Thank you Mr Kirschner. 2025 has been one of the most frightening and grievous years of my life, and it’s been less than three months. I’m 75 and honestly never imagined seeing such evil, cruelty, vengeance and malignant abuse of power come out of a US president and his party - AIMED AT HIS OWN COUNTRY. It’s insane and it’s going to hurt a lot of people who don’t deserve this.
I hear you Sandy. I’m going to be 80 on my next birthday and I never, ever, expected to see so much cruelty, ignorance and lack of decorum in the democracy I love. I will never understand this sort of mean mindedness. Truth is so much easier than convoluted lies. Kindness is so much more satisfying than the denial of hope and comfort to our fellow world family. Difficult times, but I intend to stand strong as long as it takes.
I'm constantly in conversations with people who are angry and tired. I live near the Canadian border. I hear people saying they'll no longer speak to Americans they considered friends. I'm telling them, he's worse for us they he is for you. Help us get rid of him. Too many want to see this as the US & Them. When actually it is all the free world on one side and a felons or two or three who want to rule the world on the other side. Dump the bastards. Why aren't our congress people standing in the doorways blocking these snarling puppy doges. Yes I'm all you describe Elliot. Then I remember I'm soon to leave this life, I get angry enough to stand up again for my grandkids.
So important just to acknowledge that this is not our own struggle alone—this is not one thing but everything, for our trainees, our futures, our survival, and finding common cause amidst the current chaos and pain
In hard situations like these I always find it helpful to look for solutions. It actually gives you a change of focus and ends up charging you with HOPE!
I understand exactly what you are saying. I have the same, as my grandmother would say, conglomeration of started, half done and some I’m sure useless missives. Some days it is just so hard to get motivated. But I am determined to complete, jettison or question
You are not alone, Elliot. Many of us are victims of Trump/Musk Mass Distraction Tactics. I compare it to Hitler's blitzkrieg. And the only way that was stopped was by focusing both brute force and alternative opinions where they mattered most.
Focus! Pick any area of your concern and expertise. And then hammer it home to your readers. We will share your writing with friends, neighbors, patriots, and, yes, traitors sharing our same predicaments.
Thank you for this. It’s important to offer ourselves some grace in these very trying times.
What really broke me today was reading about Elon wanting to cut phone support for social security. I’m not sure why that in particular finally got me to tear up, but it did. It’s an astonishing amount of cruelty that is expected to a degree, but it’s impossible to entirely prepare yourself for.
Thank you again for the inspiring words and reminder that we are not alone.
Those of us who cherish democracy must stand and fight. No more turning the other cheek. It's time to fight fire with fire. We are at war with the current administration. Denying it is to deceive oneself. We all learned the words of Patrick Henry, GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!
Thanks Elliot for putting my feelings down here in this piece. Your newsletter title Through the Fog seems apt to the matter at hand today in this country. I almost can't stand to watch any news and my anxiety is overworking at the moment--for this country, my health situation and financial as well. I cannot fathom someone so hateful to take their revenge out on the majority.
I remember something similar after October 7. At some point I just stopped functioning. Simply had to rest and recover let the body digest its grief. And then came the response.
It must be such an anxious time over there in the US. Hold each other and think long term rather than reacting. Strengthen the communities so you can roar back when the time to respond comes. It is not yet.
Yes. I am grieving. Thank you for acknowledging how painful and exhausting this is.
This moment seems to be about whether the worst of who we are as humans or the best of who we are will prevail. I try to carry curiosity, generosity, and kindness with me everyday, but I am so, so tired.
I found happiness and peace by cutting off all political news, video and print. However, somehow I let news on the economy catch my attention and suck me in. A new addiction to replace my old one.
Im taking a few steps to reduce my pathological need to read everything I can on the topic. Going to the Indian Wells Tennis Open is a great alternative. Watching people who are the best in the world at what they do is so beautiful.
Breaking old habits and making your heart happy is so important at this time. It brings clarity.
Elliot, I have wanted to comment on your post for a few days but I too have been at a Loss for Words.
Perhaps we all need a pause from words and focus on a different picture: the infinite universe and the tiny speck of it the earth represents - the organic nature of our dear earth and its own intelligence, beauty and voice which many of us hear and deeply love - the rhythm of the rising and setting sun which marks our days regardless of what churning upheaval humans create down below - and the power of love. Let's blast the darkness with Love - a firehose of light and love into all the dark corners. Cleansing and Refreshing.
The Words will come back with a united voice that will shout down these dark days. No more indoor voices - we need to shout our love for our country our world from the rooftops. The fight between Light and Dark is as old as time but we need to hold onto this: the sun always rises and banishes the dark night.
And this I am writing in early morning. Only have one thing to say. If this is making America great I would much rather be average and not have to worry about our democracy. Thank you for your post.
Dear Mr. Kirschner. Your message yesterday was very honest, vulnerable and so very sad. I agree that there is now a heaviness in our day to day encounters, in our tasks and in our outlook. It is scary that one person can upend most of the Northern Hemisphere with his cruel pettiness and reckless abandon of systems and relationships that have taken decades to build. As much as my heart hurts, and I have no idea where this will end up (being Canadian truly, who knows) I have faith in mankind and do not believe this will continue to go unchecked. I am trying to focus on the little things, the beauty of the sunrise, the birds that have just started to chirp again after a long winter of silence, and the goodness of most people, doors held, smiles exchanged, kindness of strangers as there seems no good in lamenting on the "powers that be". lol
We will get through this and will conquer the evil that surrounds us. There is too much good in the world and too many who see this character for the destructive degenerate he is.
I wish you all the best with your writing and your state of mind. I feel you and I care. x
Thank you Mr Kirschner. 2025 has been one of the most frightening and grievous years of my life, and it’s been less than three months. I’m 75 and honestly never imagined seeing such evil, cruelty, vengeance and malignant abuse of power come out of a US president and his party - AIMED AT HIS OWN COUNTRY. It’s insane and it’s going to hurt a lot of people who don’t deserve this.
I hear you Sandy. I’m going to be 80 on my next birthday and I never, ever, expected to see so much cruelty, ignorance and lack of decorum in the democracy I love. I will never understand this sort of mean mindedness. Truth is so much easier than convoluted lies. Kindness is so much more satisfying than the denial of hope and comfort to our fellow world family. Difficult times, but I intend to stand strong as long as it takes.
Thank you Karen. This is the sick tyranny democrats KNEW would happen. I’m not shutting up either. Went to my first public protest today!
Yay for you Sandy!
I'm constantly in conversations with people who are angry and tired. I live near the Canadian border. I hear people saying they'll no longer speak to Americans they considered friends. I'm telling them, he's worse for us they he is for you. Help us get rid of him. Too many want to see this as the US & Them. When actually it is all the free world on one side and a felons or two or three who want to rule the world on the other side. Dump the bastards. Why aren't our congress people standing in the doorways blocking these snarling puppy doges. Yes I'm all you describe Elliot. Then I remember I'm soon to leave this life, I get angry enough to stand up again for my grandkids.
So important just to acknowledge that this is not our own struggle alone—this is not one thing but everything, for our trainees, our futures, our survival, and finding common cause amidst the current chaos and pain
In hard situations like these I always find it helpful to look for solutions. It actually gives you a change of focus and ends up charging you with HOPE!
🙏❤️🩹
I'm also so full of sorrow. I feel the loss of our friendships and alliances
OH my goodness, I, too, have this struggle...but we are not alone....do what you can, that is all we can do oxoxo
I understand exactly what you are saying. I have the same, as my grandmother would say, conglomeration of started, half done and some I’m sure useless missives. Some days it is just so hard to get motivated. But I am determined to complete, jettison or question
You are not alone, Elliot. Many of us are victims of Trump/Musk Mass Distraction Tactics. I compare it to Hitler's blitzkrieg. And the only way that was stopped was by focusing both brute force and alternative opinions where they mattered most.
Focus! Pick any area of your concern and expertise. And then hammer it home to your readers. We will share your writing with friends, neighbors, patriots, and, yes, traitors sharing our same predicaments.
Thank you for this. It’s important to offer ourselves some grace in these very trying times.
What really broke me today was reading about Elon wanting to cut phone support for social security. I’m not sure why that in particular finally got me to tear up, but it did. It’s an astonishing amount of cruelty that is expected to a degree, but it’s impossible to entirely prepare yourself for.
Thank you again for the inspiring words and reminder that we are not alone.
Those of us who cherish democracy must stand and fight. No more turning the other cheek. It's time to fight fire with fire. We are at war with the current administration. Denying it is to deceive oneself. We all learned the words of Patrick Henry, GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!
'nuff said.
Thanks Elliot for putting my feelings down here in this piece. Your newsletter title Through the Fog seems apt to the matter at hand today in this country. I almost can't stand to watch any news and my anxiety is overworking at the moment--for this country, my health situation and financial as well. I cannot fathom someone so hateful to take their revenge out on the majority.
I remember something similar after October 7. At some point I just stopped functioning. Simply had to rest and recover let the body digest its grief. And then came the response.
It must be such an anxious time over there in the US. Hold each other and think long term rather than reacting. Strengthen the communities so you can roar back when the time to respond comes. It is not yet.
Yes. I am grieving. Thank you for acknowledging how painful and exhausting this is.
This moment seems to be about whether the worst of who we are as humans or the best of who we are will prevail. I try to carry curiosity, generosity, and kindness with me everyday, but I am so, so tired.
I found happiness and peace by cutting off all political news, video and print. However, somehow I let news on the economy catch my attention and suck me in. A new addiction to replace my old one.
Im taking a few steps to reduce my pathological need to read everything I can on the topic. Going to the Indian Wells Tennis Open is a great alternative. Watching people who are the best in the world at what they do is so beautiful.
Breaking old habits and making your heart happy is so important at this time. It brings clarity.
Pass it on.
Elliot, I have wanted to comment on your post for a few days but I too have been at a Loss for Words.
Perhaps we all need a pause from words and focus on a different picture: the infinite universe and the tiny speck of it the earth represents - the organic nature of our dear earth and its own intelligence, beauty and voice which many of us hear and deeply love - the rhythm of the rising and setting sun which marks our days regardless of what churning upheaval humans create down below - and the power of love. Let's blast the darkness with Love - a firehose of light and love into all the dark corners. Cleansing and Refreshing.
The Words will come back with a united voice that will shout down these dark days. No more indoor voices - we need to shout our love for our country our world from the rooftops. The fight between Light and Dark is as old as time but we need to hold onto this: the sun always rises and banishes the dark night.
Thank you Patricia for this beautiful post.
And this I am writing in early morning. Only have one thing to say. If this is making America great I would much rather be average and not have to worry about our democracy. Thank you for your post.
Dear Mr. Kirschner. Your message yesterday was very honest, vulnerable and so very sad. I agree that there is now a heaviness in our day to day encounters, in our tasks and in our outlook. It is scary that one person can upend most of the Northern Hemisphere with his cruel pettiness and reckless abandon of systems and relationships that have taken decades to build. As much as my heart hurts, and I have no idea where this will end up (being Canadian truly, who knows) I have faith in mankind and do not believe this will continue to go unchecked. I am trying to focus on the little things, the beauty of the sunrise, the birds that have just started to chirp again after a long winter of silence, and the goodness of most people, doors held, smiles exchanged, kindness of strangers as there seems no good in lamenting on the "powers that be". lol
We will get through this and will conquer the evil that surrounds us. There is too much good in the world and too many who see this character for the destructive degenerate he is.
I wish you all the best with your writing and your state of mind. I feel you and I care. x