Mourning American Democracy

There’s a lot that I want to say about the election. A lot. But, mostly, I just want to mourn the opportunities we had, the chances we’ve squandered as a society. It is, honestly, hard for me to believe that in three election cycles we saw two of the most… Read the Rest…

AP3 members train in Washington state. Credit: Obtained by ProPublica

Armed and Underground: Inside the Turbulent, Secret World of an American Militia

⚠️ This story discusses threats of violence and contains a racial slur. ⚠️This story was originally published by ProPublica. By: Joshua Kaplan ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Reporting HighlightsMilitias After… Read the Rest…

America’s Enabling Act

Officially titled Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich, the Enabling Act of 1933 was passed in Germany’s Reichstag and Reichsrat on 23 March 1933. The act enabled the Cabinet, and the Chancellor, to make new laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or the President, then Paul… Read the Rest…

What Will We Do…?

So, here’s a terrifying thought… What will we do if the Supreme Court of the United States decides, in the coming weeks, that Donald Trump should be/remain on the ballot across the country in November? At what point in this arduous, tedious process will we—as a People and as a… Read the Rest…

Otherism

As we come into the new year, let’s talk about “otherism,” the tactic of denigrating and objectifying an opponent, out group or minority, hobby, interest, or any alternative [viewpoint] by highlighting and amplifying differences and stereotypes in order to achieve support for a favoured group, position, or interest, etc.. Racism… Read the Rest…

First Summer in Washington

Today draws to a close, with the beginning of October, the Summer of 2023, my first in Washington state. And oh, boy! What a summer it has been. Where to begin… I moved in May and we sorta hit the ground running. Hiking and camping every weekend—before we added kayaking… Read the Rest…

A New Jeep!

So… I did something silly. I traded the Cherokee and bought a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. And I love it so much!… Read the Rest…

Fixing Political Imbalances in the USA

The No Labels “Movement” No Labels bills itself as a responsible and bipartisan third-party alternative, although they eschew the idea that they’re a party. But, it can’t be “bipartisan” if it’s a third party, technically that would make it a coalition party. But I digress… Their major flaw, in my… Read the Rest…

A New Adventure!

If you’re a regular visitor to CleanUpAfterYourDog.com, you may notice a few changes today: the title and “about me” are different and the header image has changed. I’m starting a new adventure in Washington in April and I wanted to get things in place to reflect these changes. For a… Read the Rest…

Forgiveness

I don’t believe in forgiveness because it’s bullshit. I don’t. I don’t believe in forgiveness, primarily because humans are incapable of absolution, which is what forgiveness is. We are emotionally vulnerable animals capable of rational thought, and as such we can’t simply forget about something that has wounded us. There… Read the Rest…

A Mountain Adventure

A tale told by a filmmaker, full of whines and howls. Signifying Waffles.

Author Archives: Amras