Author & Screenwriter
Sandra Fontana
All blog posts prior to 2021 have been moved to ARCHIVED BLOG ENTRIES.
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American Outrage!
Posted January 12, 2021
I am sickened, saddened, and horrified by what took place at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. It’s taken me nearly a week to process the atrocity and put it into words; but I'm still not settled on how to comprehend what happened. My mind is all over the place, looking for meaning in so many areas.
Interestingly, this is the first blog post I’ve made since August 2017, because I had spent every waking moment since May of that year writing a book about Donald Trump. I committed over 10,000 hours to that endeavor, believing that when I finished, I would be able to clear him out of my head. Such was not the case.
The breach of the Capitol was an American outrage. I cannot conceive how anyone could justify such violence, such destruction, such criminality.
Typically, I use my blog to express my opinion on random issues that cross my mind, not commenting on current events. That policy could change, now that I’ve spent 3-1/2 years researching and writing about Donald Trump. I was never “political” before; now I am.
Anyway, the incident at the Capitol needs to be addressed fully, because there are so many aspects that must be explored and discussed. In the future, I plan to do just that. My first entry is lengthy, mostly because there needs to be a starting point, a review of how this began. But for those just joining the conversation, it may be helpful.
Peaceful Transfer of Power
Posted January 12, 2021
It is believed that the United States is most vulnerable from security threats when we change presidential administrations, when the country is focused on the pageantry of our political royalty carrying out “the changing of the guard.” With the swearing in of each new president, the peaceful transfer of power plays out with repetition: A moment before the camera at the White House by both the incoming and outgoing president and first lady, the ceremonial ride down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol, and the breathtaking entrance through the velvet curtains, onto the inauguration platform. While viewers rest their attention during the inaugural speech, unethical despots could be planning their move to attack or overthrow the U.S. Government. What better time?
But it’s not only on Inauguration Day that security weaknesses can lead to disaster. Throughout the two-and-a-half months of the transition, resignations occur, attentiveness wans, and procedures can become lax. The nation’s exposure to foreign threats is most perilous. All the more reason for each faction of the Government to keep its eye on the ball.
And so, when the sitting president of the United States incited a riot—at the U.S. Capitol, of all places… days before the inauguration, of all times—it should be considered the utmost serious threat to our country. And it was during a pandemic! I’ll state it plainly: Donald Trump staged an act of domestic terrorism. The January 6th assault on the Capitol, a fundamental symbol of our democracy, wasn’t a protest. It was an armed insurrection, a coup perpetrated by the President himself, meant to overthrow the very government embodied in the Constitution that he swore to preserve, protect and defend.
Let’s go back to when it began.
Throughout the summer, preceding the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump was mired in failure. The aftermath of his impeachment was playing out, and news of witness firings dominated the news. The country was struggling with a pandemic, trying to interpret CDC guidelines: open/don’t open. Americans lost their jobs, businesses and schools were forced to close, and the economy plummeted. Trump was holding daily campaign rallies disguised as coronavirus updates, hawking hydroxychloroquine and suggesting the injection of disinfectant into the human body. By the first of July, he was being attacked for his handling of the pandemic, with cases surging to more than three million, and the number of deaths reaching 130,000… 150,000 by August, 180,000 by September, and more than 200,000 by October. John Bolton, Michael Cohen, Bob Woodward, and even his niece released tell-all books. He became a laughingstock when TikTok users punked his rally in Tulsa, leaving thousands of seats empty. His taxes were under scrutiny for possible bank and insurance fraud, and the Supreme Court ruled that he was not immune from a New York grand jury subpoena. Trump was being criticized for his reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests—barricading himself in the bunker at the White House, while surrounding the property in layers of protective fencing, and tear-gassing protesters to force them out of the plaza between St. John's Church and Lafayette Park so that he could stand in front of the church with a Bible, for a photo op. It’s no wonder his approval ratings were sinking daily. And, that he was behind in voter polls. Far behind.
Even before the election, Donald Trump hinted that he would not peacefully surrender power if he lost the election. No surprise there; he had said he wouldn't stand back following a loss while campaigning in 2016. But once the 2020 election votes were counted—which overwhelmingly handed the win to Joseph R. Biden, Jr.—Trump refused to accept the results, becoming more resistant, more combative, more aggrieved, which he expressed in public appearances and tweets. He stated that votes were stolen from him and that the election was rigged. Contesting the election, the Trump Campaign and others filed and lost more than sixty state and federal lawsuits. Trump persisted, decrying the outcome, stoking his base, amplifying his claims, and pressuring election officials to “find” votes that would give him a win.
On December 18th, Trump tweeted an invitation to his supporters: “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” The date of Trump’s protest, in the guise of a rally, was not a haphazard choice. It was the very day that the Electoral College votes would be counted during a joint session of Congress, certifying Joe Biden as the duly-elected president. In the days leading up to the 6th, Trump not only pressured election officials in the State of Georgia to “find” votes that would keep him in office, he also pressured his vice president, Mike Pence (who would serve as the presiding officer in Congress) to exceed his Constitutional authority, and unilaterally reject the electoral votes, thus overturning the true election outcome.
Trump’s “Save America March” was held on the grounds of the Ellipse, adjacent to the White House. The President’s friend and personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani; his son, Don Jr.; and Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks preceded Trump at the podium, each taking his turn igniting the crowd, urging supporters to proceed to the end of Pennsylvania Avenue, and confront the legislators who were in session, to "take back our country."
How much of what followed was planned in advance is unknown, but when as many as 10,000 of Trump’s most ardent supporters arrived at the Capitol—adorned in Trump-branded garments; and armed with flags and backpacks, teargas, zip-ties, and possibly weapons—they began breaking through barricades, plowing past overwhelmed and outnumbered members of law enforcement, storming across the lawns, climbing on the inauguration scaffolding, and up the steps of the Capitol, until they breached the building from both sides. They shattered windows, broke down doors; and, once inside, stormed through the corridors with fury and vitriol, causing destruction and assaulting police officers as they barged through the halls of Congress. It was pandemonium of the highest degree.
Never before had we seen domestic terrorism like this. It was astounding. It was shocking. It was maddening. And there it was, playing out before our eyes like scenes on a Gettysburg battlefield. War. Rage. Terrorism. On our own soil. Marauders were literally assaulting the structure that houses our government—the magnificent chambers of the House and Senate on either end—a historic wonder, where priceless works of art hang on marble walls, where noble Americans are commemorated as statues, where heads of state have lain in repose, and where (but for the pandemic), on any given day, school children would stand in awe, their eyes raised to the dome of the Rotunda. The Capitol’s wonder—pristine and proud—was being invaded and desecrated by violence, disrespect, and filth.
The aftermath was as horrific as the invasion itself. Five people died, one of whom was a member of the United States Capitol Police. Another officer was severely beaten by insurgents. The vandalism left behind broken glass, feces, urine, smashed furniture, damaged woodwork, and remnants of paraphernalia brought inside by the insurgents—flags, helmets, clothing, teargas canisters.
So, how did this incursion become so disorderly, so quickly? And how did it happen at all? Those questions were put before Congress; resulting in a comprehensive investigation titled, "Final Report - Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol," released December 22, 2022. The complete report is available via this link:
Open Letter to Donald Trump: You don't have to do this
Posted November 16, 2024
Aren't you tired of being the bad guy? Despite being bestowed with so many opportunities, you’ve spent your life collecting headlines and controversies. But now you've defied the odds and won an election they said you couldn't win: a second term as President of the United States. Isn't that enough? I propose to you that this is the time to erase your negative legacy—the bone spurs, the bankruptcies, the sexual assault allegations, the 1.1 million Covid deaths. In other words, this is your chance to rewrite your past by righting your future. "Promises made, promises kept?" Nonsense!
Do you honestly feel America will be better off with the advancement of your MAGA agenda? What possible good will be achieved by giving billionaires another tax break? Or deporting immigrants, eliminating the Department of Education, or pursuing revenge against your political enemies?
YOU have been elected president, so this is on you. Not Stephen Miller, not Fox News, not Elon Musk, not the Heritage Foundation. The choice is yours. You are 78 years old. Isn't it time to turn yourself around and be known for your accomplishments, rather than for what you've destroyed? I'm not suggesting you adopt the Democrats' platform, but there are actual areas in the government where positive change is necessary. Like pushing the already-negotiated immigration bill, negotiating lower drug costs, tackling infrastructure, healthcare. Why not continue to advance the positive achievements of your first term: combatting the opioid crisis, advancing technical education and supporting advancements in technology and innovation, creating manufacturing and construction jobs, implementing measures to support our veterans, safeguarding the environment, securing trade deals, and investing in America’s workers and families. You've said yourself that nothing gets done in Washington. There's so much good to be accomplished, and you can use your second term to show leadership through positive change. Think of it: You could walk away four years from now and truly claim that you made America great again. Why not do it?
My Response to Them
Posted November 13, 2024
I’ve seen comments on Facebook from Republicans who feel vindicated by Trump’s election win, many of whom say they sympathize with Democrats over Kamala Harris’s loss. They claim to have felt the same way four years ago, and that their fears of Joe Biden becoming president “came true.” To them, I say this:
You think Donald Trump will get America "back on track?" What on earth was so unnerving about Joe Biden becoming president? Joe Biden didn't kill 1.1 million Americans by ignoring a national pandemic. He didn't try to overthrow the government; he never disparaged the disabled, the military, women, members of the LGBTQ community, or members of other races or nationalities. Joe Biden wasn't convicted of 34 felonies, was not impeached, never touched a woman inappropriately. What Biden did do was attempt to get America's economy back on track after Trump, the previous president, left it in shambles. Thanks also to the previous president's mishandling of Covid, Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) led America to the strongest jobs recovery on record and the strongest economic recovery in the world, driving unemployment below 4% for 28 months – the longest stretch in over 50 years - and creating nearly 16 million jobs since he took office. Biden's Covid recovery plan also funded a historic vaccination campaign which led to the full vaccinations of 230 million Americans– up from 3.5 million when he took office. Biden's third year of his term saw one of the lowest rates of violent crime in over 50 years. The murder rate saw its sharpest decrease in history. Look around-- have you not seen the roads repaved, bridges rebuilt, airports renovated? That was Biden, whose presidency also ushered in a record 19 million new business applications. BUT REPUBLICANS THINK DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN??? We'll be lucky if there IS an America four years from now.
Kamala’s Not-So-Secret Army
Posted July 27, 2024
Last summer, on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, my attention was drawn to three glamorous Black women. Two had been sitting together, as if they were friends; then the third came along and sat behind them. Were they expecting her? It seemed they were, but at the same time, maybe not. Something about all three of these ladies was the same-- waist-length braids, manicured nails, tasteful jewelry, stylish clothing. But more than that, each exuded abundant self-confidence and smart sophistication. What did they have that other women did not? Well, you know me — I had to find out.
These gals, like many others aboard the ferry, were on their way to “pINKWELL™, an annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) beach party / fundraiser, to support community programming efforts of the Psi Omega Chapter on the Vineyard and in the Greater Boston area. Complimenting the colors featured in these women’s clothing, a wave of salmon pink and apple green tents was quite visible on nearby Inkwell Beach as the ferry docked at Oak Bluffs.
As I later learned, Inkwell Beach has special meaning to African-Americans, having acquired its name during the mid-20s, when segregation dictated that only the town of Oak Bluffs permitted lodging for Black vacationers on Martha’s Vineyard. Many believe this strand of beach got its name from the skin color of its beach-goers; but while once pejorative, the name now bestows pride on this popular African American summer resort.
What does all this have to do with Kamala Harris?
When President Biden stepped aside from his 2024 presidential election candidacy on the afternoon of Sunday, July 21, 2024, he endorsed Vice President Harris to continue the fight against Donald Trump. The next night, on CNN, Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina House member, informed viewers that Harris would have support from the "Devine Nine."
For those of us to whom that term was new, let’s get educated:
HBCU is an acronym for an institution’s distinctive recognition as a Historically Black College or University. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “… any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association…” There are 107 learning institutions in the United States that are identified by the US Department of Education as HBCUs. Of those, three are currently closed.
Most HBCUs were founded post-Civil War, during the Reconstruction Era. Consisting of both public and private institutions, they represent three percent of the nation’s colleges.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was established May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, DC. It is the umbrella organization for the four sororities and five fraternities (now referred to as the “Divine Nine”) that make up the Black Greek Letter organizations (BGLOs) of the HBCUs. Divine Nine is a term first coined by Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., for his 2001 book, The Divine Nine: The History of African-American Fraternities and Sororities in America.
The Divine Nine sororities:
Alpha Kappa Alpha*
Delta Sigma Theta*
Zeta Phi Beta*
Sigma Gamma Rho
The Divine Nine fraternities:
Kappa Alpha Psi*
Omega Psi Phi*
Alpha Phi Alpha
Phi Beta Sigma
Iota Phi Theta
* Founding members
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), was the first intercollegiate African-American Greek Lettered organization established by African-American, college-trained women. The sorority is an international service organization comprised of more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Founded January 15, 1908, like the NPHC, it got its start on the campus of Howard University. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s National Headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois, which happens to be the host city for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Kamala Harris is a member of AKA, having joined the sorority in 1986 on the campus of Howard University, from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Other notable AKA alumni include Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Coretta Scott King, Ella Fitzgerald, and Alicia Keys.
AKA biennially holds a Boulé (the periodic assembly of the total membership) that is open to active and honorary members. On July 10, Vice President Harris delivered the keynote speech to 20,000 AKAs at the 71st Boulé, held in Dallas, Texas. Speaking in the sorority’s vernacular, referring to “my line sisters, the 38 Jewels of Iridescent Splendor,” Harris reminded the members that, “In 1908, women were not guaranteed the right to vote. There was not a single Black person in the United States Congress. And that year, 89 Black Americans were lynched, and that was just the number that was documented.” Harris continued, tying Black history to the sorority: “And yet, despite all of this, and perhaps because of it, our founders believed in the power of sisterhood and service. And our founders believed in the promise of America — a promise of freedom, opportunity, and equality; not for some but for all.” Although she was campaigning for President Biden that day, the theme of her speech — freedom — would carry to her own campaign, less than two weeks later. “Across our nation," she said, "we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights: the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride, the freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history as America, and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do. And these are not only basic freedoms and rights. These are the pillars of our liberty, the essence of our democracy, and the promise of America.”
The day after Harris took the reins as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee, some 44,000 mostly Black women joined a phone call to learn how they could support her campaign; and the next night, an online audience of 53,000 were part of a “Black Men for Harris” fundraiser.
Harris has known all along that she holds substantial standing with fellow HBCU alums and BGLOs. On July 24, two days after kicking off her campaign, she appeared before Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at their convention in Indianapolis, saying, “There’s so much at stake in this moment … Our nation, as it always has, is counting on you to energize, to organize, and to mobilize. To register folks to vote, to get them to the poles, and to continue to fight for the future our nation and her people deserves. And we know: When we organize, mountains move. When we mobilize, nations change. And when we vote, we make history. So, let us continue to fight with optimism, with faith, and with hope. Because, when we fight, we win.”
Officially, the Divine Nine cannot endorse Kamala Harris, but its 2.7 million members (let’s face it-- a sizeable voting bloc) can certainly do as she suggested: energize, organize, and mobilize.