Frankly, it is my three cats, my spouse and my family that keep me sane. And, I feel red-hot anger every day. But, that doesn't make me want to kill other people ("wishing" someone would die isn't the same), it makes me want to DO something to protect others. I would kill someone to protect the people I love. Other than that, I really don't condone violence and I hate that violence is celebrated here. Always has been (just pick a movie to watch). Violence is glamorized. Makes me ill.
It’s all indicative of the US accepting an immoral person into our politics since 2016. He’s pulled our country down, made our country no more honorable than a tv reality show. He’s sowed hate & corruption, making us a very angry population, with divisions constantly growing. Ironic to see his past ‘loyals’ NOW complaining. Half our population knew he was a wicked, spoiled, immoral & nasty man back in 2016. Guess they aren’t as smart as they claim to be. But they just HAD to balk & complain about everything democrat-that was their pact. Now look at what that’s gotten us!
Lots to think about here - thank you! One question about that survey: Was the one-third *approving* of political violence, or just afraid that it’s inevitable?
I see your points and understand that nobody wants real violence like we see happening in Iran and other countries. I am all for a Constutional Convention, but how does that even happen. Who attends, and how are there solutions baked in, or will it be a free for all with everyone wanting their moment? If it were to happen it would have to be highly organized and meet cerain objectives.. We are walking a very thin line in America.
I think you’re right about a constitutional convention; the present system is not working for the majority of the people. Hence the frustration leading to anger and thoughts of violence. Seems to me the ‘prime minister system’ is more fair; the Party you vote in actually gets things done. Here the minority can block the agenda completely. And of course the Electoral College is a dinosaur that should be extinct.
The issue stems from the popular thought begun in the 80s that we all deserve what we want and should just follow our dreams. Somewhere along the way people focused on themselves rather than what was good for the community. If the other side needs to die in order for me to acheive my dream, then that’s ok. Garrett Hardin’s seminal paper “Tragedy of the Commons”addresses what happens when people act only in their self interest. It’s time for us to go back and read this paper. While Hardin’s concerns were the environment and over-population, the concept applies to many other social issues as well.
Thanks Miles: You got me in such deep thoughts I may not recover for a while. I suppose 30% of the population have never felt like they belong, The left out ones. When is see the troublesome Trump and flexy pecs Pete along with the other trumpets I get in a rage, grab my cat and look for a ballot box.
Are the rules of the Geneva Convention ever enforced? When are our (US) laws enforced? ie; no conflict of interest, no bribes, no monopolies.
The lack of enforcement of so many of our existing laws is both infuriating and demeaning. Especially when laws are strongly enforced for the non Epstein class. The same feeling of hopelessness happens when blatant lies directly affect outcomes. Ie Mitch McConnell telling Obama he would never replace a Supreme Court judge at the end of a presidents term. Those kinds of things lead to feelings of impotence. That leads to fury or just plain giving up. Thank goodness we have alternatives to those two feelings.
Again, Miles you nail it right on the head! Folks, where is the love thy neighbor as thyself among the conservatives, and especially Christian nationalists, but also with the liberal? Everyone seems to be a cultural tribalist through there social media platforms. So much for crowd-sourcing There's too much hatefulness and judgemental errors. I'm going to become a paid member, Miles. I'm so sick of hatefulness.
I am confused by all of my Bible holding friends who advocate for bad and think Trump can do NO WRONG. Have they read that Bible lately? I think that is the biggest group that baffles me.
I am an old veteran (RVN), and I belong to several closed veteran groups. The outrage among many vets is palpable; tempers are running short. The younger guys, the War on Terror vets, talk of strapping up. And they know how. It scares me because it plays into Trump's hands. Glad to hear you talk about it. As for cats, I'm a dog guy.
Well, my indoor/outdoor cats did often indulge in killing, but they never once brought a human being to my door. You know, cat is in cathartic. At any rate, I think when people look around and see all of the civil norms broken down by people in power, the insults, the barbs, the vitriol, and the proud pronouncement of an intention to commit war crimes, as well as vivid images of war crimes being perpetrated, desensitization takes hold. If the "leaders" and the "adults" are saying and doing these things, why not the rest of us? I think a great deal of the anger comes from the recognition that if any of us committed a tiny portion of the things most of these people are doing, consequences would be swift and inescapable. The added recognition that many of these individuals celebrate this "otherness," and this protected status makes things worse. I truly believe we will not make a dent in this situation until a critical mass of our population strikes for multiple days at a time. I think helplessness breeds anger, and that builds. We cannot vote these people out until a certain time. There are people doing truly ghastly things who cannot be touched except through tedious processes over which we have no control and that our representatives refuse to use or feel powerless to bother using. The only nonviolent power we have that can shock the elite out of their cocoons is economic leverage. That is all they understand.
I highly recommend getting a cat. It will serve you much better than killing someone. You are even likely to enjoy it! My cats are soothing to my soul which is in constant turmoil with traitor Trump’s constant outrages.
Eek! I have 0 cats and 3 dogs. Where does that leave me???
On a more serious note, I didn’t know a constitutional convention was an option. Yes, please. But who goes to it? Certainly not the Congress or we wouldn’t need it! We need a serious, radical update. And soon.
Well-written, Miles, and a bit scary. If I am in a group of four strangers, at least one is willing to hurt or kill me for my beliefs? That's just crazy, and is emblematic of our "zero sum" and "if you disagree with me, you're the enemy" thinking. Me, I prefer my goats. They get along with everybody, and will even eat the weeds.
During the past few decades it has been my privilege to share my home with one to four cats, and to support similar communities of feral (thus not home-able) cats outside -- providing them with food, winter shelters, and heated water dishes. Based on this experience, I am ready to bet that there is virtually NO overlap between the third of Americans who appreciate (and are appreciated by) cats, and the third who believe it may be justifiable and necessary to kill their political adversaries. It might even be possible that prolonged exposure to cats could curb the murderous proclivities of the third of the population afflicted therewith.
Frankly, it is my three cats, my spouse and my family that keep me sane. And, I feel red-hot anger every day. But, that doesn't make me want to kill other people ("wishing" someone would die isn't the same), it makes me want to DO something to protect others. I would kill someone to protect the people I love. Other than that, I really don't condone violence and I hate that violence is celebrated here. Always has been (just pick a movie to watch). Violence is glamorized. Makes me ill.
It’s all indicative of the US accepting an immoral person into our politics since 2016. He’s pulled our country down, made our country no more honorable than a tv reality show. He’s sowed hate & corruption, making us a very angry population, with divisions constantly growing. Ironic to see his past ‘loyals’ NOW complaining. Half our population knew he was a wicked, spoiled, immoral & nasty man back in 2016. Guess they aren’t as smart as they claim to be. But they just HAD to balk & complain about everything democrat-that was their pact. Now look at what that’s gotten us!
Lots to think about here - thank you! One question about that survey: Was the one-third *approving* of political violence, or just afraid that it’s inevitable?
I see your points and understand that nobody wants real violence like we see happening in Iran and other countries. I am all for a Constutional Convention, but how does that even happen. Who attends, and how are there solutions baked in, or will it be a free for all with everyone wanting their moment? If it were to happen it would have to be highly organized and meet cerain objectives.. We are walking a very thin line in America.
I think you’re right about a constitutional convention; the present system is not working for the majority of the people. Hence the frustration leading to anger and thoughts of violence. Seems to me the ‘prime minister system’ is more fair; the Party you vote in actually gets things done. Here the minority can block the agenda completely. And of course the Electoral College is a dinosaur that should be extinct.
The issue stems from the popular thought begun in the 80s that we all deserve what we want and should just follow our dreams. Somewhere along the way people focused on themselves rather than what was good for the community. If the other side needs to die in order for me to acheive my dream, then that’s ok. Garrett Hardin’s seminal paper “Tragedy of the Commons”addresses what happens when people act only in their self interest. It’s time for us to go back and read this paper. While Hardin’s concerns were the environment and over-population, the concept applies to many other social issues as well.
Great piece Miles and I’m glad you present a solution we should embrace.
Thanks Miles: You got me in such deep thoughts I may not recover for a while. I suppose 30% of the population have never felt like they belong, The left out ones. When is see the troublesome Trump and flexy pecs Pete along with the other trumpets I get in a rage, grab my cat and look for a ballot box.
Are the rules of the Geneva Convention ever enforced? When are our (US) laws enforced? ie; no conflict of interest, no bribes, no monopolies.
The lack of enforcement of so many of our existing laws is both infuriating and demeaning. Especially when laws are strongly enforced for the non Epstein class. The same feeling of hopelessness happens when blatant lies directly affect outcomes. Ie Mitch McConnell telling Obama he would never replace a Supreme Court judge at the end of a presidents term. Those kinds of things lead to feelings of impotence. That leads to fury or just plain giving up. Thank goodness we have alternatives to those two feelings.
Again, Miles you nail it right on the head! Folks, where is the love thy neighbor as thyself among the conservatives, and especially Christian nationalists, but also with the liberal? Everyone seems to be a cultural tribalist through there social media platforms. So much for crowd-sourcing There's too much hatefulness and judgemental errors. I'm going to become a paid member, Miles. I'm so sick of hatefulness.
I am confused by all of my Bible holding friends who advocate for bad and think Trump can do NO WRONG. Have they read that Bible lately? I think that is the biggest group that baffles me.
I am an old veteran (RVN), and I belong to several closed veteran groups. The outrage among many vets is palpable; tempers are running short. The younger guys, the War on Terror vets, talk of strapping up. And they know how. It scares me because it plays into Trump's hands. Glad to hear you talk about it. As for cats, I'm a dog guy.
Well, my indoor/outdoor cats did often indulge in killing, but they never once brought a human being to my door. You know, cat is in cathartic. At any rate, I think when people look around and see all of the civil norms broken down by people in power, the insults, the barbs, the vitriol, and the proud pronouncement of an intention to commit war crimes, as well as vivid images of war crimes being perpetrated, desensitization takes hold. If the "leaders" and the "adults" are saying and doing these things, why not the rest of us? I think a great deal of the anger comes from the recognition that if any of us committed a tiny portion of the things most of these people are doing, consequences would be swift and inescapable. The added recognition that many of these individuals celebrate this "otherness," and this protected status makes things worse. I truly believe we will not make a dent in this situation until a critical mass of our population strikes for multiple days at a time. I think helplessness breeds anger, and that builds. We cannot vote these people out until a certain time. There are people doing truly ghastly things who cannot be touched except through tedious processes over which we have no control and that our representatives refuse to use or feel powerless to bother using. The only nonviolent power we have that can shock the elite out of their cocoons is economic leverage. That is all they understand.
I highly recommend getting a cat. It will serve you much better than killing someone. You are even likely to enjoy it! My cats are soothing to my soul which is in constant turmoil with traitor Trump’s constant outrages.
Likewise my dog.
Eek! I have 0 cats and 3 dogs. Where does that leave me???
On a more serious note, I didn’t know a constitutional convention was an option. Yes, please. But who goes to it? Certainly not the Congress or we wouldn’t need it! We need a serious, radical update. And soon.
Well-written, Miles, and a bit scary. If I am in a group of four strangers, at least one is willing to hurt or kill me for my beliefs? That's just crazy, and is emblematic of our "zero sum" and "if you disagree with me, you're the enemy" thinking. Me, I prefer my goats. They get along with everybody, and will even eat the weeds.
During the past few decades it has been my privilege to share my home with one to four cats, and to support similar communities of feral (thus not home-able) cats outside -- providing them with food, winter shelters, and heated water dishes. Based on this experience, I am ready to bet that there is virtually NO overlap between the third of Americans who appreciate (and are appreciated by) cats, and the third who believe it may be justifiable and necessary to kill their political adversaries. It might even be possible that prolonged exposure to cats could curb the murderous proclivities of the third of the population afflicted therewith.