MLK, a Meeting, and a Really Good Dinner

 The many pictures will do most of the talking in this post. Its been a long but very exciting day. I spent the morning with friends at the MLK Center. The National Park Service has purchased a huge piece of a neighborhood and turned it into a multi-faceted tribute to the Civil Rights Movement. Kunte Kinte statue:

 Rose garden of peace:

 One of the MANY artifacts in the main museum - its the old wagon that pulled MLK's casket throught the streets of Atlanta:

 His church was my favorite part:

 There is a new Ebenezer Baptist Church across the street, but the old one is now a museum. You can sit in his church and they have one of his sermons booming through the sound system, and with the acoustics it was amazing:

 Eternal flame:

 Martin and Coretta's tomb:

 Some of Gandhi's stuff:

 Really nice quilt in the Rosa Parks room - click on the picture:

 They had a lot on Gandhii.

 We saw MLK's birthplace, which was pretty cool. On the walk home I saw this huge mural to honor civil rights hero and current congressman John Lewis:

 I'd say he has a pretty safe seat. This afternoon we had an NEA Board meeting.

 Then after welcoming the rest of the Maine delegation I went to have some delicious Brazilian food with friends:

 It was a great way to end a long day. I have meetings in the morning and then I'm heading to the Jimmy Carter Library - then the REALLY long days begin.
~MET

Atlanta Begins

 The flight was a piece of cake and the weather was cool (for here: 81) and I am settled in. This is my office for the next 9 days:

 The views inside the hotel are more spectacular than outside:

 The hotel is one big growing balcony. Last night a group of us had dinner at Max Lager's.

Its a micro-brewery with excellent beer and Southern style pub food. If my pork chop, collards, potatoes and gravy, and onions are any indication I would have to say that I'll be eating well. Today some of the leadership team and I are going to the MLK Center and then I have an NEA Board meeting this afternoon as the rest of our delegation comes in today. Love the RA.
~MET

Last Day of Summer Break...

...for a little while. The picture does not really go with this post. This is how Baxter watches me eat my toast after we go for a walk, and since it was raining this morning he's more than a little moist. Nothing more appetizing than the smell of wet dog.
     Today is my last day of summer break because I'm off to Atlanta for 9 days for the NEA Representative Assembly, and although I will have some fun - its mostly work. From here on I'll be pretty busy alternating between work and summer fun. The work includes:

• Atlanta and the RA (I'll try to post each day - this should be an exciting trip)
• 5 days in Northport for the MEA Leadership Retreat
• WEA Executive Committee meeting
• 5 days in Boston for a pretty intense political organizing institute
• At least one or two membership meetings
• Winslow Leadership Retreat
• getting ready for the school  year
• Other assorted meetings

But - I also have some fun worked into the schedule:

• Some hiking around the state
• A baseball game with dad on his birthday
• Sarah's show in Biddeford
• 3 days in Burlington with M-S
• Other assorted day trips
• And soon after school starts M-S and I will spend a couple of days in Boston

So its a busy but exciting time of year. I'll spend the rest of the day today packing and organizing and dad is coming out for supper tonight. Bring on the RA!
~MET

A Very Good Day

You all know the results: a HUGE step forward for American civil rights and the governor of my state lost in his efforts to help ONLY the tea party nutjobs. (114-34 in the House and 26-9 in the Senate) I have had a wonderful time today sitting with my dog and watching live as the Supreme Court and the Maine Legislature discussed these very important issues. Make no mistake - both of these fantastic outcomes came about because of ONE reason: ordinary citizens took the time to speak. Never doubt how much power we have when we speak together. It may take some time, but if you stick to it you will win in the end. Great job by the people of Maine and America.
~MET

Tomorrow has an Election Day Feel

 I love Election Day. The speculating, watching the polls leading up to the big day, and watching the returns until early in the morning. Tomorrow already has that feel to it - and the good news is that it will all be over much earlier than an election day. The Supreme Court will be handing down its decisions on Prop 8 and DOMA at 10am. There is no more waiting. My prediction is that the Court will not rule the exact way that I want it to, but that it will provide a meaningful step in that direction. And as I've said many times: "one step at a time" is how civil rights works. So I'll be watching SCOTUSblog and hoping for the best. I'll also be keeping up to date on what hopefully will be a big loss for this man:

The override votes in the Maine Legislature on the budget that LePage vetoed will also take place tomorrow. From everything I hear they have the votes to avoid a state shutdown and show the governor what compromise looks like. He is really spinning out of control and needs to learn that he represents all of us...not just the tea party fanatics. I am hopeful, but many Republicans have supported his vetoes even after voting for a particular bill. I've emailed my legislators and I hope you will do the same.
~MET

Just Me and Baxter

 M-S is spending a couple of days with a friend in Bar Harbor - so Bax and I are taking full advantage. Above is our dinner - its all about steak when M-S is away. Earlier today I did some fishing:

 Its very nice to have a beautiful river less than a mile from your house. The big news of this summer day was that Baxter and I purchased a George Foreman Grill:

I'm already in love with it. I had a panini for lunch and then cooked two steaks for dinner. I only had one, Baxter had part of the other, and I'll have the rest for lunch tomorrow. We will be spending the rest of the night watching violent thrillers on Netflix...I'm sure M-S is having a good time too.
~MET

A Nice Morning Outside

 Today M-S and I spent some time outside. As always, we started with a long walk with Baxter. We were able to get up close and personal with this momma turtle:

 We saw later that she made it back across the road safely and back into the river. Baxter also found this giant and pretty scary bug:

 Any idea what it is? After that walk we went to Phippsburg to climb up and over Morse Mountain.

 Its really just a good size hill - but it has a nice trail with some great coastal views:

 The trail also takes you to a very private beach:

 Its a really nice 1.5 hour walk in the woods. After our second walk of the day we had lunch on the deck at Sarah's Cafe:

 It was delicious. We visited some shops and then ended the trip with a 45 minute guided tour of the Nichols-Sortwell House:

 I wish they allowed pictures inside - the architecture was amazing. Its an old sea captain's house and really worth seeing. We are home now relaxing with Baxter & Bella. You can't beat early summer day trips.
~MET

Waiting for Justice

The worst part about civil rights is the waiting. No matter what time or what cause, civil rights is a waiting game. Gandhi waited, MLK waited, Chavez waited, and now gay rights advocates are waiting.  The good news is that in the end what is right always wins the day. Our less than progressive Supreme Court may or may not do the right thing in a few days, but in the end marriage equality will be a reality in America. I, of course, am hoping that they will do the right thing. But with the homophobic Scalia, old-school Alito, "where is the wind blowing" chief justice, shit-for-brains Thomas (very disappointing when it comes to civil rights to say the least) and senile Kennedy...who knows. But I do know this: it will happen, just like it did in Maine. Get on the right side of history, and then applaud when it happens.
~MET

The One Place I Have to Visit in Atlanta

In a week and a half I'll be off to Atlanta for the NEA Representative Assembly. I love the RA and this year should be a great one. Aside from the work that I'll be doing I will get to visit the aquarium as part of "Maine Night" and I'll be going to the NEA Human and Civil Rights dinner where we will be honoring among others, Jimmy Carter and Cyndi Lauper. This trip will be all about civil rights. The other venue I must see is the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. http://www.thekingcenter.org/   Here is the description from the site:

The King Library and Archives in Atlanta is the largest repository of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement in the world. The collection consists of the papers of Dr. King and those of the organization he co-founded, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, as well as the records of 8 major civil rights organizations and of several individuals active in the Movement. The archives also include more than 200 oral history interviews with Dr. King’s teachers, friends, family and civil rights associates.

Civil rights has been a passion of mine for years - and it is my favorite subject to teach. I'm really looking forward to seeing the MLK Center. Much more on this visit later!
~MET

Summer is Here

 Today was a nice day off. I did a lot around the house and brought home a pool for Bax.

I also made M-S a nice scallop meal. Here is the recipe:http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/seared-scallops-00100000081157/index.html
I got a lot done and spent time with my dog. Good times.
~MET

We All Need to Start Thinking About What We Can Do...

 ...to get Mike Michaud elected. No, its not too early to brainstorm. I have been teaching about, and have been actively involved in politics in Maine for decades - but I can't remember a more important election. This man needs to go:

 As you already know, Eliot Cutler makes this election difficult. In the latest Public Policy Polling survey LePage gets 34%, Michaud 30%, and Cutler 25%. Governor Dipstick is not falling below that 34%. It is all of our jobs to steal 5-10% away from Cutler. (in a two-person race Michaud DESTROYS the governor)

I have met with Mike and members of his staff many times. He is an honest man with a great deal of integrity. I don't agree with him on everything, but I am sure he will be an outstanding governor. Cutler is just a more tame version of LePage - especially when it comes to education. Cutler is NOT a good alternative to LePage. So...begin thinking about it. What are you willing to do? I am pledging the following:

• Donating to the campaign
• I will contact Sen. King and BEG him not to endorse Cutler this time
• Phone banking
• Going door-to-door (my least favorite)
• Talking to EVERYONE I possibly can everyday until election day

Please join me and promise to do one or all or even more. 2014 is right around the corner. Let's get this done!
~MET