No question about motive

As we search for understanding about the motive for the recent mass shooting in Charleston, SC, maybe this time we don't have to think so hard.

It was racism in its most pure and uncut form. 

Now, what do we do about prevention?

Avalanche Trail, Glacier National Park

 Roaring Avalanche Creek

 Soaring cedars

 Avalanche Lake

Paul and I hit the trail early last Wednesday morning.  We had forgotten, somehow, that it was all uphill.  Just two miles.  It helps that one is distracted by sights, smells, sounds, etc. In the beginning we got a little spooked at being the only people on the trail.  It didn't help that a sign at the trail head warned: "You are entering Grizzly country."  The sign also displayed a picture of bear spray, which we didn't have. We relaxed a bit after meeting up with a recent college graduate, laden with geological equipment.  She, too, was headed to the lake. She assured us the trail likely was safe as it has about the most human traffic of any trail in the park. She described encountering a grizzly bear the day before on another less traveled trail.  She called that experience "sketchy." I would use a different, less nice word. Turns out the only wild animal we encountered was a chipmunk begging for food while we sat on a log on the shore of Avalanche Lake. By the time we return to the trail, dozens of hikers are heading up.  "Is the lake close?" many ask.  We always offer words of encouragement.  "Almost there."  We pledge to do this hike again.

  

Frank and Shirley

Photos from recent visit to Missoula, Mt.  Frank no longer knows Shirley.  Every visit she introduces herself.  "Frank, I'm Shirley.  Your wife."  She kisses him on the lips.  Usually he kisses her back and chuckles.  His attention is aimed elsewhere through most visits.  He likes to read words in the newspaper, spelling out the ones he can no longer pronounce.  He also likes to  move and match  dominoes and playing cards.  "I miss him," Shirley says.

Hello, Montana

Leaving Billings on I90, heading west to Missoula.  Pretty nice drive if you like an expansive view, winding rivers, buttes and mountains.  What is a butte anyway? 

Wide open spaces

My favorite stretch of the trip: Wyoming.  See you again in a few days!

Hello, Day 2

Not much to report about Day 1.  Beautiful day to drive 600 miles.  New Mexico begs a return.  On my bucket list.  A little more than a third of the way to my final destination.

Speaking of which, there's a sniper working the area of interstate I am set to travel today.  Northern Colorado, I25, Fort Collins area.  Not sure how one prepares for that.  I know many would say pray, but that doesn't work for me.  Instead of praying that the force be with me, I will acknowledge the odds are with me.

My heart does go out to the poor family who lost a son, brother and father last week, gunned down by this sniper as he rode his motorcycle.  He has broken many car windows and also hit, but did not hurt, a 20 year old woman. 

My best hope is the poor soul - the shooter - has gotten help.  He/she has realized that living out a demented dream has become more a personal nightmare. 

It's called the First Amendment!

It is happening again.


Last night I noticed my bumper sticker is missing.  It likely happened in the last 48 hours.  I know it's not a life threatening situation, but dammit, it's starting to piss me off because this is far from the first time it's happened.


The bumper sticker in question is the iconic World War II Rosie the Riveter image.  You know the blue collar woman, bandana holding her hair, arm bent to show off her biceps.   The message: Women are strong.  Only the face in this image that used to be on my car is of Hillary.  Twist on the original message.  This woman is strong.


Same thing happened last summer with the sticker supporting gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis.  One day there, next day gone.  And, a small square sticker pledging allegiance to Texas Dems vanished without a trace years ago from the back of my car.


My hunch is it is someone in my neighborhood.  Just a hunch.  Maybe the Huckabee supporters who live just a rock's throw, which I would never do by the way.  Strange their yard sign expressing love for the former Arkansas governor is never molested.   For the record, I would not do that to anyone's yard sign or bumper sticker.  It's called the First Amendment.


Or maybe it's the weirdo a few houses down who I feel sometimes is keeping his partner against her will. Why else would she be with him?  I make an extra effort every time I see her in their yard to ask, "You ok?"  Her confusion at the question just reinforces my suspicions.  He for sure would not appreciate a message about strong women.


People, including family members, have tried to tell me it's not safe to display such liberal communique in the land of faithful conservatives.  That is exactly the reason I do it. All views have value and this is America where there is freedom of expression, for crying out loud.


We red state liberals already have much practice suppressing our views in the workplace, in social settings, in public.  I don't think it's too much to ask that a person be allowed to express even an unpopular view in this most tiny of a venue, the backside of a car.  Yet, I constantly am being denied this very right every time someone steals a bumper sticker.


Free expression for me has a price, literally.  I pay for my little stickers - and always order multiples as I am NOT going to be dissuaded from exercising my right to express a view that is contrary to views held by most people I live among.


The iconic sticker with Hillary's face is back on my car, thanks to my replacement stash.  I really hope that's where it stays.