Jack- I think I’m mentally as strong or stronger than the next person. As an older white guy with no wife left to protect, I’m trying to model non-violent resistance behavior to set an example for those with young families with a lot more to lose, as well my fellow baby boomers who, understandably are afraid, indifferent, and/or focused on just surviving day-to-day.
Everything you’ve touched on over the last four months has heightened my understanding of what compassionate people are up against. Your tips and strategies are great transactional defenses.
What has me overwhelmed is the sheer size of the iceberg towering over us. It feels like I’ve got a pea shooter against an automatic weapon, and if I blow on my straw that justifies the massive response I expect will follow against me.
When I try to enumerate what we’re facing I see this in the iceberg: SCOTUS, ICE, DHS, FBI , all three branches of government, federalized National Guards, DOGE/Palantir/AI - driven big tech algorithms inciting increased polarization and a hapless big media that serves us unbalanced news, afraid of factual reporting.
I’m not naive; I understand public media has stockholders and broadcast licenses to worry about getting pulled, and they’ve been co-opted by their government overseers.
What worries me the most right now is the intensity of the reaction against any dissent, any disagreement, any voice that doesn’t align with P2025 mind speak. Anybody stepping out of line is subject to harsh criticism or worse.
What I’ve seen that gives me some hope is this:
. Chicago mayor and Illinois governor anticipatory pushback against NG deployment (for now) and stalls trump’s ‘war’ declaration against Chicago;
. The redistricting fights against gerrymandering efforts to cheat in the
midterms and the brave walkout which not only delayed the inevitable but shined nationwide attention on what was happening in Texas;
. The state actions taken that try to prohibit the masking of non-local law enforcement personnel;
. The use of some common sense leverage to deny funding another round of budget dollars unless we get some healthcare relief for those relying on Medicaid/SNAP et al;
. The few comedy/entertainment shows that continue to show divergent points of view: South Park, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher’s Real Time
. The No Kings rallies nationwide
. The beginnings of a dialogue about soft secession.
. The Substack community of souls that are cohesive, supportive and kind to one another - people helping one another, dealing with issues like dementia, autism, troubled marriages/ relationships, sharing stories of pain and struggle, but offering hope to those who came through the other side.
Good writing, Tom, and I understand your viewpoint. It feels so huge, but I think I happened onto Substack at exactly the right time. I feel at home here and hopeful among all of these knowledgeable, kind, determined patriots and humanitarians.
“ Strategic Hate” was the PERFECT description of the current situation. It puts a target on the Trans community, that fits this current administration’s agenda perfectly!
Jack- I think I’m mentally as strong or stronger than the next person. As an older white guy with no wife left to protect, I’m trying to model non-violent resistance behavior to set an example for those with young families with a lot more to lose, as well my fellow baby boomers who, understandably are afraid, indifferent, and/or focused on just surviving day-to-day.
Everything you’ve touched on over the last four months has heightened my understanding of what compassionate people are up against. Your tips and strategies are great transactional defenses.
What has me overwhelmed is the sheer size of the iceberg towering over us. It feels like I’ve got a pea shooter against an automatic weapon, and if I blow on my straw that justifies the massive response I expect will follow against me.
When I try to enumerate what we’re facing I see this in the iceberg: SCOTUS, ICE, DHS, FBI , all three branches of government, federalized National Guards, DOGE/Palantir/AI - driven big tech algorithms inciting increased polarization and a hapless big media that serves us unbalanced news, afraid of factual reporting.
I’m not naive; I understand public media has stockholders and broadcast licenses to worry about getting pulled, and they’ve been co-opted by their government overseers.
What worries me the most right now is the intensity of the reaction against any dissent, any disagreement, any voice that doesn’t align with P2025 mind speak. Anybody stepping out of line is subject to harsh criticism or worse.
What I’ve seen that gives me some hope is this:
. Chicago mayor and Illinois governor anticipatory pushback against NG deployment (for now) and stalls trump’s ‘war’ declaration against Chicago;
. The redistricting fights against gerrymandering efforts to cheat in the
midterms and the brave walkout which not only delayed the inevitable but shined nationwide attention on what was happening in Texas;
. The state actions taken that try to prohibit the masking of non-local law enforcement personnel;
. The use of some common sense leverage to deny funding another round of budget dollars unless we get some healthcare relief for those relying on Medicaid/SNAP et al;
. The few comedy/entertainment shows that continue to show divergent points of view: South Park, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher’s Real Time
. The No Kings rallies nationwide
. The beginnings of a dialogue about soft secession.
. The Substack community of souls that are cohesive, supportive and kind to one another - people helping one another, dealing with issues like dementia, autism, troubled marriages/ relationships, sharing stories of pain and struggle, but offering hope to those who came through the other side.
Our hands pulling together, Tom
Good writing, Tom, and I understand your viewpoint. It feels so huge, but I think I happened onto Substack at exactly the right time. I feel at home here and hopeful among all of these knowledgeable, kind, determined patriots and humanitarians.
And it’s onward as we go.
Thanks Cherae - one step at a time, hand in hand, caring for each other.
“ Strategic Hate” was the PERFECT description of the current situation. It puts a target on the Trans community, that fits this current administration’s agenda perfectly!
As it should be.