YES. I am right there with you. Furious that so many Americans… even many liberals… refuse to see or even DISCUSS what the hell is happening. Americans do not have the hutzpa .. or courage… to stand up for what they profess to believe in. I have fought for decades for justice and truthtelling to power…recognizing the slide into the pool of excrement where we now find ourselves. This has ALWAYS been my extreme frustration. So many lazy, comfortable people who cannot be bothered. Let someone else do it. The attitude generally is… party on!!😞🤪
This is exactly how I feel! How can I continue to live my white woman middle class privileged life while so many are suffering and will suffer, including my children and grandchildren? Terry is right; as horrific and exhausting as it is we cannot look away! This is our time. Others have done it; so can we. 🇺🇸
I think honestly many people have no experience with resistance and think… oh thats not me, thats for radical activists. But really its a cop out. A simple online search reveals so many ways to engage, and it doesnt have to mean betting the farm! Just attend a meeting and find a small way to contribute… make connections, build trust, build hope TOGETHER, gain community, share the load! THAT’S how we do this!
You have said exactly how it should be. We think what we do can’t make a difference, and then we see that it actually does. I have had several people say things to me that have shown me it does matter what I say and do. People are watching. I think what Terry said is true, when people see others they wouldn’t have thought stand up to this nightmare, they start to stand up just a little bit more too.
This has been my extreme frustration too. Then I discovered it was not those lazy avoidant and bought out democrats I was angry with. I discovered that my frustration was me! I was lazy when the call to gather was summoned. I was avoidant when the red MAGA hat cut in line and I said nothing. I was bought out by the privileged white male life that ghosted the DEI injustices two streets away. My anger at Others was my mask of complicit assurance that others would make things right again.
Now my anger is a self awareness that I need to take an action, post a response, call Senator Collins, or listen to Arron Parnas for reliable news, Heather Cox Richardson for historical perspective, Robert Hubble for collective strength, Robert Reich for economic grounding, Joyce Vance and Mark Ellis for legal understanding and many other Substack resources for reliable journalism. Let your anger be real and it will invoice you to participate We are not fighting alone , we are engaging in “the good fight” and “making good trouble “ together
Thank you Terry Moran. We grew up the same, my daddy was a civics teacher, so we did talk politics, we had election parties at my house. Everything you said is exactly how I feel.
If there was ever a time for righteous anger, this is it. I have said the same. I needed this article for clarification of what my overwhelmed and grief stricken heart is facing…thank you thank you.😞😡🇺🇸👏
This Sunday Poem speaks to what is going on in our country today. You’re spot on with your 3 descriptions. I am so very angry that the SOB in the White House is trying to destroy the very fabric of the USA. I cringe when I see ICE. I cannot believe the consistent lies coming from trump and his cabinet. While Rome burned Nero fiddled. While people drowned in Texas trump played golf!
Trump knows exactly what he is doing and he warned everyone during the campaign. Some people saw the warning signs, others choose not to.
I admire your position. I think the comparison is too erudite for those who wish to remain naively blind to the reality of your situation in the US. Trump is following Hitler’s playbook but is also becoming deranged by all the Epstein accusations. His tariffs are making the rest of the world hate him and resent voters in the US who have allowed a felon, a right wing supporter, a child molester and a follower of the Nazi idea of the bigger the lie, the better to gain so much power. He is not only stealing from his own supporters , he is trying to extort his allies and the world. The world would like the US voters to wake up!
As a Canadian, I agree with you Mary. It is so obvious when one is not in the USA, but having observed from afar for several years, we knew this was coming and it does shock me that so many Americans just say nothing. I guess maybe they deserve what they got. Hopefully, they will wake up before it's too late.
Imagine everything that orange creep has done in his lifetime and the Epstein files were FINALLY a bridge too far for his cultists. Oh well, I'll take it.
Thank you. The poem is perfect. I'm shocked by friends who just say, I can't do anything about it, so I'm ignoring the news. And others who, frankly, never paid much attention — which requires a sense of profound entitlement, because they think they'll be fine no matter what. Even if you don't know what to do, acknowledge that things are not going well.
My friend of 35 years said the exact same thing to me last year. We haven't spoken since. She said I was being rude, I said she was being naive. That was it. Not sure it's ever going to be a reunion and I'm ok with that.
I'm sorry just the same, though. It's hard to lose friends. I had a dear friend of 30 years go full MAGA last year - tried to do the right thing and reach out after the election - but she wouldn't talk to me. Just said she was incredibly happy.
Thank you, Terry! I wouldn't say *nobody* reads Shelley today (I do - but, alas, I was an English major). I recommend to you his "The Triumph of Life," a long (but not windbaggy), furious poem, left incomplete at Shelley's death.
I've been plenty angry since Bush v. Gore -- the word no longer adequately describes my emotion. Fury, rage perhaps -- though doesn't that seem to play straight into the hands of Trump, who wants nothing more than a violent food fight in which both sides have long abandoned truth, reason, and decorum?
Exactly, Jonathan. Maybe Wordsworth’s “The Happy Warrior” suggests the way to go. Trump owns all the negative emotions; he is flummoxed by goodness. I’ll check out “The Triumph of Life”!
Terry Moran: There it is. "Flummoxed by goodness." Perfect. I hope Mary (Trump) sees it. It is absolutely what and who DonJohn is. Thank you, good Sir.
Human nature never changes and we repeat our mistakes over and over again. You’d think we’d learn from the past, but we rarely if ever do. So on and on we go repeating these same crazy things ad infinitum.
Air conditioning has made the lives of those who have it infinitely safer, healthier and more comfortable, perhaps, at the expense of those who don’t. Here is a quote I (may have) found on SubStack:
“The intolerant can be viewed as free-riders, as persons who seek the advantages of just institutions while not doing their share to uphold them.”
I'm using air-conditioning as a metaphor for humanity's progress vs kindness towards one another after centuries and centuries of practicing at simply getting along with one another.
You bet I'm angry, too, Terry. Seeing the damage Trump has done to this country makes my blood boil. Seeing the people who he's hurt in the cruelest of fashions makes me furious. I'm talking about the hard-working immigrants this administration has hunted down and treated like animals, friends and former USAID colleagues who have lost jobs after decades of dedicating their lives to helping people in need around the world, and many others who are facing the real prospect of losing their health insurance because of Trump's Big Ugly Bill (now his Big Ugly Law). I'm mad as hell about the injustice of it all and Trump's and his enablers' disregard of the rule of law and the Constitution.
The good thing about anger is you can turn it into action. It might be protesting, registering people to vote, or calling your Congressional representatives. What you do with your anger is up to you. As dire as the situation is with our democracy under attack, there's never been a better time to let your voice be heard.
I agree 100% with your comment, Sara! We can all do SOMETHING, as American Citizens, to Save Our Democracy, Defend Human Rights & Due Process, Protect the U.S. Constitution & the Rule of Law! Peaceful Protesting Works! Look at the massive turnout - Nationwide - for “No Kings Day” - there’s Strength in Unity & each one of us can make a difference! Also, voice your opinions & complaints regarding the Trump Administration’s cruel & toxic policies by calling the Senate Phone Line at (202) 224-3121 & Vote Blue At Midterms!
Best post so far. Anger is a good meal, but a dull breakfast. I have been angry and fighting since 2016 when I was but 75. Now I am so bitter, I can barely register my anguish. I am waiting for more and more people to take on this nightmare, but my health is failing, and I expect my death before the end of MAGA. Thank you for joining the legion. And I have always loved Shelley, especially for this poem.
Thank you, Some days I still fight like I did in '68. We thought everything would get better. I just have to keep going. They will never take my spirit.
Keep on thinking the “good fight”, we are never too old to continue to be angry about life. It’s all about the things that we can control and those that we can’t we need to trust that truth will win out. Good health to you!
It is far beyond a " tempestuous day!" It is a fire, a flood, a tornado of failures to the people by a few who see destruction for destructions sake as very satisfying to soulless beings who have lost their humanity!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. Much more eloquent and useful for an argument than my tearful ranting this am of “I am not doing enough” and “Now is the time” and “I want to be a person who history says made a difference”. Thank you, thank you for making me feel not only sane but empowered again.
Your piece was excellent, Terry Moran, and served as the perfect palate cleanser for Litt's piece.
(P.S. I didn't snub my right wing family members. They estranged themselves from me and other family members. And I'm fine with it.
For years, I've been seeing essays on how the left should reach out and try to understand MAGA. If there's been a piece written about how MAGA should try to understand the rest of us, I must have missed it).
My interpretation is that the opposition is smarter than MAGA and there fore cut them some slack! I accept there are those who want to be MAGA, and move on. I did have to lay off a worker who would not shut up about Trump and drove others crazy. She actually opened the door when she told me she was moving in 3 months to a red state. I offered her a severance package and waved good bye.
YES. I am right there with you. Furious that so many Americans… even many liberals… refuse to see or even DISCUSS what the hell is happening. Americans do not have the hutzpa .. or courage… to stand up for what they profess to believe in. I have fought for decades for justice and truthtelling to power…recognizing the slide into the pool of excrement where we now find ourselves. This has ALWAYS been my extreme frustration. So many lazy, comfortable people who cannot be bothered. Let someone else do it. The attitude generally is… party on!!😞🤪
Thank you, Terry.
This is exactly how I feel! How can I continue to live my white woman middle class privileged life while so many are suffering and will suffer, including my children and grandchildren? Terry is right; as horrific and exhausting as it is we cannot look away! This is our time. Others have done it; so can we. 🇺🇸
Thank you, Robyn ! Great comment !
Ahh thanks! All real patriots unite!👍🇺🇸👊
I think honestly many people have no experience with resistance and think… oh thats not me, thats for radical activists. But really its a cop out. A simple online search reveals so many ways to engage, and it doesnt have to mean betting the farm! Just attend a meeting and find a small way to contribute… make connections, build trust, build hope TOGETHER, gain community, share the load! THAT’S how we do this!
You have said exactly how it should be. We think what we do can’t make a difference, and then we see that it actually does. I have had several people say things to me that have shown me it does matter what I say and do. People are watching. I think what Terry said is true, when people see others they wouldn’t have thought stand up to this nightmare, they start to stand up just a little bit more too.
This has been my extreme frustration too. Then I discovered it was not those lazy avoidant and bought out democrats I was angry with. I discovered that my frustration was me! I was lazy when the call to gather was summoned. I was avoidant when the red MAGA hat cut in line and I said nothing. I was bought out by the privileged white male life that ghosted the DEI injustices two streets away. My anger at Others was my mask of complicit assurance that others would make things right again.
Now my anger is a self awareness that I need to take an action, post a response, call Senator Collins, or listen to Arron Parnas for reliable news, Heather Cox Richardson for historical perspective, Robert Hubble for collective strength, Robert Reich for economic grounding, Joyce Vance and Mark Ellis for legal understanding and many other Substack resources for reliable journalism. Let your anger be real and it will invoice you to participate We are not fighting alone , we are engaging in “the good fight” and “making good trouble “ together
Great recommendations. Turn off your Prime subscription and say goodbye to Amazon and Zuckerberg land. Constitution vs convenience
Thank you for your honesty.
All things we can do that matter!
Terry I think your words and assessment are ringing true. I am frustrated with “friends” who say “I’m not talking about it”
So I am Pulling out, dusting off my 1975 leather bound collection of Shelly poems to read this afternoon. I used to be a big fan.
Thanks Terry!
Ozymandias
Just read a brilliant quote from Queen Mab. Begins “When poverty and fame “
Thank you Terry Moran. We grew up the same, my daddy was a civics teacher, so we did talk politics, we had election parties at my house. Everything you said is exactly how I feel.
If there was ever a time for righteous anger, this is it. I have said the same. I needed this article for clarification of what my overwhelmed and grief stricken heart is facing…thank you thank you.😞😡🇺🇸👏
This Sunday Poem speaks to what is going on in our country today. You’re spot on with your 3 descriptions. I am so very angry that the SOB in the White House is trying to destroy the very fabric of the USA. I cringe when I see ICE. I cannot believe the consistent lies coming from trump and his cabinet. While Rome burned Nero fiddled. While people drowned in Texas trump played golf!
Trump knows exactly what he is doing and he warned everyone during the campaign. Some people saw the warning signs, others choose not to.
Just as you said.
Brilliant Sunday Poem! Keep it up.
Well said, all of it! 👏
I admire your position. I think the comparison is too erudite for those who wish to remain naively blind to the reality of your situation in the US. Trump is following Hitler’s playbook but is also becoming deranged by all the Epstein accusations. His tariffs are making the rest of the world hate him and resent voters in the US who have allowed a felon, a right wing supporter, a child molester and a follower of the Nazi idea of the bigger the lie, the better to gain so much power. He is not only stealing from his own supporters , he is trying to extort his allies and the world. The world would like the US voters to wake up!
As a Canadian, I agree with you Mary. It is so obvious when one is not in the USA, but having observed from afar for several years, we knew this was coming and it does shock me that so many Americans just say nothing. I guess maybe they deserve what they got. Hopefully, they will wake up before it's too late.
Imagine everything that orange creep has done in his lifetime and the Epstein files were FINALLY a bridge too far for his cultists. Oh well, I'll take it.
The word erudite would scare many 🤦♂️
I was replying to Terry…
Yes 👏😭😱🤮😞💯
Thank you. The poem is perfect. I'm shocked by friends who just say, I can't do anything about it, so I'm ignoring the news. And others who, frankly, never paid much attention — which requires a sense of profound entitlement, because they think they'll be fine no matter what. Even if you don't know what to do, acknowledge that things are not going well.
My friend of 35 years said the exact same thing to me last year. We haven't spoken since. She said I was being rude, I said she was being naive. That was it. Not sure it's ever going to be a reunion and I'm ok with that.
I'm sorry just the same, though. It's hard to lose friends. I had a dear friend of 30 years go full MAGA last year - tried to do the right thing and reach out after the election - but she wouldn't talk to me. Just said she was incredibly happy.
This.⬆️👏
Your last sentence. Yes, please!
Thank you, Terry! I wouldn't say *nobody* reads Shelley today (I do - but, alas, I was an English major). I recommend to you his "The Triumph of Life," a long (but not windbaggy), furious poem, left incomplete at Shelley's death.
I've been plenty angry since Bush v. Gore -- the word no longer adequately describes my emotion. Fury, rage perhaps -- though doesn't that seem to play straight into the hands of Trump, who wants nothing more than a violent food fight in which both sides have long abandoned truth, reason, and decorum?
Exactly, Jonathan. Maybe Wordsworth’s “The Happy Warrior” suggests the way to go. Trump owns all the negative emotions; he is flummoxed by goodness. I’ll check out “The Triumph of Life”!
Terry Moran: There it is. "Flummoxed by goodness." Perfect. I hope Mary (Trump) sees it. It is absolutely what and who DonJohn is. Thank you, good Sir.
He’s flummoxed and we’re bamboozled.
Followed by Trump declaring martial law and preventing any further voting in america.
Thanks Terry for this thoughtful piece.
Human nature never changes and we repeat our mistakes over and over again. You’d think we’d learn from the past, but we rarely if ever do. So on and on we go repeating these same crazy things ad infinitum.
John, and I'll never understand completely, that truth. I'll repeat here what I repeat often.
Since our beginnings, humans only real progress is our ability to live longer lives, all else is simply air-conditioning.
Air conditioning has made the lives of those who have it infinitely safer, healthier and more comfortable, perhaps, at the expense of those who don’t. Here is a quote I (may have) found on SubStack:
“The intolerant can be viewed as free-riders, as persons who seek the advantages of just institutions while not doing their share to uphold them.”
— John Rawls (1921–2002), “A Theory of Justice”
Great quote indeed.
I'm using air-conditioning as a metaphor for humanity's progress vs kindness towards one another after centuries and centuries of practicing at simply getting along with one another.
You bet I'm angry, too, Terry. Seeing the damage Trump has done to this country makes my blood boil. Seeing the people who he's hurt in the cruelest of fashions makes me furious. I'm talking about the hard-working immigrants this administration has hunted down and treated like animals, friends and former USAID colleagues who have lost jobs after decades of dedicating their lives to helping people in need around the world, and many others who are facing the real prospect of losing their health insurance because of Trump's Big Ugly Bill (now his Big Ugly Law). I'm mad as hell about the injustice of it all and Trump's and his enablers' disregard of the rule of law and the Constitution.
The good thing about anger is you can turn it into action. It might be protesting, registering people to vote, or calling your Congressional representatives. What you do with your anger is up to you. As dire as the situation is with our democracy under attack, there's never been a better time to let your voice be heard.
I agree 100% with your comment, Sara! We can all do SOMETHING, as American Citizens, to Save Our Democracy, Defend Human Rights & Due Process, Protect the U.S. Constitution & the Rule of Law! Peaceful Protesting Works! Look at the massive turnout - Nationwide - for “No Kings Day” - there’s Strength in Unity & each one of us can make a difference! Also, voice your opinions & complaints regarding the Trump Administration’s cruel & toxic policies by calling the Senate Phone Line at (202) 224-3121 & Vote Blue At Midterms!
Best post so far. Anger is a good meal, but a dull breakfast. I have been angry and fighting since 2016 when I was but 75. Now I am so bitter, I can barely register my anguish. I am waiting for more and more people to take on this nightmare, but my health is failing, and I expect my death before the end of MAGA. Thank you for joining the legion. And I have always loved Shelley, especially for this poem.
I wish you better days.
Thank you, Some days I still fight like I did in '68. We thought everything would get better. I just have to keep going. They will never take my spirit.
Keep on thinking the “good fight”, we are never too old to continue to be angry about life. It’s all about the things that we can control and those that we can’t we need to trust that truth will win out. Good health to you!
One of my compadres is dying as I read this. She has fought the good fight. I will miss her so much. May your soul know peace.
It is far beyond a " tempestuous day!" It is a fire, a flood, a tornado of failures to the people by a few who see destruction for destructions sake as very satisfying to soulless beings who have lost their humanity!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. Much more eloquent and useful for an argument than my tearful ranting this am of “I am not doing enough” and “Now is the time” and “I want to be a person who history says made a difference”. Thank you, thank you for making me feel not only sane but empowered again.
This is absolutely true Terry! Fighting verbally and protesting! Im trying to do my part as well! Keep up tellingvthe Truth - we can do this!
This is an interesting juxtaposition to the opinion piece I just read in today's New York Times:
"Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right Wing Family?" - David Litt (one of President Obama's speechwriters).
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/opinion/family-politics-arguments-right-wing.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WE8.Fx0m.3D_69qzvU8L0&smid=url-share
Your piece was excellent, Terry Moran, and served as the perfect palate cleanser for Litt's piece.
(P.S. I didn't snub my right wing family members. They estranged themselves from me and other family members. And I'm fine with it.
For years, I've been seeing essays on how the left should reach out and try to understand MAGA. If there's been a piece written about how MAGA should try to understand the rest of us, I must have missed it).
My interpretation is that the opposition is smarter than MAGA and there fore cut them some slack! I accept there are those who want to be MAGA, and move on. I did have to lay off a worker who would not shut up about Trump and drove others crazy. She actually opened the door when she told me she was moving in 3 months to a red state. I offered her a severance package and waved good bye.