REGISTER: News, Blues, and Resistance Avenues — Bette’s Happy Hour with Heidi and Mo’
Bette members: please register for our Tuesday, Happy Hour, Dec. 2, 11 am Pacific, where we will be joined by geopolitical analyst Monique Camarra as we sort through the news that matters
***Paid Bette members will find the registration link below the paywall. To join our community events and to help support independent investigative journalism in a time of grave peril, please upgrade to a paid membership. All new investigative content at Bette Dangerous is free, and paid memberships make that possible.***
We had a lovely Gratitude Happy Hour last week. We began with a brief guided meditation and spent much of the hour focusing on what we are grateful for — community comes to mind.
Among the friends I met along the way are Monique Camarra and Dietmar Pichler, who joined us to bring the news worth paying attention to. Our minds are continually being assaulted with propaganda, and we try very hard here at Bette Dangerous to redirect our community of global newsies to what’s important.
As I wrote in my Hot Type column in Byline this week:
Odds stacked against us, we are still here, pulling facts out of our arsenal like they still matter.
Facts do still matter, even though billions are spent annually trying to delete and confuse them.
As I noted yesterday in our Speakeasy session with Ukrainian historian Tetiana Boriak dedicated to the Executed Renaissance, where she taught us about Ukrainian writers, historians, artists, translators, poets, filmmakers, executed under Stalin — it wasn’t until I learned about the Executed Renaissance that I knew in my heart how much writers matter. Stalin tried to erase identity by killing writers and artists, some took their own lives, others made a Faustian deal — surviving by putting out pro-Soviet propaganda, while maintaining a private collection of works they took to their grave.
What a fascinating lecture series Bette is hosting with her. She took the time yesterday to teach us about individual Ukrainian poets, historians, translators, and filmmakers — honoring them by telling us their names, what they accomplished during the brief period of artistic freedom in the late 1920s, and how they perished.
I know I’m not alone in cherishing the holidays, while also battling the blues that come with a world in upheaval.
I will never forget that first Christmas I put my American flag ornament back on my tree — after we voted in Joe Biden. I couldn’t bring myself to put the flag on my tree for the four years that Trump held us hostage. And here I am again, in despair over how such a venal traitor could be back in power.
I have been traveling this year, and have collected ornaments from many countries — a handmade angel from a Polish artist, a handmade gnome from a Ukrainian mother, hand-painted seashell from an Irish artist, and next to flags from many countries I will place my American flag ornament again, knowing that better days will come, they have to.
And to snap me out of it, I called in reinforcements — my friend Monique will lead our Happy Hour, where she’s going to share news that matters.
Bette’s News, Blues, and Resistance Avenues Happy Hour
When: Tuesday, December 2, 11 am Pacific; 2 pm Eastern
Open to all levels of paid membership — registration at end of post
A note for new members: the Happy Hour began about three years ago, when I noticed many Bette members in despair. I thought a weekly wellness checkin for newsies was in order, and it evolved into a session where global guests offer news from around the world. The title was always meant to be ironic, but I know I feel better when our community comes together.
Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to those of you who are renewed your memberships and participated in our donation drive. These are not easy times to remain independent.
Keep scrolling to find the registration link… and don’t forget to still do the things that bring you joy this season. I went to hear a church choir last night, and witness a Christmas tree lighting.
Joy matters.
****
****
Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members.
I expose the corruption of billionaire fascists, while relying on memberships for support.
Thank you in advance for considering the following:
Share my reporting with allies
Buying my ebooks
A private link to an annual membership discount for older adults, those on fixed incomes or drawing disability, as well as activists and members of the media is available upon request at bettedangerous/gmail. 🥹
More info about Bette Dangerous - This magazine is written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, an Emmy-award winning investigative reporter/producer, author, and veteran music and nightlife columnist. She is the cohost of RADICALIZED Truth Survives, an investigative show about disinformation and is part of the Byline Media team. Thank you for your support of independent investigative journalism.
🤍
Begin each day with a grateful heart.
🤍
REGISTRATION LINK FOUND HERE
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Bette Dangerous to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.