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Al Bellenchia's avatar

Yes it is getting darker. As Leonard Cohen writes: there’s a crack in everything…that’s where the light gets in.

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Deborah Roberts's avatar

Hope is crucial. I believe the administration is in the process of an overreach that will rally public opinion against them. We are seeing that in polls as trump's favorability ratings sink and MAGA conservatives start to complain as policies are enacted.

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Fred Basset's avatar

Your compassionate soul shines through in your writing. We are fortunate to have someone who believes in the light among us. Keep shining bright.

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Dave Conant - MO's avatar

A beautiful letter Deborah, and a timely reminder for all of us to respect the humanity that binds us all even when we differ deeply. It is always tempting to respond to anger and disrespect with angry and disrespectful words but that has not ever yet led to a productive conversation. Having made this mistake myself, I'll be more mindful of my writing in the future.

I'd still like to know though how any woman can support a rapist in the diminishing of the rights of other women. I've posted it as an open question several times and never gotten a response, let alone an answer. I keep hoping.

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Mary Ann Farley's avatar

They tell themselves he didn't do it, Dave. Remember, too, that rural America has listened ONLY to right wing radio for FORTY YEARS thanks to the buy-up of all rural stations by Sinclair. We are at the apex of their long game, which our leaders failed to believe was happening. So we are looking at decades of right wing propaganda with the sole purpose of moving America into authoritarianism. Watch the documentary "Bad Faith." It's so good that I bought it.

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Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

Is there something in the water, in the food? A cocktail of chemicals and micrplastics that have stunted our ability to have compassion and empathy for "others"? Something that has stirred our tribal paranoia - to replace the core teachings of just about every major faith on Earth?

How to explain a country that turns on its allies in the middle of a war? How to explain the deliberate efforts to deprive people of food and medicine?

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Don Rudy's avatar

Absolutely true. Only 4% of Americans have lactobacillus reutieri in their bodies, which is a key for the production of Oxytocin, the happiness hormone. Lack of iodine in our diets, and lack of cholesterol in our brains, as well as the 9 types of memory loss causing medications (Google it) have turned us into folks with no contentment or deep satisfaction in life, just chasing the next thrill (dopamine rush). Also the buildup of environmental toxins over time is bad. I feel so much more empathetic and stable after detoxing from Aluminum, Mercury, and Arsenic poisoning. Don't even get me started on candida, molds, h. pylori and other bacteria, funguses, and parasites. They are all ubiquitous, and not only did I have to get rid of all that, but high chlorine and benzene(petrochemicals) as well. In my case, I just thought I was more childish than other adults, not mean, but that perception fell away after getting the junk out, getting enough calories and cholesterol, and enough sodium in the brain. So much junk was released I actually have kidney problems now, as they catch what is stirred up. I have to believe this is typical for Americans because my blood work was all fine, and people think I am at least ten, and sometimes 15 years younger than I am.

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Don Rudy's avatar

I totally agree with holding that high ground, being the light, setting a good example, but people who have bowed to darkness are repelled by the light. They do not think of it as a disinfectant, and are quite willing to try to harass and attempt to intimidate anyone who does not share their fear and anger. I suspect it is only a matter of time before some young fellow decides to try to make a name for himself by confronting or attacking me, at which point I will either go to jail or the hospital, basically for not being afraid of the malcontented, highly aggrieved men who saw their champion in an adulterous felon.

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Armand Beede's avatar

Dr. Deborah Hall: 100%!

"The constructive part

of our mind

must win

its continuous battle

against the lies

and destructive attacks

coming at us

from within our mind

and from the outer world.

We must reject

all cruel ideas.

Our own

and those of others.

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Mary Ann Farley's avatar

Deborah, this is yet another gorgeous piece of your poetic prose. I'm reading it after finishing my own essay that I posted overnight. Clearly, we are thinking along the same lines. Really lovely. Thank you!

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