Pat Taub
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 her to support Kavanaugh, but she’ll pay a price for this in the next election, should she run.
Women’s mobilization over opposition to Kavanaugh has restored faith in my gender. The old white guys running the show have no idea what they’re up against. We won’t forget. We’re coming after you!
“The New Yorker” cover for Oct. 8th, titled, “Unheard” by Ana Juan
An Art Opening
Tonight I’ll attend the opening of the new show at MECA (Maine College of Arts), Making Migration Visible: Tracks, Traces & Pathways. The exhibition features the works of diverse artists, many of whom have personal migration experiences. I’ll be there to take in the art and to cheer on, Edwige Charlot, one of the featured artists and the brilliant web designer of my blog.
“Nomadland”
I received this non-fiction book for my birthday. It’s an absorbing, heart-breaking account of senior citizens who have taken to the road in their RVs or tiny trailers after losing their jobs and/or lacking the means to pay for the increases in their rents and meds. These are women and men in their twilight years doing backbreaking work at little pay, but finding a way to keep their spirits up through the communities they develop at campgrounds. Kudos to Jessica Bruder, the author, who collected these stories by spending time on the road with her interview subjects.
The Nobel Peace Prize
Heartfelt praise for Nadia Murad, who along with activist Denis Mukwege is sharing the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, commended for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.The Nobel committee recognized Nadia for showing “uncommon courage in recounting her own sufferings as a sex slave and developing programs on behalf of other victims.”
Nadia Murad, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize at just 25!
