Yes! Thank you for this admonishment from Ezekiel. I have been doing my best on Substack, but my personal friends don't seem to think speaking up relates to them.
Yes. Keep looking and telling the truth even when it is scary and painful. "The danger is a system of people with power deciding that their jobs, access, party loyalty, and proximity to power matter more than public safety." How do they sleep at night, these people who look like grown-ups but show no mature responsibility and empathy?
Sort of a battle between "qui ne dit mot consent" vs considering the ramifications of "aprés moi, le deluge." The line of succession does not give me much hope even if we get rid of the head of the snake (to add another dictum).
I am in a field of work that is directly targeted by this administration and we have taken the stance that not drawing attention to our organization helps us avoid embroilment in possible nasty arguments and better serve our immigrant population, keeping them safer. It gets harder and harder to do. Discerning where to speak up has been/is difficult. Everyone in my circle knows (or assumes they know) what I think. The admonition sound the warning or be held responsible for the outcome is challenging! Thanks
I get that. It’s certainly less safe for some people to speak than for others, which is why people who have some privilege (people like me) need to sound the alarm. Because not everyone is in a position to do it. Thank you for that reminder, Sharla
But the desire to stay safe is what the people in power around him are putting first! They know if they act they will be attacked. And they are right, especially clearly so when the madness is extremely visible and the ability to attack is unbounded (the arrest of the man who touched the reflecting pool is the best recent illustration of this, the killing of the Houston guy is the most heart-breaking). The thugs and the bombs are under his control and he is incapable of rational thought. So very dangerous!!
Which us why we need watchmen and women blowing their trumpets and discovering where we still might have a press free enough to feel safe amplifying that call.
I am also in an organization directly impacted by the administration actions. I have been very careful to keep my professional life separate from my personal thoughts and actions. It's not easy, but it's something I am willing to do to protect our organization's mission. Maybe I'm trying to validate my own reason for not being louder, but I believe the work I do (and you likely do) matters to support those who might be harmed by the current administration. Sometimes just doing our jobs counts as a kind of resistance.
I would never want people whose life and/or livelihood to be reckless. I think you’ve shown a great deal of wisdom in knowing which battles are even possible to fight, and courage for looking to see if it were possible in the first place.
Great piece Derek. Re: Trump, one week he calls the Iranians very smart and good people, the next week they’re dumb and need to be obliterated. He is severely mentally unstable. As for “us”, it can also be spelled “vote”. It’s very clear that “complicit followers” sit in Congress, not “leaders or constituent representatives”. This November may be the last chance for “us” to be heard. Thanks.
I do speak-shouting into a storm, or a cavern, a black hole? So it seems. “Leave a message” so I do, when that option comes. I feel very helpless and alone and know we are in DIRE need for this dangerous, incompetent on several levels, to be relieved of his position, before he does something worse than EVERYTHING he’s done so far. Terrifying, really. And yes, extremely stressful. I listened to birds serenading this morning for some bit of peace.
I shared this on FB. This isn’t about politics. It’s about doing the right thing in an extremely dangerous situation. President Trump needs to step down or the Senate and Congress doing the right thing.
I have been blowing the horn for at least 11 yrs now. Some have come around, some have not. I have often said to others, "I see what you see, but I see more," and that has sometimes opened up conversations. I believe it is also very important to help each other keep from falling into despair by constantly looking for and finding the paths that Christ puts before us, and sharing those. I find that while I am "blowing the horn," it's very important to shine the light as a beacon on the top of the hill, so those who choose to respond can find the way forward. Easier said than done, of course.
This is some of your best work, and every bit of it needed to be said. The real problem in the mess in D.C. is the enablers in the administration and Congress who are making it possible. It is vitally important that they all be held accountable.
Chaos constantly makes me numb to it all. And maybe that is the purpose of it. I understand the elevated cortisol levels you speak of. But I can not stop trying to fortify myself with truth and compassion for everyone suffering from the same symptoms.
Heres the thing,some of us have been saying it for TEN years. And no one who can do anything about it listens or cares. And the faithful still follow their cult leader. It's just screaming into the void.
Yes! Thank you for this admonishment from Ezekiel. I have been doing my best on Substack, but my personal friends don't seem to think speaking up relates to them.
Yes. Keep looking and telling the truth even when it is scary and painful. "The danger is a system of people with power deciding that their jobs, access, party loyalty, and proximity to power matter more than public safety." How do they sleep at night, these people who look like grown-ups but show no mature responsibility and empathy?
Sort of a battle between "qui ne dit mot consent" vs considering the ramifications of "aprés moi, le deluge." The line of succession does not give me much hope even if we get rid of the head of the snake (to add another dictum).
Please don't grade my French--it's been 60 years since my last class, but the meaning gets an extra punch from the context I think.
That’s an impressive comment! I love it!
I am in a field of work that is directly targeted by this administration and we have taken the stance that not drawing attention to our organization helps us avoid embroilment in possible nasty arguments and better serve our immigrant population, keeping them safer. It gets harder and harder to do. Discerning where to speak up has been/is difficult. Everyone in my circle knows (or assumes they know) what I think. The admonition sound the warning or be held responsible for the outcome is challenging! Thanks
I get that. It’s certainly less safe for some people to speak than for others, which is why people who have some privilege (people like me) need to sound the alarm. Because not everyone is in a position to do it. Thank you for that reminder, Sharla
But the desire to stay safe is what the people in power around him are putting first! They know if they act they will be attacked. And they are right, especially clearly so when the madness is extremely visible and the ability to attack is unbounded (the arrest of the man who touched the reflecting pool is the best recent illustration of this, the killing of the Houston guy is the most heart-breaking). The thugs and the bombs are under his control and he is incapable of rational thought. So very dangerous!!
Which us why we need watchmen and women blowing their trumpets and discovering where we still might have a press free enough to feel safe amplifying that call.
I am also in an organization directly impacted by the administration actions. I have been very careful to keep my professional life separate from my personal thoughts and actions. It's not easy, but it's something I am willing to do to protect our organization's mission. Maybe I'm trying to validate my own reason for not being louder, but I believe the work I do (and you likely do) matters to support those who might be harmed by the current administration. Sometimes just doing our jobs counts as a kind of resistance.
I would never want people whose life and/or livelihood to be reckless. I think you’ve shown a great deal of wisdom in knowing which battles are even possible to fight, and courage for looking to see if it were possible in the first place.
“Speak, even if your voice shakes.” 🙏❤️
Precisely!
Great piece Derek. Re: Trump, one week he calls the Iranians very smart and good people, the next week they’re dumb and need to be obliterated. He is severely mentally unstable. As for “us”, it can also be spelled “vote”. It’s very clear that “complicit followers” sit in Congress, not “leaders or constituent representatives”. This November may be the last chance for “us” to be heard. Thanks.
Who even knows what’s going through that man’s head?
I do speak-shouting into a storm, or a cavern, a black hole? So it seems. “Leave a message” so I do, when that option comes. I feel very helpless and alone and know we are in DIRE need for this dangerous, incompetent on several levels, to be relieved of his position, before he does something worse than EVERYTHING he’s done so far. Terrifying, really. And yes, extremely stressful. I listened to birds serenading this morning for some bit of peace.
Birds singing! Yes!
I shared this on FB. This isn’t about politics. It’s about doing the right thing in an extremely dangerous situation. President Trump needs to step down or the Senate and Congress doing the right thing.
Agreed.
I have been blowing the horn for at least 11 yrs now. Some have come around, some have not. I have often said to others, "I see what you see, but I see more," and that has sometimes opened up conversations. I believe it is also very important to help each other keep from falling into despair by constantly looking for and finding the paths that Christ puts before us, and sharing those. I find that while I am "blowing the horn," it's very important to shine the light as a beacon on the top of the hill, so those who choose to respond can find the way forward. Easier said than done, of course.
Well said!
The entire country should be screaming it from the flipping rooftops.
This is some of your best work, and every bit of it needed to be said. The real problem in the mess in D.C. is the enablers in the administration and Congress who are making it possible. It is vitally important that they all be held accountable.
Thank you for that!
Chaos constantly makes me numb to it all. And maybe that is the purpose of it. I understand the elevated cortisol levels you speak of. But I can not stop trying to fortify myself with truth and compassion for everyone suffering from the same symptoms.
Exactly how I was feeling this morning!! Thank you.
Heres the thing,some of us have been saying it for TEN years. And no one who can do anything about it listens or cares. And the faithful still follow their cult leader. It's just screaming into the void.