Trump was evicted nearly two years ago, but a return to more innocent, less toxic times seems farther and farther away. Elon Musk is part of the problem.
This quote came to mind today. How much progress we have not made ...
“…in spite of these spectacular strides in science and technology, and still unlimited ones to come, something basic is missing. There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance. The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” - Martin Luther King Jr. 12/11/64
I was permanently suspended from Twitter weeks before Elon-I said something mean about the NRA. They are very sensitive over there, but not sensitive to the CARNAGE!
I have other accounts too, but Twitter still is best suited to my interests. Not being a public figure, I am not attracting as many right wingers. When the occasional one crosses my path, I mute or block.
Never give up. Elon’s insanity will become increasingly apparent and truth will seep out. Slowly! I miss several Twitter friendships, but I have no way to contact people so -moving on.  Hopefully as other options appear there will be a few more forums for sanity, exchange of ideas, decency, and reasonably intelligent discourse.
Steven was the first person I found on post.news. Before phasing out of the dying bird I made a spreadsheet of everyone I was following. I found quite a few over at Post but do not know how they find time to post on 2 separate platforms. This morning Seth Abramson had posted a list of everyone he’s following on Post. It was helpful in finding more of my favorite people, like Jamie Raskin, Joyce White Vance, others.
I am consumer of many like minded writings like this one on all that you have said here..Yet as is pointed out by all, nothing is being done about it..There are actual actions that must be taken to demonstrate the level of the unacceptable..They are not pretty, they are not pleasant, but they can be effective..Nothing else is working..This country faces desperate times, we need to take desperate measures..The unacceptable must be made clear..The analogy is to say to a candidate “Find your moral compass from your seat in Congress after you get elected..”
I share your frustration and deep concern about what is happening in our country. And I'm staying on twitter in order to push back against the gaslighting, the lies, the disinformation and the outright support of Trumpism and the authoritarian agenda of the Republican party. My motivation comes from the idea that we won't be able to reclaim our country if we are in retreat.
I ran across an Atlantic article that describes in detail what is happening among a lot of everyday Trump supporters. In today's news it looks like Trump's support is waning in the face of political losses and legal investigations that are drawing tighter around him. But make no mistake, removing Trump from the public square will not end Trumpism. Nor will it alter the Republican agenda toward authoritarianism (so-called illiberal democracy as promoted by Hungary's Orban) under one party rule. Because the damage is so deep and widespread the struggle for us will be generational at this point.
So, I'm buckling up and digging in.
I posted this this morning. This Atlantic article I included is very informative.
This is simplistic, but for me, it's how I'm approaching things right now: I was bullied as a child; I was petrified every day; for many reasons I couldn't stand up for myself. As soon as I could, I left, and went 3000 miles and never went back! Several more times, I've encountered bullies and have stood up to them as best I could. I have decided NEVER to back down again! TFG is a bully; Musk is a bully; they are all bullies. For that reason, right now any way, I do not choose to leave Twitter. I won't be driven off by a racist, anti-semitic, horrible bully!
You’re right Deb. They’re all bullies. Like you I’m very sensitive about bullying whether it’s directed at me or at someone else. Over the decades I’ve learned how to defend myself and fight back, and even coach others in how to fight back.
I’ve learned that in order to fight back effectively I have to first calm myself, and say or do something so unexpected that it catches the bully offguard. Bullying is childish. It’s also purposefully mean & nasty.
Magas, white supremacists and adolescent boys & girls seem to think bullying is smart and cool. It’s not, it displays the bully’s ignorance, immaturity and self-involvement. It’s a hallmark of narcissism, because believe it or not, narcissists bully others due to their pathologically low self-esteem. In fact there are people, narcissists included, who don’t even realize they bully people.
People like Trump & Musk and many republicans currently in Congress appear to me to be stuck in the adolescent phase of life, perpetually displaying tremendously poor judgment regardless of how educated they are and obsessed with a need to do whatever they think will get attention. They deceive and manipulate people without guilt, but most of all they deceive themselves.
I, too, have created accounts on Mastodon and Post. But like you, I don't want to leave Twitter. For the past eight months, I've tweaked it until I only follow people who give me joy. I read tweets before I go to bed to ease the stress of the day. Now it's become more difficult to find joy on the site. I've had to block more trolls than ever. But I won't give up until the ship sinks completely and the website no longer opens on my computer.
Unlike you, I have very few followers, so when I tweet, I don't get any responses. I like it that way. But for the "more famous" Twitterers, that's not possible. Stay strong!!
I'm new to this site, so I hope my question isn't ridiculous. Years ago I read Jane Meyer's book DARK MONEY, she laid out the Powell Memo written in 1972 and how billionaires should essentially start attacking our democracy our government our country, why isn't more made of this overt attack? They've been conspiring for decades, in the book the KOCHS, COORS, WALTONS, DEVOS SCAIFE FAMILIES were among those creating organizations, FEDERALIST SOCIETY, ALEC HERITAGE FOUNDATION to undermine our government attacking our democracy, where's the outrage, the MSM? It seems now the entire GOP is openly attacking our country is our Rule of Law not strong enough to deal with this or is it being purposely manipulated?
It's all too depressing at times. I've left the bird platform and have found it a relief not to read the daily rants and negativity. Meanwhile, I'm waiting to see if another social platform pops up as an alternative.
You shouldn't have to endure the hate directed at you. Just leave Twitter. It's not worth the weight it places on you; nor is it worth the anguish it causes. Find the light and move toward it.
Like you, I've created accounts at Mastodon and Post. But I don't want to leave Twitter either. Over the past eight months I've tweaked those who I follow so my visit to Twitter gives me joy. I hate losing that. Lately, I've had to block more trolls than ever. But I'm staying until the website no longer opens on my computer.
Unlike you, I'm not famous. When I tweet, no one replies back. Don't give up the fight!! You're not alone.
This quote came to mind today. How much progress we have not made ...
“…in spite of these spectacular strides in science and technology, and still unlimited ones to come, something basic is missing. There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance. The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” - Martin Luther King Jr. 12/11/64
Thank you for sharing this wonderful quote from Dr. King.
I love that quote from MLK, especially the words "poverty of spirit" which really defines the predicament that we are in.
I left Twitter as soon as I heard Elon Musk was buying it. The only thing he understands is money. My hope is he loses billions.
I was permanently suspended from Twitter weeks before Elon-I said something mean about the NRA. They are very sensitive over there, but not sensitive to the CARNAGE!
Thank you for your words. I enjoy your efforts to keep sanity alive.
I have other accounts too, but Twitter still is best suited to my interests. Not being a public figure, I am not attracting as many right wingers. When the occasional one crosses my path, I mute or block.
Never give up. Elon’s insanity will become increasingly apparent and truth will seep out. Slowly! I miss several Twitter friendships, but I have no way to contact people so -moving on.  Hopefully as other options appear there will be a few more forums for sanity, exchange of ideas, decency, and reasonably intelligent discourse.
Steven was the first person I found on post.news. Before phasing out of the dying bird I made a spreadsheet of everyone I was following. I found quite a few over at Post but do not know how they find time to post on 2 separate platforms. This morning Seth Abramson had posted a list of everyone he’s following on Post. It was helpful in finding more of my favorite people, like Jamie Raskin, Joyce White Vance, others.
I am consumer of many like minded writings like this one on all that you have said here..Yet as is pointed out by all, nothing is being done about it..There are actual actions that must be taken to demonstrate the level of the unacceptable..They are not pretty, they are not pleasant, but they can be effective..Nothing else is working..This country faces desperate times, we need to take desperate measures..The unacceptable must be made clear..The analogy is to say to a candidate “Find your moral compass from your seat in Congress after you get elected..”
I share your frustration and deep concern about what is happening in our country. And I'm staying on twitter in order to push back against the gaslighting, the lies, the disinformation and the outright support of Trumpism and the authoritarian agenda of the Republican party. My motivation comes from the idea that we won't be able to reclaim our country if we are in retreat.
I ran across an Atlantic article that describes in detail what is happening among a lot of everyday Trump supporters. In today's news it looks like Trump's support is waning in the face of political losses and legal investigations that are drawing tighter around him. But make no mistake, removing Trump from the public square will not end Trumpism. Nor will it alter the Republican agenda toward authoritarianism (so-called illiberal democracy as promoted by Hungary's Orban) under one party rule. Because the damage is so deep and widespread the struggle for us will be generational at this point.
So, I'm buckling up and digging in.
I posted this this morning. This Atlantic article I included is very informative.
https://twitter.com/AJHodIII/status/1602662053965168640?s=20&t=Jp1JqfEw-VoeH2clguf7Qg
No question Trumpism will survive Trump. I appreciate your digging in; it will be a long haul. Thanks for flagging the article.
This is simplistic, but for me, it's how I'm approaching things right now: I was bullied as a child; I was petrified every day; for many reasons I couldn't stand up for myself. As soon as I could, I left, and went 3000 miles and never went back! Several more times, I've encountered bullies and have stood up to them as best I could. I have decided NEVER to back down again! TFG is a bully; Musk is a bully; they are all bullies. For that reason, right now any way, I do not choose to leave Twitter. I won't be driven off by a racist, anti-semitic, horrible bully!
You’re right Deb. They’re all bullies. Like you I’m very sensitive about bullying whether it’s directed at me or at someone else. Over the decades I’ve learned how to defend myself and fight back, and even coach others in how to fight back.
I’ve learned that in order to fight back effectively I have to first calm myself, and say or do something so unexpected that it catches the bully offguard. Bullying is childish. It’s also purposefully mean & nasty.
Magas, white supremacists and adolescent boys & girls seem to think bullying is smart and cool. It’s not, it displays the bully’s ignorance, immaturity and self-involvement. It’s a hallmark of narcissism, because believe it or not, narcissists bully others due to their pathologically low self-esteem. In fact there are people, narcissists included, who don’t even realize they bully people.
People like Trump & Musk and many republicans currently in Congress appear to me to be stuck in the adolescent phase of life, perpetually displaying tremendously poor judgment regardless of how educated they are and obsessed with a need to do whatever they think will get attention. They deceive and manipulate people without guilt, but most of all they deceive themselves.
Where can I locate that list? Post now has wait list
The question to me is why are so many people so full of hate & ready to submit to madness ?
I, too, have created accounts on Mastodon and Post. But like you, I don't want to leave Twitter. For the past eight months, I've tweaked it until I only follow people who give me joy. I read tweets before I go to bed to ease the stress of the day. Now it's become more difficult to find joy on the site. I've had to block more trolls than ever. But I won't give up until the ship sinks completely and the website no longer opens on my computer.
Unlike you, I have very few followers, so when I tweet, I don't get any responses. I like it that way. But for the "more famous" Twitterers, that's not possible. Stay strong!!
I'm new to this site, so I hope my question isn't ridiculous. Years ago I read Jane Meyer's book DARK MONEY, she laid out the Powell Memo written in 1972 and how billionaires should essentially start attacking our democracy our government our country, why isn't more made of this overt attack? They've been conspiring for decades, in the book the KOCHS, COORS, WALTONS, DEVOS SCAIFE FAMILIES were among those creating organizations, FEDERALIST SOCIETY, ALEC HERITAGE FOUNDATION to undermine our government attacking our democracy, where's the outrage, the MSM? It seems now the entire GOP is openly attacking our country is our Rule of Law not strong enough to deal with this or is it being purposely manipulated?
It's all too depressing at times. I've left the bird platform and have found it a relief not to read the daily rants and negativity. Meanwhile, I'm waiting to see if another social platform pops up as an alternative.
You shouldn't have to endure the hate directed at you. Just leave Twitter. It's not worth the weight it places on you; nor is it worth the anguish it causes. Find the light and move toward it.
I am so appreciative of your essays. Your well reasoned and timely comments give me solace and hope. Thank you.
Thank you, Marianne.
Like you, I've created accounts at Mastodon and Post. But I don't want to leave Twitter either. Over the past eight months I've tweaked those who I follow so my visit to Twitter gives me joy. I hate losing that. Lately, I've had to block more trolls than ever. But I'm staying until the website no longer opens on my computer.
Unlike you, I'm not famous. When I tweet, no one replies back. Don't give up the fight!! You're not alone.