Speed of Life

by Gregg Chadwick Hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We touched base with many of you during the past week and got a good dose of holiday cheer.  When asked what I am thankful for - I of course start with family and friends but just as importantly I am thankful for the wonderful diversity found in my home state of California and across the US. Childhood memories are entwined in our holiday traditions. Often, I think of my Dad's parents and the time we took a road trip deep into the South during the Civil Rights era. At a road stop somewhere along I95, in Georgia I think, my Grandma Chadwick saw me staring at a crude racist, epithet scrawled on a sign. She put her arm around me and said to me "Don't mind about those words. Those words aren't true. God loves everyone one of us - equally." It was one of the first and one of the best lessons about civil rights and equality that I have ever learned.  Watch The Snowy Day 1. The...

We celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits..& pushed us toward progress @POTUS https://t.co/gLWg7oyejg #MedalofFreedom — US Embassy Brussels (@usembbrussels) November 23, 2016 The following were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships and the Milwaukee Bucks to another. During his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 19-time NBA All-Star. Before joining the NBA, he was a star player at UCLA, leading the Bruins to three consecutive championships. In addition to his legendary basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar has been an outspoken advocate for social justice. Elouise Cobell (posthumous) Elouise Cobell was a Blackfeet Tribal community leader and an advocate for Native American self-determination and financial independence.  She used her expertise...

Doğum günün kutlu olsun Claude Monet! pic.twitter.com/qWUHuBK4BL — Celine Symbiosis (@CelineSymbioss) November 14, 2016

Chaplin is Amazing Striking how appropriate Chaplin’s words are today.  Trump tries to silence his critics with the threat of legal action.  This should shock and concern all Americans. http://www.reid.senate.gov/press_releases/2016-11-13-reid-spokesman-trumps-threats-should-concern-all-americans#.WCjyWuErJBxIt 

by Gregg Chadwick Dear Loved Ones, As you know Tuesday’s election results have released a toxic brew of misogyny, anti LGBT, anti immigrant, anti global warming, and outright racist actions and rhetoric from out of control Trump supporters. There is so much hate out there for trans folks - as well as lesbians and gays and people of color. People have asked me what they can do. First off - love and protect the vulnerable among us. Words are not enough. Action is needed so that our families and communities feel protected from the hate. The California Legislature has stated such in no uncertain terms: "By a margin in the millions, Californians overwhelmingly rejected politics fueled by resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. The largest state of the union and the strongest driver of our nation’s economy has shown it has its surest conscience as well. California is – and must always be – a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all walks, talks, ages and aspirations...

Joint Statement from California Legislative Leaders on Result of Presidential Election Wednesday, November 09, 2016 SACRAMENTO –  California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León   (D-Los Angeles) and  California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon  (D-Paramount) released the following statement on the results of the President election: Today, we woke up feeling like strangers in a foreign land, because yesterday Americans expressed their views on a pluralistic and democratic society that are clearly inconsistent with the values of the people of California. We have never been more proud to be Californians. By a margin in the millions, Californians overwhelmingly rejected politics fueled by resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. The largest state of the union and the strongest driver of our nation’s economy has shown it has its surest conscience as well. California is – and must always be – a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all wa...

NAACP ‏@NAACP 1m1 minute ago Don't let nobody turn you around. If you’re in line when the polls close, you STILL get to vote #StayWokeAndVote

Four days away! The Schuyler Sisters and the cast of #HamiltonBway remind you to #VoteVote on November 8th! #Ham4Vote pic.twitter.com/vDUZSv9hXi — Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 5, 2016