Thank you for speaking up for kindness. This is no time for recriminations. As Heather Cox Richardson also pointed out, many of the people who voted for trvmp are going to suffer from the things his government (even after trmp himself gets pushed aside) will do. The energy should go into supporting each other and looking for more ways to counter disinformation.
Fox "News" has done incalculable damage to our nation. Their years of spin and outright lying has corrupted the minds of many. But the idea of "free speech" is wielded by the libertarian wannabes to bolster the lies. More parties who have been harmed by Fox and their ilk need to hold them accountable, like Dominion. Other nations have no problem discerning between so-called free speech and dangerous hate speech. Australia recently canceled conspiracy theorist/hatemonger Candace Owens's speaking engagement because of her troublemaking. Aussies are much smarter than we are.
"no time for recriminations" Actually, it is time for some. You hate us and think our families are subhuman. I think Trump ought to do unto your families what you clearly wanted to do to ours.
"It's frustrating that Biden never received credit for building the greatest economy the world has ever seen." His biographers of the future will no doubt see to that....
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this unsettled time. We each have to deal with the election results as best we can. Speaking only for myself, I’m looking forward to a break from writing about politics. Having said that, I have no intention of rolling over and letting the fascists take over our country without resistance. I need some time to let the dust settle for a bit, though.
Yes, we will not surrender to fascism. We will not allow the evil GQP, who I think we should call the American Taliban, to even further erode freedom and individual rights.
Thank you for this. I made a mean (out of character) comment that I deleted the next day. Emotions were high. I don't want that to be who I become. I appreciate that you reminded us to focus on who needs our help. I need someplace to positively refocus my energy.
I’ve made my share of mean comments too, but I’m trying to do better. These hard lessons teach us a lot about ourselves. Thanks for your comment Becky!
Be gentle with yourself first. I’m sure your wife has some thoughts too. All the best for your Birkie training. I love the writing you do that looks to the good, not because its ‘soft’ or ‘nice’ but because it radical.
Thank you Michelle! I hope I’ll have the strength to do the Birkie when it rolls around. It’s becoming more and more important to me. I appreciate you!
I also feel somewhat better today. And I like that you mentioned "resolve." That's the mood I'm trying to cultivate so that I can say I've taken more aggressive action to combat the hatred that seems to have possessed our country.
Congratulations, Walter, on being a great husband and father. After the difficult circumstances in your childhood, you are a kind and gentle person. I agree with you 100% that conservatives relentlessly gin up the anger and resentment using half-truths and outright lies, whereas the liberals do not message well on their accomplishments and the fact that nearly every societal and economic advancement of rights and prosperity are liberal ideas. This election has been a shocking example that hatred, fear, racism, xenophobia, and doomsaying are more effective with enough of the voters than positive vision, hope, joy, optimism, pragmatism, compassion. What a sad commentary on our national psyche and even more so, our national character.
Funny how you want to "cool the temperature" after calling me and my family "magats", saying that you hate us and want our families to suffer and be ostracized. You have called us "broken" and "pathetic" and said that our parents must be abusive (thus implying the state should have put them in prison). You hate us, you have said many times that you have burning, undying hate for Trump supporters. Well I hate you back. I hope Trump makes your family suffer. I hope Trump treats your family like the subhumans you wanted us to be treated as. I hope your daughter suffers, I hope your daughter has an ectopic pregnancy and can't receive medical care. Wow, what a terrible thing to say? Yeah, tell that to the democrat voters who said it about Trump voters 2 years ago on Reddit. Tell that to the democrat voters who are saying it now. I hope you suffer. I wish Trump really was as bad as all the lies claim he is. You call us "magats", I call you subhuman cockroaches.
Unfortunately, Trump probably won't do any of that, because he is a conservative Democrat. All Trump is trying to do is renegotiate the political agreements of neoliberalism, i.e. he is a self-aware bonapartist. Freaks hate Trump because he is even daring to suggest that political circumstances can be changed.
You are an illiterate babyman who exhibits all the hallmarks of Adorno's authoritarian personality. The obsession with "crime and punishment" and "national security", the hysteria over a protest in a government building and the conspiracy theories about Russia. The endless crowing over "experts", as though "expertise" is not an ideological construct that is just as controlled by capitalism as anything else. What "experts" say is true is entirely a function of political power. This is something any first year student understands after his first Foucault reading.
Courts do not find truths, they construct facts. This is basic politics 101 - the separation of society and the state. Only a fascist freak would care that Trump has been "convicted" of "felonies".
The hatred of free speech, and of guns, is objectively counter-revolutionary. You are a reactionary.
Thank you for speaking up for kindness. This is no time for recriminations. As Heather Cox Richardson also pointed out, many of the people who voted for trvmp are going to suffer from the things his government (even after trmp himself gets pushed aside) will do. The energy should go into supporting each other and looking for more ways to counter disinformation.
I would feel comforted if some politicians began to speak out on the issue of disinformation. It's like they're pretending it's not even there.
Fox "News" has done incalculable damage to our nation. Their years of spin and outright lying has corrupted the minds of many. But the idea of "free speech" is wielded by the libertarian wannabes to bolster the lies. More parties who have been harmed by Fox and their ilk need to hold them accountable, like Dominion. Other nations have no problem discerning between so-called free speech and dangerous hate speech. Australia recently canceled conspiracy theorist/hatemonger Candace Owens's speaking engagement because of her troublemaking. Aussies are much smarter than we are.
You are a fascist and you should look up "Mussolini gas station" to find out what ought to happen to "people" like you.
"no time for recriminations" Actually, it is time for some. You hate us and think our families are subhuman. I think Trump ought to do unto your families what you clearly wanted to do to ours.
"It's frustrating that Biden never received credit for building the greatest economy the world has ever seen." His biographers of the future will no doubt see to that....
Yeah... hindsight is 20/20
In times like this kindness is the most important message, and also the most difficult message, thank you for reminding us all of that
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this unsettled time. We each have to deal with the election results as best we can. Speaking only for myself, I’m looking forward to a break from writing about politics. Having said that, I have no intention of rolling over and letting the fascists take over our country without resistance. I need some time to let the dust settle for a bit, though.
That's good, I'm glad you're ready to take the next step!
Yes, we will not surrender to fascism. We will not allow the evil GQP, who I think we should call the American Taliban, to even further erode freedom and individual rights.
Well said ..
We are with you. Be the light, not the judge.
You have great value to provide. Remover your legacy and work everyday to enhance it.
I will too.
Thank you!
Thank you for this. I made a mean (out of character) comment that I deleted the next day. Emotions were high. I don't want that to be who I become. I appreciate that you reminded us to focus on who needs our help. I need someplace to positively refocus my energy.
I’ve made my share of mean comments too, but I’m trying to do better. These hard lessons teach us a lot about ourselves. Thanks for your comment Becky!
Be gentle with yourself first. I’m sure your wife has some thoughts too. All the best for your Birkie training. I love the writing you do that looks to the good, not because its ‘soft’ or ‘nice’ but because it radical.
Thank you Michelle! I hope I’ll have the strength to do the Birkie when it rolls around. It’s becoming more and more important to me. I appreciate you!
Far from weak and passive, kindness and compassion can be revolutionary. Sending solidarity and well wishes to you from Cyprus
Thank you Alexander!
I also feel somewhat better today. And I like that you mentioned "resolve." That's the mood I'm trying to cultivate so that I can say I've taken more aggressive action to combat the hatred that seems to have possessed our country.
We just have to persist and be an example of kindness and compassion. Thanks Janice!
Thank you. My brain and soul needed to digest these words this morning.
Thanks. We have a long path to healing first, and then that path transitions to the way of progress.
Your writing has and will continue to be a lifeline for many. Healing starting with those closest to me first!
Congratulations, Walter, on being a great husband and father. After the difficult circumstances in your childhood, you are a kind and gentle person. I agree with you 100% that conservatives relentlessly gin up the anger and resentment using half-truths and outright lies, whereas the liberals do not message well on their accomplishments and the fact that nearly every societal and economic advancement of rights and prosperity are liberal ideas. This election has been a shocking example that hatred, fear, racism, xenophobia, and doomsaying are more effective with enough of the voters than positive vision, hope, joy, optimism, pragmatism, compassion. What a sad commentary on our national psyche and even more so, our national character.
Thank you so much. I hope that we survive the challenges ahead. It's going to be tough for everyone.
I think we will survive but we must reverse the recent tide of anger and racism
Funny how you want to "cool the temperature" after calling me and my family "magats", saying that you hate us and want our families to suffer and be ostracized. You have called us "broken" and "pathetic" and said that our parents must be abusive (thus implying the state should have put them in prison). You hate us, you have said many times that you have burning, undying hate for Trump supporters. Well I hate you back. I hope Trump makes your family suffer. I hope Trump treats your family like the subhumans you wanted us to be treated as. I hope your daughter suffers, I hope your daughter has an ectopic pregnancy and can't receive medical care. Wow, what a terrible thing to say? Yeah, tell that to the democrat voters who said it about Trump voters 2 years ago on Reddit. Tell that to the democrat voters who are saying it now. I hope you suffer. I wish Trump really was as bad as all the lies claim he is. You call us "magats", I call you subhuman cockroaches.
Unfortunately, Trump probably won't do any of that, because he is a conservative Democrat. All Trump is trying to do is renegotiate the political agreements of neoliberalism, i.e. he is a self-aware bonapartist. Freaks hate Trump because he is even daring to suggest that political circumstances can be changed.
You are an illiterate babyman who exhibits all the hallmarks of Adorno's authoritarian personality. The obsession with "crime and punishment" and "national security", the hysteria over a protest in a government building and the conspiracy theories about Russia. The endless crowing over "experts", as though "expertise" is not an ideological construct that is just as controlled by capitalism as anything else. What "experts" say is true is entirely a function of political power. This is something any first year student understands after his first Foucault reading.
Courts do not find truths, they construct facts. This is basic politics 101 - the separation of society and the state. Only a fascist freak would care that Trump has been "convicted" of "felonies".
The hatred of free speech, and of guns, is objectively counter-revolutionary. You are a reactionary.