There is so much going on in the world out there – its not only hard to keep up, but its also becoming more difficult to swipe the shit out of the way, so that you can see what really is important. Every day, it seems there is another story about Donnie doing one thing or another in his position as President of the United States. And seemingly, each story details an even more outrageous statement or action on his part. And the sewer pipes of the internet overflow, and back up beyond belief. But, let’s remember – this is a con-man, especially skilled at distraction. Pay attention to the left hand, held high and majestic for the world to see – fingers moving, wrist bending to create fantastical gestures. And while your eyes watch the left hand, the right hand is moving in slow patterns, the arm is kept as still as possible, so as not to draw attention to its actions. Its not the “art of the deal” folks, its the “art of the con”. The question that needs to be asked is not what is going to be done about this, that or the other; the appropriate question to ask is “what do you not want us to see?” Welcome to the howling winds, and the cold, stinging rain of #theStorm.

Do you hear the sound on the wind?
The beating wings of crows?
Do you hear that on the wind?
The whisper of Andraste and Segomo
Do you hear the spears and swords beating on shields?
Teutates! Teutates! Teutates!
For the protection of Land!
For the protection of Tribe!
For the protection of kindred Spirit!
Standing Rock is the battle line.
—Robyn Birchleaf, 9/7/16

I wrote this poem last year, at the height of the beginnings of what became the Standing Rock protests. That fight continues, even despite the executive orders that put the Black Snake back into motion. The mark is no longer the pipeline itself, but rather the companies and banks that are providing the monies to keep its growth going. Standing in front of bulldozers worked for a short period of time. Physically confronting the security forces worked for a short period of time. It will be the work of trying to cut of the “air” that the Black Snake needs to survive – the money – that has the hope of working. But the pattern of how we’ve gotten to this point showcases some of the problems we have. We’re not united. We’re working from an analog perspective. Or if you prefer, from a binary pattern of response.

Coordinated patterns of response is what has the best chance of success. That requires all of us to set aside differences and work towards succeeding. Together. No battle plan succeeds when units that will be working together are spending time tearing one another down. For instance, look at the differences between Patton and Montgomery, once the Allies came into Europe. They squabbled between one another for who would be the point of the spear going into Germany. Both wanted the prestige of being the Allied General that broke the backs of the forces of the Third Reich. Now, I’m no heavy duty Historian, but I do believe that the squabbling between Montgomery and Patton costs the Allies the chance for Operation Market Garden to succeed. While the lion’s share of resources went to Montgomery, Patton continued to advance his own units – in defiance of standing orders – and requesting resources to “save” forward elements that he had moved in defiance. The concept is called “rock soup” – and Patton’s diversion of some critical resources, potentially cost the succession of Operation Market Garden.

So, let’s come back from the diversion. There’s a lot wrong with Donnie’s presidency and his administration. And some of that is the symptom of #theStorm, but the more troubling aspects come from the advance of the white supremacy movement, particularly under the more publicly palatable organization of the “alt-Right” movement. If you were to ask me (and no one really did), this is where the primary problem has arisen. People who believe that skin pigmentation makes a difference in who is more intelligent, and who has the “right” to rule. Furthermore, they drive gender issues along their path as well – preaching concepts of dominionism of males over females, and the “perversion” of human beings by the LGBTQ community. Deep down under all of that, is a reliance on Christian concepts of world-wide rule, which provides the vehicle for forward movement. White Christians, typically within the bounds of southern Baptist and Charismatic perspectives, is set up to be the boot that grinds all others beneath it. Even those Christians that do not advocate for such a positioning of their faith. They will find the boot sole bearing down on their necks. This is the primary winds of potential change in the world around us.

And yet we continue to squabble. We fight about terminology. We fight over who is or isn’t this or that. We express our outrage by sharing memes on Facebook and Twitter. And we hide when it comes time for action. Sooner or later, all of us will need to make a stand for who and what we are – free people, with independent minds and thoughts, able to make our own choices when it comes to who we love, how we worship, and Who we worship. Some folks are already out there on the front lines, they choose the “sooner” option. Those who hold back, and wait for the “later” option, might find far fewer people will be standing at that point.

As expressed by Pat Benatar, in her song “Invincible”

This bloody road remains a mystery
This sudden darkness fills the air
What are we waiting for?
Won’t anybody help us?
What are we waiting for?

We can’t afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It’s a do or die situation
We will be invincible