I'm really glad you're alive. You've been on my mind lately and I nearly reached out to make sure you were still upright and breathing.
I'm honestly not sure how you're even keeping company with people who are actively supporting and cheering on fascists, racists, and bigots. I'm really not. That can't be good for your mental health, my dude, but I'm certainly not going to tell you how to live your life. Just please remember that boundaries are vital with toxic, deluded people, and Trump's cult is both of those things because they've been brainwashed by divisive rightwing propaganda.
Also, it's okay to be disliked by the right people. Johnny Cash thought it commendable, even, and I'm inclined to agree. The majority of my own family of origin hates me now, for instance, but I like me just fine - better than I ever have, actually, and that's all that matters to me anymore. I've learned that toxic and abusive people will exploit the ever loving shit out of my need to be accepted and liked, so now I worry more about how I feel about myself vs whether assholes who've lost their ability to empathize and care about others like me or not. I refuse to enable and make them feel okay with their foul behavior. That's not my job.
Lastly, mainstream media is owned by billionaires so I'm not real sure they're a credible news source seeings how billionaires are largely responsible for all of the fuckery happening in the world right now - such as the genocide in Gaza. Makes it kinda difficult for me to trust their integrity, eh? I'd honestly trust (some) memes over mainstream media.. but that's just my 2¢, for whatever it's worth [which, according to Google, is 22% less - or 0.44¢ - since I wasn't born with a dingdong 🤗].
Don't confuse a Trump voter for a MAGA shithead. I don't hang out with any flag-waving Nazis. But there are many good people that voted for the Orange Idiot. I posted my intention to vote for Kamala Harris publicly, which stunned a few of my friends, which stunned me, because most of my friends are the type of people who don't talk publicly about how they vote.
After my post, a good friend of mine called and asked how I came to the conclusion I did. Then he spoke on how he came to vote for Trump. It was a regular, low-key, even pleasant conversation. He's a really good guy. After about twenty minutes of going back and forth, we switched topics and busted balls for the next hour.
His reasoning was disappointing. He said he didn't care about anything other than "getting the economy fixed". This is how Trump won. The MAGA cult is a loud, annoying minority. The people that got him in are the quiet ones that don't pay much if any attention to politics. They just heard "The Price of Eggs!" and voted for who they thought was an expert businessman.
And if you did choose to come to the UK, I'd stay away from the main big cities.... Here is realitively cheap to live and there are opportunities for estate agents (realtor) and mortgage advisors and comedians ....
I think we are probably a far safer place than the US overall. Where I live (in Neath in South Wales) we don't seem to have any of the bigoted idiots here or at least very few. The local councils seem to ignore Westminster government decision alot of the time and it's not a bad place to live. We still have a social security system that to an extent works and we still have a free healthcare system. I'd rather be here than where you are !
Joe, I tend to stay silent digitally, but I love a good conversation. I have strong opinions, but try to approach every disagreement with a few simple rules: 1) Never ascribe evil intent to those I disagree with, 2) Try to maintain respect for where someone else is coming from, and 3) if I'm mad about something in the news, or someone else is mad about it, it's because "they" want you mad about it. I try to live by Barry Goldwater's approach, "we can disagree without being disagreeable." Just remember, "this too, shall pass." While you and I may never agree on anything, I'm happy to be here for you. Let me know if you ever want to talk about an issue that you just can't see or understand the other side. I can't always argue both sides of an issue, but I try. Take care, JC
Your feelings are certainly valid, Joe. I honestly don’t know how you can continue to tolerate living in MAGA land - but I understand that you’re doing the best you can. I wonder how all the retirees down there feel about agent Krasnov’s DOGE taking away their Social Security and Medicare benefits? Do they know that this administration is actively trying to make them die off as quickly as possible? 🤔
As for Krasnov supporters - I don’t think they are bad people either. They are just sadly misinformed and misguided by the right wing (and Russian!) media they consume. 😕
I'm really glad you're alive. You've been on my mind lately and I nearly reached out to make sure you were still upright and breathing.
I'm honestly not sure how you're even keeping company with people who are actively supporting and cheering on fascists, racists, and bigots. I'm really not. That can't be good for your mental health, my dude, but I'm certainly not going to tell you how to live your life. Just please remember that boundaries are vital with toxic, deluded people, and Trump's cult is both of those things because they've been brainwashed by divisive rightwing propaganda.
Also, it's okay to be disliked by the right people. Johnny Cash thought it commendable, even, and I'm inclined to agree. The majority of my own family of origin hates me now, for instance, but I like me just fine - better than I ever have, actually, and that's all that matters to me anymore. I've learned that toxic and abusive people will exploit the ever loving shit out of my need to be accepted and liked, so now I worry more about how I feel about myself vs whether assholes who've lost their ability to empathize and care about others like me or not. I refuse to enable and make them feel okay with their foul behavior. That's not my job.
Lastly, mainstream media is owned by billionaires so I'm not real sure they're a credible news source seeings how billionaires are largely responsible for all of the fuckery happening in the world right now - such as the genocide in Gaza. Makes it kinda difficult for me to trust their integrity, eh? I'd honestly trust (some) memes over mainstream media.. but that's just my 2¢, for whatever it's worth [which, according to Google, is 22% less - or 0.44¢ - since I wasn't born with a dingdong 🤗].
Don't confuse a Trump voter for a MAGA shithead. I don't hang out with any flag-waving Nazis. But there are many good people that voted for the Orange Idiot. I posted my intention to vote for Kamala Harris publicly, which stunned a few of my friends, which stunned me, because most of my friends are the type of people who don't talk publicly about how they vote.
After my post, a good friend of mine called and asked how I came to the conclusion I did. Then he spoke on how he came to vote for Trump. It was a regular, low-key, even pleasant conversation. He's a really good guy. After about twenty minutes of going back and forth, we switched topics and busted balls for the next hour.
His reasoning was disappointing. He said he didn't care about anything other than "getting the economy fixed". This is how Trump won. The MAGA cult is a loud, annoying minority. The people that got him in are the quiet ones that don't pay much if any attention to politics. They just heard "The Price of Eggs!" and voted for who they thought was an expert businessman.
I feel your pain, thanks for sharing.
I wish I could say it's better in the UK but the orange faced one is putting ideas into the heads of those in power here.
Over here we have a theory, those who read The Sun (a tabloid newspaper) have the IQ of a nat.
But just like nats, they are everywhere and in huge numbers.
It's depressing.
Laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community are getting washed away,
The disabled are getting their benefits (social security payments) taken away...
We are going backwards as a society...
So I am watching Gladiators from the early 1990's ... Because it seems to fit what is happening.
Holy cow, the UK was one of the places I was thinking to go to if it all fell apart over here.
And if you did choose to come to the UK, I'd stay away from the main big cities.... Here is realitively cheap to live and there are opportunities for estate agents (realtor) and mortgage advisors and comedians ....
I think we are probably a far safer place than the US overall. Where I live (in Neath in South Wales) we don't seem to have any of the bigoted idiots here or at least very few. The local councils seem to ignore Westminster government decision alot of the time and it's not a bad place to live. We still have a social security system that to an extent works and we still have a free healthcare system. I'd rather be here than where you are !
Joe, I tend to stay silent digitally, but I love a good conversation. I have strong opinions, but try to approach every disagreement with a few simple rules: 1) Never ascribe evil intent to those I disagree with, 2) Try to maintain respect for where someone else is coming from, and 3) if I'm mad about something in the news, or someone else is mad about it, it's because "they" want you mad about it. I try to live by Barry Goldwater's approach, "we can disagree without being disagreeable." Just remember, "this too, shall pass." While you and I may never agree on anything, I'm happy to be here for you. Let me know if you ever want to talk about an issue that you just can't see or understand the other side. I can't always argue both sides of an issue, but I try. Take care, JC
I love you, man. And that was a well-written, thoughtful comment. I know I should be silent digitally but as an artist it’s damn near impossible.
Hopefully one day we’ll have that conversation.
Your feelings are certainly valid, Joe. I honestly don’t know how you can continue to tolerate living in MAGA land - but I understand that you’re doing the best you can. I wonder how all the retirees down there feel about agent Krasnov’s DOGE taking away their Social Security and Medicare benefits? Do they know that this administration is actively trying to make them die off as quickly as possible? 🤔
As for Krasnov supporters - I don’t think they are bad people either. They are just sadly misinformed and misguided by the right wing (and Russian!) media they consume. 😕