I think many of us are continuing to move the marbles, watch the board and resist the urge to stop playing. It also feels like the game may have changed and become Chutes and Ladders…with things of all sorts like the environment, vaccinations etc falling back toward the beginning.
We must not give up nor should we focus on the red herrings being tossed around.
I'm interested to hear which issues you see as red herrings? There's so much going on. I like the idea of watching the board. The configurations change every day.
As a Canadian, Susie, I share your worry and confusion about this alarming turn toward fascism in your beleaguered country. Up to now at least, Canada has been your closest and ally and trading partner. Many of us are behind the 70 million plus Americans who did not vote for this regime. May they prevail in the end.
Thank you, Paula. I hardly know which change in direction to deplore first...the assault on birthright citizenship, the pardons issued to the January 6th insurgents, the plans to deport thousands of people. In the end, it seems that each of us must do something, however small, by way of resistance. I find myself flooded with inspiration for Bishop Budde and Attorney General Tang (?) of Connecticut. Some people are just remarkable.
Daily moral exercise will be important. Building up strength instead of doing something big and scary right out of the box and "throwing your back out."
No. I haven’t heard about a boycott anywhere. I just believe IF people would do it, it would change things. Just dreaming. Think of the Montgomery Boycott! Two years it took, but Black folks forced the bus companies to give in bc they were going broke. We should have boycott for free health care and free public daycare. That would be a good start.
I do think individuals can act—look around their communities and help with what needs help. But that won’t stop Trump’s policies. Only mass consumer boycotts, hurting the economy might, along with getting off social media owned by these guys who are kissing his ring at Mar-a-Lago. It would look like the grape boycott, but much more expansive. If a Trump supporter owns it, boycott it. That would be 1/2 of us.
Are you reading about this somewhere? I'm not sure the almost 1/2 of the public that voted for Biden would upend their way in the world to sign on to this plan. For me personally, it would not be too difficult since I don't buy much stuff to begin with and have been thinking about going off FaceBook for a while because there's very little on there of interest. I did, however, have an eye-opening experience recently. A friend recommended a site where you can buy used books online. It turned out to be owned by Amazon!
I’ve scanned others’ responses here and I’m so glad you decided to start playing marbles with us today, Susie. The diluted drinks and tasteless bread so clearly describe the personal and cultural disappointment you felt, betrayed by the lack of communication about the change of partners on the hotel dance floor.
I read your posts because you speak your truth with authenticity, humility and the power of your craft. Being friends is a delightful fringe benefit.
Really appreciate that you take the time every week to see what I'm up to. Look forward to zooming with you soon. Am I correct that there's no sangha on January 30? Hard to keep track.
Like you, I think many of us are trying to figure out our next move. For me the most effective move might be a mass boycott, shut down the consumer economy that makes up 72% of GDP. But that would require mass action, which seems more than unlikely.
What would that look like? People committing not to buy things? I'm thinking much smaller...Something along the lines of each person devoting an amount of time (each week?) to doing something for the greater good. I want to get back to helping to feed people who live on the street when I get back to California. I'll have to find some other avenue in Minnesota...but it's a start.
I’m with you, Susan. And am profoundly grateful for all the compassionate voices rising up at this time. Let’s hope the freedom to express ourselves in public ways continues unabated in the long haul of this administration. It can easily be seen as doubtful. Terribly sad.
This, "You can feel the global creep." and this, "I am still moving the marbles around the game board. Sometimes they roll onto the floor and disappear, under the couch, leaving me even more clueless than I was before. Trying to figure out my next move." I loved this essay, Susie. So pointed and also so grounded. I've all but stopped reading the news, but I can read your essays. Thank you so much.
I'm really glad to hear that you can still read my writing. I'm curious why you think that is. There's always a dollop of humor and sometimes I'm not sure about that...But, in the end, I know that we need to laugh. I mean, the man, is so ridiculous.
Thanks for connecting today, Paul. We can’t afford to feel alone in this painful time.
I think many of us are continuing to move the marbles, watch the board and resist the urge to stop playing. It also feels like the game may have changed and become Chutes and Ladders…with things of all sorts like the environment, vaccinations etc falling back toward the beginning.
We must not give up nor should we focus on the red herrings being tossed around.
I'm interested to hear which issues you see as red herrings? There's so much going on. I like the idea of watching the board. The configurations change every day.
As a Canadian, Susie, I share your worry and confusion about this alarming turn toward fascism in your beleaguered country. Up to now at least, Canada has been your closest and ally and trading partner. Many of us are behind the 70 million plus Americans who did not vote for this regime. May they prevail in the end.
Thank you, Paula. I hardly know which change in direction to deplore first...the assault on birthright citizenship, the pardons issued to the January 6th insurgents, the plans to deport thousands of people. In the end, it seems that each of us must do something, however small, by way of resistance. I find myself flooded with inspiration for Bishop Budde and Attorney General Tang (?) of Connecticut. Some people are just remarkable.
It's the bending down and retrieving the marbles that is beyond me now. Metaphorically and literally.
Daily moral exercise will be important. Building up strength instead of doing something big and scary right out of the box and "throwing your back out."
No. I haven’t heard about a boycott anywhere. I just believe IF people would do it, it would change things. Just dreaming. Think of the Montgomery Boycott! Two years it took, but Black folks forced the bus companies to give in bc they were going broke. We should have boycott for free health care and free public daycare. That would be a good start.
Gotta dream big.
I do think individuals can act—look around their communities and help with what needs help. But that won’t stop Trump’s policies. Only mass consumer boycotts, hurting the economy might, along with getting off social media owned by these guys who are kissing his ring at Mar-a-Lago. It would look like the grape boycott, but much more expansive. If a Trump supporter owns it, boycott it. That would be 1/2 of us.
Are you reading about this somewhere? I'm not sure the almost 1/2 of the public that voted for Biden would upend their way in the world to sign on to this plan. For me personally, it would not be too difficult since I don't buy much stuff to begin with and have been thinking about going off FaceBook for a while because there's very little on there of interest. I did, however, have an eye-opening experience recently. A friend recommended a site where you can buy used books online. It turned out to be owned by Amazon!
I’ve scanned others’ responses here and I’m so glad you decided to start playing marbles with us today, Susie. The diluted drinks and tasteless bread so clearly describe the personal and cultural disappointment you felt, betrayed by the lack of communication about the change of partners on the hotel dance floor.
I read your posts because you speak your truth with authenticity, humility and the power of your craft. Being friends is a delightful fringe benefit.
Really appreciate that you take the time every week to see what I'm up to. Look forward to zooming with you soon. Am I correct that there's no sangha on January 30? Hard to keep track.
We will have zoom sangha on the 30th after our 2week vacation…♥️🙏
I'm with you - rolling the marbles around.
Mine are forest green. What color are yours?
Like you, I think many of us are trying to figure out our next move. For me the most effective move might be a mass boycott, shut down the consumer economy that makes up 72% of GDP. But that would require mass action, which seems more than unlikely.
What would that look like? People committing not to buy things? I'm thinking much smaller...Something along the lines of each person devoting an amount of time (each week?) to doing something for the greater good. I want to get back to helping to feed people who live on the street when I get back to California. I'll have to find some other avenue in Minnesota...but it's a start.
Red Herrings are things like renaming the Gulf of Mexico ….garners lots of attention but nothing of real substance.
I get it. Thanks for the clarification.
I’m with you, Susan. And am profoundly grateful for all the compassionate voices rising up at this time. Let’s hope the freedom to express ourselves in public ways continues unabated in the long haul of this administration. It can easily be seen as doubtful. Terribly sad.
It will, indeed, be a marathon not a spring. I'm share your gratitude for people like Bishop Budde. I'm proud to be alive on this planet with her.
Good One Susie-Thanks
So glad to hear from you, old friend.
This, "You can feel the global creep." and this, "I am still moving the marbles around the game board. Sometimes they roll onto the floor and disappear, under the couch, leaving me even more clueless than I was before. Trying to figure out my next move." I loved this essay, Susie. So pointed and also so grounded. I've all but stopped reading the news, but I can read your essays. Thank you so much.
I'm really glad to hear that you can still read my writing. I'm curious why you think that is. There's always a dollop of humor and sometimes I'm not sure about that...But, in the end, I know that we need to laugh. I mean, the man, is so ridiculous.