Another really excellent post. Thank you. I have been so scared and angry after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, and especially after the resumption of the genocide. It’s very hard to let myself feel these feeling snd yet not give in to them. But it’s good advice.
That was a real moment of synchronicity for me on 9/11. Had it not happened, I may not have seen things in this way.
These really are scary times, and being afraid is understandable. But I hope we can embrace a vision of the kind of future we want, and do all we can to achieve it.
I'm furious about Mahmoud Khalil too, and the societal implications. A new era of McCarthyism.
Righteous anger , grieve and despair …in fact any emotion that shows you still care and have not become totally numb. As you say Diane it all depends on how you direct it effectively
When we start thinking in the dysfunctional, immoral manner the powers-that-be do, we become more fear driven and less love driven. To choose love over fear means calling war murder and sticking to that explanation in spite of the propaganda.
This is a question that preoccupies me, and one I cannot answer to my or anyone else's satisfaction. Until enough people realize that we are heading in the wrong direction and that the evil, crazy, corrupt and misguided monsters in power are leading the charge in that hellish direction, "we" can't turn anything around. In a recent interview with Chris Hedges, Ralph Nader said that it's always been a small number of people who have initiated big changes through civil action. But this time, I think that only a major groundswell propelled by a justified fear of world war and climate collapse, defiance toward power and livid, righteous anger will move anything. What is needed is not only a political revolution to bring down the system and its current leaders, but a spiritual revolution--and this is where love comes in--to bring forth something entirely new. I don't expect to see that dream come true in my lifetime, but I do hope that time is on humanity's side. In the meantime, you and I and others have to keep on and not give in.
I agree that we have to keep on doing what we do, and I doubt that we'd be able to stop if we wanted to. And on a hopeful note, more American citizens are now pro-Palestine than pro-Israel according to a recent survey, so the tide's slowly changing.
I know this isn't much, but one way to reach people outside of our bubbles is to order free sticky notes and take them to your grocery store and stick them to products from Israel. If people actually knew what's going on, I think most of them would be furious! Just like we are.
For sure it can, Susan. And there's wisdom in fear too. It's good to be careful in times like these. Hopefully we allow ourselves to experience all our feelings.
Good point, Susan! Fear is a natural and necessary part of being human; a response that helps us navigate real dangers. But when fear is manipulated, manufactured, and turned into a tool of control by fearmongers and socially constructed narratives, it no longer protects us; it imprisons us.
Absolutely, Diana! Fear is constantly weaponized—not only to justify wars that benefit the few but also to divide and dehumanize. Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing.
Another really excellent post. Thank you. I have been so scared and angry after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, and especially after the resumption of the genocide. It’s very hard to let myself feel these feeling snd yet not give in to them. But it’s good advice.
Thanks, Mary.
That was a real moment of synchronicity for me on 9/11. Had it not happened, I may not have seen things in this way.
These really are scary times, and being afraid is understandable. But I hope we can embrace a vision of the kind of future we want, and do all we can to achieve it.
I'm furious about Mahmoud Khalil too, and the societal implications. A new era of McCarthyism.
Well said Diana, we must keep choosing love as fear feeds Tyranny ❤️🩹
Thanks, Susan. And it's a challenging thing to do. I think there's plenty of room for righteous anger, especially when it's directed effectively.
Righteous anger , grieve and despair …in fact any emotion that shows you still care and have not become totally numb. As you say Diane it all depends on how you direct it effectively
Jesse Welles' song "War isn't Murder" says it all: https://peaceandplanetnews.org/war-isnt-murder/
When we start thinking in the dysfunctional, immoral manner the powers-that-be do, we become more fear driven and less love driven. To choose love over fear means calling war murder and sticking to that explanation in spite of the propaganda.
Ya, talk about a difference in worldview, eh? I'm so glad that choosing love over fear comes quite naturally to many of us.
Calling war murder is truth, and a great step towards rejecting the drip, drip, drip of constant propaganda telling us otherwise.
'We are living in fearful, loveless times under the rule of heartless men and women who love only power and money!
Yes, we are, Diane. How do we turn this around? We absolutely must.
This is a question that preoccupies me, and one I cannot answer to my or anyone else's satisfaction. Until enough people realize that we are heading in the wrong direction and that the evil, crazy, corrupt and misguided monsters in power are leading the charge in that hellish direction, "we" can't turn anything around. In a recent interview with Chris Hedges, Ralph Nader said that it's always been a small number of people who have initiated big changes through civil action. But this time, I think that only a major groundswell propelled by a justified fear of world war and climate collapse, defiance toward power and livid, righteous anger will move anything. What is needed is not only a political revolution to bring down the system and its current leaders, but a spiritual revolution--and this is where love comes in--to bring forth something entirely new. I don't expect to see that dream come true in my lifetime, but I do hope that time is on humanity's side. In the meantime, you and I and others have to keep on and not give in.
I agree that we have to keep on doing what we do, and I doubt that we'd be able to stop if we wanted to. And on a hopeful note, more American citizens are now pro-Palestine than pro-Israel according to a recent survey, so the tide's slowly changing.
I know this isn't much, but one way to reach people outside of our bubbles is to order free sticky notes and take them to your grocery store and stick them to products from Israel. If people actually knew what's going on, I think most of them would be furious! Just like we are.
It's a little scary, but can be done discreetly.
Here's where you can order them:
https://www.cjpme.org/stickies_2024_en
and here's a good list of products to boycott: https://boycott.thewitness.news/browse/1
I ordered these sticky notes but never received them. I'll have to try again.
I received and used mine. Maybe it's time I ordered more. I hope yours come in soon, Diane.
Fear can make us take more care about what we are doing. It can co-exist with love and other ways of being.
For sure it can, Susan. And there's wisdom in fear too. It's good to be careful in times like these. Hopefully we allow ourselves to experience all our feelings.
Good point, Susan! Fear is a natural and necessary part of being human; a response that helps us navigate real dangers. But when fear is manipulated, manufactured, and turned into a tool of control by fearmongers and socially constructed narratives, it no longer protects us; it imprisons us.
Diana, i want to build such a world. Will you aid me?
I'm curious about the Phoenix League's take on the idea of democracy, Adam. I hope the tools I provided offer some help.
It believes that democracy is a universal right granted to all. But it must be guarded from oligarchs who seek to pollute it.
- Donations capped at $1500
- Anti-dark money laws
- Transparency laws for campaign funds
- Reformation of democratic system along Swiss lines
- Legislators who lie under oath automatically expelled (The Welsh are doing it)
I could also include compulsory voting to stomp out voter apathy. What do you think?
Bravo for the Welsh!
I wondered because of your aspiration to be Emperor of NA, Adam. That doesn't sound very democratic to me, and that's why I asked.
It’s fine. I welcome constructive criticism. It allows me to fine-tune my policies and iron out any bugs.
The Eisenhower Doctrine claims another backyard for America ~ The Middle East 1957-1958
Washington and Syria ~ 1956-1957
https://ia803008.us.archive.org/32/items/KillingHope/Killing%20Hope.pdf
Absolutely, Diana! Fear is constantly weaponized—not only to justify wars that benefit the few but also to divide and dehumanize. Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much! I think we're easily manipulated when we're fearful.