I was trying to send a business e mail message to one person named Paula and accidentally sent it to another person of the same name. Kind of a butt dial but not exactly. It was not a message that would be embarrassing to have in public, but it should not have been shared. I got a phone call that let me know the information did not reach its intended destination. A bit embarrassing but fortuitous- it gave me a chance to catch up with an old friend. We took the opportunity to discuss our lives and current political situation. Paula told me that her hairdresser had a perfect metaphor for the chaos created by the current administration strategy —that they have a propensity to “burn the bridge while they are on it.”
I have struggled to try and keep my angst in check, looking for anything positive that is happening in this political environment. Something inspiring—like watching Rocky Balboa ascend the stairs in the famous first movie as he prepared to meet Apollo. The aging alcoholic in Independence Day taking out the Alien spacecraft. You probably have your own example. As a country we love the underdog and find ourselves rooting for them. Our resident Bully has only one jab, ‘he habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom he perceives as vulnerable.’ It has been encouraging to watch the reaction from Zelensky, Canada, Mexico, France, the UK and the European Union. They are not intimidated and do not bend to his will. They are preparing to ‘keep calm and carry on without their U. S. ally.
I highly recommend you watch the 8 minute speech by the French politician, Claude Malhuret as he addressed his colleagues in the French Senate. It has gone viral as it outlines our President’ alarming efforts to destroy democracy in America and abroad, aided by Musk, who he refers to as a “ ketamine-fueled jester.” Malhuret reminds us that “never in history has a President of the U S capitulated to the enemy….never has anyone supported an aggressor against an ally.” He reminds us that the freedom fighters in America have always overcome these challenges and is encouraged that the forces of democracy are finding their voices. Malhuret concludes “ the task of our generation is to defeat totalitarianisms of the 21st century. Long live free Ukraine, long live democratic Europe.”
It is so difficult to listen to and watch #47 in his forever sound bite coverage. Every action, hand gesture and that voice make me cringe. I got especially tired of the “you don’t have the cards proclamation” as well as the constant reference to the ally’s “ripping us off.” I have to admit, The Orange wanna be King should recognize taking advantage of a situation. Multiple bankruptcies, Trump University, his Charity, his felony conviction, and a couple of Impeachments let us know he gets the art of the steal. The English have many clever and catchy expressions. Sod off -you stupid git is one that I like but my newest favorite is a clever way to ask you to shut up—“give it a rest, love, or preferably “wind your neck in…..zip it…hush your gums.” Beautiful silence.
Please do whatever you can to support our democracy. Mike