‘Better to have our crazy straight up,’ says Maureen Dowd

Posted on March 15, 2017 by sheilawill

“I love your hair!” That’s how Maureen Dowd began the conversation. I was surprised to see her sitting at the Mostly Books autograph table at the Tucson Festival of Books on Sunday, with only a few people hanging around. I stopped. I did a double take.

Maven of the New York Times Opinion Page for 20 years, Dowd was down-to-earth. I would definitely be friends with her if I lived in New York. Hell, I gave her my card. She thanked me.

I asked her how she liked Tucson. ” I like it but I’m so hot, and not in a good way,” she replied.

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Ms. Purple and Maureen Dowd at the Tucson Festival of Books, March 12, 2017

She admitted her nervousness the day before while speaking at the University of Arizona Student Union ballroom. I managed to get a ticket for her discussion of the 2016 election. No way could I miss that! Hundreds of people were turned away.

Writing about the current White House is, “in a weird way, like a bizarro civics lesson,” she told the audience of around 600 people.  The president’s Russian connection is the strangest thing “we’ve ever seen in [American] politics.”

Trump is probably a psychopath with no empathy, but “I like my crazy straight up,” she said.  Everyone is now “more awake and involved than I’ve seen since the ’60s.”

Comparing Trump to former Vice President Dick Cheney, who lied and disregarded checks and balances behind the scenes, Trump “does it in real time. We can fight back in real time.”

Trump was the most shocked of anyone that he won the election, noted Dowd. Replying to a question about forcing him out of office, she doesn’t think it will happen.

“Trump has reduced all politics to his ego. He will be there unless he’s [led out] in handcuffs.”

Why did the 1999 Pulitzer Prize winner think Hillary lost the election? Partly, it was Politics 101. Hillary didn’t go to Wisconsin and barely went to Michigan, she pointed out (and she’s not a fan of the “Clinton machine”).

“There was an intense hunger for change,” which Dowd said she learned from her  very own “deplorables” (conservative family members), and others.

In two presidential elections — Democratic candidates Al Gore in 2000, and Hillary Clinton in 2016 — Bill Clinton could have saved the day, she opined. Gore didn’t allow Bill to campaign for him following the impeachment debacle. Hillary’s young campaign manager thwarted Bill from campaigning for his wife, despite his desire to reach Southern white males.

Yeah, who holds back possibly the best Democratic campaigner of all time? In hindsight, a big mistake.

Maybe Trumps’s narcissistic cluelessness will contribute to the U.S. finally electing a woman president? (Dowd doesn’t think Hillary lost because she’s a woman.)

And his denigration of the news media?

“Trump has completely rejuvenated the newspaper business,” she said, adding that the New York Times has developed an investigative unit to scrutinize possible conflicts of interest: “We’re all over that.”

Maybe she’ll return to Tucson when her next book is published.

“I love cacti,” Dowd quipped. “I identify with them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Journalism/Writing, politics, Tucson Festival of Books/good books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The next chapter…’Say yes to opportunities’

Posted on March 9, 2017 by sheilawill

Who knew that people 82 to 85 score higher on happiness scales than millennials?

I’m not there yet, but I am happy. My super adorable grandson Foss was born on Jan. 21 in Minneapolis. I’m in good health, as is the rest of my family.

IMG_0137Foss As much as I love my house on Mt. Desert Island, Maine, as I get older I’m feeling itchy for new experiences — while I can. I’ve been lucky to return to Southwest Harbor every summer since moving to Tucson, nearly 15 years ago.

This year, I’m putting my Maine house on the market. It’s the practical decision. Maybe the relief of not worrying about renters, or repairs I can’t afford, and having a decent stash for retirement will help to alleviate the emotional loss.

Now is the time.

 

“Say yes to opportunities,” says Marilyn Heins, one of my elder role models.

Maybe this fall I’ll go to Greece on a Smithsonian tour led by a local professor acquaintance. I’ll definitely want to visit Foss as often as possible.

Anticipation is probably more difficult than taking an action itself. I swore to myself that I would never pick up dog poop, carrying it around like some sort of treasure.  In Minneapolis last month with my son and his family, I picked up my grandpuppy Rappy’s poop at least 10 times! I counted because I couldn’t believe I was doing it. It wasn’t so bad.

I’m hoping that selling my house won’t be as hard as I’ve thought. MDI will always feel like my original home. Both of my children grew up and were married there. We’ll still spend time on the island, and I like to think we’ll always be part of the most supportive, loving community I know.

Let the next chapter begin!  IMG_0142

 

 

 

 

Posted in Baby Boomers, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Old friends, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

From citizen journalism to fake news…

Posted on February 11, 2017 by sheilawill

I knew it wouldn’t end well. From my first blog post six years ago to the current reality of 1984, where lies become truth, science is suspect, and a blowhard president sits in the White House.

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I’m obsessed with George Orwell’s 1984. At our little Southwest Harbor Library that year I led a discussion on the book, which around 100 people attended.

“That could never happen here,” people said. The government wouldn’t be able to spy on us, and we can say whatever we want. I optimistically insisted that the Constitution would reign supreme. I didn’t know there would be a bunch of empty political hacks in Congress.

I’m still hoping.

Yes to the Separation of Powers. Yes to my beloved 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Under the Law. Yes to the First Amendment. Yes to our system of Checks and Balances.

Yes, yes, yes.

Thirty years later, I’ve realized that Fox News, Internet rants, and 24/7 Cable/radio talk shows have made Americans more stupid than I ever could have imagined. Progressives may also believe whatever they hear and want to believe, but OK, we’re smarter.  My bias.

Still, most of us know that Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act are the same thing.

It’s human nature to identify with certain groups. “Oh yeah, I’m a progressive” or “I’m a conservative,” or “I don’t like labels,” we say.

Ask why.  Don’t let up if someone tells you that’s just the way it is. Persist.

Down with “fake news!”

Fake news isn’t news; it’s a bunch of lies. Why is the polar ice cap melting so quickly? It’s not just happening.

If a presidential candidate repeatedly says Muslims shouldn’t be allowed to enter the United States, how can he issue travel restrictions targeting predominately Muslim countries, claiming that’s not a ban? That’s doublespeak. 

“If  you have a pulse, you have a bias,” says a Seattle school librarian, who’s teaching her students how to reconcile bias. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/librarians-take-up-arms-against-fake-news/ I applaud her.

Evidence, evidence, evidence. Education, starting at a young age, is our only hope.

 

 

Posted in Fight wimpiness, Journalism/Writing, The inconvenient truth about education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Make new friends and keep the old…

Posted on January 16, 2017 by sheilawill

One is silver and the other’s gold.” Little did I know at age 6 that belting out rounds of “Make New Friends…,”while on the school bus to girl scout camp, would foretell how essential dear friends would be 60 years later.

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Maurice Sendak

Take Claire and Jay. When our kids were little they lived up the street from us in Bass Harbor, Maine. In the ninth month of my second pregnancy, we had already decided a girl would be named Sarah after my grandmother (we didn’t know a baby’s sex 36 years ago). But we were flummoxed about a boy’s name.

“Hmm”…said Claire, as we sat around the table eating latkes. “How about Ethan?”

We liked the sound of it. Ethan means “steadfast, strong, firm and safe,” which turned out to be the perfect name for our newborn son, now grown man.

Claire and Jay moved away from Mt. Desert Island nearly 30 years ago. For years, we occasionally ran into them during a summer visit to the island. Luckily, that changed after they saw my Southwest Harbor home for rent online and got in touch. That was seven or eight years ago.

Since then, their home in Southern Maine is a must-stop as we cross the Maine state line every summer.

Last week, they visited us in Tucson: We laughed. We talk, talk, talked. We ate breakfast one day at Tumerico and the next day at Five Points. We hiked in Saguaro National Park West after driving over Gates Pass marveling at the view.

I knew that Claire would figure out how to prepare giant Baja shrimp that I bought at the Tohono O’odam swap meet. She did. Along with Barrio Bread and a yummy salad, it was the BEST MEAL EVER.

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Don Guerra of Barrio Bread

Sharing a delicious meal is one thing. It’s so comforting being around dear friends whom I’ve known for nearly 40 years, who knew my kids when they were small. Who know Me. 

Jay and I taught together at MT. Desert Island High School. He was right to call last week’s visit “a unique experience.”

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Claire and Jay in the desert

It wasn’t just the laughing, hiking, or sharing meals. There was something more, which to me makes life worthwhile, plus we agree that it’s hard to believe how old we are now!

Posted in Baby Boomers, Bopping Around Tucson, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Old friends | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Success=3x a week

Posted on December 31, 2016 by sheilawill

Today I bought a bottle of Prosecco to kindly usher out 2016. The year included Sheila’s Excellent Adventure to the other side of the world back in May, as well as tons of political slime. If I dredge up the election I feel sick. So I’ve managed to file it away. Sure, I’ll resist the upcoming onslaught on democracy, defending democracy when I can.

What will I focus on?

Three activities to be carried out at least three times a week.  Tried and true ways for me to feel positive. Being in nature is closely connected to my first goal of exercise, while listening to a stream, looking at flowers, or whatever the season presents.

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Sabino Canyon desert stream on a winter’s day

EXERCISE is good for the brain. I feel more alive if I walk at least three miles or go to Pilates at least twice a week. Specifically, I’m committing to 30 squats a day, which supposedly will keep the nursing home away.

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Sabino Canyon, where I walked three miles Dec. 30, 2016

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION is a useful way to not dwell on the thoughts scurrying around in my head. They’re always there, but they don’t all deserve my undivided attention.

WRITE FOR AN HOUR A DAY. I’ve started on writing projects, giving up and telling myself I’m undisciplined, or that I’m too social to stay in my office like a “real writer.” Bullshit. All of it.

I’ve heard writers say they can’t not write. That’s not me. As satisfying as writing can be, it’s still work. Movies, books, popcorn, tea, chocolate, laundry all beckon. But an hour??? Damn. I can do it.

I’m not going to beat myself up. My three goals for 2017 — 3x a week=success! — seem doable.

Done with 2016. The new year will bring a new beginning, especially since Ethan and Steph’s baby will be born early in the year.

Happy New Year, dear readers, and good luck to us all!

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HOW WILL YOU WELCOME THE NEW YEAR?

 

 

 

Posted in Family Matters, Fight wimpiness, Journalism/Writing, Nature Girl, politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Standing on the corner in Tucson, Arizona

Posted on December 22, 2016 by sheilawill

Dreadlocks. A young guy holding a sign. Seeing him from across the street, I figured his sign said something like, “Need to get to Santa Fe by Christmas day.” I was wrong.

Instead, drivers or walkers leaving the El Con Mall this morning saw “Smiles are contagious,”accompanied by a smiley face drawing.

“Wow, that’s great,” I (of course) told the young man. He had been homeless for a while, he told us, adding, “People don’t smile enough.”

I wished him a “Happy 2017.”

Back home sitting at my computer, the perfect quote from a favorite children’s book showed up on Facebook. I thought about the young man with dreadlocks.

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from “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” by William Steig

“When they had eventually calmed down a bit, and had gotten home, Mr. Duncan put the magic pebble in an iron safe. Some day they might want to use it, but really, for now, what more could they wish for? They all had all that they wanted.”
— William Steig, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

I loved all of William Steig’s books. When I invited him to visit OZ Books, he wrote back, “Sorry I can’t turn up in Maine.” Years later, I met Steig at a booksellers’ convention. He was in his 80s, with twinkly blue eyes. He said that he remembered my letter and he kissed me on my cheek.

 I’m not in Maine anymore. The sun is out. I’m surrounded by books. We’re having dinner at the Welcome Diner with friends. Someone reminded me to smile. 

IT’S GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY.

 

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Tucson Festival of Books/good books | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Sitting in my car, listening to Barack Obama (*please read to the end.)

Posted on December 18, 2016 by sheilawill

I had meant to go grocery shopping. As NPR came on the radio, I heard Barack Obama’s eloquent voice, and a realization struck me: This could be his last news conference as president. I started taking notes on my shopping list.

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First up, a multi-part question about whether Russian hacking purposely secured dt’s election.

Vulnerability to the influence of foreign powers on our elections is directly related to how well our political system works, how dysfunctional it is, our real president said. Gerrymandering and Citizens United have taken their toll on fair elections. According to a poll of Republicans (party  policy has been staunchly anti-Russian), “thirty-seven percent of Republicans approve of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. Ronald Reagan would roll over in his grave,” said Obama.

Political divisiveness rules. Some Republicans think Michelle Obama’s healthy eating program “is a greater threat to democracy than going after fake news stories.”

“I still believe what I said in 2004, that red state/blue state [dichotomies] are a construct,”  the then unknown Illinois state senator affirmed at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. I covered that convention and was lucky enough to hear Obama’s electrifying keynote.

The most decent, brilliant president of my lifetime sounded frustrated at his Friday press conference. “Do Republicans dislike Democrats so much?” he asked.

It seems that they do, enough to follow you-know-who into democratic oblivion.

Obama has always upheld the sensibilities of the American people, as have I. Who ever imagined so many people voting for such an incompetent, hateful candidate?

I’m sure our president will strive to make a difference as a private citizen: “How can we channel the decency of the American people” back into our politics?

Like so many others, I’ve been heartsick  and depressed about this election. I feel guilty about having so much good in my life, compared to more vulnerable Americans who stand to lose their newly acquired health insurance, for starters.

UC Berkeley Professor George Lakoff warns us about listening to Trump. Why give credence to such an enormous blight on our history?

Talking to my dear daughter yesterday, I made a decision. Posting dt’s photos or reading about his outrageous lies and childish distractions will only make me sick. I’ll march in Tucson on Jan. 21. I will speak out to government officials, but I will only read or post about those decent Americans who help us uphold democracy. *Please hold me to it.

 

 

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

They’ve all come to look for America…

Posted on November 12, 2016 by sheilawill

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church was the polling place where I was assigned to work on Election Day. Thirty people lined up in the dark before we opened at 6 a.m. I would spend the next 13 hours at the “Special Situations” table.

Voters were a mixture of El Encanto residents (Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, live there), University of Arizona students who hadn’t updated their license addresses, and a few raunchy guys.

All come to look for America.

Many Pima County residents (includes Tucson) vote by mail. Ninety-five of St. Mark’s 700 registered voters dropped off their mail-in ballots on Election Day; primarily, it seemed, to  pick up “I Voted” stickers.

Early on, my co-worker and I discovered that many voters appeared as early-ballot recipients in the ledger. Which they hadn’t received, mistakenly shredded, or yes, one woman blamed her dog. They filled out provisional ballots at our “special” table. Those votes wouldn’t be counted that night.

“I wonder if it’s all Democrats” that didn’t receive their early ballots? asked one man, who waited patiently to cast his provisional. Another man insisted we were “suppressing” the vote. After a few explanations, he apologized.

I enjoyed watching the steady stream of humanity, some with babies, kids, or dogs. My favorite little group consisted of three generations of women happily voting for Hillary Clinton.

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Another little scene involved a professional-looking woman of Eastern European heritage. A Tempe address appeared on her license. My co-worker tried to explain that she needed  another I.D. with a Tucson address.

“I only want to vote for Hillary Clinton,” she declared. “I live in Tucson. I don’t understand this. I could do this job better than you!”

“Then do it,” said my co-worker, who started crying and walked away. I held on, with the help of a supervisor.

“I’m 53. Never voted before, but I’ve got to vote this time,” said another  voter with an old license.  He returned with a flyer addressed to “Registered Voters.” Not enough. “I have to vote for Trump,” he ranted, and finally came back with his lease. “I wasn’t gonna stay here but now I will because I need to vote.”

We thanked him profusely. We didn’t want him going around town complaining about rigged voting. He tried to hide a proud smile.

Seventy-seven percent of registered voters in our precinct cast ballots on Tuesday. Pima County went for Hillary Clinton 54 percent to 41 percent. Hillary won the popular vote across the nation. Today she commented about her “loss.” 

I’ll keep looking for America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, For Love of History, politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A student of U.S. History tries to understand

Posted on November 6, 2016 by sheilawill

 

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Try walking in another person’s shoes, I always told my students. Two days before the most outlandish presidential election in my lifetime, I’m trying to understand how any decent human being could vote for Donald Trump.

I’ve been reading. The most cogent piece I’ve read about the growing disconnect between the Democratic Party and the white working class is “The Unconnected” by George Packer in the New Yorker. It’s long but worth reading if you have the time.

If you don’t, the article describes our two political parties, quoting former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers: The Democratic Party is “a coalition of the cosmopolitan elite and diversity.” The Republican Party combines “social conservatism and an agenda of helping rich people.” Sounds about right.

So what makes a Trump voter? 

Working class rage — Now that I live out west and no longer live in “Yankeeland,” which extends from New England across the northern tier of the United States to South Dakota, I realize that yes, I’m part of the elite intelligentsia. I’ve never had much money. I’ve always wanted to do good.

We’ve seen the dissolution of the middle class, jobs gone awry, and working class people losing hope. Trump voters must think he gets them.

“Yeah, he’s pissed too. He’s like me.”

“Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance is worth reading. The author’s in his early 30s and identifies as a conservative Kentucky hillbilly — with a law degree from Yale.

5773c4c21900002400218748I respect his ability to think critically, the goal of  all good teaching. Consider what others may  think, not just your own views. Question yourself.

Why do Trump voters believe his nebulous promises? Last year I met a gracious, kind man who was a Trump supporter. His equally kind, gracious wife disagreed with her husband’s political views but explained that he grew up poor. Her husband had worked hard to achieve financial security. He long believed that Republican presidents were more fiscally responsible.

Not all Trump supporters are horrible misogynists, racists, liars, narcissists, crooks, cheaters, and uncontrollable loud- mouths.

What do Trump supporters hope he’ll do for them?  Make their lives more beautiful than they’ve ever imagined? Help them keep their guns?

The conservative fear that President Obama would confiscate their guns never materialized, so why do conservatives adamantly believe that Hillary will?

We all tend to listen to or read commentators  we agree with. But who swears by everything they hear or read? Is that the problem, that too many people only hear sound bytes from their favored news outlets?

The author of “Hillbilly Elegy” writes that guns and Jesus Christ are most the important things to his people. His Mamaw and Pawpaw were Democrats, until a reduction in Kentucky coal mining and good manufacturing jobs erased decent wages.

Are Trump voters so pissed because they truly believe that blacks, Hispanics, women, immigrants have taken their jobs, taken their dignity?

What do these voters think Trump will do for them? “Are you voting Trump?” by Keith Oberman is powerful. 

or this…

“…the deepest conservative insight is that justice depends on order as much as order depends on justice. So when Loki or the Joker or some still-darker Person promises the righting of some grave wrong, the defeat of your hated enemies, if you will only take a chance on chaos and misrule, the wise and courageous response is to tell them to go to hell.”  — conservative columnist Ross Douthat, NYTimes, Nov. 5

It’s been difficult for me to understand Trump’s support. Still, I imagine it helped to try. I feel better.

Plus, I had a breakthrough this morning, sitting in the hot tub following my Plates class at the gym. Hillary Clinton is going to win. The pall is lifting.

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“Today’s widely held caricature of an avaricious, selfish and manipulative crook is to me just plain wrong. Sure, she compromises, she sometimes dissembles and at times her judgment has been flawed. But fundamentally she is a morally serious person whose passion for four decades has been to use politics to create a more just society. That’s her real conviction.” –Nicholas Kristof, NYTimes, Nov. 6.

I’m with her, and everyone who wants to work together to do good. It’s time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Baby Boomers, Fight wimpiness, For Love of History, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The arc of history — and misogyny — is long

Posted on October 22, 2016 by sheilawill

I’m feeling more emotional than I expected with just two more weeks between history and the election of our first woman president.

In my lifetime! What a thrill!

Oddly enough, her opponent’s misogyny may be what finally makes women — and many men — yell out our windows, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

During this 2016 campaign, President Obama has repeatedly said, “Never a man or woman — Not me, not Bill, nobody — is more qualified than Hillary Clinton” to be president.

When he-who-shall-not-be-named blathers about Hillary’s presence in the political arena for 30 years, I ask, why did it have to take so long for her to become  the first female president? It’s no secret that women have had to work harder, longer, and with more (Yes!) stamina than men to scale the heights of success. Damn, we still don’t receive equal pay for equal work.

Inside the workplace, and out, women’s bodies have been groped, grabbed, and if not  subject to physical manhandling, they have too often been figuratively under men’s thumbs.

It wasn’t until the 1970s in the United States that pregnant women were allowed to teach in public schools. Women may be blamed for a groper’s behavior, because gee, if  only that “nasty woman” hadn’t worn a short sundress on a 100-degree summer day. Or, there’s the ultimate interloping of old white guys who staunchly support the “right to life” in a woman’s body. Whose life is it anyway?

Just as the 14th Amendment (my favorite!) hasn’t fully upheld “equal protection under the law” for women, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, didn’t assure equal voting opportunities for black men. But no such voting right was even afforded women until 50 years later, when the 19th Amendment became the law of the land in 1920.

That’s history, or herstory. The arc of history moves slowly.

But get this: A child born eight years ago will be 16 before seeing a possible non-black or non-woman president. That is YUGE!

Twenty years ago, at the National Association of Booksellers Convention, I spoke with Hillary Clinton about promoting literacy with young children. That was what we women discussed.

Very soon we will have our first woman president.

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That’s me on the left, looking somewhat out-of-it. Hillary appeared engaged, knowledgeable, and tall.

Why did it take so long? NYT columnist Paul Krugman ponders, was Hillary “coldly ambitious and calculating?”

In fact, says Krugman, “She’s been a formidable figure, and has been all along.”

Misogynists prefer to call Hillary a bitch, crook, criminal, liar or worse. She’s been investigated more times than any white male politician, with no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing, let alone a hint of evidence to “lock her up” (a favorite political phrase at her opponent’s tumultuous rallies).

Finally, we may be able to thank him for something. At the end of the third presidential debate, his disrespect brought forth thousands who are proud to stand with Hillary, encouraging us to grab the mantle of “Nasty Woman.”

Go Hillary! Women — and all decent, women-loving men — let’s join together to turn Arizona blue!

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Posted in Fight wimpiness, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments