Juneteenth National Independence Day
By Lorraine Evanoff, June 19, 2026 – 450 Words
Republicans are greedy aggrieved grifters with no sense of purpose except inflicting misery on those they deem inferior. Democrats have taken a lot of grief for not fighting dirty and matching their ruthless, often illegal, methods to seize and hold onto power. But the harder Republicans grip control, the more it slips, making it obvious to the world they are losers.
The grotesque display of UFC fighters on We the People’s White House lawn was the perfect analogy for their barbaric, blood brawl, cheap shot, low blow platform. One cheap shot taken against our beloved First Lady, Michelle Obama, was quickly countered with a knockout punch.
Millions shared stunning images of Mrs. Obama’s fashion sense and fierce joyful dance moves on social media. The calumnious UFC fool who shall remain nameless was ridiculed to oblivion so badly I hope that humiliation woke up his UFC pummeled brain. You never know.
Then the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony took place on Juneteenth Eve. Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating June 19, 1865, the day Federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX, to tell enslaved Americans they were Emancipated. White slavers had withheld the news for almost THREE YEARS after President Lincoln issued the Proclamation, an early American PsyOps, if you will.
A review of history gives us perspective on how evil continues to influence over the long term. My Palmer Report co-contributor, Robert Harrington, brilliantly detailed how racism began in the United States, with colonial lawmakers pitting black slaves and white indentured servants against each other, another early American PsyOps, if you will.
Centuries-long oppression somehow creates the ability to find strength and even joy through the most horrific circumstances. American gospel music rooted in African rhythms is part of the fabric of their survival and grace. Gospel music invariably brings me to tears of joy and pain.
Contrast the Obama celebration with the chaos and humiliation of the Republican party during the G7 Summit in France this week. Trump’s illegal war now appears to have been coordinated with Putin to give Iran, (Russia’s closest ally and one of America’s worst enemies), MORE power, not less. That’s treason.
So yes, we must fight fire with fire to take power back from a horrible enemy, the Republican Party. But on Juneteenth, we celebrate the fighting spirit with joy and grace.
You can watch the full Grand Opening Ceremony online, the powerful music of faith and glory performed by fellow Chicago natives John Legend, Common, and the United Voices of Chicago at the 1:46 minute mark brought me to tears again.
Celebrating Juneteenth is an act of protest. Happy Juneteenth, America. For me, Juneteenth is our Independence Day.
TIMELINE CLEANSE
Quick update on the sweet spicy tuxetortico kitten I rescued last week, I found a wonderful kitten rescue, Karolyn Kitty Haven.
So, on Saturday, I was able to grab her and put her in the carrier without getting scratched. Then, once she was in the carrier, she was so CHILL! On the drive to the rescue, she was staring out the window like she was enjoying the whole adventure.
Amazingly, when we brought her in, Karolyn’s son unzipped the carrier and just started petting her like it was no big deal! So, I finally got to pet her!
Karolyn has featured her on Instagram and has been texting me updates and photos. They have named her Cleopatra, which I LOVE. She’s still shy, but has a shy new ginger friend to play with. I’m so proud of brave Cleopatra!!
Namaste 🙏🏻😻
I saw many tearful ladies there in the crowd yesterday. I felt tearful, for so many reasons; loss was a big one. Cleopatra is certainly a cutie! I see a bit of mosaicism, mid-head. Thank you for getting her to safety 💙
How splendid - after the blood sport brutality on the WH lawn, on the Juneteenth eve, Obama’s Presidential Library (should be called “campus of return to hope) to the kind of audience that will keep Trump up all night smashing bottles of ketchup and venting his spleen on Lies Social - if he’s up to that level of exertion.