I can't tell you how deeply I feel these pieces, and how I marvel at the way you take it from the personal to the political so deftly. It's really extraordinary.
I'm so sorry your dad hit you, Allly, and all the more so that he couldn't own it. I know this sort of thing all too well, the violence, and then being encouraged later to believe it didn't mean anything, or in my case, that it never happened. It's so much to carry.
And yes, you're so right: people are being assaulted at large right now, then told that it didn't happen, that it's not happening. It really does give me a similar feeling to the one I felt long ago.
I do think you're right about the courts (the lower courts, anyway) holding this maniac back from the worst he wants to do, all of it some insane power/cash grab. I read something yesterday that said the left seems to be lit up and coming together more, and the right seems to be splitting, circular firing squad, etc... and I hope it's true.
We all need some hope, and I'm so glad you're continuing to light the way, every week, with all of your heart.
All of this. If Congress had any backbone, they would stay in town for the 10 days it takes to become law, even if he doesn't sign it. And that story about your dad made my stomach hurt for you. Thanks for sharing your heart and your wisdom.
Sometimes, I have to remind myself that my kids have only known this batshitness. And I am still blown away by the fact that one petty little narcissist can suck the air out of the world on a daily basis. I mean for all the harmful, petty, grifting, lying, cheating, raping, assaulting shit he's done, he is really good at sucking the oxygen out of the world. For ten years. I feel like something has shifted. Maybe. I think it was the reflecting pool. I think that maybe even that was too much for some people to buy. Or maybe it was the disaster of an Iran deal. Or inflation hitting 4 %. Who knows? I'm just always grateful for the way you connect the personal to the political, because as we know, there's no real border between them, they're one in the same.
Having been raised by a clinically-diagnosed NPD, I know this much to be true: there is no reasoning, no conversation, no nothing. The rule of law -- at the dinner table or the White House -- doesn't matter, because the NPD doesn't want it to matter: he only wants the mic. Which he keeps getting because everyone keeps giving it to him. Because what he does is so utterly outrageous, contemptible, and unbelievable, that the media and most of America can't look away in the same way they can't look away from Jerry Springer. Agent Orange in no way would see the passage of the housing bill as his own win because there are too many other people involved who could take credit, and worse still: it was bipartisan, which would represent to him the danger of both sides of the aisle coming together.....which, generally speaking, could destroy him in the larger sense. He doesn't give a fat rat's ass about SAVE America; he only cares about, as all NPDs do, grabbing the mic and turning the attention back to himself. Because that is what NPDs do.
I am 100% that person keeping a record from even fifty years ago readying to explode with my points someday. and a 85 year old writing pal pointed out to me when you look back on the things you fought about at her age, it just wasn't worth it. And so I stay silent. But this certainly gives me something to think about. Seeing my self like you wrote it. Helpful. thanks - ginny
Against my will, I have had to overhear way too much 🦊 news as of late and it is bananas the shit they spew. I really can’t wait for this portion of our fucked up government programming to be over.
Another spot on, masterfully written essay friend. Thank you for your distillation and insight and heart. ❤️
Of course it is frustrating dealing with liars and people whom act like they’re telling you the truth while you know damn well they are lying. They know they are lying but just don’t care. Congress and the Supreme Court have given Trump so much power that he does not have to care. If you are looking for normal logic or reason you are wasting your time. The truth is all Trump wants is money. He can’t say that to Americans and he knows it. Our best bet is to hobble him at the midterm elections
I was feeling pretty down about things, until the past month in NYC. If this crazy ass city of 10 M+ can come together and demand change in the way that we have, it can happen anywhere, as you well know. There is a long long long way to go, and perhaps this is too optimistic of a take, but perhaps there are some chinks in the armor of the Teflon Don. At least I hope so.
Great essay, Ally. Loved the Elizabeth Warren clip. I could debate the 10% cap but the real point to me is that Warren is someone who really gets the math and knows how to grill someone. That's rare!
Ha! Yes, I included it because of her, not the cap. That was truly a master class in not letting someone wiggle out of answering a question without losing your cool. I could watch that fifteen times! Thanks for being here, David☺️
I can't tell you how deeply I feel these pieces, and how I marvel at the way you take it from the personal to the political so deftly. It's really extraordinary.
I'm so sorry your dad hit you, Allly, and all the more so that he couldn't own it. I know this sort of thing all too well, the violence, and then being encouraged later to believe it didn't mean anything, or in my case, that it never happened. It's so much to carry.
And yes, you're so right: people are being assaulted at large right now, then told that it didn't happen, that it's not happening. It really does give me a similar feeling to the one I felt long ago.
I do think you're right about the courts (the lower courts, anyway) holding this maniac back from the worst he wants to do, all of it some insane power/cash grab. I read something yesterday that said the left seems to be lit up and coming together more, and the right seems to be splitting, circular firing squad, etc... and I hope it's true.
We all need some hope, and I'm so glad you're continuing to light the way, every week, with all of your heart.
All of this. If Congress had any backbone, they would stay in town for the 10 days it takes to become law, even if he doesn't sign it. And that story about your dad made my stomach hurt for you. Thanks for sharing your heart and your wisdom.
Sometimes, I have to remind myself that my kids have only known this batshitness. And I am still blown away by the fact that one petty little narcissist can suck the air out of the world on a daily basis. I mean for all the harmful, petty, grifting, lying, cheating, raping, assaulting shit he's done, he is really good at sucking the oxygen out of the world. For ten years. I feel like something has shifted. Maybe. I think it was the reflecting pool. I think that maybe even that was too much for some people to buy. Or maybe it was the disaster of an Iran deal. Or inflation hitting 4 %. Who knows? I'm just always grateful for the way you connect the personal to the political, because as we know, there's no real border between them, they're one in the same.
I so agree…Ally’s connection of the personal and political is so meaningful and beautifully woven together.
Having been raised by a clinically-diagnosed NPD, I know this much to be true: there is no reasoning, no conversation, no nothing. The rule of law -- at the dinner table or the White House -- doesn't matter, because the NPD doesn't want it to matter: he only wants the mic. Which he keeps getting because everyone keeps giving it to him. Because what he does is so utterly outrageous, contemptible, and unbelievable, that the media and most of America can't look away in the same way they can't look away from Jerry Springer. Agent Orange in no way would see the passage of the housing bill as his own win because there are too many other people involved who could take credit, and worse still: it was bipartisan, which would represent to him the danger of both sides of the aisle coming together.....which, generally speaking, could destroy him in the larger sense. He doesn't give a fat rat's ass about SAVE America; he only cares about, as all NPDs do, grabbing the mic and turning the attention back to himself. Because that is what NPDs do.
I am 100% that person keeping a record from even fifty years ago readying to explode with my points someday. and a 85 year old writing pal pointed out to me when you look back on the things you fought about at her age, it just wasn't worth it. And so I stay silent. But this certainly gives me something to think about. Seeing my self like you wrote it. Helpful. thanks - ginny
Against my will, I have had to overhear way too much 🦊 news as of late and it is bananas the shit they spew. I really can’t wait for this portion of our fucked up government programming to be over.
Another spot on, masterfully written essay friend. Thank you for your distillation and insight and heart. ❤️
I’m so here for this. Thank you for reminding us about the Hope. And each other. 🙌❤️🩹
Of course it is frustrating dealing with liars and people whom act like they’re telling you the truth while you know damn well they are lying. They know they are lying but just don’t care. Congress and the Supreme Court have given Trump so much power that he does not have to care. If you are looking for normal logic or reason you are wasting your time. The truth is all Trump wants is money. He can’t say that to Americans and he knows it. Our best bet is to hobble him at the midterm elections
I was feeling pretty down about things, until the past month in NYC. If this crazy ass city of 10 M+ can come together and demand change in the way that we have, it can happen anywhere, as you well know. There is a long long long way to go, and perhaps this is too optimistic of a take, but perhaps there are some chinks in the armor of the Teflon Don. At least I hope so.
Great essay, Ally. Loved the Elizabeth Warren clip. I could debate the 10% cap but the real point to me is that Warren is someone who really gets the math and knows how to grill someone. That's rare!
Ha! Yes, I included it because of her, not the cap. That was truly a master class in not letting someone wiggle out of answering a question without losing your cool. I could watch that fifteen times! Thanks for being here, David☺️