The Master of Ceremony at the Jaialdi Basque Dancing on Saturday reminded the audience that the one word they should remember from the language was “indar”. I was not sure I heard the word correctly and turned to an obviously basque person and asked how you spell it and what it means. While he explained it was strong, brave, vigorous, he was puffing out his chest and clenching his fists with a resolute look under his stylish black beret. I now have learned that the concept of strength and vigor is deeply ingrained in Basque culture. Since our son in law joined the family, it has been a pleasure to learn about the traditions and the very strong focus on family. Seven of the relatives came from Bilbao to join the quinquennial Jaialdi celebration in Boise. Started in l987 this totally volunteer celebration is unique to Idaho. These are the nicest people you could meet anywhere and it was a pleasure to spend an evening with them. A perfect example of why diversity is inspirational and should be encouraged and celebrated.
The Drifters first sang the Carole King song in l962, it was later covered by James Taylor and many other artists. “Up on the Roof” is a classic, memorable lyrics and music. Take a minute and enjoy the 1979 Taylor video. The song is uplifting, positive, a reprieve from the challenges of daily life.
I continue to be beyond frustrated, angry, and fearful of the policies of the Orange Wanker and his cronies. This week we learned the Orange felon is back condoning family separation, erasing the history of his dual Impeachments from the Smithsonian, accidentally erasing the habeas corpus language from the U. S. Constitution on the Library of Congress website, covering up the Epstein files, sheltering Maxwell to keep her quiet, Gerrymandering Texas, cancelling vaccine research grants—I could go on. #47 is hell bent on destroying our country for the benefit of himself.
That said, the Cockwomble does not belong on the roof, he has destroyed so many important American promises and dreams and now threatens to ruin the peace so many of us find in that song. I now have to mentally modify the song, I do not sing, so not to worry. “When this old world starts a-getting me down—and ‘MAGA’ is just too much for me to face—I will climb way up to the top of the stairs, and all my cares just drift right into space.” Sadly, the Press covered his addled ramblings and even humored him. Nuclear weapons on the roof the White House is certainly justified and takes the focus off his plummeting approval rating. The Rolling Stones had him pegged in their l965 release— “Hey Hey you you get off of my cloud.”
I appreciate Rachel Maddow and her factual reporting. I listen to the Podcast each Tuesday, this week left me committed to peacefully pushing back against the regime. Maddow outlined the steps of an Authoritarian leader in seizing power. A secret police force, masked and intent on instilling fear, no right to due process, black site prisons and an enemy of the people. In America today the enemy is the immigrant with a promise by #47 that “the homegrown are next” The conclusion is difficult to argue, we now have “total clarity” on the plan—Project 2025. We cannot stand silently by, it is time to answer the call of President Kennedy, “ask now what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
Go to fiftyfifty.one for advice on ways to fight back in addition to protesting. Listen to the MeidasTouch Podcast. Reclaim Idaho, Political Potatoes, Idaho Leaders United are a few of the Idaho groups I support. It is going to take all of us to restore and protect the American idea.
Mike
Indar
