There’s a lot of ignorant white men of my generation that react to any progress on the left with an almost Pavlovian response of ‘liberals are bad’. Any perceived progress by Democrats is seen as a loss for their team whether they understand the benefits or not.
Thank you for this very insightful piece Noel. You are a breath of fresh air both in your podcasts and here. It would be so easy to just marinate in despair right now but now more than ever we left leaning people need to feed off each other to know we are not alone. I am hoping more people wake up to see what is happening to our country at the hands of people who do not put our country first.
Please write about solutions to these horrid issues. Your so darn smart, that I would love to hear your thoughts on what we can do better or differently.
Thanks Noel. I identify with so many of your words. I went to a 'Christian' private high school, graduated in '85. I don't have a single contact now that I haven't written off to the right wing sewerscape. When a previous friend would try to contact me and I would see all the Hillary hate, mad conspiracy theories, and vitriol for 'liberals' posted on their FB pages it made me sick. My 3 siblings, my parents, all were (probably still are) on the trump train. Have had many arguements w/ them. Sadly those conversations don't change anyone's mind. It disgusts me that that such a man could unite all the 'christians' (Catholic and Protestant- imagine that!) in such a way that none of the altruistic tenants of those teachings that I remember ever could. Few of the people who need to absorb this piece will. But there is hope: children. Kids educated to choose Love instead of hate is the way. I may be an atheist, but my kids are brought up to love and respect others., regardless of ethnicity or religion
Not to hate, like so many I've seen who were raised as 'christian'.
I am decade older than you as well, and went to school with others who carried their father's... And or mother's prejudices and sense of entitlement for being white. But back when they were young, it was hidden...though one would insult the other by calling out the "n" word.. as it was considered normal and okay.
Sadly these people have turned into carbon copies of those miserable older folks who they swore not to turn into.
Sorry for the jumble of words. I have a headache....
Thanks again Noel for another very insightful piece. RIP Tyre Nichols. Another victim of vicious racism who was just a talented sweet man trying to be a good father and a good son in this world so full of evil men.
Again your a mind reader Noel, your essay on these events brings to the discussion that until justice comes for wealthy , politicians and others just criming in real time, the divide gets bigger in our nation!
Well written and astute. I'm one generation older, but I still remember when Reagan was elected and being shocked that so many Democrats became the proverbial "Reagan Democrats," people who really thought they were going to go from middle class to rich because of the promised tax cuts. This was the early 80s in Metro Detroit, so yup, racism factored in, but there was more - I don't need to go into detail because Noel has already listed every ingredient in the entire toxic stew. Most of them were white-collar professionals working for the Big Three automakers and related independent suppliers, but plenty of UAW blue collar types jumped on the bandwagon. It's like they all thought they had won the lottery at the same time.
Fast forward 25 years, and the non-union workers who worked for GM lost their entire pensions and health insurance in the GM bankruptcy. The UAW managed to save both, thanks to the union having the foresight to protect the money in a trust and hiring really good lawyers. Still, both blue and white collar remained loyal to the GOP right up through 2020. The white collar types still think they're going to get rich by playing the stock market as retail investors and electing people who will cut the capital gains tax.
I just can't with these people, so mostly I don't. The events of the past weekend have shaken me to my soul. I’m just tired of everything—tired of the hate speech, the violence, the lies, the death. Sometimes you just have to burrow inward and find solace in the things and people you love. After that, we find the strength to go forward, keep fighting and speaking out.
Thank you for this very insightful piece Noel. You are a breath of fresh air both in your podcasts and here. It would be so easy to just marinate in despair right now but now more than ever we left leaning people need to feed off each other to know we are not alone. I am hoping more people wake up to see what is happening to our country at the hands of people who do not put our country first.
Please write about solutions to these horrid issues. Your so darn smart, that I would love to hear your thoughts on what we can do better or differently.
Brilliant, again!!!
Thanks Noel. I identify with so many of your words. I went to a 'Christian' private high school, graduated in '85. I don't have a single contact now that I haven't written off to the right wing sewerscape. When a previous friend would try to contact me and I would see all the Hillary hate, mad conspiracy theories, and vitriol for 'liberals' posted on their FB pages it made me sick. My 3 siblings, my parents, all were (probably still are) on the trump train. Have had many arguements w/ them. Sadly those conversations don't change anyone's mind. It disgusts me that that such a man could unite all the 'christians' (Catholic and Protestant- imagine that!) in such a way that none of the altruistic tenants of those teachings that I remember ever could. Few of the people who need to absorb this piece will. But there is hope: children. Kids educated to choose Love instead of hate is the way. I may be an atheist, but my kids are brought up to love and respect others., regardless of ethnicity or religion
Not to hate, like so many I've seen who were raised as 'christian'.
Again, an absolute on point observation. Noel.
I am decade older than you as well, and went to school with others who carried their father's... And or mother's prejudices and sense of entitlement for being white. But back when they were young, it was hidden...though one would insult the other by calling out the "n" word.. as it was considered normal and okay.
Sadly these people have turned into carbon copies of those miserable older folks who they swore not to turn into.
Sorry for the jumble of words. I have a headache....
Thanks again Noel for another very insightful piece. RIP Tyre Nichols. Another victim of vicious racism who was just a talented sweet man trying to be a good father and a good son in this world so full of evil men.
Spot on…sadly
Again your a mind reader Noel, your essay on these events brings to the discussion that until justice comes for wealthy , politicians and others just criming in real time, the divide gets bigger in our nation!
Well said. I am older by a decade and I remember well the dreadful Regan years. Never understood how he was lifted thru the years.
Well written and astute. I'm one generation older, but I still remember when Reagan was elected and being shocked that so many Democrats became the proverbial "Reagan Democrats," people who really thought they were going to go from middle class to rich because of the promised tax cuts. This was the early 80s in Metro Detroit, so yup, racism factored in, but there was more - I don't need to go into detail because Noel has already listed every ingredient in the entire toxic stew. Most of them were white-collar professionals working for the Big Three automakers and related independent suppliers, but plenty of UAW blue collar types jumped on the bandwagon. It's like they all thought they had won the lottery at the same time.
Fast forward 25 years, and the non-union workers who worked for GM lost their entire pensions and health insurance in the GM bankruptcy. The UAW managed to save both, thanks to the union having the foresight to protect the money in a trust and hiring really good lawyers. Still, both blue and white collar remained loyal to the GOP right up through 2020. The white collar types still think they're going to get rich by playing the stock market as retail investors and electing people who will cut the capital gains tax.
I just can't with these people, so mostly I don't. The events of the past weekend have shaken me to my soul. I’m just tired of everything—tired of the hate speech, the violence, the lies, the death. Sometimes you just have to burrow inward and find solace in the things and people you love. After that, we find the strength to go forward, keep fighting and speaking out.
A moving essay, Noel. I'm glad you're with us.
Astoundingly truthful piece Noel, I share your eloquent views!
Sadly every word is true.
Excellent