It won't be enough until it hits people like us. Then it will be too late. It makes me mad as hell but the only weapon I have is my voice. I don't feel I can put up much of a fight against the weapons of ICE.
Martin Niemoller wrote concerning the Nazis: They came for the socialists and communists, but I was not socialist or communist so I said nothing; they came for the disabled and I was not disabled so I said nothing; they came for the Jews and I was not Jewish, so I said nothing; then they came for me. And what did the Christian church in Germany do? It compromised with nazism. This is our Selma this is our moment. As you said decent people cannot remain silent. I never believed, despite Japanese internment during WWII that we could ever engage in such blatant human rights violations and abuse in modern times. Slavery is a whole level of cruelty and abuse, but not a great deal different than what ICE and its system is doing and wants to do. When this time is over and like Nazi Germany, it will be over, we may have to have our own Nuremburg Trials. Why do these people wear masks and no badges with names, because they know they are breaking the law and they remain unidentifiable. The leaders, however, are not unidentifiable and they are the ones who should pay the most for there massive inhumanity to other humans. The church really needs to loud about this as well as just ordinary citizens. The heroes of our time are those on the streets as in LA protesting this. If we have scrap of human decency left, we need to protest, we need write, call, email our elected officials and urge them to force ICE to be mask free, have badges, names and warrants. Ban quotas and get warrants. This kidnapping of citizens and immigrants off the streets is offensive, unlawful and dangerous for all of us. The worse part? That like Germany there are churches that applaud all that ICE is doing. Unfathomable to me, but the right seems to get off on cruelty and hate. We need to remain in a community that rejects that. Thanks, John, for penning this for us.
But what more can we do? I speak up, I write to my republican senator, etc., but nothing seems to be able to really stop this madness.......especially since his republicans in Congress allow this to continue. Seriously......what can we do? Trump has totally misused the constitution and he's been allowed to, by Congress. So.......what do we do? And waiting for 16 months to vote against the Tyrant, is just letting it get worse and worse and worse during that time. What can we do??
I’m with you. I feel so frustrated. My senators and rep are all trumpists. I call and call and write letters and emails, I attend protests, but none of this feels effective. We need more and better tools, since our normal democracy isn’t working in these abnormal times.
I have several “ friends” and m grown kids who do t want to hear “ political “ stuff. I want so much to share this w them, and empress my frustration but don’t want to alienate them as my father did to me over our differences. How do I get them to WAKE TF UP and engage???
Sometimes you can’t. You may have to sever the ties, even if they’re family. John has written about this in several previous posts (how to deal with friends and family who are pro-Trump). Hopefully there should be something he’s written that will soothe your heart and mind.
I’ve read those past posts and have cut ties w my maga side of the family in Feb. wasn’t too hard bc I was already distanced from them for other issues. I’ve limited ties w my “ friend” bc he refuses to even try to understand or care. My kids are my greatest frustration. I cannot cut ties w them as they are the loves of my life. I worry that we will become distanced over this divide, and it kills my soul to have to censor myself and to face their non responses when I don’t. I’m seriously considering leaving the country for my own mental health. If they won’t fight for their future, why am I?
I truly believe justice will be served on Trump and the Republican Party. I don’t think Trump will finish his term. He will either have a health condition or a scandal from his past will come to light!
It is so disturbing that so many, especially in power, don’t seem to feel sick about.
That upsets me about so much of America. Just gutted.
I’m so ashamed and angry. WTH!
It won't be enough until it hits people like us. Then it will be too late. It makes me mad as hell but the only weapon I have is my voice. I don't feel I can put up much of a fight against the weapons of ICE.
There is strength in numbers! We are all doing whatever we can and it matters
Martin Niemoller wrote concerning the Nazis: They came for the socialists and communists, but I was not socialist or communist so I said nothing; they came for the disabled and I was not disabled so I said nothing; they came for the Jews and I was not Jewish, so I said nothing; then they came for me. And what did the Christian church in Germany do? It compromised with nazism. This is our Selma this is our moment. As you said decent people cannot remain silent. I never believed, despite Japanese internment during WWII that we could ever engage in such blatant human rights violations and abuse in modern times. Slavery is a whole level of cruelty and abuse, but not a great deal different than what ICE and its system is doing and wants to do. When this time is over and like Nazi Germany, it will be over, we may have to have our own Nuremburg Trials. Why do these people wear masks and no badges with names, because they know they are breaking the law and they remain unidentifiable. The leaders, however, are not unidentifiable and they are the ones who should pay the most for there massive inhumanity to other humans. The church really needs to loud about this as well as just ordinary citizens. The heroes of our time are those on the streets as in LA protesting this. If we have scrap of human decency left, we need to protest, we need write, call, email our elected officials and urge them to force ICE to be mask free, have badges, names and warrants. Ban quotas and get warrants. This kidnapping of citizens and immigrants off the streets is offensive, unlawful and dangerous for all of us. The worse part? That like Germany there are churches that applaud all that ICE is doing. Unfathomable to me, but the right seems to get off on cruelty and hate. We need to remain in a community that rejects that. Thanks, John, for penning this for us.
Agreed!
There should be employment documentation for all these cowards that will be investigated by the international court for crimes against humanity.
I totally agree. Unfortunately those who need to hear this are unlikely to be subscribers.
But what more can we do? I speak up, I write to my republican senator, etc., but nothing seems to be able to really stop this madness.......especially since his republicans in Congress allow this to continue. Seriously......what can we do? Trump has totally misused the constitution and he's been allowed to, by Congress. So.......what do we do? And waiting for 16 months to vote against the Tyrant, is just letting it get worse and worse and worse during that time. What can we do??
I’m with you. I feel so frustrated. My senators and rep are all trumpists. I call and call and write letters and emails, I attend protests, but none of this feels effective. We need more and better tools, since our normal democracy isn’t working in these abnormal times.
I wrote both my senators today...no concentration camps in our country! And fund NPR and PBS.
ICE makes me physically ill. Is there a Christian among them to speak out?
So beautifully and heartfelt said…and truthful. Wow. Thank you for expressing America’s current state of being. Well said.
Walking around with anger and distress.
I've lost 3 lbs since the election. Anxiety and stress.
I found your 3 lbs. Ice cream has become my friend.
Well said!
Right on!!
Well said John. If only it resonated with those who who haven't taken it to heart.
I have several “ friends” and m grown kids who do t want to hear “ political “ stuff. I want so much to share this w them, and empress my frustration but don’t want to alienate them as my father did to me over our differences. How do I get them to WAKE TF UP and engage???
Sometimes you can’t. You may have to sever the ties, even if they’re family. John has written about this in several previous posts (how to deal with friends and family who are pro-Trump). Hopefully there should be something he’s written that will soothe your heart and mind.
I’ve read those past posts and have cut ties w my maga side of the family in Feb. wasn’t too hard bc I was already distanced from them for other issues. I’ve limited ties w my “ friend” bc he refuses to even try to understand or care. My kids are my greatest frustration. I cannot cut ties w them as they are the loves of my life. I worry that we will become distanced over this divide, and it kills my soul to have to censor myself and to face their non responses when I don’t. I’m seriously considering leaving the country for my own mental health. If they won’t fight for their future, why am I?
Agree 100%
I truly believe justice will be served on Trump and the Republican Party. I don’t think Trump will finish his term. He will either have a health condition or a scandal from his past will come to light!
I am waiting for a lightning bolt.
His past already HAS come to light, in many ways. And people downplay or call or it a hoax or a witch hunt.
Nothing seems to take him down…praying for a miracle
Sharing. Thank you, John.