It is another snowy day today. They are not calling for a huge accumulation.
Another cold night tonight. I am tired of winter, but it looks like winter isn't going anywhere for awhile. Tim did wake me up with the news that all we have to do is get to March. Supposedly, a stretch of 40+ degree days are coming.
So. There's something to look forward to. Spring.
We've got our taxes all put together for the preparer. Tim did most of that. This year was a lot easier than it has been, so that was good. We're hoping to drop them off tomorrow, but with president's day, who knows?
I'm going to go off on my own editorial here. (Stop groaning...it's a short one.) People are paying a heavy price for speaking out these days. I've paid a high price on a personal level. I live in a red county. Most of my family are 'red dots'. I don't discuss politics with them. There's no point. I do believe that MAGA is wrong, on a ethical, moral, legal, economic level, and I believe that we are headed into hard times.
Other people are still celebrating. "Everything's great! He's going to replace everything with something bigger, and better, and...."
I'm one of many that don't believe in MAGA fairy tales. In the end, I believe we are going to see the situation devolve very rapidly. As for me and my house, we are doing our level best to prepare for hard times. As Tim and I both see it, if the hard times do not happen, we haven't lost anything by being prepared for hard times. It's not much different from having an emergency kit in your car. You may never need it, but if you do, you'll be happy that you have one.
Some people feel there's honor to being a centrist, or being able to see both sides. That's their choice. I will say that I believe that sometimes wrong is just simply wrong, and we should not try to back away from that, or point our fingers in other directions at other people. Sometimes, it is down right cowardice to refuse to speak up. But...hey...you do you.
Where I have a big problem is someone feeling as if their opinion should affect what I write or what I say. That's wrong.
I don't expect anything I write (or say) to change anybody's mind. What I do believe is that what I write (or say) will encourage others. You're not alone. There are more of us. We're all here.
There are heroes in high places:
https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/week-progressive-wins-february-16
Robert Reich has also written a good column: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/profiles-in-courage
(I'm not sure that all of you will be able to read it. It is a paid subscription.)
There are also heroes in low places.
Where ever you are, whatever your thoughts, I hope that you can be kind.
As always, feel free to leave your own links in the comments.
I voice my opinions on the Book of Faces. I don't scream at others or call names unless you are an elected official behaving in a bad way. The funny part is that most friends, family and neighbors do not react or comment on my posts. But I receive so many private messages from people afraid to speak. I have had several people tell me they follow me on facebook to find out what is going on at our local, state and federal level. I don't post useless memes, I research my posts.
ReplyDeleteI have even had random friend requests (dozens actually) I normally do not respond, but I will either get a private message or a message from another friend asking that I accept them so they can read my page.
One thing that will never be said about me is that I will remain quiet!
I get silence a lot. Polite silence.
DeleteI'm not going to get on your case. I'm with you. I think things will soon fall off the rails as there is no coordinated approach or plans. the emphasis is on destruction.
ReplyDeleteI know that you would not Red. Canada is uniting. I think the only way that things will begin to unite in America is when all the MAGA nonsense begins to bite the MAGA faithful. I have to tell you, Tim is actively rooting for that.
DeleteYou are right..and people should not expect you to change what you say or think.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect world...
DeleteI am lucky to have like quiet like minded friends. Our goal is to be useful during tough times instead of adding our voices to the tumult.
Yes...work quietly and constructively
DeleteYour encouragement for the smarter folks in the U.S. is appreciated. We're scared but it's nice to know others realize how bizarre the Orange Idiot is. I just wish would could stop his burning of democracy. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteYes, I am being provocative but didn't the heavy WWI reparations Germany had to pay lead to the rise of Hitler? So maybe Hitler and his ilk were not totally to blame. There, I am a centrist and I can see both sides, except he was war monger and responsible for the holocaust. There were not two sides to see, and that is how I see what #47 is doing. For me it is a case of 'Are you with him? Or are you against him?'.
ReplyDeleteOne good English custom we seem to retained or picked up is that generally you don't talk about politics with people you don't know, or even those who you do know. After an anti government rant to me by a cafe owner during lockdown, I never returned. More recently with a local state byelection, I noted the conservative candidate in a florist, chatting to the owner who I knew by sight. I won't be patronising his business.
I didn't know about the New York business. Most interesting, and this kind of thing seems to be happening all over your country.
What #47 is doing will probably hit some of the poorest the most. You will probably be ok. What will happen when MAGA supporters start to see the personal affects of #47's actions on themselves? You voted for the ****, suffer.
This week I think many on this side of the pond are starting to realise we are going to be thrown to the Big Bad Bear, his new bestie.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up MAGA to see what it is - I've always thought America to be great so what's with the "again" bit? I'm with you on the being prepared bit - it never hurts and means you will likely have something to share with those who can't do likewise. Love reading your blog, all the best. Elaine in UK
ReplyDeleteWe have seen in Europe what Trump's opinions are with the talk for Ukraine and peace, but leaving everyone on the side-line, we would be foolish to think we can miss any of the stuff he is creating, our world is a small place.
ReplyDeleteWell given the sheer nerve of the American political output at the moment there is nothing we can do but call it out for the cruelty and stupidity it is showing. We all have to stand behind our own leaders and shout back, so that Gaza and Ukraine are not thrown into the trash heap of history. I think we must trust in the sanity of many other good people to solve the problem and it seems to me that justice is not dead in America as individuals fight back.
ReplyDeleteOne despot after another seems to be getting elected. I can't think of a political country leader I like at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThere is a right and wrong way of going about things. They have four years to do right things with studied precision. Instead they go wading in with a broadaxe.
ReplyDeleteI think the backlash is starting show up.. Gladly Canada is fighting back with their wallets. We will not roll over to a bully. I am a proud Canadian so have joined the silent fight. We did get that huge dump of snow 30 cm yesterday, but is over now. We have a bright sunny day today. Maybe my snow man will show up today. I hate being trapped in the house. Gigi
ReplyDeleteBravo, and I am sorry it sounds like you feel isolated in real life.
ReplyDeleteCeci
A lie is a lie. Period. The end. And people who lie are liars and not just "misrepresenting the truth." The Republican party are liars and anyone who believes them are lying to themselves. I think that often the loudest of these liars are trying desperately to convince not only others but themselves, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary.
ReplyDeleteI'm most surprised at the people who are NOT speaking up. I didn't think all of the republicans would cave like they have been doing. I thought some had more dignity and courage but I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI love those top two memes. And I can't believe William has gotten so old! I feel like he should still be a wee one.
ReplyDeleteWell... You KNOW I believe as you do. In fact, there's a 50501 protest scheduled for today at our state capital in Honolulu. I wish we could be there but Art has his Meals on Wheels run to do. We marched for science in 2017 and now here we are again. I just don't understand people who think he who shall not be named is a good idea.
ReplyDelete