I like it. Going to link it in our bi-weekly local newsletter. Our only power source is each other and that is why our revolution to change this entire system has to start local. Revolutions are started by the power of the people. And local is where the people are.
Diana, this is good. One thing missing: when respect is given to the small things, the big ones rise as a result. Relationships are about people, not transactions. Focus on people rather than things, and common ground appears.
The key to any relationship -- be that a marriage or government-and-citizen -- is reciprocity of response, respect, give and take. It is the number one thing I have seen disappearing in our culture. I especially see it in the political sphere, but also between family members and neighbors. We are being fragmented and splintered, which is the number one social tactic of fascism; to divide and turn us against one another. Tom make the party the family and Der Leader the Father.
I recently read a beautiful novel that has been out of print for over 89 years: "The Crooked Cross", by British author Sally Carson, who only wrote a few books before dying of cancer before she turned 40. She was a Brit who grew up visiting Germany annually. She got to see the rise of Nazism and in her novel outlines what that did to a family. In the novel the daughter was engaged to a half-Jewish physician and her two older brothers -- who had been unemployed through the Great Depression -- got their first jobs in the Nazi party. The novel shows the collapse of the once close knit family into silence and isolation. It is a metaphor for what I see going on around us throughout the West.
The book was resurrected by Persephone Books Ltd. a publisher that specializes in long forgotten novels. "The Crooked Cross" couldn't be more timely.
Mark, I agree. It does seem like a very fascistic tactic to make sure we're divided against each other. And at a time when we so desperately need solidarity.
Maybe the shock I believe is to come, and that is a depression because of Trump's attack on Iran and the subsequent closing of the Strait of Hormuz, will bring people together, and create the solidarity we need in order to make big changes. I hope so.
Let us hope. That is what happened in the US during the depths of the Great Depression. One thing that we lack now is a serious and well-organized left and labor movement, from which FDR borrowed ideas and themes for the New Deal. In 1934 Upton Sinclair ran for governor of California under his EPIC platform (End Poverty In California) and his book "I, Candidate For Governor: And How I Got Licked" included descriptions of mutual aid community programs that helped people survive.
Frances Perkins was a primary adviser to FDR and she advocated the administration adopt some of the community programs Sinclair described but they were shunned because if they had been adopted they would have over turned evil capitalism. What a missed opportunity. FDR did many good things, but as he wrote to his brother, his ultimate mission was to save capitalism.
Do you listen to the various geopolitical commentators online, Mark, that share our values?
Their sense of camaraderie is tangible, even though their points of view differ somewhat. Sometimes I think valuing relationships over money, and people over getting rich is the essence of being left.
I hear what you are saying, but really, think about it. It does not entirely make sense. Shortly after October 7, 2023, I was told by a "friend" of 40 years or so that I am inhumane because I do not support what Israel is doing to Gaza. Guess I should not have said anything, huh? Sometimes relationships need to end. Sometimes we need to argue. Sometimes we need to say that what is happening is wrong, evil and not supportable. Even if it means an arguement. I sure wish more of the world would oppose Israel. I think supporting a genocide or even being quiet about it is not worth any relationship.
I had an experience where a good friend I hadn't talked to in awhile thought that an issue important to me was fake news, Susan, and we went through a rough spot.
I was able to point to people we both respect and what they had to say about it, and that was part of a process that enabled us to maintain the relationship, and are now on the same page.
There are some relationships that can't continue over these differences, I agree.
My thinking in writing this post is that when we start to feel the effects of what's going on in the Strait of Hormuz, we're going to need to build community together so that we can all get through it. The more we focus on each other's well being and less on our differences, the more we'll be able to work together.
We all have to eat, regardless of our opinions, and there are so many things to disagree over.
I am glad to hear that you were able to get your friend onto the same page. It has not worked out that way for me. I have differences of opinion with many people over many things, but supporting a genocide or not is more than a mere difference of opinion. For me, this experience caused me to wonder how I choose my friends.
In a way, it reinforces the argument I made, simple as it is, in my post, Susan.
Because we have a good relationship and know each other well, both of us restrained ourselves for the sake of the relationship, and I was able to point out influential thinkers I know they rspected who reinforced my argument.
We both value our relationship, so we both put the effort into not damaging it.
Sometimes you just don't know. I had known this person for a very long time and had several disagreements, but never to the point where either of us called the other inhumane for any reason. In this situation, for me, it was not possible to continue the relationship and I am pretty sure the other person feels the same way. He "stands with Israel" as he declared. I do think that having friends is more important now than ever. Fortunately I do have a few friends who do not support genocide. I have other disagreements with them sometimes. For me, it is not possible to feel really confident in someone who supports genocide. Otherwise, I can handle someone not agreeing with me.
For sure, Susan. I think I'd feel the same way. Each situation, and each friendship is unique, and we have to respond in a way that makes sense to me. I've ended friendships before and some of them I don't regret at all.
I can only hope that your local paper publishes your letter, and that readers take what you say to heart. Having grown up in small communities in Saskatchewan, I know how easily ill-informed and entrenched opinions can divide people when they need most to stick together for the sake of the bigger picture.
I like it. Going to link it in our bi-weekly local newsletter. Our only power source is each other and that is why our revolution to change this entire system has to start local. Revolutions are started by the power of the people. And local is where the people are.
Thanks so much for linking my article to your bi-weekly newsletter. I'm glad you agree with my perspective.
Diana, this is good. One thing missing: when respect is given to the small things, the big ones rise as a result. Relationships are about people, not transactions. Focus on people rather than things, and common ground appears.
I get your point Shams, that we can't overlook the big picture in favour of the small.
I agree fully that relationships are about people and not transactions.
With what may well be coming, it's my attempt to help prioritize caring relationships.
The key to any relationship -- be that a marriage or government-and-citizen -- is reciprocity of response, respect, give and take. It is the number one thing I have seen disappearing in our culture. I especially see it in the political sphere, but also between family members and neighbors. We are being fragmented and splintered, which is the number one social tactic of fascism; to divide and turn us against one another. Tom make the party the family and Der Leader the Father.
I recently read a beautiful novel that has been out of print for over 89 years: "The Crooked Cross", by British author Sally Carson, who only wrote a few books before dying of cancer before she turned 40. She was a Brit who grew up visiting Germany annually. She got to see the rise of Nazism and in her novel outlines what that did to a family. In the novel the daughter was engaged to a half-Jewish physician and her two older brothers -- who had been unemployed through the Great Depression -- got their first jobs in the Nazi party. The novel shows the collapse of the once close knit family into silence and isolation. It is a metaphor for what I see going on around us throughout the West.
The book was resurrected by Persephone Books Ltd. a publisher that specializes in long forgotten novels. "The Crooked Cross" couldn't be more timely.
Mark, I agree. It does seem like a very fascistic tactic to make sure we're divided against each other. And at a time when we so desperately need solidarity.
Maybe the shock I believe is to come, and that is a depression because of Trump's attack on Iran and the subsequent closing of the Strait of Hormuz, will bring people together, and create the solidarity we need in order to make big changes. I hope so.
That sounds like a very good and relevant book.
Let us hope. That is what happened in the US during the depths of the Great Depression. One thing that we lack now is a serious and well-organized left and labor movement, from which FDR borrowed ideas and themes for the New Deal. In 1934 Upton Sinclair ran for governor of California under his EPIC platform (End Poverty In California) and his book "I, Candidate For Governor: And How I Got Licked" included descriptions of mutual aid community programs that helped people survive.
Frances Perkins was a primary adviser to FDR and she advocated the administration adopt some of the community programs Sinclair described but they were shunned because if they had been adopted they would have over turned evil capitalism. What a missed opportunity. FDR did many good things, but as he wrote to his brother, his ultimate mission was to save capitalism.
Do you listen to the various geopolitical commentators online, Mark, that share our values?
Their sense of camaraderie is tangible, even though their points of view differ somewhat. Sometimes I think valuing relationships over money, and people over getting rich is the essence of being left.
Here's a post that lists some of them, and it links to an earlier post that lists more of them. Right now I listen a lot to Danny Haiphong, Professor Marandi, The Cradle and Carl Zha. https://dianavaneyk.substack.com/p/geopolitially-context-is-everything
"When we put our relationships first, everyone’s burden is eased a little."
Very wise words. It's difficult at times to build relationships, but it's worth it in the long run.
I think so, and especially in times like these when we will need to rely heavily on each other.
A beautiful, important message, thanks Diana
Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you think it's important too.
I hear what you are saying, but really, think about it. It does not entirely make sense. Shortly after October 7, 2023, I was told by a "friend" of 40 years or so that I am inhumane because I do not support what Israel is doing to Gaza. Guess I should not have said anything, huh? Sometimes relationships need to end. Sometimes we need to argue. Sometimes we need to say that what is happening is wrong, evil and not supportable. Even if it means an arguement. I sure wish more of the world would oppose Israel. I think supporting a genocide or even being quiet about it is not worth any relationship.
I had an experience where a good friend I hadn't talked to in awhile thought that an issue important to me was fake news, Susan, and we went through a rough spot.
I was able to point to people we both respect and what they had to say about it, and that was part of a process that enabled us to maintain the relationship, and are now on the same page.
There are some relationships that can't continue over these differences, I agree.
My thinking in writing this post is that when we start to feel the effects of what's going on in the Strait of Hormuz, we're going to need to build community together so that we can all get through it. The more we focus on each other's well being and less on our differences, the more we'll be able to work together.
We all have to eat, regardless of our opinions, and there are so many things to disagree over.
I am glad to hear that you were able to get your friend onto the same page. It has not worked out that way for me. I have differences of opinion with many people over many things, but supporting a genocide or not is more than a mere difference of opinion. For me, this experience caused me to wonder how I choose my friends.
In a way, it reinforces the argument I made, simple as it is, in my post, Susan.
Because we have a good relationship and know each other well, both of us restrained ourselves for the sake of the relationship, and I was able to point out influential thinkers I know they rspected who reinforced my argument.
We both value our relationship, so we both put the effort into not damaging it.
Sometimes you just don't know. I had known this person for a very long time and had several disagreements, but never to the point where either of us called the other inhumane for any reason. In this situation, for me, it was not possible to continue the relationship and I am pretty sure the other person feels the same way. He "stands with Israel" as he declared. I do think that having friends is more important now than ever. Fortunately I do have a few friends who do not support genocide. I have other disagreements with them sometimes. For me, it is not possible to feel really confident in someone who supports genocide. Otherwise, I can handle someone not agreeing with me.
For sure, Susan. I think I'd feel the same way. Each situation, and each friendship is unique, and we have to respond in a way that makes sense to me. I've ended friendships before and some of them I don't regret at all.
I can only hope that your local paper publishes your letter, and that readers take what you say to heart. Having grown up in small communities in Saskatchewan, I know how easily ill-informed and entrenched opinions can divide people when they need most to stick together for the sake of the bigger picture.