Thank you for your insight and encouragement. I always enjoy reading your observations and the comments that follow. It makes me feel less isolated in my all-too-red county.
It takes time and effort, but we can prevail. I've been reading more of our national history lately, and appreciate even more what our forebears achieved by their courage and persistence. It gives me hope.
When I returned to college after my first failed attempt, I discovered Calvin Coolidge's quote, "Persistence". I printed it out and hung it above my desk throughout undergrad and veterinary school. I read it often to help keep me going for those eight years. It's time to put it up over my desk again.
Best wishes to all for a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
Holiday blessings! Hopefully we can all stick together to encourage, strengthen, support, and sometimes even carry one another during the fight ahead. I pray folks who hold insights into resistance will freely share them so we can add to the tools we employ. Peace be yours.
Steven, you’re right; it is hard to stay in this fight feeling so powerless. That’s why I propose that people look into running for school boards on a save democracy platform. School boards are kind of an unknown power source. People aren’t aware of the role our schools played in dismantling democracy and that our school boards did this to us. Go to WhiteChalkCrime.com and listen to whistleblowing teachers and learn that our schools, that were to maintain democracy, have done just the opposite.
You don’t need to have a child in school to run. You can be very young or very old. It’s hard fighting a battle as a powerless outsider for many. You can be a powerful insider despite what Trump has achieved.
Go for it before they privatize our schools so you can’t run for boards - precisely why they want to privatize. Get on these boards and use your power to turn our schools - the foundation of our democracy - into the light that keeps democracy shining.
If you can’t run, spread the word to everyone you know agonizing over what’s to come. Help others run in groups of three so they’ll control their boards. Get your religious institution involved . Administrators now easily controlling these elections. A save democracy platform will be an unexpected force that can topple their control. Go for it!
Thank you Steven, for this message of hope and renewal. Your voice sustains so many of us. Enjoy your well deserved break! Happy holidays, and blessings to you and yours.
Thank you so much, Steven, for your tireless work on behalf of democracy and for our benefit as a country and a movement. I use the word movement quite deliberately, because the work is never finished and the waters are never calm. In this season of light, the lesson of Chanukah, the Festival of Light, teaches that there can be enough light even when the supplies of oil appear exhausted. We can go farther than we think with oil enough for just one day, because, as the story goes, the sparse oil lasted for eight days. This is the story of what is to come. And, as in “The Christmas Carol”, hearts and minds can be changed if we try. If we tell the stories of how democracy can be and spread the hope that tomorrow can bring, we’ll be okay. All traditions use metaphors of hope and light and joy as a bulwark against the fading light, because the solstice means that we can look toward new light and new life.
I pray that you and yours enjoy some well-earned rest and respite, complete with a grog of contentment and laughter. Happy Holidays!
Half of the country may have voted for trump. But in that half are many decent loving people who care for their families, friends, even strangers and the blessed Earth. Many are misled but not evil. When fear surges in I think of my trump-voting neighbor across my country road who makes sure my mailbox is blown clear of snow. Love simply is stronger than hate. Sanity is more prevalent than insanity. Neither musk nor trump have the powers the main stream media ascribes to them. From the Christian gospels “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.” The media cannot be trusted by and large but person by person we can find our way back to trust and reality. And remake our world. Take a holiday break. Drink deeply of hope, joy and love. Thank you Steven. I hope for you some soul-filling, strengthening time away. (I recommend Disney cartoons where epic battles of good and evil are resolved in goodness and love. )
I remember how completely exhausted I felt after last month’s election. We’re not giving in, though. We have new people working together, announcing for office and moving forward, one step at a time. We will get there.
Thank you for this post. After the holidays - it would be nice if our Democrat Leaders would formulate a plan - but it's not likely. They've been warned for decades about not paying attention to local, county, state races and have only made a miniscule attempt to fund them. They've been warned for decades about establishing a new "Fairness" doctrine or rules for cable TV propaganda, but didn't heed the warning. They've been warned for decades to change communications to respond to 24/7/365 onslaught of misinformation by Fox and spinoffs and did nothing. They've been warned during the Biden presidency to go on defense to match Trump & GOP attacks, rallies, conventions to try to switch the narrative and news cycle, yet did nothing in their misguided attempt to not dignify the constant barrage of lies. If you don't respond to the constant lies - then that's what folks are going to believe. Times are different. You can't wait until an election to come out and play. It's year round, 24/7/365. Fuck manners - fight - it's war and has been for some time. I have limited time and resources but will continue to fund, support and email the folks who are fighting the good fight against the oligarchs who would like a return to colonial times, where the majority of us did not have the right to vote or participate in our democratic nation. FIGHT! Happy Holidays.
Michelle, As I mentioned in another comment, I would support Ben Wikler for DNC chair. He seems to really get it. Here is a link to his Web site: https://www.benwikler.com/. Hope this helps. Happy holidays!
Thank you for the excellent post on not giving up. America is so much more than trumpism. Our love for what is good and right must remain foremost in our hearts and minds. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Steven, and to all your readers.
What a great and timely essay, Steven. This is where the rubber meets the road, and we can provide the traction. A Merry Christmas and Happy 2025 to you and yours.
Thank you, as always Steven, for your words of wisdom and your generosity and passion in sharing them. I've noted (with some interest) that as things have become more obviously worse and dangerous with Trump's victory, and as it becomes clear that we are headed for some truly bad times, that I have become LESS cynical and even more determined to stand against the tyranny that is coming. I am protected in many ways (I live abroad, I am white, well-educated, comfortably retired, safe and secure for now at least) but I do not take that protection for granted because I live in a country that is showing signs of heading toward tyranny as well. But push on this American Woman who was weaned on Jeffersonian democracy, and damn, I will push back as hard as I can. I am not giving up. No f**king way. Happy Holidays to everyone. Rest up -- we are in this for the long haul.
New Years sounds like a good time to turn the page on cynicism, hopelessness and venting. It’s a human reaction as you point out. It also needs to run its course before it becomes deeply entrenched and sucks the life out of us.
Many if not most of us have experienced times in our lives when we couldn’t see a way forward, and yet we found a way. Maybe unexpectedly; usually with the help of others.
A new year is a good time to decide the change we want to see; what our role will be in that change and let our actions support what we want to see.
Just what I needed to read Steven, but I often feel that when I click open your emails,. Thank you. Happy holidays and make sure to take all that time to rest. You deserve it.
Steven, by the time I get to your well-thought-out newsletters, it is in the evenings but nonetheless, I want to respond to you. I get the exhaustion and the frustrations. We He all mentally challenged by the threats, the language that is thrown at us by a felon and now his partner in crime. Professor Timothy Snyder is calling these two “Mumps”. He says we will be going through “The Mumps Syndrome”. This made me laugh out loud! Snyder is not known for his comedic timing but this was so apropos. I fight because I seek vengeance against the wrongs committed by those who think they know more than us. When I say vengeance, I do not want to inflict physical harm but I do want them to go through “something” that may just drastically change their way of thinking. Anyway, it seems to me that a lot of these rich white dudes and dudettes were somehow born out of the same pod and well, I have had enough of them! I hope you have very pleasant holidays with your family and I look forward to reenergizing with you and the others in 2025. My very best to you.
Thank you for your insight and encouragement. I always enjoy reading your observations and the comments that follow. It makes me feel less isolated in my all-too-red county.
It takes time and effort, but we can prevail. I've been reading more of our national history lately, and appreciate even more what our forebears achieved by their courage and persistence. It gives me hope.
When I returned to college after my first failed attempt, I discovered Calvin Coolidge's quote, "Persistence". I printed it out and hung it above my desk throughout undergrad and veterinary school. I read it often to help keep me going for those eight years. It's time to put it up over my desk again.
Best wishes to all for a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
Ho, ho, hope! Refresh and then re-engage.
“Problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them.” - Albert Einstein
Holiday blessings! Hopefully we can all stick together to encourage, strengthen, support, and sometimes even carry one another during the fight ahead. I pray folks who hold insights into resistance will freely share them so we can add to the tools we employ. Peace be yours.
Steven, you’re right; it is hard to stay in this fight feeling so powerless. That’s why I propose that people look into running for school boards on a save democracy platform. School boards are kind of an unknown power source. People aren’t aware of the role our schools played in dismantling democracy and that our school boards did this to us. Go to WhiteChalkCrime.com and listen to whistleblowing teachers and learn that our schools, that were to maintain democracy, have done just the opposite.
You don’t need to have a child in school to run. You can be very young or very old. It’s hard fighting a battle as a powerless outsider for many. You can be a powerful insider despite what Trump has achieved.
Go for it before they privatize our schools so you can’t run for boards - precisely why they want to privatize. Get on these boards and use your power to turn our schools - the foundation of our democracy - into the light that keeps democracy shining.
If you can’t run, spread the word to everyone you know agonizing over what’s to come. Help others run in groups of three so they’ll control their boards. Get your religious institution involved . Administrators now easily controlling these elections. A save democracy platform will be an unexpected force that can topple their control. Go for it!
Thank you Steven, for this message of hope and renewal. Your voice sustains so many of us. Enjoy your well deserved break! Happy holidays, and blessings to you and yours.
Thank you so much, Steven, for your tireless work on behalf of democracy and for our benefit as a country and a movement. I use the word movement quite deliberately, because the work is never finished and the waters are never calm. In this season of light, the lesson of Chanukah, the Festival of Light, teaches that there can be enough light even when the supplies of oil appear exhausted. We can go farther than we think with oil enough for just one day, because, as the story goes, the sparse oil lasted for eight days. This is the story of what is to come. And, as in “The Christmas Carol”, hearts and minds can be changed if we try. If we tell the stories of how democracy can be and spread the hope that tomorrow can bring, we’ll be okay. All traditions use metaphors of hope and light and joy as a bulwark against the fading light, because the solstice means that we can look toward new light and new life.
I pray that you and yours enjoy some well-earned rest and respite, complete with a grog of contentment and laughter. Happy Holidays!
Half of the country may have voted for trump. But in that half are many decent loving people who care for their families, friends, even strangers and the blessed Earth. Many are misled but not evil. When fear surges in I think of my trump-voting neighbor across my country road who makes sure my mailbox is blown clear of snow. Love simply is stronger than hate. Sanity is more prevalent than insanity. Neither musk nor trump have the powers the main stream media ascribes to them. From the Christian gospels “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.” The media cannot be trusted by and large but person by person we can find our way back to trust and reality. And remake our world. Take a holiday break. Drink deeply of hope, joy and love. Thank you Steven. I hope for you some soul-filling, strengthening time away. (I recommend Disney cartoons where epic battles of good and evil are resolved in goodness and love. )
Those are the connections that can help us turn the tide. IMO, we need to cultivate more of them.
I remember how completely exhausted I felt after last month’s election. We’re not giving in, though. We have new people working together, announcing for office and moving forward, one step at a time. We will get there.
Thank you, Steven. Peace and Joy to you.
I honestly don’t know what to do that I didn’t already do for the last 4 to 9 years. But I will have happy holidays.
Thank you for this post. After the holidays - it would be nice if our Democrat Leaders would formulate a plan - but it's not likely. They've been warned for decades about not paying attention to local, county, state races and have only made a miniscule attempt to fund them. They've been warned for decades about establishing a new "Fairness" doctrine or rules for cable TV propaganda, but didn't heed the warning. They've been warned for decades to change communications to respond to 24/7/365 onslaught of misinformation by Fox and spinoffs and did nothing. They've been warned during the Biden presidency to go on defense to match Trump & GOP attacks, rallies, conventions to try to switch the narrative and news cycle, yet did nothing in their misguided attempt to not dignify the constant barrage of lies. If you don't respond to the constant lies - then that's what folks are going to believe. Times are different. You can't wait until an election to come out and play. It's year round, 24/7/365. Fuck manners - fight - it's war and has been for some time. I have limited time and resources but will continue to fund, support and email the folks who are fighting the good fight against the oligarchs who would like a return to colonial times, where the majority of us did not have the right to vote or participate in our democratic nation. FIGHT! Happy Holidays.
Thanks for your thoughtful remarks.
Michelle, As I mentioned in another comment, I would support Ben Wikler for DNC chair. He seems to really get it. Here is a link to his Web site: https://www.benwikler.com/. Hope this helps. Happy holidays!
Thank you for the excellent post on not giving up. America is so much more than trumpism. Our love for what is good and right must remain foremost in our hearts and minds. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Steven, and to all your readers.
What a great and timely essay, Steven. This is where the rubber meets the road, and we can provide the traction. A Merry Christmas and Happy 2025 to you and yours.
I love that metaphor.
Too often we describe or think about what we can do as a burden.
Thank you, as always Steven, for your words of wisdom and your generosity and passion in sharing them. I've noted (with some interest) that as things have become more obviously worse and dangerous with Trump's victory, and as it becomes clear that we are headed for some truly bad times, that I have become LESS cynical and even more determined to stand against the tyranny that is coming. I am protected in many ways (I live abroad, I am white, well-educated, comfortably retired, safe and secure for now at least) but I do not take that protection for granted because I live in a country that is showing signs of heading toward tyranny as well. But push on this American Woman who was weaned on Jeffersonian democracy, and damn, I will push back as hard as I can. I am not giving up. No f**king way. Happy Holidays to everyone. Rest up -- we are in this for the long haul.
Nice to hear these times make you feel less cynical and more determined.
New Years sounds like a good time to turn the page on cynicism, hopelessness and venting. It’s a human reaction as you point out. It also needs to run its course before it becomes deeply entrenched and sucks the life out of us.
Many if not most of us have experienced times in our lives when we couldn’t see a way forward, and yet we found a way. Maybe unexpectedly; usually with the help of others.
A new year is a good time to decide the change we want to see; what our role will be in that change and let our actions support what we want to see.
Just what I needed to read Steven, but I often feel that when I click open your emails,. Thank you. Happy holidays and make sure to take all that time to rest. You deserve it.
Thank you, Liz. And to you…
Steven, by the time I get to your well-thought-out newsletters, it is in the evenings but nonetheless, I want to respond to you. I get the exhaustion and the frustrations. We He all mentally challenged by the threats, the language that is thrown at us by a felon and now his partner in crime. Professor Timothy Snyder is calling these two “Mumps”. He says we will be going through “The Mumps Syndrome”. This made me laugh out loud! Snyder is not known for his comedic timing but this was so apropos. I fight because I seek vengeance against the wrongs committed by those who think they know more than us. When I say vengeance, I do not want to inflict physical harm but I do want them to go through “something” that may just drastically change their way of thinking. Anyway, it seems to me that a lot of these rich white dudes and dudettes were somehow born out of the same pod and well, I have had enough of them! I hope you have very pleasant holidays with your family and I look forward to reenergizing with you and the others in 2025. My very best to you.
Thank you, Marlene.