LightNews LightNews
kirklc.bsky.social
@kirklc.bsky.social
14 followers 15 following 23 posts
Posts Replies Media Videos
kirklc.bsky.social
The most important election ever—again?

Elections matter. What Congress does matters more.

Can the 120th Congress move beyond partisan stalemate?

See my essay and 22-point legislative agenda at
variationsonamerica.substack.com/p/the-most-i...
#2026Midterms #AmericanDemocracy
Illustration of the U.S. Capitol at sunset, with sweeping red and blue waves and opposing crowds. In the foreground are a ballot box, the Constitution, and a judge’s gavel. The word “Again?” appears in the upper left. A thin gray border at the bottom reads “AI Generated.”
November 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
It was Halloween, a long time ago. A seven-year-old boy wore a pirate mask and carried a brown paper bag for candy. But the night’s greatest gift was something he could never have imagined.

A reflection on wonder, gratitude, and grace.

variationsonamerica.substack.com/p/a-most-une...
A glowing jack-o’-lantern on an autumn porch beneath a star-filled night sky, with bare tree branches silhouetted against the darkness.
October 31, 2026 at 3:25 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Nature bewitches.

First walk and look closely. Then research what you saw.

Walk again and see with greater wonder.

Whether looking at Blue Grama or a Plains Cottonwood, you look more deeply into the mystery of life.

variationsonamerica.substack.com/p/nature-bew...

#NatureWriting #Ecology
A close-up of Blue Grama grass with its seed heads in all of their beauty. They look like eyelashes. The text in the photo includes "Part of the mixed-grass Prairie" and "Blue Grama."
October 30, 2026 at 3:48 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
What can autumn chrysanthemums teach us about grief, remembrance, and hope?
A reflection on the unexpected grace we sometimes discover.
Saving Grace
variationsonamerica.substack.com/p/saving-grace
Bright orange chrysanthemums bloom abundantly beside two small stone turtle sculptures on the brick edge of a garden planter. Large white lettering reads “Saving Grace,” with “Photo by Kirk” in a narrow cream-colored band along the bottom.
October 29, 2026 at 11:03 AM
kirklc.bsky.social
I have been looking at clouds for seven decades, and they have never disappointed.
A line left to right of the tops of trees above which a Colorado blue sky with many small cloud armadas.
October 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
America's Constitution was meant to endure, but also to be improved. At 250, are we still willing to do that work to create a more perfect union? Read my reflection for Variations on America is free to read: variationsonamerica.substack.com/p/editing-am...
Picture of US Constitution on parchment for background with text in the foreground: "to form a more perfect Union."
October 26, 2026 at 12:31 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Bluesky
Some experiences stay with us long after the moment has passed. I explore such memories and questions in my book "On the Journey: Meditations about Life," Volume I of "The Soul’s Compass." Available in paperback and e-book on Kindle at Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1969887036
This shows a vista with a dirt path, two boulders, some wild purple flowers on the left and a valley with a wide river on the right, lots of sky with clouds, as the sun sets in the west. The quote reads, "On the Journey," the name of my first book of meditations.
October 25, 2026 at 5:56 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
On Monday, October 26, my new Substack publication, Variations on America, goes live. It grew out of A More Perfect Union, a book project that began as one volume and has grown to five. The publication will also draw on my work on Thoreau, A Pilgrim at Willow Creek, and more.
The photo reads as follows - Variations on America: Reflections on Nature, History, and the Examined Life which refers to my new Substack Publication.
October 24, 2026 at 5:53 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
#Trump calling for the end of the #DepartmentofEducation will devastate the #education of our #children. This is a win for #Project2025 but a loss for #America. For further thoughts see www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=9...
This iconic black and white photo from 1960 of Ruby Bridges shows her walking down steps from the school with three federal agents guarding her as she defies desegregation.
March 23, 2025 at 11:50 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
#MarcoRubio is dangerous. His actions toward #MahmoudKhalil, who has been denied #dueprocess is disturbing, but failing to even attempt to stop the destruction of #USAID is unconscionable. He has failed the mission and vision of #SecretaryofState. Time to go.
A caricature of Marco Rubio on a blue background with this text in white: “Marco Rubio’s continued presence in the U.S. may cause “potentially serious adverse ‘domestic’ policy consequences.” Remove him to Cuba, since he doesn’t value America.”
March 23, 2025 at 11:35 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Trump's Lawless Rendition, if based on the Alien Enemies Act, is a war crime. Read more at www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=9... #Rendition #Trump #Kidnapping #WarCrimes
Flag of Venezuela with text: Rule of Lawlessness: We are going to use rendition to transport you to El Salvador because you might commit a crime in America someday, maybe.
March 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
On 1/20/2025 we choose between #MLK and #Trump. The 2017 #Women’sMarch was unbelievable. Will their #People’sMarch on January 18 be as impressive? Only we can say by our choice. Trump wants adulation. I will #march instead. See some thoughts at www.facebook.com/share/p/mojc...
The photo is of a poster. It reads “The future is ours—Fight for it. National People’s March on January 18, 2025. Washington DC and everywhere.” There is a quote by Bob Marley that reads, “Get up, stand up.”
December 9, 2024 at 5:49 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
It is one thing to look, another to see. Do you have #oldeyes? Then awaken #neweyes. To do so, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and clear your mind. Then open your eyes. Look with #wonder to see beauty. Look with #curiosity to see what is hidden. Look with #compassion, to see #sorrow and #joy.
The photo is of a young girl in a crowd sitting on her father’s shoulders. She has made circles with her fingers and placed them against her eyes like they were binoculars so she can see better. The caption by Thomas Merton reads, “New Eyes Awaken.”
December 8, 2024 at 10:34 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Is #PeteHegseth the #RightWing’s idea of a #DEIhire to head #DOD, or do they believe that he meets the #merit-basedqualifications for the position; something even more frightening? A bit of #satire about his lack of qualifications: www.facebook.com/share/p/FEUo...
A photo of Pete Hegseth speaking at a conference in 2022 with the caption, “Is Pete Hegseth a DEI hire?”
December 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Given Trump’s #dangerousnominations, we need four Republican senators who will act to block them. See bit.ly/4innXxD for my post on this issue. We also need thousands of #citizens to pressure #senators to #putAmericafirst. #Resistance2025
A photo of a guardrail along a road with a caption that reads “America’s last guardrail. Four US Senators.”
December 7, 2024 at 5:11 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
#MartinLutherKingJr was always on the short end of power, but there was #nogivingup. He persisted and resisted #nonviolently in many ways to build #moralpower and sway #publicopinion. Creative #resistance is #power. It finds new ways to oppose a #morallybankrupt and #abusivegovernment.
The photo is that of a white clenched fist with a black background. The caption is by George Orwell. It reads, “We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”
December 7, 2024 at 3:00 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
While the current moment is perilous, it requires #daring not #despair. Choose to do some #good.
A photo of a white woman against a black backgrouns. She has dark brown hair. Her eyes are closed and she is pulling a large strand of hair in front of her face with her right hand. It appears that she is deep in thought. The caption by Maya Angelou reads, “As long as you're breathing, it's never too late to do some good.”
December 6, 2024 at 8:21 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Bella, our #GermanShepherd, hates car rides. I take her on rides to improve her resistance. When she gets out of the car, she shakes from nose to tail. It’s called a “shake-off” and it relieves her #stress. We need to #shakeoff our despair from the #2024election of #Trump. The #resistance needs us.
The photo is of a one-year-old German Shepherd named Bella. It’s a close-up her head and those huge eras and plaintiff eyes. The caption reads, “Time for a shake-off.”
December 6, 2024 at 2:48 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Legal columnist #HarryLitman resigned from #LATimes after 15 years due to politically-motivated interference by #kissup billionaire owner #PatrickSoonShiong. He cancelled a series on #Trump and is introducing an #AIbiasmeter for reporters as he turns the paper into a #Yellowrag like the #NYPost.
Photo of the upper part of the Los Angeles Times building against a blue sky with the caption “Turning the LA Times into a Yellow Rag”
December 5, 2024 at 9:29 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
When Trump invokes the Insurrection Act of 1807, as he surely will, and deploys military forces within America to suppress protests, remember South Korea. They blocked martial law and then sought to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. Citizens, when mobilized, are powerful indeed.
The word Seoul is a sign in yellow in the foreground at th that lights up at night, This is a picture of the city of Seoul, Korea with buildings in the background. The caption reads "Let’s Hope America Can Be South Korea."
December 5, 2024 at 1:06 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
Meet The Resistance
These petunias in a hanging basket on our front porch are from late October. They lasted until November 30, far beyond what was expected, retaining their beauty until the last. In the coming chaos, that is what is expected of us. Join the resistance. Bring beauty and power.
Yellow Garden Petunias in a hanging basket.
December 4, 2024 at 1:55 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
I stopped using X-Twitter quite some time ago. I tried Threads for a while, but meh! So, I have flown to BlueSky, because …I support Democracy. X-Twitter and Threads are both centralized (read “authoritarian”) social media platforms. And X-Twitter is so Trumpian it’s a joke. Democracy needs a voice.
Bird flying across a blue sky with some thin clouds. Text says "Don't let the …[X] clouds spoil your day, just look for the blue sky by The Allman Brothers Band" and "Flown to BlueSky"
December 3, 2024 at 10:29 PM
kirklc.bsky.social
We will soon awaken in Trump's America--a time that will be filled with grievance and chaos. May we join the resistance and fight for our values and our country. As has been said, "We are the ones we have been waiting for. Take heart, find courage.
Hundreds of birds are flying over water beyond the shore. The sun is low in the mostly-orange dawn sky. There are plants in the foreground and clouds in the distance.
December 3, 2024 at 9:06 PM