It is from reading America, America along with Dr. Richardson and Joyce Vance that allows me to feel less alone. Not just the writings by the authors but by those who respond and create a conversation. A feeling of community is created.
The dramatic symbol of America, and democracy, is the American flag. However it has been coopted by the criminal ex-president and his clan. From his dramatic hugging of the flag to using it as a backdrop at many of his appearances. It is mixed in with flags with his name on it at local events. Frankly when I see it on vehicles I assume it is a supporter of his. We must reclaim our flag as a symbol of our country and of democracy.
We are less than two months from Flag Day, June 14th. Steven, I propose that on Flag Day that we all display the flag. To do so with pride.
I have to say that I have been so discouraged lately that I have found it hard to read the never-ending tales of Trump’s court antics and the Putin wing of the GOP’s perverse efforts to subvert our democracy. And yet, as you say, the flicker of hope that was the vote to fund Ukraine renews my courage and brings me so much joy in this joyless political desert…Hurray!! The Trumpist avalanche may have all but buried me, but the dogs of democracy have sniffed out the survivors and rescued us in this vote…and in the diminished presence of Trump in the courtroom where he has no control over the outcome, finally, wholly, and at last. I’m actually feeling much more hopeful than I have in a long time. Maybe the epidemic of Trumpism will finally lessen its grip, since some Republican leaders have come to their senses. Finally, it seems…and perhaps, it’s not too late to save what is left of our democracy!?
I have faced much of life alone as we all do, but I have never felt lonely. I grew up as an only child, siblings being 10 & 14 years older, but I had parents and friends. I faced cancer, a heart attack & a car accident, but I had excellent doctors (one summa cum laude-Harvard Med). There are days when I see no one,speak to no one, but I have books. There have been at least 8 times that I could have unwillingly left this earth, but I had God, too many times for them to all have been coincidences.
Politically, I may be surrounded at work by trump followers, but I am not lonely. I know there are millions who believe as I do, that there are more Democrats than what passes as Republicans.
America has survived through Valley Forge, Antietam, Omaha Beach, Pearl Harbor, assassinations, pandemics, Joseph McCarthy, the Soviet Union , Dick Nixon, 4 years of donald trump, and now, even maybe TikTok. I do not wake up fretting, weeping, worrying. What good does that do? What are you afraid of? Oh ye, of little faith? America's history shows that cracks that occur , fill in. We shall overcome.
Thank you, Stephen, for such a beautiful and thorough piece of writing . Your clarity and commitment to genuine democracy and its inclusivity is an inspiring and grounding reminder. “Still We Rise!”
Thank you for accurately referring to Trump’s current trial as the “election interference trial” and not the “hush money case” as most media misleadingly do. People need to understand that he is on trial for interfering in the 2016 election, not for paying someone off.
You gotta wonder what Mike Johnson heard from CIA Director, Bill Burns (Re: Trump) in his recent security briefing that prompted such a 180 on the Ukraine funding issue. Something really jolted him.
I refuse to believe that Trump and his cult followers are the voice of the majority of Americans. Their weekly displays of depravity may be loud and amplified by an attention hungry media and anti-democratic leaders around the world, but they do not represent the core values our country stands for and lives by. There are still groups like America, America and smart clear thinking voices around us if we listen carefully. Not all is lost, not even our flag.
Finally breathing a little easier, and your work and the responses to your work are comforting. As I replied to a comment yesterday, I am still very concerned that the MAGAs, especially in red states like Tennessee, have so dumbed down our public education systems that they are not even offering courses relating to what we called back in the dark ages when I was in school called civics, or how government works at all levels. I have met several young people who appear to be smart who aren't sure how our infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities) are created, or how laws are passed, or what are the responsibilities and state and local governments in their communities. No wonder they don't vote - THEY DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHY!!! The MAGAs can't handle the truth.
I just upgraded to a paid subscription when you offered the discount over the weekend. I've been so exhausted and angry, doing what I can to resist Trump, ever since he came down the golden escalator in 2015. And if often feels like screaming into an abyss when confronted with the reality that he's actually able to run for office again, seems to be leading in many polls, bolstered by the fact that so many people still seem to believe and support him. I look forward to engaging with others in this community since we're all in this together. Thank you for the opportunity!
Twenty years ago I retired from a thirty-three-year career of teaching middle school. It was important to teach my students to respect each other and never “make fun” or participate in name-calling. These are two rules our former occupant of the White House did not learn either in school or from his parents.
When one is a “bully” he or she must criticize others to elicit fear. Their negative self-image means they must pretend to be stronger and more intelligent than anyone else when in fact they are very insecure and afraid of losing control. Bullies also want others to follow them. They need to feel important.
As a community of grateful Americans who love democracy, we must stand united and vote to defeat the bullies of this country and the world.
Your words are very calming, Steven. I don’t know about you but in my house, my parents always talked about politics. They informed my sister and me where they stood and why. It wasn’t hard since they were both Holocaust victims who owned a clothing store in a Southern Baptist town.
Thanks for positive, intellectual and thoughtful words. Interesting how our state's very red governor said when the reds threw out a long-tern AG said the same, "she needed her own AG."
Thank you for this outstanding piece, Steven, you have really hit the nail on the head here. I wish every single American would read this article. I am grateful to you for your inspiring words during these challenging times for our country. I hope that America can rise to the challenge, as it has in the past
Shared Steven. Thank you for all your works. Joyce is right. We are truly all in this together. Maybe the Promised Land is closer than we hoped. Love come quickly.
It is from reading America, America along with Dr. Richardson and Joyce Vance that allows me to feel less alone. Not just the writings by the authors but by those who respond and create a conversation. A feeling of community is created.
The dramatic symbol of America, and democracy, is the American flag. However it has been coopted by the criminal ex-president and his clan. From his dramatic hugging of the flag to using it as a backdrop at many of his appearances. It is mixed in with flags with his name on it at local events. Frankly when I see it on vehicles I assume it is a supporter of his. We must reclaim our flag as a symbol of our country and of democracy.
We are less than two months from Flag Day, June 14th. Steven, I propose that on Flag Day that we all display the flag. To do so with pride.
I have to say that I have been so discouraged lately that I have found it hard to read the never-ending tales of Trump’s court antics and the Putin wing of the GOP’s perverse efforts to subvert our democracy. And yet, as you say, the flicker of hope that was the vote to fund Ukraine renews my courage and brings me so much joy in this joyless political desert…Hurray!! The Trumpist avalanche may have all but buried me, but the dogs of democracy have sniffed out the survivors and rescued us in this vote…and in the diminished presence of Trump in the courtroom where he has no control over the outcome, finally, wholly, and at last. I’m actually feeling much more hopeful than I have in a long time. Maybe the epidemic of Trumpism will finally lessen its grip, since some Republican leaders have come to their senses. Finally, it seems…and perhaps, it’s not too late to save what is left of our democracy!?
I have faced much of life alone as we all do, but I have never felt lonely. I grew up as an only child, siblings being 10 & 14 years older, but I had parents and friends. I faced cancer, a heart attack & a car accident, but I had excellent doctors (one summa cum laude-Harvard Med). There are days when I see no one,speak to no one, but I have books. There have been at least 8 times that I could have unwillingly left this earth, but I had God, too many times for them to all have been coincidences.
Politically, I may be surrounded at work by trump followers, but I am not lonely. I know there are millions who believe as I do, that there are more Democrats than what passes as Republicans.
America has survived through Valley Forge, Antietam, Omaha Beach, Pearl Harbor, assassinations, pandemics, Joseph McCarthy, the Soviet Union , Dick Nixon, 4 years of donald trump, and now, even maybe TikTok. I do not wake up fretting, weeping, worrying. What good does that do? What are you afraid of? Oh ye, of little faith? America's history shows that cracks that occur , fill in. We shall overcome.
Thank you, Stephen, for such a beautiful and thorough piece of writing . Your clarity and commitment to genuine democracy and its inclusivity is an inspiring and grounding reminder. “Still We Rise!”
Thank you for accurately referring to Trump’s current trial as the “election interference trial” and not the “hush money case” as most media misleadingly do. People need to understand that he is on trial for interfering in the 2016 election, not for paying someone off.
You gotta wonder what Mike Johnson heard from CIA Director, Bill Burns (Re: Trump) in his recent security briefing that prompted such a 180 on the Ukraine funding issue. Something really jolted him.
Conspiracy theory? No, just an observation.
I refuse to believe that Trump and his cult followers are the voice of the majority of Americans. Their weekly displays of depravity may be loud and amplified by an attention hungry media and anti-democratic leaders around the world, but they do not represent the core values our country stands for and lives by. There are still groups like America, America and smart clear thinking voices around us if we listen carefully. Not all is lost, not even our flag.
Finally breathing a little easier, and your work and the responses to your work are comforting. As I replied to a comment yesterday, I am still very concerned that the MAGAs, especially in red states like Tennessee, have so dumbed down our public education systems that they are not even offering courses relating to what we called back in the dark ages when I was in school called civics, or how government works at all levels. I have met several young people who appear to be smart who aren't sure how our infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities) are created, or how laws are passed, or what are the responsibilities and state and local governments in their communities. No wonder they don't vote - THEY DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHY!!! The MAGAs can't handle the truth.
Looking at a beautiful morning, I am grateful that I don't have to spend today in a courtroom.
I just upgraded to a paid subscription when you offered the discount over the weekend. I've been so exhausted and angry, doing what I can to resist Trump, ever since he came down the golden escalator in 2015. And if often feels like screaming into an abyss when confronted with the reality that he's actually able to run for office again, seems to be leading in many polls, bolstered by the fact that so many people still seem to believe and support him. I look forward to engaging with others in this community since we're all in this together. Thank you for the opportunity!
Twenty years ago I retired from a thirty-three-year career of teaching middle school. It was important to teach my students to respect each other and never “make fun” or participate in name-calling. These are two rules our former occupant of the White House did not learn either in school or from his parents.
When one is a “bully” he or she must criticize others to elicit fear. Their negative self-image means they must pretend to be stronger and more intelligent than anyone else when in fact they are very insecure and afraid of losing control. Bullies also want others to follow them. They need to feel important.
As a community of grateful Americans who love democracy, we must stand united and vote to defeat the bullies of this country and the world.
Your words are very calming, Steven. I don’t know about you but in my house, my parents always talked about politics. They informed my sister and me where they stood and why. It wasn’t hard since they were both Holocaust victims who owned a clothing store in a Southern Baptist town.
Thanks for positive, intellectual and thoughtful words. Interesting how our state's very red governor said when the reds threw out a long-tern AG said the same, "she needed her own AG."
Thank you for this outstanding piece, Steven, you have really hit the nail on the head here. I wish every single American would read this article. I am grateful to you for your inspiring words during these challenging times for our country. I hope that America can rise to the challenge, as it has in the past
You’re not preaching to the choir, you’re working diligently to recruit more choir members!
Shared Steven. Thank you for all your works. Joyce is right. We are truly all in this together. Maybe the Promised Land is closer than we hoped. Love come quickly.