Today’s snarky snippets are a bit different than usual, focusing on some who have earned kudos or a thumb-up for their actions, for their courage and integrity.

A man with integrity in Colorado

The Republican Party of today is not known for its truth-telling, not known for its integrity, and not known for its democratic principles.  It is, rather, known for its bigotry, its devotion to wealth and the wealthy, and its obstruction of anything that would benefit the people of this nation.  There are, however, a few exceptions.  Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are two of those notable exceptions, however both have paid a high price for ‘doing the right thing’.  Out in Colorado, though, there is another:  State Senator Kevin Priola.

Priola is resigning from the Republican Party and becoming a Democrat, citing the party’s complicity in the Jan. 6 insurrection and 2020 election denial as the reason …

“I cannot continue to be a part of a political party that is okay with a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election and continues to peddle claims that the 2020 election was stolen.”

He also cited his party’s lack of action on climate change, saying his GOP colleagues “consistently and proudly seek to impede progress … and I can’t, in good conscience, be silent about that.”

Often when I speak of the Republican Party, I wonder whether there is any limit to how low they are willing to stoop, any line in the sand they won’t cross.  For most, I believe there is no valley so low they wouldn’t slide into it, no line in the sand, but it gives me hope seeing that there are still a few out there who put country before party, who have integrity and aren’t afraid to stand by their convictions.  I don’t often agree with them on policy issues, but I give them a big thumb up for their values, for what they are trying to accomplish, for not falling prey to the evil that has become the Republican Party today.

Dr. Fauci … we will miss you!

Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, announced that he will leave his position at the end of this year.  I don’t blame him one bit … he has been vilified, he and his family have received death threats, and for what?  Because he is a man of integrity, because he told the truth when others attempted to sweep it under the carpet.

In early 2020 when the pandemic first hit, half of this nation might have been wiped out were it not for the voice of Dr. Fauci.  He cautioned, he warned, he urged protocols, he informed, while the person sitting in the Oval Office pooh-poohed his cautionary speech and told the people of this country not to worry, that COVID-19 would only affect a handful of people and it would be gone in a matter of a few days.  He eschewed precautions such as mask-wearing, business & school closings, and social distancing – the very things Dr. Fauci was urging.

I think Dr. Fauci deserves the Medal of Honour for not only his hard work to try to keep us safe and alive, but for putting up with the bullshit he has had to put up with from the under-educated masses who preferred to believe a proven liar to a scientist.  Says Dr. Fauci …

“While I am moving on from my current position, I am not retiring. After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field. I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”

COVID cases and deaths are on the rise again, and next year we won’t have the cool-headed wisdom of Dr. Anthony Fauci.  He leaves some mighty big shoes to fill.

Public safety = political suicide

U.S. Representative Chris Jacobs took a brave stance last May when he made the public statement that he would support a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as raising the age to buy certain weapons to 21.  What simply sounds like common sense to many of us, was like a tidal wave to his New York constituency as well as the Republican Party in general.  Shortly after making the announcement, Jacobs said in a conversation with a Republican leader …

“I think I just committed political suicide.”

Officials who had endorsed Jacobs swiftly withdrew their support. Gun rights groups accused him of betrayal. Don Junior said Jacobs had “caved to the gun-grabbers.” A week after his news conference, Jacobs announced that he would not seek reelection.

Jacobs said the mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo in May were the driving factors in his decision.  He and his family were about one mile from the Tops supermarket in Buffalo when that shooting took place.  Jacobs, 55, represents an increasingly rare brand of politician — moderate in ideology and willing to change his mind. He criticized both parties for enforcing conformity in their ranks.

Like Liz Cheney and others, I cannot agree with many of Mr. Jacobs’ policy votes, but I honour him for having the courage of his convictions, the courage to put our lives ahead of the profits of the gun industry, which is what it all boils down to.  But think about this for a minute … if the people in the Republican Party who actually own a conscience are leaving, either by their own will or by being forced from office, what kind of GOP does that leave us with next year?  After the past two years since Greene, Boebert and others wormed their way into the U.S. Congress, I thought it had hit rock bottom … couldn’t get any worse.  But now, with the more level-headed, conscionable members leaving … oh yeah, my friends, it can get one hell of a lot worse!