It’s easy to fall in a funk and think all is lost, and that this society, with its usual share of ignorant and gullible people is headed for ruin. So much bad stuff happens, and we hear about every bit of it through the news, social media, and multiple news feeds. I have several friends who doom-scroll many times a day. And they all end …
It’s easy to fall in a funk and think all is lost, and that this society, with its usual share of ignorant and gullible people is headed for ruin. So much bad stuff happens, and we hear about every bit of it through the news, social media, and multiple news feeds. I have several friends who doom-scroll many times a day. And they all end up in that same funk.
We have always had a portion of easily persuaded citizen fools. We have always had grifter politicians. We are all bummed right now because we happened to elect a narcissistic sociopath (and not the good kind!). He made us scared for our country and he made it okay for the worst of the country to crawl out from under their damp rocks. He was worse than Nixon in his influence on some other politicians, themselves weak, ethics-free, and perhaps as narcissistic and sociopathic.
But remember that this is the same mix of people who made great strides on Civil Rights, fought a world war to defend democracy (still confused about that first one), gave universal suffrage (though some are trying a do over). Same people who created social safety nets—including the ACA— found a way out of the Great Depression and the Great Recession, and recovered from the Civil War. And so much more progress on all fronts. We no longer kill witches (don’t think any were burned. Hanged? Pressed to death? I think…
I believe in our resilience and that a majority of people carry a core of common decency.
That we have voices like Ms Richardson’s and the many people who read her supports my belief.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that the former President of the United States attempted to overthrow a legitimate election, an act of treason, and whom sits at Mara Lago intermittently getting out of his chair to ride a golf cart around. He has not been arrested.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Fox News is openly attempting to subvert America, through unregulated lies, to transition America to an autocracy run by Oligarchs.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Republicans, fully aware that their electability depends on lies and a declining population of white racists, are using gerrymandering to expand their power.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that, because salaries have not kept up with what is reported to be low inflation for the last 30 years, young people with "good" jobs, like engineering, can barely afford rent in most cities of America.
Right now, I can prove, and believe that a modest house purchased by an engineer almost straight from school for $24,000 in 1965, in Framingham Massachusetts costs 2.1 million dollars today. No engineer from school has a chance of getting that house except the descendants of the engineer who bought it in 1965.
Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war that has no useful outcome and fund military contractors that have no useful products.
Democracy has always existed because people realize they have to fight for it. That there’s a lot to fight against is nothing new. I still believe—with some retrograde moments—that things get gradually better.
Right now what I can gently suggest and prove is that you allow your heart to enter into the equation. Even for today. Let yourself feel pride for all you are in America the Beautiful. Just for a day. It will be like a day of fasting from corruption.
Mike, I respect your perspective and belief in your proofs. You have left out what the majority of Americans, around 60% of the adult population, are capable of it terms of resistance. You cannot have proof of what the January 6 investigative Commission will accomplish or the determination of activists as well as investigative reporters. I think that the best statistician would know that he or she does not have enough data to come to a conclusion about the future of the USA.
Fern. If standing in front of thousands of white men and telling them to storm the Capital to overthrow a legitimate election on national TV is not treason then nothing is. No commission needed.
Mike that was not my point. I was disputing your last claim, for which you have no proof, while stating that you do: 'Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war ...'
I like your smile, Mike. I believe this government will pass one and possibly both infrastructure bills, which will change the country - most fundamentally if and when the 2nd one is passed, The American Jobs Plan, capitalism here would be transformed.
An interesting podcast on Vox, David Serwar says the GOP do not need the choose the path theyre on in order stay relevant. But they do. Worth a listen and consideration. Are they lazy? Uncreative? Preferring cruelty?
Clyde, I agree with you. Most of us have fallen victim to the depression that began in November 2016, with the accompanying background din of hatred and disinformation that has been going on ever since. The frustration that we feel when seeing a surprisingly (for me) able President, who has worked tirelessly since hours after his inauguration to undo the disgusting filth left behind by his predecessor, produce and encourage legislation to strengthen our economy, get our citizens immunized against a sweeping pandemic (only to be stymied by the very politicians that got us into this mess), and maintain civility when it would have been easier to unleash his wrath against the desperate opposition, and finally end 20 years of warfare that should have been ended two years after it began, all speaks to our fatigue. Still, as you aptly point out, we have overcome worse. We are resilient, and if we refuse to surrender, we can overcome this malignant minority who threaten our very existence.
Thank you for the pep talk, and for realizing that our Salem witches were hanged - not burned. Burning was utilized by our European ancestors.
It’s easy to fall in a funk and think all is lost, and that this society, with its usual share of ignorant and gullible people is headed for ruin. So much bad stuff happens, and we hear about every bit of it through the news, social media, and multiple news feeds. I have several friends who doom-scroll many times a day. And they all end up in that same funk.
We have always had a portion of easily persuaded citizen fools. We have always had grifter politicians. We are all bummed right now because we happened to elect a narcissistic sociopath (and not the good kind!). He made us scared for our country and he made it okay for the worst of the country to crawl out from under their damp rocks. He was worse than Nixon in his influence on some other politicians, themselves weak, ethics-free, and perhaps as narcissistic and sociopathic.
But remember that this is the same mix of people who made great strides on Civil Rights, fought a world war to defend democracy (still confused about that first one), gave universal suffrage (though some are trying a do over). Same people who created social safety nets—including the ACA— found a way out of the Great Depression and the Great Recession, and recovered from the Civil War. And so much more progress on all fronts. We no longer kill witches (don’t think any were burned. Hanged? Pressed to death? I think…
I believe in our resilience and that a majority of people carry a core of common decency.
That we have voices like Ms Richardson’s and the many people who read her supports my belief.
I believe in what I can prove with data.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that the former President of the United States attempted to overthrow a legitimate election, an act of treason, and whom sits at Mara Lago intermittently getting out of his chair to ride a golf cart around. He has not been arrested.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Fox News is openly attempting to subvert America, through unregulated lies, to transition America to an autocracy run by Oligarchs.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Republicans, fully aware that their electability depends on lies and a declining population of white racists, are using gerrymandering to expand their power.
Right now, I can prove, and believe, that, because salaries have not kept up with what is reported to be low inflation for the last 30 years, young people with "good" jobs, like engineering, can barely afford rent in most cities of America.
Right now, I can prove, and believe that a modest house purchased by an engineer almost straight from school for $24,000 in 1965, in Framingham Massachusetts costs 2.1 million dollars today. No engineer from school has a chance of getting that house except the descendants of the engineer who bought it in 1965.
Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war that has no useful outcome and fund military contractors that have no useful products.
Democracy has always existed because people realize they have to fight for it. That there’s a lot to fight against is nothing new. I still believe—with some retrograde moments—that things get gradually better.
Right now what I can gently suggest and prove is that you allow your heart to enter into the equation. Even for today. Let yourself feel pride for all you are in America the Beautiful. Just for a day. It will be like a day of fasting from corruption.
https://youtu.be/TRUjr8EVgBg
Loved it Christine. Ohhhhhhhhh, Mr. Charles. We've been doing a lot of music today. So here is something for you -- much deserved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88
👩🏽❤️👩🏽
Mike, I respect your perspective and belief in your proofs. You have left out what the majority of Americans, around 60% of the adult population, are capable of it terms of resistance. You cannot have proof of what the January 6 investigative Commission will accomplish or the determination of activists as well as investigative reporters. I think that the best statistician would know that he or she does not have enough data to come to a conclusion about the future of the USA.
Fern. If standing in front of thousands of white men and telling them to storm the Capital to overthrow a legitimate election on national TV is not treason then nothing is. No commission needed.
They tried, but failed. I'm no Pollyanna, but what I know is that there are more of us than them. We can win this fight. Try not to lose faith.
Mike that was not my point. I was disputing your last claim, for which you have no proof, while stating that you do: 'Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war ...'
Ok. Understood. I guess I should have said prosecute losing forever wars. 😉
I like your smile, Mike. I believe this government will pass one and possibly both infrastructure bills, which will change the country - most fundamentally if and when the 2nd one is passed, The American Jobs Plan, capitalism here would be transformed.
An interesting podcast on Vox, David Serwar says the GOP do not need the choose the path theyre on in order stay relevant. But they do. Worth a listen and consideration. Are they lazy? Uncreative? Preferring cruelty?
Kim, Could this be what you were referring to?
Adam Serwer on the all-American politics of cruelty
The Atlantic writer discusses his latest book and the evolving role of cruelty in American life.
By Sean Illing@seanillingsean.illing@vox.com Aug 23, 2021, 3:30pm EDT
https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/22637762/vox-conversations-adam-serwer-the-cruelty-is-the-point
Yes! Thank you Feen!
Kim, do you have a link to that podcast? I did a search on Vox and only found a Serwar reference from a few years ago.
https://youtu.be/drnGAlHPOW0
Here it is Stephen.
We are on a roll today LFAA!
Stephen, I checked with Kim, and the following was was she wished to convey:
Adam Serwer on the all-American politics of cruelty
The Atlantic writer discusses his latest book and the evolving role of cruelty in American life.
By Sean Illing@seanillingsean.illing@vox.com Aug 23, 2021, 3:30pm EDT
https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/22637762/vox-conversations-adam-serwer-the-cruelty-is-the-point
Thanks, listening just now now.
Hi Stephen, It's from Vox Conversations, Monday, Aug. 23. "Was the Cruelty the Point?" Sean Illing interviews Adam Serwer. Hope that helps!
Found it, thanks.
I see you are a musician. Do you know the band Fruition from your area?
Nope, though we are blessed to have so many fine musicians in this town.
Kim,
Answer: Yes.
Clyde, I agree with you. Most of us have fallen victim to the depression that began in November 2016, with the accompanying background din of hatred and disinformation that has been going on ever since. The frustration that we feel when seeing a surprisingly (for me) able President, who has worked tirelessly since hours after his inauguration to undo the disgusting filth left behind by his predecessor, produce and encourage legislation to strengthen our economy, get our citizens immunized against a sweeping pandemic (only to be stymied by the very politicians that got us into this mess), and maintain civility when it would have been easier to unleash his wrath against the desperate opposition, and finally end 20 years of warfare that should have been ended two years after it began, all speaks to our fatigue. Still, as you aptly point out, we have overcome worse. We are resilient, and if we refuse to surrender, we can overcome this malignant minority who threaten our very existence.
Thank you for the pep talk, and for realizing that our Salem witches were hanged - not burned. Burning was utilized by our European ancestors.