Karen, I absolutely believe community and connection are the way through, and at some point the pendulum will swing back. We have resources and knowledge needed to make the transition to a sustainable world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. The first step is to understand why things are the way they are, and to support and find joy with friends, family, and neighbors as we work through it. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Great essay, Sandy! I taught marksmanship in the Army, and a neighbor of mine asked me if I would teach him how to shoot. I said, "Sure, what are you going hunting for?" He said, "liberals," in a half-joking manner. I was stunned and told him I couldn't facilitate someone killing other Americans. He was flabergasted. It's a sad but true story.
Wow, Matt, how incredibly sad and beautifully illustrative of how politics has deeply divided us as a nation. What makes this so demoralizing is that I'm not at all surprised. I really appreciate how you are holding space in the middle and staying true to your values. I wish more people would follow your example.
All very true, Sandy, and just soul-crushing. My neighbor across the street moved here around ‘07 and put up their McCain Palin sign - the only people on my street to put up a sign. It had never occurred to me to put up a lawn sign, but hell no was I going to look at that every day, so I got an Obama sign. Since then, there are a few houses that now put out signs. Predictably, Romney Ryan, Trump Pence followed. But all the signs were down by the end of election week. Now they have their American flag (which has basically become a hate symbol, but I certainly have no issue with our flag) AND their Trump 2024 flag, which only comes down when we have excessive wind. Then back up it goes. It’s mid-April - why do people need to keep that flag waving? All the other Trumpers on my street removed everything after a few days. I still see other T flags here and there. I’ve never seen a Clinton, Bush, Obama or Biden flag. Ever. So you think I want to engage with these people? NOPE!!!!!
Sorry for the long rant. I pray every day we can right the ship.
Thanks Sandy for your powerful words and painful truth. I surmise that as this all unravels, folks will seek, and hopefully benefit from, community and interconnectedness.
Karen, I absolutely believe community and connection are the way through, and at some point the pendulum will swing back. We have resources and knowledge needed to make the transition to a sustainable world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. The first step is to understand why things are the way they are, and to support and find joy with friends, family, and neighbors as we work through it. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Great essay, Sandy! I taught marksmanship in the Army, and a neighbor of mine asked me if I would teach him how to shoot. I said, "Sure, what are you going hunting for?" He said, "liberals," in a half-joking manner. I was stunned and told him I couldn't facilitate someone killing other Americans. He was flabergasted. It's a sad but true story.
Wow, Matt, how incredibly sad and beautifully illustrative of how politics has deeply divided us as a nation. What makes this so demoralizing is that I'm not at all surprised. I really appreciate how you are holding space in the middle and staying true to your values. I wish more people would follow your example.
Wow, awful, but unsurprising. Ugh.
All very true, Sandy, and just soul-crushing. My neighbor across the street moved here around ‘07 and put up their McCain Palin sign - the only people on my street to put up a sign. It had never occurred to me to put up a lawn sign, but hell no was I going to look at that every day, so I got an Obama sign. Since then, there are a few houses that now put out signs. Predictably, Romney Ryan, Trump Pence followed. But all the signs were down by the end of election week. Now they have their American flag (which has basically become a hate symbol, but I certainly have no issue with our flag) AND their Trump 2024 flag, which only comes down when we have excessive wind. Then back up it goes. It’s mid-April - why do people need to keep that flag waving? All the other Trumpers on my street removed everything after a few days. I still see other T flags here and there. I’ve never seen a Clinton, Bush, Obama or Biden flag. Ever. So you think I want to engage with these people? NOPE!!!!!
Sorry for the long rant. I pray every day we can right the ship.
Thanks Sandy for your powerful words and painful truth. I surmise that as this all unravels, folks will seek, and hopefully benefit from, community and interconnectedness.