Hmmm... interesting article. Glad he is leaving MAGA, and wonder what he sees as a viable alternative to anything we have in our limited choices? Much I agree with, some seems off the mark historically - for instance, the billionaire class. being recent, rather than simply blatant because it now has full power globally - but it's been around longer than anyone can say, through family dynasties (such as the Drumpfs and far far further back by many centuries and eons)
I am confused by the language of the Preamble to our Constitution, so clearly stated for Equality of all peoples, and how the people in charge never honored that language (they contiuned to practice slavery, making sure that women had no rights or voice, the massacre of First Nations, for instance) When did it get co-opted? From the beginning, I think. The Iroquois Confederacy had done equality already in their own governance and leadership, for hundreds of years before that So the idea of making North America - USA in particular - 'great' again - as if we were, as if we lived up to that Preamble... sticks in my craw, especially the 'again' part -when was it so great? THIS, is how and why a Trump, and MAGA. happened. The wake up call we need goes well beyond party politics - it is a spiritual thing. We need spiritual CPR, a return to Critical Thinking being taught in Public schools, and self governance and ownership of as responsibility and a privilege.
Here's an article about the Iroquois Confederacy - in honor of tomorrow's Indigenous Day (yay - finally, no more 'Columbus Day!' At least here in WA.
You're right in that 'we the people' bought into MAGA and the divide - but I think we need to remember that we were and are conditioned to be divided by those at the top who hope we won't catch on. It takes hard work to look for commonalities and build collaboration. Usually it takes some kind of disaster. Thank you for all your hard work on this, Joyce. I'm focused on local and state elections and initiatives and referendums, where we can actually make a small difference. I'm glad you will start 2025 doing something self nurturing.
Thanks for your always wise comments. Only thing I can think about the founders is they managed to state the ideals that they didn’t manage to live up to.
Love the indigenous wisdom … managed to spend today exploring the ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. Pretty amazing stuff.
I’m reading about an emotional reaction combined with a lack of perspective and a need to lash out at “the man”, the “government” or whatever stirred said emotions in the first place.
Those of us with some age behind us had gone through the same things, some of us several times. We heard the lies that led us into wars. We’d been through several ups and downs of the markets, before that as in my case, I’d been through three high profile assassinations, the Vietnam Nam war and its aftermath, Nixon and Watergate, Middle Eastern conflicts, plane highjackings, Olympic killings, gas shortages and then Saint Ronnie, AIDS and all his bullshittery that led to all the subsequent unrest that people blamed on “the man” and of course 9/11, two wars, economic collapse(again)and by now, watching what little we had managed to save take an unsettling hit. Then there was the concerted effort by the Koch Bros to undercut everything President Obama wanted to do by pouring money into the Supreme Court with Citizens United and the drubbing that happened to Democrats in the 2010 midterms. We’ve yet to recover fully from that.
Somehow, in spite of being raised by a single, working mom in a post war America, educated in N.C. public schools and completing only three years of college before starting my own family, I never hung my brain out to dry. Nor did it ever occur to me to blame someone or something else for my life after my divorce. It was just LIFE. It happens. So the idea of voting for a hyped up playboy for President never ever crossed my mind. It didn’t take much research to know how rotten to the core he was. I had spent enough time in grocery store lines to read the covers on the rags stocked at the checkouts to know he had bankrupted his casino. What kind of president would that kind of a “businessman” make?
We’ve never had perfect men as president. President Obama came damn close as a good, solid human being goes with Jimmy Carter and President Biden next in line but Trump has always been sleazy. He definitely wasn’t presidential material; being at the bottom of the barrel under Bush II, Nixon and Reagan.
People need to understand that no one person is ever going to be able to fix all their problems. They’ve got to find within themselves the strength to forge their own path even if it means changing course and doing something completely different to make their way. It’s always been challenging unless one is born with several millions to throw away by going bankrupt and cheating others.
None of us will get out of this world alive anyway; not even Rocketman Musk. Every day is new so take whatever steps that need taking to get through it.
Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure why all the forces of this current situation came together as they have but I do know if we don’t manage to win this election, we’re going to have a much bigger mess to clean up.
Thanks! And actually I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing. We have far to go but I think I’m understanding a bit more about how we got here and what it will take to go forward. I hope it doesn’t take another trump disaster but if it does, we will work it out plans are already in place for post 11/5. AIR in Guadalajara starts 2/1/2025. On my way to Colorado right now. ;-)
Just be grateful you don’t know. MAGA (Make America Great again) is a far right contingent of the Republican party with a strong resemblance to a cult.
How are you doing? You have led us deep into the mosh pit of our fellow American's devolving expectations. I am wondering if your magnifying glass has burnt a hole in your heart? These week's of resources have provided great value and now I am concerned that this same work has deflated your spirit. The stakes on 11/5 are high, but no matter the outcome the conflicts will continue. Have you given any thought to how you will continue? 🤔 A friends await you on the other side.
Thanks! I’ve been on the road all day and replied by phone but looks like it may have gone into deep space. Actually, I’m pretty encouraged by what I’m seeing and hope we’re going to pull this out. However, if we don’t, we’ll just have a bigger mess to clean up but I have confidence that we will either way. And my post 11/5 project is set as I start my Artist in Residence program in Guadalajara on 2/1/2025 and much to do before then. See you on the 20th.
Hmmm... interesting article. Glad he is leaving MAGA, and wonder what he sees as a viable alternative to anything we have in our limited choices? Much I agree with, some seems off the mark historically - for instance, the billionaire class. being recent, rather than simply blatant because it now has full power globally - but it's been around longer than anyone can say, through family dynasties (such as the Drumpfs and far far further back by many centuries and eons)
I am confused by the language of the Preamble to our Constitution, so clearly stated for Equality of all peoples, and how the people in charge never honored that language (they contiuned to practice slavery, making sure that women had no rights or voice, the massacre of First Nations, for instance) When did it get co-opted? From the beginning, I think. The Iroquois Confederacy had done equality already in their own governance and leadership, for hundreds of years before that So the idea of making North America - USA in particular - 'great' again - as if we were, as if we lived up to that Preamble... sticks in my craw, especially the 'again' part -when was it so great? THIS, is how and why a Trump, and MAGA. happened. The wake up call we need goes well beyond party politics - it is a spiritual thing. We need spiritual CPR, a return to Critical Thinking being taught in Public schools, and self governance and ownership of as responsibility and a privilege.
Here's an article about the Iroquois Confederacy - in honor of tomorrow's Indigenous Day (yay - finally, no more 'Columbus Day!' At least here in WA.
https://www.pbs.org/native-america/blog/how-the-iroquois-great-law-of-peace-shaped-us-democracy. This is what gives me hope, and I hope we turn to Indigenous peoples to help guide us through these times now and to come, so we can see the light as it is meant to be seen.
You're right in that 'we the people' bought into MAGA and the divide - but I think we need to remember that we were and are conditioned to be divided by those at the top who hope we won't catch on. It takes hard work to look for commonalities and build collaboration. Usually it takes some kind of disaster. Thank you for all your hard work on this, Joyce. I'm focused on local and state elections and initiatives and referendums, where we can actually make a small difference. I'm glad you will start 2025 doing something self nurturing.
Thanks for your always wise comments. Only thing I can think about the founders is they managed to state the ideals that they didn’t manage to live up to.
Love the indigenous wisdom … managed to spend today exploring the ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. Pretty amazing stuff.
I’m reading about an emotional reaction combined with a lack of perspective and a need to lash out at “the man”, the “government” or whatever stirred said emotions in the first place.
Those of us with some age behind us had gone through the same things, some of us several times. We heard the lies that led us into wars. We’d been through several ups and downs of the markets, before that as in my case, I’d been through three high profile assassinations, the Vietnam Nam war and its aftermath, Nixon and Watergate, Middle Eastern conflicts, plane highjackings, Olympic killings, gas shortages and then Saint Ronnie, AIDS and all his bullshittery that led to all the subsequent unrest that people blamed on “the man” and of course 9/11, two wars, economic collapse(again)and by now, watching what little we had managed to save take an unsettling hit. Then there was the concerted effort by the Koch Bros to undercut everything President Obama wanted to do by pouring money into the Supreme Court with Citizens United and the drubbing that happened to Democrats in the 2010 midterms. We’ve yet to recover fully from that.
Somehow, in spite of being raised by a single, working mom in a post war America, educated in N.C. public schools and completing only three years of college before starting my own family, I never hung my brain out to dry. Nor did it ever occur to me to blame someone or something else for my life after my divorce. It was just LIFE. It happens. So the idea of voting for a hyped up playboy for President never ever crossed my mind. It didn’t take much research to know how rotten to the core he was. I had spent enough time in grocery store lines to read the covers on the rags stocked at the checkouts to know he had bankrupted his casino. What kind of president would that kind of a “businessman” make?
We’ve never had perfect men as president. President Obama came damn close as a good, solid human being goes with Jimmy Carter and President Biden next in line but Trump has always been sleazy. He definitely wasn’t presidential material; being at the bottom of the barrel under Bush II, Nixon and Reagan.
People need to understand that no one person is ever going to be able to fix all their problems. They’ve got to find within themselves the strength to forge their own path even if it means changing course and doing something completely different to make their way. It’s always been challenging unless one is born with several millions to throw away by going bankrupt and cheating others.
None of us will get out of this world alive anyway; not even Rocketman Musk. Every day is new so take whatever steps that need taking to get through it.
Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure why all the forces of this current situation came together as they have but I do know if we don’t manage to win this election, we’re going to have a much bigger mess to clean up.
Thanks! And actually I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing. We have far to go but I think I’m understanding a bit more about how we got here and what it will take to go forward. I hope it doesn’t take another trump disaster but if it does, we will work it out plans are already in place for post 11/5. AIR in Guadalajara starts 2/1/2025. On my way to Colorado right now. ;-)
I have no idea what MAGA is never heard the term but I am an Aussie, maybe that's why. Anyway I found this an interesting read.
Just be grateful you don’t know. MAGA (Make America Great again) is a far right contingent of the Republican party with a strong resemblance to a cult.
How are you doing? You have led us deep into the mosh pit of our fellow American's devolving expectations. I am wondering if your magnifying glass has burnt a hole in your heart? These week's of resources have provided great value and now I am concerned that this same work has deflated your spirit. The stakes on 11/5 are high, but no matter the outcome the conflicts will continue. Have you given any thought to how you will continue? 🤔 A friends await you on the other side.
Thanks! I’ve been on the road all day and replied by phone but looks like it may have gone into deep space. Actually, I’m pretty encouraged by what I’m seeing and hope we’re going to pull this out. However, if we don’t, we’ll just have a bigger mess to clean up but I have confidence that we will either way. And my post 11/5 project is set as I start my Artist in Residence program in Guadalajara on 2/1/2025 and much to do before then. See you on the 20th.
How cool - you'll be an artist in residence in Guadalajara?! Such a great city filled with lots of culture - I'd love for you to write about that!
Life goes on... until it doesn't! There is life, no matter the outcome of this election. Enjoy your freedom and opportunities to the hilt!