It has become way too easy to feed the hate that exists in America and the world. Donald Trump has made it easier as have all the people who have found it easier to spew hate because of him. I'm not just talking about his base and his strongest supporters. No, the hate is coming from every angle and from every part of the political spectrum. It's coming from Republicans, Democrats, progressives and conservatives, young and old, black and white. Yes, people are finding it easier to yell and scream at each other with their voices or through their keypads. The hatred that has been spawned by our current political environment is being justified and encouraged as a way to fight back. People honestly believe that they shouldn't just sit back and take hate or even a philosophical disagreement with those they disagree with anymore.
So the divisions widen, positions harden, terrible things are said and generalizations are made about Republicans, Democrats, Muslims, Jews and Christians. Our tribalism kicks in and we are encouraged by those who think like us and insulted by those who don't. In the end, we see the results with 19 year-olds or 70 somethings who grab a weapon and attack people they deem to be the enemy on that particular day and in that particular place.
I decided a long time ago that my beliefs require me to speak up and act against injustice, poverty and violence. But speaking up and acting against those things doesn't require that I feed the hatred. I'm struggling along with many others to find ways to cope and move forward in a world that has become one big punching bag. A world where we let others dictate our decency by showing how outrageous they can be. I don't like the results. I don't believe this is the way people should treat each other.
Some will ask, what's your solution and I have to admit that I don't have many answers. The only thing I know is that I'm choosing not to feed the hate. I would rather not spend the energy on the hate. I'd rather find ways to help other people become whole if they've been hurt, fed if they're hungry or respected if they need it. We all have to change if we want the world to change. We can't keep living in a tabloid world or looking for reality show leaders and we can't continue to hate at the level that I'm seeing.
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Pondering A Presidential Library
Every once in awhile we have to take a leap into the future and think about what some things will look like given our current state of affairs. So I sat the other day just pondering what Donald Trump's Presidential Library would be like. It was an odd thought actually, but I decided to go ahead with it and let my mind explore all of the possibilities.
We certainly know that it won't have any books other than the ghostwritten "The Art of The Deal". But based on information we've seen from the Mueller Report, no notes, no emails, no text messages, nothing really in writing from his presidency other than those Executive Orders he holds up so proudly after filling half a page with his signature.
So if there isn't any written material, what will there be. Well as I see it, lots of videos. Videos of rallies with fist pumping, lower lip biting and chants of 'lock her up' and 'build that Wall'. Of course there will also be videos of hand shakes and back slaps with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. No translator notes but perhaps a few copies of love letters between the three of them. Yes, videos will dominate the Library itself along with displays of Photoshopped pictures, self portraits and magazine covers. Life size or bigger I think.
The building itself will be magnificent, a huge tower like structure with many gold plated amenities, a huge clean coal fired furnace will heat the building. There will be a wonderful escalator ride for the kids from the first to the second floor. Of course many of the rooms and areas will be empty due to the lack of written material but the drapes and carpets will be wonderful.
The main attraction will be the gift and souvenir shop located on the 52nd floor or perhaps the 60th floor depending on your particular attitude about the building and the Trump Presidency. The shop will offer everything - MAGA Hats and T-Shirts, Trump Water, Trump Steaks, Trump Wine, golf clubs, golf shirts, yes everything you can imagine. Before you leave, you and your family or guests will be directed to the Mar-A-Largo all you can eat Buffet.
The biggest question of course is where the structure will be located. New York State is out of the question. Codes, and regulations make NYS next to impossible but Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are all vying for site selection. There will definitely have to be a big, huge, beautiful wall around the building, something akin to Lewisburg Penitentiary or the US Penitentiary at Leavenworth, and the property itself should be swamp like but solid. Visitors on weekends only.
Yes, it will be magnificent. Nothing but the best.
We certainly know that it won't have any books other than the ghostwritten "The Art of The Deal". But based on information we've seen from the Mueller Report, no notes, no emails, no text messages, nothing really in writing from his presidency other than those Executive Orders he holds up so proudly after filling half a page with his signature.
So if there isn't any written material, what will there be. Well as I see it, lots of videos. Videos of rallies with fist pumping, lower lip biting and chants of 'lock her up' and 'build that Wall'. Of course there will also be videos of hand shakes and back slaps with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. No translator notes but perhaps a few copies of love letters between the three of them. Yes, videos will dominate the Library itself along with displays of Photoshopped pictures, self portraits and magazine covers. Life size or bigger I think.
The building itself will be magnificent, a huge tower like structure with many gold plated amenities, a huge clean coal fired furnace will heat the building. There will be a wonderful escalator ride for the kids from the first to the second floor. Of course many of the rooms and areas will be empty due to the lack of written material but the drapes and carpets will be wonderful.
The main attraction will be the gift and souvenir shop located on the 52nd floor or perhaps the 60th floor depending on your particular attitude about the building and the Trump Presidency. The shop will offer everything - MAGA Hats and T-Shirts, Trump Water, Trump Steaks, Trump Wine, golf clubs, golf shirts, yes everything you can imagine. Before you leave, you and your family or guests will be directed to the Mar-A-Largo all you can eat Buffet.
The biggest question of course is where the structure will be located. New York State is out of the question. Codes, and regulations make NYS next to impossible but Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are all vying for site selection. There will definitely have to be a big, huge, beautiful wall around the building, something akin to Lewisburg Penitentiary or the US Penitentiary at Leavenworth, and the property itself should be swamp like but solid. Visitors on weekends only.
Yes, it will be magnificent. Nothing but the best.
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