God, it's hard to take in the awfulness and dread of daily headlines in the new Tesla-enhanced Trumpville! But, yet, I see glimpses of a better America at times. This week's (2/13) Multnomah County Democrats' meeting was more worthwhile than many in the past. Three meaty resolutions passed easily. One was a policy statement for Congress that called for no new arms to Israel, as the human rights violations of its Gaza onslaught are contrary to U.S. and international law. Two other resolutions were Oregon-centered preemptive protections against the Trump agenda. The first focused on our right to environmental safety, with the aim to embed this in the Oregon constitution, by support for Oregon Senate Joint Resolution 28, as well as a referendum coming to voters in 2026. The second Oregon-centered resolution concerned the initiative drive entitled "Equal Rights for All" (or IP 33). Wow, this proposal works to ensure the right to same-gender marriage, reproductive freedom, and transgender health care in our state! Two other phenom this week brightened my day: the Mercury's reporting on the new 50501 protest movement and the video of Jon Batiste singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Yes, the anthem is a war song (and “bombs bursting” makes me think of Gaza), but Batiste chose to carefully repeat the line of "the land of the free" three times, and his talent reminds us of what a more DEI-friendly America can be. Hmm, 50501 President's Day events in Portland (noon, City Hall, https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/754767/) and Salem.