I must have my head in the sand because this is the first I've heard of the "launch." My takeaway is that we are treating schizophrenics by either incarcerating them or installing them in the White House when we should be providing them mental health care.
That’s an interesting take. And if they still aren’t cured after a stint in the Oval Office, I guess prison is the only viable alternative. BTW, you’re not the only person to discover the incident late. Others have also mentioned that they learned about it from me. It probably means you’ve been thinking of more important things.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your clever response. Much appreciated!
The word that came to my mind when I first saw the video was ‘launch’! Unbelievable.
I like how you compared this incident to the state of our country today. My wish for the new year is that we (as in citizens of the U.S.) can venture out of our silos and see the humanity in each other. I’m speaking “politically” now - my parents never knew the political leanings of their neighbors, and they didn’t look on the “other side” as evil, if they did know. I curse the 24 hour news cycle we all live in now. It’s not healthy. That said, I do pray for the country and our future.
It really was unbelievable. I'd like to see us venture out of our information silos too. Wouldn't it nice if we took time to see our common humanity? Glad you mentioned your parents. We could all benefit from the long view. Thanks so much for reading and sharing this thoughtful response.
The article went in a different direction to my expectations. As a non-American who lived in the States (D C. area) for a few years, it's inexplicable to me what has happened to your country. The people I met were polite, politically savvy, keen to do the right thing by everyone - or so it seemed at the time.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Ellie. If you returned to the States today, you'd probably find just as many polite and kind-hearted people as you did before. But like Deobra Reddens, we do seem to be having a bad day. We've always had our differences. This time, the flames of division are being fanned by unscrupulous demagogues who care more for themselves than for the country. We haven't all been fooled though. So far, our institutions have withstood the challenge. Please hold a good thought that they continue to do so.
So glad you brought up the Berlin Wall. That was a great moment. Remember Bernstein conducting Beethoven's Ninth? But freedom is a constant struggle. A constant struggle. Maybe some of this stuff is cyclical? Or generational? I'm following your advice and trying to figure us humans out. Thanks so much for reading and weighing in. Much appreciated.
That analogy hit me in the face as soon as I saw the video, Jim. What this country needs is a good five-cent civics lesson. It looks like we no longer have a shared idea of who we are or what the country is founded on. That is worrisome indeed. I wonder what it will take to get that back again. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
We are, indeed, cray-cray! I loved this one, Andrew!
Thank you, Latoya! Glad you enjoyed it. Much appreciated.
Yep, we cray-cray y'all!!!!
Sure seems like it. Thanks for reading and weighing in. I really appreciate it!
I must have my head in the sand because this is the first I've heard of the "launch." My takeaway is that we are treating schizophrenics by either incarcerating them or installing them in the White House when we should be providing them mental health care.
That’s an interesting take. And if they still aren’t cured after a stint in the Oval Office, I guess prison is the only viable alternative. BTW, you’re not the only person to discover the incident late. Others have also mentioned that they learned about it from me. It probably means you’ve been thinking of more important things.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your clever response. Much appreciated!
The word that came to my mind when I first saw the video was ‘launch’! Unbelievable.
I like how you compared this incident to the state of our country today. My wish for the new year is that we (as in citizens of the U.S.) can venture out of our silos and see the humanity in each other. I’m speaking “politically” now - my parents never knew the political leanings of their neighbors, and they didn’t look on the “other side” as evil, if they did know. I curse the 24 hour news cycle we all live in now. It’s not healthy. That said, I do pray for the country and our future.
It really was unbelievable. I'd like to see us venture out of our information silos too. Wouldn't it nice if we took time to see our common humanity? Glad you mentioned your parents. We could all benefit from the long view. Thanks so much for reading and sharing this thoughtful response.
Very interesting breakdown of this viral event Andrew. Well written as always.
Thanks so much, David. It's always good to receive positive feedback from a poet. I appreciate it.
The article went in a different direction to my expectations. As a non-American who lived in the States (D C. area) for a few years, it's inexplicable to me what has happened to your country. The people I met were polite, politically savvy, keen to do the right thing by everyone - or so it seemed at the time.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Ellie. If you returned to the States today, you'd probably find just as many polite and kind-hearted people as you did before. But like Deobra Reddens, we do seem to be having a bad day. We've always had our differences. This time, the flames of division are being fanned by unscrupulous demagogues who care more for themselves than for the country. We haven't all been fooled though. So far, our institutions have withstood the challenge. Please hold a good thought that they continue to do so.
On the other hand, in 1989, the damn Berlin Wall came down. Came down. After all that, they just said, okay, we're done. Humans. Go figure.
So glad you brought up the Berlin Wall. That was a great moment. Remember Bernstein conducting Beethoven's Ninth? But freedom is a constant struggle. A constant struggle. Maybe some of this stuff is cyclical? Or generational? I'm following your advice and trying to figure us humans out. Thanks so much for reading and weighing in. Much appreciated.
A poignant analogy, Andrew. It's worrisome that so many of our citizens refuse to see the truth and the impending danger posed by a Trump victory.
That analogy hit me in the face as soon as I saw the video, Jim. What this country needs is a good five-cent civics lesson. It looks like we no longer have a shared idea of who we are or what the country is founded on. That is worrisome indeed. I wonder what it will take to get that back again. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.