GPV
GPV's JournalIf you'd like some Maine art ($50-$900,) the library fundraiser auction
Hubby and I both have pieces in it: (his are top two, mine are bottom.) https://event.auctria.com/1442ca31-8fff-49cb-80ba-492b1c5c7324/]
If you'd like to buy some art and support a library,
here's the link to this year's fundraiser. Hubby and I both have pieces in it: (his are top two, mine are bottom.) https://event.auctria.com/1442ca31-8fff-49cb-80ba-492b1c5c7324/]
No Kings check-in. 175ish Bucksport, ME. Mostly
Happy, enthusiastic responses, some pretending we weren't there, and a handful of MAGA booing us. I made the mistake of stepping off the sidewalk onto the bridge, and someone behind sped up and rolled coal at me. Didn't get me, though, as folks on the sidewalk pulled me back up.
Led a couple of chants.
"King Trump? No way!"
"Save the constitution, save the USA!"
No pics from us this time, tho. If I find any out there, I'll share them. Had my red eagle flag "Proud Union Educator" shirt on, and my "Know Justice, Know Peace," and " Fight Truth Decay" signs.
Great group of folks. Really glad I could join them! 
After all these decades, hubby and I are finally bringing in some houseplants
It's been an extremely fun project, though somewhat limited by teh kittehs. Suggestions are most welcome.
They want to tear $1B of funding out of mental and behavioral health care
Mental health care is abysmal in this country. The last thing we need is to slash funding and services! When I didn't have health insurance, my only care option was out of pocket. I could only afford the minimal med management, which was four 15 minute appointments each year. One hour of psych care per year! I'm struggling with bipolar and trauma and heaven knows what else. I need far more care than that! Shame on this misadministration, who targets the elderly, children, and the ill. They are weaving social darwinism back into the fabric of our society. It's Dickens for the digital age. #fuckers
https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/trump-rfk-mental-behavioral-health
Did some watercolor sketching on my couch this week. One French picture, and two Maine ones.
Still owe some lovely people real paintings, but I'm still not well enough to work on them. 
April 19th rallies?
Hands off made it easy to find rallies. Not seeing anything much for Maine this time, though there's one that's going to be at the fed bldg in Bangor, which I found out by accident. 
Save the Dept of Education!!
Just finished a powerful zoom with the NEA and AFT about the future of the DOE. Both teachers union presidents were passionate in calling on us to organize wherever we are, however we can.
.
Governor Pritzker brought the state view and discussed the impact of the loss of funding for his schools, and pointed out that some states will not be able to make up the shortfall as well as his might.
NY AG James was clear that it is illegal for Trump to demolish the DOE by executive order. She's filed against him over 100 times during her tenure and is ready to do it again for our kids. Additionally, she said that the Disabilities Act and Individuaized Educational Plans would still be law and must be met, even if federal funding is pulled.
Rep. Jahana Hayes, a former teacher, left a call with the Democratic AGs and Governors, to join her fellow educators to fill us in on what she needs. She was extremely emotional, said she needs us to provide the wind at her back because she's getting worn down from this difficult fight.
Every speaker was powerful. They were angry, and they didn't mince words. Called the administration an autocracy-in-the-making. Called them out for lying. For stealing–from children!
The takeaway was this: Get the facts.
What the DOE does: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-dismantling-department-education-would-harm-students
Find out how the demolition of the DOE will affect your state:
https://www.nea.org/resource-library/federal-education-funding-selected-programs-state-and-program
Go to school board meetings and local town halls. Make sure attendees understand the double-edged sword of taxes possibly going up while services available shrink, should the DOE disappear.
Be visible! Rallies. Sit-ins. Walk-ins and walk-outs. Write letters to the editor for local and state publications. Don't let the Administration say that no one cares because they haven't seen and heard us.
And finally, get in direct touch with your representatives who are the only folks who can turn this around.
Email Congress:
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/tell-congress-stop-destruction-department-education
Call Congress:
House DC: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Senate DC: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
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Gender: FemaleHometown: New England
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 73,307