I fight against this helplessness, and I appreciate your words today, Armando. We have each other here on Substack, recognizing that no platform is perfect. But these are the times when we must find each other and stand up for what is right, even when evil has all the power. We cannot lie down and wait for this to be over because we are the ones who are the purveyors of hope to the disenfranchised. There is power in being one person, who does one positive action in the name of equality, liberty, and democracy.
Ilona Goanos: Your writing shows a very thoughtful and experienced person and I am confident that, while we raise our hands against oncoming Republican bulldozers, in company and in joint planning we can be effective "in the name of equality, liberty and democracy."
If we but help one person each, that may not seem much, but each person has inestimable worth and human dignity.
Liz Gauffreau: Knowledge of history has honed my expectations from the ideal to the honorable.
During the Third Reich, even Pfarrer Martin Niemoeller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer had a couple instances of backing down in front of the rip tides of horror. But each persevered in goodness and ultimately in heroism and humanity.
Why?
Because their minds and hearts were formed by humane education and long years of forming principles of the equality and dignity of each person.
Keep those principles in mind, and don't worry if fear causes one or two instances of backing down. Renew and forgive yourself and persevere. Love yourself and your loved ones, and expand the scope of who are your loved ones.
When I see that Greg Abbott put barbed wire traps in the Rio Grande that do not stop terrorists or traffickers in drugs or humans, but does entrap and drown a mother and her dear children, I know where my anger lies, and I know whom I will support and and donate to, and, if possible, act with.
Much culture, music, art, poetry, great literature, philosophy has moved my heart to ever bigger and tighter circles of love.
You, Liz Gauffreau, are a person of high intellect, talent, and inner goodness.
If I remember right, you live in Northern New England, maybe even in my native New Hampshire.
If so, you have the considerable, not to be underestimated benefit of living in or surrounded by blue states.
Do not underestimate the level of protection a state government, or a set of state governments, under the protection of the 10th Amendment, can accomplish to protects the state's residents, including aliens.
I feel sure we, as individuals, will be OK and will be able, in good company, not to accomplish all we would want, but at least to accomplish what one person and a small group can accomplish and maintain humanity and love.
Thank you for taking the time to write to me, Armand. It means a lot to me. Your last paragraph is pretty much where I am right now. I will focus on my family, my writing, and supporting other creatives in whatever ways I can. (You remember correctly that I’m living in New Hampshire.)
Thanks, Armand! I’m in an ideal location in Nottingham, New Hampshire, just a few hours’ drive to the White Mountains and the Green Mountains, half an hour’s drive to the ocean, and a little over an hour to Boston, should we need specialized medical care.
I will be with you and all the other resisters. My New Year’s resolution: get strong, be strong. These acts of cruelty and hate must be averted. At all costs.
I fight against this helplessness, and I appreciate your words today, Armando. We have each other here on Substack, recognizing that no platform is perfect. But these are the times when we must find each other and stand up for what is right, even when evil has all the power. We cannot lie down and wait for this to be over because we are the ones who are the purveyors of hope to the disenfranchised. There is power in being one person, who does one positive action in the name of equality, liberty, and democracy.
Ilona Goanos: Your writing shows a very thoughtful and experienced person and I am confident that, while we raise our hands against oncoming Republican bulldozers, in company and in joint planning we can be effective "in the name of equality, liberty and democracy."
If we but help one person each, that may not seem much, but each person has inestimable worth and human dignity.
Thank you for this injection of hope, Armando. We can't let these monsters destroy what is good in us, individually and together.
Liz Gauffreau: Knowledge of history has honed my expectations from the ideal to the honorable.
During the Third Reich, even Pfarrer Martin Niemoeller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer had a couple instances of backing down in front of the rip tides of horror. But each persevered in goodness and ultimately in heroism and humanity.
Why?
Because their minds and hearts were formed by humane education and long years of forming principles of the equality and dignity of each person.
Keep those principles in mind, and don't worry if fear causes one or two instances of backing down. Renew and forgive yourself and persevere. Love yourself and your loved ones, and expand the scope of who are your loved ones.
When I see that Greg Abbott put barbed wire traps in the Rio Grande that do not stop terrorists or traffickers in drugs or humans, but does entrap and drown a mother and her dear children, I know where my anger lies, and I know whom I will support and and donate to, and, if possible, act with.
Much culture, music, art, poetry, great literature, philosophy has moved my heart to ever bigger and tighter circles of love.
You, Liz Gauffreau, are a person of high intellect, talent, and inner goodness.
If I remember right, you live in Northern New England, maybe even in my native New Hampshire.
If so, you have the considerable, not to be underestimated benefit of living in or surrounded by blue states.
Do not underestimate the level of protection a state government, or a set of state governments, under the protection of the 10th Amendment, can accomplish to protects the state's residents, including aliens.
I feel sure we, as individuals, will be OK and will be able, in good company, not to accomplish all we would want, but at least to accomplish what one person and a small group can accomplish and maintain humanity and love.
Thank you for taking the time to write to me, Armand. It means a lot to me. Your last paragraph is pretty much where I am right now. I will focus on my family, my writing, and supporting other creatives in whatever ways I can. (You remember correctly that I’m living in New Hampshire.)
Liz Gauffreau: New Hampshire. Sigh! My native state. Only my first six years there before we left for Long Beach California late in 1953.
You live in a beautiful state and surrounded by Blue.
YOU will do well.
Your note here about your focus is exactly that of a good, responsible, and gifted person, whom I am honored to be friends with.
Thanks, Armand! I’m in an ideal location in Nottingham, New Hampshire, just a few hours’ drive to the White Mountains and the Green Mountains, half an hour’s drive to the ocean, and a little over an hour to Boston, should we need specialized medical care.
I will be with you and all the other resisters. My New Year’s resolution: get strong, be strong. These acts of cruelty and hate must be averted. At all costs.
Thank you for these inspiring words. 😘
Chris Andrews: Your own Eau de Vie shows your indomitable spirit through beautifully penned work.
Such gift and spirit help sustain us.
Brilliant, my dear Armand!🇺🇸💙🇺🇸
Your words and your actions
are graced with wisdom and power.
Thank you, Armand.