Knowledge is power. One of the most powerful tools we can arm ourselves with in the coming years is pertinent information that enables us to have better situational awareness to the dangers we face right now and those coming our way.
We need to diligently feed on information that can enable us to be positioned to make sound decisions for ourselves and know the best ways to act when we need to.
Sifting through the barrage of news and white noise of chaos will be the key challenge. Stay focused. Key into the specific information and sources of information for what can and will actually affect our lives will be the task at hand. Leave the rest for other people to worry about.
What to be on the lookout for
Laws and legislation both local and national that attacks our rights and freedoms. It’s already happening at a blinding pace. Supreme Court cases are important to keep awareness of as they are often the final word on many issues. Project 2025 is a good read and a genuine road map to the minds behind the government we will be facing in the years ahead as well as their plans.
Where to look for it
A balance of mainstream news sources are always a good staple as they are established organizations with journalist practice. Having been a journalist for over 20 years, I put a good degree of weight on vetted and confirmed news sources who do their homework.
Blogs, videos and podcasts are good places to read the room and dive deeper but be careful to remember that these sources are not always rooted in reality, truth or balance. They can however often be agenda driven echo chambers, entertainers, and advocates like myself who are promoting only one part of the picture. Nothing wrong with that, just keep it in mind.
Advocacy groups can provide specific information about what’s coming at us that can be used to guide my concerns, decisions or actions I like to go straight to people who are focusing on this 100%.
These are advocacy groups like Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, GLAAD, Lambda Legal just to name a few who have their fingers on the actions of our law makers day in and day out. They sound the alarm bells for all of us, they are in court daily defending us, they are lobbying for us in the halls of power.
These groups can be followed on social media, you can subscribe to their newsletters and yes you can donate to them to help them fight. For most of us out here they are the first responders to active threats to our rights and freedoms that are happening every day.
Pass it along
Not all of our friends and family are able to tune in to what’s happening at the same level or intensity as others. If you are taking the time and energy to be well informed, use this gift of knowledge and educate others around you. Share with them, engage them and empower them. We all have a stake in this.
Smoker of fine tires, eater of natural foods, connoisseur of aromatic leathers, pusher of limits.