Thank you also @jeanne-mayell for the acknowledgement and confirmation! It's comforting that sharing these can contribute to the growing light.
@allyn wrote this post a few weeks ago, and several people nominated it for the Hall of Fame. I agree.
By our @Allyn on 3/18/22 in the Ukraine thread.
It must be hard to be a Republican right now. Basically, Republican is another word for hypocrites. I consider myself a Christian, and I find it interesting that Jesus denounced the hypocrites in his time at least 53 times (strangely, Jesus doesn't seem to go off on independent women, the poor, the immigrants, the gay/lesbian/transgender community, etc. that Republicans have constantly blamed for all that is wrong in this world.)
It is strange to see Republicans constantly berate Biden (and Obama), yet they screamed how anyone who disagreed with the Afghanistan and Iraq wars were traitors during the Bush years. Worse, they continue to rally around the man who flaunted his friendship with Putin and actually tried to withhold military aid to Ukraine? Biden isn't the reason that Putin invaded. It was Trump and the Republicans, who continue to support Putin by (1) openly praise him (Tucker Carlson, Trump, Marjorie Orr) or half-heartedly condemn him but blame Biden for everything (Graham, McConnell, even Manchin, the traitor to his country and party). They can't seem to get behind a message to anyone, because one side of their party openly adores Putin while the other side wants to bomb Putin (if only to drag America into another protracted conflict and blame Biden for everything).
I know you must love your brother, and that he must have good qualities that may outshine his poor judgment as to the current situation, just as I have some Republican friends that I care about despite their inability to see the truth of their beliefs. But many are so far down the rabbit hole that it is impossible to turn back now. And because this country has become so polarized, it is impossible to hold these traitors accountable by the voting public.
However, many people are neglecting the all-important question. What do Independents think about Russia and Ukraine?
In this world of polarization, it is the Independents who hold the power right now. It was the Independents who swung the election for Biden in 2020, and their power can make a huge impact in the direction our country heads to.
Do Independents see the threat of Russia for what it is? Will they be reminded that Republicans are the ones responsible for coddling Russia and encouraging threats to all democracies? Will that fear, if properly messaged, cause them to vote for Democrats in the fall, especially if a case is made that if Republicans get control, they will take aid away from Ukraine and gift the country to Russia?
Sometimes you need something to vote against. Republicans know that fear will cause people to vote. I say that now is the time for Democrats to start calling Republicans out and point out all the photo ops, praise, and love that they have given and continue to give Putin. And if you add the expected dismantlement of Roe v. Wade this summer, the fear of what a Republican controlled government may be what is needed to drive Independents to the polls and finally punish Republicans.
I live in an extremely red state, so there aren't many independents that I can ask to gauge their opinion, so I am asking my fellow forum members who may live in purple states what they are experiencing where they live. Will Republicans succeed in flipping the narrative by blaming Biden for everything, or will people wake up to the fact that Republicans are a threat to our freedom and democracy because of their close ties and loyalty to Putin? Knowing how Independents are leaning will be helpful, especially as we get closer to 2024 and Republicans plan to ask the country to place a certain whining draft-dodger with foot shards in charge of a nation while our world faces a possible nuclear war.
On a positive note, it seems that the people continue to fight Putin and his allies. Marjorie Greene is now on Anonymous's hit list for her support of Putin, and Putin himself apparently can't get through one rally without technical issues when a "glitch" cut him off mid-statement today. Methinks that Putin should call in a few favors from Trump. Perhaps Trump can appear at his rallies and take his supporters over to Russia with him. At the very least, when Russia eventually defaults, Trump can help Putin with declaring bankruptcy.
(Allyn walks up on stage in a dress that makes her look 20 pounds smaller to make up for the pounds that TV adds in order to accept her award)
*Sniff* "I am so surprised! I didn't have a speech prepared! But I'll keep this short, because I see Will Smith walking up the stage, and I don't want my make-up smudged!"
Ha ha! But seriously, I want to thank you all for putting up with my overly long rants over the years. You have no idea how healing it is for someone like me to find a healthy support group that fills me with hope that one day tomorrow will be better than today, as well as remind me to clutch the light tightly when darkness threatens to swallow me whole.
And I don't mean just sadness either. Sometimes I feel such rage at people when I observe them basically bullying others. I don't know what it is, but it is one of my biggest (if not THE BIGGEST) pet peeve. It is often so tempting to exchange insult for insult. To wish for karma or justice to come calling and give these people the punishment they deserve. Admittingly, I am not a very forgiving person. I have a long fuse, but once certain lines are crossed, it is very difficult for me to forgive. And after seeing what has happened over the last few years, people like Cruz, Greene, Trump, Putin, etc. make my blood boil because their very behavior is, in my humble opinion, bullying. Further, the state I live in, Tennessee, is slowly but surely devolving under Republican rule to a version of Gilead. (Not only does Tennessee have one of the worst anti-abortion laws waiting for the day that Roe v. Wade is overturned, but a recent bill in Tennessee that defines marriage also gets rid of age requirements for marriage, which opens up the possibility of child marriage [aka-young girls married off to men for rape that is under the guise of "marriage"]).
But you guys have helped so much. Not only have you all reassured me that my ideas about life are not unorthodox (aka-the idea that women are people and not baby-making machines, that genders and races are all equal, etc.), but you remind me that eventually justice will occur, and I only need to be a little more patient. Ok, a lot more patient!
I also feel better when I post here, because you are all actual good, honest human beings who help me keep the right perspective. Thank you Jeanne for having this website and to everyone on this forum.
@allyn I love reading your posts...and appreciate your perspective. I'm in your same "red boat" and it's a challenge some days to stay positive but as you said...this place really helps to keep our hearts and spirits going in the right direction.
I would like to nominate another Hall of Fame post, not to be funny, but this is a great post. By @Allyn. It is her Hall of Fame award acceptance speech, which not only cracked me up, but also goes to the heart of what we are doing here. Allyn, thank you!
(Allyn walks up on stage in a dress that makes her look 20 pounds smaller to make up for the pounds that TV adds in order to accept her award)
*Sniff* "I am so surprised! I didn't have a speech prepared! But I'll keep this short, because I see Will Smith walking up the stage, and I don't want my make-up smudged!"
Ha ha! But seriously, I want to thank you all for putting up with my overly long rants over the years. You have no idea how healing it is for someone like me to find a healthy support group that fills me with hope that one day tomorrow will be better than today, as well as remind me to clutch the light tightly when darkness threatens to swallow me whole.
And I don't mean just sadness either. Sometimes I feel such rage at people when I observe them basically bullying others. I don't know what it is, but it is one of my biggest (if not THE BIGGEST) pet peeve. It is often so tempting to exchange insult for insult. To wish for karma or justice to come calling and give these people the punishment they deserve. Admittingly, I am not a very forgiving person. I have a long fuse, but once certain lines are crossed, it is very difficult for me to forgive. And after seeing what has happened over the last few years, people like Cruz, Greene, Trump, Putin, etc. make my blood boil because their very behavior is, in my humble opinion, bullying. Further, the state I live in, Tennessee, is slowly but surely devolving under Republican rule to a version of Gilead. (Not only does Tennessee have one of the worst anti-abortion laws waiting for the day that Roe v. Wade is overturned, but a recent bill in Tennessee that defines marriage also gets rid of age requirements for marriage, which opens up the possibility of child marriage [aka-young girls married off to men for rape that is under the guise of "marriage"]).
But you guys have helped so much. Not only have you all reassured me that my ideas about life are not unorthodox (aka-the idea that women are people and not baby-making machines, that genders and races are all equal, etc.), but you remind me that eventually justice will occur, and I only need to be a little more patient. Ok, a lot more patient!
I also feel better when I post here, because you are all actual good, honest human beings who help me keep the right perspective. Thank you Jeanne for having this website and to everyone on this forum.
@allyn @bluebelle @lovendures @deetoo @unkp @cc21 @baba
@jeanne-mayell @allyn Allyn, you are a breath of fresh air on this site and I always appreciate your thoughtful posts about politics, the law, life in the south and living through this period of a fractured America.
I’ve lived over half my life in the Southeast and have always had a deep love of that region and the people. Yet today everything feels different. I can’t enjoy Southern history without reflecting on slavery, racism and all the darkness that underlies the beauty. I see the institutional racism that permeates the culture. I can’t respect the evangelical movement any more because of the politicized leadership and values that reject people of other faiths, genders or ethnicity. Maybe it’s not the South that has changed. Maybe my perceptions have changed.
I don’t know many truly independent voters. I know independents who consistently vote blue and some who only vote red. One independent I know in SC watches Fox every single day and believes in all kinds of conspiracy theories and right wing propaganda. She claims to be an independent because she works on the local election board and wants to be perceived as fair minded.
This is the first Hall of Fame post that is a reading. @Bluebelle has expressed the essence of spiritual grace for us all:
"This was my message from spirit in meditation yesterday:
"Be positive about the future. Know that you are watched over and that higher powers are involved, in Ukraine, in Russia, in Europe, in the U.S. Higher powers are watching the world. They see the striving of people to be free. They see the oppressive governments that will all eventually fail. They see the cruelty and the pain. They see the love. They see the potential for your world. The people who practice love are the ones who lead the way into the future. Breathe deep. A better world is coming."
Later when I wrote to her about her post, she privately told me"
"That meditation/channel download actually started with another sentence that I omitted: 'Good things are worth waiting for, whether it’s justice or a home being built. It’s all a process, but the process gets the job done. Everything will work out . Don’t worry.' I had omitted it because I thought it was personal. However, looking back at this meditation, I realize the date of the meditation was one day before the leak of the Supreme Court decision. I think that’s significant and that justice is worth waiting for in that case, but also in the January 6th commission work and the DOJ investigations. We are waiting on justice in so many areas of American life."
@deetoo @lovendures @cc21 @vestralux @baba @coyote
From @Lovendures on 5/12/22 who wrote to @Freya who needed our prayers but felt her need wasn’t as important as another’s.
Dear Freya,
You know a wonderful thing about prayers? We can always make room for more.
Your timing might even be a blessing for there are many who were tagged about Coyote and came to this thread and in the process, they can now offer an additional prayer for you as well.
You are SO worth a prayer
From @cindy this heartfelt and important post about the Texas shooting and the aftermath. Thank you Cindy for your important words and. your beautiful, beautiful sharing spirit.
I got dad into rehab last evening, and thought that I'd be able to come & give some thoughts I've had in the last few days. However, I find myself sitting in the ER yet again waiting for a room to open up for them to see dad. Pardon me if I ramble or otherwise don't express myself well. Also, try to ignore my typos.
As I cried the other night hearing the news, yes I was transported back in time. The situation may be different, but the anguish of a group of parents worried about the fate of their children is all too familiar. As I thought of those children, I naturally thought of Monica & clearly heard/ felt "We are here helping them". The children's lives here are gone, but they are transitioning with help of like souls.
For those who can't grasp why, or who are looking for comfort because they can't understand ( @unk-p, @dannyboy, @lovendures, @sistetmoon, @raincloud, @journeywithme2. & all those I've missed given my circumstances) maybe I can give a little comfort from my experience.
Nothing will justify or make "right" what happened to these children or their teachers. Nothing will fill their loss. But I can tell you from my experience I have come to believe Monica & I made a pact that she'd sacrifice herself & I'd become an advocate on her behalf. Things had to change. There were many advocates before me, but only some progress was made. Significant progress was made (some at a snails pace) after Monica's crash.
We have many issues currently. Radical politicians, gun issues, power trips, and the list goes on & on. Every past shooting wasn't the tipping point. Every past plane crash wasn't the tipping point, until one finally was. The tipping point will be reached. I can't say for certain this one is it, but if not we're close.
This year I was contacted by the editor of the high school paper of Monica's school. She had contacted me in advance of publishing a memorial to the students lost in the crash before she & her classmates were even born. Most weren't even born prior to the completion of the town memorial. She knew all of Monica's social beliefs, and acknowledged that Monica was light years ahead of the thinking of this rural TFG loving enclave. Still, she fought to get clubs (like friends of LGBTQ) estsblished in spite of push-back from some. She's class president, valedictorian, editor of the paper, etc. Her post about this tragic incident was to remind her fellow students that they have spent their entire school careers doing active shooter drills. They are becoming voters & they CAN/ WILL influence the future.
Women's rights are being assaulted, gun violence continues, and some crave to roll back the clock to hold onto power. Look in the mirror, can any of us really stop or roll back time? Neither can they. Progress will come. People will persevere to overturn what is no longer working.
It is painful to be part v of the cogs of change. I know this without a doubt. But Monica always finds ways of letting me know it was her choice, and it was worth it for both of souls. This was meant to be our journey for the benefit of others, painful as it was for all.
Hang in there folks- pain is part of injury. But it is also a sign of healing.