Thursday, July 3, 2025
Struggle Upwards
While The Storm Clouds Gather Far Across The Sea
The Trump years however, for so many of us, have been like a gut kick to everything we thought we knew. Individual rights are disappearing faster than we can keep up. Cruelty has become the guiding principal and every single person, with the possible exception of rich, white men who cave to his every whim, are vulnerable and expendable.
I know I'm not the only one feeling this way. According to Gallup, just 58% of Americans say they’re “very” or “extremely” proud to be American. This is down from 85% in 2013 and the lowest ever recorded by Gallup organization. It's not surprising given how so many groups of people are being dehumanized by the orange anus and his followers. So many lies and propaganda violently shoved out about immigrants, minorities, trans and LBGTQ community members.
The racism in the MAGA immigration debate is so clearly about racism, it's really impossible to deny. It took less than a year to go from 'they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats' to now wanting to feed immigrants to alligators. It's so degusting, yet so obvious, in any other time and place, the racism would be the daily lead story. Under the orange Cheeto, hospitals get closed while Alligator Alcatraz gets it's grand opening. So many remained silent, and his supporters thought they were safe. As we know however, now veterans, the elderly and the poor, are all now also in the crosshairs.
To do posts featuring the usual 'rah rah' and flag waving would be almost inappropriate. I'm not naturally a fake it til you make it kind of guy. Still, I do have hope. The No Kings protests were powerful, and timely. I believe eventually, this ignorant and intellectually inadequate idiot will be gone. It will take awhile, maybe years to fully rid the country of his stench, but that day will come. Bullies can only survive with support, and when his time in office draws to a close, most of them will scurry to the next idiot to idolize and hide behind.
The No Kings protests helped motivate me to continue my Independence Day visual celebrations. My goal this year is not to necessary celebrate what currently is, but what was, and what will be again. I wanted a reflective tone that reflects the struggles, but celebrates the beauty, the culture and the diversity, that even when under attack, are the true representation of the land of the free and the home of the brave.
History Has Its Eyes on You
There are many musicals that celebrate the 4th of July and Americana. Many Broadway musicals feature scenes or themes appropriate for a Fourth of July celebration. Holiday Inn has a 4th of July celebration scene, Ragtime featured historical American figures. On the Town celebrates the American Spirit, and 1776 depicts the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I featured the musical All American on the 4th in 2023. (HERE:)
Meeting the Moment: Cooper & Sterling by TR Pics
I've been featuring the work of TR Pics for close to fifteen years, and especially love Tom's holiday work. Over that time, if I've learned one thing about Tom as an artist, is that he's always up for a challenge. One only look back to two years ago, to my 2023 Halloween posts. (HERE:) I let Tom know my theme was King Kong, and that I wanted a hot naked model in the hands of the magnificent beast. Tom didn't think of reasons it couldn't be done, he blew by any and all obstacles, and focused on how it could be done.
Cooper Bold