Weekend 4

Dear SB SM–

We really enjoyed your creative high school hit and sage words of wisdom in Accept With the Left. From my 4 years of Latin I conclude,”Semper Ubi Sub Ubi” = “Always Where Under Where!” Carpe Vitam- SB Mike  

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Vermonters definitely will get this. Bernie is bucking for membership in the Silverback Hall of Fame.

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Some of you will have heard David Mallet’s “Celebration” already. If you have, you may still enjoy another listen with the inauguration just behind us. Mallet has been playing his music for a long time (that’s a “well-loved” guitar in his video). He just gets better with age. In this song he notes our troubled times, but he also says “this could be a better nation.” I’d like to think so. The American Dream was “constituted” in 1787 and we’ve been working on it ever since. Abe Lincoln shared his “better angels of our nature” vision in his inaugural address in 1861. John Kennedy shared his “ask what you can do for your country” vision of it in his inaugural address in 1961. Looking out over the Nation Mall from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, Martin L. King Jr. shared his “let freedom ring” vision with over 250,000 people. All three gave their lives for this dream. Maybe with all hands on deck, we can help keep the dream afloat. I sure hope for smooth sailing tomorrow. What is an inauguration, anyway? One meaning of the Latin root augur refers to “favorable omens for success.” The omens have been mixed lately, but maybe favorable ones are just over the horizon. Fingers crossed! SB Alec (Ridge Road SBs)

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To the Editor

Thanks so much for sharing today some of the healing wisdom of MLK so needed in our very divided country and world. Every Thursday we attend a 2 hour Black Lives Matter Standout so well organized by sister Mimi at the Church of the Presidents (John and John Quincy Adams) in Quincy Center. Today we had an extra one due to MLK Day- very well attended with about 30 participants . We get many honks and thumbs up from fellow Whites and Blacks/People of Color passing by as we literally stand with our signs to signify that our City aspires to be a place that welcomes, respects and encourages everyone, especially Blacks and People of Color. And interspersed we get a small but very vocal and negative response from the ironically named “Presidential Pub” across the street, not frequented by either of the Adams fellows. Calls of “Fuck you,” “You Motherfuckers” “You Cocksuckers” scattered among yells for “White Lives Matter” come our way from , you guessed correctly the all White and conscious/conscience altered pub clients smoking outside. A young dude in a red pickup truck blasted by, rolled down his window and shouted out (unaware of the irony) “All lives matter, you dumb fucks!”

A few call out, “How come there are no Blacks out there holding signs with you?” To which we answer, “They already know their lives matter.” So this is where we still are as a City and a country. A significant portion of Whites unaware of our continued history of racism, fearful, angry, vengeful to varying degrees. It’s more hopeful going into the Biden/Harris administration- but there is so much healing to be done!
Some additional quotes for standouts and actions for social justice:
“Think globally; act locally; begin with Quincy.” or where ever you live. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

“The ultimate measure of a man (woman) is not where he (she) stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he (she) stands at times of challenge and controversy.” MLK
“The time is always right to do what is right.” MLK

Here’s hoping-
Mike and Cyndy Cotter

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Hi Stephen, 

Thank you again for being a signatory to last December’s America is All in statement! We are thrilled to share that today the U.S. began the formal process of re-entering the Paris Climate Agreement. This is a vitally important day in all our climate work that we should all take a moment to celebrate!

The U.S. is back on the international climate stage. We want you to be part of this moment! You can see a communications toolkit that the America is All in Team has developed marking today’s milestone here. 

Feel free to spread the word on social media and through your communications channels. There will be more to come soon, as we keep pushing forward on policies that will lead to growth and climate solutions, nationally and internationally. Thank you!

Stand up and stand out!