The Past Few Weeks in Amerussia

[anirbas]

This ICE raid on a piddly chicken processing plant! What the hell? It's not bad enough this Amerussian government is separating children and babies from their parents at the border. Let's go do it in Springfield, Missouri, too! I feel like these "employees" of ICE are eating this "job" up with a spoon. ICE is the New KKK 2.0! You don't need a hood to hide your identity, or have to do your nasty deeds under cover of darkness in this day and age. Just draw a wage with ICE, KKK 2.0!

Equally, as important, or to me, the heinous shootings in public spaces, i.e., pubs and retail establishments. I work for *******. I can tell you, even in the locations that do not serve a high population of Mexican Americans, we are feeling anxious, discombobulated. My children are young adults from 24 to 32 that, at this point in their lives frequent public spaces such as pubs, shopping establishments and food chains.

I hope this country survives till 2020. I have to be honest and say I am not sure we will. Or, at least, not all of us. I can't say it enough, I highly resent feeling nervous and worried about myself and my children and grandchildren, including my extended family; and everyone else I don't know, too, throughout this administration.

I often wonder and stop just short of asking people I know that for some reason or another admitted they voted Republican this past voting cycle-IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU WANTED? REALLY?? REALLY REALLY??? I can handle it if someone is honest enough to say, "no, no it wasn't. And if I'd of known "he" was going to do and inspire all of this, I would have gotten over my revulsion of having a woman for president and voted differently". How? How could you not see how "he" would be? Did you see something shiny and look away?

I've been repeatedly shocked to my core since 2016 with white society and this administration's antics. AND I'M DEFINED AS "WHITE". I'm fifty-eight now. Not sure how many more shocks this humanitarian humanist atheist heart of mine can handle. So, I'm hoping if I have a heart attack before we oust this heinous regime of an administration from office, someone will load my dead body in a cannon and shoot me through tRumpless' window and directly at him. Then, I will have done more for my country as a corpse than "he" ever did in his entire life.

[phantasm]

Don't get a heart attack, Nir. Just steer clear of restaurant food that has too much salt.
When you're out in public take the stairs, not the elevator. You know, do that kind of thing.
You'll live. Trump was a backlash against... certain developments in the culture. There will be
another backlash against the culture under Trump, too. 50 years from now people will look back
at this part of the century as some sort of weird anomaly and think, "I wonder what was going on then
that such weirdness cropped up at that particular time and place...?"

History is a never-ending cycle of backlash and counter-backlash. Just read some history books and you'll see what I mean.

[anirbas]

Steer clear of restaurant food? What's that? We home cook almost all of our meals to avoid the poisons found in fast food and restaurant food.

Take the stairs? Aren't you cute? I can't climb stairs anymore. I can't run anymore, either. I do yoga, physical therapy stretches and some qi qong. Don't be a dolt. You knew it was a metaphorical heart attack.

As for reading history books, you act as though I've not read history books for the past four and a half decades of my life. I am fifty-eight years old. Read some history books. Don't be pedantic, David. Don't act like these events that have transpired the past three years are a normal cycle. Don't. Don't do it. Don't insult my intelligence. Don't patronize me.

Nor act like my fears are groundless. I have Mexican American family in California. My daughter is pregnant and guess what, Dave? Baby daddy is a Mexican American. It's only a matter of time before they come for the "legal" ones. Or have you read anything historical about Hitler's pond scum regime? And especially in Texas and the Southwestern states when self righteous racist whites were burning out entire towns of African Americans in the early nineteen hundreds, they were also murdering and burning down the homes and towns of "legal" Mexican Americans, too. Google it.

Self-entitled rich white boys shooting up retail spaces and public places and I don't need to worry? I've got a large family. I don't want to lose anyone over some racist pig proving his "superiority" by mowing innocent people down with his high dollar "crowd cutter" aka AK-47's and AR-15's. Especially because the fascist nutjob in the White House inspired it.

Read some history books. Here's one for you to read. It's titled 'White Trash. The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America.'

Sheesh...Read some history books...Well, I never...You really just don't have any idea who I am or what kind of books are to be found on my shelves...Good to know.

[phantasm]

I am sorry. It was not my intention to come off as condescending. I didn't take the heart attack thing literally when I read it.

All I wanted was to express the thought that I don't want to see you die, and do it in a lighthearted way.

The history books line-- I sure as hell didn't want to insult you. I've always recognized you as a kindred spirit. We both read a lot. I think we'd

both be surprised if we saw each other's bookshelves. I wasn't putting a ton of deep thinking into that post and it came out of me poorly-worded.

I clicked the 'create post' button when I shouldn't have. I do not think of you or your fears as insubstantial and I'm sorry I struck a nerve.

I don't want you to think any less of me because of this. We've known each other for a long time and that entire relationship has been mediated

by the written word. Sometimes the written word is a poor substitute for human communication. And I've used Skype in the past with family,

and even that is an extremely limited way to project our presence into another room-- all we're doing is looking at each other via flat screens.

We humans were designed for face-to-face communication and it's frustrating sometimes that I'm separated from people by miles upon miles of road......

[anirbas]

Thank you for your apology, Phantasm. I also apologize. For being thin skinned the night I read your comment. I can see I've become sensitive concerning this country you and I and so many share these past three years. But, I can't help that and I don't want to. I feel one way our nation ended up where it is today, is because so many of us the past four decades kept looking the other way, as long as we thought something didn't touch us. That has never been me.

I am doing my level best to overcome the innate resentment I feel towards my friends that have made the mistake of telling me they voted Republican this last presidential election. I wish none of you had of done that. Both, here and in my version of "real time". For it is the one time in my life, I cannot see/understand both sides. And I don't know why it bothers me, as I truly feel that election was completely compromised by Russian intervention, computer hacking and corrupted ballot boxes. So, what I'm saying, is I don't feel like anyone's vote really mattered, to begin with. The outcome of that election was already bought and paid for, so to speak, whether one person or one-third of the country voted Republican, or not.

As I said, I am doing my best to overcome my resentment. That election doesn't matter anymore. All that matters, are the choices we all make going forward. And I know from what some have said to me, a lot of people that did vote Rpblcn, regret it. They just couldn't see their way clear to vote for a woman, especially HC. I do understand that. I didn't particularly like her, either. But, as a mother, I am thankful for CHIP, which I did access for both of my children. Mrs. Clinton made that happen when ol' Bill was president. Republicans were furious because they tried to bring in a form of universal healthcare, back then. Rpblcn politicians fought it tooth and nail. Therefore, all that survived, was coverage for our children, at least. Neither of my children would have had proper healthcare, in a continuous manner, if not for CHIP.

Anyway, I digress. It all matters so much to me, for the reasons I stated when I lost my temper. My family is large and spread all over the lower half of the United States. At least a quarter, are African Americans or "mixed" babies. Another quarter are Mexican Americans or Caucasian/Mexican/Asian American mixed babies. Then, at least half of us, are European American mixes. Most, of which are Republican and think of me as the free thinking liberal family oddity. Haha.

I, also, recognize you and our other poetic brothers and sisters, as kindred spirits. I think that is why it shocked me to my core to know you and Moseley voted Republican. Y'all are two of my heroes. I've known you both as my brothers in poetry for so long, now. I have treated poor Moseley in a despicable manner on FB for being honest with me about that from the beginning. (And for that, I apologize to you, Moseley.) We are being honest. So, I am getting it out there. Yes, I've been salty as hell for three years, now. I am trying to overcome it. I see it.

"We've known each other for a long time and that entire relationship has been mediated
by the written word. Sometimes the written word is a poor substitute for human communication."

Truer words, were never written. But, our relationship, and all of our relationships here, have been created through the written word.
And that, is a beautiful thing, my brother. I started to delete this entire thread when I landed. But, after reading your comments
and editing through my epistle, I believe I shall leave it. It's an excellent example of communication.

[phantasm]

Department of Corrections: I voted Democrat in this past election.

Actually, I pushed the button to vote Democrat for all ballots that time. For the first time in my life. Ever.

I wanted Bernie........ Unfortunately the likes of me were in the minority.

Now, my mother, she claims she "held her nose" as she voted for Trump. Sigh...

Also, I have a former room mate I shared an apartment with. His name is Dave, too. He voted Trump, but regretted it soon after.

I may have mentioned my former room mate during the last election cycle..... it's possible..........

I have no idea what post I might have written that would imply that I voted for Trump. Did I, perhaps, somewhere along the way,

play Devil's Advocate for Trump, possibly??? I am sooooooooo not wading through +3 yrs worth of posts to find what

might have given someone, anyone, that impression.................................

[anirbas]

"I have no idea what post I might have written that would imply that I voted for Trump. Did I, perhaps, somewhere along the way,
play Devil's Advocate for Trump, possibly??? I am sooooooooo not wading through +3 yrs worth of posts to find what
might have given someone, anyone, that impression................................."

And I so do not blame you for that! Wading through the archives. It was as recent as say the past several months. Don't waste precious time looking. I'd rather you be writing or commenting around here. LoL But, I believe you are right. It might have been when you took a turn playing Devil's Advocate. And I assumed. Honestly, I"ve never been anti-Republican or pro-Democrat. I have issues with this last administration over women's rights concerning their bodily autonomy; over their blatant racism ; and this horrendous inhumane mess they have created along our south western borders. I could go on and on.

I apologize, again, Phantasm. And I still apologize to you, Moseley for your honesty three years ago. Happy to see you slipping by here and there.

[darkness0within]

I can't really comment too much about American politics as my knowledge base on that is sketchy.

But you do have to ask. why DID so many people vote for your latest president?

I can only assume that they were not happy with what they had before, otherwise they would of kept the status quo.

It seems to me the American dream is only for the few from what I can see. The promise of better lives will always be a vote winner to those that have not.

In the UK most of our politicians seem to be acting disgracefully at this time. I'm sure we are the laughing stock of the world, and I'm truly ashamed of them. They themselves are threatening democracy as we know it by not following the mandate of the majority. But what's new?

The UK has had a 'Class' system going back centuries. As other countries have too. Voting is a fairly new thing in historic terms, and it does grieve me that some people can't be bothered to use this hard earned right.

I do see changes coming on the horizon. But I feel they won't be good. Pandora's box is open and I see turbulent times ahead here in the UK.

[anirbas]

"But you do have to ask. why DID so many people vote for your latest president?
I can only assume that they were not happy with what they had before, otherwise they would of kept the status quo."

Darkness, in my opinion, a third of the nation was incensed and furious when President Obama not only became president, he stayed in that office for eight years, to their vehement dismay. Lots of video footage to be found of some of their demonstrations during his WH tenure. Many of which included burning President Obama in effigy. Pathetically, tRump did his utmost during that time to fan their racist flames on Twitter, etc...That third of the country are the tRump-ites, tRumpless' voter base, for the most part. A lot of them are disgruntled over the loss of factory jobs since the Eighties when we started pandering to corporate America during RayGun's WH tenure.

Another third of the nation were pissed off that the Democratic nomination went to Clinton, instead of Sanders, their chosen candidate. They express their ire, by refusing to vote Democrat and instead voted for the Independent runner. This group of Bernie-ites, are already threatening to vote Independent again if Bernie is not chosen to be the Democratic nominee.

Then, there is the other third of the nation. Those, whom for whatever reason, did not vote in 2016. If this third group had of voted, there is basically not a single doubt in my mind, that tRump could have won. Even with Russian intervention; computer hacking; cheating by sabotaging ballot boxes; and various other voting infractions. I have a feeling, many in this third group will be voting in 2020. I know I will.

The US also has a "class" system, going back four centuries on these shores. Our ancestors brought it with them from their various mother countries of the UK and Europe! Kind of laughing at that one. I've often said, America has always been the UK and Europe's "teenager child", metaphorically. Yet, our ancestors have modeled so many of our actions as an infant nation, after the "parent" countries we left in a huff. Haha.

I feel we are on the cusp of changes coming on the horizon, here in the USA. Unlike you, I cannot afford to be pessimistic. Haha. I must have faith and hope America will right itself. If not, we will be stuck with another four years of tRumpless and his vile Republican regime. I don't feel this country can handle another four years of that. We are already fraying at the seams and politicians are doing their level best to fan the flames of disconnection and resentment among us.

America has never been a perfect nation, regardless of what our government white washed public school history textbooks say. But, during President Obama's eight years as President, a lot of progressive strides were made to level the playing field for all of the peoples of this nation. In hindsight, an idyllic phase.

Anyway, I've digressed from here to there and back, again, my friend.

[darkness0within]

I thought President Obama came over as a decent man in the main. Better than some that's for sure. And a measure of how any president, or head of state for any country is what positive lasting legacy they leave for the people they are leading.

No nation is 'perfect' I feel. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made that are not popular with some, or many. But this is where some leaders would shy away from alienating their voters, And backers for that matter. Even if what needs to be done is the right thing. how to feed the population? How to give people enough to drink? How to teach people the skills needed in society? How to make it a fairer society for all?

I feel pessimistic about the near future, however that is not to say that the future will not have positive things. in a hundred years, or a thousand years perhaps things will be very different. The world we know now will be dead and gone. A different world will emerge over time that those living then will accept as how life has always been. Even all the recorded information from the past will be looked at with just curiosity perhaps. that's if we continue down the technology path. Nothing is certain in life. Twists and turns through the millennia can change societies for the better, or worse. I hope the former.

Human kind is an adaptable species. It is its strength.

[anirbas]

"I thought President Obama came over as a decent man in the main. Better than some that's for sure. And a measure of how any president, or head of state for any country is what positive lasting legacy they leave for the people they are leading." As did I, sir. Howsomever, a third of the country couldn't see past the color of his skin and that of his family. Even though, he is half as much, "white" as he is, "black", by birth. During his eight year tenure in the White House, tRumpLess was busy firing up President Obama's racist detractors on Twitter. I didn't even have a Twitter account at the time. I had no idea the power he wielded over his fan base, until I sat in on some of his rallies while David, my husband watched them on the television.

"No nation is 'perfect' I feel." I couldn't agree more, my friend. But, the Obama family ushered in eight beautiful years of hope, along with civil and social progress, the likes of which this country hadn't seen since Presidents Kennedy and Johnson's respective turns in the White House.

"Human kind is an adaptable species. It is its strength." As an atheistic humanist (haha) I firmly believe humankind has the mind to make anything happen that we put our minds to doing. If we but will, collectively apply ourselves to do so. We are beyond individual efforts. It's going to take a global effort at this point, in my opinion.

[moseley]

I went to Oaxaca Mexico and spent a summer in the Acona Pueblo. Before dna testing, I knew I was lineally Penawaskeit Indian. In 1987, the people in Oaxaca were so beautiful. Ladies cooking on rocks over fires, lots of cactus and meat and completely hand made and hand processed food. They gave me large portions. I could not speak the language well but I tried to do all the work I could while there. Lots of material things were not important to them. They had each other and at that time, they were happy. Much to my sadness, this MS13 or 19?gang has forced these people to farm drug crops. They are God's people and they are.not here for their salvation, they were put here by God for me, to teach me something...well, I knew I was a branch of Abenaki Indian from Maine. The DNA test though was a shock. I got Norwegian, Pommie and Irish, Jew but I have 30 percent native american and it is said to be Ute and Aztec Indian and they put it on the map, right on Oaxaca. I am not as good as those people...like my friend Christopher Winter(who is mixed aborigine) says, they are in tune with their pure inner innocence. I work with people from Mexico, it is supposed that the lost tribe of Issachar is with these people. The immigration thing is sad. We pollute the country. Industry just exploits them. I was ready to buy a whole lot of Pesos in 2014 because of all the industries opening in a city called Aquas Calientes. However, all these factories was not a boon to the Mexican economy. We did not do Puerto Rico right either. It should be a state. I feel we should make Mexico a territory and give it it's autonomy but as a territory we should protect the land the people and economy and bring Mexico to a state where it could be a state or its own. Mexico is amazing. A history. A mixed, wonderful long spanning time of people. Alot of the border they are crossing was once Mexico. There is the La Reconquista movement. I can understand it and why they feel that way. Keeping this illegal alien and migrant worker bullshit going is a human tragedy....they love family, they work for everything they have, they will pay generously and they embrace the moment with zeal. It is a long piece of history how they have been made like the early Bible Hebrews and they so need something like a Moses and chance to be free and capable in the land they live in.