Bob Schwartz

June 12, 2026

America needs a strong, smart, strategic Democratic Party to restore sanity. We don’t see that from the party…yet.

If you are a Democrat, you are receiving maybe dozens of texts and emails each day from various Democrats running for various offices or from organizations promoting various good causes. The messages vary in content and tone from “You’re a good person who has helped before and can help again” to today’s annoyed text:

“We begged you to help overturn [Citizens United]. We pleaded with you. And still…nothing.”

The text includes pictures of Amy Klobuchar and Adam Schiff.

All this, at a time when Democrats justifiably have little confidence that the Democratic Party, with its current establishment, has a hope or a clue to restoring democracy in America. (Ironic, given the name of the party.) The reasons for that lack of confidence are too many to list.

Are there glimmers of hope and effective action? Yes. Glimmers, and thanks to those who provide them. But overall, the reaction of the Democratic Party to a dire America and to the disaffection of their own members is: Stay the course, because this American travesty will collapse under its own unpopularity and damage. Trust us, people. And give us money.

There are dozens of people—maybe hundreds—who could engineer and lead a Democratic insurgency. The party’s response to that is—again—stay the course. We know what we’re doing. Look at how successful we’ve been. Maybe there are a few minor repairs needed, but why fix it if it’s essentially not broken?

Adlai (twice). Hubert. George. Walter. Michael. Al. John. Hillary*. Kamala.

*Bill not included, though despite winning twice, he never received a majority of popular votes.

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June 12, 2026

Mountains Walking

Jesus, Dogen and Donovan each have something to say about mountains. In some ways the same thing.

Jesus says that faith can move mountains, by which he may mean that understanding the nature of things, including mountains, will allow us to see that mountains are always moving, if we will see it. Jesus is all about what we don’t see that is right in front of us.

Dogen says that mountains are mountains and mountains are walking. If you can walk, mountains can walk. Those without eyes to see mountains cannot notice, understand, see, or hear this reality.

Donovan sings about this reality of mountains appearing, disappearing, appearing.

Jesus

He answered, ‘Because you have so little faith. In truth I tell you, if your faith is the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.’ (Matthew 17:20, New Jerusalem Bible)

Dogen Zenji

Priest Daokai of Mount Furong said to the assembly, “The green mountains are always walking; a stone woman gives birth to a child at night.”

Mountains do not lack the characteristics of mountains. Therefore, they always abide in ease and always walk. Examine in detail the characteristic of the mountains’ walking.

Mountains’ walking is just like human walking. Accordingly, do not doubt mountains’ walking even though it does not look the same as human walking. The buddha ancestor’s words point to walking. This is fundamental understanding. Penetrate these words.

Because green mountains walk, they are permanent. Although they walk more swiftly than the wind, someone in the mountains does not notice or understand it. “In the mountains” means the blossoming of the entire world. People outside the mountains do not notice or understand the mountains’ walking. Those without eyes to see mountains cannot notice, understand, see, or hear this reality.

If you doubt mountains’ walking, you do not know your own walking; it is not that you do not walk, but that you do not know or understand your own walking. Since you do know your own walking, you should fully know the green mountains’ walking.

Green mountains are neither sentient nor insentient. You are neither sentient nor insentient. At this moment, you cannot doubt the green mountains’ walking.

From Mountains and Waters Sutra, Shobo Genzo, Fascicle 15 (1240)

Donovan

The caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is

From There Is a Mountain

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