We hear your frustration, Walter. But know, that your outrage, your vulnerability is a balm to so many of us who, like me, are exhausted by the hate, the violence, and the mind-boggling stupidity.
I agree with you D Kitterman. Thank you Mr Rhein for saying what many of us are feeling, the disgust and fear, the stupidity that is spewed in media, the hatred of the maga party! All the rhetoric that encourages psychotic prevalence. We have to shout ,"ENOUGH" at every opportunity.
For me, it's almost equally bad the way our community completely failed to learn anything from this senseless act. But that's reflected in a lot of the attitude in the USA.
Down here in the South, toxic masculinity is ALL TOO REAL. My cousin's husband even apologized for weeping & showing sorrow at the funeral of his DAUGHTER.
My father basically told me to " be a man " when I was a young boy feeling intense pain from a LARGE SPLINTER in the sole of my foot.
This same father wept at my older brother's grave, saying " I never told him I loved him ". TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, old man..... He saved up his grief for the anniversary of my brother's death, when he'd actually show some freaking HUMAN VULNERABILITY. Other than that, he was a STATUE.
I've had to deal with similar things. I've had to work through the effects such an attitude has had on my own psyche. If you want to write these stories, please let me know. That sounds like the type of thing that would do well on Medium. It's been a great help to me to share my own stories there. It's interesting to hear about the similarities and the differences in how people were raised in different parts of the USA.
Oh, BTW, he'd talk about his time in the Navy in the Pacific, WW 2, & very often, he'd be the HERO of these little vignettes, such as sobering up a drunken chaplain who he retrieved from a Pacific island village. These stories sound like dear ol' dad was gilding the lily.
Out of that abhorrent act, I feel hope. Your outrage and absolute certainty that you're done with that shit and want, no, insist on something different for America, gives me hope that there must be others out there feeling the same. Behind all the lunacy there are decent people who will no longer tolerate this state of affairs. I'm deeply sorry for the trauma your community, and countless other communities, has suffered.
There’s no respect for female lives - 68 yr old female…….it’s been this way my entire life. Maybe 5 males in my life that I actually respected, and at this point I avoid the male gender as much as possible 🥺
It's unfortunate that our society is like that. Thank you for sharing your perspective. I get so many people who claim they don't believe me. We need to drown out the doubters with the truth and do better.
Is it ironic that so many on the right show such blustering fake masculinity only to be brought to tears when they understand that people don’t like them because of it? We really never seem to get beyond the playground.
Thank you, Walter, for writing this, sharing your grief so eloquently. Thank you for allowing us into your life. As I read, I felt the tears well up, as they are even now and will every time I think of that little girl. I share in your grief. I wish I could just envelope and your family in a big hug.
I can only imagine how terrifying it is to try to plan to always safeguard your girls and keep them safe. I also grieve with you for the loss of their childhood innocence.
Thank you for giving me permission to delete those people from my life who still rationalize identifying with Trump and all his flying monkeys. I'm really fed up with people making excuses for them, defending them to me, and trying to make me and many, many others out to be the bad guys.
Thank you Lydia. I was traumatized by this for about 6 months and I really didn't realize what was happening to me. I remain over protective, but I'm doing better managing it now. Yes, get away from those trump supporters. They're such an anchor on your chance at happiness. Thanks for your kind words!
Thanks for sharing this! You are correct about it! We have a real problem in this nation! I wonder what would happen if they got their moment. Keep fighting!
We hear your frustration, Walter. But know, that your outrage, your vulnerability is a balm to so many of us who, like me, are exhausted by the hate, the violence, and the mind-boggling stupidity.
Thank you for saying that!
I agree with you D Kitterman. Thank you Mr Rhein for saying what many of us are feeling, the disgust and fear, the stupidity that is spewed in media, the hatred of the maga party! All the rhetoric that encourages psychotic prevalence. We have to shout ,"ENOUGH" at every opportunity.
Jeeesus christ. What a horrific act. That poor baby.
For me, it's almost equally bad the way our community completely failed to learn anything from this senseless act. But that's reflected in a lot of the attitude in the USA.
Agreed!
Down here in the South, toxic masculinity is ALL TOO REAL. My cousin's husband even apologized for weeping & showing sorrow at the funeral of his DAUGHTER.
My father basically told me to " be a man " when I was a young boy feeling intense pain from a LARGE SPLINTER in the sole of my foot.
This same father wept at my older brother's grave, saying " I never told him I loved him ". TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, old man..... He saved up his grief for the anniversary of my brother's death, when he'd actually show some freaking HUMAN VULNERABILITY. Other than that, he was a STATUE.
I've had to deal with similar things. I've had to work through the effects such an attitude has had on my own psyche. If you want to write these stories, please let me know. That sounds like the type of thing that would do well on Medium. It's been a great help to me to share my own stories there. It's interesting to hear about the similarities and the differences in how people were raised in different parts of the USA.
I SHALL.
Oh, BTW, he'd talk about his time in the Navy in the Pacific, WW 2, & very often, he'd be the HERO of these little vignettes, such as sobering up a drunken chaplain who he retrieved from a Pacific island village. These stories sound like dear ol' dad was gilding the lily.
Your memories of those stories and what they mean to you now sounds like a really interesting thing to explore.
It was a bit complex. He'd tell me not to get so angry / frustrated about this or then he'd pitch a fit about something himself !
Yup! I know that behavior well!
" Losest not THY SHIT, but complainest thou not if I loseth mine..... ".
This is kinda therapeutic / cathartic, I have to say.....
I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. Make sure you take care of yourself, too.
Thanks, I'm feeling better now. This event happened two years ago, but the trauma remains.
Out of that abhorrent act, I feel hope. Your outrage and absolute certainty that you're done with that shit and want, no, insist on something different for America, gives me hope that there must be others out there feeling the same. Behind all the lunacy there are decent people who will no longer tolerate this state of affairs. I'm deeply sorry for the trauma your community, and countless other communities, has suffered.
Thank you for that kind comment!
There’s no respect for female lives - 68 yr old female…….it’s been this way my entire life. Maybe 5 males in my life that I actually respected, and at this point I avoid the male gender as much as possible 🥺
It's unfortunate that our society is like that. Thank you for sharing your perspective. I get so many people who claim they don't believe me. We need to drown out the doubters with the truth and do better.
Those are the people who should be locked up.
Without question!
Is it ironic that so many on the right show such blustering fake masculinity only to be brought to tears when they understand that people don’t like them because of it? We really never seem to get beyond the playground.
Yeah, they're the biggest crybabies of them all.
A large minority in our country is narcissistic. How do we cure narcissism? Put them in camps? Build walls around our hearts? I don't know..
Stop electing them to the office of president for one thing.
The GOP’s Racism Broke AI
If You Vote For a Racist, You Are a Racist
https://substack.com/home/post/p-150895632?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Your outrage is totally justified! Imagine if this is only the beginning. It cannot happen! Dignity, respect, and safety for all is on the ballot!!!
So sad.
Thank you, Walter, for writing this, sharing your grief so eloquently. Thank you for allowing us into your life. As I read, I felt the tears well up, as they are even now and will every time I think of that little girl. I share in your grief. I wish I could just envelope and your family in a big hug.
I can only imagine how terrifying it is to try to plan to always safeguard your girls and keep them safe. I also grieve with you for the loss of their childhood innocence.
Thank you for giving me permission to delete those people from my life who still rationalize identifying with Trump and all his flying monkeys. I'm really fed up with people making excuses for them, defending them to me, and trying to make me and many, many others out to be the bad guys.
Thank you Lydia. I was traumatized by this for about 6 months and I really didn't realize what was happening to me. I remain over protective, but I'm doing better managing it now. Yes, get away from those trump supporters. They're such an anchor on your chance at happiness. Thanks for your kind words!
Thanks for sharing this! You are correct about it! We have a real problem in this nation! I wonder what would happen if they got their moment. Keep fighting!
Thanks for reading and for restacking!
I’m sorry this happened&you, your family,community, & worse the girl’s family.
Those in the truck displayed no humanity. Deplorable is the kindest word I could use to describe these people.
Is disrupting a memorial for a raped&murdered child deemed Pro Trump?
It is the kind of behavior they regularly engage in.
Yes
I am heartbroken for that poor child and am standing clapping loudly, with real tears, at your brilliant, courageous article. Thank you.