Family and Community in the 21st Century: how we care for each other: ONE interest group

 RantWoman is working at as much "homework" before Pacific NW quarterly meeting as can be managed.

The only interest group that has made it onto the online listing is one by two Friends with a leading to address Christian nationalism. Here is the declaration they want to seed group discernment.

Statement of Faith Toward a Shared Declaration

RantWoman is getting very good at trying to witness movement of God in ways that are not always obvious.

Case in point: The Secretary of War Crimes whose job is to protect Freedom of Religion not cram his religion down others' throats.

Enough said?

Sean Hannity interviews Darlin Graham

 #SCsen #DarlineGraham #SeanHannity

If RantWoman were a slightly more responsible commentator, she would go look for the entire interview clipped here. RantWoman is pointedly not offering some observations related to the comments below.

Instead, RantWoman offers the rant she posted in the comments.

Y'all aren't following enough #SCsen social media. Ralph Norman set an example for #GOP candidates everywhere. He lost the runoff to Darline. He said "I don't like it but I accept it." A whole bunch of #GOP voters don't like Darline for a bunch of different reasons. Some of them plan to write in Ralph Norman. Some will vote Democrat. Among Darline's "sins:" --as Commissioner of the SC Commission for the Blind she, HORRORS, had a strong #DEI program --She once gave money to Lisa Murkowski --She supported an SC legislator taking a pro-choice position. --Her travel budget for the year after the pandemic lockdowns ended was about 10x the previous year when NOBODY was travelling either for trainings to maintain certifications or to serve agency clients. As a social services professional and head of a state agency, she certainly would have worked closely with the governor. To me that makes the leap to appointing her to fill Lindsay's seat justifiable but I don't live in SC I get that Darline does not know much about foreign policy. As screwed up as US foreign policy is right now, someone willing to engage about fresh ideas could be really valuable. But I don't live in SC and I can't tell how hot the supposed hot buttons really are.

***********

RantWoman notes to herself:

--There will be a debate. What questions would RantWoman ask

--SC has a lot of both active duty military and vets. Neither candidate is talking about the war but what strands of discontent are there?

Stay tuned.

President #StableGenius goes golfing in Ireland

 

>

🚨Trump SNAPS As IRELAND Gives Him THE WORST SURPRISE!

President Trump is coming to Ireland; Command Units flown in by military aircraft

Military transporters continue to fly President Trump's cargo into Ireland

Five planes fly President Trump's new cars and motorcades to Ireland 🇺🇸 🇮🇪 

Houthis? Saudis?

 #BabElMandab #Houthis #Saudis #escalation

Anti-Transgender measures in KS

 Posting as is.

By no means is RantWoman in touch with all the other places where things like this are happening.

Now iit's The Damage Report ranting about Darline Graham.

 #SCsen #SCpol #DarlineGraham

Darline Graham has decades of professional experience as head of a state agency. She is probably good friends with the governor, She did not know why Taiwan is important in a debate but SHE CAN LEARN. The President is an old guy who needs a friend. Unfortunately, sometimes it falls to friends to tell someone that what they are doing is no working. Is it too much to hope Darline might be that friend? LOTS of cringeworthy moments during the runoff so I am not making bets. I have a ridiculous sexist bias though: The news is all Epstein, Epstein, Epstein #GOP pedophiles and pedophile enablers. I think it would be great to have two women going head to head in November. Darline is trying to say things that make me cringe for example about immigration. And I am not excited by her Dem. Opponent claiming that decades of professional work in state government is no qualifiations. Finally, for everyone in SC who says people out of state should stay the hell out, two points: Because of Darline's professional background she is known by people in similar roles from other states. Also, the people of SC like the people of other states have much to gain from electing a Congress that can work for the US people, not jut get mad and go home when things get hard. Could Darline pull any of that off? Who knows? I am just tired of everyone in the media dissing her background.

Well-read Black Girl on Labels

 Posting this here just because

35 years ago today in the USSR / Russia

 #USSR #Russia #Eltsin #Putin

Grieving sucks...and then there are bagpipes

 Pssst: RantWoman likes bagpipes more than many people do.

RantWoman has no idea what makes a bagpipe band the champions. Comments at the end explain a little. 

RantWoman is simply posting this video in fond memory of the bagpipers who practiced in the park across the alley from the RantFamily home in MT.

Grieving gets month anniversaries right now.

Grieving as in working out love and rage, grief and gratitude, gratitude for others sharing the thoughts, encrusted with different details.

Seaborne shipping Chokepoints!

 

#StraitOfHormuz #BabAlMandab #PanamaCanal #BlackSea #ArcticRoute #SouthChinaSea #RhineRiver #DanubeRiver #GlobalFoodSystem #OilPrices #FoodPrices

An excellent rundown of all the ways global conflicts as well as the effects of climate change in the Panama Canal or European rivers are affecting oil and food prices.

RantWoman has no topical policy or diplomatic suggestions but hopes this outline gives readers info to counteract streams of media nonsense. RantWoman is also looking into more local food production and a solar battery for some key household needs. 

 

The "Golden Dome:" another dumb weapon system idea

 In case anyone needs some "do not build this" pointers

No. No! No! DO NOT say a woman candidate with decades of service in state government is UNQUALIFIED. DO NOT DO IT!

 #SCpol

Tomorrow is the SC #GOP Senate Primary.

First, a debate video.

Adventures of RantWoman: Spectator in Someone Else's Election: the SC GOP Senate primary

RantWoman's instinct is "vote for the woman." RantWoman would SO prefer that Darline Grham had focused more on her experience working in state government in SC than on national GOP talking points.

HOWEVER, here is how Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate describes the rest of the SC primary field in a fundraising email entitled "Quite the Lineup"

Someone endorsed by Trump, and utterly unqualified.

Dr. Andrews is referring to Darline Graham, younger sister of the late Lindsay Graham. 

RantWoman's reaction: "Oh HELL NO." You do not get to proclaim someone  with decades of leadership experience in state government unqualified either because of her pedigree or because of her gender. Oh HELL NO!

Someone who lied about being on the Appalachian Trail, while he was actually having an extramarital affair.

Someone with a career of votes against the healthcare, food assistance, and public schools South Carolina families count on.

Quite the lineup, right?

Here's a wild idea: a Senator who's spent her career caring for the communities she’s running to represent, who’s honest, and who will vote to protect your family.

I'm a pediatrician and a mom of three. I've spent decades taking care of kids in this state, I don't take a dime of corporate PAC money, and I'm not running to be another rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s chaos — I'm running for you.

But here's the reality: Whomever Republicans pick out of that mess tomorrow walks away with a multi-million war chest, Trump's machine, and super PACs behind them. The only way we'll be ready to meet that is if our grassroots movement builds up strength — right now.

RantWoman votes in WA, not in SC

RantWoman still thinks it would be just fine if there were two women on the SC Senate ballot.

In the meantime, RantWoman is not sending anyone any money in this race!

Scott Bessent making himself irrelevant? You broke it; you bought it!

 #Iran #StraitOfHormuz #commodities #Houthis 

In case anyone is tempted to take US Secretary of the Treasury seriously about world trade.

OR is Secretary Bessent trying to deflect attention to some ship movement, some or all of which may be covert, eg sailing "dark."

Testimonials from ordinary Russians

 #Russia #Fertilizer #Crops

 

A great Wind blows the Saturday Blue Angels air show out of the sky.

 What? No Blue Angels on Saturday?

Blue Angels air show canceled Saturday at Seafair due to wind | The Seattle Times

Wind gusts of up to 15 mph?

Neither RantWoman nor Little Sister has EVER heard of the Blue Angels being cancelled because of wind.

Was it REALLY wind?

Not grumpy citizen chatter about noise or surface to air missiles?

Not hacking by the IRGC?

Not a sudden urge to cut back on things like fancy air shows so that the #DoD really truly can afford all the latest war?

Not reticence about whether we even need fighter planes if everyone is busy hitting each other with better and fancier drones?

Shush RantWoman. Settle down and enjoy the peace and quite.

But Wait, videos for people who really LIKE air shows.

This must have been the Friday show.

Blue Angels July 2026 Seattle SeaFair

For anyone who might actually think a ride-along is FUN

KOMO's Molly Shen takes flight with the Blue Angels over Seattle

A few seconds here and there that might evoke motion sickness.

Listening to some of the details of the different maneuvers, RantWoman will NOT comment about the 15mph wind cancellation 

Seattle Seafair Blue Angels Airshow 2026

But wait! Couldn't we put some of that flying talent to work fighting wildfires? Just wondering.

Lindsay Graham, known among other things for bringing home the bacon.

#LindsayGraham

Lindsey Graham Gets Eulogized, the DNC Gets Scammed & the War in Iran Gets Reheated | The Daily Show

Spoiler alert: get started wth Jordan Klepper.

"Lindsay never met a war he didn't like."

Chair of the Finance Committee with a big hand in the Big Bad Bonkers Budget Busting Billionaire Bailout Boondoggle

RantWoman is trying to locate a Lindsay Graham memorial clip talking about all the money the late Senator Graham was able to bring home to SC: Lord help us. The words come from PResident #StableGenius or at least one of his speechwriters.

Being in sync with local SC needs--and federal tax dollars--is probably one of Darline Graham's greatest strengths. Unfortunately, is this orientation going to get her tarred in a primary campaign that now features a total of SIXTEEN candidates all probably vying to prove how anti-tax and eager to cut spending they are?

WATCH LIVE: Lindsey Graham funeral service held in South Carolina

Please at least appreciate this for the cultural phenomenon of a Southern Megachurch.

Pretty rocked up rendition of Amazing Grace

FULL: Lindsey Graham funeral service at Washington National Cathedral

"Lindsay Graham never met a war he didn't like." ???

One-minute video parade of all TWELVE people in the SC #GOP primary. 3 appear to be women.

Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral continues in home state, nine candidates remain in race to fill seat

South Carolina Honors Lindsey Graham With State Funeral, F-16 Flyover and Final Procession | AQ1G

Unity? Sense of the Meeting? Consensus?

1. The SENSE OF THE MEETING at NPYM's annual session is clearly to go forward in steps to affiliate with Friends General Conference. This was not by a long shot only RantWoman's doing, but RantWoman is clear in her Light two years ago to listen to a Friend from Missoula and Friends were well-led in two years of discernment over a topic that first arose 20 years ago.

2. It does NOT seem to RantWoman that the room was at unity since one Friend spoke unambiguously about not being in unity with the movement but also not wanted to be recorded as a separate voice. RantWoman is going to risk mishearing this Friend's concern based on what RantWoman knows of this Friend's Light: the specific concern expressed was about Friends getting drawn too much into themselves. 

One Friend noted that FGC does have space for dialogue among the many strands of Quakers. RantWoman is not clear how that point might speak to the Friend who spoke and who has strong ministry beyond the bounds of Quakers but RantWoman did not jump up and down about nuances not expressed in the room when minutes were edited.

RantWoman somewhat shares this Friend's concerns since RantWoman is also called to be a Quaker presence in many spaces where that is challenging. It is not always clear to RantWoman whether another Quaker project is where she is most called to spend energy. RantWoman is also VERY grateful to Friends in a writing workshop through FGC who just held the space one time when RantWoman just needed to sob about very visual metaphors.

3. Friend have spoken with great respect about FGC anti-racism work and youth resources

4. To RantWoman's ear one thing which helped the room find unity was clear statements from two Friends about how FLGBTQC and in particular Friends' space for transgender concerns supported them in important conversations with loved ones about life experience and transgender realities.

5. RantWoman very much appreciates voices from FGC present in person and on Zoom to up hold the Clerk.  RantWoman also appreciates many FGC resources. 

6. One of these days, RantWoman is going to summon "Dial-a-Tirade" about Quaker books with no audio book options. Quakers have to get in line, though. The blind author of a book about non-drivers also had to do extra steps and the audio version of a book aimed at lots of people with disabilities appeared months after the print edition of the book appeared. And if Quakers have to wait in line about this particular sample of RantWoman "good trouble," OH WELL. RantWoman will though start with steps to figure out whether any of Mateo Hansen's books are available in alternate formats.

7. Friends should all celebrate: Quaker capacity for public word-smithing is alive and well and the questions of unity, unity with spirit, sense of the meeting, and consensus thrive as a zone where Quakers are very good at the local version of angels dancing on the head of a pin. RantWoman as a former Recording Clerk also always holds in the Light the person brave enough for public editing.

The "near abroad" lectures Putin on the war on Ukraine

#Kazakhstan #Ukraine #Russia #Tokayev

RantWoman's attention has somewhat been elsewhere, but the carnage, corruption, and intrigue continue. Kazakhstan's President Tokayev telling Putin off is something notable.

Jacob Hoopes surrenders to begin serving 900 days in prison

For the record:

1. RantWoman is a judgmental WITCH about any event where a law enforcement officer gets hit in or near the eye because a protestor throws a rock. Doesn't matter the protest. Doesn't matter if the protest is about odious and despicable official behavior. RantWoman as a legally blind / blind / low vision (choose a label) person is just a judgmental WITCH.

2. RantWoman is also a judgmental witch about everything to do with ICE. RantWoman is happy to pray that all will immediately repent, re-evaluate their lives, and work for real justice.

3. RantWoman has gone to jail more than once for actions related to protesting. Every single time, RantWoman winds up reflecting on her own privilege, By privilege, RantWoman means not only big differences between her life and the lives of others around her but also the number of potentially awkward moments when RantWoman hears "Good for you."  See also the history of early Quakers going to prison for practicing their faith and turning into giant prison reformers. What will that bode, for Jacob and for everyone following his case.

With that as intro:

Hoopes Begins 30-Month Prison Sentence at Minimum-Security Camp in Oregon [Updated] - Friends Journal

from the Daily Bulletin at Annual Session

Dear NPYM Friends,

We dropped our son Jacob Hoopes off at prison in Sheridan, Oregon, this afternoon. Our hearts are heavy, but our spirits are buoyed up by the tremendous love and Light that has been pouring in from all corners of the Earth. Thank you, more than words can say.

We have updated the https://www.900daysoflight.com/ webpage (copy and paste the url) with a brief video of Jacob, which he filmed before surrendering himself. As we said our farewells, Jacob showed his extraordinary courage, present-mindedness, and mettle. I believe in him. And thanks to so much love from so many supporters, he believes in himself, too.

Onward, with love overflowing,

Tom Hoopes

Robert Jacob Hoopes

#98782-511

P.O. Box 6000 – Camp

Sheridan, OR 97378

RantWoman quite likes the "Adopt-a-Day" concept mentioned on the website. RantWoman notes that the earliest available free day is in October. RantWoman would love a way to know what activities will come with every adopted day. RantWoman will continue to spend some part of every day fighting the horrible attitudes among many in the US who have gotten the country and ICE to the outrageous mess where the US currently finds ourselves.

And one venue for this fight: plenty of people in RantWoman's circles who think the country is already full and there are not enough resources that blind people need now so we can't afford to let anyone else in. NO sense at all that defending people's civil rights means defending everyone's civil rights.

Where in the world is Conflict Is A Gift of God Friend?

Spoiler alert: apparently many Friends were wondering whether a certain Friend had perhaps fallen ill. Conflict is a Gift of God Friend was attending a family wedding and did show up in the closing Zoom.

But wait, there's MORE.

Bless your heart to the Friend whose message of hope and reminiscence of events 20+ years ago also, probably unintentionally, summoned Conflict is a Gift of God Friend to RantWoman's mind. The memory: very lumpy ground. Conflict is a Gift Of God Friend dragging RantWoman and newly adopted white cane across lumpy ground instead of respecting RantWoman's preference for reasonable concrete on the sidewalk. 

This was only the first of several Grab the Blind Person and Bless Them moments before RantWoman decided just not ever to try to go walking with Conflict is a Gift of God Friend.