I am Irish and although I did not watch the debate there were plenty of posts on Facebook condemning trump's behaviour. From where I am sitting I am horrified to see a grown man act in this way! I feel violated everytime I see posts about his cruelty and vicious tongue! Yes, even though I am not American! So I have decided to take a long break from social media. I am praying everyday for all Americans, yes even trump's supporters because by God they need it! As selfish as it may sound it us time for self care, for the sake of both my physical and mental health. Praying for you too Diana, your posts are both thought provoking and realistic. Be safe
Thank you, I am stunned by the amount of hate spewed on social media and frustrated trying to express myself meaningfully with friends and family members who have different opinions.
I felt much of the same feeling as you did about Trump’s performance regarding the debate. I would caution, however, about assuming all Christans, and possibly some of your subscribers, are against Trump. I have a nephew that is a staunch conservative Christian and looks at Trump almost like a savior 😒. I tried once to enter a conversation with him In order to understand but he felt I was too far gone in my opinion that I wouldn’t really listen and didn’t want to waste his time. He won’t speak to me again.
"Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on." But we have to do more than just the telling. We have to hold and support the front line defenders of healthcare workers and activists in the street. Hold them in prayer or in you arms if you're lucky. Touch one another and let them know the hand of the Divine is never far.
Good thots, Diana. I listened to/watched about five minutes of the debate when I came home Tues evening before switching over to National Geographic channel and enjoying The Sex Life of the Common Newt. I have no use for DJT or the Religious Right that helped elect this ongoing debacle. That being said, the uppermost thot in my mind as I took as much as I could take of watching/listening to two geriatrics fling poo at each other while millions watched was this: Really, USA?! Your electoral system is such that these two white male geriatrics are the best you can offer the world as this unstable point in history? That’s just truly pathetic. And sad. And unforgivaBULL. I thot we were in the 21st century! That this scenario, existing as it is by virtue of the current way Americans do their “electing,” is arguably insane. If the White House is accessible only to wealthy men who have guaranteed their $upporter$ a piece of the action upon election then its time to, at minimum, change the slogan on your currency to IN GOLD WE TRUST, because as it exists now, the system of “getting on the ticket” I find to be seriously deficient. Would to God that Cory Booker or Kamala Harris had been at the Democrat podium Tuesday evening!
For a perspective on how Tuesday night's debate performance by President Trump fits an overall pattern of disruption to American democracy, view the Rachel Maddow piece on "Resist Trump's Strategy of Destroying U.S. Politics, Discouraging Decent Americans" on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBWCBa1AY-g). What we saw Tuesday night was deliberate and designed to create additional chaos and division among debate viewers. Many just turned the program off from disgust; thus achieving exactly what Trump and his sycophants wanted to happen. All that has been happening since the run-up to the 2016 Election and subsequent to his inauguration through today has been part of a plan to install an autocratic government over a fundamentally divided and internecine warring nation. You can't truly "Love Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself" without a community (Polis) where that love can be shown and happen. If Trump succeeds (as Rachel Maddow points out) this nation dissolves into a collection of factions that are at each other's throats as they compete for the resources necessary for life.
To be clear: "good words," healing words are also truthful and honest words, discerning words, and words that defend the defenseless. "Good words" are not saccharine, not merely sentimental. Good words carry the power to heal, bring light, give shape to justice.
Thank you once again. I, too, felt assaulted. And while Biden and Wallace were not totally blameless the assault did come from the president. In a different kind of “debate” Biden could have been pushed on some of his statements. Wallace could have spent more time asking questions and follow-ups instead of trying to enforce the rules. Thank you Diana
I find your thoughts to be true and consistent with my understanding of the meaning of Christianity. Yet, I also affirm that Christian also speaks to the necessity of integrity and honest presentation of the truth. I find several major points that Biden made to be devoid of truth pertaining to the Green Deal, his participation with Bernie Sanders socialist agenda, and the financial rewards that his son received from Biden having been Vice President. Both sides needed to be held to the same standards that the Christ taught us.
You say that even the NYTimes wouldn't call the president's debate performance as "evil," but this morning David Brooks comes close with his column on Trump as an "immoralist."
I am Irish and although I did not watch the debate there were plenty of posts on Facebook condemning trump's behaviour. From where I am sitting I am horrified to see a grown man act in this way! I feel violated everytime I see posts about his cruelty and vicious tongue! Yes, even though I am not American! So I have decided to take a long break from social media. I am praying everyday for all Americans, yes even trump's supporters because by God they need it! As selfish as it may sound it us time for self care, for the sake of both my physical and mental health. Praying for you too Diana, your posts are both thought provoking and realistic. Be safe
Thank you, I am stunned by the amount of hate spewed on social media and frustrated trying to express myself meaningfully with friends and family members who have different opinions.
Thank you... I struggle constantly with my mind and heart...this was helpful and supportive.
I felt much of the same feeling as you did about Trump’s performance regarding the debate. I would caution, however, about assuming all Christans, and possibly some of your subscribers, are against Trump. I have a nephew that is a staunch conservative Christian and looks at Trump almost like a savior 😒. I tried once to enter a conversation with him In order to understand but he felt I was too far gone in my opinion that I wouldn’t really listen and didn’t want to waste his time. He won’t speak to me again.
"Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on." But we have to do more than just the telling. We have to hold and support the front line defenders of healthcare workers and activists in the street. Hold them in prayer or in you arms if you're lucky. Touch one another and let them know the hand of the Divine is never far.
I also suggest that we put our prayers into action by writing to the members of the Judicial committee that will question Judge Barrett.
Thank you for your healing words.
Exactly what I needed to hear
Good thots, Diana. I listened to/watched about five minutes of the debate when I came home Tues evening before switching over to National Geographic channel and enjoying The Sex Life of the Common Newt. I have no use for DJT or the Religious Right that helped elect this ongoing debacle. That being said, the uppermost thot in my mind as I took as much as I could take of watching/listening to two geriatrics fling poo at each other while millions watched was this: Really, USA?! Your electoral system is such that these two white male geriatrics are the best you can offer the world as this unstable point in history? That’s just truly pathetic. And sad. And unforgivaBULL. I thot we were in the 21st century! That this scenario, existing as it is by virtue of the current way Americans do their “electing,” is arguably insane. If the White House is accessible only to wealthy men who have guaranteed their $upporter$ a piece of the action upon election then its time to, at minimum, change the slogan on your currency to IN GOLD WE TRUST, because as it exists now, the system of “getting on the ticket” I find to be seriously deficient. Would to God that Cory Booker or Kamala Harris had been at the Democrat podium Tuesday evening!
For a perspective on how Tuesday night's debate performance by President Trump fits an overall pattern of disruption to American democracy, view the Rachel Maddow piece on "Resist Trump's Strategy of Destroying U.S. Politics, Discouraging Decent Americans" on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBWCBa1AY-g). What we saw Tuesday night was deliberate and designed to create additional chaos and division among debate viewers. Many just turned the program off from disgust; thus achieving exactly what Trump and his sycophants wanted to happen. All that has been happening since the run-up to the 2016 Election and subsequent to his inauguration through today has been part of a plan to install an autocratic government over a fundamentally divided and internecine warring nation. You can't truly "Love Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself" without a community (Polis) where that love can be shown and happen. If Trump succeeds (as Rachel Maddow points out) this nation dissolves into a collection of factions that are at each other's throats as they compete for the resources necessary for life.
Amen,Amen and Amen!
To be clear: "good words," healing words are also truthful and honest words, discerning words, and words that defend the defenseless. "Good words" are not saccharine, not merely sentimental. Good words carry the power to heal, bring light, give shape to justice.
Thank you once again. I, too, felt assaulted. And while Biden and Wallace were not totally blameless the assault did come from the president. In a different kind of “debate” Biden could have been pushed on some of his statements. Wallace could have spent more time asking questions and follow-ups instead of trying to enforce the rules. Thank you Diana
Trust you found “Shut up man” inappropriate as well.
I find your thoughts to be true and consistent with my understanding of the meaning of Christianity. Yet, I also affirm that Christian also speaks to the necessity of integrity and honest presentation of the truth. I find several major points that Biden made to be devoid of truth pertaining to the Green Deal, his participation with Bernie Sanders socialist agenda, and the financial rewards that his son received from Biden having been Vice President. Both sides needed to be held to the same standards that the Christ taught us.
You say that even the NYTimes wouldn't call the president's debate performance as "evil," but this morning David Brooks comes close with his column on Trump as an "immoralist."