Let’s start this off, in this manner…

All I can say is WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS, OP if we stick together and fight.

Allowing ourselves to be divided by the fucking anti-trans lunatics and Log Cabinette queens and their backers like Peter Thiel only hurts our causes.

I love you, OP. Thanks for your post.

And BTW, I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against [bold]all[/bold] enemies, foreign [bold]and[/bold] domestic.

Same, R2. I took that oath not exactly in the same way you did, but I DID take that oath, & still believe in it, to this day.

I’m just sooo fucking blown away.

I remember how it was ALL hands on deck when 9/11 happened, & I recall precisely how I had to show up to the office & keep shit totally together, when every single thing was falling apart. I even recall walking into a local coffee shop, & ignoring friends who called out my name, who obviously hadn’t known what happened yet, & walking straight out, understanding that our world had changed forever.

Younger people don’t understand this.

It’s NOT their fault. They do not know what they do not know, hence we cannot hold them responsible. However, we can warn them: There are forces outside of American patriots, who aim to destroy democracy from within.

Will they listen?

Honestly?

I don’t think so.

Christ, OP, these kids can't even take care of their own asses, much less GAF about anyone else's.

My 60-something neighbor (on disability) recently took in her 35-year-old son (and his gf!). He does odd jobs for people fixing cars because he had been a mechanic. I guess he's trying to get on disability as well (you have to prove you haven't worked for X amount of time as well as get a doctor's backing, to get SS disability). And his gf doesn't work either.

But what kills me is that he gives his mother, who took them in, no money at all. Not one cent!! And he had no problem at all admitting this to me.

And this is the generation you think is gonna "rise up"?

Pul-eeze.

There will be a rise-up but those of us who will lose everything when we do are procrastinating.

The idea of rising up and fighting back always seems so...vague. I think that's part of the problem.

What are the specific things to do in the face of the current world of neo-nazism? Like on an everyday basis?

It’s not time yet. It will have to get a lot crazier. When it comes to the point that they will take what you have so you have nothing left to lose and you get mad. Really mad. I may not live to see it.

Mary Todd Lincoln!

I have confidence in the ultimate power of the American people to resist this attempted slow motion coup. But it will be a bumpy ride.

I’m struggling a lot more this year as well. Working full time and raising a kid was enough, but then in May 2024 my left ear malfunctioned horribly and has medium-loud pulsing tinnitus 24/7, which has made restful sleep and peace of mind extremely elusive. And now… all of this that OP describes.

I came back here mid 2024 because the trifecta (job, parenting, relentless tinnitus) was a lot to contend with and I suddenly really missed spending/wasting pieces of my time and mind in this little quirky place. Now with all the background stress of Trump 2.0 and its full effects and import — truly the worst threat to America since the US Civil War — it’s become a quadrifecta to contend with.

Raising a young child amid all of this, is its own challenge. LGBT parents and Jewish parents and Latino/Hispanic parents I know in non-MAGA communities and spaces are especially going through it. You want to provide a happy childhood… but some major shit has gotten real; at what age do you begin to help them understand this? If they’re too young, how do you personally handle the lack of integrity between the safe and happy world you are providing or trying to provide for your kids and your knowledge and ingestion of the profoundly disturbing issues and events of our time?

This post brought to you by another round of 4am-5am insomnia. 😬

The Iraq war was my eye opening experience, OP. Sadam at least allowed women to be normal and go to school and not force them to wear full body covering sheets! I don't think people understand socialized medical care in the EU was at least the kings/queens understanding they needed to care for the little people that took care of life for them. I've always felt Americans need to go through something horrible to make a basic right like that happen here. But we need leaders to focus on human rights and resources. I know we have to go through a great deal of pain before that happens but jeez, I'm too old for this...I honestly cannot understand how many people don't understand we citizens are treated like shit and they lean toward maga instead of democracy

Speaking of which, there's a No Kings demonstration on October 18.

Eat tinned fish!

R10, I understand you & empathize as to where you are coming from.

I don’t have any answers at this time, however, just know that we’re out here & we are listening to you. We support you & your family, & whenever you need to unload & tell us all about it?

Go ahead & tell us all about it.

There’s no shame in being honest. There’s no shame in not knowing how to proceed.

We’re here for you, & that MUST count for something, when every single thing is going sideways.

I love you & your family, R10. I understand what you’re going through, even though I’m a stranger, & I will lift you up in whatever way I can, when you need it. ❤️

Torta @ R10, it amazes me that they have no way to stop tinnitus. I'm so sorry -- to me, that seems like a living hell.

I have my vertigo from MC accident #1, but I wouldn't trade it for the ringing in your ears.

I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Thanks so much OP R14 and senior lesbian R15. Sending you both wishes for better health and enjoyment of life, in return. We’re all doing what we can to keep it together, and these are unusual and difficult times. Even difficult for people with no other mental or bodily health issues going on.