I sit in my dark quiet living room, with my giant tree sparkling and the face of Miss Braswell, second grade teacher, smiling at me from her manila-folder glittery ornament that has somehow survived in our Christmas decorations 40 years.
Again, well said Janie. Today I feel invigorated because it is we seniors who are taking up the mantle for Hope, Freedom, and the chance that we can put this tattered mess back to together. It is not so much for our generation, but the younger generations who deserve better. I have lived a good life, I have experienced the some best of our democracy. I will not let it fail now! For those that had sacrificed and fought for me in the past, I now dedicate myself to clawing back what we once had. Imperfect, not free from fault, our system of government always worked for the betterment of its citizens in the hope that everyone can share in the hopes and dreams of freedom. Stay vigilant and actively resist.
Great comment, Joe. I hadn't thought about it that way, but yes, we older folks have experienced democracy's greatness. Despite the egregious things happening now, I still have hope that democracy will survive its greatest challenge. Most people (outside the Fox News bubble) who are paying attention understand what's going on. Young people are very much against what the administration is doing, and I see bright stars among younger politicians and activists committed to public service and social justice. For sure, we have a rough road ahead of us. The consequences of this administration's policies will be felt acutely by most of us, and that will be their undoing. I believe in the end, those in power will be the most reviled people in American history.
Oh, Janie, I wish I could disagree with you on any of this. I wish idealism was still a thing. My innocence,if not my idealism, was crushed when I was in high school and JFK was assassinated, then again in college when MLK and RFK died the same way. I could never have imagined this warped view of America in those scary days. At least then, we had safe places, like schools and religious institutions. Now, it feels like safety is a luxury. We always heard from our Greatest Generation that freedom isn't free, but I guess I didn't really understand how much of our democracy was based on each of us holding one another accountable. Shame was a big part of it. Honor. Decency. They seem almost quaint concepts now. We all have to teach and model those ideals, those core values now to our own grandchildren and to everyone else, too. Keep reminding us, Janie, in your beautiful way. Thank you for being you.
How wonderful that Miss Brasswell and her encouragement live on. I’m so sad about Larry. That breaks my heart too. I pray that he comes back home to the family who loves him.
Thank you, Janie. I always enjoy reading your posts, even in these dark times. I pray every day to Saint Michael, the Archangel to help us fight the battle against the corruption and cruelty of the administration.
Thanks for sharing your concerns, Janie, and I share the same ones. I’m trying to keep my head above water, or I will lose said head. So I search for answers, donate to causes important to me, volunteer and generally try to stay positive.
I was in Europe when Nixon was declaring that he was not a crook. It was a story on the front page in countries across the sea. I felt like there wasn’t a lot of love for America then. I can imagine what we are thought of now.
It’s overwhelming, I understand, but we can’t throw our hands up. I can’t, anyway.
A few weeks ago I was feeling hopeful, that maybe things were turning back towards the American values to which we strive. But over the last week I have been overwhelmed by the events taking place at such a rapid clip and discouraged too.
It’s so very sad that the espoused ideas and values of our country are being so rapidly desecrated.
I’ll go back to my postcard writing now and to the candlelight protest at our state capitol tonight. I have to believe these small defiances will add up eventually.
Oh Janie, you expressed it all so clearly and succinctly. I’m looking out at the most extraordinarily beautiful with winter landscape here in mid Ontario.. the only thing about the shit show in the US that made me smile. Was Steve Colbert the other day about the award that Trump got at the Kennedy Center.
I killed myself laughing and shared it with friends .
I am sorry for Larry, it is hard to watch children and grandchildren go through loss, and I hope we are abel to get out of this mess so they do not have to have the loss of freedom, too. I feel there is so much loss world-wide right now and the only thing to do is have faith that we keep seeing little sparks of light like your trree.
OMG Jane, we've got to find a way to come back from this mess. I'm sorry for the loss of Larry and honesty and integrity. I long for the days when you weren't afraid to look at the news or even down the street to find armed men in black outfits, unidentified of course. I will continue to stay at home and work at life from this angle. Thank you for being there
Janie, you said it best. We all feel it. It feels existential quite honestly. We are all hearing the alarm bells, feeling the pit in your stomach, and waking on eggshells. We know it’s going to get worse. We can’t deny it any longer. Whatever happens, we all need to stick together and persist. The question is, what will Americans do and will it be enough? No one is coming to help us and the world is watching in horror and dismay. ❤️💪🏽🙏🏼
Yes I feel all this too— that you express so well, Janie. AND I do feel an undercurrent of hope. I attended a zoom call this week put on by Swing Left for community activists. I’ve never done that but was curious. Two thousand people (mostly young) were on the call!
They outlined a new approach to political canvassing that I could get on board with — it has as much to do with listening as persuading— and they pointed out that 100% of the Democratic campaigns they worked on this fall were successful.
Yes the evil men running our country have shown themselves to be dangerous and ruthless. They gain strength as we fear and hate each other. It seems our greatest hope lies in finding ways to come back together as individuals and communities.
Well said Janie. We just have to pray that we take Congress in the midterms and hopefully even the Senate. We can at least put the breaks on Trump's evil ways to an extent. We can then impeach him and hopefully if we can get enough spineless Republican Senators on board then we can remove this Madman. If not then we Democrats have to win in 2028 and start repairing this Country if we indeed survive this nightmare. Sorry about Larry. We too let out our cats but we make sure they have their collars and name tags with our information. Also we try to be out with them as much as possible. Pray he returns. Merry Christmas in spite of the current crisis in America.
I read a column this morning on how the DOJ is going after private data on voters and mail-in ballots, an all-out campaign to rig the midterms.
In Canada we rally around our Prime Minister and his advisers to navigate independence from the US which looks like a daunting task. The new strategy plan makes it crystal clear the goal is for Canada to become a vassal state.
We each have our battles. If you win yours, we win ours.
Our nation is rooting for you even as we contemplate an all-out military takeover of our nation.
From my Scottish mother: “Put a stout heart to a stey brae.” Translated — be brave on a difficult path.
I hope sweet Larry will show back up soon, Janie!!! And thank you for your words— I’m afraid for ALL of us, in the clutches of this band of madmen intent on our destruction. Congress and the Supreme Court need to stop pussyfooting and step up for democracy—
I have only watched two episodes of The American Revolution. I get so sad thinking of those early patriots compared to our country now. And, to be even more annoying, I am glad I don't have grandchildren. I care so much about my great-nephew at age 8 and all his little friends. I hope with all my heart that they will live in a country that cares about them like I do. Right now I have little trust in this current government doing the right thing for these children. I agree with Joe Horne's comment; I too am of an age where I feel like I lived during a golden era. As a young adult, I didn't think things could be worse than how they were under Nixon. Boy, oh boy. That was nothing compared to Trump and his incompetent crew. Wars, crazy ICE, needless arrests of legal immigrants, a division among all of us that will take a long time to repair. (Thanks Trump voters). Thanks, Janie, for your Substack. I like to think we are both sitting in the evening looking at the lights on our trees, feeling maybe just maybe we will see better days soon.
Again, well said Janie. Today I feel invigorated because it is we seniors who are taking up the mantle for Hope, Freedom, and the chance that we can put this tattered mess back to together. It is not so much for our generation, but the younger generations who deserve better. I have lived a good life, I have experienced the some best of our democracy. I will not let it fail now! For those that had sacrificed and fought for me in the past, I now dedicate myself to clawing back what we once had. Imperfect, not free from fault, our system of government always worked for the betterment of its citizens in the hope that everyone can share in the hopes and dreams of freedom. Stay vigilant and actively resist.
Great comment, Joe. I hadn't thought about it that way, but yes, we older folks have experienced democracy's greatness. Despite the egregious things happening now, I still have hope that democracy will survive its greatest challenge. Most people (outside the Fox News bubble) who are paying attention understand what's going on. Young people are very much against what the administration is doing, and I see bright stars among younger politicians and activists committed to public service and social justice. For sure, we have a rough road ahead of us. The consequences of this administration's policies will be felt acutely by most of us, and that will be their undoing. I believe in the end, those in power will be the most reviled people in American history.
Oh, Janie, I wish I could disagree with you on any of this. I wish idealism was still a thing. My innocence,if not my idealism, was crushed when I was in high school and JFK was assassinated, then again in college when MLK and RFK died the same way. I could never have imagined this warped view of America in those scary days. At least then, we had safe places, like schools and religious institutions. Now, it feels like safety is a luxury. We always heard from our Greatest Generation that freedom isn't free, but I guess I didn't really understand how much of our democracy was based on each of us holding one another accountable. Shame was a big part of it. Honor. Decency. They seem almost quaint concepts now. We all have to teach and model those ideals, those core values now to our own grandchildren and to everyone else, too. Keep reminding us, Janie, in your beautiful way. Thank you for being you.
How wonderful that Miss Brasswell and her encouragement live on. I’m so sad about Larry. That breaks my heart too. I pray that he comes back home to the family who loves him.
Thank you, Janie. I always enjoy reading your posts, even in these dark times. I pray every day to Saint Michael, the Archangel to help us fight the battle against the corruption and cruelty of the administration.
Thanks for sharing your concerns, Janie, and I share the same ones. I’m trying to keep my head above water, or I will lose said head. So I search for answers, donate to causes important to me, volunteer and generally try to stay positive.
I was in Europe when Nixon was declaring that he was not a crook. It was a story on the front page in countries across the sea. I felt like there wasn’t a lot of love for America then. I can imagine what we are thought of now.
It’s overwhelming, I understand, but we can’t throw our hands up. I can’t, anyway.
I have grandchildren. It’s as simple as that.
Peace and love to you. Keep writing please!
Well said!
A few weeks ago I was feeling hopeful, that maybe things were turning back towards the American values to which we strive. But over the last week I have been overwhelmed by the events taking place at such a rapid clip and discouraged too.
It’s so very sad that the espoused ideas and values of our country are being so rapidly desecrated.
I’ll go back to my postcard writing now and to the candlelight protest at our state capitol tonight. I have to believe these small defiances will add up eventually.
Oh Janie, you expressed it all so clearly and succinctly. I’m looking out at the most extraordinarily beautiful with winter landscape here in mid Ontario.. the only thing about the shit show in the US that made me smile. Was Steve Colbert the other day about the award that Trump got at the Kennedy Center.
I killed myself laughing and shared it with friends .
We are indeed “barreling towards something”. The uncertainty is palpable.
I am sorry for Larry, it is hard to watch children and grandchildren go through loss, and I hope we are abel to get out of this mess so they do not have to have the loss of freedom, too. I feel there is so much loss world-wide right now and the only thing to do is have faith that we keep seeing little sparks of light like your trree.
OMG Jane, we've got to find a way to come back from this mess. I'm sorry for the loss of Larry and honesty and integrity. I long for the days when you weren't afraid to look at the news or even down the street to find armed men in black outfits, unidentified of course. I will continue to stay at home and work at life from this angle. Thank you for being there
Janie, you said it best. We all feel it. It feels existential quite honestly. We are all hearing the alarm bells, feeling the pit in your stomach, and waking on eggshells. We know it’s going to get worse. We can’t deny it any longer. Whatever happens, we all need to stick together and persist. The question is, what will Americans do and will it be enough? No one is coming to help us and the world is watching in horror and dismay. ❤️💪🏽🙏🏼
Yes I feel all this too— that you express so well, Janie. AND I do feel an undercurrent of hope. I attended a zoom call this week put on by Swing Left for community activists. I’ve never done that but was curious. Two thousand people (mostly young) were on the call!
They outlined a new approach to political canvassing that I could get on board with — it has as much to do with listening as persuading— and they pointed out that 100% of the Democratic campaigns they worked on this fall were successful.
Yes the evil men running our country have shown themselves to be dangerous and ruthless. They gain strength as we fear and hate each other. It seems our greatest hope lies in finding ways to come back together as individuals and communities.
Well said Janie. We just have to pray that we take Congress in the midterms and hopefully even the Senate. We can at least put the breaks on Trump's evil ways to an extent. We can then impeach him and hopefully if we can get enough spineless Republican Senators on board then we can remove this Madman. If not then we Democrats have to win in 2028 and start repairing this Country if we indeed survive this nightmare. Sorry about Larry. We too let out our cats but we make sure they have their collars and name tags with our information. Also we try to be out with them as much as possible. Pray he returns. Merry Christmas in spite of the current crisis in America.
I read a column this morning on how the DOJ is going after private data on voters and mail-in ballots, an all-out campaign to rig the midterms.
In Canada we rally around our Prime Minister and his advisers to navigate independence from the US which looks like a daunting task. The new strategy plan makes it crystal clear the goal is for Canada to become a vassal state.
We each have our battles. If you win yours, we win ours.
Our nation is rooting for you even as we contemplate an all-out military takeover of our nation.
From my Scottish mother: “Put a stout heart to a stey brae.” Translated — be brave on a difficult path.
🇨🇦
I hope sweet Larry will show back up soon, Janie!!! And thank you for your words— I’m afraid for ALL of us, in the clutches of this band of madmen intent on our destruction. Congress and the Supreme Court need to stop pussyfooting and step up for democracy—
I have only watched two episodes of The American Revolution. I get so sad thinking of those early patriots compared to our country now. And, to be even more annoying, I am glad I don't have grandchildren. I care so much about my great-nephew at age 8 and all his little friends. I hope with all my heart that they will live in a country that cares about them like I do. Right now I have little trust in this current government doing the right thing for these children. I agree with Joe Horne's comment; I too am of an age where I feel like I lived during a golden era. As a young adult, I didn't think things could be worse than how they were under Nixon. Boy, oh boy. That was nothing compared to Trump and his incompetent crew. Wars, crazy ICE, needless arrests of legal immigrants, a division among all of us that will take a long time to repair. (Thanks Trump voters). Thanks, Janie, for your Substack. I like to think we are both sitting in the evening looking at the lights on our trees, feeling maybe just maybe we will see better days soon.