Mine, too, Claire. And truthfully: I don't see it healing. When my 90+ mother dies, I don't expect to spend much time with my siblings. It sucks. To be clear, and as Dr. Stephanie writes: this is not a difference on energy policy, for example. Rather, this is based on fundamental differences of morality going to compassion, community, and kindness for others and the planet.
I am very lucky that no one in my family is a Trump follower. Before Trump was elected I believed in my fellow Americans-oh, I knew there were some racists ( they came out of the woodwork during Obama’s administration) but they were a minority, a shameful minority. Now, I am embarrassed to be an American, and I dislike myself for my negative feelings about people I used to think were good people. I hate Trump for how he had divided us.
At the moment, I am in Mexico, hundreds of miles south. I'm talking with a family I know, in a store, a busy store with loads of people around.
the young son is in University and I talk to him about classes and his studies. We have known each other since he worked in the store, not shopped there.
His father approaches. Gone is the shy, quiet guy I remember. He asks if Trump will "strike" while I am here in town.
Everyone in the store stops. Conversations halted. Eyes focus on me.
The question isn't if I hug my red hat closely but if we will survive today from the military attacks of "my" leader. We are way past who I support or the like:
Here in the country where Narcos disappear young people and assassinate political candidates, these families want to know if Trump's team of Enablers and vicious thugs might murder them in their sleep tonight.
All the while, MAGA cheers the murder -in their own country- of a young lady - because they like the results, how it feels, what it brings them.
I served aboard the USS Albert David: How should I answer?
I'm saying: People in other countries (context of my post) no longer care who you supported.
If you travel to other countries, they see you as an American and right now, Americans are dangerous to the rest of the world.
Even if you do not travel, decisions, of political, economic and military are being made, right now, on the basis of "USA" as it is represented by Trump.
Trump, to the rest of the world, appears at least likely to control ALL things USA at the minimum of three years of our lives.
AND- Trump like EVERY Power Player in history of the world is actively consolidating his power.
There is every indication Trump, or his family of cronies (MAGA?) WILL control the USA - as to the rest of the world- for many, many years to come.
EVEN if MAGA fails, some changes Trump made will remain.
Best wishes:
Advise for you: Read the post before you reply. If you wish to insult, you have to try. It has to be connected to the material posted. Perhaps you don't care, but it makes you look "goofy" to attack a Veteran without thinking. Always think. Hope to hear from you again
Your words hit the mark for many families these days. I am flummoxed every day as to how some of my family fell for the hollow words, lies, and outright cruelty the MAGA cult abides by. I reminded my oldest daughter in one early conversation that she was not brought up this way, and because she has always been a kind and loving person, her support of the Idiot and his actions is incomprehensible to me. At this point we don’t talk politics at any family gatherings, but all my grandchildren know where I stand and why, so that gives me hope.
I totally understand that feeling. My two oldest brothers are MAGA. Plus my weird roommate. Their minds have been poisoned with hate and ignorance. Faux news and propaganda radio did their job. 😕
I think the description of the glasses an headphones are very accurate. With friends that support him it’s like we are in two different worlds. Thank you
Your welcome. I think it is important that we lament what is going on here. Somewhere within the person is the values like kindness, compassion. We lament when they seem to be gone.
This is a lament that too many people see, feel and understand. It is as incomprehensible to me, as it is to the rest of us. We do have hope, however, as we can’t continue, as a people and society, like this. It will take decades, but we will learn to see, hear, feel and care about oneanother again. We just have to do our parts and be loving in all we do.
This has not been my experience. The people I know that embraced MAGA are wealthy. They were always greedy and selfish, braggarts. But I always thought they held basic American values, a belief in equality and the rule of law. Now I know who they really are. They will throw away our Republic and their fellow Americans for their own wealth and status.
Some people in my family embraced MAGA for the tax cuts, they have thrown away our Constitution, the Rule of Law and Due Process for personal wealth. Seems they missed Civics class in Middle School. They focused on their disgust of trans rights, immigrant rapists and murderers- which is low percentage wise by all measurements- and the Big Lie- which persists- a stolen election that has been proven in our courts to not have been true- but these brothers of mine are believers and have drunk the koolaid and are not coming back any time soon. They believe the spin, and they like the badass strength. I still have hope, I don’t know why, but I do hope they one day take off the glasses, blinders…show some regrets, compassion. I miss them.
Hey Ann: I know you are onto something: In the day we called them "Country Club Republicans", later "Tea Party"-
In Poway, CA, the MAGA holds rallies, on major intersections each and every Saturday for as long as I can remember. They are not wealthy though. They are people to whom Trump gave "meaning and purpose".
Trump literally gave them a voice. Trump is 100% OPINION. Fact free. I don't mean pejoratively but literally. The MAGA in Poway is basically section 8, just barely literate, who live to serve MAGA/Trump. These ones, at the rallies, see themselves as underdogs, taking on the establishment....
That man-child was disturbingly distorted by his father and then like minds in that orbit. He has no empathy for anyone other than himself. If ya don’t have it ya cannot feel it. Power and money are his only gods. For too long not enough people believed this till it hit them hard. I love Obama but at the dinner when he embarrassed that man is, I believe, when the very fires of hell were ignited in that man’s very soul to become king like over the USA. The Christian right set out to use him but found out too late he is Mammon incarnated and could not be controlled. Ike was right about the military industrial complex. That man has learned how to utilize it to serve his own interests. Yet there is hope that he overreaches himself and he self destructs . Our hope must be that he is thwarted prior to igniting WWIII,
WE SIMPLY CANNOT SURRENDER OR WE WILL NOT SURVIVE.
That dinner was a traditional roast where the guest of honor was kidded about many things. Almost all people laugh along and do a bit of teasing back. Not the case with the humorless, bullying man-child who in his insecurity had to not laugh along, but attack his betters.
We won't surrender. We will survive. Robert Reich posted tonight about his own days busing to Alabama and says the feeling right now is far too familiar. Bull Connor has risen from the ashes. The signs say that we need a mid-week general boycott and call for him to leave or be removed. Stock your pantry. Buy nothing from his donors. Resist mightily, but always peacefully.
We won't surrender. We will survive. Robert Reich posted tonight about his own days busing to Alabama and says the feeling right now is far too familiar. Bull Connor has risen from the ashes. The signs say that we need a mid-week general boycott and call for him to leave or be removed. Stock your pantry. Buy nothing from his donors. Resist mightily, but always peacefully.
Thank you for your moving thoughts. I hear you. Believe me, I hear you. As for THAT man, my disgust for THAT man has been the same since he first entered the primaries. THAT man can go to hell!
Mine have changed. I had such respect for America. I believed in the American values and their importance in this world. The good they achieved. Now I just see disaster and tragedy. I am glad I don’t live there for the first time in probably 30 years. I pray for America and hope for the best, but it is so sad to watch the disaster getting v worse ever day🥲🥲🥲🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I was really looking forward to, hoping, Harris/Walz would win. I wanted to forgive my family I hadn't spoken to since Trump 1.0 I was looking forward to telling them it's okay, you’ll be fine with them and their policies. They will benefit your family too. But when I saw my 18 year old nephew with the red hat on before the election I felt gut punched. I assumed that after January 6th they would see the light. They didn't. They tripled down and taught their kids to do so too. The cousins my girls want nothing to do with now. I'm not sure I'll ever see them again.
I have lost friends who I have known for years….but most of all I have to raise a son whose father still supports Trump and has a sticker on his car celebrating his choice. 😖
My family is also fractured by this monster. I don’t know how we will ever heal. But I have hope.
Mine, too, Claire. And truthfully: I don't see it healing. When my 90+ mother dies, I don't expect to spend much time with my siblings. It sucks. To be clear, and as Dr. Stephanie writes: this is not a difference on energy policy, for example. Rather, this is based on fundamental differences of morality going to compassion, community, and kindness for others and the planet.
I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to see family go down the rabbit hole. My heart goes out to you.
same
I’m so sorry to hear that, Claire. Thank you for reading❤️
I am very lucky that no one in my family is a Trump follower. Before Trump was elected I believed in my fellow Americans-oh, I knew there were some racists ( they came out of the woodwork during Obama’s administration) but they were a minority, a shameful minority. Now, I am embarrassed to be an American, and I dislike myself for my negative feelings about people I used to think were good people. I hate Trump for how he had divided us.
It’s a mind-boggling loss. Thank you for reading and for sharing, Sally.
I could have written this myself. I feel exactly the same. Sending hugs.
Thank you.
hey Sally:
"Embarrassed to be an American"
At the moment, I am in Mexico, hundreds of miles south. I'm talking with a family I know, in a store, a busy store with loads of people around.
the young son is in University and I talk to him about classes and his studies. We have known each other since he worked in the store, not shopped there.
His father approaches. Gone is the shy, quiet guy I remember. He asks if Trump will "strike" while I am here in town.
Everyone in the store stops. Conversations halted. Eyes focus on me.
The question isn't if I hug my red hat closely but if we will survive today from the military attacks of "my" leader. We are way past who I support or the like:
Here in the country where Narcos disappear young people and assassinate political candidates, these families want to know if Trump's team of Enablers and vicious thugs might murder them in their sleep tonight.
All the while, MAGA cheers the murder -in their own country- of a young lady - because they like the results, how it feels, what it brings them.
I served aboard the USS Albert David: How should I answer?
"We are way past who I support or the like"
Oh no we're not. We are a *long* way from that easy, it's in the past, not-my-fault solution.
How should you answer? "I'm leaving on the next plane."
I'm saying: People in other countries (context of my post) no longer care who you supported.
If you travel to other countries, they see you as an American and right now, Americans are dangerous to the rest of the world.
Even if you do not travel, decisions, of political, economic and military are being made, right now, on the basis of "USA" as it is represented by Trump.
Trump, to the rest of the world, appears at least likely to control ALL things USA at the minimum of three years of our lives.
AND- Trump like EVERY Power Player in history of the world is actively consolidating his power.
There is every indication Trump, or his family of cronies (MAGA?) WILL control the USA - as to the rest of the world- for many, many years to come.
EVEN if MAGA fails, some changes Trump made will remain.
Best wishes:
Advise for you: Read the post before you reply. If you wish to insult, you have to try. It has to be connected to the material posted. Perhaps you don't care, but it makes you look "goofy" to attack a Veteran without thinking. Always think. Hope to hear from you again
So am I
Thank you for reading, Netta❤️
Same
Wow that was very powerful!
Thank you for reading, Emily!
Your words hit the mark for many families these days. I am flummoxed every day as to how some of my family fell for the hollow words, lies, and outright cruelty the MAGA cult abides by. I reminded my oldest daughter in one early conversation that she was not brought up this way, and because she has always been a kind and loving person, her support of the Idiot and his actions is incomprehensible to me. At this point we don’t talk politics at any family gatherings, but all my grandchildren know where I stand and why, so that gives me hope.
Incomprehensible is the right word. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing❤️
Damn. I feel this.
Thanks for reading, Sam.
I totally understand that feeling. My two oldest brothers are MAGA. Plus my weird roommate. Their minds have been poisoned with hate and ignorance. Faux news and propaganda radio did their job. 😕
Oh man, that's rough, Julie. Thank you for sharing and for reading.
I think the description of the glasses an headphones are very accurate. With friends that support him it’s like we are in two different worlds. Thank you
Thank you for reading, Kevin.
Your welcome. I think it is important that we lament what is going on here. Somewhere within the person is the values like kindness, compassion. We lament when they seem to be gone.
Wow this is powerful! Thanks for writing!
Thanks for reading, Scott!
This is a lament that too many people see, feel and understand. It is as incomprehensible to me, as it is to the rest of us. We do have hope, however, as we can’t continue, as a people and society, like this. It will take decades, but we will learn to see, hear, feel and care about oneanother again. We just have to do our parts and be loving in all we do.
Those are important points to remember right now! Thanks for reading, Mary.
This has not been my experience. The people I know that embraced MAGA are wealthy. They were always greedy and selfish, braggarts. But I always thought they held basic American values, a belief in equality and the rule of law. Now I know who they really are. They will throw away our Republic and their fellow Americans for their own wealth and status.
Yeah, that’s probably true for a lot of people too. Where do you think we go with that? Thanks for reading, Ann.
Some people in my family embraced MAGA for the tax cuts, they have thrown away our Constitution, the Rule of Law and Due Process for personal wealth. Seems they missed Civics class in Middle School. They focused on their disgust of trans rights, immigrant rapists and murderers- which is low percentage wise by all measurements- and the Big Lie- which persists- a stolen election that has been proven in our courts to not have been true- but these brothers of mine are believers and have drunk the koolaid and are not coming back any time soon. They believe the spin, and they like the badass strength. I still have hope, I don’t know why, but I do hope they one day take off the glasses, blinders…show some regrets, compassion. I miss them.
Thank you for reading and sharing this, Rose. I’m sorry for your loss, but inspired by your persistent belief. It seems to be shared by so many here.
Hey Ann: I know you are onto something: In the day we called them "Country Club Republicans", later "Tea Party"-
In Poway, CA, the MAGA holds rallies, on major intersections each and every Saturday for as long as I can remember. They are not wealthy though. They are people to whom Trump gave "meaning and purpose".
Trump literally gave them a voice. Trump is 100% OPINION. Fact free. I don't mean pejoratively but literally. The MAGA in Poway is basically section 8, just barely literate, who live to serve MAGA/Trump. These ones, at the rallies, see themselves as underdogs, taking on the establishment....
Your words today hit home for millions of us. Powerful but caring. Thanks for saying what so many are feeling but can't describe.
Thank you for reading, Ralph❤️
That man-child was disturbingly distorted by his father and then like minds in that orbit. He has no empathy for anyone other than himself. If ya don’t have it ya cannot feel it. Power and money are his only gods. For too long not enough people believed this till it hit them hard. I love Obama but at the dinner when he embarrassed that man is, I believe, when the very fires of hell were ignited in that man’s very soul to become king like over the USA. The Christian right set out to use him but found out too late he is Mammon incarnated and could not be controlled. Ike was right about the military industrial complex. That man has learned how to utilize it to serve his own interests. Yet there is hope that he overreaches himself and he self destructs . Our hope must be that he is thwarted prior to igniting WWIII,
WE SIMPLY CANNOT SURRENDER OR WE WILL NOT SURVIVE.
I feel ya. All the democratic safeguards that were supposed to be fire proof are catching fire. Thanks for reading Randy!
That dinner was a traditional roast where the guest of honor was kidded about many things. Almost all people laugh along and do a bit of teasing back. Not the case with the humorless, bullying man-child who in his insecurity had to not laugh along, but attack his betters.
We won't surrender. We will survive. Robert Reich posted tonight about his own days busing to Alabama and says the feeling right now is far too familiar. Bull Connor has risen from the ashes. The signs say that we need a mid-week general boycott and call for him to leave or be removed. Stock your pantry. Buy nothing from his donors. Resist mightily, but always peacefully.
We won't surrender. We will survive. Robert Reich posted tonight about his own days busing to Alabama and says the feeling right now is far too familiar. Bull Connor has risen from the ashes. The signs say that we need a mid-week general boycott and call for him to leave or be removed. Stock your pantry. Buy nothing from his donors. Resist mightily, but always peacefully.
Thank you for your moving thoughts. I hear you. Believe me, I hear you. As for THAT man, my disgust for THAT man has been the same since he first entered the primaries. THAT man can go to hell!
THAT man is the worst. Thank you for reading, Celena!
Mine have changed. I had such respect for America. I believed in the American values and their importance in this world. The good they achieved. Now I just see disaster and tragedy. I am glad I don’t live there for the first time in probably 30 years. I pray for America and hope for the best, but it is so sad to watch the disaster getting v worse ever day🥲🥲🥲🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
They kind of have to, huh? Thank you for reading, Belinda.
I was really looking forward to, hoping, Harris/Walz would win. I wanted to forgive my family I hadn't spoken to since Trump 1.0 I was looking forward to telling them it's okay, you’ll be fine with them and their policies. They will benefit your family too. But when I saw my 18 year old nephew with the red hat on before the election I felt gut punched. I assumed that after January 6th they would see the light. They didn't. They tripled down and taught their kids to do so too. The cousins my girls want nothing to do with now. I'm not sure I'll ever see them again.
I know that feeling, Leah! So sorry to hear your family is going through this. Thank you for reading❤️
You're a really good writer, keep up the good work!
Well put. Yes, many of us are experiencing this. It’s shocking and heartbreaking. Thanks for writing this.
Thank you for reading, Carola.
This is exactly how I feel about my “maga” friends.
Thank you for reading, Mindy!
I have lost friends who I have known for years….but most of all I have to raise a son whose father still supports Trump and has a sticker on his car celebrating his choice. 😖
I worry for our sons a lot. Thank you for reading and sharing, Elizabeth.