When I'm in a concentration camp

Painted two years ago, and owned by step-son-in-law Jake Harms.

You won't be able to visit me, or it will imperil your safety.
You won't be able to say my name, or even mail me.
You will have to disavow you knew me.
You will have to affirm, under oath, that you knew all along, I was a traitor.
You will have to join the majority, goose step and salute with cheers to the dictator. 
You will have to "vote" unanimously to disband schools, to destroy libraries, to repeal the Bill of Rights, to censor all art and music.
It will begin in one of the smallest states, and spread, like cancer, an infection of the mind, of the soul, of humanity, by selfish forces of delusion and division, of intolerance and insecurity, and funded by the hunger for power, not for people.
I will understand, because I will be one of the first to be rounded up and sent behind barbed wire for "national security."
I will admit that I used you, deceived you, led you astray against your wishes.
I will deny that you ever agreed with me, and affirm that you were afraid to disagree with me. 
I will die doing slave labor to build a wall in 100 degree heat in a desert compound where there is a cup of water, and a piece of bread every day.
Or I will be executed for failing to bow down, or salute and repeat the mindless sayings of the "leader," or for trying to escape into the deadly heat of the desert.
I hate pain, and that is my great weakness, but I would rather be shot in the back running away than suffer.
But just know, that my memories of you will sustain me with joy; that I will not judge you for staying away, that I will pray for your survival--knowing that this too shall pass--because souls are eternal--that despots and demagogues are not. 
But I will weep for the loss, for America, and freedoms, and decency, and morality--stolen and fueled  because of a "leader's" manipulation of fear, and hatred, and racism, and violence, and intolerance,  and demagoguery, and ignorance, and extremist religion and politics.
They will come for you next. 

I wish this were a fantasy. 

Heroes, and messy democracy

Young Americans

The three of them stood there, holding three hand made signs, protesting Trump. as a constant stream of all kinds of people flowed by, heading for the rally inside the Oklahoma City convention center yesterday.
Two of them are students at Oklahoma City Community College, the other a student at Mid-Del High School. 
I spotted them as I rounded the south side of the building, curious about the types of people and the event. No, I didn't have tickets and intended to hold up my own protest sign, hoping to find others.
They were the only ones,  there of their own volition. Two were registered Republicans, one wearing a Tea Party shirt. The other was too young to vote.
Their courage inspired me  and since my sign was disrespectful compared to theirs, I just talked with them, watched from a respectful distance, and then had my photo taken with them.
They were polite and respectful, greeting passers by with "Hello, how are you?" Sometimes saying  things like "Don't build walls," and from one sign, "He's a fake conservative." The youngest one, always ended the conversation with "feel the love."
A few passersby who stopped got into respectful conversations.
But more of the people just flowed by, or were rude. 

Rudeness, cussings, fingers

One dumpy, frazzled woman, when greeted with "How are you?" wouldn't make eye contact, and replied "Better than you, go home."
Another 30 something, on hearing something about the wall, said "He's not going to build a wall." One of the protesters replied, "But he says he is." 30 something replied, "He's not going to build a wall." Reply, "Are you calling Trump a liar?" That got them a finger.
Worst case was one rough looking, big buckle, cigarette, who started loudly cussing them as he walked by, including the "F word," in easy sound of smaller children. (His Momma didn't teach him any manners)
I said to them, "Great vocabulary," and one smiled back at me, "Trump sure attracts well-educated, doesn't he?"
Another snipped from them: "It'd sure be nice to have a rational conversation with these people."
Others were outside too, passing out leaflets, selling campaign signs.
I saw one guy with an old campaign hat on, with a sign scratched on cardboard: "When tyranny comes to your house, it will come armed and in a uniform." We smiled at each other.
Another group (all men), one in an American flag shirt, was passing you pink sheets, urging women to vote for a candidate.
Teachers were everywhere, getting people to sign the petition for the one cent sales tax.
One young couple had driven up from Fort Worth and were passing out fact sheets on Trump, polite and smiling, unaffiliated with any campaign. They cared--they had information on how much money he'd given to politicians in both parties, including Hillary, and several who had voted for Obamacare. In addition, his past use of, and support of illegal immigrants. Here's their link: http://goo.gl/ochUxm if you care to see the research they did.

Most disturbing were the people passing out an eight page leaflet, "The Pope's Secrets," attacking Catholicism and the pope as part of an international conspiracy controlling the IRS, FBI, Mafia, and more.
Here's the first sentence: "The Vatican is posing as Snow White but the Bible says she is a prostitute, "The great whore." a cult (Rev 19:2.)" Oh and by the way, backing up  the claims are Bible references, but you're urged to use only the King James Version.
I went home and looked up the author, Tony Alamo, "World Pastor, Tony Alamo Christian Ministries."
Turns out that Alamo is not his real name, and he seems to have some trouble with the law. He moved from California back to his wife's home state in Arkansas. But in 2014 seven women who say they were sexually abused by him as minors were awarded $525 million.Church tycoon.
There are all kinds of tales, including an FBI raid on his Fort Smith compound in 2008. Fort Smith raid. Google some more and you'll find arrests and stories of child abuse.
I just wonder if all those people passing out the Pope article, calling the Vatican a "cult" knew any of this, or were deluded..
(Snarky comment about deluded people hinted at but  suppressed.)

Democracy and The First Amendment are messy.

Back to these three protesters -- I'm so encouraged by them, not because I agree with all their politics, any more than agreeing with my young family members supporting Bernie. 
What stands out is their commitment, their courage, their involvement in this Democracy--hope for the present and future.
Oh, the messages on their signs:
"Republicans Against Trump"
"Build a wall around his house"
"Trump is a fake conservative"
"A vote for Trump = A vote for Clinton"
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power
Then this world will know peace."

Their parents have done a great job, and should be proud--they have manners, conviction, and courage. They're a real contrast to all the anger and negativity of this campaign. I think that also is grounds for being proud of a still great America. Thank you, Americans.

Proud to pose with some dedicated conservatives

Vive' Mali! And the children

Today's tragedy in Mali, religious fundamentalist fanatic Muslims, killing other Muslims, hits close to home and breaks my heart.
I was privileged to go there eight years ago, as a newspaperman on a mission from Oklahoma State University, and it changed my values. Such a poor country, but rich in tradition, history, people,  hospitality--Muslims in a democracy that loves the U.S....and wonderful children. What stands out? Adobe, dirt, smiles, hard work, the dignity of the people, and the children.
Oh, those bright white smiles? A dentist friend of mine said it was because they didn't have processed sugar in their diets.
You can read previous posts on this blog, From a Rooftop in Mali and Three years ago
I fell in love with the children...and in spite of the turmoil, I'd go back in a second, given the chance, even now. 

"The Wild West" in #clarkclass

UCO broadcast professor Desiree Hill @dezhill has become a partner in ideas and enthusiasm for our changing professions, and her presentation to #clarkclass today  underscored that.
Get over the idea that all professors are traditional, old-fashioned set-in-their-ways know-it-alls. Desiree says most traditional media use new media in traditional ways, but she is not one of those, and is always learning and changing. 
She is a newshound, which is about as high on my list as you can get, because she always brings practical advice, sincere interaction with individual students and passion for what we do in teaching and in journalism. I especially appreciate her advice on writing for twitter, on the importance of journalism in a democracy, and her commitment to students. 
Every time I hear this terrific teacher speak, I learn stuff and get ideas for teaching. I hope we can eventually work this into a team teaching project. We know we're on the threshold of something constantly changing that is exciting and invigorating.
I learned something else this week, when @MyJrny took photos of the class, and of me. I need to start taking photos of these speakers  to add to the volumes of material and possible articles coming out of #clarkclass. I followed through with @DeluxeOk, but didn't get Desire's pix. Ah well, next time.
Here are the students' comments as we debriefed after @dezhill's comments, recorded by  @JenniferHasel.

• Have something to say and produce content
• Know who you are on twitter (twitter cloud)
• Don’t’ be a hero at first or you’ll become a zero
• Transmit information that suits you
• “We are all our own newsroom.”
• Twitter is your image
• Be cautious
• Developing news is always on-going news
• She said that we (the students) are becoming the experts and there will always be continuous change
• She presented more of what was expected in the class; things such as tips and proper use
• Look at social media policies
• Have developing stories
• You can’t be all things to all people
• Humor is subjective so be careful with it
• Twitter will make you a better writer
• Being a communicator, you can’t be all over the place
• Have two twitter accounts (personal and professional)
• “We all need to edit ourselves.”
• Don’t have a tweet fight, nothing good comes of it
• Journalism in social media is like chasing the greased pig
• Use twitter for immediacy/breaking is the key
• Twitter images will separate the best from the average
• Referring to Twitter, “We’re never going to get caught up.”
• “You ought to have a different assignment board for social media.”
• Writing should be customized for Twitter
• Be specific with serious tweets
• Know the rules of your employer regarding social media
• “Tweeting is good for you.”
• “You have the ability to call people out.”
• “You can have opinions that are valuable.”
• “It’s like the Wild West; it’s this new frontier.”

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