The key lesson of the 20th century is that democracy is far more fragile than we might think.

Prior to WWII, fascist ideas were increasingly accepted. The energetic growth of Nazi organizations spread across America in the 1930’s. This appeal of fascists ideas were held by such prominent citizens as Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh, who went so far as to praise Hitler.

At the time, Jews served the same role as immigrants and minorities do today.  It was believed that Jews posed threats that were undermining America’s greatness. In 1942 a Gallup poll showed that a growing number of Americans thought Hitler was doing the “right thing” to Jews. This is similar to what many Americans think about what Trump is doing to immigrants and foreign minorities today: “the right thing”.  While secure borders are critical to our national security, we need to keep in mind those who are seeking a safe haven by border crossing. These people need humane treatment not imprisonment. There are times when doing what seems “the right thing” is actually a slippery slope toward the undermining of  our democracy. Is our ‘Shining Hill’ becoming a tarnished one?

Rise of the Super Rich are quite possibly today’s Gilded Age Robber Barons.

Much like Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller and JP Morgan, today’s tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Apple, & Google have amassed incredible wealth and we look upon them, for the most part, favorably. Yet, their growing dominance is giving rise to a trend we should be wary of. For instance, Facebook has a mountain of data on our personal lives, and while it doesn’t produce any news, news organizations are very dependent on social platforms like it and Twitter. Amazon has acquired Whole Foods and dominates the book market. Apple doesn’t produce music, but the the music industry is highly depend on Apple.

Most of us are happily dependent on these platforms as well, but the question is: Should we be? An old proverb states: The way the arrow is bent, is how it flies.

   American mass protests, widespread through the US, have become a distinct characteristic of the 20th and 21st century by Americans involved in civil engagement. Each of the top ten attended mass protests have occurred since 1963 and four of the top five have occurred since Donald Trump took office.

In case you haven’t read the clause recently, here it is:  The right to assembly is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the right of people to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

When the government sends armed police to break-up and or arrest peaceful demonstrations by Americans, something is going terribly wrong…

 June 17, 1930 President Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill, ushering in a new era of protectionsim/isolationism. The Republican sponsored bill placed tariff’s on minerals, chemicals, textiles and farm goods.  These tariff’s amplified the emerging American Depression that lasted until we entered WWII in 1942. ~~~

 

LM Montgomery’s “Green Gables” at Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia is the most stunning place. Miles of picturesque farms and surrounding sea is a feast for the eyes. We stayed in Charlottetown which is a wonderful place for walking tours and shopping, not to mention the coastal restaurants where lobster rolls melt in your mouth!

This is the bedroom where LM Montgomery imagined the stories for her novels. Maud (without an e) Montgomery insisted, lived with her grandparents on their farm. She spent much of her time isolated from her peers, but her imagination soared.  The copper colored dress at the closet door was one Maud actually wore.

This is the path leading to the haunted woods where Maud and her imaginary friend, Anne, (with an e, Anne insisted) walked on her way to the school house.

The lands surrounding the farm are strikingly beautiful and just a short trek through the woods to the ocean.

This is the dining room inside of Green Gables, restored to the way it would have looked when Maud lived there.

Prince Edward Island is a place I hope to visit again. The ferry ride alone was worth the trip with views to the coastal island and Nova Scotia. And the lobster rolls on board were to die for. I’m a big fan nowadays of Lobster Rolls.

(If you have read the novels or  have seen the movie versions, you’ll understand the references to ‘e’)

More to come about Halifax, Nova Scotia…