Red Flag Warning
What is this weather instrument?
It is a “snow board”. In my daily online reports for the National Weather Service (COCORAHS) there is a place to report snowfall. Since it seldom snows at sea level in western Washington, my snowboard is simple: a painted white board so snow does not melt and a little flag to find it if it snows so much that the board gets covered. This week we have been having some intermittent snow falls, so the board is out of its usual storage place.
As someone who listens to the weather daily and carefully, I am quite skilled at knowing when to take threats of wind, snow, or rain seriously. And I know how to take appropriate action whether camping, paddling, or being at home. Decades of experience have taught me to pay attention in times of real and present danger.
When determining the day’s weather, I check several apps, listen to my weather band radio and read a regular meteorological blog. I am a serious weather geek.
The Human Weather
The “weather” I am also paying close attention to these days is what is happening in the human world. It is important for me to check a number of sources here, too: the Seattle Times, National Public Radio, and the voices of wise podcasters like Heather Cox Richardson. The human “weather” is not good—dedicated public servants being locked out of jobs that protect crucial health and financial information, a president blowing up international relationships with trusted allies, innocent people being rounded up under the guise of being dangerous criminals.
These are not ordinary times. The U.S. government is faltering in its responsibility to be a democracy with the best interests of ordinary people at home and around the world as its focus.
Like many people the effects of the first few weeks of President Trump’s term have hit close to home. A parent of a local third grader got apprehended by ICE in our local laundromat and deported into detention away from his family. A friend’s daughter is not sure the contract she just signed with NOAA will be valid. Another friend’s daughter who is a highly respected VA nurse of 15 years service received the infamous “You have 9 days to decide to take a bail out offer.”
This week when President Trump made the shocking economic decision to put tariffs on our longest standing international friends—Canada, Mexico, and soon Europe, I realize we have a president who cares nothing about allies or friendships. He and his cronies only care about money, attention, and chaos.
The “human weather” warrants issuing a RED FLAG WARNING.
Courtesy photo, internet
The National Weather Service only issues red flag warnings when conditions are imminent for potential catastrophic damage from wild fires. When the red flag warnings were issued in Los Angeles in early January 2025 before the fierce Santa Ana winds, people took various approaches to responding to those red flag warnings. I don’t pretend to know what is right action for you as an individual. I just know that I care about each of you. Prepare. Be alert. Talk to your family, your neighbors, your community. Bring to bear all the experience and wisdom you can—conditions are imminent for potential catastrophic damage to our democracy.
We will only get through this together!
Thank you, Ann, always. This is right on target.
Appreciate your support!
Thank you Ann. For the truth of redflag warnings. And for the call to stay together. For your heart in this. I’m finding I’m leaning to wise voices like yours. Needing it in my heart.
Yes, Tenneson, our hearts need this call to stay together. Ann
Thank you for your blog.
We here in Canada appreciate the many communications from all our American friends who are apologizing for the hostile actions of your elected president. We have a long happy friendship with you Americans and hope that will endure for the future.
Thank you, Wendy! It was the proposal to put a tariff on Canadian goods that sent me into red flag fury. How dare a president even consider this??? You all have been by our side through two world wars, thru 911, through Afghanistan and on and on and on. We love our Canadian friends and neighbors—always have and always will. Ann
Absolutely, awake and together. I am in reflection almost 24/7 on this topic while learning to stay in balance…….I have many inputs,, inner and outer, in my aspiration to stay present, awake, and more. Truly red flag times. I am going to put up a red flag here in Ashland OR. as soon as the huge snow storm we are in now, passes. You would love all this weather, dear Ann…… love Anne
Yes, my friend, I would love all that weather. And I really appreciate your comments. Flying a red flag will likely engage you in some interesting conversation! Love, Ann
Well said, Ann! How then shall we live as Resistance? Ram Dass wrote, “Whether this is the first day of the Apocalypse or the first day of the Golden Age, the work remains…to love each other and ease as much suffering as possible.” Let us find what love and care look like in our contexts, each step, each breath. With gratitude and a deep bow, Marilyn
Thank you for the reminder of those words from Ram Cass: to love each other and ease as much suffering as possible
Blessings back to you, Ann
I appreciate your reply, Marilyn. To care and love one another is no small donation to our common humanity!
Ann, my response to Red Flag Warnings is to establish a strong inner Sanctuary so I may serve as an Island of Sanity first to myself and then to those who are struggling in these stormy seas.
Thank you, Christina and your readers for being that for me.
Love, Marti
Excellent advice, Marti! We can be of little help without a strong inner sanctuary. Ann
Making calls, writing letters and emails, posting information people need to know every day. It’s good to know the circle holds even across the country and in perilous times. Love to you both!
Yes, Meredith, there is so much each and every one of us can do. And together it creates a tsunami of goodness and truth. Love, Ann
Thank you so much, Ann. The sweetest words I’ve heard today, from one caught in the crossfire, was “We are pulling together as a family and making a plan to get through this.” Extended families, friend-families, faith-families, neighbor-families…. all kinds of families count. We are looking for the hands that are reached out to us, and clasping them to make a slowly-widening web of help and hope.
Yes, indeed, we are pulling together . . . in as many ways and in as many combinations as we can. There is so much work to do.
Love,
Ann
something I tell everyone is that with the current administration we have a two year window. Most administrations have a grace period where Congress and the President share the same party. After two years the House flips and that crimps undesired legislation.
Thank you, Larry.
It’s challenging to find the words. Thank you 😔
Yup, we have to keep finding words that have as broad and effective appeal as possible. Carry on, new grandma! Ann
I appreciate your words today more than ever. Thank you, Ann. How do we fight this? What will stop it?
Huge questions, Mary. We keep talking with one another, reaching out, building alliances. Every step is important! Ann
Hey Ann, Here in Canada we are pulling together as well and we know that the broligarchy are running the show and that is a red flag for the world. This time around none of us can afford to just hope for the best. We will all need to do our part no matter how small it may seem. Thank you Ann as always for staying grounded in what is important.
Excellent response, dear Canadian friend! We absolutely can not just hope for the best. We each CAN do something—a conversation with a neighbor, a clerk, a friend in need. Never underestimate the old-fashioned ways of building community . . . and ultimately action.
For those of us, like me, who read your Blog from outside the US – I can understand your concerns as I watch, listen, & read from across the ocean in England. My heart is heavier as the ramifications for the World of your newly elected President begin to be acted out. May your spirit be lifted by knowing you have so many of us valuing your wisdom & spirit. Thank you Jean 🫂🙏x
Bless you for writing, Jean! Indeed, it does raise my spirits because I believe we live on an interconnected planet. We are ultimately all in this together. Ann
I’m heartbroken. My Senator Amy Klobuchar voted with 21 Democrats to confirm one of trump’s appointees. How could she do it? I called her MN office and as I told the staffer who answered, I’m appalled that the country I chose to be a citizen of was crumbling, with her help.
Red flag indeed
Yes, I am shocked by Amy’s vote. No comment from me on this. We’ve got to double down and keep pushing our senators and representatives. These are not in any way shape or form, “ordinary times”. Business as usual does not work. Ann
Perfect, Anne and Responders! We here in Canada are still somewhat in shock at Pres. Trump’s (crazy) suggestions; that said, our own government officials are reacting/responding appropriately, reassuring us Canadians that this will NOT happen! Now Trump has given us a month, so we will see how it all unfolds…really unbelievable that he would do this!
Yes, it is Brenda. It is proof that the man has no moral fiber. No one does this to a staunch friend and ally. As I said in an earlier comment to a reader, it was this move that sent me into red flag fury. You just don’t do this to fine, steadfast friends—ever, for any reason!
I.can’t.even. with what is happening. It’s makes me beyond rageful. I am a brewing storm myself. Like perhaps a bomb cyclone…. I am sooo sorry to hear of the ICE actions and other things there. Sending hugs of solidarity and warrior-ness! 🙌
Thank you, Pam. It is your fierceness that has been so inspiring to me in the last months. We must keep keeping on, even when we don’t know what to do next. The stakes are too high, as in the future of democracy as we have known it. Ann
I’m so glad I moved back to Canada a few months ago, but I’m also heartbroken and outraged for my US friends and family. Doing what I can to help from here, and most grateful to you and Christina, for all your good works in the world. Much love, Barbara Joy
Beautiful to hear your words on the page, Barbara Joy. Yes, heartbroken for what is happening here and also grateful for the rising up of fierceness. We are NOT helpless in this situation!
Don’t surrender in advance.
Hold the faith.
Absolutely, right on!
Don’t surrender in advance.
Hold the faith.
Not sure if your kids are still here, Ann, but LA is a sad, wounded place right now. Community grief is palpable, as is community compassion. We’re ignoring what’s happening in Washington while we tend to our own. Fingers crossed there are lessons learned about how or even IF to rebuild.
Yes, my daughter and her family are still there. Though they did not have to evacuate, everyone knows someone who lost everything. And, yes, LA will rebuild as Angelinos always have. Sunday afternoon despite the trauma of the fires, thousands of people blocked Freeway 101 for over 5 hours protesting the ICE arrests. Do not mess with Angelinos! They are a fearsome bunch!
I love this, Ann. What keeps me inspired in the midst of this raging storm is the unique way writers are helping us understand the depth of this breach. Red flag warning, indeed. I think of you both often and imagine the lamp is on late as you write your way into clarity. Thank you for your decades of activism and attention. May this be more like a flash flood than a hundred year storm … ⭐️
Thank you so much for your response, Bonnie Rae. I think I am going to hold that raging storm image with you, not the 100 year flood. Your exquisite card graces our counter in the kitchen reminding us that written comments can so lift the soul. Bless you, Ann
Aptly stated, Ann. It’s been difficult to stay “balanced” and alert to all the nastiness happening, especially in SoCal where our friends from across the border are bleeding.
I’m currently in Ashland underneath snow cover so will try to find Anne!
Yes, to finding Anne. Wisdom loves company! Yes, southern California is being hit hard on so many fronts. Be well, stay balanced as best we can. Ann
Red flag warning, indeed. My response echoes within the many others who have replied. So suffice to say, thank you, again and always for your clarity and sage direction.
One of the things I love in this column is the pouring forth of wisdom from readers. Together, we shall overcome! Ann
Red Flag Warning. Indeed. Community is critical to our moving forward and staying sane. Thank you for this wise contribution.
So glad you are part of our community, Jeanne!
After reading the posts, and thoughtful responses, intentions, plans and actions, I KNOW I am in the right company here. I am so thankful to have the space and place, people of heart and good intentions to help hold and act from a place of love, creativity, and power of the heart. Thanks all.
Yes, Incredible wise, helpful responses from many people. Huge gratitude!
Ann
I love the idea of the “red flag!” I have been seeking a way to let immigrants/refugees/LGBTQ/Trans people know that I am “safe” for them. Perhaps a pin with a red flag and one posted in my window/yard. What a great idea! I just learned that Trans/Gay students on the UW Tacoma campus have been threatened by armed gangs searching for them on the streets at night. I am also singing us into peace in the Tacoma Refugee Choir! (refugeechoir.org to see video of our recent Peace Rally.) Thank you, Ann and Christina for your teachings and stalwart activism. Much love, Diane
THANK YOU, Diane, for your information and wisdom. The responses of people to this blog have all been heartfelt and a huge tribute to the fact that we are only going to get through this together—sharing what we know, taking the steps we are able to take, meeting hate and fear with love and caring. Ann
Thank you for this call to action Ann. We WILL get through this together with each of us contributing what we can to help one another. For me it starts with not letting “them” bring out my anger and fear, so I am not watching much news. But when things hit close to home they can’t be so easily ignored. If we keep love in our hearts for ourselves and our community and take action when we are called to do so, I, too, feel we will make it through stronger than ever!
You have spoken! An Elder grannies’ wisdom. Amen and thank you! Ann