We think the same way in this household. They remind me of the pictures from the Cultural Revolution. We are in a very bad place right now, where the most base and nasty instinct is flourishing on mostly one side.
This was so upsetting that I almost logged out of Twitter yesterday. Seeing so many folks on the ground put away differences to help each other was amazingly beautiful in the middle of tragedy. In one area, a dad lost his two children because of a fallen tree. To think of the horrible response, he would see online because of where he lives or who he might have voted for was disheartening. This is why I have mostly removed myself from politics. It has turned so many ugly. But I choose to use my platform to repost those who are doing work and helping at this time. There are good people out here who showed up at a time of need.
I know. My mother and aunt are in Weaverville. My sister is in Fletcher. My friends are in Black Mountain. And I am an hour away in Greenville, SC. So yeah, there are a lot of folks suffering around here.
Just more evidence that our national divorce is unavoidable now. We have two very different groups of people with two very different and incompatible ideas of what America was, is, and should be. Its sad, but how else could this go?
America is truly at war with itself. There are battle lines just as real as they would be if we were talking about America being at war with another nation. There is no difference. Expecting polite behavior among political enemies is missing the point: these two groups are indeed enemies!
I wish I could tell you it is otherwise. I wish the current situation we're dealing with wasn't so. But we're seeing both sides arm themselves at incredible rates. Democrats are buying firearms in record numbers. This is not what a peaceful, harmonious society does. This is what a society that is preparing for war does.
BTW, I think both sides have merit in their arguments, as well as things that lack merit.
It isn’t both sides though. At least not until recently. Lefties have gone after righties for decades, and it has been acceptable. The right is only now starting to fight back. Also, if a lefty merely states an opinion no one I know does anything more than shake their head. If a righty states his opinion he can be attacked mercilessly in social situations, at work, at church, in the government. If a righty states his opinion he can in many situations expect to have his life ruined. Show me where that has happened to lefties.
I was at dinner with someone like this last night, I was disappointed. Keeping distance from these people now. Sad I knew them for awhile but to applaud this kind of behavior was just gross even if I don't like someone I would never wish death on them.
This couldn't have been more perfectly stated. We can all see this nasty tendency in ourselves when faced with fundamental differences in opinion and values, but it is our choice to reflect on our own shortcomings and not engage in this hateful behavior. History has show us what happens when we diminish fellow human beings to this murderous level. How sad that it has come to cowardly statements on Twitter from someone who likely sees herself as a "good person." Hey Betsy, I thought Jesus' message was to love your fellow man.
The problem is not “freedom of speech”. The problem is a widespread tribalism that pretends to justify things that may be LEGAL to say as though they are PROPER to say. Muzzling speech is not the answer. That just causes more problems. The answer is re-creating a high trust, civil society — which, at this point, may no longer be possible.
“They voted for it“ isn’t even logical. Did they? How many of them?
I live in a deep blue area, but as an independent, I do not vote that way. About 40% of the people in my area also do not vote blue, but because they’re outvoted, they’re forced to live with the chaos and disorder that the others voted for. For this 40%, hearing quote “You voted for it” is both insulting and untrue.
Although (thankfully)my home is in a very affluent enclave, on the other side of the river, not too far away, are solidly-blue areas of less expensive homes where people DO suffer the consequences of their poor policy decisions.
But they don’t see it that way, in part because the MSM has bamboozled them into believing that homelessness and crime are simply “inevitable“ and that the solution to those problems would be to introduce MORE woke policies (which, in their minds, would solve “the root causes“ of these issues).
And so, the cycle continues: the “blues” vote bluer, the policies get more leftist, the problems get worse, and the solution is ALWAYS to vote bluer!
This behavior is demonic. 18% of demonrats wish Trump's assassination would have succeeded...
We completely oppose the radical Left(and neocon right) that is in charge of ALL of our institutions, but we never wish harm to them.
Unbelievable.
You should hear my husband. It really is quite annoying
We think the same way in this household. They remind me of the pictures from the Cultural Revolution. We are in a very bad place right now, where the most base and nasty instinct is flourishing on mostly one side.
This was so upsetting that I almost logged out of Twitter yesterday. Seeing so many folks on the ground put away differences to help each other was amazingly beautiful in the middle of tragedy. In one area, a dad lost his two children because of a fallen tree. To think of the horrible response, he would see online because of where he lives or who he might have voted for was disheartening. This is why I have mostly removed myself from politics. It has turned so many ugly. But I choose to use my platform to repost those who are doing work and helping at this time. There are good people out here who showed up at a time of need.
That's so tragic.
Thank you for speaking out.
It's the least I can do
Great piece Adam, I agree. We should cultivate a patriotism of tolerance and acceptance, live and let live.
Asheville, NC is the bluest city in NC.
Asheville isn't the only place affected. Also, it doesn't matter.
I know. My mother and aunt are in Weaverville. My sister is in Fletcher. My friends are in Black Mountain. And I am an hour away in Greenville, SC. So yeah, there are a lot of folks suffering around here.
Reflection plus how folks can help:
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/old-man-mountain-weeps
Just more evidence that our national divorce is unavoidable now. We have two very different groups of people with two very different and incompatible ideas of what America was, is, and should be. Its sad, but how else could this go?
America is truly at war with itself. There are battle lines just as real as they would be if we were talking about America being at war with another nation. There is no difference. Expecting polite behavior among political enemies is missing the point: these two groups are indeed enemies!
I wish I could tell you it is otherwise. I wish the current situation we're dealing with wasn't so. But we're seeing both sides arm themselves at incredible rates. Democrats are buying firearms in record numbers. This is not what a peaceful, harmonious society does. This is what a society that is preparing for war does.
BTW, I think both sides have merit in their arguments, as well as things that lack merit.
It isn’t both sides though. At least not until recently. Lefties have gone after righties for decades, and it has been acceptable. The right is only now starting to fight back. Also, if a lefty merely states an opinion no one I know does anything more than shake their head. If a righty states his opinion he can be attacked mercilessly in social situations, at work, at church, in the government. If a righty states his opinion he can in many situations expect to have his life ruined. Show me where that has happened to lefties.
I was at dinner with someone like this last night, I was disappointed. Keeping distance from these people now. Sad I knew them for awhile but to applaud this kind of behavior was just gross even if I don't like someone I would never wish death on them.
I’m so so tired of it, too. What have we become?
This couldn't have been more perfectly stated. We can all see this nasty tendency in ourselves when faced with fundamental differences in opinion and values, but it is our choice to reflect on our own shortcomings and not engage in this hateful behavior. History has show us what happens when we diminish fellow human beings to this murderous level. How sad that it has come to cowardly statements on Twitter from someone who likely sees herself as a "good person." Hey Betsy, I thought Jesus' message was to love your fellow man.
If you can't win them over, then kill them. If you can't kill them, then wish them harm.
Well said adam I completely agree 👍.
Actually there are those who incomprensibly,will slap the hand or face of those who try to rescue them.
Unfortunately the saying “If you can’t saying something nice, don’t say anything at all” has been overshadowed by “Freedom of speech.”
The problem is not “freedom of speech”. The problem is a widespread tribalism that pretends to justify things that may be LEGAL to say as though they are PROPER to say. Muzzling speech is not the answer. That just causes more problems. The answer is re-creating a high trust, civil society — which, at this point, may no longer be possible.
“They voted for it“ isn’t even logical. Did they? How many of them?
I live in a deep blue area, but as an independent, I do not vote that way. About 40% of the people in my area also do not vote blue, but because they’re outvoted, they’re forced to live with the chaos and disorder that the others voted for. For this 40%, hearing quote “You voted for it” is both insulting and untrue.
Although (thankfully)my home is in a very affluent enclave, on the other side of the river, not too far away, are solidly-blue areas of less expensive homes where people DO suffer the consequences of their poor policy decisions.
But they don’t see it that way, in part because the MSM has bamboozled them into believing that homelessness and crime are simply “inevitable“ and that the solution to those problems would be to introduce MORE woke policies (which, in their minds, would solve “the root causes“ of these issues).
And so, the cycle continues: the “blues” vote bluer, the policies get more leftist, the problems get worse, and the solution is ALWAYS to vote bluer!
Good for you, K! Just showing up and speaking up is a start to bringing on the kind of changes that will bring more harmony.