I’m against violence at protests. Full stop. But branding a broad, leaderless idea like “antifa” as “terrorism” blurs the line between crimes and protected speech, chills lawful protest, and hands any administration a tool to target dissent. We can condemn violence and still protect the right to protest.
Author: Vicki Andrada
A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months.
In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did.
I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy.
I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health.
I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around.
I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems.
Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.
We Deserve Leadership, Not an Infomercial
Trump’s U.N. lines (“your countries are going to hell,” “I’ve been right about everything”) plus the Tylenol/vaccine/Amish/Cuba riffs aren’t one-offs. They’re part of a pattern of self-promotion and false claims that embarrasses allies and misleads people at home. I’m arguing for facts, humility, and real leadership instead of nonstop branding.
Forgiveness vs. Spite: Christians Have to Choose Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness vs. Trump’s Spite When a Widow Forgives and a President Hates Choose Jesus, Not Spite Discipleship or Trumpism?
At Charlie Kirk’s memorial, Erika Kirk chose forgiveness; Donald Trump chose spite. If you claim Christ, you don’t get to baptize hate—Jesus commands love for enemies, full stop. This isn’t left vs. right; it’s discipleship vs. vengeance, and Christians have to choose.
Kimmel, Kirk, and the Chill: Why Pulling a Late-Night Show Is a Bad Sign for Democracy
ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel after he criticized the political spin around Charlie Kirk’s murder. That is not accountability for hate speech—it’s pressure on speech itself. If regulators can lean, affiliates can flinch, and a network will fold, that chill won’t stop at late night.
Grief Isn’t a Party Line: Charlie Kirk, Melissa Hortman, and the Weaponization of Tragedy
Grief isn’t a party line. Charlie Kirk’s murder was wrong—and so is using it to smear millions you disagree with. I start with compassion, call out the blame game, and insist on one standard for political violence, with clear receipts and sources.
When One Party Wants It All: Why Shutting Out Democrats Is Anti-Democracy
Donald Trump’s call to “not deal with Democrats” goes beyond tough politics — it challenges the very idea of democracy. If we accept that one party should rule while the other is silenced, we’ve abandoned what makes this country a democracy. Here’s why that matters, and why respecting opposition is essential to keeping our system alive.
Charlie Kirk’s Death, Trump’s Reaction, and What We Should Really Be Talking About
Charlie Kirk’s shooting is tragic — not just because of who he was, but because it highlights the hate and violence tearing this country apart. We don’t need more blame games or partisan finger-pointing. We need compassion, sensible gun laws, and the courage to reject political violence no matter where it comes from.
Do We Still Trust Science? A Look at Politics, Public Health, and the Future
This post explores how trust in science has eroded in America, from vaccines to climate change, and how politics has fueled misinformation. Drawing on history, personal stories, and global comparisons, it argues that ignoring evidence doesn’t just weaken us at home—it undermines our place in the world and endangers our future.
Department of War or Department of Defense? The America We Choose Trump’s rebranding of the Pentagon as the “Department of War” and his threats against Chicago and Baltimore aren’t just rhetoric—they’re a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. Crime must be addressed, but turning troops on our own cities is not the answer. Americans must choose: do we want a country that protects its people, or one that wages war against them?
Trump’s rebranding of the Pentagon as the “Department of War” and his threats against Chicago and Baltimore aren’t just rhetoric—they’re a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. Crime must be addressed, but turning troops on our own cities is not the answer. Americans must choose: do we want a country that protects its people, or one that wages war against them?
Trump’s “You’re Fired” Presidency: How Chaos and Loyalty Tests Are Reshaping Our Government A record-breaking pattern of firings, forced resignations, and loyalty tests shows how Trump is reshaping government into his own image — and why it matters for democracy.
Donald Trump has fired more top officials and gutted more agencies than any modern president. This post explores the record-breaking chaos of his first and second terms, the loyalty tests that turned government into a personal court, and why these actions threaten American democracy itself.
Notes from the edge of the system 