Cry for America: Cheers!

“I have reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block toward freedom is not the White citizen’s councilor or the Klu Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, ‘I agree with you with the goals that you seek, but can’t agree with your methods of direct action.” — the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” 1963

Here’s to those who would replace “Black Lives Matter” with “white lives matter” or “all lives matter.” Here’s to those who call the police on unknown black men lingering in white coffee shops. Here’s to those who shrug and say “well, they thought he had a gun.” Here’s to those who say, “well, those illegals should know their children will be taken from them when they break our laws by crossing our border.” Here’s to those who say, “build that wall.” Cheers!

Everyone, lift your glasses and say “Cheers” to all those who have enabled the dismantling of American democracy. “Cheers” to the misguided voters who thought Hillary was just as bad as Trump. “Cheers” to the misguided voters who voted for some minor third-party candidate as a protest vote. “Cheers” to the misguided “voters” who decided not to bother voting at all on November 8, 2016.

Give a rousing “cheers” to Mitch McConnell, thief of Supreme Court seats. “Cheers” to Paul Ryan, purveyor of tax cuts for the wealthy and destroyer of safety nets for the rest of us.  “Cheers” to Representatives and Senators who vote to deprive millions of health care for their pre-existing conditions. “Cheers” to indifferent Congresspeople who fail to protect DACA Dreamers. “Cheers” to those members of Congress who vote to steal hard-earned Social Security benefits to pay for the tax cuts gifted to wealthy donors. “Cheers” to the hypocrits bought by the NRA.

Above all, an emphatic “Cheers” to our alleged president, who is reviled by most of the American people and the world. “Cheers” to our alleged comander-in-chief, master negotiator, who thinks he has forced North Korea to dismantle its nuclear capabilities. “Cheers” to the nazi-in-chief, who supports and foments bigotry, hatred, violence. “Cheers” to MAGA!

Note: This response to Stream of Consciousness Saturday was triggered by the MLK quote
Response to Daily Addictions prompt "indifferent"
Response to Word of the Day prompt "emphatically"
Image source: Emily Dabashinsky via American Icons Temple