It takes a lot to render me largely speechless. Ask my wife of 42 years - she is as reserved as I am

[NewHendoLib]

verbose, to use a pretty good word. I've been here at DU since 2004 (finding a haven here after the Disaster of Dubya). I've moderated, MIRTed, many of you have read my often clumsy posts (I lead with the heart, and it is hard for me to often eloquently put into words those things that I feel - well, unless i am talking gardening/heirloom tomatoes!).

But I've not been able to find words to post here very much over the last year or so. The horrors of republicans = particularly over the last 6 years or so - are so unfathomable, so unbelievable that there really are no words.

So many norms have been broken, so many lines crossed, so much blatant propaganda and gaslighting, so much ineffective media (none of which I watch, unless it is something must see, such as the J6 hearings - otherwise, we've been cable news free for 17 years - we just can't do it to ourselves, because so little is factual news, so much is entertainment with endless ads) that it doesn't seem real. It doesn't seem possible.

The remarkable series of hearings - and today was a real punctuation mark - just confirms that I have no idea what this country is any longer. Obvious crimes going unpunished, obvious lies going unchallenged, a cult of worship formed by a literal morally bankrupt monster - even beyond that, what is happening elsewhere in the world - the rise of authoritarianism - and all of them work off the exact same playbook as our orange asshole used - and uses -

All of this and more is simply too much - it drives me into the bubble my wife and I inhabit with our beloved dogs and cats. We've been driven into books and movies, into hobbies and hikes in the woods.

So - that is why I've gone quite quiet. I literally can't make sense of it, and can't take it any longer.

In closing - Garland has a huge, important job ahead. It is here that this madness must be stopped. If it isn't, anything and everything worse is not only possible, it is guaranteed.

And one more thing - our life is now utterly a no republican zone. None. Ever again. Anyone who is so ignorant or incurious to swallow what they've been presented is beyond hope

[Karadeniz]

1. Understand...

[SheltieLover]

2. ...

[ismnotwasm]

3. I feel this.

I’m a med-surg transplant nurse who worked through the pandemic, it seemed right after, when Hillary lost it was four plus years of twilight zone for me.

I have reengaged politically a bit, found wonderful young Democrats on TikTok, but I don’t have a lot of words that aren’t angry. Especially when Roe fell.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. Wow. I couldn't express how I feel but you did: "I don't have a lot of words that aren't angry."

Thank you.

[ismnotwasm]

7. You are most welcome

[Evolve Dammit]

62. same.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. You. and your fellow med folks, had the worst 4 years ever

in our medical history. Fucking hats off to everyone of you that met the calling.

[ismnotwasm]

38. Thank you

[Evolve Dammit]

64. Indeed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I hear you, my dear NewHendoLib...

And I understand.

Post as you can and want to. We'll be here to read your always thoughtful words.

I hope that someday, clarity will come to our nation.

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. How old are you? If age is elevation,

I think I'm looking down at you.

[NewHendoLib]

8. soon to be 67!

And as a fellow DU friend said above "it is hard not to use words that are angry"

My variation on this is that since a certain election was stolen in 2016, it has been hard to be completely happy - and many days are quite sad.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. 69,,,soon to be 70.

We're pretty close, elevation-wise.

[MOMFUDSKI]

10. That was beautiful.

Captured all of what so many are feeling. We are all on watch . . . You are not alone.

[llmart]

12. Best line ever.

"It is here that this madness must be stopped."


We just can't allow this to be swept under the rug. It would only embolden the ones who want to use his tactics to destroy our country. He must be made an example of so we never have to live through this nightmare again.

[OAITW r.2.0]

13. One of the most lucidly clear, intelligent posts I've read on DU

And I've been reading this site since 2001.

[NewHendoLib]

14. I am humbled, because there is such abundant brilliance on this site daily

But I will say thank you - all I did was open my heart and let it spill out for a bit.

[OAITW r.2.0]

15. Good post....why I come back daily for more!

[Warpy]

16. I've restricted myself largely to print

since broadcast news has marched enthusiastically into infotainment and is now so pathetically short of the info part that it is no longer worth the electricity or wear and tear on the TV.

Oh, I confess I watch BBC, DW, France24 and Al Jazeera streaming to get offshore news, but mostly it's print. I find that even decent streaming gets depressing after 20 minutes or so.

I've also been getting a kick out of some vloggers recently, "Sanctioned Ivan" came out with my favorite young guy road trip of all time as he and some of his dudebros drove from Moscow to the south coast of Turkey. It's not the only escape story to descend into farce, but so far, it's my favorite. If you want to learn what's going on inside Russia, check out the escapees.

We were lucky here, and our luck has held so far, that people who still believe in what this country is trying to become outnumber the raving lunatics in TFG's stupid cult. And that cult is getting smaller with each revelation about how dangerous to this country that man and his enablers really were.

Hang onto that. Don't think you're missing much on the evening "news." You are most likely not missing anything but a bunch of corporations trying to sell you shit you don't want while they lie to your face.

[NewHendoLib]

18. Thanks - excellent contribution to the thread!

We stopped going to movies because of the horrendous ads that started showing up sucking time prior to the movies many years ago.

[Evolve Dammit]

65. great addition! Thanks Warpy

[MontanaMama]

17. Gosh. Your OP feels true to me,

I don’t know what to say or offer any more. Indeed the madness must be stopped here. HERE.

If I couldn’t head into the mountains with my dog, I might very well lose my mind.

I wish you the best. I hope to continue to see you here. Your voice is important.

[NewHendoLib]

19. You too and thanks!

[luvtheGWN]

53. The vast majority of your northern neighbours

(including me) feel exactly as you do. It's almost incomprehensible.

However, after reading Jane Mayer's book "Dark Money" a few years ago, I do comprehend what has happened. It's easy to blame Faux Noise etc., but the extraordinary amounts of financial support given to Republicans in order to advance their regressive agenda makes the unbridled ultra-capitalism model that the US has become so much scarier than "socialism" (hey, no kidding /s).

There are so very many ways everything you've mentioned could be done away with, or at least improved, starting with much stronger federal election laws. Check out the election regulations Canada and many other democratic countries have instituted in order to preserve their democracies. Then you will begin to understand why your democratic republic is in such potentially dire straights.

I love you all, and I truly appreciate that all of you here are doing everything you possibly can to ensure the Democrats retain the House and enlarge the Senate. And I have several American friends and family who are just as passionate.

[Hekate]

20. I'm exhausted, NewHendo -- as a lot of us are

I hit 75 last month, and like you I’m not at all sure what this country is any more.
Thank you for your post — it’s good to see you around.

[NewHendoLib]

21. .

75 years young, my friend...and thanks.

[GP6971]

22. For me,

we've been living in a void during the trump era. Up is down, down is up. Nothing makes common or logical sense as it pertains to trump and his influence both in and out of office. Pres Biden is making great strides in trying to "right the ship", but trumpism has so infected the political landscape that it may be a long uphill battle.

I just wish the American people would wake up. Maybe the mid-terms will be a starting point. I sure hope so.

Like you, we've retreated from the MSM. We haven't cut the cord, but don't watch the news other than local news (not Sinclair owned).

We all will have to hang in there. It sucks living like this, but over time I think we will prevail.

[NewHendoLib]

24. good to see you, my friend. thanks for this.

[GP6971]

27. Glad to see your

occasional posts. Hope you're doing well (or as well as can expected under the circumstances).

[NewHendoLib]

33. it is like living two lives. When I can put the mess we are all in out of my mind, it is idyllic

we are now living in a gorgeous area, take 4-6 mile hikes 3 X per week, it is the happiest my wife and I have ever been. Lots of students in our on line garden course, lots of zooms, etc

but then I think about the tsunami of shit - climate change, tfg, the big lie, gun violence - and I am ripped back to reality.

It is a uniquely weird time.

Hope you are well as well!

[Ms. Toad]

54. Find beauty and joy where you can

As the saying goes, put your own mask on before helping others.

When you've soaked up enough beauty and rest, poke your nose out and see where you can lend a hand.

I'm in the soak it up phase right now. There's tons of things I should be doing, even in my own little world. But I'm exhausted after years is serving others for 60-80 hours a week. So I'm taking a photography class, a computer science class, playing with my tomatoes and peppers, and have a bit part in a musical. These things feed my soul.

I've found small ways, which are energy neutral, for me to stay engaged (writing GOTV postcards and doing voter protection). At times I feel pretty selfish, but I also know I'm where I need to be right now, doing what I need to do.

Take care of yourself!

[NewHendoLib]

55. Beautifully shared. Thanks ..and be well!

[Ligyron]

23. Well, I am 67.

I watch MSNBC, come here almost daily and immerse myself often in other media, but we know what BS is and I just laugh my way through it. I refuse to let it depress me.

The fact is, I'm pretty sure we'll get through this and Justice will prevail. Even if it somehow doesn't and they win, there's not much they can do materially to affect my (our) lives in the time we have left. Ignore that crap, garden, eat well and laugh every chance you get.

It's the grandkiddo's I pity and feel for.

[NewHendoLib]

25. well said.

[PufPuf23]

26. Best to you and yours.

Feel the same but with different specifics.

The idealism has been bled out and, as I near the end of life, I am sad for us all.

[NewHendoLib]

32. I am sad for those who know better. I am incredibly angry at those who caused this

and support its perps

[archiemo]

28. This speaks to my heart

as I have felt this same way for quite some time. Thank you for your post.

[NewHendoLib]

31. and thanks for your kind response

[Stinky The Clown]

29. Hey Craig, you know you're not alone! Great post.

[NewHendoLib]

30. thanks, friend.

[young_at_heart]

34. I just sent this to my husband!

You speak for me! My husband and I are both 83 (time has flown by...I don't remember becoming this old), and your great story has captured our feelings exactly. I have been "sad and angry" for since 2017, every single day! This is not the country I have known for so many years.....or, maybe it had been slowly going in Trump's extreme direction and we failed to notice!!

[NewHendoLib]

35. 83 years young! Decades more of happiness and health to you

and thanks for your kind comment.

[NJCher]

36. I find one can be healthy in a sick system

It’s inevitable that this society is going to be a mess simply because of an economic system that’s predatory and that is based on greed.

It should be based on nature and our relationship to it.

I can honestly say I do not let these events bother me. I just look at it as “this is me living in a sick society.” It’s all about the experience. Each and every day is a happy one.

Do I do anything about this mess? Hell yes. All my life I have been a social activist. My conscience is clear. That’s what I can do.

[NewHendoLib]

37. .

[mahina]

39. I understand and that's 100% your privilege but I have to say

We’re not going to win all by ourselves, we need to bring a whole bunch of people with us. Finding a way to choke it down and bring them along is going to be key. You do you and I’ll do me. So much aloha to you

[mopinko]

40. if it makes you feel any better, it cost the oligarchs a fortune to pull this off.

it took years of research, super computers, and tons and tons of money from the mercers, et al.
it wasnt so much pootie, tho he provided money and manpower. trodding the well worn path of the saudis, turkey, and other corrupt actors that have been pounding every wedge issue in american politics since jimmy carter put those solar panels on the wh.

i have 1 trumpkin in my life, and he has seen the light. i'll post about that soon, but dobbs did it. he-the crazies have moved from the fringe to the center, and they want to tell ME what to do.
he has a daughter in her 30's.

hold on til nov. i think it will be a bloodbath. there's no reason to think it wont be kansas all over the country.

[uppityperson]

41. I understand well,me too.

I've been thinking about you 2 in my hermitage.

[bucolic_frolic]

42. I can understand. I ran out of gas.

When my contributions are flat and unproductive, there's no sense to posting. Past the stage of ideology, I'm not much use.

[sybylla]

43. Your words are so close to my feelings and life right now.

We've been no republican for several years with the exception of a few family members that we aren't close to and rarely see at family events.

Thanks to COVID and having three people in my life who are compromised, I haven't had to see or interact with many of them for very long in 2.5 years.

My husband and I keep to our family bubble. We've bought a derelict dairy farm, hoping to turn it into an orchard for our retirement. None of that requires engaging much with the public or political world at the moment and I'm super happy with that.

I showed up on DU after a long absence (since 2012) to see if I'm missing any of the latest news. I don't comment much. My first comments got me a warning from admin for using the f-word. I post and share my thoughts on Twitter where they don't care about f-bombs or much of anything else for that matter.

I spent 18 years neck deep in local politics, preaching to the choir and making things happen for local candidates. I'm done now trying to talk to people about politics. Period. Everything has gotten so ugly whether you talk to Dems or GOP. Everyone wants a fight. Even my millennial children are struggling to keep up hope in this country.

[Joinfortmill]

44. Thank you.

[bluestarone]

45. Everyday i come here to see the TRUTH! Seeing posts like yours and others

Verify that THIS place is what America is all about! I'm proud to know YOU and so many others here!! TY for your words. Words that help each and every one of us here make it through another day! God bless YOU and ALL others on this site!!

[WestMichRad]

46. I am totally with you, brother!!

You summarize my thoughts and feelings very well.

The current state of affairs makes me profoundly sad and depressed.

[Elessar Zappa]

47. I know how you feel. I find it's good

to just totally disengage from current events from time to time. No DU, no news media, no Twitter, no Facebook. I do it three times a year, 2 weeks at a time. It really does alleviate stress and puts the emphasis back on what’s really important in life which is family, nature, books, etc.

[Trueblue Texan]

48. No Republican zone...

...same here, though occasionally one slips by me if accompanied by a Liberal spouse. I just won't have Republicans in my life anymore. Voting and ghosting are two things I can do to let Republicans know their behaviors and policies are unacceptable.

[PCIntern]

49. Agree in toto.

Also here since 2004

Country has turned to shit

[LymphocyteLover]

50. Well said... I have to agree with your take

[cksmithy]

51. We still see a few republicans, they are our children's in laws for grand kid events

or holidays. We never talk politics and ignore or not respond to the stupid abhorrent remarks we hear, that should be out of ear range but are not. They know we are very liberal and one of our son-in-laws feels just like us. He refuses to engage with them too. He can't understand how his siblings think like his parents. He doesn't understand how his parents changed either, except to blame it on fox new indoctrination. I heard about DU after the 2016 election, and joined less than a year ago. I rarely post, only respond to other's posts. I can't really stand the stupidity/oxymoronism of republicans. As a over 70 years of age person, they remind me of every white person in a western where the Native American says something about the white man speaking with a forked tongue. They just lie.

[LymphocyteLover]

52. it's hard not to be angry right now, if you're a Dem

Of course Repubs are also angry, but they are angry at clouds

[malaise]

56. A fabulous OP

Rec

[grantcart]

57. Any rational discourse was made irrelevant after the preposterous challenge

to Obama's US citizenship and the "grab them by the pussy" tape.

If someone didn't have clarity at that point then they were not attempting to be a rational actor.

Yes some like Liz Cheney didn't bolt until they saw the existential threat to Constitutional government. The Republican Speaker of the AZ House only broke on Jan 6.

You can lead a horse to water but if you have to explain to him that water is better than licking up the battery acid leaking out of the battery next to it you are wasting your time, better be quiet.

Good OP.

[c-rational]

58. Well said and I appreciate your sentiment, as do many here on DU - it surely did strike a chord.

I have been here since 2017, joining after the orange anus was installed, and I appreciated the loss of ability to aptly describe this situation we find ourselves in, nationally and globally.

Agreed, this must stop now if we are to ever regain a proper footing in the near future, and their must be accountability.

Ditto on the republican free zone.

[Niagara]

59. You're not alone.

I believe that you did an excellent job eloquently stating how you feel about the asinine crap show that we've all been witnessing for far too long.


I sincerely want to let you know that you and your wife are not alone in your honest OP.


Hugs to the both of you.

[lambchopp59]

60. Future vindication

At least our views will be recorded in history as accurate to whoever survives and analyzes the now unavoidable clinate catastrophe.
Greed has gone completely malevolent, uncaring beyond all reason, has surpassed the evil of the metaphorical Scrooge in dozens of Stuart Varney-ilk, prominent manifestations.
Proliferation, pontification of the faction's most extremist elements previously latent defines the post Trump, post-truth era. Rife with attempts to emotionally support and justify the unsustainable, thinly veiled self seving, unscientific confabulations, just plain Machavellian rot has been normalized.
As a question of probability, nearly 100 percent certain to be recorded in historical accounts as every bit foolhardy, cruel and delusional as the crusades, sadly even falling back on 16th century edicts to impose it's absolute theocratic will.
This period of history will initiate bringing about the termination of the egalitarian democracy, leaving the surviving stragglers of mankind to ensure disastrous policymaking cannot bring about apocalyptic ends ever again. Survival responsibility of remaining life must be relegated only to the scientifically accurate, and those highly informed of it.
It would behoove humanity to remove the unscientific from all positions of power.
Wearing the RW blinders to the acceleration of climate catastrophe will be one of the first events of revelation. The causes of our present plot point on the unavoidable exponential curve of climate instability will become undeniably apparent in young people's lifetime.
There's a term for digging in one's heels into unscientific, unsustainable nonsense. It's called:
Stupid.
And Donald Trump will incontrovertably go down in history as the dumbest MF'er to ever fool millions.

[Evolve Dammit]

61. Great post. I hear every word and feel similary. You made a choice of self-preservation, which

I applaud. Give the Pets a nice pat (or behind-the-ear/ tummy rub) for me. Take care

[Aussie105]

63. The little center of the brain that says 'Oh, wait, that ain't right!' is on overload for many.

That's a good thing though.

To use a Science Fiction metaphor, there is a rift in the space-time continuum, where strange things happen quickly, and normal things you expect to happen don't happen, or happen so slowly as to be imperceptible.

But I get it, self preservation of your sanity makes you withdraw to what is important and makes sense to you.
(And that is also a good thing.)

It's going to get better.
In Science Fiction terms, the space-time rift will heal itself. In time. You really have to believe that, to stay sane.

[pandr32]

66. Excellent post. You speak for me.

[pansypoo53219]

67. the partyu is no longer the loyal opposition. they are for the most, anti democratic cheaters + crap

propaganda cult. we need 2 wings to fly. i want old school sane republicans. william f buckley might have switched sides. teddy would have kicked fatass in the balls by now.

[wendyb-NC]

68. Thank you, excellent post, spot on

I feel the same way. It's surreal.