The times today are every bit as perilous as the years leading up to 1861.
A nation plagued by insufferably inhumane human enslavement vs. a president of the US and his party trying to overthrow the government, backed by a major cable network that seems to exist purely to end the United States as we know it.
They are powerful, big in numbers and use their media as a weapon, just like the Confederates used cannon balls. Fox News and their minions openly attempt to take down our republic and replace it with permanent rule by a party committed to codify white supremacy, violence, ahorrent racism and bigotry.
How are these times any LESS perilous than the lead up to 1861? And like the Southerners then, we have 1/2 of our government PLUS THE SUPREME COURT, not just looking the other way, but actually aiding and abetting the modern day confederates.
The times are dark. Their power and prevalence seem to be growing. Meanwhile the Democrats have leaders in their 70s and 80s who want to play nice; keep the filibuster so we don't upset the confederates who continue to terrorize us.
Inspiration is badly lacking on the left. . To be blunt: There is none.
There is feckless leadership. Chuck Schumer, Steny Hoyer and even Nancy, I'm looking at YOU.
Biden is a very good person who has all the right instincts, but he's not the leader we need now. I'm sorry, I love the guy. But the right has treated him with the usual dose of cruelty, lies, and obstruction and he's been badly damaged in the public eye.
Can we get some leaders who weren't born before WWII?
Some who have fire in their belly? Some who will stand up to these fucks?
If being on the precipice of losing the country isn't enough to wake people up, then we're done. Literally, finished.
The November elections will tell us all we need to know.
Will Democrats show up?
Or will they be content to play around on social media, thinking posting a .gif is enough to stop the freight train roaring toward us?
I'm not optimistic.
We've already had our Fort Sumter event on 1/6/21.
I agree with you on Biden. I love Biden and he is a good man. I will vote for him if needed but we really need a powerful, loud and energetic person. We need leaders who will stand up to the bullies and not flench.
Hey Mike. Didn't think I could post yet because I'm not a paid subscriber.
I just want to say I agree with every word you said.
I'm a long time activist but i was turning 70 and needed to retire so i moved to
Mexico 10 months ago. Activism is in my blood so i can't just shut the passion off.
The US is in deep shit and viewing it from afar? It looks even worse.
I've escaped the thick cloud of anger, mistrust and depression I felt every second i left my house, so that is something. I will continue to vote, donate money and go to the states in October to campaign for a Dem of my choice. But it is really looking bad, and i agree, we need a whole bunch of young fire in their belly whipper snappers Dems to step up to the plate.
I'm slightly younger but in a similar boat - I had to move to England so that the life I had created with my "other half" could be protected. Having met a bilingual student on exchange in England, I found that this gifted educated person who spoke 3 languages could not get a work permit, much less a green card. (all about "who you know" - and I guess I didn't know the right people). Anyway, now we live in England (will be celebrating 30 years together in October) and I have to rely on annual visits to see my 75 year old Mom (don't get me started about what COVID was like with family in different countries!).
I watched in abject horror at the scenes appearing on the BBC for 6th January 2021 and I try to stay in tune with the political events since I still vote via absentee ballots (the far right politics may be able to chase me out of the country but they can't take away the vote granted me by birthright). I agree that Biden isn't a great choice now and we definitely need young Democratic blood with fire in their blood but I think we should also remember Biden is what we chose because we needed a candidate we thought most of the country would agree to get behind to save us from 4 more years of the orange idiot. We just have to keep fighting.
Lorraine - I'm with you. We could be twins, but I went north to Toronto. And I agree with you: it's scarier watching from the outside. My family, grandkids, live in northern Maryland, which is a blue state, but visiting them, driving through Pennsylvania with Trump signs all over the place, makes my skin crawl.
Maybe not the best time to jump in with "Happy 4th", especially in reply to my comments
This 4th has already been ruined
A mass shooting in Highland Park, IL and an unarmed black man in Akron shot SIXTY fucking times. Parades and other celebratory events are being cancelled all over the country
You have to continue talking us through. It is really hard and sometimes we could not see ahead. Your clear thought and vision are very much needed in this continuing crisis. Thank you!
Your last paragraph cuts to the heart of the matter. The Civil War preserved the nation, but war doesn't end hate and racism that imbued a shocking number of people back then — and now.
Thank you for these encouraging words after a week that will haunt me until our hard fought freedoms are reinstated. The avarice of men continues to shock my sensibilities. When did truth die?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is priceless. Words are what bind us together. President Zelenskyi said today, "With its aggression, Russia wants to prove that it supposedly has not just territory under its control, but life as such, and that it can supposedly decide for everyone whether they will have life at all. Therefore, this war is not just ours, not just local - somewhere in the east of Europe. This is Russia's attack on everything that is of value to you and me. Therefore, the reconstruction of Ukraine is not a local project, not the project of one people, but a joint task of the entire democratic world - of all countries that can say about themselves: we are civilized. To rebuild Ukraine is to restore the principles of life, to restore the space of life, to restore what makes people human." Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the Conference on Restoration of Ukraine held in Lugano.
First the Free World needs to crush Vladimir Putin! While there is still something of Ukraine left to rebuild. And before Putin can export his blood lust to the rest of Europe and then No. America.
Something else to remember this Independence Day via Abigale Adams to her husband, John Adams.
Abigail Adam’s letter to John Adams: “I long to hear that you have declared an independency—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.”
Happy 4th, Steve. It dawned on me while chatting with a very far right Okie day before yesterday how ingrained their beliefs are, going back to the days of the civil war. I’m not sure people like him will ever see the light. 😢
Dr. Franklin was prescient. 'Powel fired back, “And why not keep it?” Dr. Franklin responded, “Because the people on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good.”
This is the simplest explanation as to why the far left and far right have produced so much discontent and chaos.
The times today are every bit as perilous as the years leading up to 1861.
A nation plagued by insufferably inhumane human enslavement vs. a president of the US and his party trying to overthrow the government, backed by a major cable network that seems to exist purely to end the United States as we know it.
They are powerful, big in numbers and use their media as a weapon, just like the Confederates used cannon balls. Fox News and their minions openly attempt to take down our republic and replace it with permanent rule by a party committed to codify white supremacy, violence, ahorrent racism and bigotry.
How are these times any LESS perilous than the lead up to 1861? And like the Southerners then, we have 1/2 of our government PLUS THE SUPREME COURT, not just looking the other way, but actually aiding and abetting the modern day confederates.
The times are dark. Their power and prevalence seem to be growing. Meanwhile the Democrats have leaders in their 70s and 80s who want to play nice; keep the filibuster so we don't upset the confederates who continue to terrorize us.
Inspiration is badly lacking on the left. . To be blunt: There is none.
There is feckless leadership. Chuck Schumer, Steny Hoyer and even Nancy, I'm looking at YOU.
Biden is a very good person who has all the right instincts, but he's not the leader we need now. I'm sorry, I love the guy. But the right has treated him with the usual dose of cruelty, lies, and obstruction and he's been badly damaged in the public eye.
Can we get some leaders who weren't born before WWII?
Some who have fire in their belly? Some who will stand up to these fucks?
If being on the precipice of losing the country isn't enough to wake people up, then we're done. Literally, finished.
The November elections will tell us all we need to know.
Will Democrats show up?
Or will they be content to play around on social media, thinking posting a .gif is enough to stop the freight train roaring toward us?
I'm not optimistic.
We've already had our Fort Sumter event on 1/6/21.
What's next?
Mike Walsh, Scottsdale, AZ
I agree with you on Biden. I love Biden and he is a good man. I will vote for him if needed but we really need a powerful, loud and energetic person. We need leaders who will stand up to the bullies and not flench.
Hey Mike. Didn't think I could post yet because I'm not a paid subscriber.
I just want to say I agree with every word you said.
I'm a long time activist but i was turning 70 and needed to retire so i moved to
Mexico 10 months ago. Activism is in my blood so i can't just shut the passion off.
The US is in deep shit and viewing it from afar? It looks even worse.
I've escaped the thick cloud of anger, mistrust and depression I felt every second i left my house, so that is something. I will continue to vote, donate money and go to the states in October to campaign for a Dem of my choice. But it is really looking bad, and i agree, we need a whole bunch of young fire in their belly whipper snappers Dems to step up to the plate.
I'm slightly younger but in a similar boat - I had to move to England so that the life I had created with my "other half" could be protected. Having met a bilingual student on exchange in England, I found that this gifted educated person who spoke 3 languages could not get a work permit, much less a green card. (all about "who you know" - and I guess I didn't know the right people). Anyway, now we live in England (will be celebrating 30 years together in October) and I have to rely on annual visits to see my 75 year old Mom (don't get me started about what COVID was like with family in different countries!).
I watched in abject horror at the scenes appearing on the BBC for 6th January 2021 and I try to stay in tune with the political events since I still vote via absentee ballots (the far right politics may be able to chase me out of the country but they can't take away the vote granted me by birthright). I agree that Biden isn't a great choice now and we definitely need young Democratic blood with fire in their blood but I think we should also remember Biden is what we chose because we needed a candidate we thought most of the country would agree to get behind to save us from 4 more years of the orange idiot. We just have to keep fighting.
Lorraine - I'm with you. We could be twins, but I went north to Toronto. And I agree with you: it's scarier watching from the outside. My family, grandkids, live in northern Maryland, which is a blue state, but visiting them, driving through Pennsylvania with Trump signs all over the place, makes my skin crawl.
Happy 4th everyone!
Maybe not the best time to jump in with "Happy 4th", especially in reply to my comments
This 4th has already been ruined
A mass shooting in Highland Park, IL and an unarmed black man in Akron shot SIXTY fucking times. Parades and other celebratory events are being cancelled all over the country
Just so fucking sick of this shit
thank you Supreme Court, the republicans, fox news, social media, the gun lobby and all the fucking fake Christians.
My mind keeps going to Obama. He has the intelligence, and the ability to take in the whole sweep of issues. And, I think he is up to the challenge.
I don't see how he can do that much, honestly
Love him, but he has no power now.
Excellent article Mike you sure hit that nail square on the head! Thanks
Important, thoughtful words as we face an Independence Day where “celebration” feels like the wrong word entirely.
You have to continue talking us through. It is really hard and sometimes we could not see ahead. Your clear thought and vision are very much needed in this continuing crisis. Thank you!
Your last paragraph cuts to the heart of the matter. The Civil War preserved the nation, but war doesn't end hate and racism that imbued a shocking number of people back then — and now.
Thank you for these encouraging words after a week that will haunt me until our hard fought freedoms are reinstated. The avarice of men continues to shock my sensibilities. When did truth die?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is priceless. Words are what bind us together. President Zelenskyi said today, "With its aggression, Russia wants to prove that it supposedly has not just territory under its control, but life as such, and that it can supposedly decide for everyone whether they will have life at all. Therefore, this war is not just ours, not just local - somewhere in the east of Europe. This is Russia's attack on everything that is of value to you and me. Therefore, the reconstruction of Ukraine is not a local project, not the project of one people, but a joint task of the entire democratic world - of all countries that can say about themselves: we are civilized. To rebuild Ukraine is to restore the principles of life, to restore the space of life, to restore what makes people human." Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the Conference on Restoration of Ukraine held in Lugano.
First the Free World needs to crush Vladimir Putin! While there is still something of Ukraine left to rebuild. And before Putin can export his blood lust to the rest of Europe and then No. America.
He already has with his gift of trump.
Thank you. I’m proud to be a subscriber to “The Warning”. We’ve never needed people like Steve Schmidt as we need them today.
Something else to remember this Independence Day via Abigale Adams to her husband, John Adams.
Abigail Adam’s letter to John Adams: “I long to hear that you have declared an independency—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.”
Happy 4th, Steve. It dawned on me while chatting with a very far right Okie day before yesterday how ingrained their beliefs are, going back to the days of the civil war. I’m not sure people like him will ever see the light. 😢
I agree, sadly. So "people like him" will either crush the rest of us or must be crushed by us before they can finish us off. How has it come to this?
This article is so profound..How did so many Americans become so ignorant and hateful
Bring Civics back soon!!! We are in a crisis. Will evil prevail or love triumph??? Get rid of Fox News. Its not really news anyway
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, along with all of your thoughtful passionate and patriotic musings.
As a Canadian with family, great friends and a home in the US, I pray you’re right. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
Thanks, Steve.
Dr. Franklin was prescient. 'Powel fired back, “And why not keep it?” Dr. Franklin responded, “Because the people on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good.”
This is the simplest explanation as to why the far left and far right have produced so much discontent and chaos.
A poem I wrote in 2018 about the American Flag
Who Will Mend Me?
Once I was old and glorious.
Once, my children held firmly together, little stars, shiny and proud.
Each different, each honored to belong to a greatness history had never seen.
And there was a time they were torn.
Miraculously they held together, through unbearable pain,
and horrific shedding of brotherly blood.
A death-to-the-end fight for equality, a noble fight, my children fought.
I have been bravely carried and planted in places on this earth man had never seen.
I have been to the moon!
I have been dug from the rubble, and resurrected like a phoenix,
to inspire courage and the strength to go on.
I have witnessed moments, and have been proud.
I have witnessed moments, and have been ashamed.
Once I was sacred.
Desecrating me for political gain would have been a thing only an enemy would dare do.
Today, cowards falsely embrace me with sham patriotism, and unbridled hypocrisy.
They drape themselves with me.
Bent on abolishing their freedoms, they rip my children apart.
For what end? I am at a loss.
Now I am tired, faded, and in need of repair, who will mend me?
Who will see my agony, and take a kind, loving hand to me?
I have been steadfast, I have never wavered, I have been here for you all.
I have led you through battles with your bodies, through battles for your souls.
And now you desert me, you use me to destroy your neighbors.
What will become of me? What is this fear I have yet ever to feel?
Will the evil in man’s heart, will his insatiable worship of power, of money, be my demise?
To fly again, all new and whole, to fly with my children united,
my threads mended, my colors brilliant, to be strong and proud again.
This is my hope, this is my dream.
Who will mercifully mend me? I ask.
Lorraine Parish
July 4th 2018
Published by The Vineyard Gazette
Bent on abolishing their freedoms, they rip my children apart.
For what end? I am at a loss.
Now I am tired, faded, and in need of repair, who will mend m
Who will see my agony, and take a kind, loving hand to me?
I have been steadfast, I have never wavered, I have been here for you all.
I have led you through battles with your bodies, through battles for your souls.
And now you desert me, you use me to destroy your neighbors.
What will become of me? What is this fear I have yet ever to feel?
Will the evil in man’s heart, will his insatiable worship of power, of money, be my demise?
To fly again, all new and whole, to fly with my children united,
my threads mended, my colors brilliant, to be strong and proud again.
This is my hope, this is my dream.
Who will mercifully mend me? I ask.
Lorraine Parish
July 4th 2018
Published by The Vineyard Gazette
Thank you.for sharing. Lincoln's words bring comfort.
Wonderful