Alan and I left S. Africa in 1966, a year after we were married, because we wouldn't accept apartheid. We tried to emigrate to the US but were rejected. (Phew!) Canada accepted us within 6 weeks we were landed immigrants.
I am a fiercely patriotic Canadian now, and I have always loved the US, so I am broken- hearted, too.
I'm so glad you were in Sacramento, Susie. I saw an image of the crowd there on TV that night so maybe I caught a glimpse of the back of your head or something...
I had to talk myself into it but then I was very glad I went. There were a great many elders in the crowd and everyone was friendly. Minimal police presence.
Oh Susie! your analogy to parenting is spot on. In raising children we always set limits - and sometimes mete out a punishment when that is abused. Criticism for the sake of criticism is never the point, but criticizing our gov't so we can be better ... that is true patriotism.
I also realized that I loved my country and that I had felt it was like a parent--a very flawed one but good enough and open to improve. Now I feel that i not only have a bad parent but one that wants to hurt me and many of my brothers and sisters. It's a terrible feeling and I agree that we must do whatever we can.
So Peggy....We're both struggling with the enormity of the catastrophe. I think it's true that it feels like a family drama writ very large.....But in my experience, I'm the parent. I'm trying to both care for my country and be part of the limit setting that's so necessary to keep America from dying a terrible death.
Glad you are feeling “patriotic.” Like you, I am doing my part, joined my local Indivisible group, making calls, writing emails, etc. However, I am not optimistic. I believe we are undergoing a coups that is succeeding—American style. Impermanence. I guess it’s our turn to be ruled. Lies are truth; freedom is slavery.
Good to hear from you. It's all happening so fast. It's only a month since the inauguration. I'm especially concerned at the moment about the international situation...both Ukraine and Gaza. It's very challenging to hold it all at the same time. Please stay in touch.
Susie, it’s important to win the 3 congressional seats up for election soon. The problem is that Elon Musk works for Putin, Trump is the puppet and China, Russia and The USA Trump/Musk will form a new world order ignoring Europe. We are in a serious period. I’m 80ish also and it’s becoming almost a fire storm soon. It will be about cuts to social security, Medicare and Medicaid. No matter what’s happens our economy is going to become upside down in a very fast way. America needs to wake up quickly or it will be years to recover. Daryl
Some days, I don't know what to focus on...where to concentrate my concern. The international situation is alarming and the real threat to our survival that would result from cutting social security is something I had not prepared for. Anything is possible.
Hi Susie, My voice is not as clear and as strong as yours and I always listen to what you have to say but the country would also be going down horrific paths of violence even if Kamala got in. And our babies and children would ALSO be at high risk. It’s another voice of concern. Mine is not the only voice nor is yours. Yes, we do need to come together……not so much to speak but to listen with empathy and collaborative concern.
Thank you for writing, Patty. I am primarily concerned just now with the dismantling of our system of government and the concentration of agency in the hands of people who have only their own wealth and power in mind. Those issues are foundational. After that, there must, of course, be opportunities for the expression of differences of opinion as well as "empathy and collaborative concern." I really like the way you said that.
So glad to collaborate with you in Sacramento and going forward,.
Alan and I left S. Africa in 1966, a year after we were married, because we wouldn't accept apartheid. We tried to emigrate to the US but were rejected. (Phew!) Canada accepted us within 6 weeks we were landed immigrants.
I am a fiercely patriotic Canadian now, and I have always loved the US, so I am broken- hearted, too.
I didn't know the particulars of your immigration story...how you were rejected by the U.S. Big mistake on the part of my increasingly flawed country.
I'm so glad you were in Sacramento, Susie. I saw an image of the crowd there on TV that night so maybe I caught a glimpse of the back of your head or something...
I had to talk myself into it but then I was very glad I went. There were a great many elders in the crowd and everyone was friendly. Minimal police presence.
Oh Susie! your analogy to parenting is spot on. In raising children we always set limits - and sometimes mete out a punishment when that is abused. Criticism for the sake of criticism is never the point, but criticizing our gov't so we can be better ... that is true patriotism.
They seem so much like rebellious adolescents to me. None of the wisdom or good judgment of adulthood.
I also realized that I loved my country and that I had felt it was like a parent--a very flawed one but good enough and open to improve. Now I feel that i not only have a bad parent but one that wants to hurt me and many of my brothers and sisters. It's a terrible feeling and I agree that we must do whatever we can.
So Peggy....We're both struggling with the enormity of the catastrophe. I think it's true that it feels like a family drama writ very large.....But in my experience, I'm the parent. I'm trying to both care for my country and be part of the limit setting that's so necessary to keep America from dying a terrible death.
Glad you are feeling “patriotic.” Like you, I am doing my part, joined my local Indivisible group, making calls, writing emails, etc. However, I am not optimistic. I believe we are undergoing a coups that is succeeding—American style. Impermanence. I guess it’s our turn to be ruled. Lies are truth; freedom is slavery.
Good to hear from you. It's all happening so fast. It's only a month since the inauguration. I'm especially concerned at the moment about the international situation...both Ukraine and Gaza. It's very challenging to hold it all at the same time. Please stay in touch.
Susie, it’s important to win the 3 congressional seats up for election soon. The problem is that Elon Musk works for Putin, Trump is the puppet and China, Russia and The USA Trump/Musk will form a new world order ignoring Europe. We are in a serious period. I’m 80ish also and it’s becoming almost a fire storm soon. It will be about cuts to social security, Medicare and Medicaid. No matter what’s happens our economy is going to become upside down in a very fast way. America needs to wake up quickly or it will be years to recover. Daryl
Some days, I don't know what to focus on...where to concentrate my concern. The international situation is alarming and the real threat to our survival that would result from cutting social security is something I had not prepared for. Anything is possible.
Hi Susie, My voice is not as clear and as strong as yours and I always listen to what you have to say but the country would also be going down horrific paths of violence even if Kamala got in. And our babies and children would ALSO be at high risk. It’s another voice of concern. Mine is not the only voice nor is yours. Yes, we do need to come together……not so much to speak but to listen with empathy and collaborative concern.
Thank you for writing, Patty. I am primarily concerned just now with the dismantling of our system of government and the concentration of agency in the hands of people who have only their own wealth and power in mind. Those issues are foundational. After that, there must, of course, be opportunities for the expression of differences of opinion as well as "empathy and collaborative concern." I really like the way you said that.
Nice! Thank you for your words.
Lara