Yes, it is both painful & terrifying to see how easily people can be manipulated into hatred, the way Germans were before & during WW2, as well as Israelis versus Palestinians, & now MAGA & other US citizens. Corporations bear a great responsibility for all the disinformation they send. But it seems a very large minority of us have learned nothing & we are heading for increasingly dark times.We really should know better!
You said it in a way I cannot...and even would I have former friends read this, they would not "get" it. Last week saw the loss of another "friend" who finally realized he had gone beyond my pale. Thank you for expressing so well those things we all feel.
I'm determined to take back the 4th of July. I'll fly my flag and I'll enjoy time with my family (all like-minded, thankfully), and I'll remember that *we* are the patriotic ones.
John I so feel the way you do and I am not used to feeling this way toward fellow Americans, friends ,family ! It borders on hate for me and I am not used to hating anyone! I try to follow Christ's example and say forgive them for they know not what they do! However the person they seem to worship is evil! They are victims I tell myself and I try to feel sympathy but then I realize they must identify with his beliefs! That makes them evil too! Or do they just block out what is happening as fake news!
This is so powerful and so very true. In the end as much as I dislike him, I realize that I needed to see the reality of these people who I thought were caring people.
As usual you put my feelings into words. I’m tired, sad, and feeling scared and hopeless. I’m tired of waking up everyday feeling dread in the pit of my stomach. Blessings to you and your writings.
I feel the same as you do John as I have witnessed the unleashing of undercover racism, hatred and brutality brought to light because it is OK now to be a crass, mean, rude, cruel, insensitive, unapologetic, lowlife stupid ass.
John, I can't even put into words how I am feeling right now. What has happened to this country? My God, lead us out of this darkness and let us live like Jesus!
You speak our hearts so clearly. This is our truth.
And yet....I am not one of those "look on the bright side" people at all, but I did have a little conversation with a random young man I met fishing on a remote stream this afternoon which actually did give me a bit of unexpected hope.
Just a bit, but I need that tiny bit to not drown in the grief/loss of all that could be good in America. If she had ever, ever lived up to the ideals proclaimed.
Someone asked me today if in my 82 years it has ever been this bad, hoping I would say we have been through this before and survived it. I could not give any comfort. The precarious precipice we are on, watching the checks and balances built into our republic crumbling before our eyes, well on our way to authoritarianism is new in my experience. We are at risk in a way I have never experienced before even with our painfully flawed history. She and her wife are vulnerable. I feel at risk when I travel in and out of the country that my phone will be searched for any evidence of criticism of the current political leadership. The shift from any remnant of concern for the marginal populations here and elsewhere in the world to scapegoating, even hating the most vulnerable is a tragedy in progress. I am so grateful for the voices that continue here on Substack, those few in the media who still dare to speak out boldly, and most of all those take to the streets by tens and hundreds and thousands refusing to allow this democratic republic to go gentle into that good night (to misquote Dylan Thomas).
I subscribed because you articulate much of what we are all feeling. And that helps deal with it - thank you ! I'm Australian but what you describe here is both universal and historical. Unfortunately, figures like Trump have appeared throughout history, to focus and channel the worst impulses in us all. They are always a kind of tragic, "empty vessel" in themselves. They have to be, in order to act as lens for such diverse grievances of so many. I struggled in prayer with this, especially after the recent US election. Finally, the message came back, in a flood of peace (as it often does). "It's OK - you can forgive him. And you can forgive "them", indeed as I command you to do. This has to happen, the badness as to rise and become more apparent, we have to own it, before we can be conquer it (my will be done on Earth as in Heaven). So I hate what is happening in the US and the two steps forward, one step back march of civilisation. I will fight it when I can and grieve for Trump and his followers, and continue try to hate what they are doing but not who they are.
So well put, to a wonderful friend from " down under" I am glad you know that many here feel as you do. I will try to act with the grace you have conveyed to me, Mr Australian! And to John, you are understandably hurting, as are many who feel as you do. You take care, everyone. Peace to all. We are all God's children.
I’ve struggled with these same issues, and it’s so good to know I’m in good company. My poor daughter, who has unremitting Complex-PTSD, is much angrier than I am — she takes everything very hard and reacts defensively like she must protect herself from the vile actions, behaviors and thinking of people she once knew and trusted but who’ve now been unmasked as MAGA mega-haters. Yes, Orange Shitler has given so many permission to come out of their dark closets and into the light as horrid human excrescences who now feel vindicated and justified in hating as much and as openly as they please. My daughter feels so betrayed — who are these people? What happened to so many friends and family? She is extremely angry and grief-stricken. Me, I’m thoroughly sickened to the point of depression and physically hurting. And I feel so lost — this isn’t the country I thought I knew for 7+ decades. It’s like we’ve been sucked into an alternate universe where up is down and black is white. Nothing is what it once was…
What happened to the Democrats we once believed in? We need them to act on our behalf but all they do is cravenly cower in their corners — how can they betray us like this? There are rare exceptions, yes, and thank God / Goddess for that: Bernie & AOC traveling our fractured nation and helping shed light on the realities of the situation we’re in and what we can do — bless them! Cory Booker’s marathon speech was an extraordinary act of standing up for what’s right, of courage and endurance. Special accolades to Gavin Newsom who faced down the Orange Malignance and repudiated tRUMP's illegal actions to send a substantial military presence into LA to "manage" the basically peaceful anti-ICE demonstrations. And others too have stood up against the fascist tRUMP regime and machine, notably: Adam Schiff, Al Green, Jasmine Crockett, David Hogg, Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, JB Pritzker, Jamie Raskin, Chris Murphy, Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Shri Thanedar, Kamala Harris, and now Zohran Mamdani, who is making quite the welcome splash as a democratic socialist — like Bernie. Unfortunately those with the balls and backbone to stand up — and defy the once lunatic fringe who are now in control of the gov’t and literally scaring the be-jesus out of everyone — are woesomely few.
SO IT’S UP TO US: Keep on keeping on writing and calling everyone in power, encouraging them, pestering them to take action, letting them know we’re out here and desperate for heroes so please step up and do the right thing and be the heroes we need.
My daughter too. And I can not help her, because she is right. I am 72 and we have lost everything I foughtvso hard for in my youth. The loss of my country and countrymen is just too overwhelming
It is too overwhelming, a daily struggle for me. Hang in there, though! We'll survive this and somehow find our way back to being the US -- maybe not quite like we once knew, but who knows? Maybe even something better -- maybe a nation in which the filthy rich cannot seize control, maybe a stronger nation with better laws, peopled by citizens who have grown balls and backbones and a stiff unyielding determination to never let this happen again? I could happen! And it will happen if we make it so!
I share everyone's grief. Sadly, his supporters are unlikely to see the light and change their attitudes. They will be around even after he is gone. If they ultimately lose power they will just go underground. I don't understand what made them this way.
Thank you for saying what Ive been feeling. It is beyond comprehension that this is happening in what I thought was a decent country. Know that you are not alone.
You have expressed so well what I and many of my friends have been feeling. The hatred of the felon's supporters has caused us to feel hatred toward them, and we struggle with this daily, as none of us were taught or believe that this is acceptable.
We grapple with these exact feelings that we are condemning in others. I've tried to understand and empathize, but when I see people actually celebrating or joking about violence and murder, I can't even try any more. And that's what keeps me up at night, like now, writing this as almost a form of self-therapy, I guess.
I also think, what other species does this? We destroy each other in war, and by denying assistance to each other. We call ourselves civilized and intelligent, but we seem to be neither. We have so much potential, yet fail to use it constructively. Think of all the good that could be accomplished with the energy that is currently being invested in hatred, because hatred is truly exhausting. I must try harder to overcome my own attitude. And that, too, has been exhausting. But I'm working on it, every single day.
This is profoundly powerful, John. Thank you. You articulate what is my experience too and, I suspect, what is experienced by millions of us.
Yes, it is both painful & terrifying to see how easily people can be manipulated into hatred, the way Germans were before & during WW2, as well as Israelis versus Palestinians, & now MAGA & other US citizens. Corporations bear a great responsibility for all the disinformation they send. But it seems a very large minority of us have learned nothing & we are heading for increasingly dark times.We really should know better!
You said it in a way I cannot...and even would I have former friends read this, they would not "get" it. Last week saw the loss of another "friend" who finally realized he had gone beyond my pale. Thank you for expressing so well those things we all feel.
Thank you… beside you in grief…I look at the Statue of Liberty…and think of the upcoming forth of July…grieving…..
I'm determined to take back the 4th of July. I'll fly my flag and I'll enjoy time with my family (all like-minded, thankfully), and I'll remember that *we* are the patriotic ones.
John I so feel the way you do and I am not used to feeling this way toward fellow Americans, friends ,family ! It borders on hate for me and I am not used to hating anyone! I try to follow Christ's example and say forgive them for they know not what they do! However the person they seem to worship is evil! They are victims I tell myself and I try to feel sympathy but then I realize they must identify with his beliefs! That makes them evil too! Or do they just block out what is happening as fake news!
Keep in mind that Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple. He expressed his anger.
Yes I thought of that too! Thanks for reminding me.🤣
You are welcome. Keeping in mind that Jesus got angry, has helped me not be a door mat.
This is so powerful and so very true. In the end as much as I dislike him, I realize that I needed to see the reality of these people who I thought were caring people.
As usual you put my feelings into words. I’m tired, sad, and feeling scared and hopeless. I’m tired of waking up everyday feeling dread in the pit of my stomach. Blessings to you and your writings.
I feel the same as you do John as I have witnessed the unleashing of undercover racism, hatred and brutality brought to light because it is OK now to be a crass, mean, rude, cruel, insensitive, unapologetic, lowlife stupid ass.
John, I can't even put into words how I am feeling right now. What has happened to this country? My God, lead us out of this darkness and let us live like Jesus!
We CAN.. AND We WILL ill!!!
You speak our hearts so clearly. This is our truth.
And yet....I am not one of those "look on the bright side" people at all, but I did have a little conversation with a random young man I met fishing on a remote stream this afternoon which actually did give me a bit of unexpected hope.
Just a bit, but I need that tiny bit to not drown in the grief/loss of all that could be good in America. If she had ever, ever lived up to the ideals proclaimed.
Someone asked me today if in my 82 years it has ever been this bad, hoping I would say we have been through this before and survived it. I could not give any comfort. The precarious precipice we are on, watching the checks and balances built into our republic crumbling before our eyes, well on our way to authoritarianism is new in my experience. We are at risk in a way I have never experienced before even with our painfully flawed history. She and her wife are vulnerable. I feel at risk when I travel in and out of the country that my phone will be searched for any evidence of criticism of the current political leadership. The shift from any remnant of concern for the marginal populations here and elsewhere in the world to scapegoating, even hating the most vulnerable is a tragedy in progress. I am so grateful for the voices that continue here on Substack, those few in the media who still dare to speak out boldly, and most of all those take to the streets by tens and hundreds and thousands refusing to allow this democratic republic to go gentle into that good night (to misquote Dylan Thomas).
I subscribed because you articulate much of what we are all feeling. And that helps deal with it - thank you ! I'm Australian but what you describe here is both universal and historical. Unfortunately, figures like Trump have appeared throughout history, to focus and channel the worst impulses in us all. They are always a kind of tragic, "empty vessel" in themselves. They have to be, in order to act as lens for such diverse grievances of so many. I struggled in prayer with this, especially after the recent US election. Finally, the message came back, in a flood of peace (as it often does). "It's OK - you can forgive him. And you can forgive "them", indeed as I command you to do. This has to happen, the badness as to rise and become more apparent, we have to own it, before we can be conquer it (my will be done on Earth as in Heaven). So I hate what is happening in the US and the two steps forward, one step back march of civilisation. I will fight it when I can and grieve for Trump and his followers, and continue try to hate what they are doing but not who they are.
So well put, to a wonderful friend from " down under" I am glad you know that many here feel as you do. I will try to act with the grace you have conveyed to me, Mr Australian! And to John, you are understandably hurting, as are many who feel as you do. You take care, everyone. Peace to all. We are all God's children.
I can't quite forgive them yet...
I’ve struggled with these same issues, and it’s so good to know I’m in good company. My poor daughter, who has unremitting Complex-PTSD, is much angrier than I am — she takes everything very hard and reacts defensively like she must protect herself from the vile actions, behaviors and thinking of people she once knew and trusted but who’ve now been unmasked as MAGA mega-haters. Yes, Orange Shitler has given so many permission to come out of their dark closets and into the light as horrid human excrescences who now feel vindicated and justified in hating as much and as openly as they please. My daughter feels so betrayed — who are these people? What happened to so many friends and family? She is extremely angry and grief-stricken. Me, I’m thoroughly sickened to the point of depression and physically hurting. And I feel so lost — this isn’t the country I thought I knew for 7+ decades. It’s like we’ve been sucked into an alternate universe where up is down and black is white. Nothing is what it once was…
What happened to the Democrats we once believed in? We need them to act on our behalf but all they do is cravenly cower in their corners — how can they betray us like this? There are rare exceptions, yes, and thank God / Goddess for that: Bernie & AOC traveling our fractured nation and helping shed light on the realities of the situation we’re in and what we can do — bless them! Cory Booker’s marathon speech was an extraordinary act of standing up for what’s right, of courage and endurance. Special accolades to Gavin Newsom who faced down the Orange Malignance and repudiated tRUMP's illegal actions to send a substantial military presence into LA to "manage" the basically peaceful anti-ICE demonstrations. And others too have stood up against the fascist tRUMP regime and machine, notably: Adam Schiff, Al Green, Jasmine Crockett, David Hogg, Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, JB Pritzker, Jamie Raskin, Chris Murphy, Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Shri Thanedar, Kamala Harris, and now Zohran Mamdani, who is making quite the welcome splash as a democratic socialist — like Bernie. Unfortunately those with the balls and backbone to stand up — and defy the once lunatic fringe who are now in control of the gov’t and literally scaring the be-jesus out of everyone — are woesomely few.
SO IT’S UP TO US: Keep on keeping on writing and calling everyone in power, encouraging them, pestering them to take action, letting them know we’re out here and desperate for heroes so please step up and do the right thing and be the heroes we need.
My daughter too. And I can not help her, because she is right. I am 72 and we have lost everything I foughtvso hard for in my youth. The loss of my country and countrymen is just too overwhelming
It is too overwhelming, a daily struggle for me. Hang in there, though! We'll survive this and somehow find our way back to being the US -- maybe not quite like we once knew, but who knows? Maybe even something better -- maybe a nation in which the filthy rich cannot seize control, maybe a stronger nation with better laws, peopled by citizens who have grown balls and backbones and a stiff unyielding determination to never let this happen again? I could happen! And it will happen if we make it so!
I share everyone's grief. Sadly, his supporters are unlikely to see the light and change their attitudes. They will be around even after he is gone. If they ultimately lose power they will just go underground. I don't understand what made them this way.
I don't either.. they are filled with hatred. My whole family is so unbelievable.. unrecognizable
So well said. This is what disappoints me the most, that so many Americans are willing to tolerate the moral ugliness and cruelty.
Thank you for saying what Ive been feeling. It is beyond comprehension that this is happening in what I thought was a decent country. Know that you are not alone.
You have expressed so well what I and many of my friends have been feeling. The hatred of the felon's supporters has caused us to feel hatred toward them, and we struggle with this daily, as none of us were taught or believe that this is acceptable.
We grapple with these exact feelings that we are condemning in others. I've tried to understand and empathize, but when I see people actually celebrating or joking about violence and murder, I can't even try any more. And that's what keeps me up at night, like now, writing this as almost a form of self-therapy, I guess.
I also think, what other species does this? We destroy each other in war, and by denying assistance to each other. We call ourselves civilized and intelligent, but we seem to be neither. We have so much potential, yet fail to use it constructively. Think of all the good that could be accomplished with the energy that is currently being invested in hatred, because hatred is truly exhausting. I must try harder to overcome my own attitude. And that, too, has been exhausting. But I'm working on it, every single day.