154 Comments
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Lizzie Hudson's avatar

Thank you for this. Thank you for a fierce and elegant encapsulation of the stunned grief so many of us are feeling right now, a feeling that I at least have not yet found a word for.

Lizzie Hudson's avatar

My son and I just watched “Train Dreams,” and it was the tonic I needed in this moment: sad, wise, compassionate and brutal, and finally, a quiet psalm to this earth’s interdependence, and our fleeting role on a planet that will heal from our misplaced fires. This would be a recommendation.

Sarah_Goldflies_Herrle's avatar

I keep saying I’m heartbroken and furious but those aren’t the right words. I have no words for what i’m feeling at this point. Nothing.

I’ll add that I’m a nurse so it’s hitting all nurses very hard.

Cathy Stein's avatar

This execution of Alex hit me real hard - I don’t live in Minnesota, but my God how could another human do this to another human being! I’m devastated beyond words! Your chosen poem today is beautiful & speaks volumes! I’m grieving with the family as they lost a son ❤️ prayers 🙏

Joanne's avatar

Not human - a vile, horrible creature. And the same for the mass-murderer t.

Carolyn Baldwin's avatar

No words come. Gratitude for your eloquence.

Shery Clark's avatar

Heartbroken for Alex’s family and even more so for this country that we are still unwilling to stop this madness.

Linda Lorelle's avatar

Heartbroken that our Congress is unwilling to stop this madness. We the people must shout at them from the rooftops to do their damn jobs and put US, not themselves first.

Deborah Duke's avatar

Thank you Terry for such a beautiful kind description of theses events. Soul deep sadness, knowing this will continue. We must all stand together.

Chris  Spiegel's avatar

Thank you for the humanity and for bringing the stark images to life. Alex is a hero and should be remembered as someone who truly cared and acted on his compassion. We all need to be Alex.

Ray Lindstrom's avatar

I remember a similar scene, an old fashioned video with a black man named Rodney King, alone, being kicked and injured by a large group of police. He lived. Mr. Pretti did not have that same fate. Now we can only hope for accountability. The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Pat M's avatar

I could not sleep last night, I was to upset about his Alex Pretti's cold blooded murder. We all need to come together as American's to end this nightmare. Trump and his lawless administration all need to go to jail. Along with Ice!!

Sammi's avatar

Beautifully written. You give this country a lot of grace. I hope you’re right.

Rachel's avatar

I don’t know what to do any more. I am sickened. And Alex could easily have been my photo journalist brother who was in Minneapolis

I don’t know what to do or how to help

Linda Lorelle's avatar

They want us to feel helpless, but we are not. Call your reps repeatedly, not just once. If we all do that, they will feel the pressure we put on them. Join a community that is working toward getting us back on the right track. Being in community matters at this moment. Indivisible is a great organization working in communities across the country. And continue to engage in this community and others on Substack. We are in this together and working together is the only way out of this. Don’t lose hope.🙏🏾

Rachel's avatar

thank you - I write, email and call my reps often...doesn't feel like enough - especially because I live in Ohio and they are Trump toadies. But I'll keep on. thanks for the advice and support.

Linda Lorelle's avatar

I’m with you, Rachel.

Emma Ray's avatar

Yes, it is truly a helpless feeling knowing the government is against it's own people!

Linda Lorelle's avatar

That’s why communities like this are critical. We must continue to work together and keep each other going.

Alene N.'s avatar

Thank you Terry. You’ve said it so plainly. It’s wrong, it’s just plain wrong. And none of us know what comes next. It’s as horrifying as it is enraging.

uRNangel423's avatar

Thank you Terry for your words that portrayed Alex Pretti’s life and contribution to humanity. Alex was a kind, and giving young man, wanting to honor those trusted in his care as a nurse. I know this all too well, and commend him on his actions of attempting to assist this woman during a time of duress. Shockingly cut down in his thirties, sadly the words of “the good die young” seem appropriate for Alex.

His murder execution was unjustified from the videos that have been shown by witnesses and I’m appalled at the “spin of lies” that this regime has created. Humanity has lost its way if we accept this behavior.

Northpark's avatar

Thank you, Terry. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

Walt Isaac's avatar

“Sleep in a world your final sleep has woken”… May these words be true in a time so harsh and dark!

Steve Hough's avatar

Powerfully written. Thank you.

Donna Rogers's avatar

I am a Nurse from a family of Nurses. This hurts my heart and my soul. He was helping, which is what Nurses do…..