Thanks so much, Eric. 

It's not been easy for any of us to watch as good people get sucked into the conservative vortex and lose their sense of reason. I was talking with a woman yesterday who works within communities to raise money and awareness for the need for affordable housing. She explained to me that we have to choose carefully those we want to spend our limited time trying to influence. If she recognizes that a person is more interested in arguing than in trying to understand what she's saying, she thanks them for their time and moves on. I'm working on being better about that but I keep coming back to all of you here and how I was that guy who argued endlessly until the point where I stopped and I began to listen. And so I keep banging my little drum for anyone who may hear me but I have become better at choosing my battles, especially in this political environment. It seems pointless to try and engage with a Trump supporter at this point because if they've not been deterred by anything he's said or done up to now, there's little chance they're going to change; not without an intervention and a professional deprogramming. 

They say the next presidential election will come down to a handful of voters in key battleground states. I think I'll focus my contributions toward those elections this year while working to keep my Congresswoman, Angie Craig (MN CD2), in her seat. 

I just became a grandfather for the first time last month. I want to see Clifford thrive and reach his full potential under the umbrella of a democracy. How sad it would be to lose that and for him to not know and enjoy the freedoms we've been blessed with. I want to be able to tell him when he asks me someday, whatever way this next election breaks, that I recognized the threat to our freedoms and I fought back—that I didn't align for one second with maga extremists or the complicit Republican Party.

I'm glad you're enjoying edibles. Minnesota recently legalized recreational cannabis but prices here are still quite high compared to other places like Michigan where they're about 1/3 of the cost as compared to MN. I'll be making a trip back there to replenish our supply this spring. Non-residents are allowed to purchase 5 lbs of edibles per day. They keep well in the freezer. (thumbs up emoji)

Thank you again, Eric.

Kevin g