According to the 2025 Compassion Report from Sanford’s School of Medicine, only 1 in 3 Americans feel compassion for all groups of...
Activism Post Trump10
Combatting Helplessness
I belong to a welcoming church in downtown Portland, Maine led by a socially conscious minister who unflinchingly embraces difficult issues. Last Sunday, she took to the pulpit to voice her outrage at the inhumane treatment of imprisoned migrant children. I was surrounded by rapt, concerned faces, many visibly moved, but once the service was [...]
Pat Taub
Green New Deal Video, Kate and Oscar, Queer Eye & More
A Brilliant Green New Deal Video The Internet is burning up with a wonderful graphic video endorsing the Green New Deal. The video illustrates the many positive things we can do to save our planet from extinction. I think it got over 4 million hits on the first day! The video is narrated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and drawn by the award [...]
Pat Taub
Proudly Standing with Youth for Climate Justice
GUEST POST by JANET WEIL “You are not mature enough to tell it like it is. Even that burden you leave to us children.” – Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist In all my years of activism, I had never heard anything like it. A shiver of nervous excitement ran through me. The high, piercing voice of a girl on a megaphone demanded: [...]
Pat Taub
A Street Poet, Cohen, A Great Documentary & More!
Palm Springs Street Poet I love it when my walks land upon a bit of whimsy and creative fun. A week or so ago while wandering in downtown Palm Springs I spotted the “typewriter troubadour,” offering to type an original poem for $10. I was intrigued but not willing to spend that much money. The poet told me that this is his only job. [...]
Pat Taub
National Emergency Action, Hope & Despair, Oscars & More!
“National Emergency” Action While vacationing in Palm Springs I’m trying to keep my activist spirit alive. Last Monday I joined in the national action to protest Trump’s “national emergency” where cities across the country mobilized to protest Trump’s manufactured emergency. In Palm Springs several hundred turned out with signs [...]
Pat Taub
Contemporary Suffragettes, Palm Springs Photos, Sunrise Movement & More!
Contemporary Suffragettes I was buoyed by the sea of white during the Orange Monster’s State of the Union address. I’m thrilled by the boldness of the newly elected Congresswomen and by their initiatives like the “Green New Deal.” Establishment Democrats are pushing back against the new progressives in their midst. It’s up [...]
Pat Taub
Palm Springs Art and Mineral Baths, New RGB Movie & More!
My Desert Vacation Update As I continue to enjoy my Palm Springs respite from the polar vortex, I’ve been exploring the desert, developing a new appreciation for its magnificent landscapes. This week my friend Ily and I went to Indian Canyon where we did the easy hikes and took lots of photos. Hot Mineral Baths This week I also [...]
Pat Taub
Rebel With A Cause
GUEST POST by JANET WEIL I was not in a good mood as my husband John and I exited the LA Metro station for the Extinction Rebellion rally. An hour and a half on the terrifying freeways driving west from Palm Springs, followed by nearly an hour on the crowded, noisy Metro from Azusa to downtown Los Angeles, may illustrate some of the reasons [...]
Pat Taub
Vacation Social Action, Phyllis Chesler’s Memoir, The No Complaint Challenge & More!
Social Action on Vacation As part of my Palm Springs vacation I accompanied an old Codepink buddy, Janet Weil, to the office of State Representative Raul Ruiz to do a letter drop off encouraging the Congressman to vote for HR 1, a bill supporting Medicare for all. Janet is a resident of Palm Springs and was lobbying as a member of Progressive [...]
Pat Taub
Survival Tips for 2019
When someone wishes me “Happy New Year” I’m tempted to respond, “What’s to be happy about given all the bad news in the country?” We’re faced with a government shutdown, record numbers of migrant families held in cages, a mustached war hawk Presidential advisor and massive social and income inequality. Once I settle down I realize [...]
Pat Taub