I just returned last week from volunteering in Ukraine, providing trauma care and support to civilians in some of the recently deoccupied areas. It was a powerful and humbling experience. There were a few moments, with the first couple of people I met with, where my mind froze momentarily with the enormity of the horror the person was describing. Then I found words and our hearts opened, and we connected. None of what I could do changes the terrible brutality these people have experienced, and I cannot stop the loss, uncertainty, and horror of what may happen next. I can care. I do care, and I will not close my heart or shut my eyes. Instead, I have already begun fundraising so I can return in June.
I also refuse to shut my eyes to what is happening in the US.
Thanks for what you do. From the little I know of you in these fleeting exchanges we are blessed to have you on this planet. Thanks for the restack. Peace to you.
Whether in Ukraine or Palestine or the southern border of the US ... any parts of our world filled with the human cry - we have to see the faces of ourselves in the other.
Great, thought provoking article. My recommendation is take time to think about the candidates and where they will lead the country versus just voting with a party you "always vote for" as the parties have all changed since I was first able to vote.
I think you've hit on one of the biggest drivers of the current insanity - "just voting with a party you "always vote for." That in combination with the fact that about 70% of the electorate is not significantly interested in politics means that they watched none of the January 6th commission to see what Trumps allies said they witnessed. Non-engagers typically just get snippets from the most popular news they see in public places - usually Fox, or social media hear-say.
Yes, Mark. It is scary to experience people avoiding politics after an election and then, just prior to the next one, repeating what was on the latest political ad. My father formed his opinions studying history as it happened each day, reading all the newspapers that came his way. I try to emulate that habit. Peace.
Billy Joel wrote a great line in on one of his first albums - "I only miss you when you're gone." Surely 99% of Americans under Trump if he comes back, will be thinking the same about democracy and freedom.
This is vitally important. My view is that we human-beings must come to together to address abuse, cruelty, rape , torture, violence and war and tackle these collectively the way we tackled the tainted blood scandal of the 1980's.
Article from Thursday in the SF Chronicle, "As a neuroscientist, yes, I'm concerned about Biden's mental acuity. Trump's, too." We are all watching a "political stage play" unfolding, where "pretending" is the key word for both the political class and the audience - are we somehow pretending that the cruelty, the erosion of rights, the deconstruction of our democratic institutions, the blatant lying are somehow all part of the drama that we have to accept? My outrage feels so impotent. There seems to be a crisis waiting in the shadows of our complicity ... which, of course, that same crisis may be the opportunity to make a sharp turn from the current trend. In love, and peace, and outrage - may a crisis of change arrive.
I just returned last week from volunteering in Ukraine, providing trauma care and support to civilians in some of the recently deoccupied areas. It was a powerful and humbling experience. There were a few moments, with the first couple of people I met with, where my mind froze momentarily with the enormity of the horror the person was describing. Then I found words and our hearts opened, and we connected. None of what I could do changes the terrible brutality these people have experienced, and I cannot stop the loss, uncertainty, and horror of what may happen next. I can care. I do care, and I will not close my heart or shut my eyes. Instead, I have already begun fundraising so I can return in June.
I also refuse to shut my eyes to what is happening in the US.
Thanks for what you do. From the little I know of you in these fleeting exchanges we are blessed to have you on this planet. Thanks for the restack. Peace to you.
Whether in Ukraine or Palestine or the southern border of the US ... any parts of our world filled with the human cry - we have to see the faces of ourselves in the other.
Absolutely, Karen.
Great, thought provoking article. My recommendation is take time to think about the candidates and where they will lead the country versus just voting with a party you "always vote for" as the parties have all changed since I was first able to vote.
Very true Scott. Marketing for votes is in full swing. Have a great weekend!
I think you've hit on one of the biggest drivers of the current insanity - "just voting with a party you "always vote for." That in combination with the fact that about 70% of the electorate is not significantly interested in politics means that they watched none of the January 6th commission to see what Trumps allies said they witnessed. Non-engagers typically just get snippets from the most popular news they see in public places - usually Fox, or social media hear-say.
Yes, Mark. It is scary to experience people avoiding politics after an election and then, just prior to the next one, repeating what was on the latest political ad. My father formed his opinions studying history as it happened each day, reading all the newspapers that came his way. I try to emulate that habit. Peace.
Good role models can make a big difference.
Billy Joel wrote a great line in on one of his first albums - "I only miss you when you're gone." Surely 99% of Americans under Trump if he comes back, will be thinking the same about democracy and freedom.
Let us work for positive outcomes. 😎🙏🏻
This is vitally important. My view is that we human-beings must come to together to address abuse, cruelty, rape , torture, violence and war and tackle these collectively the way we tackled the tainted blood scandal of the 1980's.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We must pay attention and look out for all humanity. Peace.
Article from Thursday in the SF Chronicle, "As a neuroscientist, yes, I'm concerned about Biden's mental acuity. Trump's, too." We are all watching a "political stage play" unfolding, where "pretending" is the key word for both the political class and the audience - are we somehow pretending that the cruelty, the erosion of rights, the deconstruction of our democratic institutions, the blatant lying are somehow all part of the drama that we have to accept? My outrage feels so impotent. There seems to be a crisis waiting in the shadows of our complicity ... which, of course, that same crisis may be the opportunity to make a sharp turn from the current trend. In love, and peace, and outrage - may a crisis of change arrive.
Thank you, Karen.