Surprising Suffrage(tte)

Our next stop was Cheyenne, Wyoming, where we had a spot for a few days, to including visiting the Capitol of Wyoming.  There, as with most Capitols, Presidential Libraries and such,  we learned some surprising things.  For example,

Who knew WYOMING was the first State for Suffragettes.  First State with a Woman Governor.  Our Docent for the Capital tour lamented that this could never happen today, in MAGA Wyoming, but she was very glad it could and did in 1869.  Implicit in those remarks: Wyoming has visibly regressed in the past 100 years…

Also in Cheyenne, we discovered:  Mort’s Bagels!!!???  There, we had an EXCELLENT Bagel…as excellent as we have had in a really long time.  So excellent that we had brekkie there multiple times.  I would NOT have expected a Jewish Guy like Mort OR an excellent Bagel in Cheyenne, Wy.

Our travel through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming  did have us reflecting on high-altitude driving in this bus vs. our previous.  This bus has a turbocharged 475hp engine…the previous a Normally Aspirated 210hp engine.  Hills at 7,000 ft is where the former shines and the latter belches huge clouds of black smoke as it crawls up hill. Altitude leads to massive Detroit Diesel 8V92 Appreciation.

Leaving Wyoming,  we visited Lincoln, Nebraska,  ANOTHER Capitol,  and a college town with the promise of music and entertainment. 

We were there, coincidentally,  for the “No Kings” rally,  and decided to ride our bikes down to the street in front of the Capitol.  The rally was large, and festive.  And the attendees were mainly older…not students.  Although many were dressed as frogs, dinosaurs and other mythical creatures,  so its hard to be sure HOW OLD they were.  It was surely peaceful.  

Visiting the Capitol building was interesting…we would have done a tour, but it seemed to be “Field Trip” day for screaming third-graders.  We decided, instead,  to have a wander on our own!

No Kings

Political Statement

Economic Statement

No Kings in Nebraska

Lincoln

We did find some music to enjoy in Lincoln at a bar just next to campus.  They had a GREAT SET for senior citizens:  music started at 5 and ended at 9.  Our tickets included that music (Blues and Soul) and, if we wanted, we could stay for “Nebraska ThunderFunk” music, beginning at 9.  Our tickets included attendance at the proprietor’s birthday party – he was our age or older. Birthday comestibles included Rice Crispy treats and Birria Tacos.  Liz asked him how long he had owned the bar…he said he worked as a Bartender and Manager back when he went to school,  and eventually bought the place.  Though it was immediately adjacent to the campus,  he felt pretty good about providing a senior-friendly venue for “his people.”

The early sets were FANTASTIC…we stayed for a couple numbers of the later band…inquiring minds wanted to know what the hell “ThunderFunk” was!!!  ,  But we eventually gave up our seats to a younger crown and were in bed by 11.

On the way eastward on I-80,  we stopped in West Des Moines for ANOTHER visit with the Florers.  Then we had to make a stop in Eastern Iowa to get a leveling jack fixed….for the third time.  We are grateful that the Mfg. of these devices still supports them after 40 years, and stand behind their work,  since the jack started leaking again after having been rebuilt in May.  

While awaiting that repair,  we went to Iowa City, where Liz’s nephew Jack is attending University…Liz had an Afghan to deliver…Jack’s second!   The first was delivered a couple years ago when he was attending Iowa State.  Liz felt like it could be dangerous to Jack’s soul, if not the rest of him to use an ISU Afghan at U of I,  so she made another!!!   

As we wound our way towards Chicago,  Liz’s sister,  who receives mail for us, advised me of a Jury Duty Summons.  As it happens, on our first day in Chicago!!!  Might seem like an aggravation, but I actually viewed it quite favorably…an opportunity for performing civic responsibility that by good fortune occurred at a time when we are in town!!  I am actually writing this tome in the Jury Waiting Room at the Criminal Courts Building on Chicago’s South Side, wondering if I will be empaneled today (I was not!). 

Chicago has been as it always is for us:  Full of visits with friends and family, eating at favorite restaurants, walking through the neighborhoods resplendent in fall colors and, yes, visiting a doctor or two (all good!).  This time in Chicago,  we endured an unfortunate side-effect of our encroaching senescence.  While visiting friends and relatives,  we learned that several are currently engaged in challenging medical adventures.  And,  of course,  we’ve had our own in the past year.   We now spend a significant amount of energy and thought-space channeling positive vibes on our friends’ behalf.   

Anyway,  we’d stay longer,  but cold is coming, and so we need to be going!!!  We’re  headed to Alabama, where the bus gets its annual “physical,” and then OKC, and finally South Texas.   

 

WARNING….Rare Political Comments…Please read!!!

Before I sign off for this post, since I mentioned “Civic Responsibility” and waxed philosophic about Chicago,  I hope you’ll allow me a brief, political digression. I try to stay away from this on these pages,  but being in Chicago I am seeing things that cannot be ignored or denied.

Give us some notice and we’ll take you under our wings and SHOW YOU!!! 

 

Chicago is  a beautiful City. It has been our home.  It is a cultural mecca.  Architectural gem. Musical Nirvana (esp. for Blues Lovers like me!). We have been all around the world; to MANY cities and countries from Paris to Singapore to Buenos Aires to Tokyo to Sydney and Mumbai…Chicago is among if not the BEST of all.  If you have been here, you know; if you have not, you should!!  Give us some notice and we’ll take you under our wings and SHOW YOU!!!   

What Chicago is NOT is a war zone.  Like many cities, crime is an issue and is addressed by local law enforcement, with due process.  Chicago is not even among the top (bottom?) ten in the US with regard to Crime Rate!!!  

It does not need or want federal “enforcement” of any kind!!!!  

What is happening here is thugs are masquerading as law enforcement as they profile and then detain – no, KIDNAP! —  Brown people without regard to their immigration or criminal status.  People with LEGAL STATUS are caught up in this, including children.  Crowds of OUR NEIGHBORS are being teargassed. This is being done by roving patrols of masked men in unmarked SUVs in neighborhoods like where we lived for 30 years, outside schools, parks, sporting events…all without credentials, warrants or probable cause (other than brown skin).    

This is WRONG, no matter your political persuasion.   

It is illegal, unChristian (or Jewish, Buddhist, Hindi, Muslim, Shinto…or indeed any caring religion or persuasion), unhuman, and, indeed, fascist!   The Federal presence is so off-the-rails-of-democracy that a FEDERAL JUDGE had to remind the CBP Head that teargassing Halloween Processions of CHILDREN is not OK!.  And order that the CBP Head needed to report in person before the judge EVERY DAY.  Judge orders Border Patrol official to update on Chicago operations .  This after the goons DID, in fact, pepper-spray just before such an event.  After Halloween Parade Ruined By Federal Agents, Old Irving Park Neighbors Furious

In real terms,  this means that restaurants are short-staffed, landscaping services are cancelling, contractors are cancelling all sorts of services and children are walked to and from school by neighbors and friends,  not their parents.  All because,  if you are brown, you might be scooped up and detained in detention centers with deplorable conditions for indeterminant time.  Without access by family or legal representation.  EVEN IF YOU ARE A CITIZEN OR LEGAL RESIDENT.  This is not an exaggeration…there are many documented accounts of this happening,  including in OUR FORMER NEIGHBORHOOD. 

WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS!  From New York to Illinois to Alabama to Texas to California, we are better than this!!!   What does it take for 100% of Everyone to condemn this in the strongest terms??  I am actually ashamed that everyone, universally, is NOT condemning this!?  Ashamed that a sufficient number of thugs willing to perform these kidnappings could be found and employed by ICE.   Ashamed that the National Guard of ANY state is willing to reinforce this outrageous activity in their state or another.

I am soooooo proud of Chicagoans; neighbors and strangers alike.  When these roving goon-patrols are observed,  people of all walks of life emerge from homes, apartments, schools, places of business and as one blow whistles and call attention to the thuggery.  They have learned not to physically impede, but they film…and the optics of neighbors of every color LOUDLY protesting are horrible for the thugs and MAGNIFICENT for citizens!!!

Businesses, including our favorite Burrito Stand, now feature new signs on their doors.   This citizen  outrage on display has been impactful…in many cases the Goons give up and leave.  But in some cases, people “disappear,” including citizens and folks of other immigration statuses, many of whom are following the rules AND almost NONE of whom are violent criminals.  

That the thuggery is occurring and the resistance is succeeding (at times) cannot be disputed, no matter where one gets their news.      I hope this nightmare ends soon, when enough of us (including sworn law enforcement and military) stand up and refuse to allow this activity;  and those involved are both voted out AND  held accountable for their actions.