“Having failed to make even a plausible case of widespread fraud or conspiracy before any court of law, the President has now resorted to overt pressure on state and local officials to subvert the will of the people and overturn the election. It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American President.”~Mitt Romney

“As states wrap up the election and certify the results, it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we respect the integrity of the election process and uphold Americans’ faith in our electoral system. Each state has worked to ensure a free and fair elections process. President Trump has had the opportunity to litigate his claims, and the courts have found them without merit. A pressure campaign on state legislators to influence the electoral outcome is not only unprecedented but inconsistent with our democratic process. It is time to begin the full and formal transition process.”~Lisa Murkowski

The presidential election was three weeks ago tomorrow. More than two weeks ago, almost all major media outlets had seen enough to proclaim Joe Biden the winner of the election and President-elect of the United States. Although most Republican’s, including the members of Congress,  won’t admit it publicly, they know Biden won the election and will be the forty-sixth president. The only one living in a fantasy is our current lame-duck president, Donald Trump.

Since being declared the loser, he’s gone to great lengths to try to remain in the presidency for a second term. He’s asked for a recount in a few battleground states. Yes, that’s been futile, but that’s fine. It’s legal and well within his rights. He filed suit in more than thirty courts. That’s also been futile. Twenty-four have been tossed out with more to come. But again, it’s legal and well within his rights. However, a desperate Trump has taken it well beyond what is legal!

His leading toady in the Senate, Lindsey Graham, called the Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to allegedly pressure him to throw out ballots that were not for Trump. Graham also made those same calls to Arizona, Nevada and other states. You know he didn’t do this on his own. You know he doesn’t do anything without the approval of Trump. Luckily for our democracy, Raffensberger and the others, who were all Republicans and Trump supporters/voters,  showed they valued our election system more than anyone one individual. They refused to do anything except certify their state’s election.

But Trump took this one step further.

He started making his own calls. He called two of Michigan’s Republican electors and put pressure on them to not certify election results coming out of Detroit. Then he flew out to Washington a couple of Michigan’s state representatives to use the power of the presidency to pressure them to overturn the results and elect their own slate of electors to give Michigan’s electoral votes to Trump. With Michigan due to officially certify their results this afternoon, we’ll know in a few hours if his tactics have worked. We’ll see if he was able to subvert the will of the people in Michigan. If so, who is next? What states will follow?

So while court cases and recounts are desperate, at least they’re legal. Pressuring the representatives and electors crosses way past the line of legality. There needs to be consequences for these acts. If not, what’s to stop them from happening again?

The obvious answer is to charge him with a crime, but that would take far too long…maybe even years.
So, why not impeach him?

Yes, I know he’s been impeached once before, but there’s no law that says it can’t be done a second time? Yes, I know, he was found innocent of those charges by the Senate. Yes, I know, the same thing would most likely occur again. Hell, the case might not even get to the Senate because it’s more than likely Trump will already be out of office at that time. But, that’s not the point. The second impeachment would be a part of history. It would become a major part of the Trump legacy. When he hears the words, Two-time impeached Former President Donald J. Trump, imagine his disgrace and his anger over something that will live on forever. And there’s absolutely nothing he could do about it!

Our next president, Joe Biden says he doesn’t want to waste his time investigating Trump’s misdeeds. By impeaching Trump again, that takes it completely out of Biden’s hands. It’ll be over and done with by the time he takes office in late January. He can focus on his administration. The country can move forward while putting the last four disastrous years in our rear view mirrors. It’s a win/win for everyone, except Donald Trump!

So c’mon Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler and the others. Remember how great the first impeachment felt? Here’s your chance to make it feel twice as good!

Related Post: Which Trump administration flunky are you happiest to see leave?

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Welcome to 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days, hosted by Portrait of an Adoption. This series will feature guest posts by people with widely varying adoption experiences and perspectives. 

The Sigh of a Mother Who Loves Her Daughter
By Megan Hugel

At fifteen, I take handfuls of extra strength painkillers searching for the strength to end the pain that felt unending. In the hospital, the doctors ask my panicked parents, “Is there a history of depression and mental illness in the family?” and my mother screams, “No, no that isn’t us!”

“I’m adopted,” I tell the doctor, “and there’s history of depression and suicide in my biological family.” I know this because I have an open adoption and a relationship with my birth mom.

“Is there stress at home?” the doctors ask, and my parents remain silent. I fill in the blanks; divorce, cancer, I’m a teenager.

Nature versus nurture, they wonder. What can explain this? Who is to blame? Could we have prevented it if we only knew?

The doctors prescribe me antidepressants as we leave the hospital and the pharmacist asks if anyone else in my family has ever taken them. They ask if anyone in my family has ever had side effects to the medications. “I don’t know,” we say, “No one in our family has taken them.”

At twenty-eight, I have emergency gallbladder removal surgery. I have been living in pain for over a year. I have told my doctors over and over that it’s my gallbladder and I know, because my mom had hers removed, and we have the same symptoms, but they say I’m too young and it’s probably something else.

In the emergency room the doctor asks me if I have a history of gallbladder removal in my family.

“Yes!” I say, “My mom just hers removed last year!” and then, “Oh wait. I’m adopted.”

“No, that’s important,” he says, “you and your mom probably have similar diets and lifestyles. You’re at higher risk for gallstones if you have a family history, but also with a certain diet and lifestyle.”

“So it’s nurture?” I ask him.

“Sometimes it’s both,” he says and shrugs, “Today it doesn’t matter, you just need to get yours out,” and he sends in a nurse to prep me for surgery.

A year later, my birth mom calls. “I just had my gallbladder removed,” she says, “I wanted to make sure Megan knew what symptoms to look out for because they said it’s hereditary.” My mom and I laugh, “Welcome to the club!” we say, our abdominal scars laid out in matching constellations.

At thirty-two, I spend months ignoring chest pain and shortness of breath when one day I am walking across a parking lot and suddenly can’t breathe. A frenzied urgent care and emergency room trip later, and they find out I have dozens of Pulmonary Embolisms, blood clots filling up my lungs. I am immediately admitted to the critical care unit and spend a week fighting for my life.

It takes me six hours from arriving at the emergency room to get settled into my hospital room. I wait to call my mom until I have more information. I practice over and over what I will say so I can get through it calmly without crying. I am 32; I am an adult. I can call my mom and explain to her what’s going on.

I call her at 9:10pm and as soon she answers, I sob hysterically. “I’ll tell your dad so you don’t have to make two calls,” she says, calm and organized even in fear. “We’ll be there as soon as you want us to be. What can I bring? What do you need?”

During my stay in the hospital, the endless amounts of doctors and nurses treating me keep saying, “You’re too young for this to happen; you’re too young. This makes no sense.”

They ask me if I have a family history of blood clots, heart disease, anything. I say, “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m adopted. Please just fix me.”

They ask me a thousand questions and perform a thousand tests. Pulmonary embolisms are often fatal, and they want to make sure they don’t come back. They search for answers, for understanding. They study my blood for my lineage. They dissect my movements for a cause. They come up emptyhanded. Nature or nurture, they ask. What can explain this? Who is to blame? Could we have prevented it if we only knew?

All the test results come back inconclusive. The blame for the pulmonary embolisms lands on happenstance, on bad luck.

I have been home from the hospital for a few weeks, and my mom is updating my birth mom.

She is summarizing the last couple weeks, the multiple hospitalizations, all the tests, how happy we were when I was released, how she’s taking care of me and in charge of all my meals, how anxious I am to get back to my life.

She asks my birth mom questions, trying to fill in the banks in my familial medical history. She takes furious notes wanting to make sure I have answers not only for myself but for my future children if I choose to go the biological route.

I hear her pause as my birth mom asks her a question.

I hear my mom sigh.
the sigh of a mother
who knows what could have been
who knows what is
full of worry and love
the sigh of a mother who loves her daughter

I hear my birth mom sigh.
the sigh of a mother
who knows what could have been
who knows what is
full of worry and love
the sigh of a mother who loves her daughter

My birth mom inhales a breath and my mom exhales it.
“Yes,” my mom says, “Our girl is going to be okay.”

Bio: Megan continues to fight a medical battle with the endurance of her birth mom, the organizational skills and optimism of her mom and the ability to find the good and the humor in all situations which is uniquely her own. She also uses these traits in her job as the Operations Manager for an elementary school. She finds motivation to keep going from her family, friends, girlfriend and students. Read Megan’s previous piece for Portrait of an Adoption six years ago: http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2014/11/there-those-are-my-parents/

* * * *
Carrie Goldman is the host of Portrait of an Adoption. She is an award-winning author, speaker, and bullying prevention educator. Follow Carrie’s blog Portrait of an Adoption on Facebook and Twitter

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I can’t say I was totally blindsided. I told you a few months ago that this might, might, might occur. But now it is real. It has happened. We are once again, now and forevermore, dog people.

When we left that cat shelter this past summer, our thoughts of adopting an older cat dashed, Barb had plenty of time to ruminate on the long drive home. By the time we had pulled into our driveway, it was a fait accompli. We were going to be getting a dog, a dog with a clean mental slate (unlike Milo,) a dog we could train (unlike Murphy,) a dog who would have it in him or her to become a therapy dog (unlike Max.)

The research began. This consisted of talking to every dog owner in the neighborhood, social-distance apart, on our ritual walks through the neighborhood. And since we live in a very dog heavy neighborhood, those walks seemed to last for hours. But eventually, we decided on a breed and a breeder, there was a litter chosen, and a date for puppy pick-up determined.

But…there was a bump in the road. Dog Trainer B, who we also found via a neighborhood recommendation, was not particularly encouraging about breeder A’s dogs, suggesting we investigate Breeders C, D, or E. Of course, we did, though anticipating that with social isolation dog demands at a peak, no other pup would be available until the spring.

Miracle of miracles! A pooch belonging to Breeder D, down I-90 out near Rockford, had just delivered a litter of ELEVEN puppies. And two were still available. Faster than you can say “Woof” Barb had her credit card out and a deposit was made. Dog days were dawning.

Ten days ago we had the opportunity to choose our newest family member in a video call–and after a bit of confusion about the gender of the two options available to us, we had our boy.

This Saturday we hit the road, arriving outside a barn precisely at 11 a.m. Two other families joined us and a pick-up truck pulled in with three chocolate-colored Labradoodles. They were practically identical– except for one with a curly, white-tipped tail and a white blaze on his chest.

And that, dear friends, is Cooper.  He has a loving personality, seems to adore kids, and has evoked curiosity in the kitten. He goes to Breeder Boot Camp in December for basic training  (heel and sit, not drop and give me twenty basic training.) The rest is up to us.

Will we have the first Raff therapy dog? Or just another lovable ball of fur? I promise to let you know. And let me know about your doggie success stories. We are there for each other.

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Seniors lately are more likely to be scrutinized for any deterioration than recognized for their strengths.

Yes, Kamala Harris is the first Vice President representing several demographics, but President-Elect Biden is a sterling example of what older people can bring to the world.

Both leading candidates are in their seventies. The difference is that Biden has matured over the years. He brings more to the table than he would have in decades past.

In contrast, Trump brings notable personal weaknesses that he has not corrected.

Celebrating some of the personal challenges Joe Biden has faced and overcome

For starters, a lisp. It was a major problem in his youth, but he has managed it throughout his political career. Trump tried to trigger Biden’s stuttering in the debates and show Biden as mentally impaired Ridiculous. Stuttering is a speech problem, not an IQ problem.

A temper. They say Biden has a temper. Maybe so, but he manages it. While Trump goes off on wild tirades, Biden has achieved self-control.

Who can forget how Trump tried to set off Biden on the subject of Hunter? Biden turned the situation into a strength by identifying with families facing addiction problems. There are no signs that Trump’s relationships with his children are warmer, more supportive, more honest or more successful.

Too old and tired. No signs that he is too “sleepy” even though he doesn’t tweet at 3 am like his opponent. Biden knows how to maximize the energy he has. Trump needs more energy because he constantly hires and fires. Biden chooses people he trusts and lets them work

Moreover, Biden manages his time well. It appeared he spent a lot more time on debate preparation while Trump was content to speak off the cuff.

At the same time, Biden was working on transition plans, which is way beyond Trump’s temperament. What kind of political party has no platform beyond its candidate’s as yet undefined ideas? Egads!!

May we all age as well as President-Elect Biden

To be elected President is an honor but it is also a personal sacrifice. Anyone positioned to win the nomination and go on to victory can find other ways to make a fine living with personal privacy and independence.

Joe Biden accepted that running for President entails personal sacrifice. The next four years dramatically constrain his lifestyle.

Donald Trump also sees himself as making a sacrifice that the public doesn’t appreciate. He also seeks to benefit financially and legally far in excess of any sacrifice.

President-elect Biden has aged well in terms of character. May we all follow his example and face life’s challenges as opportunities for personal growth and greater service to all. And may he continue to serve as an example of the value of older people.

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Here’s the “first look” posting of beer released, both barrel-aged and ordinary, for Black Friday Weekend. Bourbon County Stout events at Goose Island have been sold out, but I’ve left up the links in case something happens to open up. And posting tasting at other beer establishments. Many other smaller brewers are also releasing barrel-aged stouts. Black Friday is followed by Small Business Saturday, but you shouldn’t need that as an excuse to patronize many of these places, especially during this troubled economic time.

Friday is also the postponed Record Store Day. Usually there’s a beermaker tie-in, at least from Dogfish Head. So far I havenot run across any for this year, but I will continue to update as plans fall into place. So please do check back!

Friday, November 27

Saturday, November 28

Sunday, November 29

When Bob Dylan mournfully crooned about the Times A-Changin’ in 1964 he would have scarcely imagined that a mere 56 years later the “Times” would include a pandemic, a social and cultural revolution, and powerful hunger – which never did go away, come to think of it.

Since family get-togethers around a 20-lb. turkey are a potential mine field these days, what better time to delay that tradition and still enjoy a nice turkey dinner with friends – virtually?

The experience is being offered by Gobble Doggs – a tasty turkey hot dog business that has been in operation in Chicago since 2012. Let’s say you are on the fence about the annual visit with aging parents and relatives in an environment today that can literally be as dangerous as a quick game of Russian roulette with the people you care about most in the world.

Gobble Doggs can create a virtual party package for you that allows a host to create an online ZOOM with friends and relatives that will have all the ingredients needed to do a fun, online demonstration of putting all the components together for a memorable meal.

Here’s how it works: a Gobble Doggs representative will provide step-by-step instructions to your virtual guests to create some of the best Gobble Doggs creations (ask about the Thanksgiving Gobble Dogg, with turkey stuffing, turkey gravy, and craisins). Plus, a few games and lots of laughs are thrown in. You can arrange for food drop-offs to your guests through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub — or have deliveries made by Gobble Doggs (from DeKalb to the Indiana border to the Wisconsin border).

“People have had to adjust to lots of different ways of doing things,” said Gobble Doggs owner Annah Mitchell. “The longer we do it, the more normal it becomes – with things like ZOOM cocktail hours with friends and so on. I like the idea of helping people connect and share some good food and laughs while keeping safe.”

One of my Thanksgiving movies is “Broadway Danny Rose” in which talent manager Woody Allen gathers the folks in the acts he books for frozen turkey Thanksgiving dinners. The camaraderie is sweet and endearing:

Guaranteed, Gobble Doggs food is better.

Their Chicago Style hot dog is fantastic. It has everything you need, including yellow mustard, onions, green pickle relish, sport peppers, tomato wedges, spear pickle, and a dash of celery salt. Plus, you get a dog that is a bit healthier than your average 7-11 Big Bite.

I know that most people will not be dissuaded from their traditional, relative-heavy, belt-loosening Thanksgiving feast, even as the promise of a Covid-19 vaccination is within view. To them, I offer my best wishes for a healthy and happy gathering.

But for those looking for a different way to have turkey and invite friends to share in the meal, Gobble Doggs is out there. They can be contacted at: (331) 234-1280 or by email at [email protected].