Dan, I think (or hope ? ) that you know what I know. That folks are being fed a steady diet of propaganda. Some folks are susceptible to all that stuff; thank heaven a small majority are not. The bigger shame is the incomprehensible, irresponsible failures of nearly all of broadcast media for their outsized role in furthering the tales they have, which in the minds of some, lends ever so slight credibility. They are 'large', I am small. In my life, I 'do' what little I can.
Yes we can! "we can all pledge today to endeavor this week to do something that we believe will change our neighborhood, our community, our city or town, and thus our nation and our larger world, for the better. Change need not be destructive. It can be just what we need to put us on a more peaceful, inclusive, and productive path into the future."
This was such an inspiring read. I'd love to see more like this. Positive actions have a ripple effect.
Mr. Dan I am a single mother from a rural, small in every aspect town in Alabama. I just made it to 41. I have two bicultural children which of course hasn’t been easy for the obvious… whites and blacks mixing, I don’t think I need to elaborate. My son graduated class of Covid 2020 and should have had ample opportunities for scholarship offers for his athletic abilities but because we live in such an ugly world he had no help from anyone. However he is in our local college perusing a degree in education. He wants to be a coach. I was in a very abusive relationship until 9 months ago and after raising my two kids in survival mode for all of these long years, a broken back, and more wounds than believable I finally got help to get out. I just about have had as many mental breakdowns as anyone in a padded room probably.. but I never gave up. I never saw one shooting star that I didn’t wish for my kids too have all of their best dreams come true. I have prayed in silence and pain and in desperation for God to help me. This past two years were just as predicted domestic violence in lockdowns due to COVID and getting help from our local law enforcement was just about equivalent to asking a stop sign to its colors. My only thought process is now recovery. I am trying endlessly to be present and happy and reprogramming my mind to is going to take a lifetime. I think that’s what we all need right now. Our country is the greatest in the world by news some of that which growing up with you on TV delivering to us as a nation… I’ve never traveled much of anywhere significant, I pray for the chance one day to go see all of the river bends and I pray that someone gives a kid whose first ever at bat college hit was a home run a real chance at living… in fact “Chance” is my sons name. We all need to reprogram right now. I try not to get into debates about politics, sports, or religion but find it just as true as whoever the philosopher was that said it. There’s so many of us that have become bitter, and angry due to our previous and present administrations I really worry about whose going to be next, not just for me but my children. I’m doing the best I can to not become another statistic. I want to see my kid on the Atlanta Braves one day, better than Dansby, or Orlando but if his dreams fall short I know he’s going to be that coach one day leading a team. We need a leader and we need to be a team again. Or maybe just a fishing pole. My only saving Grace from my personal nightmare has been my kid playing ball. My motto has always been, “Keep God first, play smart, but never forget to have fun.” I think right now we all need to pick up our feelings and reconnect with or spiritual essence. I really hope the world lasts long enough for my kids to do things even if I am still reading and educating myself on my journey to a happy life. Our country was founded on IN GOD WE TRUST. (Not to offended any of your readers) you can praise, practice, or believe in whatever you choose. There’s just more than Covid, or political views, going on in our nation. There’s mental illness, abuse, and your right still other injustices that will never go away completely. I do do still dream for myself I just don’t trust or system. Until someone comes up with a magical potion we’re going kinda in a purgatory waiting. We will either survive or succumb. I’m with you though I’ve never enjoyed a sunset more in my lifetime than I do now. If your ever In Alabama I’ll take you to my daddy’s honey hole as he calls it, where the brim and crappie are plentiful. Maybe that’s what we all need to just go fishing. Turn off the TV, put our phones down and be present and closer to God.
Thank you for your calming, steady and refreshing remarks. We need more people to step up and provide leadership like this. I pledge to be one of those people- to be steady, level-headed, obtaining facts from the data, and helping to find solutions that are progressive, inclusive and are from the heart. Thank you Dan and Elliott. 👍🏻
America's annual federal deficit last year was higher than any year since 1945, the last year of WW2. And that year marked a change in the world that continues to shape history well into the 21st century. You talk about change. We're in the midst of it today. Whether it's positive or not is as yet as unknowable as the future was in late 1945.
I am new to STEADY. What a treat. I think I am able to take my head out of the sand. I list things I am Grateful for as a way to maintain a form of sanity. I am thankful for good food, in a reasonable amount, that someone else raised and was willing to sell me: that kind of thing. Now I am also grateful that a group of people who understand life in a similar are willing to share words and ideas. With so much fake/news/ words/ etc., I had lost contact. Thanks again.
As always, thank you Dan Rather and Steady Team for your perspective on the current events that give me pause. Recently, a man told my husband that he is converting savings into liquid funds to use in the event he has to flee this nation with his family. Although he gave no explanation for his fear, I assume it is based on the violence, expressed by voice and actions, of the extreme members of the Right and the complacency of more moderate whites. The behavior frightens me as well because there have been those throughout US history who have attacked minorities in their midst whenever " bad things happen." Truly, I don't know where in this world to flee. So many nations have turned violently
against the minorities in their midst even when these minorities have enjoyed a history of freedom and growth with the majority or ruling faction. I try to calm my fears by remembering that the US is a young nation. It has written laws that, although defined narrowly at the start, have been under constant diverse pressures to expand.
Economically US might need to look to Russia - the borrowing of money and overdraughts are not just a government issue. In Russia there are no credit, hardly. People work and save and pay 1/2 the sum of the house, or the whole car when buying one. Russia at least once had no foreign debt, not really knowing anything since 1995.
Instead of breakfasts of steaks as some people people have they have to stop living on credit or other people. I had a guy helping me at my place that could only eat meat, I had disability at the time and so did he, but he spent his money on meat, and after two weeks he started eating my food. Not that I minded but he couldn’t stand oatmeal porridge and eggs for breakfast, once when I made pork chops in the oven which was served with rice, he ate three pork chops while I was getting the rice. I had a brother that was the same….
It’s just a small example, put them all gardening!!!
That is a change that would be where to start. I sat looking at housing market - and some of the real estate has monthly cost listed, in Victoria it was $300 for a nice little house, which means borrowing most of the sun, and optimistically hoping for times to get better.
CspeCod went nuts after Iraq eat started and overseas tourism declined as well as US tourism. Many owed most of what they paid for homes and hotels, and none could pay their mortgages and you had the bank/ and insurance crisis. Roper are callously counting of debt relief - an enlurmous difference from mainly Russia but also Europe.
People wondered how Russia could even exist thru their economical crisis when gvt wages could not be paid for six months. And there a lot more sectors were public or gvt owned - 70/80 % still kept working, getting paid enough to get by only - but there was another mentality of cooperation.
And they did not have the Democrat - Republican problem which in my opinion is such shit that you just want to cry. Like kids in a sandbox…..
You have my pledge. I am not a very public or particularly social creature, but have and will try to promote positive change in my words and deeds to those around me. Love you guys! Many great things written here.
I think one change that would do a lot of good is for the media to stop sugarcoating the ongoing takeover of our government. Stop with the bullshit “both sides”. Just stop. Report on exactly what is going on and most importantly, why. Explain what we are losing day by day and what the end result is going to be.
I agree that small acts of resistance and small acts of kindness and working together matter. They always matter. Every little bit helps.
However, I think we are skirting the big, blaring issue of the current ongoing Republican takeover of our government by not seeing it splashed across the main headlines in all forms of media every day. Every new insult, every new attempt to turn our country into an authoritarian theocracy should be the headline. Name names, explain it. Write about how to counter this since our leadership isn’t doing so.
I don’t share your optimism Mr Rather. I really wish I could and maybe, if people en masse start paying attention to the ongoing Republican takeover of our government and work to actively thwart it and to hold those committing such actions fully legally responsible, I will be able to cultivate such optimism again.
I joined as a member so I could respond to Dan's "Positive change" post.
Yesterday, a friend in California sent me a link to a campaign video featuring Charles Graham, a Democrat who is running for office in North Carolina.
His personal story, as shown in the video, brought tears to my eyes. Talk about positive change. Talk about overcoming prejudice and violent hatred, about taking the worst in American history and making a commitment to create a more positive future.
I have been reading such depressing political news that, coming upon Charles Graham's story, gave me a rare glimmer of hope for positive change and wanted to share it.
Yes please! Let’s talk about positive things. People who have helped someone, good legislation that happened, the completion of a new road. We need to have hope.
I have just one thing to say, "Why does this generation not understand the importance of vaccines? Quite simply, it's the vaccines themselves, this generation has never, ever seen polio up close and personal, tetanus, the horrid things measles and mumps can do, (although they are dancing dangerously close to seeing these things up close and personal), so there is no way they can understand. People are supposed to learn from history, do we??? Nope we don't. This is not a statement that is meant to excuse these people, far, far from it. My statement is get your heads out off your butts and take a look around, things are not looking so great for you that insist on not being vaccinated
*BTW, I know that your big b'day arrives near Nov.1st. I hope it's your best ever Dan ! Warm regards, DN
Dan, I think (or hope ? ) that you know what I know. That folks are being fed a steady diet of propaganda. Some folks are susceptible to all that stuff; thank heaven a small majority are not. The bigger shame is the incomprehensible, irresponsible failures of nearly all of broadcast media for their outsized role in furthering the tales they have, which in the minds of some, lends ever so slight credibility. They are 'large', I am small. In my life, I 'do' what little I can.
Yes we can! "we can all pledge today to endeavor this week to do something that we believe will change our neighborhood, our community, our city or town, and thus our nation and our larger world, for the better. Change need not be destructive. It can be just what we need to put us on a more peaceful, inclusive, and productive path into the future."
This was such an inspiring read. I'd love to see more like this. Positive actions have a ripple effect.
Mr. Dan I am a single mother from a rural, small in every aspect town in Alabama. I just made it to 41. I have two bicultural children which of course hasn’t been easy for the obvious… whites and blacks mixing, I don’t think I need to elaborate. My son graduated class of Covid 2020 and should have had ample opportunities for scholarship offers for his athletic abilities but because we live in such an ugly world he had no help from anyone. However he is in our local college perusing a degree in education. He wants to be a coach. I was in a very abusive relationship until 9 months ago and after raising my two kids in survival mode for all of these long years, a broken back, and more wounds than believable I finally got help to get out. I just about have had as many mental breakdowns as anyone in a padded room probably.. but I never gave up. I never saw one shooting star that I didn’t wish for my kids too have all of their best dreams come true. I have prayed in silence and pain and in desperation for God to help me. This past two years were just as predicted domestic violence in lockdowns due to COVID and getting help from our local law enforcement was just about equivalent to asking a stop sign to its colors. My only thought process is now recovery. I am trying endlessly to be present and happy and reprogramming my mind to is going to take a lifetime. I think that’s what we all need right now. Our country is the greatest in the world by news some of that which growing up with you on TV delivering to us as a nation… I’ve never traveled much of anywhere significant, I pray for the chance one day to go see all of the river bends and I pray that someone gives a kid whose first ever at bat college hit was a home run a real chance at living… in fact “Chance” is my sons name. We all need to reprogram right now. I try not to get into debates about politics, sports, or religion but find it just as true as whoever the philosopher was that said it. There’s so many of us that have become bitter, and angry due to our previous and present administrations I really worry about whose going to be next, not just for me but my children. I’m doing the best I can to not become another statistic. I want to see my kid on the Atlanta Braves one day, better than Dansby, or Orlando but if his dreams fall short I know he’s going to be that coach one day leading a team. We need a leader and we need to be a team again. Or maybe just a fishing pole. My only saving Grace from my personal nightmare has been my kid playing ball. My motto has always been, “Keep God first, play smart, but never forget to have fun.” I think right now we all need to pick up our feelings and reconnect with or spiritual essence. I really hope the world lasts long enough for my kids to do things even if I am still reading and educating myself on my journey to a happy life. Our country was founded on IN GOD WE TRUST. (Not to offended any of your readers) you can praise, practice, or believe in whatever you choose. There’s just more than Covid, or political views, going on in our nation. There’s mental illness, abuse, and your right still other injustices that will never go away completely. I do do still dream for myself I just don’t trust or system. Until someone comes up with a magical potion we’re going kinda in a purgatory waiting. We will either survive or succumb. I’m with you though I’ve never enjoyed a sunset more in my lifetime than I do now. If your ever In Alabama I’ll take you to my daddy’s honey hole as he calls it, where the brim and crappie are plentiful. Maybe that’s what we all need to just go fishing. Turn off the TV, put our phones down and be present and closer to God.
Excuse my poor writing skills. I tried.
Thank you for your calming, steady and refreshing remarks. We need more people to step up and provide leadership like this. I pledge to be one of those people- to be steady, level-headed, obtaining facts from the data, and helping to find solutions that are progressive, inclusive and are from the heart. Thank you Dan and Elliott. 👍🏻
America's annual federal deficit last year was higher than any year since 1945, the last year of WW2. And that year marked a change in the world that continues to shape history well into the 21st century. You talk about change. We're in the midst of it today. Whether it's positive or not is as yet as unknowable as the future was in late 1945.
I am new to STEADY. What a treat. I think I am able to take my head out of the sand. I list things I am Grateful for as a way to maintain a form of sanity. I am thankful for good food, in a reasonable amount, that someone else raised and was willing to sell me: that kind of thing. Now I am also grateful that a group of people who understand life in a similar are willing to share words and ideas. With so much fake/news/ words/ etc., I had lost contact. Thanks again.
As always, thank you Dan Rather and Steady Team for your perspective on the current events that give me pause. Recently, a man told my husband that he is converting savings into liquid funds to use in the event he has to flee this nation with his family. Although he gave no explanation for his fear, I assume it is based on the violence, expressed by voice and actions, of the extreme members of the Right and the complacency of more moderate whites. The behavior frightens me as well because there have been those throughout US history who have attacked minorities in their midst whenever " bad things happen." Truly, I don't know where in this world to flee. So many nations have turned violently
against the minorities in their midst even when these minorities have enjoyed a history of freedom and growth with the majority or ruling faction. I try to calm my fears by remembering that the US is a young nation. It has written laws that, although defined narrowly at the start, have been under constant diverse pressures to expand.
Economically US might need to look to Russia - the borrowing of money and overdraughts are not just a government issue. In Russia there are no credit, hardly. People work and save and pay 1/2 the sum of the house, or the whole car when buying one. Russia at least once had no foreign debt, not really knowing anything since 1995.
Instead of breakfasts of steaks as some people people have they have to stop living on credit or other people. I had a guy helping me at my place that could only eat meat, I had disability at the time and so did he, but he spent his money on meat, and after two weeks he started eating my food. Not that I minded but he couldn’t stand oatmeal porridge and eggs for breakfast, once when I made pork chops in the oven which was served with rice, he ate three pork chops while I was getting the rice. I had a brother that was the same….
It’s just a small example, put them all gardening!!!
That is a change that would be where to start. I sat looking at housing market - and some of the real estate has monthly cost listed, in Victoria it was $300 for a nice little house, which means borrowing most of the sun, and optimistically hoping for times to get better.
CspeCod went nuts after Iraq eat started and overseas tourism declined as well as US tourism. Many owed most of what they paid for homes and hotels, and none could pay their mortgages and you had the bank/ and insurance crisis. Roper are callously counting of debt relief - an enlurmous difference from mainly Russia but also Europe.
People wondered how Russia could even exist thru their economical crisis when gvt wages could not be paid for six months. And there a lot more sectors were public or gvt owned - 70/80 % still kept working, getting paid enough to get by only - but there was another mentality of cooperation.
And they did not have the Democrat - Republican problem which in my opinion is such shit that you just want to cry. Like kids in a sandbox…..
Thank you for this eloquent and thoughtful piece
Thank you for your thoughts. Doing what I can to make this a better world.
You have my pledge. I am not a very public or particularly social creature, but have and will try to promote positive change in my words and deeds to those around me. Love you guys! Many great things written here.
I think one change that would do a lot of good is for the media to stop sugarcoating the ongoing takeover of our government. Stop with the bullshit “both sides”. Just stop. Report on exactly what is going on and most importantly, why. Explain what we are losing day by day and what the end result is going to be.
I agree that small acts of resistance and small acts of kindness and working together matter. They always matter. Every little bit helps.
However, I think we are skirting the big, blaring issue of the current ongoing Republican takeover of our government by not seeing it splashed across the main headlines in all forms of media every day. Every new insult, every new attempt to turn our country into an authoritarian theocracy should be the headline. Name names, explain it. Write about how to counter this since our leadership isn’t doing so.
I don’t share your optimism Mr Rather. I really wish I could and maybe, if people en masse start paying attention to the ongoing Republican takeover of our government and work to actively thwart it and to hold those committing such actions fully legally responsible, I will be able to cultivate such optimism again.
I joined as a member so I could respond to Dan's "Positive change" post.
Yesterday, a friend in California sent me a link to a campaign video featuring Charles Graham, a Democrat who is running for office in North Carolina.
His personal story, as shown in the video, brought tears to my eyes. Talk about positive change. Talk about overcoming prejudice and violent hatred, about taking the worst in American history and making a commitment to create a more positive future.
Here is the link from the Washington Post's website to the video. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/charles-graham-for-congress-hayes-pond-campaign-2021/2021/10/05/ec983458-d536-4c3a-818d-7e55c7ecc263_video.html
If this doesn't work, try this CNN link to the same video.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/10/06/north-carolina-congressional-campaign-ad-charles-graham-sot-dlt-vpx.cnn
I have been reading such depressing political news that, coming upon Charles Graham's story, gave me a rare glimmer of hope for positive change and wanted to share it.
Yes please! Let’s talk about positive things. People who have helped someone, good legislation that happened, the completion of a new road. We need to have hope.
I have just one thing to say, "Why does this generation not understand the importance of vaccines? Quite simply, it's the vaccines themselves, this generation has never, ever seen polio up close and personal, tetanus, the horrid things measles and mumps can do, (although they are dancing dangerously close to seeing these things up close and personal), so there is no way they can understand. People are supposed to learn from history, do we??? Nope we don't. This is not a statement that is meant to excuse these people, far, far from it. My statement is get your heads out off your butts and take a look around, things are not looking so great for you that insist on not being vaccinated