Trouble ahead, no doubt, but I am not confident of Democratic successes. Republicans control a majority of state governments, and actually gained some in the last election cycle. I live in upstate South Carolina, so maybe my everyday experiences check any optimism I feel. Everywhere I go I see Trump signs, Trump flags, “Pray for Our Coun…
Trouble ahead, no doubt, but I am not confident of Democratic successes. Republicans control a majority of state governments, and actually gained some in the last election cycle. I live in upstate South Carolina, so maybe my everyday experiences check any optimism I feel. Everywhere I go I see Trump signs, Trump flags, “Pray for Our Country,” etc. The other day I was behind a pickup truck flying a big flag that said “F**K BIDEN.” So many people have an irrational hatred for Democrats. They have been convinced that Democrats hate the USA and are determined to destroy it. The points you make are valid, but I’m afraid you underestimate the extent to which our system of government favors minority rule.
Karl, It wasn't clear who you were addressing in your comment. Pointing to state governments was apt when considering our struggle for Democracy. The Democratic Party has failed in that as well as not addressing the needs and voices of the working-class. These are deep fault lines I don't think that I am optimistic but see strengths and possibilities to stem the neo-fascistic trend. I do not know what the next two or three years will bring. Do you deny that there have been several positive and consequential moves in past month?
No, I’m very happy with the new administration so far. I was referring to electoral successes in the future. Eric seems sure the Democrats will prevail. I hope he is right. But Republican legislatures will control the congressional redistricting in many states. They are already pushing dozens of voter suppression measures. The U.S. Supreme Court seems inclined to side with them. The country as a whole has moved radically to the right in the past 40 years. I’m hopeful that the pendulum is swinging back, but it’s far from clear to me.
Not at all. The events post-election show a revitalized America. I’m very optimistic for a more humanistic future for America. The Republicans (federally) seem dead serious about wresting the worst possible defeat from the jaws of their actual defeat.
I just fear that the Trump cult will not go down without providing fireworks of a most unpleasant kind. It’s that old saw about the cornered rat.
Trump's power is, in numerous ways, on the wane....he is scrambling and lost and may become like the cornered rat you describe. His followers will react with more immediate violence. They have many, many guns.
I have relatives who own some of them. I try to give money to the organizations who are working for gun control. Everything seems to be such a long, long struggle.....
Maybe I shouldn't introduce such matters to the community, but if you look up Change.org and Eskdalemuir, you'll find a petition signed so far by 19 000 opposing the setting up (it has already happened, but they're now seeking planning permission) of two .50 caliber high-velocity shooting ranges in one of the quietest valleys in southern Scotland.
Unfortunately, the matter's urgent because the planning authorities will examine the application soon and last objections are tomorrow.
These gun ranges will in effect sandwich between them the oldest and one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the West, which, apart from its religious, cultural and peace-bringing function, is the main tourist attraction in this part of southern Scotland.
The Scotsman newspaper headline:
Buddhists up in arms as military-grade shooting range sets up near monastery
The deep peace of Buddhists living at a world-famous monastery in the south west of Scotland has been shattered by gunfire from a military-grade shooting range which has set up nearby.
The article states that the landowner wishing to change the land use designation of one of these sites is in negotiations
with USAF Special Forces to use the range for training, as well as planning the world long-distance shooting competition here if planning permission is approved.
In the Middle Ages there were 5 great monasteries near the border in southern Scotland, all burned down again and again by invading armies form England and again and again rebuilt. Like so many monasteries in Tibet, which this monastery's founders were forced to flee in 1959.
Now the Christian monasteries that prayed for Scotland, for peace and for the souls of Scotland's defenders, are all ruins and the one monastic establishment set up in this lovely, remote border valley is under threat from big gun men.
Perhaps there's a powerful dislike of Buddhists and peaceniks is at work here (though a son of the former abbot was a Royal Naval officer). I can't help suspecting NRA proselytism. All this against a background of tensions between English and Scottish nationalists that could in time affect the border...
Quite apart from the threat to a valley and a monastery I've frequented over four decades, I am absolutely unable to see any possible justification for the use by civilians of such weapons.
Am I paranoid if -- after events like seeing all those men with big, big guns in Michigan state Capitol -- I don't feel quite safe making this announcement?
Trouble ahead, no doubt, but I am not confident of Democratic successes. Republicans control a majority of state governments, and actually gained some in the last election cycle. I live in upstate South Carolina, so maybe my everyday experiences check any optimism I feel. Everywhere I go I see Trump signs, Trump flags, “Pray for Our Country,” etc. The other day I was behind a pickup truck flying a big flag that said “F**K BIDEN.” So many people have an irrational hatred for Democrats. They have been convinced that Democrats hate the USA and are determined to destroy it. The points you make are valid, but I’m afraid you underestimate the extent to which our system of government favors minority rule.
Karl, It wasn't clear who you were addressing in your comment. Pointing to state governments was apt when considering our struggle for Democracy. The Democratic Party has failed in that as well as not addressing the needs and voices of the working-class. These are deep fault lines I don't think that I am optimistic but see strengths and possibilities to stem the neo-fascistic trend. I do not know what the next two or three years will bring. Do you deny that there have been several positive and consequential moves in past month?
No, I’m very happy with the new administration so far. I was referring to electoral successes in the future. Eric seems sure the Democrats will prevail. I hope he is right. But Republican legislatures will control the congressional redistricting in many states. They are already pushing dozens of voter suppression measures. The U.S. Supreme Court seems inclined to side with them. The country as a whole has moved radically to the right in the past 40 years. I’m hopeful that the pendulum is swinging back, but it’s far from clear to me.
Not at all. The events post-election show a revitalized America. I’m very optimistic for a more humanistic future for America. The Republicans (federally) seem dead serious about wresting the worst possible defeat from the jaws of their actual defeat.
I just fear that the Trump cult will not go down without providing fireworks of a most unpleasant kind. It’s that old saw about the cornered rat.
Trump's power is, in numerous ways, on the wane....he is scrambling and lost and may become like the cornered rat you describe. His followers will react with more immediate violence. They have many, many guns.
I have relatives who own some of them. I try to give money to the organizations who are working for gun control. Everything seems to be such a long, long struggle.....
Maybe I shouldn't introduce such matters to the community, but if you look up Change.org and Eskdalemuir, you'll find a petition signed so far by 19 000 opposing the setting up (it has already happened, but they're now seeking planning permission) of two .50 caliber high-velocity shooting ranges in one of the quietest valleys in southern Scotland.
Unfortunately, the matter's urgent because the planning authorities will examine the application soon and last objections are tomorrow.
These gun ranges will in effect sandwich between them the oldest and one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the West, which, apart from its religious, cultural and peace-bringing function, is the main tourist attraction in this part of southern Scotland.
The Scotsman newspaper headline:
Buddhists up in arms as military-grade shooting range sets up near monastery
The deep peace of Buddhists living at a world-famous monastery in the south west of Scotland has been shattered by gunfire from a military-grade shooting range which has set up nearby.
The article states that the landowner wishing to change the land use designation of one of these sites is in negotiations
with USAF Special Forces to use the range for training, as well as planning the world long-distance shooting competition here if planning permission is approved.
In the Middle Ages there were 5 great monasteries near the border in southern Scotland, all burned down again and again by invading armies form England and again and again rebuilt. Like so many monasteries in Tibet, which this monastery's founders were forced to flee in 1959.
Now the Christian monasteries that prayed for Scotland, for peace and for the souls of Scotland's defenders, are all ruins and the one monastic establishment set up in this lovely, remote border valley is under threat from big gun men.
Perhaps there's a powerful dislike of Buddhists and peaceniks is at work here (though a son of the former abbot was a Royal Naval officer). I can't help suspecting NRA proselytism. All this against a background of tensions between English and Scottish nationalists that could in time affect the border...
Quite apart from the threat to a valley and a monastery I've frequented over four decades, I am absolutely unable to see any possible justification for the use by civilians of such weapons.
Am I paranoid if -- after events like seeing all those men with big, big guns in Michigan state Capitol -- I don't feel quite safe making this announcement?
THESE GUN-MAD PEOPLE ARE A PUBLIC MENACE.
"Snatching defeat from the jaws of defeat"
Eric, I like the old saying that you just made up.
Thank you. :)
😆
Oops sorry. I didn’t realize you were addressing Karl when when I write the post that began “Not at all”...
I’ll step out of the way now, red of face. :)