Here's my heartfelt gift to you, John: I think you are right, and further, morally mandated to be angry. As a retired therapist I know there is a difference between righteous/justified anger and petty, vengeful anger in defense of false ego. If you read biographies of the heroes and saints we revere, you will see plenty of the former and little if any of the latter. That includes Jesus. He (and they) would never suggest we protect ourselves by denying the truth and cocooning in comfort while our ideals and our neighbors are ripped and slashed by greedy overlords. Just the opposite. Look at his words to the corrupt religious leaders and their imperialist Roman overlords. He DIED for telling the truth and standing up to power. We need to join hands and, if we are going to follow him, be willing to do the same. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and others have done it, and you are doing it. Take enough care of yourself that you can keep on going. But please, keep on going.
Anger/rage is a powerful tool. It stirs us forward out of our inertia. Yet, sometimes, it fails us. Sometimes it moves from one target and bleeds into another. But this time, the focus is clear. Our anger, instead of pacifism, is the fuel that feeds us. Your voice has been especially helpful to me and I am forever grateful to you. Keep your anger but make sure you have time to appreciate some of the other feelings which give you comfort. Anger and love is a delicate cocktail. In this battle, and it is a battle, we need both desperately.
Thank you for this and all your authentic, cut-to-the-chase posts. I'm angry too. I put a bumper sticker on my car when trump was "elected" the first time: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention" and I joined the ACLU. Both are still in place for 2.0 - the sequel is worse than we'd imagined. Your last paragraph gives me hope as I try within my church and community to resist through those acts of kindness and calls for justice. Keep turning over those tables, John.
John, as you no doubt know what you are experiencing is Righteous Anger, which I must say I am seeing everywhere. I am a "spiritual counselor" in a healthcare organization, and everyone I see patient and staff are angry. Many times they don't even know why, until I have them consider what is occurring in our very country therefore affecting the world. Most are older people and they feel completely helpless, even though many were strong activist for social justice in their day. Staff come to work with families being torn apart and are reaching and searching for a balm, for relief when they see done in sight. In my small part of this world, I hold groups sessions to allow everyone to speak, to vent, and to provide resources for them to make a difference. I encourage all to remain true to themselves and to be strong. I have always loved the Book of Esther for some reason. Verse 4:14 "Perhaps, for just such a time you were created". It helps me somehow.
Sorry everyone, Esther won't let me alone unless I explain some.
She was a young Jewish woman who finds favor with the King and becomes Queen.
He was going to have all the Jews killed. Esther's cousin Mordecai goes to her and tells her the plot, but the King does not know she also is a Jew. Here is when Mordecai says, " Perhaps, for just such a time as this you were created." She knew she could be beheaded but she went to the King and stopped the killing. So perhaps this is our time, perhaps we were created just for such a time?
Beautiful words expressing something so ugly that we are feeling. We are tired, but I think we're still getting used to the onslaught of this brazen daily coup. But I see more and more activism every day! There is indeed no expiration date on our rage, which is only the prompt that breaks us out of our complacency. And we'll continue to fight and awaken the fight in others!
Yes, I am angry, and extremely anxious. I have written letters. I have spoken out to others around me. I urge you to keep it up, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to be in this for a long time, unfortunately. I am 75, and a friend reminded me that in the 1960s we lived through assassinations, the Kent State shootings of 4 students, the LA race riots, the Medgar Evers killing, so many things because of hate. We have learn to live better and do better. Take care of yourself John. You tell the truth.
This is my 4th attempt at answering you. My laptop is ailing. Trying to conserve it for ordering groceries (from a grocer who was a democrat donor, latest election). I read your writings and appreciate you as I have for years. Thank you infinitely. We have clear consciences, that is something. I get angry too and take Melatonin in daytime though it's for sleep, calms me. The majority of U.S. is with you. Please realize you are in company. Love you, sir.
I’m angry,too. Furious. But…every day I pull my thoughts together and call my elected officials. I’m also only buying absolute necessities and speaking with my pocketbook. It’s small, but it’s something. These corrupt madmen and madwomen cannot just walk in and take my country. Keep up your good work!
Every day, I read the Beautiful Mess and say to myself, yep! That’s just how I’m feeling. The morning before reading, I was making my coffee and thinking I’m really angry at my sister who is not a Trump person but continues to shop at Amazon. Yesterday, I was about to confront my neighbor by asking what she thinks about her President now when I reach out to pet her pup and the dog bit me. Every day I sign petitions, write letters and call Congress. I am outraged to get five emails back from Rick Scott telling me he is a Senator for all Floridians. While, at the same time, his weekly newsletter recounts all he has done to help Trump dismantle our Democracy. But, I going to keep fighting and protesting and praying because it’s the least we can do for the love of our Country.
John, I’m more embarrassed than angry. I’m embarrassed to be an American right now. We just moved out of FL for many reasons but to be honest we hated the politics. Voters can voice their concerns to their congresspeople and senators but if they’re MAGAs, what’s the point? Even the dems in the house & senate are voting with him…again, what’s the point? They don’t listen & even the ones that do there aren’t enough of them to make a difference. I hated him as the president in 2016 & now he’s had 4 years to plot & plan to punish the American people, whether they voted for him or not. This will not end well and it’s just a matter of time. No amount of protesting will make a difference, we need to vote these people out BEFORE he changes the voting laws.
Marci, I feel for you, but waiting until 2026 won't work. That has been the Democratic Party's strategy for decades and it is clearly not the right strategy. Because our elected officials are, for the most part, not doing their jobs of defending and protecting their constituents and the US Constitution--there are exceptions but they seem to be a minority--it is up to us to make a fuss. Calling congressional offices, either by going through the main switchboard or looking up their numbers (super easy: just search for the sens'/reps' names and write down the numbers of their DC and local offices), and leaving messages requires them to log the call. It takes a few minutes. Write a script for yourself and use it for all your calls, modifying slightly each time you call. They don't like criticism and their aides hate having to log hundreds of calls a day, so it is an irritant. If you have a member of Congress who is doing his or her job, call and tell them you appreciate that. It spurs them on. And yes: vote, vote, vote.
I cannot improve on the heartfelt comments of other readers here who inspire me. What I want to say is I've been struggling with my own anger. I don't want the damage that anger can do. But we are told to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. So I realize powerful emotions are a gift! They are energy! They move us. Instead of trying to be nice, as I've been taught, we must at times like these be fierce! Protecting the good & fighting evil. These times present the very conditions the tools of anger are for. Thank you for exhorting us all to call out evil when we see it! To let anger be energy to act.
John, I am with you: my anger and disgust and, yes, fear for the future is off the charts, which is not good because stress and advanced cancer is not a good combination. I do what I can (staying away from crowds because, well, cancer treatments are deadly to one's immune system). I would love to leave this rotten country but since I have certain limitations to my ability to do that, I have to stay and try to undermine the galloping fascism from within. But as you have posted before, what these f*ckers are hoping is that we will all be exhausted, drained, and ultimately deadened. And then compliant. Stockholm Syndrome, anyone? So doing what we all need to do to stay sane, safe, and energized is essential. Take care everyone. This is going to be an exceedingly bumpy ride.
Here's my heartfelt gift to you, John: I think you are right, and further, morally mandated to be angry. As a retired therapist I know there is a difference between righteous/justified anger and petty, vengeful anger in defense of false ego. If you read biographies of the heroes and saints we revere, you will see plenty of the former and little if any of the latter. That includes Jesus. He (and they) would never suggest we protect ourselves by denying the truth and cocooning in comfort while our ideals and our neighbors are ripped and slashed by greedy overlords. Just the opposite. Look at his words to the corrupt religious leaders and their imperialist Roman overlords. He DIED for telling the truth and standing up to power. We need to join hands and, if we are going to follow him, be willing to do the same. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and others have done it, and you are doing it. Take enough care of yourself that you can keep on going. But please, keep on going.
Very well stated, thank you Leigh 😌🙏🏽
Anger/rage is a powerful tool. It stirs us forward out of our inertia. Yet, sometimes, it fails us. Sometimes it moves from one target and bleeds into another. But this time, the focus is clear. Our anger, instead of pacifism, is the fuel that feeds us. Your voice has been especially helpful to me and I am forever grateful to you. Keep your anger but make sure you have time to appreciate some of the other feelings which give you comfort. Anger and love is a delicate cocktail. In this battle, and it is a battle, we need both desperately.
I think your metaphor of anger and love as a delicate cocktail speaks volumes! Than you,Pat
Oh, I'm angry. And sad, and anxious and the only consolation is knowing I'm not the only one 😔
Thank you for this and all your authentic, cut-to-the-chase posts. I'm angry too. I put a bumper sticker on my car when trump was "elected" the first time: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention" and I joined the ACLU. Both are still in place for 2.0 - the sequel is worse than we'd imagined. Your last paragraph gives me hope as I try within my church and community to resist through those acts of kindness and calls for justice. Keep turning over those tables, John.
John, as you no doubt know what you are experiencing is Righteous Anger, which I must say I am seeing everywhere. I am a "spiritual counselor" in a healthcare organization, and everyone I see patient and staff are angry. Many times they don't even know why, until I have them consider what is occurring in our very country therefore affecting the world. Most are older people and they feel completely helpless, even though many were strong activist for social justice in their day. Staff come to work with families being torn apart and are reaching and searching for a balm, for relief when they see done in sight. In my small part of this world, I hold groups sessions to allow everyone to speak, to vent, and to provide resources for them to make a difference. I encourage all to remain true to themselves and to be strong. I have always loved the Book of Esther for some reason. Verse 4:14 "Perhaps, for just such a time you were created". It helps me somehow.
Sorry everyone, Esther won't let me alone unless I explain some.
She was a young Jewish woman who finds favor with the King and becomes Queen.
He was going to have all the Jews killed. Esther's cousin Mordecai goes to her and tells her the plot, but the King does not know she also is a Jew. Here is when Mordecai says, " Perhaps, for just such a time as this you were created." She knew she could be beheaded but she went to the King and stopped the killing. So perhaps this is our time, perhaps we were created just for such a time?
Beautiful words expressing something so ugly that we are feeling. We are tired, but I think we're still getting used to the onslaught of this brazen daily coup. But I see more and more activism every day! There is indeed no expiration date on our rage, which is only the prompt that breaks us out of our complacency. And we'll continue to fight and awaken the fight in others!
I am angry too and I absolutely appreciate your voice shouting in the darkness.
Yes, I am angry, and extremely anxious. I have written letters. I have spoken out to others around me. I urge you to keep it up, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to be in this for a long time, unfortunately. I am 75, and a friend reminded me that in the 1960s we lived through assassinations, the Kent State shootings of 4 students, the LA race riots, the Medgar Evers killing, so many things because of hate. We have learn to live better and do better. Take care of yourself John. You tell the truth.
This is my 4th attempt at answering you. My laptop is ailing. Trying to conserve it for ordering groceries (from a grocer who was a democrat donor, latest election). I read your writings and appreciate you as I have for years. Thank you infinitely. We have clear consciences, that is something. I get angry too and take Melatonin in daytime though it's for sleep, calms me. The majority of U.S. is with you. Please realize you are in company. Love you, sir.
I’m angry,too. Furious. But…every day I pull my thoughts together and call my elected officials. I’m also only buying absolute necessities and speaking with my pocketbook. It’s small, but it’s something. These corrupt madmen and madwomen cannot just walk in and take my country. Keep up your good work!
I admire your honesty, John. I feel the momentum and will find my place in it.
Every day, I read the Beautiful Mess and say to myself, yep! That’s just how I’m feeling. The morning before reading, I was making my coffee and thinking I’m really angry at my sister who is not a Trump person but continues to shop at Amazon. Yesterday, I was about to confront my neighbor by asking what she thinks about her President now when I reach out to pet her pup and the dog bit me. Every day I sign petitions, write letters and call Congress. I am outraged to get five emails back from Rick Scott telling me he is a Senator for all Floridians. While, at the same time, his weekly newsletter recounts all he has done to help Trump dismantle our Democracy. But, I going to keep fighting and protesting and praying because it’s the least we can do for the love of our Country.
Same! Rick Scott’s newsletters are a slap in the face here in Florida.
John, I’m more embarrassed than angry. I’m embarrassed to be an American right now. We just moved out of FL for many reasons but to be honest we hated the politics. Voters can voice their concerns to their congresspeople and senators but if they’re MAGAs, what’s the point? Even the dems in the house & senate are voting with him…again, what’s the point? They don’t listen & even the ones that do there aren’t enough of them to make a difference. I hated him as the president in 2016 & now he’s had 4 years to plot & plan to punish the American people, whether they voted for him or not. This will not end well and it’s just a matter of time. No amount of protesting will make a difference, we need to vote these people out BEFORE he changes the voting laws.
Marci, I feel for you, but waiting until 2026 won't work. That has been the Democratic Party's strategy for decades and it is clearly not the right strategy. Because our elected officials are, for the most part, not doing their jobs of defending and protecting their constituents and the US Constitution--there are exceptions but they seem to be a minority--it is up to us to make a fuss. Calling congressional offices, either by going through the main switchboard or looking up their numbers (super easy: just search for the sens'/reps' names and write down the numbers of their DC and local offices), and leaving messages requires them to log the call. It takes a few minutes. Write a script for yourself and use it for all your calls, modifying slightly each time you call. They don't like criticism and their aides hate having to log hundreds of calls a day, so it is an irritant. If you have a member of Congress who is doing his or her job, call and tell them you appreciate that. It spurs them on. And yes: vote, vote, vote.
I cannot improve on the heartfelt comments of other readers here who inspire me. What I want to say is I've been struggling with my own anger. I don't want the damage that anger can do. But we are told to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. So I realize powerful emotions are a gift! They are energy! They move us. Instead of trying to be nice, as I've been taught, we must at times like these be fierce! Protecting the good & fighting evil. These times present the very conditions the tools of anger are for. Thank you for exhorting us all to call out evil when we see it! To let anger be energy to act.
John, I am with you: my anger and disgust and, yes, fear for the future is off the charts, which is not good because stress and advanced cancer is not a good combination. I do what I can (staying away from crowds because, well, cancer treatments are deadly to one's immune system). I would love to leave this rotten country but since I have certain limitations to my ability to do that, I have to stay and try to undermine the galloping fascism from within. But as you have posted before, what these f*ckers are hoping is that we will all be exhausted, drained, and ultimately deadened. And then compliant. Stockholm Syndrome, anyone? So doing what we all need to do to stay sane, safe, and energized is essential. Take care everyone. This is going to be an exceedingly bumpy ride.
John you are not alone. I feel the same way and we must stay angry and resist until this madness is put to en end!