Truth–Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan quote–We wish to find the truth, no matter where it lies. But to find the truth we need imagination and skepticism both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish
speculation from fact.

Code is modified tap code in a domino format.

Tap Code

Domino Format

The upper portion in stitched is a lighter green than the bottom portion.

Domino Format

Since C and K are typically the same I decided to give K the code 63 (C is 13), comma 85, and period 88.

Unfortunately, when I photographed the piece with my phone, the dark green fiber is difficult to distinguish from the black domino cards.
Completed Piece

Completed Piece

Materials–Paper, Fiber, PVA, Binder Clips

Scale–11” x 35” x 1”


Descarte

Accept as true nothing which you do not clearly know to be so. Avoid hasty judgment and prejudice.

Eleanor Roosevelt book quoting Descarte.

Descarte Quote

The left margin has the code for the word, truth.
Descarte Quote Detail

I have had a difficult time documenting this piece. I hung it in several locations and no matter what, the images do not clearly show the piece.

Materials–Packing envelope, fiber, paper, wood glue.

Scale–38″ x 14″ x .25″


Truth Piece in Progress

The Truth piece consists of two pieces that will be mounted on a wood panel and framed.

Truth

After looking at the image of the larger piece, I think wrapping all of the exposed hardware cloth with cream yarn is needed. Bumped up the contrast to see the wire more clearly.

Truth Wire Exposed

Wrapped Hardware Cloth Wire

Truth Wire Wrapped

Center Shapes are Code for the Word Truth

Truth Layout

Brown shapes are Dots, Tan shapes are Dashes, Cream shapes are Spacers.

Truth Blocks
The same colors are used for code throughout the pieces.

The right border of the larger piece has the code–Be Told. It begins with the top right square of the hardware cloth.

Truth Be Told

The left border of the larger piece has the code–Will Out. It begins with the bottom left square of the hardware cloth.

Truth Will Out

The center portion of the smaller piece has the code–Half the truth is, with the right border continuing the text–a great lie.

Half Truth Great Lie

I thought about adding an application of wax, but it changes the fiber a bit too much. Will either add an application of starch or a solution of salt.

Truth

The pieces will be attached to a 5″ x 7″ wood panel with tacks. If the tacks don’t work I may use velcro. Then a frame will be added.


Freedom to Write–A Root of Democracy

Postage Stamp

JOURNALISTS ALLEGEDLY ‘Tracked’ And ‘Interrogated’ By DHS While Reporting On Border Sue Trump Administration ‘To Defend Free Speech’

The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, asserts that on “multiple separate occasions,” U.S. government officials demanded that the journalists participate in a “secondary screening” at the border and requested that they disclose information about their sources.

US Constitution Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Sources
Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law
Newsweek


Freedom to Speak Out–A Root of Democracy

Speak Out Postage Stamp

1977

Constitution of United States of America

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.

US Constitution, The White House

The U.S. National Archives


To Cast a Free Ballot–A Root of Democracy

Democrary_Ballot_Stamp

1977

Voting Rights Act: Major Dates In History (ACLU)


2019 Methods Preventing Voting
gerrymandering
voter purge
voter ID laws
voter registration laws
policies around early voting
closing polling places
voting rights for past felons

Is America a democracy? If so, why does it deny millions the vote? (The Guardian)

Voter suppression as a tactic – from strict ID laws to closing polling places to purging voter rolls – is deliberately making it hard for minority communities in America to exercise their democratic right.

Stacey Abrams is Fighting Voter Suppression (The Guardian)

At least 17 million voters were purged nationwide between 2016 and 2018, according to a recent study by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Which US states make it hardest to vote? (The Guardian)

Georgia has an “exact match” law, which requires that a voter’s registration form matches records kept by state officials. Residents can register online or through paper forms.Eric Holder Rages Against ‘Un-American’ Voter ID Laws (The Observer)

Democrats Vow Court Fight to Block New N.C. Congressional Map
(Politico)

Fighting Voter Suppression (The ACLU)

Stacey Abrams–leading a nationwide campaign against voter suppression (The Guardian)

Voter Suppression Reportedly on Rise in States Where Increasing Numbers of Democratic-Leaning Students Head to the Polls (The Root)

Long Island Divided

In one of the most concentrated investigations of discrimination by real estate agents in the half century since enactment of America’s landmark fair housing law, Newsday found evidence of widespread separate and unequal treatment of minority potential homebuyers and minority communities on Long Island.



Sources
ACLU
The Guardian
Politico
The Root
Newsday


Pete Buttigieg-gun violence

Second Democratic Debate

“Well, this epidemic of gun violence has hit my community, too, far too many times. That’s the worst part of being Mayor, getting the phone call, consoling grieving parents. We have a mass shootings worth of killings everyday in this country.”

”What we’re doing hasn’t worked, because we haven’t had a system in Washington capable of delivering what the American people have told us they want. 90% of Republicans want universal background checks, not to mention the common sense solutions like red flag laws that disarm domestic abusers and flag mental health risks. And an end to assault weapons, things like what I carried overseas in uniform, that have no business in American neighborhoods in peacetime, let alone anywhere near a school.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg South Bend, Indiana

Pete for America, 2020


Senator Kirsten Gillibrand–white privilege

Second Democratic Debate

“…And I can talk to those white women in the suburbs that voted for Trump and explain to them what white privilege actually is, that when their son is walking down a street with a bag of M&Ms in his pocket wearing a hoodie, his whiteness is what protects him from not being shot.

When their child has a car that breaks down, and he knocks on someone’s door for help… it is his whiteness that protects him from being shot.

Gillibrand.senate.gov

Gillibrand 2020


Trump Could Learn A Lot From Eleanor Roosevelt and Descartes

In Eleanor Roosevelt’s Book of Common Sense Etiquette she writes about Descartes’ Discourse on Method.

“There are four simple steps by which we learn to think logically and thus communicate clearly.”

The first step–

Accept as true nothing which you do not clearly know to be so; avoid hasty judgment and prejudice.