They Have Our Backs

Allies step forward to cover our backs down in Florida at an Irish Dance Contest.

Irish dancers rally behind trans athletes as Florida threatens to ban them from competing

A petition has been launched, stating, "We, the Irish dancing community, voice our unequivocal support for transgender dancers".

GCN

 July, 2026. 

by Ailo James Kerr

The Attorney General of the State of Florida is threatening legal action against An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), a Dublin-based governing body for Irish dancing, and the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America (ITDANA) if they do not ban trans dancers from competing in an event in Orlando. However, the CLRG and ITDANA are standing their ground in support of transgender dancers and their existing policies.

The North American Irish Dance Championships and Conference is currently taking place in Orlando, Florida, from July 1 to 7. It is a private event organised by the ITDANA and governed by the CLRG, and their policies allow transgender dancers to compete. It is not yet known if the legal framework for Florida’s law banning trans athletes applies to a private international event held in a hotel ballroom.

[...]

“We recognize that this policy is a well-established precedent that represents the will of the Irish dancing community. We recognize that the decision to enact this policy was an informed one, made with the endorsement of the teaching community, in alignment with up-to-date scientific research.”

The Republican hate goes so deep that they butt into a private international organizations.

The petition, started by Gabrielle Siegel, states, “We recognize that success in Irish dance is, and has always been, a multi-factorial result upon which no assigned birth sex can confer a biological advantage. This goes beyond the current scientific research, which states that transitioned transgender athletes demonstrate no significant advantage in any sport.”

What the state of Florida is basically saying we want you to discriminate against people we hate.

Sadly. Things Like This Are Increasing.

The swamp creatures have gotten the green light.

CT man charged in connection with ‘anti-Muslim hate calls’

Hartford Courant

By Kaitlin McCallum

July 2, 2026

A 45-year-old Manchester man has been arrested in connection with harassment of a local Islamic center after multiple abusive phone calls were received.

According to Vernon Police, Jason Biggar, 45, is accused of making multiple unsolicited phone calls “containing derogatory and offensive remarks targeting the victim and the victim’s religious beliefs.”

In an arrest warrant for Biggar, the reporting police officer recounts voice recordings allegedly of Biggar, in which the caller uses profane language to slander the victim, Muslims, Arab countries and the prophet Muhammad, and seems to imply that U.S. law allows him to do so.

“So you’re going to record it and then what happens in America? … So what are you going to do, you mother (expletive)? You’re in America. America mother (expletive). This is not a (expletive) Islamic country. … you don’t want to live by the American values. My people have been here for 300 (expletive) years. Your people have been invading here for 30, 40, 50 years … If we ever met in person I would spit right in your face,” the transcription of the recorded call reads in part.

Why? Oh why do people do these things? Where does the hate come from?

A police officer went to Biggar’s house, where Biggar refused to cooperate, the warrant said. He reportedly “refused to open his door or speak with me outside. Biggar was immediately agitated by my presence telling me to get off of his property … he denied making any calls. He then continued to yell over me as I was trying to speak,” the warrant said.

He knew that he fucked-up.

 

He knew that he messed up.

These incidents are mainly from the “right.” The political rhetoric and language coming from them is what is stirring the pot.

When you look at the targets of their hate, it is against minorities: racism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment—all the “-isms.” The question is: why, in the last dozen or so years, has there been a dramatic increase in bias crimes?

When you look at violence from the “left,” it seems to be more of a reaction to the hate directed at them and other minorities.

Violence is never the answer!

What seems to have broken down, though, is the social pressure against bigots. It almost seems that the actions of this administration are actually encouraging it with their language. Some of the adjectives Trump has used to describe Muslims are: “radical Islamic terrorism,” “radical Islam,” “Muslim ban” (travel restrictions), “terrorist,” and “dangerous.” They are all designed to stir up hate.

He uses similar rhetoric against us, calling us: “radical,” “crazy,” “insane,” “dangerous,” “confused,” and “extreme.”

You see the same language being parroted back by his loyal followers.

The Courant article ends with...

“Public condemnation of these acts is essential to ensuring that hatred is never normalized and that every resident can worship freely and safely,” he said.

 Remember... when you hear mean, intervene!

 

Who Cut Down The Cherry Trees?

It wasn't George Washington... it was Donald Trump! The secret is out: Trump is building a new golf course in Washington, D.C. This September, he plans to cut down the 200 year old historic Japanese cherry trees!

Trump’s New D.C. Golf Course Threatens to Scrap Historic Grove of Cherry Trees and Beloved Riverside Bike Trail

Trump said that he planned to begin construction on the new golf course at East Potomac Park on Sept. 1

People

By Kimberlee Speakman
July 2, 2026

 

 

 NEED TO KNOW

•     Plans for Trump's redesigned golf course on the East Potomac peninsula reportedly exclude a historic grove of cherry trees, bicycle trail and miniature golf course that have become popular attractions for locals and tourists
•     The redesign would reportedly expand an existing public golf course so that it cuts into 50 acres of parkland used for recreation like fishing and cycling
•     Opponents argue the plans violate a 1897 act establishing the park for public recreation and access

  President Donald Trump’s plans to redesign the golf course on the East Potomac peninsula in Washington, D.C., may come at the expense of cherry blossoms that have bloomed at the site for more than a century.

Trump was spotted touring the East Potomac Golf Links on Sunday, June 28, carrying plans for the redesigned golf course, which appeared to exclude Washington's oldest grove of cherry trees and other popular recreation areas, according to The Washington Post.

 

[...]

 

 Trump initially shared his plans for the East Potomac Golf Links, which sits on federal land run by the National Park Service, on Truth Social. He wrote that he planned to “build one of the Greatest Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” which would “host major golf tournaments.” 

A project of this size legally requires environmental studies, public input periods, and formal regulatory reviews. What have we had to date? Zilch. The plans haven't even been officially released to the public. It looks like Trump was just going to "do it," just like he did with the Ballroom.

Trump Will Take Over a Central D.C. Golf Course Starting This Week
Major renovations to the East Potomac Golf Links will start later, but the course will shut down after the final tee time on Sunday.

NOTUS

 By Reese Gorman
May 1, 2026

 

 

 The Trump administration will officially take over the East Potomac Golf Links on Sunday and will begin renovations, two sources familiar with the plans told NOTUS.

On Monday, landscaping, deferred maintenance and tree-clearing work in line with the National Park Service’s pre-approved plans will commence, the sources said. The major renovations at the course will start later, once a design is approved by the NPS and all legal compliance has been met. Golf course architect Tom Fazio is expected to lead the renovations, a source told NOTUS.

 

 The National Links Trust, which previously had a lease and controlled the East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek golf courses, is being offered a renewed lease for Rock Creek, a source told NOTUS. The offer would include a waiver of unpaid rent for the trust to use for course improvements. NLT told NOTUS that they have not been offered any renewed lease for Rock Creek Park Golf from the administration.

 

 “This news was a complete surprise to us. We have also not received any offer of a lease at Rock Creek Park Golf. For the sake of our community and employees, we hope to have clarity as soon as possible,” a spokesperson said. “We remain committed to our mission, our community, and working to protect the public golf courses in Washington, DC for the benefit of the entire community.”

Why all the secrecy?

 

 Say goodbye to the public walking and bike paths. Say goodbye to the cherry blossoms. (By the way, dealing with dead and dying trees is an ongoing challenge, which is why the NPS already has a program to replace them). WTOP described the situation this way:

 The plans shared Thursday show the layout of the 18-hole “championship course,” which would play more than 7,600 yards from the tips and more than 5,700 yards from the front tees. The design also features a double-sided driving range, practice area and nine-hole pitch-and-putt course.

East Potomac Golf Links currently includes a nine-hole par 3 course, nine-hole executive course, 18-hole regulation course and even a mini golf course, along with a driving range and practice area. Officials with the National Links Trust, the nonprofit that operates the course, have said the complex’s current offering accommodates golfers of various skill levels.

Critics responded Thursday with several comments on the revamped design, including awkward transitions from green to tee, likely the result of packing such a long course into a property tightly confined by water on all sides.

Those tight quarters, detractors have said, also make it unlikely the course could host major championship-caliber events the Trump administration is dreaming of.

Other are worried that the course will be priced out for most people, right now it is around $50 for 18 holes but fear are that it could go up to $200 or $300 as other course designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio charge. Pricing it out of the range of most of the golfer that use it today.

 

Oh and guess what is being dumped there now the golf course? With no permits!

Still, physical signs of the plans are evident at the site, including mounds of dirt transported there from the demolition at the White House.

That debris has since been found to contain lead, chromium and other toxic metals, the National Park Service said. The nonprofit D.C. Preservation League has sued the Trump administration, arguing the dumping was unlawful and possibly hazardous.

E&E New by Politico:

White House dodged East Wing asbestos permits

The East Wing was built at a time when the fibrous minerals were widely used in construction because of their fire-retardant qualities.

By Ellie Borst, Heather Richards

12/01/2025

 

 

 The Trump administration never obtained a permit from Washington to identify and remove asbestos before it tore down the White House’s East Wing in October.

The omission, brought to light by a public records request to the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, highlights in a legally gray area due to the White House’s unique position as a federal jurisdiction within the nation’s capital.

And the decision not to follow city protocol, as the White House and the Trump administration have in the past, deepens controversy over the abrupt demolition of the 83-year-old building. 

 

 The White House is still legally responsible for taking safety precautions, but federal standards do not require a regulator to sign off on abatement plans beforehand. 

Trump's cavalier approach to laws and regulations continues with this golf course right in the heart of Washington. Anyone want to bet that the final name of the course will be "Trump National Golf Club on the Potomac"?

SATURDAY 9

SATURDAY 9: God Bless America

 On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…

Unfamiliar with Connie Francis' version of this song? Hear it here.

1) Irving Berlin's lyrics celebrate our mountains, prairies, and oceans. Which of these geographical features is nearest your home?
How about an earthquake fault in my backyard? I always wanted to put up a sign that said “Diana’s Fault”

2) Berlin donated his royalties from "God Bless America" to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Were you ever a Scout?
Yes, Cub Scout (My mother was Den Mother)
 
3) While this week's song has been recorded many times, we're concentrating on Connie Francis' 1959 version. It was never intended to be a hit, released as the B-side to her popular "Among My Souvenirs." But it took off when it was played at school rallies and patriotic events. Do you know all the lyrics to "God Bless America?" Could you sing along with Connie?
Let me put this way, when we were supposed to give a six grade concert I was told to mouth the words.

4) After she wrote her autobiography, Connie said she wanted Valerie Bertinelli to play her in the movie. Even though Valerie isn't known for her singing, Connie liked that they were both Italian-American and 5'5". If we made a movie of your life, who should play you?
Caroline Cossey

5) Connie had a passionate romance with Bobby Darin, and their relationship is included in the Broadway show about Bobby's life, Just In Time. While Connie expressed her support for the production, she never saw the show because hip problems made flying difficult. How about you? Are you dealing with any aches or pains today?
 Going to a cookout this after noon… It is going to be HOT! 

At the end of the NH dock

6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?
I hide in the shade.

7) More beer is purchased for the 4th of July than any other holiday. What beverage will be served with your July 4th meal?
Ice tea. I make it half and half tea and lemonade.
 
8) Emergency rooms expect an increase over the July 4th holiday. The most common causes are sports injuries (like jammed wrists and wrenched knees) and the unwise use of home fireworks. Have you been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2026?

Nope.
In New Hampshire fireworks are legal and when we had a our lake cottage we would just pull up a lawn chair and watch the fireworks around the lake.

9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?
Nope… burgers! Cheeseburgers with pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion with mayo. With potato salad and a tomato salad.