Fitz Bits

And assorted progressive pro-democracy piffle

White Lights for Democracy

I was at well-attended meeting of the Oro Valley Democrats this week waiting to address the group when I heard a creative idea for a highly visible form of peaceful protest. Want to make it clear you oppose this current administration? Hang clear white holiday lights at your home. It’s catching on in some neighborhoods.

How does a boy grow up to be a progressive?

That’s an easy question to answer. I grew up in an integrated socialist meritocratic utopian compound.

An Air Force Base.

I am what they used to call a “Scoop Jackson” liberal. That means I favor a strong military. And national service.

I favored neither when I was 18.

When you were kids some of you woke up to Roosters crowing.

Some of you woke up to the sounds of garbage trucks rumbling and beeping.

I woke up to the low distant roar of the B-52s warming up for another daily practice run carrying nuclear weapons into western skies because we believed in peace through strength and air raid sirens on Saturdays.

I was in Civil Air Patrol because what Air Force kid doesn’t dream of being an astronaut. MAGA’s cutting NASA by half. America’s space program will no longer be the pride of our nation. Our oligarch’s private space programs will be the pride of our oligarchs. We will leave “national pride” to the Japanese and the Chinese and the EU and the Indians and Russia.

I carried the Officer’s Training Manual for ROTC with my regular high school books because if I was going to Viet Nam, like both my brothers, I was going to be an officer.

Journalism seduced me from that path.

Best class on the Constitution I ever took was taught by a Navy Captain.

Unlike our Commander in Chief I respect our military. I honor service.

My lifelong constant brushes with the military ethos in my background may be why I’m the Right’s worst nightmare: A liberal with discipline.

The fact no top brass objected to the President’s highly partisan hate speech to the troops recently is cowardly and a low point for this military. It’s a disgrace. Our Generals know better.

The fact no top brass objected to the President’s use of our troops to police dissent by American citizens is cowardly and a low point for this military. It’s a disgrace. Our Generals know better.

The courage that defeated so many foes of our democracy is gone.

And now the esteemed US Marines are being treated as props.

A New Marine Hymn

From the Malls of Petaluma,
To the Shores of Malibu;
We will fight Dear Leader's battles
Up and down Wlishire Avenue.

First to crush dissent for Donald!
And to keep these protests "clean";
What has become of our best fighting force? 
Our United States Marines?

If all the Founding Fathers
Ever look down on the scene
they will ask you what has become of 
Our United States Marines?

Once they fought for rights and freedoms
and the American Dream.
Now they're proud to obey a Fascist,
Our United States Marines.

Tucson's Main Library

Tucson's main library, located east of the old Pima Country Courthouse, has always resembled the characterless bridge of a cruise ship. Well, it finally sank.

Tucson's main library will be moved into a former bank the county has purchased across the street from the library. It’s the dignified lovely old building that actually looks like a library.

It is my understanding the red sculpture in front of the abandoned “modern” library will be euthanized by PACC.

Sly Stone and different strokes for different folks

Sly Stone, who rocked my early ’70s with the Family Stone died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 82. Here is my favorite song from his canon. Listen to how powerfully it resonates today as a inspiring anthem:

Save the Date, Wednesday, June 25th for a fun fundraiser for the Resistance!

Now is the time to show our support for the LGBTQ community and for our local Democrats that are fighting in the trenches for us all.

Note that there are 2 shows. The early show may be less naughty than the later show.

(I discovered drag before it was cool {uh huh} and as a stage comedian this joker loved the art form immediately because much of the drag I saw then was the funniest most savage satire I had ever seen on stage. And still is.)

I know Lucinda and Justin personally and they are talented wonderful entertainers. And I can’t wait to see what Tasha has in store. And I may even be there to heckle.

At $75 a ticket you know you spend more on gummies. See you there!