I remember watching the Khans at the Democratic convention. Ms. Khan was indeed correct: I felt and shared her pain without her needing to say a word. And I too wish you'd been right, that Americans never would've voted for him nor allowed him to cheat his way into the presidency. But here we are.
As long as I live I'll never understand the climate that turned our country toward that foolish, unworthy madman. I've been looking back on the stories I wrote before, during, and after Trump's debacle and it still horrifies me. What stands out more than anything is how transparent Trump was--and how accepted he was as an outlaw and a conman.
Sadly, I think things were bubbling underneath the surface of civility for decades. The arm of racism is long. Plus, Reagan started us on this path of selfishness. Perhaps we were always going to be here. I take comfort in the thought (horrible analogy but perhaps apt) that a dying mule kicks the hardest. I live in Texas so we get these terrible sayings. Anyway, I sincerely hope that we're moving towards a better future; we're just going to have to fight to get there.
Yes, I agree. As a columnist during the Reagan years I was bucking the trend toward loving that grinning B-movie actor, pointing out the fatal flaws in 'Trickle-down', harassing the poor, killing off unions, and turning the rich into demigods--to no avail even then.
I feel bad for Texans today. They had Molly and Ann on their side and they ignored them, too.
The GOP counts on our weariness. They hope we'll give up. My stubbornness is the only thing that keeps me going. I won't give them the satisfaction.
Ramona, we're 2 peas in a pod! I won't give up either.
And yes, those of us who are still sane in Texas appreciate your kind thoughts. We need them, especially since our governor and other Republicans are trying to kill us. It feels like that's literally true.
We miss Molly and Ann daily. I had the great fortune of seeing Ann speak in person at a pro-choice march in Austin back in the 90s. I cherish the memory.
I do not talk about politics in my books/reading newsletter because I want it to be a drama-free, fun newsletter to read. There are so many other places on the internet that I follow politics, but I rarely comment as you never know what the response will be. The way people attack each other behind their screens is horrible. I used to say, "if you wouldn't say that to a person's face, why would you say it online," but this doesn't hold true anymore. Some people say anything, and they just don't care. I agree with you on not understanding the climate that gave us Trump, and now all his minions, and I don't see us getting past this any time soon as very few are willing to stand up to any/all of this, and when they do, they are eviscerated.
Sorry I missed this. Politics isn't for everybody, and that's okay. Right now I'm burned out and I get it that it's often either an exercise in futility or an invitation to an attack. But ignoring what's happening won't make it go away. We feel it, whether or not we write about it.
For years I felt I had to write about what I was witnessing. But I'm tired now. Exhausted. And demoralized. So I certainly would never try to tell another writer to take it up. It's something you have to feel in your bones, and if you don't, nobody will know it better than you.
Re-reading your newsletter(s) from the beginning, like a book, Ramona. Stumbled on this. Of all the terrible cruelties enacted by that man, I'd forgotten this one (and that image of him mocking a reporter). Right now we have him in our face daily through the tawdry details of the trial. You were indeed prescient. Your piece could be re-posted today. Thanks for your eloquence. Somehow it's reassuring that you wrote this so "long" ago.
Your assessment of tRump all those years ago, now only scratches the surface of the depravity, disrespect, hatefulness, self-promotion, ugliness, lying, cheating, stealing, unpatriotic, abusive, misogynistic, racist, cruel, vain, whiny and downright ugly excuse for a human. I’ve disliked him since hearing him disgusting lusting after his own daughter years ago..
He is a self-made man and I’m not talking about his accumulated wealth earned through fraud, deceit, bigotry, scamming and willingness to screw anybody (figuratively and literally) to get what he wants.
As I think about people (living and dead) around the globe, only the worst of the worst exceed the damage this man has single handedly done. But even more than that, I am without words when thinking about how so many people at every economic, power and intelligence level have either succumbed to his evil offerings or decided to use them for their personal gain.
What does it say about us? We have become seduced by power, fame, physical possessions, entertainment the devalues humanity, technology which has made us to always look down instead of towards each other and the ability to harm others with hateful words.
The Evil One’s sniveling and cowardly verbal attacks on men and women who serve our country proudly is beyond the pale. Why do we let him get by with dishonoring former prisoners of war, disabled soldiers, young men who return from combat in a box and the families who will never again see their child. The fact that the flag-waving “patriots” worship the Evil One and see him as a “savior” makes me want to puke.
History may never forgive us for unleashing Mr. Evil on the world. A second term will be even worse because he has learned he can get by with anything because we let him. HIDE THE NUCLEAR CODES.
Better yet, let’s send him into exile permanently.
Disgusting, isn't it? I have no forgiveness in my heart for anyone who keeps that monster going, and that includes the voters. I hate living in a country that harbors and promotes someone like Trump so I do all I can to make sure this isn't the country we're going to live in.
I remember watching the Khans at the Democratic convention. Ms. Khan was indeed correct: I felt and shared her pain without her needing to say a word. And I too wish you'd been right, that Americans never would've voted for him nor allowed him to cheat his way into the presidency. But here we are.
As long as I live I'll never understand the climate that turned our country toward that foolish, unworthy madman. I've been looking back on the stories I wrote before, during, and after Trump's debacle and it still horrifies me. What stands out more than anything is how transparent Trump was--and how accepted he was as an outlaw and a conman.
And he's still getting away with it.
Sadly, I think things were bubbling underneath the surface of civility for decades. The arm of racism is long. Plus, Reagan started us on this path of selfishness. Perhaps we were always going to be here. I take comfort in the thought (horrible analogy but perhaps apt) that a dying mule kicks the hardest. I live in Texas so we get these terrible sayings. Anyway, I sincerely hope that we're moving towards a better future; we're just going to have to fight to get there.
Yes, I agree. As a columnist during the Reagan years I was bucking the trend toward loving that grinning B-movie actor, pointing out the fatal flaws in 'Trickle-down', harassing the poor, killing off unions, and turning the rich into demigods--to no avail even then.
I feel bad for Texans today. They had Molly and Ann on their side and they ignored them, too.
The GOP counts on our weariness. They hope we'll give up. My stubbornness is the only thing that keeps me going. I won't give them the satisfaction.
Ramona, we're 2 peas in a pod! I won't give up either.
And yes, those of us who are still sane in Texas appreciate your kind thoughts. We need them, especially since our governor and other Republicans are trying to kill us. It feels like that's literally true.
We miss Molly and Ann daily. I had the great fortune of seeing Ann speak in person at a pro-choice march in Austin back in the 90s. I cherish the memory.
Keep up the good work! And thanks for being there! I know it's not easy but there has to be some sanity in the Lone Star State. Persist!
I do not talk about politics in my books/reading newsletter because I want it to be a drama-free, fun newsletter to read. There are so many other places on the internet that I follow politics, but I rarely comment as you never know what the response will be. The way people attack each other behind their screens is horrible. I used to say, "if you wouldn't say that to a person's face, why would you say it online," but this doesn't hold true anymore. Some people say anything, and they just don't care. I agree with you on not understanding the climate that gave us Trump, and now all his minions, and I don't see us getting past this any time soon as very few are willing to stand up to any/all of this, and when they do, they are eviscerated.
Sorry I missed this. Politics isn't for everybody, and that's okay. Right now I'm burned out and I get it that it's often either an exercise in futility or an invitation to an attack. But ignoring what's happening won't make it go away. We feel it, whether or not we write about it.
For years I felt I had to write about what I was witnessing. But I'm tired now. Exhausted. And demoralized. So I certainly would never try to tell another writer to take it up. It's something you have to feel in your bones, and if you don't, nobody will know it better than you.
Re-reading your newsletter(s) from the beginning, like a book, Ramona. Stumbled on this. Of all the terrible cruelties enacted by that man, I'd forgotten this one (and that image of him mocking a reporter). Right now we have him in our face daily through the tawdry details of the trial. You were indeed prescient. Your piece could be re-posted today. Thanks for your eloquence. Somehow it's reassuring that you wrote this so "long" ago.
Your assessment of tRump all those years ago, now only scratches the surface of the depravity, disrespect, hatefulness, self-promotion, ugliness, lying, cheating, stealing, unpatriotic, abusive, misogynistic, racist, cruel, vain, whiny and downright ugly excuse for a human. I’ve disliked him since hearing him disgusting lusting after his own daughter years ago..
He is a self-made man and I’m not talking about his accumulated wealth earned through fraud, deceit, bigotry, scamming and willingness to screw anybody (figuratively and literally) to get what he wants.
As I think about people (living and dead) around the globe, only the worst of the worst exceed the damage this man has single handedly done. But even more than that, I am without words when thinking about how so many people at every economic, power and intelligence level have either succumbed to his evil offerings or decided to use them for their personal gain.
What does it say about us? We have become seduced by power, fame, physical possessions, entertainment the devalues humanity, technology which has made us to always look down instead of towards each other and the ability to harm others with hateful words.
The Evil One’s sniveling and cowardly verbal attacks on men and women who serve our country proudly is beyond the pale. Why do we let him get by with dishonoring former prisoners of war, disabled soldiers, young men who return from combat in a box and the families who will never again see their child. The fact that the flag-waving “patriots” worship the Evil One and see him as a “savior” makes me want to puke.
History may never forgive us for unleashing Mr. Evil on the world. A second term will be even worse because he has learned he can get by with anything because we let him. HIDE THE NUCLEAR CODES.
Better yet, let’s send him into exile permanently.
Disgusting, isn't it? I have no forgiveness in my heart for anyone who keeps that monster going, and that includes the voters. I hate living in a country that harbors and promotes someone like Trump so I do all I can to make sure this isn't the country we're going to live in.
Yep, zero tolerance here.