands of every man emboldened by this self-styledContinue reading “The morning after”
Elevate the Vote Austin
I arrived in Austin, Texas, two days ago. Yesterday I attended an Erinn Lewis class at Sukha Yoga; I stumbled into one of her classes last year and decided she had to be the best yoga teacher I’d ever found. So I made sure to go back, listening to her tell stories interwoven with the intricateContinue reading “Elevate the Vote Austin”
How To Not Get Shot
In light of the internet flurries intent on telling women how they should best go about not getting raped, I figured we need to start informing people how to avoid getting shot, in this country of so many mass shootings, accidental shootings, etc etc. Tips to prevent yourself from getting shot Don’t go into neighborhoodsContinue reading “How To Not Get Shot”
Capitalistic ventures and political season
Capitalism is, in this country, synonymous with American Christianity, specifically the kind that misquotes the Bible to say “if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t get any handouts from us.” Capitalism is, in theory, about a person’s merits and earning potential, about hard work, about rising up ahead of everyone else because your ideas or productsContinue reading “Capitalistic ventures and political season”
Feminism 101
I’m a liberal feminist. Ok, I’m more of a straight-up leftist really, because liberals are kind of wussy and they tend to be corporate sellouts if you’re talking actual politics. I don’t like the term liberal unless by liberal you mean generous. So I’m a left-leaning feminist, with a career and stuff. You know, MattContinue reading “Feminism 101”
Non-resistance to evil
The images of police in riot gear advancing on unarmed US citizens is nothing new. But for the first time, with Ferguson and the police crackdown on protests, including the arrests of journalists and the gassing of a senator, the wider population is starting to pay attention. For the first time, they aren’t widely dismissingContinue reading “Non-resistance to evil”
Navigating history: Dominion worldview and Christian jihad.
I’ve just finished reading through the book “Navigating The Worldviews of Egypt,” written by my cousins Anna Sophia, Elizabeth, Isaac and Noah Botkin and a variety of their colleagues (and parents and in-laws). I read it at various intervals and in small chunks, because it was difficult to consume at any length without it hurting my brain. The bookContinue reading “Navigating history: Dominion worldview and Christian jihad.”
Armed conflict escalates as death toll rises in Salem
July 21, 1694, Reuters staff writer SALEM, Mass — Over 60 Puritans have been killed today as the death toll rises on both sides of the conflict in Essex County. The Naumkeag people have also suffered, having lost 14 warriors and two other members of their tribe since the fighting began a month ago. “We were hereContinue reading “Armed conflict escalates as death toll rises in Salem”
Botkin Creative 