I've updated my occasional blog with a short piece of about 800 words, "Current Options for Removal." Check rockonaswamp.blogspot.com

Wow, Mike Johnson sure lies a lot for a Christian. Or maybe he's just a fool.

A mix of evergreen and deciduous trees in fall red and yellow, taken on today's walk. I got flu and COVID vaccines and then accessed a segment of the Chehalis Western Trail from the medical office parking lot. A calming walk, in part because I had just defied RFK Jr.

From today's walk by the south end of Capitol Lake, Olympia. Plenty of ducks in there--magnify to see them. They don't like to be near humans, evidently, and even though their judgment is based on vast generalizations, I see their point.

Today's walk was through a cemetery and I took no pics to allow the dead some privacy, which is relative since their names are etched in stone on public display. Lots of Herberts died about a hundred years ago. Nearly everything is temporary including our pain and woes--sometimes that's comforting.

From today's walk by Capitol Lake, Olympia. Thinking about what makes for a good government. Washington state has some measure of that, though the federal government increasingly does not. #Olympia

The president's illegal actions through ICE agents in Chicago and elsewhere have crossed a red line. Remove this wannabe dictator from office. Who should? All of us. #DeposeTrump

At the Pacific Lutheran University football game against Williamette. The home team is behind 21-14 about half way through the third quarter but is playing with determination though maybe not as much talent as their opponent. The game has a fun small-town feel.

After lunch with a friend, I visited a particular grave in Renton. Have enjoyed his work for a long time.

What do authoritarian leaders do? One answer:whatever Trump just attempted. Fight the illicit power. #resist #NoKings #dementedasshat

Hi, Bluesky friends. What are you up to? What are you reading? What thoughts preoccupy you? What is the flight velocity of an unladen swallow? #Python

Signs of fall on today's walk in my neighborhood. Rain arrives tomorrow and will remain on-and-off for several days. Anti-authoritarian breezes are also expected from the south. #PortlandResist

No pic from today's walk at Lewis and Clark State Park about 45 minutes south of Olympia. A good park for camping and equestrian trails, not so much for my kind of walks. L & C are honored but were never nearby. Just as Trump is called president but has never approached the office's essence.

From today's walk, the William Ives Trail near Meridian Park. Brought to you by . . . Thanks to these folks and others who enhance the community. A pleasant trail, and it calmed me after seeing parts of the orange one's UN speech. Aghast--so I walk and remember that the world's beauty persists.

From today's walk at Black Lake Meadow Reserve about three miles from my house. Still no Rapture. Kimmel's back. Grabbed a House seat in Arizona. This set of events calls for pizza.

On today's walk, a segment of the Chehalis Western Trail in Lacey. No rapture yet. How fouled up was that dispensationalist theology I grew up with?

On today's walk at Pioneer Park in Tumwater--the Deschutes River about two miles upstream from Tumwater Falls. It's my birthday and other than this picturesque stroll, I want Trump removed from office. Please see what you can do.

No pics from today's walk at Squaxin Park in Olympia due to smoke from the fire on the Olympic peninsula, presumably. It's a beautiful park, so pics next time. Also, it's freedom of speech fight time. Trump is to free speech as Pennywise is to children. (Extend to Epstein commentary as you wish.)

From today's walk at Tolmie State Park north of Lacey.

Since Disney/ABC has colluded with Trump to fire Jimmy Kimmel because he spoke freely, I'll be boycotting Disney companies. That includes ESPN--I'll get my sports info elsewhere. No Pixar, Marvel, FX, or National Geographic. Free speech is more vital than any entertainment. #boycottDisney

On today's walk at Grass Lake Nature Park in West Olympia, a sculpture by Abe Singer. It's on a boardwalk over scrub wetlands, one sight on a beautiful, mostly shaded trail.

Hi, my few Bluesky friends. I have given notice at both of my colleges that I am retiring at the end of this semester. After 35 years of teaching poli sci and history and other things, it's time. I hope the money lasts as long as I do.

Charlie Kirk should not have been murdered. But he was a racist, gay-hating, lying "Christian" nationalist who spouted conspiracy theory sewage and disregarded science. He should have been disdained and ignored. I will not mourn a man who wanted me not to exist.

On today's walk by the Deschutes River between Brewery Park and Tumwater Historical Park. A little feeder stream/fall. A welcome respite from the news, which might be entitled "Fascism Today." #OlympiaWA #Tumwater #NoKings #smallwaterfall

Yesterday's walk in the South Capitol neighborhood a couple of miles from my house. Pondering the subtleties of sowing and reaping.

Waiting for news from Chicago. In the meantime, views from today's walk in Millersylvania State Park.

On today's walk, the Olympia Brewery dating from 1906, seen from across the Deschutes River. #Oly

The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.

The Nisqually River near where it spills into the marshlands of the south Puget Sound, taken on today's walk. Let's save natural treasures like this from those who are, among other things, attempting to pillage them. #AltNationalParkService

Mt Rainier today.

The Declaration of Independence cites "a long train of abuses" as a good reason to ditch King George based on the ideas of John Locke. So, in our similar but not identical situation, how long? Dating back to Jan. 20, 2025? To Jan. 6, 2021? To inauguration day, 2017? When will it be long enough?

One of the places I take walks, a section of the Chehalis Western Trail (which used to be a north-south rail line). All that green is soothing.

I've rethought the redistricting issue. Blue states should gerrymander like crazy because 1) red states are, and 2) those who can stop this unfair and antidemocratic action won't (the Supreme Court). Caveat: after the Trumpists are out of power we should ditch district elections. Back to principles.

Stand with Gov. Pritzker against Trump's encroachment of democracy. No kings, no dictators. No "cloddish gallstone in human form" (quoting John Scalzi). #resist #Pritzker #Scalzi

Got in a brief visit to Olympic National Park today. Majestic. Must prevent our weak and diminishing president from gutting the National Park Service. #NPS

I've just updated my occasional blog. Look for "Peak Summer in Olympia" at rockonaswamp.blogspot.com

Okay, Californians, should the governor's bill pass and redistricting be placed as a ballot prop in a special election? 'Splain, please. As a recent former resident of the Golden State, my interest level is high.

Prepping my fall classes.

"There are few professions whose primary objective is to advance the cause of humanity rather than simply to make money or accrue power. Among this limited group of humanitarians I would number teachers, nurses, bookstore owners, and bartenders." ~ Jack McDevitt

Things dictators do: deploy the military to occupy a city on a flimsy pretext and in defiance of a longstanding law. It's time to remove the orange wannabe strongman. If Congress won't, we the people must. (Note to FBI--I prefer peaceful and legal means, but . . . no dictators.)

My cousins are funny and kind and endearingly weird. Family reunion today. Many thanks to the genetics responsible for sardonic humor. #Butler #SWMo

Of course I voted in this local election. Always, every time. Thurston County, WA, has an especially festive sticker, too. Celebrating democracy is one more way to defend it. #elections #democracy #thurstoncounty #ivoted

👍

He's been gone five years as of today. I'm focused on our happiest moments and his radiant smile. Requiescat in pace, Kirisimasi Matu'u Timo.

How not to solve gerrymandering: by having Democrats gerrymander in blue states. Plus, Gov. Newsom does not have the power. Voters in CA placed that power in the hands of an appointed bipartisan commission about 15 years ago, and voters would have to pass another prop to replace that method.

A message that six members of the Supreme Court should strongly consider. And MAGA, but not getting my hopes up.

One of my favorite musicians and I heard one of his songs just yesterday. (Gift article) www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/a...

Another conundrum--removing Trump makes the craven, spineless J.D. Vance president. Removing him too would leave us with Speaker Johnson, a self-deluded "Christian" nationalist. No improvements down the line of succession. And we'd still face a Supreme Court at war with the Constitution. Comments?

My internal debate about the merits of nonviolence continues, largely due to Trump. I'd like to be complete Gandhian, honest, but the problem is efficacy. Nonviolent campaigns work if people persevere and are disciplined and patient. But during that slog, oppression continues. People die. Comments?

Our weak and abusive president has ended the 988 Lifeline special service to LGBTQ+ youth. His message to them: "Drop dead." #LGBTQ+ #nine88 #removehim #resist