I'd settle for reinstatement of our Republic! Our past does matter. We need to face how we got here - no matter how shameful or painful. Owning it is the beginning of restitution to the Peoples and Lands and Waters we have destroyed.
The democracy here, the Iroquois Nations, was the basis of our constitution (they probably stole it) - and we saw what happened to them and all First Nations. We have to acknowledge and really own that if we want to build something different and more Just.
Let's make the US OF North America the Great it never was, but could be. Restitution is necessary. It never happened. Treaties were never honored - to today. The 60s Scoop. Blacks still hounded and victimized. Murdered and missing Indigenous women and others all trafficked. All people of color. Brown immigrants deported (but not white ones.) The ties to Israel and providing them weapons to genocide a whole people. Our history is fraught with all these things and so much more. Read Bitter Fruit, about Guatemala. The US has been crushing democracies since its inception. Just a reminder, not a put down of anyone. We need to know and own our history so we don't keep repeating it.
And... as for creativity... what a time for the Arts and Creative thinking in all aspects - needed now more than ever - not (just) for monetization but just 'cause! (pun intended. :D )
Here is a really good investigative news resource that I have been following for years.
BB and Jim … I agree with you guys and hope we can mend the many wounds from our past. However, there is now a blazing fire in the kitchen that could burn the house down. Could we work at putting that out first?
i think we can do both at the same time. Knowing history (Heather Cox Richardson is a historian you like so look to her) helps us know how we got here so we don't get here again, if we can survive the here now. I'll probably lose everything, Joyce. My home, community, enough to live on. Believe me, I'm aware of the fire in the kitchen and the cooks pouring gasoline in my pot of burnt beans and rice. Poverty helps one be in touch with what is really happening. I'm glad I've known it for much of my life. Less far to fall and maybe both legs won't break. People will help people. I have watched homeless people in cities take care of each other, their pets, with nothing. Love and care go a long way in times of hate. Every voice is needed to put out this fire. and every way to do it is also needed. I believe we can heal the past in the right-now.
I hope you’re right. And there are going to be a lot of us in that poverty boat if they mess with SS. The optimist in me says it won’t happen … she also said he wouldn’t cut Ukraine loose or hand over the government to mad-musk. Not sure I’m going to listen to her much longer.
the world needs optimists, Joyce. But just be sure to take breaks, fill your own well because you're in the trenches. If I were in your orbit I would hug you a lot and we'd have tea and maybe paint or something - and I hope we'd laugh - the antidote to fear and tyranny. The fact that other countries are finally putting their collective feet down - that is hopeful. yes, we'll suffer here but I can't help admiring these stands being made against this insanity, around the world. These are teaching moments for those countries. This reach will go far, I believe.
Don't give up, Joyce. Balance the relentless march toward oblivion with things that fill your heart and soul and give you momentary joy because now is what we have. Love the earth. Don't let these madmen (and women) rob you of your Now and your natural optimism. Reality, yes, but don't go into despair. It's too soon for that. Buddha knew and taught that we all suffer. He also gave the causes and the ways out of suffering. You get more strength from the love you give and receive than from fighting. Love IS fighting, if you act out of that place - even in anger and outrage it won't be hatred - and you know this and teach this. Hugs.
Jim, I understand your unease. I felt my own as I was writing it ... thus my weak nod to the indigenous and the too many brought here as slaves. However we got here though, we're here. We have some fine ideals we've never lived up to. The question is "what do we do now?"
We can moan and groan about how bad we've been and let the corrupt grifters take over ... or we can fight and try to build and rebuild a country that lives up to its ideals. We have done good in the past ... and we've fallen far short. We are now facing a challenge about our future. Will we stand up and fight to create a better future ... or hunker down in fear?
In some ways, our past doesn't matter ... it's what we do with now that will count in the future.
‘Perhaps, we’ve forgotten who we are … strong, determined people who came together and built a country that became a shining beacon of democracy and abundance. We have never been perfect, but our Founders gave us ideals to work toward … freedom, justice and liberty for all.”
I see a different country than you do:
1. We didn’t build a country, we stole a country
2. Shining beacon for greed
3. ‘Freedom , justice and liberty for all’ what are you smoking?
4. Founders ideals? Slavery, eradicate natives, build wealth and pay poor to fight against king who wanted too big of a portion of the ill gotten gains.
5. Religious freedom one often hears. Freedom? Yes free to practice one’s religious leaders intolerance, to keep one’s group under tight control where women cook, clean and produce children. Free to create a religion when one lusts after a friend’s wife. Free to hang strange fruit in the poplar trees.
@Jim Sanders - What you say is valid and I'm with you on every point - and throw in reminders when people forget. Many places don't even acknowledge that we are all sitting on Indigenous lands we stole.... That said... can we have a conversation and continue to learn from each other? We need to learn from each other. Your voice is needed. AND... I think these points beg for some good satire in art, poetry, etc. I'm ready to do my part in all that you bring up and I think satire is one of the great ways to do it.
Thanks, Sue!
I'd settle for reinstatement of our Republic! Our past does matter. We need to face how we got here - no matter how shameful or painful. Owning it is the beginning of restitution to the Peoples and Lands and Waters we have destroyed.
The democracy here, the Iroquois Nations, was the basis of our constitution (they probably stole it) - and we saw what happened to them and all First Nations. We have to acknowledge and really own that if we want to build something different and more Just.
Let's make the US OF North America the Great it never was, but could be. Restitution is necessary. It never happened. Treaties were never honored - to today. The 60s Scoop. Blacks still hounded and victimized. Murdered and missing Indigenous women and others all trafficked. All people of color. Brown immigrants deported (but not white ones.) The ties to Israel and providing them weapons to genocide a whole people. Our history is fraught with all these things and so much more. Read Bitter Fruit, about Guatemala. The US has been crushing democracies since its inception. Just a reminder, not a put down of anyone. We need to know and own our history so we don't keep repeating it.
And... as for creativity... what a time for the Arts and Creative thinking in all aspects - needed now more than ever - not (just) for monetization but just 'cause! (pun intended. :D )
Here is a really good investigative news resource that I have been following for years.
https://wallstreetonparade.com/
BB and Jim … I agree with you guys and hope we can mend the many wounds from our past. However, there is now a blazing fire in the kitchen that could burn the house down. Could we work at putting that out first?
i think we can do both at the same time. Knowing history (Heather Cox Richardson is a historian you like so look to her) helps us know how we got here so we don't get here again, if we can survive the here now. I'll probably lose everything, Joyce. My home, community, enough to live on. Believe me, I'm aware of the fire in the kitchen and the cooks pouring gasoline in my pot of burnt beans and rice. Poverty helps one be in touch with what is really happening. I'm glad I've known it for much of my life. Less far to fall and maybe both legs won't break. People will help people. I have watched homeless people in cities take care of each other, their pets, with nothing. Love and care go a long way in times of hate. Every voice is needed to put out this fire. and every way to do it is also needed. I believe we can heal the past in the right-now.
I hope you’re right. And there are going to be a lot of us in that poverty boat if they mess with SS. The optimist in me says it won’t happen … she also said he wouldn’t cut Ukraine loose or hand over the government to mad-musk. Not sure I’m going to listen to her much longer.
the world needs optimists, Joyce. But just be sure to take breaks, fill your own well because you're in the trenches. If I were in your orbit I would hug you a lot and we'd have tea and maybe paint or something - and I hope we'd laugh - the antidote to fear and tyranny. The fact that other countries are finally putting their collective feet down - that is hopeful. yes, we'll suffer here but I can't help admiring these stands being made against this insanity, around the world. These are teaching moments for those countries. This reach will go far, I believe.
Don't give up, Joyce. Balance the relentless march toward oblivion with things that fill your heart and soul and give you momentary joy because now is what we have. Love the earth. Don't let these madmen (and women) rob you of your Now and your natural optimism. Reality, yes, but don't go into despair. It's too soon for that. Buddha knew and taught that we all suffer. He also gave the causes and the ways out of suffering. You get more strength from the love you give and receive than from fighting. Love IS fighting, if you act out of that place - even in anger and outrage it won't be hatred - and you know this and teach this. Hugs.
You make my day and I’m going enjoy our virtual tea party all day. Thank you for being here.
Thanks for taking time to collect words, art, & actions to undergird our resilience. I will send a graphic your way.
Thank you ... and I hope everyone shares bits that touch them. Looking forward to yours.
Jim, I understand your unease. I felt my own as I was writing it ... thus my weak nod to the indigenous and the too many brought here as slaves. However we got here though, we're here. We have some fine ideals we've never lived up to. The question is "what do we do now?"
We can moan and groan about how bad we've been and let the corrupt grifters take over ... or we can fight and try to build and rebuild a country that lives up to its ideals. We have done good in the past ... and we've fallen far short. We are now facing a challenge about our future. Will we stand up and fight to create a better future ... or hunker down in fear?
In some ways, our past doesn't matter ... it's what we do with now that will count in the future.
Sorry but I guess we part ways.
‘Perhaps, we’ve forgotten who we are … strong, determined people who came together and built a country that became a shining beacon of democracy and abundance. We have never been perfect, but our Founders gave us ideals to work toward … freedom, justice and liberty for all.”
I see a different country than you do:
1. We didn’t build a country, we stole a country
2. Shining beacon for greed
3. ‘Freedom , justice and liberty for all’ what are you smoking?
4. Founders ideals? Slavery, eradicate natives, build wealth and pay poor to fight against king who wanted too big of a portion of the ill gotten gains.
5. Religious freedom one often hears. Freedom? Yes free to practice one’s religious leaders intolerance, to keep one’s group under tight control where women cook, clean and produce children. Free to create a religion when one lusts after a friend’s wife. Free to hang strange fruit in the poplar trees.
Was this just satire or a Disney fantasy?
@Jim Sanders - What you say is valid and I'm with you on every point - and throw in reminders when people forget. Many places don't even acknowledge that we are all sitting on Indigenous lands we stole.... That said... can we have a conversation and continue to learn from each other? We need to learn from each other. Your voice is needed. AND... I think these points beg for some good satire in art, poetry, etc. I'm ready to do my part in all that you bring up and I think satire is one of the great ways to do it.