On the millions of people striving to (and succeeding at) keeping the achievements of Western Civilization from the clutches of fascism, xenophobia, know-nothingism, and conspiracy-mongering
It is ilike your favorite no nonsense relative has returned for the holidays. Someone who listens, delivers the truth to your adolescent brain and tells you that there are good things you can do about the world and for you to experience. But first consider cleaning up your room and helping a bit more around the house. Welcome home Jen.
Simultaneously, north of the USA, your good neighbour in all things before the present administration- Canada - awaits your discovery. Proud of our multi-cultural country Canada is founded on the respect for the distinct contributions of Indigenous, French and British peoples. Come up to the true north, strong and free - visit Canada this summer.
I was fortunate to take a voyage with many Canadian neighbors and it helped my outlook immensely to experience the collegiate that's always been there between our countries. Thank you for always being neighborly!
Thanks Jen....sounds like a wonderful trip...I love the rose gardens and zoo photos - they really put everything in perspective....what is important in life.
This was my comment to Heather Cox Richardson 2 days ago:
"Our United States constitution is being tested as never before. Front on. Nose thumbed, middle finger raised. If we survive this concerted afront as a nation, it will be because of the judicial folks (Appellate court judges) that have put their foot down. Not the members of Congress, and certainly not the Supreme Court. It would be hard to find a stiff spine among those folk. If we (the United States of America) survive this - to the next presidency, there is a fair amount of repair work that will need doing to prevent another sadly demented, convicted, usurper to haunt the hallowed halls of the White House.
With tongue in cheek: JFK's presidency used to be referred to as "Camelot." DJT's presidency will go down as a "Camel Lot."
Where the hell is the cavalry? This IS the USA."
Yes Jen, there is always hope, but where will the positive change (if there is some) come from? I believe that being positive, as you do, is best, yet I want to see something concrete that is pulling us up and out of this hole. Other than the Appelate Courts holding fast, I just don't see positive change - and that worries me - profoundly.
Those of us who gather on sidewalks with our signs and write postcards@tonythedemocrat.org will continue as long as we need to. I share Heather's Letter every day and hope you do also. We're in this together.
I so enjoyed your post! Thank you for allowing us all to vicariously experience your trip. Travel always enlivens the mind and offers up fresh perspectives.
Thank you for this hopeful post. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures while you also offered us perspective on our current situation in a much broader context. Indeed hope springs eternal as we imagine a new world.
Thanks, Jen, for the uplifting message. While we are furiously fighting to preserve our nation and our glorious Constitution from all the predators in DC, it is bracing to be reminded of the truth that Right will prevail and Wrong will fail.
Thank you, Jen, for this! You reminded me how important artistic freedom and support of the arts, science, and freedom of expression and thought in general are to democracy. What occurred to me as I read your piece was how we must establish a place for the arts as a vital part of our infrastructure. Too many people think they are unnecessary embellishments to society. You point out how they are, in fact, integral. With this further encouragement, I will continue to make art to help nudge this country toward "a more perfect union". Thank you!
This regime is committing Cultural Terrorism which for those unfamiliar is an attack or ideologically driven action aimed at cultural identify, values, traditions, or practices of a particular group, community or society. It involves acts of vandalism or destruction directed at cultural monuments, artwork, religious sites or other symbols of cultural significance. Seem familiar?
Cultural terrorism can manifest through propaganda, indoctrination, and efforts to impose one culture’s values upon another, often resulting in the destabilization or eradication of the targeted culture’s identify.
This is now happening at a speed, depth and breadth not previously thought possible. Our focus needs to be on limiting the long term damage and making sure something from our collective humanity as US citizens remains.🙏
What an encouraging post! Thank you Jen.
It is ilike your favorite no nonsense relative has returned for the holidays. Someone who listens, delivers the truth to your adolescent brain and tells you that there are good things you can do about the world and for you to experience. But first consider cleaning up your room and helping a bit more around the house. Welcome home Jen.
Well-put!
Elizabeth, yes! Thank you! And, see you soon, Jen!
Simultaneously, north of the USA, your good neighbour in all things before the present administration- Canada - awaits your discovery. Proud of our multi-cultural country Canada is founded on the respect for the distinct contributions of Indigenous, French and British peoples. Come up to the true north, strong and free - visit Canada this summer.
Yesterday, King Charles (and Prime Minister Carney) delivered an unambiguous message to Donald Trump from Ottawa...
"Our Beaver Is Not Up for Grabs" 🇨🇦
Vive le Canada!!!
Not subtle.
I was fortunate to take a voyage with many Canadian neighbors and it helped my outlook immensely to experience the collegiate that's always been there between our countries. Thank you for always being neighborly!
Just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you!
Thanks Jen....sounds like a wonderful trip...I love the rose gardens and zoo photos - they really put everything in perspective....what is important in life.
Thanks for your optimism and beautiful writing. Glad you enjoyed such a wonderful trip.
Thank you Jen. Your encouragement and reality checks continue to ground me in hope and action.
This was my comment to Heather Cox Richardson 2 days ago:
"Our United States constitution is being tested as never before. Front on. Nose thumbed, middle finger raised. If we survive this concerted afront as a nation, it will be because of the judicial folks (Appellate court judges) that have put their foot down. Not the members of Congress, and certainly not the Supreme Court. It would be hard to find a stiff spine among those folk. If we (the United States of America) survive this - to the next presidency, there is a fair amount of repair work that will need doing to prevent another sadly demented, convicted, usurper to haunt the hallowed halls of the White House.
With tongue in cheek: JFK's presidency used to be referred to as "Camelot." DJT's presidency will go down as a "Camel Lot."
Where the hell is the cavalry? This IS the USA."
Yes Jen, there is always hope, but where will the positive change (if there is some) come from? I believe that being positive, as you do, is best, yet I want to see something concrete that is pulling us up and out of this hole. Other than the Appelate Courts holding fast, I just don't see positive change - and that worries me - profoundly.
Those of us who gather on sidewalks with our signs and write postcards@tonythedemocrat.org will continue as long as we need to. I share Heather's Letter every day and hope you do also. We're in this together.
Hmm. Camelot: The Once and Future King. Not quite.....
no . . . Camel Lot. Saudi Arabia, 4 million $ plane, etc.
I so enjoyed your post! Thank you for allowing us all to vicariously experience your trip. Travel always enlivens the mind and offers up fresh perspectives.
I feel refreshed and reinvigorated. Wonderful message. Thank you.
This armchair traveler very much enjoyed your adventure. You fit in every delight you could during your days away. Thank you for taking me along..
Thank you for this hopeful post. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures while you also offered us perspective on our current situation in a much broader context. Indeed hope springs eternal as we imagine a new world.
Thanks, Jen, for the uplifting message. While we are furiously fighting to preserve our nation and our glorious Constitution from all the predators in DC, it is bracing to be reminded of the truth that Right will prevail and Wrong will fail.
"How many flowers can there be in an English country garden?" 🎻
Thank you, Jen, for this! You reminded me how important artistic freedom and support of the arts, science, and freedom of expression and thought in general are to democracy. What occurred to me as I read your piece was how we must establish a place for the arts as a vital part of our infrastructure. Too many people think they are unnecessary embellishments to society. You point out how they are, in fact, integral. With this further encouragement, I will continue to make art to help nudge this country toward "a more perfect union". Thank you!
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center opens all sorts of other spaces and kicks back support by us! That could be an exciting prospect!
Glad you had a good trip - much deserved!
This regime is committing Cultural Terrorism which for those unfamiliar is an attack or ideologically driven action aimed at cultural identify, values, traditions, or practices of a particular group, community or society. It involves acts of vandalism or destruction directed at cultural monuments, artwork, religious sites or other symbols of cultural significance. Seem familiar?
Cultural terrorism can manifest through propaganda, indoctrination, and efforts to impose one culture’s values upon another, often resulting in the destabilization or eradication of the targeted culture’s identify.
This is now happening at a speed, depth and breadth not previously thought possible. Our focus needs to be on limiting the long term damage and making sure something from our collective humanity as US citizens remains.🙏
*Definition from New Generation Dictionary