Thank you for this. I have shared it on Facebook. It is well-written and not overly-emotional, and therefore appealing and could possibly make a few people stop and consider. I wake up every day and worry about this. We have had some protests here, but not enough, and the last one was shunted off to a location that was not central to the city.
It's good to be heard and great to hear you. I haven't been totally under a rock all these years. There just hasn't been a lot of good news and no one wants to hear my bitching and moaning.
Speaking of which, I have no problem going to a We Don't Want A Dick-Head In Charge Rally. Im just not ready to stand on a cracker box in front of the first baptist church shouting and swinging a very large stick in an attempt to convince folks that violence is not the answer. Yet.
"A riot is an ugly thing. But I think it's just about time we had one!"
Easily said from the safety of Harlem. I do preach, argue, and attempt to enlighten the delusional. However, I must do so in intimate settings. That's why I avoid social media platforms and large groups. The often unfiltered thoughts that can flow from fingers and tongue could get me lynched in Alabama. Yeah, it's getting that bad here. Dudes in trump t-shirts carrying guns in the Piggly Wiggly do not make me feel safer. Trump's approval rating of 30% is the same as Nixon's when he resigned and Little Donnie Tramp is '"God". Thats one loud fucked-up 1/3 of our country.
First of all- Delene! Hello, sir. I hear what you're saying, and I obviously don't think it's a good idea to try to enlighten MAGA types carrying weapons. But I very much do believe you should set aside avoiding large crowds at this moment in our lives and and join any organized protests that arise in your city. I FULLY understand what you're saying, but the impact comes from groups of voices, across the country. It's all well and good in living rooms - I do that, too. Believe me, I do. - but masses in the streets are the way to confront this, just as it was during the Vietnam and Civil Rights eras. I honestly don't think we have any other choice. Now is not the time to be subtle, if you ask me. (Good to hear from you.)
Thanks Paul for writing what many of us feel. I often feel deeply ashamed to be an American citizen right now. I know I’m not alone when I read pieces like yours. Keep at it and keep speaking out.
Bravo Paul. The facelessness, lack of identification, among ICE agents strikes me as a dangerous, un-American, threshold, among the many issues you’ve so thoughtfully, and clearly articulated. Humanity first.
It IS happening here, and our mainstream news media (no doubt because they’re owned by big but timid corporations) are clutching pearls and not saying what it IS out loud. But we can all see it. The administration WANTS us to see it.
And 30-35% support it.
Amazing how easy it is to turn into Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia.
Enablers… The Supreme Court is so politicized. Choosen for their right wing bias. They swim in their conservative waters… ideas, beliefs, social circles. They are ensconced in their insulated world.
Even electoral change runs into their interpretations. It's a bad problem.
I'll tell you about the magic number 30% of people.
They are the most dogmatic, most on the edge. Right wing mostly but there are extremes on the left of course.
True:
On the day Richard Nixon resigned in opprobrium, roundly rejected, his support in a subsequent poll was 30%.
We can't change that.
But, 70% beats 30% and it is to that more persuadeable, perhaps more reasonable majority we must appeal, must stimulate with good ideas, must spark with optimism and humanity. If only 55% come along, well, that's enough.
It has come to this in America.
I'm betting on the strong roots of the American tree.
That tree will stand.
A weed named Trumpism, annoying, challenging, will we torn out by the root.
Words, ideas, speech all bend reality for good or ill.
Thank you for the good, Paul
You and millions more are doing exactly what our founders wanted us to do. Express ourselves freely, spread our ideas and words and allow "We The People" to hear each other.
It's how we ensure our freedom.
Your eloquent warning and indictment of these anti-American termites eating our foundation is an act of patriotism.
I always like to recall John Kennedy's lines in his inaugural address - January 1961 - his devotion to human freedom shines:
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
Let Trump and Miller know we will not abandon liberty, decency, law or humanity.
I believe there is a powerful force, a mass wisdom and humanity.
Trump and his cult cannot subjugate it. They are unpopular and sinking.
Americans must have their conscience and imagination sparked with possibilities for good. They must also be led to reject anti-Americans and perverse visions.
Thank you for this. I have shared it on Facebook. It is well-written and not overly-emotional, and therefore appealing and could possibly make a few people stop and consider. I wake up every day and worry about this. We have had some protests here, but not enough, and the last one was shunted off to a location that was not central to the city.
It's good to be heard and great to hear you. I haven't been totally under a rock all these years. There just hasn't been a lot of good news and no one wants to hear my bitching and moaning.
Speaking of which, I have no problem going to a We Don't Want A Dick-Head In Charge Rally. Im just not ready to stand on a cracker box in front of the first baptist church shouting and swinging a very large stick in an attempt to convince folks that violence is not the answer. Yet.
"A riot is an ugly thing. But I think it's just about time we had one!"
And I own a pitch-fork.
Easily said from the safety of Harlem. I do preach, argue, and attempt to enlighten the delusional. However, I must do so in intimate settings. That's why I avoid social media platforms and large groups. The often unfiltered thoughts that can flow from fingers and tongue could get me lynched in Alabama. Yeah, it's getting that bad here. Dudes in trump t-shirts carrying guns in the Piggly Wiggly do not make me feel safer. Trump's approval rating of 30% is the same as Nixon's when he resigned and Little Donnie Tramp is '"God". Thats one loud fucked-up 1/3 of our country.
First of all- Delene! Hello, sir. I hear what you're saying, and I obviously don't think it's a good idea to try to enlighten MAGA types carrying weapons. But I very much do believe you should set aside avoiding large crowds at this moment in our lives and and join any organized protests that arise in your city. I FULLY understand what you're saying, but the impact comes from groups of voices, across the country. It's all well and good in living rooms - I do that, too. Believe me, I do. - but masses in the streets are the way to confront this, just as it was during the Vietnam and Civil Rights eras. I honestly don't think we have any other choice. Now is not the time to be subtle, if you ask me. (Good to hear from you.)
Thanks Paul for writing what many of us feel. I often feel deeply ashamed to be an American citizen right now. I know I’m not alone when I read pieces like yours. Keep at it and keep speaking out.
Thank you, Paul.
Bravo Paul. The facelessness, lack of identification, among ICE agents strikes me as a dangerous, un-American, threshold, among the many issues you’ve so thoughtfully, and clearly articulated. Humanity first.
Nothing to add. Certainly nothing as eloquent.
It IS happening here, and our mainstream news media (no doubt because they’re owned by big but timid corporations) are clutching pearls and not saying what it IS out loud. But we can all see it. The administration WANTS us to see it.
And 30-35% support it.
Amazing how easy it is to turn into Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia.
Enablers… The Supreme Court is so politicized. Choosen for their right wing bias. They swim in their conservative waters… ideas, beliefs, social circles. They are ensconced in their insulated world.
Even electoral change runs into their interpretations. It's a bad problem.
I'll tell you about the magic number 30% of people.
They are the most dogmatic, most on the edge. Right wing mostly but there are extremes on the left of course.
True:
On the day Richard Nixon resigned in opprobrium, roundly rejected, his support in a subsequent poll was 30%.
We can't change that.
But, 70% beats 30% and it is to that more persuadeable, perhaps more reasonable majority we must appeal, must stimulate with good ideas, must spark with optimism and humanity. If only 55% come along, well, that's enough.
It has come to this in America.
I'm betting on the strong roots of the American tree.
That tree will stand.
A weed named Trumpism, annoying, challenging, will we torn out by the root.
People don't like weeds.
I'm always optimistic.
Words, ideas, speech all bend reality for good or ill.
Thank you for the good, Paul
You and millions more are doing exactly what our founders wanted us to do. Express ourselves freely, spread our ideas and words and allow "We The People" to hear each other.
It's how we ensure our freedom.
Your eloquent warning and indictment of these anti-American termites eating our foundation is an act of patriotism.
I always like to recall John Kennedy's lines in his inaugural address - January 1961 - his devotion to human freedom shines:
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
Let Trump and Miller know we will not abandon liberty, decency, law or humanity.
I believe there is a powerful force, a mass wisdom and humanity.
Trump and his cult cannot subjugate it. They are unpopular and sinking.
Americans must have their conscience and imagination sparked with possibilities for good. They must also be led to reject anti-Americans and perverse visions.
For this, we thank you, Paul.
Your words bend us to hope, love COURAGE!
May we all be brave.
Thank you for this. Very well said. I hope to God that we can save this nation. It's been getting worse every day.
Glad you spoke up Paul. And powerfully and eloquently. Silence is a form of complicity.