Category: Animals / Insects / Water Life / Plants / Nature

No Foolin’-Sen. Booker’s Doin’ Something With Substance!

(Plus more Dem Senators pitchin’ in! Go see-video below)

Cory Booker Holding Senate Floor All Night Long (All Night), All Night Long (All Night) by Rebecca Schoenkopf

Washington Post takes pains to tell us it’s not REALLY a filibuster. Read on Substack

Since 7 p.m. Eastern yesterday, Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) has held the Senate floor, speaking out against what Donald Trump and his evil coconspirators are doing to America. He was still going when we started this piece at 8:30 this morning, and we expect he’ll still be going when we click “Publish.”

Booker began the all-night speech by making his intentions clear:

“I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able. I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.

“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety; financial stability; the core foundations of our democracy. These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”

While we were writing this piece, Booker was every bit as impassioned as he condemned the Republican budget plan that would slash Medicaid and the social safety net so billionaires and corporations could have (more) huge tax cuts, adding trillions to the US debt, asking, “If you’re a Christian conservative, how can you hurt the weak to benefit the rich and powerful? The people of the United States have to stand up and say ‘NO!’”

This man does not look like he’s been speaking for more than 14 hours. Here’s the AP’s live feed. Watching this, we’re even feeling some hope — especially if other senators follow up with marathon speeches of their own.

(And it’s still running! -A)

Also too, we’re going to go ahead and call this a filibuster anyway, if only because the Washington Post went out of its way to explain in its subhead (archive link) that it’s not actually a filibuster because Booker isn’t delaying a vote on legislation. Just seems like the sort of nitpick best saved for the body of the article, which is where all the other outlets have placed it. So why did we mention it in our subhed? Because fuck WaPo is why.

Booker received help throughout the night — and still, this morning — from other senators, because he is allowed to take questions, which tend to come in the form of brief speeches ending with a question mark. But it’s not just a tactic to help him preserve his voice; it’s also a chance for fellow Democrats to show their unity, with multiple voices pointing out how completely not normal the last two months have been. Booker and other senators called out Trump and co-president Elon Musk for multiple assaults on democracy, like their attempts to shut down federal agencies created by Congress, to cancel spending authorized by Congress, to withhold grants to nonprofits that were already awarded, to fire large segments of the federal workforce without regard to worker protections, and to effectively dissolve America’s alliances by siding with Russia against Ukraine and our European allies. And much more.

We should also note that, unlike the longest talking filibuster on record, old racist Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond’s 25-hour filibuster of the 1957 Civil Rights bill, Mr. Booker doesn’t have the opportunity to take restroom breaks. Now that’s impressive.

During the speech, Booker repeatedly reminded Republicans — for any good it might do — that many of them saw who Donald Trump was, and why he was no good for America. He spoke with genuine affection about John McCain, who had the courage to shut down Trump’s attempt to end Obamacare:

“Senator McCain, I know you wouldn’t sanction this, I know you would be screaming, I’ve seen how angry you can get, John McCain. I’ve seen you tear people apart on this floor, Democrat and Republican, for doing the same stupid thing over and over again. Listen to John McCain explain why he voted ‘no’ the last time the Republican Party tried to unite and tear down health care with no idea how to fix it, threatening to put millions of Americans in financial crisis and health care crisis. I can’t believe we are here again.”

Booker returned again and again to that theme: Why on earth are we allowing this madness to happen? How on earth are we in a situation where a US president is threatening to invade our allies and help our adversaries?

As we wrap up here, Booker’s voice is beginning to get a little raspy, but his overall energy isn’t flagging so far. At the moment, he’s having a colloquy with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) about the importance of US foreign assistance, which Trump and musk have unconstitutionally slashed. Coons called attention to how those cuts have left us unable to provide help to the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar — and Booker immediately pointed out that by wrecking America’s soft power, Trump has handed all that influence to China.

We hope Booker keeps going a couple more hours. And that as many of his Democratic colleagues follow his example with filibusters of their own. (snip)

Peace & Justice History for 3/31

March 31, 1492
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ordered the expulsion from Spain before August of all Jews who refused to convert to Christianity under penalty of death.
March 31, 1776
Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, John (later to be the second U.S. president):
I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.
March 31, 1968
President Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek re-election, ordered a partial bombing halt in Vietnam, and appointed W. Averell Harriman to seek peace negotiations with North Vietnam.
March 31, 1970
The Oakland, California, Induction Center revealed that over the prior six months, half those drafted for the Vietnam War had failed to appear, and 11% of those who reported then refused induction into the U.S. Army. Later that Spring 2500 University of California-Berkeley students at once turned in their draft cards to the Oakland Center.
March 31, 1972
Protesters – singing, blowing horns and carrying banners – launched the latest leg of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’s 56-mile Easter march from London to Aldermaston, Berkshire, England.

The banner used in the 1960s Aldermaston marches.
March 31, 1985
Throughout Australia, 300,000 demonstrated in peace and anti-nuclear rallies.
March 31, 1991
Before dawn on Easter, five Plowshares activists boarded the USS Gettysburg, an Aegis-equipped Cruiser docked at the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. They proceeded to hammer and pour blood on covers of vertical launching systems for cruise missiles.
“We witness against the American enslavement to war at the Bath Iron Works, geographically near the President’s home.” They also left an indictment charging President George H.W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, the National Security Council and the Joint Chiefs of Staff with war crimes and violations of God’s law and international law, including the killing of thousands of Iraqis.
Remembering Aegis Plowshares 
March 31, 1997
Four East Timorese were arrested in Warton, England, at the British Aerospace factory where Hawk fighter jets were built for the Indonesian military, who used them in the ongoing occupation and genocide of their homeland.
March 31, 2004
Air America, intended as a liberal voice in network talk radio, made its debut on five stations.

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorymarch.htm#march31

Abundant Beauty

The roofs are shining from the rain./The sparrows tritter as they fly,/And with a windy April grace/The little clouds go by. by Worriedman

Sara Teasdale – “April” Read on Substack

The rest of the poem-

Yet the back-yards are bare and brown
With only one unchanging tree–
I could not be so sure of Spring
Save that it sings in me.

Sara Teasdale is a great poet!

Melting snow and cold March rain bring the April flowers.

Daffodils,-

Crocus –

This lovely lady was at the stable yesterday.

She stayed 20 foot away from me for quite awhile, then finally decided I was worth a visit –

The first clematis blooms –

Mandevilla, also known as rocktrumpet or dipladenia ( it’s not a dipladenia – the two are often confused – I can’t remember the difference)

A cat for Caturday!

That’s all I have room for – Thanks for dropping by! (snip)

“Goldilocks Bird”

Seaside Sparrow

I want to say I’ve seen this bird, but I don’t know how I could have, other than maybe when I was younger on one of dad’s business trips through the South, as a combo summer vacation. Over 50 years ago, but the bird looks familiar. I bet there are readers here who get to see them often! Click through for facts and to hear their song.

Midweek Palate Cleanser From Worriedman

(I’m a couple of days late with this one; I’m sorry. -A)

Cats in the limelight, feels like it’s alright,/ Everybody wants something they might not get./ I ain’ ready yet, it ain’t complete That’s why I am headin’ down to Alleycat Street./ by Worriedman

Jerome J. Garcia / Robert C. Hunter – Cats Under the Stars Read on Substack

I’m working on a piece for my other substack “ Green Side Up”

( Behold! Shameless self promotion!)

https://open.substack.com/pub/thegreensideup639/p/i-used-to-hate-hellebores-but-now?r=insr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

It’s about water. Watering plants specifically. It needs to be a somewhat fundamental statement of principles. I’m trying to take it seriously. I shouldn’t be posting pictures of cats and flowers and dogs and whatnot. Not with a fundamental principle out there, waiting to be stated.

Screw that. I took some hella sweet pictures of Barncat yesterday. And a couple of good ones of Amos and associated Minions. Then, this morning the sunrise behind the greenhouse walls was breathtaking. So there you go. Watering will wait. Get a load of these!

Barncat ! I tempted her up on a hay bale with some treats. Great place to take a picture.

Amos & Crew

A clematis –

That’s all I got room for- thanks for dropping by!

Peace & Justice History for 3/24

March 24, 1616
William Leddra was executed by the Charter government of Massachusetts for being a Quaker. He was the fourth and last of his religion to be hanged with the approval of Governor John Endicott. Though the court did not find him “evil,” he had sympathized with the Quakers who were executed before him; he had refused to remove his hat, and he used the words “thee” and “thou,” which, to Quakers, implied the equality of all people.
(Check out the way the link works for this. Much better than the terrible transcription I read the other day. -Newsletter author)
Contemporaneous letter describing Leddra’s and other Quakers’ persecution  (starts p.58)
===========================================
March 24, 1918
Native-born Canadian women over 21 (except native, or First Nations, women) won the right to vote in federal elections, but not to run for office for yet another year. Suffrage was not granted to women in Quebec provincial elections until 1940.
Read about Thérèse Casgrain 
===========================================
March 24, 1964
In a sit-down against nuclear weapons at Parliament Square in London, England, 1,172 were arrested.
============================================
March 24, 1965
The first Teach-In on the Vietnam War was held at the University of Michigan a month after President Lyndon Johnson ordered bombing of North Vietnam. The U-M teach-in was among the first of a new form of campus protest that was to spread nationwide, as a means of mobilizing students to examine policies of their government that they previously had taken for granted.

About the 1st Teach-In 
view original leaflets 
Very few Americans had ever heard of the country in southeast Asia, and the event was intended to educate the participants in the history of Vietnam and foreign aggression there.

Young protester in Chicago march, photo Jo Freeman
=============================================
March 24, 1967
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. led an anti-war march for the first time in Chicago, opposing the Vietnam War by saying:
“Our arrogance can be our doom. It can bring the curtains down on our national drama . . . Ultimately, a great nation is a compassionate nation The bombs in Vietnam explode at home—they destroy the dream and possibility for a decent America . . . .”

Reverend King addresses rally at the end of the Chicago march, photo: Jo Freeman
==============================================
March 24, 1980

The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) was founded, electing as their first president Olga Madar, a vice president of the United Auto Workers.
The convention adopted four goals: organize the unorganized; promote affirmative action; increase women’s participation in their unions; and increase women’s participation in political and legislative activities.
CLUW history 
CLUW today
=============================================
March 24, 1980
The archbishop of San Salvador, Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was assassinated while consecrating the Eucharist during mass.
Monseñor Romero had become a well-known critic of violence and injustice and, as such, was perceived in the right-wing civilian and military circles of El Salvador as an enemy, and criticized by the Roman Catholic church. Romero had exhorted the police and soldiers to disobey orders to kill innocent people, refusing to be silenced. Worshippers had interrupted, with ovations, his homilies condemning the terrorism of the state.

The ongoing legacy of Monsignor Romero (The Fransiscans have scrubbed him away. Here’s another place to read about him)
==============================================
March 24, 1989
The most environmentally damaging oil spill to date began when the supertanker Exxon Valdez, owned and operated by the Exxon Corporation, ran aground on Bligh Reef in southern Alaska’s Prince William Sound. An estimated 11 million gallons of oil (257,000 barrels or 38,800 metric tons) eventually leaked into the water.Attempts to contain the massive spill were unsuccessful, and wind and currents spread the oil nearly 500 miles from its source, eventually polluting more than 1300 miles of coastline. Hundreds of thousands of birds and thousands of sea mammals were lost in the disaster.

A dead murrelet, one of the hardest-hit sea birds in the Valdez spill.
25 years after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, read more

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorymarch.htm#march24

An Early Monday Brain Cleanser

From ‘Himalayan fur goblin’ to ‘teacup werewolf,’ these silly videos are helping dogs find homes

(I’m sorry you’ll have to click through to see the video; either the live headline above, or the link beneath the next graf. It won’t embed. It’s worth it, I promise!)

Nashville animal shelter volunteer Adrian Budnick was looking ideas to showcase the adoptable dogs on social media. Looking for a Himalayan fur goblin or a teacup werewolf? Her silly videos have increased both adoptions and donations. (AP video/Kristin M. Hall)Published 7:06 AM CDT, March 22, 2025

https://apnews.com/video/from-himalayan-fur-goblin-to-teacup-werewolf-these-silly-videos-are-helping-dogs-find-homes-0244d1b2f4df422ebe7e62304be87671

Peace & Justice History for 3/23

March 23, 1918
The trial of 101 Wobblies (members of the Industrial Workers of the World or IWW) began in Chicago, for opposition to World War I. In September 1917, 165 IWW members were arrested for conspiring to hinder the draft, encourage desertion, and intimidate others in connection with labor disputes. The trial lasted five months, the longest criminal trial in American history at the time.The jury found them all guilty. The judge sentenced IWW leader “Big Bill” Haywood and 14 others to 20 years in prison; 33 were given 10 years, the rest shorter sentences. They were fined a total of $2,500,000 and the IWW was shattered as a result. Haywood jumped bail and fled to the Soviet Union, where he remained until his death 10 years later.

“Big Bill” Haywood
Read more 
March 23, 1942

The U.S. government began moving all those of Japanese ancestry, including some native-born U.S. citizens (known as nisei), from their west coast homes to indefinite imprisonment in detention centers, beginning with Manzanar in California which eventually held more than 10,000 Americans.
Located on 60,000 acres west of Los Angeles, it is now a national historic site; only 3 of the original 800 buildings remain.
Gallery of photos and other materials about Manzanar 
March 23, 1961
Army Major Lawrence Robert Bailey was the first recorded American to be held as a prisoner of war in Southeast Asia. One of eight crew members of a C-47 surveillance aircraft shot down over Laos, Bailey was held by the Pathet Lao for 17 months, losing one-third of his body weight (down to 53 kg, or 117 lbs) during that time. The other occupants of the plane are presumed to have died in the crash; Bailey always wore a parachute.
March 23, 1984

USS Queenfish nuclear submarine student die-in outside the U.S. Consulate.
One thousand boats, known informally as the Auckland Harbour Peace Squadron, demonstrated against arrival of the nuclear submarine, U.S.S. Queenfish in New Zealand.

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorymarch.htm#march23

Anti-Trans Hate Group Targets Furry Fandom

Hello Everyone.  Before I turn you over to Ethel to watch her informative video on the same group attacking trans people making up lies about furry’s to try to attack trans people through them.  Of course according to the hate group anything not cis straight that they don’t understand is attacking children somehow.   But my good news I won’t have to dump my main computer.  I figured out what was causing two of my programs that I need to refuse to work.   I combed through the setting of both programs.  I then dumped the video computer.   I later realized I did not have to.  There was a setting that said make this program work with the VPN (paraphrased) Then the other side of that said make programs not work with VPN.  So I had placed the switched it to work with VPN.  For two days I couldn’t get the two program.  This morning at 3 am I dumped the computer, resetting it, then loaded up the two programs and kept changing settings and things until suddenly everything works.  Then I check to make sure the VPN was not leaking my location with the settings that way.  The switch should have said this way bypasses the VPN, this way makes the program use the VPN.  Why do I need the VPN?  I live in Florida, a republican nanny state that thinks adults in the state need permission to visit sites labeled NSFW if you get my meaning.   Anyway.  Now I have to reload all my programs on the video computer.  Now to the video.   Hugs

“Seven Seas Whistler”

Whimbrel