49 Comments

Just the right fighting words I needed this morning! I do reserve the right to make fun of him, though. I need laughter, too, in these dark times😉

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Onward and upward with those values that build truth, respect, perseverance, and gratitude for people who truly care for each other, our nation and the entire world.

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Howdy neighbor.

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Agree totally, John. I am desperately trying to hold on to my humanity if the face of such opposition.

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I don’t think there’s one answer. But I do believe, unfortunately, that we still have an enormous “ism” problem in this country. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny which I believe drove a lot of votes disguised as economic concerns. It’s terrifying to think of what these people and their Project 2025 agenda are going to do to human rights in this country.

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Thank you for being a public voice.

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Today, I'm attending an MLK Day of Service event. I am grateful to have something worthy to give my attention to.

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We have to go to the light, and never give up the fight…for our country, our democracy, our collective voice, our moral integrity, and for all human beings who are being marginalized and oppressed. May God show us the way.

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I refuse to watch any of the inauguration proceedings today. The fact that half the nation is in the middle of an arctic blast seems symbolic of the age we are entering.

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I joined a Substack based movement to turn my TV to any channel NOT showing the coronation just to f**k with his Neilson ratings. I chose the Cartoon Network. 😉

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I just stayed away from social media period. Messaged friends in the evening ing who have the same feelings I do. The onslaught of news is nauseating.

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You have a beautiful way with words. Thank you for sharing what is in my heart, and the heart of so many others. After reading this I felt some joy instead fear and disgust. We can be the carriers of hope, love and happiness… because at some point this country will be ready to need and see it again!

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Thank you for speaking for me. Saving my energy for the work in front of us.

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Thank you John!

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So grateful, John, for your stalwart voice in these dark times. It inspires the mettle in us.

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Hang on tight. Just because he will be inaugurated today doesn’t mean we still can’t call him and his maga cult out on the unthinkable things they will do. We need also to continue to contact our Senators and Representatives and let them know about how we feel. We also need to call out corporate media when they sane wash the truth. We just can’t give up!

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Certainly there is no one explanation for what is happening to us as a country. In 1920’s Germany there was abject poverty, and the hate filled movement was born of fear and sadness. It was a desperate time, and people, who were afraid, had nothing to cling to until Hitler gave them someone to blame and a cause to move them forward. Here, it think it’s actually worse than that. Because what we have is more like the Pixar movie “Wall-E”, where we became so spoiled by easy, instant everything we no longer had to try, or sacrifice, or use discipline in our daily lives. The resultant laziness made it easy to not pay attention to what was happening, because things had been so good for so long too many thought they had no need to fight for anything. That it would always be ok.

What we are about to see, I believe, is a reckoning of sorts. I don’t know how bad it will be or how many it will effect. But I hope it hurts enough ordinary people who thought there was no need to pay attention that it reminds every one that we must.

We need a renaissance of education about civics, we need engagement and civil debate to once again become something we strive for. We need to make those who are honorable heroes again. We need a whole new generation to finally understand what our forefathers fought and died for, because right now too many have no idea. Our greatest enemies are ignorance (willful or accidental) and complacency. It’s time Americans feel the touch of that hot stove and understand that burn is hurting children and the elderly.

That’s how we move the country forward. Otherwise, historians won’t examine us at all, except as a footnote, as the brief experiment that didn’t work.

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Thank you for this. After J6, American leaders gave speeches that this is not who we are. Unfortunately, it is. Trump said the media is our enemy. He is right. They control the message and he controls them. Over the past few months, Biden has been painted under an umbrella of shame instead of highlighting his accomplishments and the impact on the future. I'm sure he may feel remorse, but the media shouldn't throw it in his face. I fear Trump will destroy The Great Experiment.

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Thank you for such powerful and sensitive words. It seems we are living a collective nightmare. How should I respond? I will strive to find empathy for family and friends who are also stressed and set an example of kindness to others I don't know. Otherwise, I will be filled with an ugly knot of hate that will only grow. Concern for my beloved animals will also be my guide. Animals are susceptible to our moods and attitudes and horses in particular reflect the person handling them.

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