I wish it were that simple. History shows us that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice only if enough humans choose to direct it that way. For instance, If TFG and his abhorrent family were in charge, there wouldn't be a moral universe or any justice. We need to remember that a substantial number of people don't want a moral universe.
The good thing right now is that tfg and none of his abhorrent family members are in charge. Just wished they, especially the head of the monsters, would not get that much press coverage.
Marli, do you not realize that there are many others breathing "life" into the tfg machine....they are called "the enemies of freedom"....they have always existed. They have found a host within the Republican party and the religious "wrong".
People who see themselves as "good" are being used. For instance, if you believe abortion is wrong, don't have one. No one is forcing a woman to have an abortion. I don't think any woman is saying let's go out and have some fun, then go to the hospital or clinic and get an abortion.
Too many people are not thinking for themselves. Do we really want to do away with Medicare and Social Security??? Do we really not want to "Give a Hand Up"?
Does everyone have that perfect life....never a debilitating accident, or disease...never losing a job.....needing to sell their home because they made a bad investment??? Mental struggles one never expected or children with a variety of problems in which expensive care is required, older family members who have given their whole lives but now need care they cannot afford even though they have saved....etc.
It is the Democratic Party that has shown the most care and respect for our country and for freedom, for "the Building Back Better Project", etc. for its people for freedom...for investing in freedom ie; Ukraine,etc.
We need a HEALTHY two party system. I do want to express my gratitude for the few Republicans who do love this country and still have not had their brains and hearts sucked out by the tfg gang.
I read Farah Griffin’s deposition and concluded if tfg were elected again, with his love of violence, we’d have armed police patrolling our streets, shoot-on-sight orders (no juries necessary), constant hateful rhetoric and tests of loyalty, among many other maladies.
I just don't get involved with a lot of "ifs". Americans rightfully have a case of PTSD from this guy and the covid tragedy he perpetuated.
Given that. I'll quote a line from the Desiderata.
"But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness."
Here is the complete text:
Desiderata:
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Thank you, Barbara. I couldn't agree more. You're right about the PTSD we are all experiencing. I have Desiderata framed in my house. My children and step-children grew up reading it. It is always my go-to when I'm feeling discouraged. Very applicable here.
I haven' t seen Ehrmann's quote for awhile, perhaps since we were teens, and yet it seems such useful life guidance in so many situations. Thank you for reminding us!
THE reason I am convinced that our US Constitution is a living document, neither a bible nor other god-written document fixed in the age of man at the peak of some sect or tribal order. In the pursuit of equality, the beginning can never be foretold as such may be in times, now or in the future.
Yes but luckily the majority of the American people are not on the side of those few elected representatives in congress and the senate and sure its a slow process but the passage of all the legislation Joe has got through shows it can be done. Just ignore the whining.
Somehow, when people cop that quote from MLKjr, they forget all the times he spoke about our need to come together as a community to create that arc of a moral universe. He knew it wouldn't happen on its own. I wonder why people so often pick up the quick and easy quotes, and leave the hard part out: our own responsibility to bear on the outcomes of history.
When the pendulum of history starts its swing back, which is what is now happening in this country, those who don't want to come along with it often turn to violent or immoral actions to temporarily slow it down while they try to avoid tumbling into the abyss below that arc of which MLK spoke.
Peter, I simply would add, at least in my view, that a basic premise underlying HCR’s LFAA is that virtually all of America’s historical movements have met with repeated frustration and failure before making noticeable progress, often through small acts that may seem at first not particularly relevant to the larger struggle for profound social change and justice, which is ever unfolding.
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” ~ MLK
I wish it were that simple. History shows us that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice only if enough humans choose to direct it that way. For instance, If TFG and his abhorrent family were in charge, there wouldn't be a moral universe or any justice. We need to remember that a substantial number of people don't want a moral universe.
The good thing right now is that tfg and none of his abhorrent family members are in charge. Just wished they, especially the head of the monsters, would not get that much press coverage.
Marli, do you not realize that there are many others breathing "life" into the tfg machine....they are called "the enemies of freedom"....they have always existed. They have found a host within the Republican party and the religious "wrong".
People who see themselves as "good" are being used. For instance, if you believe abortion is wrong, don't have one. No one is forcing a woman to have an abortion. I don't think any woman is saying let's go out and have some fun, then go to the hospital or clinic and get an abortion.
Too many people are not thinking for themselves. Do we really want to do away with Medicare and Social Security??? Do we really not want to "Give a Hand Up"?
Does everyone have that perfect life....never a debilitating accident, or disease...never losing a job.....needing to sell their home because they made a bad investment??? Mental struggles one never expected or children with a variety of problems in which expensive care is required, older family members who have given their whole lives but now need care they cannot afford even though they have saved....etc.
It is the Democratic Party that has shown the most care and respect for our country and for freedom, for "the Building Back Better Project", etc. for its people for freedom...for investing in freedom ie; Ukraine,etc.
We need a HEALTHY two party system. I do want to express my gratitude for the few Republicans who do love this country and still have not had their brains and hearts sucked out by the tfg gang.
Dear Emily, you said exactly everything I feel, so well put! Thank you kindly for that.
Very well said, Emily.
100% agree Marli. Where does the need to expose the previous Administration to every wrongdoing end and the obsession/paranoia begin?
Why do I see photos of him on an article about legislation passed? Why give him the quote?
And he seemed to be on Twitter.
There are far worse in the wings.
The wings need to be fumigated. Very quickly.
Absolutely!
I read Farah Griffin’s deposition and concluded if tfg were elected again, with his love of violence, we’d have armed police patrolling our streets, shoot-on-sight orders (no juries necessary), constant hateful rhetoric and tests of loyalty, among many other maladies.
I just don't get involved with a lot of "ifs". Americans rightfully have a case of PTSD from this guy and the covid tragedy he perpetuated.
Given that. I'll quote a line from the Desiderata.
"But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness."
Here is the complete text:
Desiderata:
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
Thank you, Barbara. I couldn't agree more. You're right about the PTSD we are all experiencing. I have Desiderata framed in my house. My children and step-children grew up reading it. It is always my go-to when I'm feeling discouraged. Very applicable here.
Timely and appropriately quoted Barbara M!
I haven' t seen Ehrmann's quote for awhile, perhaps since we were teens, and yet it seems such useful life guidance in so many situations. Thank you for reminding us!
Barbara M., I love you entire comment so much, I could not just send you a "heart". thank you!!!!
💙💙
Thank you, Barbara M!
And still there is no mention of women in our constitution, no Equal Rights Amendment.
THE reason I am convinced that our US Constitution is a living document, neither a bible nor other god-written document fixed in the age of man at the peak of some sect or tribal order. In the pursuit of equality, the beginning can never be foretold as such may be in times, now or in the future.
Yes but luckily the majority of the American people are not on the side of those few elected representatives in congress and the senate and sure its a slow process but the passage of all the legislation Joe has got through shows it can be done. Just ignore the whining.
Don’t ignore, fight like hell. Because as chump said, if you don’t, you’ll lose your country. He just had the wrong target, as he always did.
Somehow, when people cop that quote from MLKjr, they forget all the times he spoke about our need to come together as a community to create that arc of a moral universe. He knew it wouldn't happen on its own. I wonder why people so often pick up the quick and easy quotes, and leave the hard part out: our own responsibility to bear on the outcomes of history.
When the pendulum of history starts its swing back, which is what is now happening in this country, those who don't want to come along with it often turn to violent or immoral actions to temporarily slow it down while they try to avoid tumbling into the abyss below that arc of which MLK spoke.
Peter, I simply would add, at least in my view, that a basic premise underlying HCR’s LFAA is that virtually all of America’s historical movements have met with repeated frustration and failure before making noticeable progress, often through small acts that may seem at first not particularly relevant to the larger struggle for profound social change and justice, which is ever unfolding.
But not in my lifetime, I fear
Hang in there. Happy new year
At least we hope the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. Seems to occasionally plateau
These days have been challenging. So many retrograde developments
Aaaaaameeeen