If you are ever in Ct. can we meet for a drink or a cup of coffee ?As a mother and a grandmother of eight the future seemed dire to me and I lived in dread for what would be confronting these loved ones after I was gone. Not that I could save them from the likes of Donald Trump but maybe I could be a temporary refuge for them in the midst of the current ugliness. If this is the price we must pay to birth a more perfect union and a return to rationality and sane governance I will gladly pay it objecting all the way, every day with my limited abilities. But along with millions of others.
Pushing against the headwind of dark forces is an effort taking place around the globe - we must all be vigilant since the infection spreads so easily via social media etc., wishing you all strength and resilience from Canada.
A wonderful report, so clearly and lyrically stated!
Even Trump, the developer, knows that a new building can't be constructed until the old one is torn down, but he's more of a destroyer of worlds than a creator. Fortunately, there are people with bright ideas who can help rebuild, modernize, and re-democratize the American Experiment, restoring it as a beacon to the world.
We used to put those tiny premie newborns in incubators to survive and grow , now we have added 'kangaroo care' where those tiny ones are held close to our bodies for warmth and human contact. They do even better this way! We all need the warmth of human contact and nurturing. Let's not forget this as AI and whatever comes next is being showcased.
thanks for all y'all do....I was back east visiting and longer story shortened overheard mom and friends talking about the last class screening so proudly excitedly used all my ahem skills to help her plan a viewing party Monday in Baltimore...I think she can do it ..I'll be in Santa Fe new Mexico home and am very proud of her and grateful to y'all and look forward to that and more. many thanks. -SJOCR
This is a well written, thought provoking, positive argument for why we must resist the temptation to wallow in doom and gloom. The capacity of humans to recover from sudden and unexpected events is marked by history. I was not here in the USA when McCarthy went off the rails, but democracy prevailed. I was here during the Nixon debacle (Saturday night massacre and other excesses). Again, sanity prevailed. I was here when Bush Jr and his gang (the cunning Dick Cheney, the power-drunk Rumsfeld and the fool Powell) took us to an ill-conceived war, yet we prevailed. As the cliche says: this too shall pass. But this time I harbor dark forebodings of the Natl Guard being used to intimidate voters and 5th columnists being used to provoke poll station violence. Democracy must prevail!
Thank you. Your perspective reminds me, a retired Lutheran pastor, that we are constantly surrounded by and living in God's love while also surrounded by and living in the evil that just is. I know God's love is much stronger, but living in the realities of 2025 is so overwhelming and confusing that I sometimes fear that goodness is lost. It's not. And our spiritual reality hasn't changed in millennia, so I get to reorient my eyes and my heart for LOVING ACTION and hold hands with everyone as we move forward into uncharted territory.
Of course! The future is always uncharted territory.
I loved this piece, Elliot! It reminds me of line in the Lord of the Rings, about the quest standing on the edge of a knife point, where things could go well or could fail. . . I hope and pray that you are right, and though these times seem so very dark, we are incubating a new and better future for our children and grandchildren.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this encouraging message. Your description of hopeful signs of recovery gives me hope that we will ultimately "build back better," creating a culture and society that incorporate and advance the ideals of our democracy.
Elliot, thank you for that wonderful hope inspiring article. I grew up 4 blocks from Ocean Beach and have many memories to cherish. When I revisit my childhood home and surrounding areas I am always struck by the fact that the waves in the ocean are still rolling in and out. Always have and always will be.
That’s what we hope and pray for. Thank you for being one of those who keep my head above water.
PS If I were still teaching, I would share your gift of writing with my students. “Now that,” I would say, “is excellence in writing.”
Thanks Terasa, you are too kind. And thank you for your service as a teacher.
If you are ever in Ct. can we meet for a drink or a cup of coffee ?As a mother and a grandmother of eight the future seemed dire to me and I lived in dread for what would be confronting these loved ones after I was gone. Not that I could save them from the likes of Donald Trump but maybe I could be a temporary refuge for them in the midst of the current ugliness. If this is the price we must pay to birth a more perfect union and a return to rationality and sane governance I will gladly pay it objecting all the way, every day with my limited abilities. But along with millions of others.
Pushing against the headwind of dark forces is an effort taking place around the globe - we must all be vigilant since the infection spreads so easily via social media etc., wishing you all strength and resilience from Canada.
A wonderful report, so clearly and lyrically stated!
Even Trump, the developer, knows that a new building can't be constructed until the old one is torn down, but he's more of a destroyer of worlds than a creator. Fortunately, there are people with bright ideas who can help rebuild, modernize, and re-democratize the American Experiment, restoring it as a beacon to the world.
Wow, what a stimulating, refreshing and elegant essay -- way to wrap up a turbulent year with long-view optimism.
The metal scales metaphor is inspired and apt. May we also settle into a new state of balance before too much more wild swaying.
I've long admired your smart reflections and gifted writing, Elliot, and this is particularly strong.
We used to put those tiny premie newborns in incubators to survive and grow , now we have added 'kangaroo care' where those tiny ones are held close to our bodies for warmth and human contact. They do even better this way! We all need the warmth of human contact and nurturing. Let's not forget this as AI and whatever comes next is being showcased.
thanks for all y'all do....I was back east visiting and longer story shortened overheard mom and friends talking about the last class screening so proudly excitedly used all my ahem skills to help her plan a viewing party Monday in Baltimore...I think she can do it ..I'll be in Santa Fe new Mexico home and am very proud of her and grateful to y'all and look forward to that and more. many thanks. -SJOCR
This is a well written, thought provoking, positive argument for why we must resist the temptation to wallow in doom and gloom. The capacity of humans to recover from sudden and unexpected events is marked by history. I was not here in the USA when McCarthy went off the rails, but democracy prevailed. I was here during the Nixon debacle (Saturday night massacre and other excesses). Again, sanity prevailed. I was here when Bush Jr and his gang (the cunning Dick Cheney, the power-drunk Rumsfeld and the fool Powell) took us to an ill-conceived war, yet we prevailed. As the cliche says: this too shall pass. But this time I harbor dark forebodings of the Natl Guard being used to intimidate voters and 5th columnists being used to provoke poll station violence. Democracy must prevail!
Thanks, I needed that
Thank you. Your perspective reminds me, a retired Lutheran pastor, that we are constantly surrounded by and living in God's love while also surrounded by and living in the evil that just is. I know God's love is much stronger, but living in the realities of 2025 is so overwhelming and confusing that I sometimes fear that goodness is lost. It's not. And our spiritual reality hasn't changed in millennia, so I get to reorient my eyes and my heart for LOVING ACTION and hold hands with everyone as we move forward into uncharted territory.
Of course! The future is always uncharted territory.
The encourgement to BREATHE that I think too many of us forget to do. There is hope in the unknown. Thank you, Mr. Kirschner! Just what I needed.
From your clairvoyant and optimistic words towards the future, Elliot. Write on.
I loved this piece, Elliot! It reminds me of line in the Lord of the Rings, about the quest standing on the edge of a knife point, where things could go well or could fail. . . I hope and pray that you are right, and though these times seem so very dark, we are incubating a new and better future for our children and grandchildren.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this encouraging message. Your description of hopeful signs of recovery gives me hope that we will ultimately "build back better," creating a culture and society that incorporate and advance the ideals of our democracy.
Elliot, thank you for that wonderful hope inspiring article. I grew up 4 blocks from Ocean Beach and have many memories to cherish. When I revisit my childhood home and surrounding areas I am always struck by the fact that the waves in the ocean are still rolling in and out. Always have and always will be.
Elliot, thank you for such beautiful and wise words! It’s your taking the time to do so that reminds me that I am not alone. Thank you🙏🏻