As the Trump presidency digs its claws into the country – winner take all! – I look on in terrified amazement as he begins arrogantly instituting what can only be called his plan to devolve America back to the good old days: back to the era of Jim Crow certainty and whatever that might mean.

We’re white, we’re Christian and we’re the best! Just ask Pete Hegseth.

This is the “Gulf of America”! It’s not Trump’s smugly renamed Gulf of Mexico; it’s the hole in the country’s collective consciousness, which Mr. President is hellbent on expanding. His plan is to make America safe for what it used to be and allow our old, beloved prejudices to return. Deport the illegals! Kill wokeness! Kill understanding and awareness!

All of which leaves a few glaring questions hovering over the daily news: How the hell did this guy win a majority of votes? Is he really aligned with the nation’s primary beliefs? And if he isn’t . . . uh, what happened last November? Was the election rigged? Was it stolen? And if so, how? Do we live in a publicly proclaimed – yet fake – democracy?

Columbus City Council’s decision to appoint Otto Beatty III to replace outgoing City Council member and newly elected Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor should come as no surprise. Council President Hardin was apparently warned of the illegalities of his demands that the appointee be “an African American woman and somebody not seeking election to the seat in November” and appointed an African-American male. Hardin has no legal authority to place restrictions on the appointee from running for the seat or demanding that they be of a certain gender. The reason he places restrictions on running for the seat is to give the false impression that they are not giving the appointed person the advantage of incumbency in the future election for the seat. It really doesn't matter because the Franklin County Democratic Party will endorse a preordained candidate for the seat whether it’s the appointee or someone else.

On January 20 and 21, 2025, President Trump by executive order instructed all Federal Government offices to disregard all DEI initiatives; has ordered agencies to combat private-sector DEI mandates, policies, and programs; has eliminated federal funding for a more just and equitable country.

But the need for attention to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives remains as important as ever in all aspects of life in the USA, especially in health care.

Diversity – the practice and quality of including people from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds. We know that no two people are alike. Our genetic make-up, geographical origins, cultural background, religious practice, economic and educational opportunities, age, and ability make us all different in wonderful ways. This is a reality regardless of Presidential Proclamation and something to be appreciated as we build shared communities, foster creativity, and strive to create an environment where basic human rights are met.

Our GREEP Zoom #209 begins with “Time” by our Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN.

We hear the latest about Leonard Peltier from TATANKA BRICCA and LYDIA PONCE in concert with the Indigenous community supporting him: “I would like to be out of prison, but I am a free man.”

BARBARA WRIGHT reminds us to thank The Creator for the fact that Leonard is out of prison & with his people.

LIndsay Graham, Lisa Murkowsky & Susan Collins are summoned for praise by DANIELA GIOSEFFI.

Will Trump’s GOP wear itself out with a Rope-a-Dope of illegal acts, asks MYLA RESON.

We hear from MIMI S about the need to recognize what should have been with Bernie Sanders.

From Columbus, Ohio we hear from SANDY BOLZENIUS about the kinds of election fraud that turned the Buckeye State to Bush in 2004. .

From co-convenor MIKE HERSH we bemoan the Democrats’ lack of a backbone—except when disenfranchising people of color.

“How long can they keep this up?” wonders MELISSA HALL.

Massive disenfranchisement demands a class action case against the Democrats for failing to protect the vote, says DAVID SALTMAN.