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Short Takes
Having My Sanity Tested, Compassion, A Woman with Spirit & More!
Trying to Stay Sane! The accelerating racist and hate speech spewing from the White House and the Congressional races is making it harder and harder for me to stay sane. Recently addressing his base, Trump singled-out Greg Gianforte, the Congress member from Montana, praising him for violently attacking a Guardian reporter, saying that someone [...]
Pat TaubWill Collins Abandon her Gender? An Art Opening, a Great Read & More!
Will She or Won’t She? Tension over Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation mounts. The Senate just voted to move the Kavanaugh hearing out of committee, readying it for a floor vote on Saturday. Senator Collins’ office has reported that she will make her decision on Kavanaugh by 3:00 this afternoon. I’m not holding my breath, expecting [...]
Pat TaubA True Shero, A New Kate Atkinson novel, Fall Cooking & More!
A True Shero I was moved to my core by Catherine Blasey-Ford’s brave testimony before the hostile Judiciary Committee. She spoke eloquently and truthfully as she struggled to keep her emotions under control. I found her fully credible. Conversely Brett Kavanaugh’s angry tirade where he grabbed the victim mantle was thoroughly disgusting. [...]
Pat TaubDr. Blasey-Ford, Signs of Fall, Fahrenheit 11/9 & More!
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford—Shero! What a horrible, nightmarish week for women! The misogynist Judiciary Committee is trying to railroad Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to be the next Supreme Court Justice. They’re making it very difficult for Dr. Ford who has charged Kavanaugh with sexually attacking her when both were teens. To think [...]
Pat TaubCynthia Nixon, A French Chocolate Shop, Occupying My Cottage & More!
Cynthia Nixon’s Admirable Campaign While I’m not a New Yorker I gave money to Cynthia Nixon’s campaign, admiring her bold progressive platform, challenging Cuomo’s corrupt administration. While she lost, her campaign offers hope for progressive woman running for office. Courtesy of Wall Street donors Cuomo raised $25 million [...]
Pat TaubKavanaugh Hearings, Serena, Finding Hope & More!
Sickening Hearings Watching the Republicans try to railroad Kavanaugh through the Senate hearings on his qualifications to be a Supreme, where almost unbearable. What’s really outrageous is the way Maine’s Senator Collins is defending him against recent evidence he purged himself more than once. Mainers, keep up the pressure and keep [...]
Pat TaubUnrealistic Portrayal of Women in Films; Williams Sisters, Surviving an MRI & More!
Taking Issue with the Way Women are Portrayed in Films This week I watched the bland film, “Book Club” about four older women in a long-time book club who decide to read “Fifty Shades of Gray.” They become sexually awakened and suddenly each one has a romantic partner! I find this very unrealistic given how difficult my single friends [...]
Pat TaubWild News Week, Grandson Max, A Weekend Read & A Great Frontline Program
What A Week! One scandal after another poured out of Washington! Is the Orange Monster on the way out? Can we rally the progressive forces to gain Democratic control of the House? These questions sparked conversation everywhere I went this week. Like most of you, I long to see my country turn from hate and corruption to a more benevolent, [...]
Pat TaubMourning Aretha, My Friend Grace, Finding Hope & More!
Mourning Aretha Like many or all of you I’m filled with memories and sadness at the passing of the “Queen of Soul.” Not only did Aretha have a miraculous voice, but she also had a strong political conscience, fearless in speaking out for Blacks and women. Aretha offered to pay bail for Angela Davis when she was arrested on drummed-up [...]
Pat TaubRemembering My Father, Women’s Primary Wins, A Cottage Move & More!
August 9th August 9th is an auspicious date for me for two reasons: the tragic anniversary of Hiroshima and my father’s birthday, born in 1913. He died in 1994 succumbing to a rare form of blood cancer. My parents lived in Harrisburg, Penna., remaining there during the meltdown of Three Mile Island. I’ve always wondered if my father’s [...]
Pat Taub