Thank you so much for this. As an American, I am so sorry for the mess we've made in your backyard. I'm just sick about it all, trying to get on with this one life. I don't understand what happened, but I believe in my heart that there must be more of us who choose light than darkness. Ian Bassin, a former White House counsel who is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization Protect Democracy, wrote: “There’s no way around the devastating reality of what has happened. We now enter an even more challenging time. But remember this: authoritarianism feeds on hopelessness, loneliness and despair. We must lean into agency, community and love. As much as you can, go there.” Agency, community, and love.💚
You were right when you said you shouldn’t be writing this. There are many of us who have lived with dread , fear and angst for 4 years. And trust me when I say we are soooo tired of the complaining of the side that leans left. Everyone has a right to their opinion and vote. Calling people names with such arrogance who voted for Trump reflects speaks volumes of yEnjoying your writings up to now.
I am not an American but if you will permit me, I have a question about your recent election: Why do you think so many Americans voted for Trump when clearly the response to your piece, Alice, is so full of fear and heartbreak?
alice,if you are still feeling a wreck , friends are still shattered and your hands are still hovering over the key board , you might want to consider delaying the Irish Yank story a bit longer and right our dispirited souls with your insights and perspectives to offer some sort of balm to this continuing seismic activity.
Yes, you should be writing this; we all need to sound the alarm. Autocratic style governments seem to be taking hold of countries throughout the world. It's helpful to hear others affirm what so many of us are feeling.
I'm still trying to reconcile with the fact that Trump, as a convicted felon, was able to run for office. Then there's the people who approve of and voted for him at the expense of democracy itself. I grew up feeling a lot of pride in my homeland, but over time I began to see red flags. After this disastrous election I'm ashamed to call myself an American, which really breaks my heart. 💔
What is also awful is the Western European governments and the media suggesting how they will learn to cope with Trump (isn’t that called appeasement still), and maybe they can sit this Trump 2.0 out as well as Trump 1.0. Spineless. While we in Eastern Europe run all the risks of Ukraine failing to win the war with Russia.
Depressing to find American home-grown oligarchs thinking they can govern with him.
I appreciate you diverging from your normal programming. At "a considerable age", we have each seen and experienced enough history to understand how the pendulum swings. This, however, is a huge blow. Lots of emotions for me, the greatest of which is a sense of betrayal and grief. We each need time to mourn. We lost so much from 2017-2020 due to this man. And there is much more to come.
back to "considerable age" - I have often said that the 2000 election restored my faith in our American system: Al Gore clearly won, the Florida ballot recount fiasco was scandalous, and the Supreme Court failed when they handed the presidency to Bush. However, (as I have said), our country did not fall apart, we did not erupt into a civil war.
I can no longer look to this moment with such rosy positivity. Democrats are always so civil (of which I am proud) but to our detriment. America, as I have known it, is over. Yes, our government system holds - for the moment. What comes next, just as his last term, will be unprecedented in a pretty awful way. :(
Even though I'm on the other side of the planet, the sadness and pain is felt here too but I do agree with Tom Browne's excellent observations below. Previous administrations have not addressed the underlying issues and this is happening all over the world. Everyone wants cheap imports boosting the wealth of other economies, (not their fault) which eventually erodes local manufacturing and jobs. People once employed in decent, honest work, now act like robots in hideous Amazon warehouses, mind-numbing jobs, if you can even find one. In a wealthy country like America, why didn't previous administrations ensure equal opportunity for quality education because that's how you create smart citizens who will can tell the difference between the truth and a lie. When people are scared, they act out. The other thing governments all over the world are hopeless at doing and that is controlling social media and online content. That's when the world started to go pear-shaped. Just my few cents worth.
Alice, it is a very sad day for our country. Having campaigned in North Carolina for Kamala & Tim, it seemed that we could defeat this totally disconnected brain from our society and the world. Unfortunately, we have a serious set of people problems here. I share your thoughts, and I'm still trying to figure out why this happened. Thank you for expressing your thoughts! Daryl
Apologies to the Irish Yank but I’m very glad you tabled it for this. It’s been a devastating week, both for the results and for the many who wanted this outcome. I’m walking around very skeptical of everyone around me - and I live in Northern California! Grieving many things, esp some friendships I will no longer be able to keep. Thanks for your voice out there, Alice.
Thanks, my wife wendy pologe who went to ECSC with jonathan and I are having a rough time. Wendy worked the polls on election day in Milwaukee wi. Amazing how there's no fraud outcries. Take care. Trying for camp reunion in 2025.
Alice, I'm with you. Trump is hateful, immoral and vulgar. Time and again he has shown he is loyal to nothing and no one. How can anyone believe in him?
Thank you so much for this. As an American, I am so sorry for the mess we've made in your backyard. I'm just sick about it all, trying to get on with this one life. I don't understand what happened, but I believe in my heart that there must be more of us who choose light than darkness. Ian Bassin, a former White House counsel who is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization Protect Democracy, wrote: “There’s no way around the devastating reality of what has happened. We now enter an even more challenging time. But remember this: authoritarianism feeds on hopelessness, loneliness and despair. We must lean into agency, community and love. As much as you can, go there.” Agency, community, and love.💚
You were right when you said you shouldn’t be writing this. There are many of us who have lived with dread , fear and angst for 4 years. And trust me when I say we are soooo tired of the complaining of the side that leans left. Everyone has a right to their opinion and vote. Calling people names with such arrogance who voted for Trump reflects speaks volumes of yEnjoying your writings up to now.
I am tired of people dismissive of my legitimate thoughts and feelings.
I am not an American but if you will permit me, I have a question about your recent election: Why do you think so many Americans voted for Trump when clearly the response to your piece, Alice, is so full of fear and heartbreak?
alice,if you are still feeling a wreck , friends are still shattered and your hands are still hovering over the key board , you might want to consider delaying the Irish Yank story a bit longer and right our dispirited souls with your insights and perspectives to offer some sort of balm to this continuing seismic activity.
Mary Anne Ferguson
Yes, you should be writing this; we all need to sound the alarm. Autocratic style governments seem to be taking hold of countries throughout the world. It's helpful to hear others affirm what so many of us are feeling.
I'm still trying to reconcile with the fact that Trump, as a convicted felon, was able to run for office. Then there's the people who approve of and voted for him at the expense of democracy itself. I grew up feeling a lot of pride in my homeland, but over time I began to see red flags. After this disastrous election I'm ashamed to call myself an American, which really breaks my heart. 💔
Thanks, exactly how I feel…I could not have said it any better
Thanks for expressing what so many of us feel.
What is also awful is the Western European governments and the media suggesting how they will learn to cope with Trump (isn’t that called appeasement still), and maybe they can sit this Trump 2.0 out as well as Trump 1.0. Spineless. While we in Eastern Europe run all the risks of Ukraine failing to win the war with Russia.
Depressing to find American home-grown oligarchs thinking they can govern with him.
I appreciate you diverging from your normal programming. At "a considerable age", we have each seen and experienced enough history to understand how the pendulum swings. This, however, is a huge blow. Lots of emotions for me, the greatest of which is a sense of betrayal and grief. We each need time to mourn. We lost so much from 2017-2020 due to this man. And there is much more to come.
back to "considerable age" - I have often said that the 2000 election restored my faith in our American system: Al Gore clearly won, the Florida ballot recount fiasco was scandalous, and the Supreme Court failed when they handed the presidency to Bush. However, (as I have said), our country did not fall apart, we did not erupt into a civil war.
I can no longer look to this moment with such rosy positivity. Democrats are always so civil (of which I am proud) but to our detriment. America, as I have known it, is over. Yes, our government system holds - for the moment. What comes next, just as his last term, will be unprecedented in a pretty awful way. :(
Even though I'm on the other side of the planet, the sadness and pain is felt here too but I do agree with Tom Browne's excellent observations below. Previous administrations have not addressed the underlying issues and this is happening all over the world. Everyone wants cheap imports boosting the wealth of other economies, (not their fault) which eventually erodes local manufacturing and jobs. People once employed in decent, honest work, now act like robots in hideous Amazon warehouses, mind-numbing jobs, if you can even find one. In a wealthy country like America, why didn't previous administrations ensure equal opportunity for quality education because that's how you create smart citizens who will can tell the difference between the truth and a lie. When people are scared, they act out. The other thing governments all over the world are hopeless at doing and that is controlling social media and online content. That's when the world started to go pear-shaped. Just my few cents worth.
Alice, it is a very sad day for our country. Having campaigned in North Carolina for Kamala & Tim, it seemed that we could defeat this totally disconnected brain from our society and the world. Unfortunately, we have a serious set of people problems here. I share your thoughts, and I'm still trying to figure out why this happened. Thank you for expressing your thoughts! Daryl
Alice, Thank you!
Apologies to the Irish Yank but I’m very glad you tabled it for this. It’s been a devastating week, both for the results and for the many who wanted this outcome. I’m walking around very skeptical of everyone around me - and I live in Northern California! Grieving many things, esp some friendships I will no longer be able to keep. Thanks for your voice out there, Alice.
Thanks, my wife wendy pologe who went to ECSC with jonathan and I are having a rough time. Wendy worked the polls on election day in Milwaukee wi. Amazing how there's no fraud outcries. Take care. Trying for camp reunion in 2025.
Alice, I'm with you. Trump is hateful, immoral and vulgar. Time and again he has shown he is loyal to nothing and no one. How can anyone believe in him?
Thank you for your post. It resonates with a lot of us.