Stoical Geezer

Pritzker Condemns Trump Plan to Send National Guard to Chicago as 'Outrageous and Un-American' | Common Dreams Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker stands up to Trump's ultimatum to federalize National Guard troops in Chicago, calling it outrageous and un-American. Will Trump's control overreach lead to more violence and...

'Outrageous and Un-American"—says Pritzker
Damn right!
www.commondreams.org/news/nationa...

Mass Firing Threat Proves Shutdown Is 'Project 2025 in Action,' Says Jayapal | Common Dreams US Rep. Jayapal condemns GOP's use of government shutdown as "Project 2025 in action" to fire federal workers. Unions fight back, calling mass firings unlawful. #GovernmentShutdown #Project2025

” Donald Trump and Russ Vought of Project 2025 are using this shutdown to inflict as much pain as they can,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Saturday. “They’re withholding federal money that has already been approved by Congress to target and punish American communities. This is illegal.”

Travel companions: Lochby Field Journal and Ensso Italia Ultem 'M'.

Fountain pens on my desk today:

The set of Falcon/Elabos, the Taccia, white 3776, & Euphoria Pink Guava are journaling favorites and are always inked.
The 823 and M1000 rotate in and out of service as the mood strikes.

“You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage.” — Steve Jobs

Love begins and ends our journey, but what we do in between defines us. Live with purpose, act with integrity, and manage well.

#Stoicism #LifeLessons

“There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” — Aristotle

Criticism is the tax on living a meaningful life. Aristotle reminds us: it's better to act with purpose and face judgment than fade into silence.

#Stoicism

'This Is Murder': Trump Bombs Another Boat in Caribbean | Common Dreams President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth bombed another boat in the Caribbean, claiming it was trafficking drugs. Critics say the strikes violate federal and international law.

War upon war, atrocity upon atrocity—our world unravels. Sanity lies not in bombs or vengeance but in courage, compassion, and understanding. As Gandhi warned, “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, now this! Must stop!

www.commondreams.org/news/trump-b...

Today’s plate from the old geezer’s kitchen: roast chicken breast with a touch of red currant jelly, golden potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower florets, and crimini mushroom. A simple feast—balanced, hearty, and full of comfort. 🍽️ #HomeCooking #OldGeezerEats

Unchecked power isn’t freedom—it’s ruin. History already gave us the lesson, yet here we are again with Project 2025. My poem “Project Ruin—2025” speaks to the danger of hubris unrestrained.

#NoKings #HistoryRepeats #Poetry

“Those who tell themselves they are free to do anything will, inevitably, be chained to something.” — Ryan Holiday
Trump’s illusion of absolute power ignores the Constitution—yet such hubris binds a nation to chaos. Unrestrained power isn’t freedom—it’s the surest path to ruin.

Welcome to the Era of "Kavanaugh Raids" ICE crosses another big, important line.

ESSENTIAL READING!
History is repeating itself in the most despicable way. “Kavanaugh Raids” echo America’s darkest chapters—citizens detained, rights ignored, fear weaponized. We can’t stay silent.

www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/welcome-to...

If this country was truly “pro-life,” we would have Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, gun reform, universal child care, and a living wage.

The right-wing agenda isn’t about “life.”

It’s about control.

Ahem...😏

#DemVoice1 #ProudBlue #Pinks #TrumpIsACriminal #RepublicansAreDestroyingAmerica
#ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles

#OnThisDay 2 October 1967: American lawyer and civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming its first African American member.

Quick and easy one-pan supper. Breakfast sausage, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, egg, corn salsa over microwave rice. About 450 calories.

Essential reading! Sure hope the Supreme Court understands these potential consequences of an ill-advised decision!

Lunch from this old geezer’s kitchen: crisp greens, cucumbers, shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic—and a few slices of tender steak to keep it hearty. Simple, colorful, and satisfying. #HomeCooking #GeezerEats

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” — General Norman Schwarzkopf.
Wisdom shows the way, but courage makes us walk it. What decision are you delaying that you already know is the right thing to do?
#Stoicism #Courage

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~ Confucius

Kamala Harris won the U.S elections: Bombshell report claims voting machines were tampered with before 2024 Kamala Harris election tampering story raises new questions about the 2024 U.S. presidential election outcome. A quiet but major change to voting machines by Pro V&V—used in over 40% of U.S. counties—...

You have to wonder! ....

economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/interna...

Just rounded out my Pilot Falcon/Elabo SF collection with this blue gem! Each is always inked—giving me a rainbow of journaling options while keeping the same flawless writing feel. These are my go-to pens for daily reflection. ✍️💙🖋️ #FountainPens #Journaling

'This Moment Is a Test,' Says Ocasio-Cortez as Government Shutdown Begins | Common Dreams "What I'm not going to do is tolerate 4 million uninsured Americans because Donald Trump decided one day that he just wants to make sure that kids are dying because they don't have access to insurance...

'This Moment Is a Test,' Says Ocasio-Cortez as Government Shutdown Begins www.commondreams.org/news/aoc-gov...

#OnThisDay
1 October 1890: By an act of the U.S. Congress, Yosemite National Park was created, eventually becoming one of the most visited national parks in the USA. The park, surrounded on all sides by national forest lands, encompasses 1,189 square miles (3,080 sq. km).

YouTube video by MSNBC Lawrence: Trump was 'on the verge of outright insanity' in deranged speech to military commanders

Wow! You gotta watch! No punches pulled here: youtu.be/gPpUI3xJx_c?...

UUnderworld is published monthly containing a wide range of thought provoking #essays, #poems, and whatnot— items of interest to freethinking liberals. This old geezer's scribbles have been picked up a few times, including three entries this month. Take a peek:
drive.google.com/file/d/1frot...

'Deeply Un-American': Trump Tells Generals to Use US Cities as Military 'Training Grounds' | Common Dreams "Wake up, people, the US is fast approaching a point of no return," warned one critic, who said the president's alarming rhetoric "comes right out of the fascism playbook."

commondreams.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...

Thank you, Congresswoman. It’s very helpful to hear clear thoughts about the loss of jobs and slowing economy caused by mass deportations of undocumented workers in the United States.

RFK jr

A dangerous man

“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.” — John Steinbeck

Weighing perfection against goodness, Steinbeck reminds us: we don’t need to be flawless, only sincere. Perfection is a mirage; virtue lies in doing our best with what we have, here and now.

#Stoicism #Steinbeck