In the past when I'd hear or read the phrase "international refugee crisis," my first thought wasn't Texas. It is today — so maybe for just a minute I should think about all the dads living in cages, who are spending this day worried about their kids who are forced to live in cages ... right here on American soil. Happy Father's Day.

Last week I suggested that Republicans today believe all this loose talk about the end of the republic and the death of civility is much ado about nothing, and would likely look you right in the eye and say "I know you like the attention, but hush now." The following day Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "Hey, Brian, I know you want to get some more TV time, but ..." The question Sarah refused to answer was fairly straightforward: 'you're a mom, Sarah ... how would you FEEL?' There's no law forcing the administration's hand here — POTUS is a racist — so "I'm only following orders" doesn't cut it in my book. If ever there was a time for civil disobedience, ladies and gentlemen, it's now. What kind of lies do you have to tell yourself to obey an immoral order?

Here is what it's like in Trump's AmeriKKKa: I needed to see a doctor (it's fine) and my GP 'runs a pretty tight ship' (plus he's got some summer vacation on his calendar). No problem — "I'll see anyone in his practice" — I'd just like to get an appointment and get the ball rolling here. It's nothing which requires "urgent care." Surgery, sure — but it's not life-threatening. 'Okay, ... well, I can get you in Tuesday with Doctor F. in the morning. Don't worry. You can understand everything he says ... he doesn't have much of accent.' I'm sorry ... "what?" And then I saw the name Mohammed and it all became painfully clear.

The man received his Bachelor's of Medicine and Surgery in Pakistan. He taught medicine at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His list of associations and awards takes up over half of the back of his marketing materials. "He has a medical degree, yes?" 'Oh... yes ... he taught at Mayo and ...' — "You should lead with that." Some polite conversation followed and I let her down easy, but it was there. It wasn't until later it dawned on me her preemptive racism was most likely a learned behavior; more and more patients must be demanding a doctor who speaks "American." I'm pretty sure I just changed doctors — hey, at least it'll be easier to get an appointment.

Perhaps someone else would have been more receptive to her friendly note that this particular immigrant 'speaks good English,' but I just couldn't let it pass. In hundreds or perhaps thousands of ways we are all becoming acclimatized to life under Trump — but THIS IS NOT NORMAL. We can't allow it to become normal. As I also said, "Your pessimism is justified — so is your optimism." The foundations are strong. Smart, capable people are on-the-job. And that job has to be to contain, confront and incarcerate the president. Period.

#Resist #Register #Vote