Couldn’t agree with you more about these glimmers of hope! I’m also confident that if all the times Biden ran for President, he was thwarted so that he could be here for this time. Synchronicities ☺️🙏🏼
Thanks Elliot, excellent column. As long as there is breath, there is hope. I was, nonetheless, shocked when Johnson decided to defy Trump and MAGA by having votes on aid to Ukraine and Israel. Here is a man who has been in lock-step with Trump actually re-thinking what is right. I can't help but think the intelligence briefings significantly influenced his decisions. It would appear that even a strong MAGA supporter can be influenced by the truth. Amazing and certainly a reason to hope.
Is it possible that Jesus spoke quietly to Mr. Johnson in a dream or during his daily devotions? Perhaps it was like Moses and the bush of fire? Maybe even a MAGAt is worthy of redemption? The Christo-fascists must be twisting themselves in knots to explain this one...this man's Road to Damascus epiphany led him exactly down the opposite path that their theologic orthodoxy predicted. We'll see whether subsequent action confirms his reformation, but even this brief act of integrity may have tectonic effects on the politics of "now" with his handlers, including "the Ever-more Orange-er Emper-or".
Yes, possible. Damascus Road spiritual experiences are few and far between, but information about Johnson indicates that his faith is real. Perhaps he has been a frustrated conservative led astray by MAGA. Time will tell.
Saying Yes to a positive week starting today and launching Earth Day tomorrow with all that will follow on. Focus on hope, positive , productive, constructive outcomes, plus conscious intentions to spread more light, love and life. Thanks, Eliot.
Thank you for this. Many people fought hard for this country. I view this as one of those times we need to stand up and fight to strengthen and move our democracy forward .
Oh, Eliot ! What a great recap of a momentous week and an acknowledgment of a future that may be the one your readers have been doubting since the last Republican challenger to DJT dropped out. We can and will prevail in November.
"Hope is that thing with feathers," wrote Emily Dickinson, "That perches in the soul." We too felt encouraged this week about the developments you chronicle here. I like the image that three or four of my lifetimes could fly us back through history for even deeper perspective.
I appreciate these notes to remind us of positive developments. I translate soldier stories written by an Ukrainian soldier and as soon as I heard that aid bill passed yesterday I wrote him the news. He and many of his fellow soldiers have been using their own money to buy drones and other equipment they need. On another note, I've also enjoyed trump having to hear so many prospective jurors say what they think of him.
Thanks. I always find your columns inspiring. Hope is indeed the best and most needed guide for success, without it not much can be accomplished and we easily lose faith.
In fact hope is one of the three constant things we need for a happy life, according to the Bible in First Corinthians 13:13. "Three things abide, faith, hope and love - but the greatest of these is love."
Yes, HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON!!! And you have written a hopeful piece that impressed me greatly. But “Hope” always seems to be ephemeral…why won’t they put TFG in prison if he’s found guilty … especially if he committed election fraud, an insurrection , stole classified documents from the govt of the USA, is a committed rapist????? Any other citizen with multiple crimes of this order would have been locked up for life! When do those of us who have been greatly & negatively affected daily by his ability to create a chaotic reality in America and the World get to see him receive the punishment he deserves? Or will that never happen???
I agree with you Eliott that this past week will prove to be historic. Arab nations helping Israel defend itself from an attack is nothing short of a miracle. We can only hope that this will lead to a new era of communication and education. Hate has no safe harbor anymore.
The vote in the House yesterday to approve long overdue aid packages was not on the horizon a week ago. Kudos to Speaker Johnson for standing up to a small fringe of publicity seekers who espoused false and at times dangerous rhetoric. MTG has been acting as a spokesperson for Russian state media. Clearly there is no majority at this time that would vacate the speaker's chair. To do that, House republicans would need the help of Democrats who are willing to take their chances now with Johnson rather than risk getting someone more extreme. Politics sure does make strange bedfellows.
Democrats re-discovered the art of compromise. If this continues, this congress may end up actually accomplishing things during an election year, which is historically remarkable. At a time of stagnation, I have been hearing expressions of hope from Senators and Representatives. It is as if the fact that we are "Americans" has finally penetrated the thick skulls of so many. For more than 200 years, the United States has been, as Ronald Reagan so eloquently expressed, the shining city on a hill. Despite the efforts of a few GOP loudmouths, we are the last best hope for freedom for so many.
And finally, we are seeing our democracy at its finest. The trial of DJT for his finanical shenanigans is on a pace no one could have anticipated. Judge Merchan has taken charge and not allowed Trump and his minions to influence the legal process. It will be hard for Trump to sit through weeks of testimony from people he at one time trusted. He is incapable of understanding the desires of those he maligned to set the record straight. He has been a "dictator" in his business and family affairs for so long he cannot truly appreciate the power he has forfeited. When Judge Marchan told him " Mr. Trump, take a seat" it was perhaps the first time since he was a boy that he was admonished and obeyed. One can imagine Fred Trump ruling with an iron fist. I believe Trump sees his father in Putin, and that is why he cozies up to him. He is looking for a father figure to pat him on the head.. giving him a sign of approval.
Trump truly believes his trials will be an asset in the campaign. If fact, as he increasingly looks like a broken old man, the opposite is true. While Joe Biden has his own challenges to face, no one ascribes to him the quality of a charlatan. Trump sees himself as untouchable. When the cuffs are put around his wrists and he is led away from the courtroom after being convicted, he will know for himself that nobody is above the law.
For the last two years, I have been commiserating AND telling my friends when I saw a little bit of hope. In the last few weeks, my spirits have been rising.
Your email is SO full of hope. Thank you, Elliot. We need to keep telling one another the good things (along with the difficult things), to point our connected lives toward the hopeful and the possible.
Hope is always here . Forever. It remains as a reminder that we need to fight for our freedom , our future . To be vigilant and watch for aggressive behavior which the orange one displays in a daily basis . I'm sure we will be successful in this election so our democracy won't falter .
thank you Elliot for sharing. Your observation that small changes that can change the course of history must not be ignored as over time those small incremental changes become huge! I believe with all my heart that this story of good prevailing over evil is real and that we all play a part. Please keep sharing; we are not alone.
Couldn’t agree with you more about these glimmers of hope! I’m also confident that if all the times Biden ran for President, he was thwarted so that he could be here for this time. Synchronicities ☺️🙏🏼
Thanks Elliot, excellent column. As long as there is breath, there is hope. I was, nonetheless, shocked when Johnson decided to defy Trump and MAGA by having votes on aid to Ukraine and Israel. Here is a man who has been in lock-step with Trump actually re-thinking what is right. I can't help but think the intelligence briefings significantly influenced his decisions. It would appear that even a strong MAGA supporter can be influenced by the truth. Amazing and certainly a reason to hope.
Thank you. Good insight re Johnson, too.
Is it possible that Jesus spoke quietly to Mr. Johnson in a dream or during his daily devotions? Perhaps it was like Moses and the bush of fire? Maybe even a MAGAt is worthy of redemption? The Christo-fascists must be twisting themselves in knots to explain this one...this man's Road to Damascus epiphany led him exactly down the opposite path that their theologic orthodoxy predicted. We'll see whether subsequent action confirms his reformation, but even this brief act of integrity may have tectonic effects on the politics of "now" with his handlers, including "the Ever-more Orange-er Emper-or".
Yes, possible. Damascus Road spiritual experiences are few and far between, but information about Johnson indicates that his faith is real. Perhaps he has been a frustrated conservative led astray by MAGA. Time will tell.
Saying Yes to a positive week starting today and launching Earth Day tomorrow with all that will follow on. Focus on hope, positive , productive, constructive outcomes, plus conscious intentions to spread more light, love and life. Thanks, Eliot.
We were overdue for a positive week.
Thank you for this. Many people fought hard for this country. I view this as one of those times we need to stand up and fight to strengthen and move our democracy forward .
Oh, Eliot ! What a great recap of a momentous week and an acknowledgment of a future that may be the one your readers have been doubting since the last Republican challenger to DJT dropped out. We can and will prevail in November.
"Hope is that thing with feathers," wrote Emily Dickinson, "That perches in the soul." We too felt encouraged this week about the developments you chronicle here. I like the image that three or four of my lifetimes could fly us back through history for even deeper perspective.
That is my spouse’s favorite poem, something that helped rescue the abused child from the abyss.
Sitting here in London I say thank you for such a perceptive summary of where we are.
I appreciate these notes to remind us of positive developments. I translate soldier stories written by an Ukrainian soldier and as soon as I heard that aid bill passed yesterday I wrote him the news. He and many of his fellow soldiers have been using their own money to buy drones and other equipment they need. On another note, I've also enjoyed trump having to hear so many prospective jurors say what they think of him.
Great essay, thank you Elliot. It is essential that we have hope in this time and age. You speak to it very well.
Thanks. I always find your columns inspiring. Hope is indeed the best and most needed guide for success, without it not much can be accomplished and we easily lose faith.
In fact hope is one of the three constant things we need for a happy life, according to the Bible in First Corinthians 13:13. "Three things abide, faith, hope and love - but the greatest of these is love."
Used that in our wedding ceremony, it’s so plangent.
Yes, HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON!!! And you have written a hopeful piece that impressed me greatly. But “Hope” always seems to be ephemeral…why won’t they put TFG in prison if he’s found guilty … especially if he committed election fraud, an insurrection , stole classified documents from the govt of the USA, is a committed rapist????? Any other citizen with multiple crimes of this order would have been locked up for life! When do those of us who have been greatly & negatively affected daily by his ability to create a chaotic reality in America and the World get to see him receive the punishment he deserves? Or will that never happen???
Hello Eliott and the entire "FOG" Community.
I agree with you Eliott that this past week will prove to be historic. Arab nations helping Israel defend itself from an attack is nothing short of a miracle. We can only hope that this will lead to a new era of communication and education. Hate has no safe harbor anymore.
The vote in the House yesterday to approve long overdue aid packages was not on the horizon a week ago. Kudos to Speaker Johnson for standing up to a small fringe of publicity seekers who espoused false and at times dangerous rhetoric. MTG has been acting as a spokesperson for Russian state media. Clearly there is no majority at this time that would vacate the speaker's chair. To do that, House republicans would need the help of Democrats who are willing to take their chances now with Johnson rather than risk getting someone more extreme. Politics sure does make strange bedfellows.
Democrats re-discovered the art of compromise. If this continues, this congress may end up actually accomplishing things during an election year, which is historically remarkable. At a time of stagnation, I have been hearing expressions of hope from Senators and Representatives. It is as if the fact that we are "Americans" has finally penetrated the thick skulls of so many. For more than 200 years, the United States has been, as Ronald Reagan so eloquently expressed, the shining city on a hill. Despite the efforts of a few GOP loudmouths, we are the last best hope for freedom for so many.
And finally, we are seeing our democracy at its finest. The trial of DJT for his finanical shenanigans is on a pace no one could have anticipated. Judge Merchan has taken charge and not allowed Trump and his minions to influence the legal process. It will be hard for Trump to sit through weeks of testimony from people he at one time trusted. He is incapable of understanding the desires of those he maligned to set the record straight. He has been a "dictator" in his business and family affairs for so long he cannot truly appreciate the power he has forfeited. When Judge Marchan told him " Mr. Trump, take a seat" it was perhaps the first time since he was a boy that he was admonished and obeyed. One can imagine Fred Trump ruling with an iron fist. I believe Trump sees his father in Putin, and that is why he cozies up to him. He is looking for a father figure to pat him on the head.. giving him a sign of approval.
Trump truly believes his trials will be an asset in the campaign. If fact, as he increasingly looks like a broken old man, the opposite is true. While Joe Biden has his own challenges to face, no one ascribes to him the quality of a charlatan. Trump sees himself as untouchable. When the cuffs are put around his wrists and he is led away from the courtroom after being convicted, he will know for himself that nobody is above the law.
For the last two years, I have been commiserating AND telling my friends when I saw a little bit of hope. In the last few weeks, my spirits have been rising.
Your email is SO full of hope. Thank you, Elliot. We need to keep telling one another the good things (along with the difficult things), to point our connected lives toward the hopeful and the possible.
Hope is a verb, also!
Hope is always here . Forever. It remains as a reminder that we need to fight for our freedom , our future . To be vigilant and watch for aggressive behavior which the orange one displays in a daily basis . I'm sure we will be successful in this election so our democracy won't falter .
thank you Elliot for sharing. Your observation that small changes that can change the course of history must not be ignored as over time those small incremental changes become huge! I believe with all my heart that this story of good prevailing over evil is real and that we all play a part. Please keep sharing; we are not alone.