“Optimism is the belief that things are going to get better. Hope is the belief that we can make things better. Optimism is a passive virtue, hope is an active one. It takes no courage to be an optimist, but it does need courage to hope.” - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Color me disciplined. I will never relent. I will never get over the nauseating fact that the name of this felonious man is listed with those of Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt.
But also Andrew Johnson, Buchanan, Nixon, and Reagan. We have endured a boat-load of bad presidents. They have sailed to the great beyond and this piece of depravity will too.
“Part of our task right now is to recognize that hope is a discipline, a way of grasping what’s at stake. This requires looking back and envisioning the future to strengthen our capacity to manage the present. Some days that task will be harder than others, but I beseech you to build that muscle and hold tightly to hope.”
I have re-read this work of passionate concern and deep dedication 3 times now.
It may now be one of my favorites of your collection, Steven.
I apologize for taking up additional space but feel compelled to acknowledge work when it is justified, even though zi am no recognized authority.☺️
This time reading this I chose this from your words upon which to direct my focus;
“All of this can seem fruitless. Will my small actions really help drive change? But we cannot lose sight of how all these individual actions add up to reveal our collective power. I have said it before and I’l say it again: This government depends on the consent of the governed. Abusers of power will take only as much as we permit them.”
Thank you for again offering us thoughts to help us sustain an even-tempered perspective as the chaotic nonsense spews from the current administration.
Yes; please enjoy your travel and fill the tank with the beauty and everyday wonder that we can still be grateful for. Bless you, Sir!
From the poet, Gerald Stern. One of my favorites, because it speaks to the privilege of emotional restoration while acknowledging the great pain we are all living with. Safe travels, Steven!
“Dear waves, what will you do for me this year? Will you drown out my scream? Will you let me rise through the fog? Will you fill me with that old salt feeling? Will you let me take my long steps in the cold sand? Will you let me lie on the white bedspread and study the black clouds with the blue holes in them? Will you let me see the rusty trees and the old monoplanes one more year? Will you still let me draw my sacred figures and move the kites and the birds around with my dark mind? Lucky life is like this. Lucky there is an ocean to come to. Lucky you can judge yourself in this water. Lucky you can be purified over and over again. Lucky there is the same cleanliness for everyone. Lucky life is like that. Lucky life. Oh lucky life. Oh lucky lucky life. Lucky life.”
Now is the time for HOPE and Action. Not just protests, but spreading the word that reform BY THE PEOPLE NOW is possible. I will very respectfully disagree with those who say the next midterm is the time for action. Do you really expect that Trump will ever allow another free and honest election. I clearly remember his telling his supporters that when he won in 2024 they would NEVER HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN. There will be way for Progressive or Reformers to win in the elections of 2026 or 2028. DJT, MAGA, The Proud Boys, the OATH Keepers, the Heritage Foundation, the wealthy oligarchs (even Elon Musk will abandon his new right (not the same as correct) wing political party if it means keeping in the hands of Trump or his replacement.
It will take a massive popular progressive movement to organize, finance and complete a private assembly (allowed by the Constitution) to hold a Private Invitation-only (also allowed by the Constitution) to discuss the grievances and possible solutions to reinstate a more Perfect Constitution, More Perfect Democracy with stronger guardrails created, maintained and enforceable BY THE PEOPLE via RECALL, VETO and AMENDMENT BY the GOVERNED. It must be funded by private small donations so that the government, politicians, judges, oligarchs have no excuse to interfere or participate unless invited. Those invited should include Constitutional Law experts such as law school faculty, ordinary citizen like you who have never been political candidate, political party officers at any level, or people with citizenship in more than one country or political entity.
That's where you come in and your , YES, YOUR participation is vitally needed to:
1) Spread this comment to every political venue possible, we need massive support;
2) Write to, email, call or out uop hand made signs for the faculty at law schools and law firms
located in your area asking why they are not involved directly in this effort to fix our problems and not only save but improve our democracy.
3) Contact bloggers, hosts of cable news shows, editorial boards of local newspapers, magazines, and political organizations asking for their support;
4) Finding legal help to form a tax free, all volunteer organization to organize, vet participants and establish a temporary tax-free organization for the purpose of mobilizing the resources necessary to get this done.
Are we really in this together? If not now, When? If not this way, name a better one? How we get it done: must be lawful, doable and sustainable until the goal is reached and the Constitution is back in power as a more powerful reality.
I am open to constructive suggestions.
For comments, suggestions or volunteering please email me personally at raymondblain@comcast.net
Raymond Leo Blain, M.D, Masters in Public Administration
Honorable Discharge USAF as Major 1966-1972
Medical Policy Consultant, State of California 1990-2004
“Optimism is the belief that things are going to get better. Hope is the belief that we can make things better. Optimism is a passive virtue, hope is an active one. It takes no courage to be an optimist, but it does need courage to hope.” - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
🖖
One of my revered favorites, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory. Thank you.
I believe you need both in order to succeed.
We cannot be passive in this endeavor.
Color me disciplined. I will never relent. I will never get over the nauseating fact that the name of this felonious man is listed with those of Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt.
But also Andrew Johnson, Buchanan, Nixon, and Reagan. We have endured a boat-load of bad presidents. They have sailed to the great beyond and this piece of depravity will too.
We just resist peacefully got ever. Like Gandhi we shall win. Nothing can beat peaceful resistance, nothing.
Marvelous and beautifully written article.
I appreciate the focus on Hope.
And this your comment:
“Part of our task right now is to recognize that hope is a discipline, a way of grasping what’s at stake. This requires looking back and envisioning the future to strengthen our capacity to manage the present. Some days that task will be harder than others, but I beseech you to build that muscle and hold tightly to hope.”
💙💙🇺🇸💙💙
Thanks so much.
How are you?
Thank you, Steven. I needed this today. I hope you have a wonderful, restful time away!
Thanks, Ann. Glad to hear.
I have re-read this work of passionate concern and deep dedication 3 times now.
It may now be one of my favorites of your collection, Steven.
I apologize for taking up additional space but feel compelled to acknowledge work when it is justified, even though zi am no recognized authority.☺️
This time reading this I chose this from your words upon which to direct my focus;
“All of this can seem fruitless. Will my small actions really help drive change? But we cannot lose sight of how all these individual actions add up to reveal our collective power. I have said it before and I’l say it again: This government depends on the consent of the governed. Abusers of power will take only as much as we permit them.”
Rest well and have fun during your time away.
Your essay is a cry from the heart, Steven, thank you. It is our rallying call.
Thank you, Homi.
Thank you for again offering us thoughts to help us sustain an even-tempered perspective as the chaotic nonsense spews from the current administration.
Yes; please enjoy your travel and fill the tank with the beauty and everyday wonder that we can still be grateful for. Bless you, Sir!
Thank you, Clint.
Glad you are taking some time for yourself! You are a true inspiration and I appreciate you every day!
Thanks. Cathy. That’s very kind.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
By Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
From the poet, Gerald Stern. One of my favorites, because it speaks to the privilege of emotional restoration while acknowledging the great pain we are all living with. Safe travels, Steven!
“Dear waves, what will you do for me this year? Will you drown out my scream? Will you let me rise through the fog? Will you fill me with that old salt feeling? Will you let me take my long steps in the cold sand? Will you let me lie on the white bedspread and study the black clouds with the blue holes in them? Will you let me see the rusty trees and the old monoplanes one more year? Will you still let me draw my sacred figures and move the kites and the birds around with my dark mind? Lucky life is like this. Lucky there is an ocean to come to. Lucky you can judge yourself in this water. Lucky you can be purified over and over again. Lucky there is the same cleanliness for everyone. Lucky life is like that. Lucky life. Oh lucky life. Oh lucky lucky life. Lucky life.”
Thank you.., my new mantra, “Hope is a discipline “, I am disciplined!💪🏼😊❤️
What a great title! And a great essay to follow. Enjoy your vacation, Steven.
I'm grateful for your words. It is also very smart to listen to a great wife and take time to relax.
Now is the time for HOPE and Action. Not just protests, but spreading the word that reform BY THE PEOPLE NOW is possible. I will very respectfully disagree with those who say the next midterm is the time for action. Do you really expect that Trump will ever allow another free and honest election. I clearly remember his telling his supporters that when he won in 2024 they would NEVER HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN. There will be way for Progressive or Reformers to win in the elections of 2026 or 2028. DJT, MAGA, The Proud Boys, the OATH Keepers, the Heritage Foundation, the wealthy oligarchs (even Elon Musk will abandon his new right (not the same as correct) wing political party if it means keeping in the hands of Trump or his replacement.
It will take a massive popular progressive movement to organize, finance and complete a private assembly (allowed by the Constitution) to hold a Private Invitation-only (also allowed by the Constitution) to discuss the grievances and possible solutions to reinstate a more Perfect Constitution, More Perfect Democracy with stronger guardrails created, maintained and enforceable BY THE PEOPLE via RECALL, VETO and AMENDMENT BY the GOVERNED. It must be funded by private small donations so that the government, politicians, judges, oligarchs have no excuse to interfere or participate unless invited. Those invited should include Constitutional Law experts such as law school faculty, ordinary citizen like you who have never been political candidate, political party officers at any level, or people with citizenship in more than one country or political entity.
That's where you come in and your , YES, YOUR participation is vitally needed to:
1) Spread this comment to every political venue possible, we need massive support;
2) Write to, email, call or out uop hand made signs for the faculty at law schools and law firms
located in your area asking why they are not involved directly in this effort to fix our problems and not only save but improve our democracy.
3) Contact bloggers, hosts of cable news shows, editorial boards of local newspapers, magazines, and political organizations asking for their support;
4) Finding legal help to form a tax free, all volunteer organization to organize, vet participants and establish a temporary tax-free organization for the purpose of mobilizing the resources necessary to get this done.
Are we really in this together? If not now, When? If not this way, name a better one? How we get it done: must be lawful, doable and sustainable until the goal is reached and the Constitution is back in power as a more powerful reality.
I am open to constructive suggestions.
For comments, suggestions or volunteering please email me personally at raymondblain@comcast.net
Raymond Leo Blain, M.D, Masters in Public Administration
Honorable Discharge USAF as Major 1966-1972
Medical Policy Consultant, State of California 1990-2004
Your writing gives me hope.