Chuck Portent

Patricia Murphy, for Roll Call:

Either Clinton or Trump will live in the White House, but when it comes to getting an agenda passed into law, they’ll need Senate Democrats’ votes to do it. And to get those votes, they’re going to need Sen. Chuck Schumer, the rising Senate Democratic leader and the man poised to be a Clinton consiglieri or Trump’s not-so-loyal opposition.

But after one of the ugliest presidential elections in history, Capitol Hill veterans point to Schumer as the glimmer of hope that Congress may finally be entering an era of accomplishment instead of gridlock after years of partisan paralysis.

The Brooklyn exterminator’s son, who finished Harvard and Harvard Law by 23, may seem like an unlikely vessel for hope in the post-Obama era, but Schumer’s existing relationships, caucus loyalty and prejudice toward action may make him the man for this moment.

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Image note: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks as part of an immigration policy “Gang of Eight”, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., 18 April 2013. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Murphy, Patricia. “Chuck Schumer Is on the Line”. Roll Call. 3 November 2016.

Your Morning Music (Together)

Sometimes, you know, you think you need a reason for doing something. If we had better discipline around here, maybe a regular music feature would be actually useful in some way, because, you know, a stoner song in April or Satanic metal on Hallowe’en is one thing, but then sometimes we remember we don’t actually need a reason. But, yeah, you know, it’s a good wake and bake, too. Like, if you really, you know, need a reason. You know?

Rush down, down to the first floor; there never seems to be enough time. Push hard, and push a little bit more. A cup of coffee and I’m going to be fine, fine as I could be, now. Me and you, we do what we got to do; we only want to have a good life. It’s tough, we don’t see each other enough, and sometime the going gets rough. Still we keep pushing on through. We could use another summer of love. It’s cloudy here, but there’s a blue sky up above. If we could only fly away from here, we could say goodbye to all the tears, and maybe we could spend the rest of our years together. Sometimes I watch the TV news; I want to say what’s the use in trying, ’cause come on, what kind of difference can one man make? Yeah, but how much more can I take? I think back when I was a little kid, I did what little kids did: played war ’til I didn’t want to play no more, hey and that’s when love stepped in, changed everything again. It’s never too late for a summer of love. Yeah, it’s cloudy here, but there’s a blue sky up above. If we could only fly away from here, we could say goodbye to all the tears, and maybe we could spend the rest of our years together. We could be together. These are crazy times, it’s a different world. Well, that’s okay, let it be that way. We could lose our minds, or we could find our way; we can change our world, no matter what they say. If we could only fly away from here, we could turn around and say good-bye to all the tears, and maybe we could spend the rest of our years together. We could be together. Now, we can let the sunshine in, together; and we can overcome and win, together; we’ll have ourselves a summer of love again, together. We’ll be, we’ll be together. We’ll be together.

―Styx, “Together” (2003)

A Moment to Take a Moment

Because it is a night for reflection. Honestly, this song melts me. Be well, friends.

I’ve been thinking about this love; I’m thinking about it. I’m thinking about this love so hard, so hard. I’ve been thinking about my life, and how it’s going to turn, and all I really want to do is find a way to go on through. And all I really want to do now is find a way to go on through. So out on the tide we go; out on it. So out on the highest waves, so high, so high. So out on the tide we go, knowing it will turn. And all I really want to do is find a way to go on through. And all I really want to do now is find a way to go on through. And all I really want to do, all I really want to do is find a way to go on through find a way to go on through.​

―Afro Celt Sound System feat. Liam O’Flynn & Pina Kollars, “Go on Through [Verse]” (2001)

A Moment With Mary

I confess I couldn’t muck this one up properly, so, you know, here you go. Not quite Mary Zen, but, you know.

You know what would really suck about Utopia?

Having nothing left to hope for.

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Tarpley, Matt. “Prepared”. Mary Death. 18 June 2015.

Your Morning Metal (Future Tense)

The caricatures of the past have a way of haunting reality in the present. This is, of course, a familiar point we have considered before, and even in a metallic context. But, really, take a moment to appreciate that the song is over a quarter-century old. Yeah, really.

What do you see on the news when you watch TV? War in the name of God, or a playground killing spree. Politicians promise you the world, and a preacher cries; all he ever wanted was your money, and a bitch on the side. What went wrong? Did society twist him?” What do you see in the center of the public eye? Rock stars on smack, and a serial killer fries. Radicals blame suicide and murder on our form of art; brainwash the youth, you know they claim we all play a part. What a shame that they can’t think for themselves. Past tense to future tense, let history unfold. So ends a decade, now, what will the nineties hold? You know we’re verging on the edge of an age; then another century will turn the page. What do you think they will say when they look back on this? Were the eighties just a time of spoiled innocence? We leave our legacy like dust in the sands of time. Let us hope the seeds we plant can carry the weight of our crimes. Past tense to future tense, let history unfold. And when we’re old and gray, these stories will be told. You know we’re verging on the edge of an age; then another century will turn the page. We sail on an ocean, a sea of doubt. Skeptics make no sense, can’t work things out. I’ll choose optimism, scream its name; look to the future, a burning flame. Past tense to future tense, let history unfold. So ends a decade, now, what will the nineties hold? You know we’re verging on the edge of an age; then another century will turn the page. Turn the page.

―Sanctuary, “Future Tense” (1989)

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Hope

Hello, Avery!

With her first “Avery Chat” video, Avery Jackson shared the story of her transition. In the video, she explains how she knew that she was a girl, the fear she had about telling her parents about her transgender identity, and then how she eventually shared her identity with her parents. In a four-minute video, Avery shares a personal story that echoes the pride she has in who she is. Viewers will be swept away by the bravery and wisdom that this little girl displays.

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Despite the fact that Debi Jackson, Avery’s mother, had never heard of the term “transgender” before a Google search, she and her husband, Tom, have supported their daughter throughout her transition. They took Avery to a child psychologist when Avery announced her gender identity and then took the psychologist’s advice: Let her be a girl.

Their love and support has been unwavering toward their daughter and because of it they’ve lost friends and family members, but have made lasting friendships with people across six continents and have done so much for other trans children by just supporting and loving their own.

(Temblador)

There is that part of us that looks across at Texas with a smirk of satisfaction: Oh, the generation that rises!

Those who disapprove have no idea who they’re dealing with.

But that is for another day, and maybe we can put it to rest for Avery and all her young brothers and sisters. You know, we can’t pin all our hopes on future generations.

But for now, yes: And we are so amazed.

Thank you, Avery! The world needs a bit of your sunshine right now.

And a note to Tom and Debi Jackson: Thank you. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. Really, words fail. But thank you for standing by Avery, and thank you so much for sharing your experience with the rest of us.

#StandSpeakWinLove

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Image note: Avery Jackson, 7, confidently explains the world in her own unique way. (YouTube, 6 May 2015).

Temblador, Alex. “Why We Love 7-Year-Old Transgender Activist, Avery Jackson, And Her Incredible Family”. The Huffington Post. 21 May 2015.