I actually don't want to comment on specific views, but I want to say I wrote something along the same lines (in terms of how people relate about varying views, and how they arrive at those views) just today. A friend of mine (not a close friend, but someone I like as a person) wrote me today and as she often does, she launched into attacking my views and wanted me to justify why I think the way I do. I told her it's Saturday morning, and I just want to relax and get some yard work done . I know nothing I say will change her perspective, and I don't feel a need to do that anyway. Then she proceeded to ask me to tell her what news I listen to and list my sources. I told her our approach is to find thoughtful interviews and hear from the actual people impacted in various situations, and not to look only to new channels for information. We like thoughtful, well researched commentary, and she proceeded to tell me that I had better listen to her sources, and watch a movie she wanted me to watch, because I must be vulnerable to "disinformation," That's a very invalidating word. I am a bright person and have a graduate degree. Not that this matters. But I am capable of critical thinking and my husband is a brilliant man who served our country. He has some valuable insights. But we don't feel a need to push people to agree with us. There's no need to shame or pressure people for having different views than you might hold. Respect means allowing people to employ their brain cells and consider what they feel is accurate and unbiased. I also read up on how people weaponize language, to serve their own aims. I lived in China a few years when I was young, so I am very aware of the way propaganda works, and the need to preserve our freedom of speech.
I am listening to the video you posted as I write this...the music is lovely. Thank you. As for my personal views, I don't have a need to share those here...and for me Substack is a place where I write about things that I believe may strengthen and encourage others. As a retired counselor, I think we live in a world where people can use a dose of hope and inspiration.
I liked how you invited people to respond and assured them you weren't looking to defend or attack others. That's healthy and sadly less common these days. I know people need space to share their views, and healthy, kind dialogue regardless of differences is an art I hope to encourage as well.
I also agree wholeheartedly. It can be a lonely space with friends and relatives either unwilling to see and hear or angered by the disruption of their comfort. I’ve been told not to follow the real news from Gaza, it’s not good for me. I’m 71 and I’m beginning to wonder if these lifelong friends and relatives have ever known me. I’ve devoted my entire adult life to providing legal assistance to those who have no voice, ground under the juggernaut of the legal system and yet I’m accused of not liking Harris (I’ve never been a fan) because she enforced the law as a prosecutor. My husband and I always represented the underdog and one of my daughters is a public defender. Apparently that’s now evidence that we don’t support the law?!? I’m genuinely stunned that my sister in law, who’s known me since I was 15 years old, thinks my objection is that Harris enforces the law! My objection is that she DOESN’T enforce the law. I’m 100% committed to the rule of law both domestically and internationally. If she upheld US law (Leahy Act) and international law (Geneva Convention against genocide) I’d be supporting her all the way. I am genuinely shocked that the people who I thought knew me, apparently don’t have a clue as to what I believe in. They either don’t understand anything about law or don’t want to know. If laws are not applied equally to all people they are worthless, simply one more tool in the hands of the tyrant. They believed in the rule of law when Trump was in the hot seat, but not when it’s one of their tribe even when it’s genocide. My discomfort is immaterial. What breaks my heart is the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian people. How anyone who’s human, who has a soul or a core of decency, of humanity, can look away and be willing to put another butcher in the White House is beyond me. I never thought I’d live to see this. It seems the older I get the less I understand.
Incredibly honest and heartfelt response Kathleen. I salute your courage, your work and your deep compassion. I’m sorry there are those who don’t celebrate you for your commitment to real justice and human rights. I do and I’m sure many others do as well! Even though we feel alone at times, we must continue to speak with our authentic voices. Thank you for your words.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I sincerely appreciate your support. These are dark times and I find the support and community of strangers has been my salvation. In truth, many “strangers” with whom I share a common bond of humanity are far less strangers than those I’ve known my entire life.
Again, thank you for your kindness and compassion.
Just read your substack. It could have been mine except yours was a lot better except for omitting Marx in your Hegel dialectics reference (feel a little bad for your Marxist grand folks, Betty and Herman, who might have demurred with this from Uncle Karl: "Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it").
Your one comment about Covid might have riled me as retired Public Health officer, but not so much maybe because you didn't really spell it out whence I might have gotten into my space of concern about pseudoscience and the misinformation questionably challenging our public health "system". I mention the latter after just watching a recent podcast featuring pediatric vaccinologist Paul Offit from UPenn whom I admire. If you or others following this Substack catch it, tell me what you think.
Can't disagree with anything here, so I'll just say I spat my tea out at “a vote for Jill Stein is a vote for the Ayatollah!”
That was an actual reaction I received!
I actually don't want to comment on specific views, but I want to say I wrote something along the same lines (in terms of how people relate about varying views, and how they arrive at those views) just today. A friend of mine (not a close friend, but someone I like as a person) wrote me today and as she often does, she launched into attacking my views and wanted me to justify why I think the way I do. I told her it's Saturday morning, and I just want to relax and get some yard work done . I know nothing I say will change her perspective, and I don't feel a need to do that anyway. Then she proceeded to ask me to tell her what news I listen to and list my sources. I told her our approach is to find thoughtful interviews and hear from the actual people impacted in various situations, and not to look only to new channels for information. We like thoughtful, well researched commentary, and she proceeded to tell me that I had better listen to her sources, and watch a movie she wanted me to watch, because I must be vulnerable to "disinformation," That's a very invalidating word. I am a bright person and have a graduate degree. Not that this matters. But I am capable of critical thinking and my husband is a brilliant man who served our country. He has some valuable insights. But we don't feel a need to push people to agree with us. There's no need to shame or pressure people for having different views than you might hold. Respect means allowing people to employ their brain cells and consider what they feel is accurate and unbiased. I also read up on how people weaponize language, to serve their own aims. I lived in China a few years when I was young, so I am very aware of the way propaganda works, and the need to preserve our freedom of speech.
I am listening to the video you posted as I write this...the music is lovely. Thank you. As for my personal views, I don't have a need to share those here...and for me Substack is a place where I write about things that I believe may strengthen and encourage others. As a retired counselor, I think we live in a world where people can use a dose of hope and inspiration.
I liked how you invited people to respond and assured them you weren't looking to defend or attack others. That's healthy and sadly less common these days. I know people need space to share their views, and healthy, kind dialogue regardless of differences is an art I hope to encourage as well.
This is so beautifully expressed. Thank you.
You're very welcome.
some of us are GREEN
😉
🛐☮️❤️✝️
I also agree wholeheartedly. It can be a lonely space with friends and relatives either unwilling to see and hear or angered by the disruption of their comfort. I’ve been told not to follow the real news from Gaza, it’s not good for me. I’m 71 and I’m beginning to wonder if these lifelong friends and relatives have ever known me. I’ve devoted my entire adult life to providing legal assistance to those who have no voice, ground under the juggernaut of the legal system and yet I’m accused of not liking Harris (I’ve never been a fan) because she enforced the law as a prosecutor. My husband and I always represented the underdog and one of my daughters is a public defender. Apparently that’s now evidence that we don’t support the law?!? I’m genuinely stunned that my sister in law, who’s known me since I was 15 years old, thinks my objection is that Harris enforces the law! My objection is that she DOESN’T enforce the law. I’m 100% committed to the rule of law both domestically and internationally. If she upheld US law (Leahy Act) and international law (Geneva Convention against genocide) I’d be supporting her all the way. I am genuinely shocked that the people who I thought knew me, apparently don’t have a clue as to what I believe in. They either don’t understand anything about law or don’t want to know. If laws are not applied equally to all people they are worthless, simply one more tool in the hands of the tyrant. They believed in the rule of law when Trump was in the hot seat, but not when it’s one of their tribe even when it’s genocide. My discomfort is immaterial. What breaks my heart is the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian people. How anyone who’s human, who has a soul or a core of decency, of humanity, can look away and be willing to put another butcher in the White House is beyond me. I never thought I’d live to see this. It seems the older I get the less I understand.
Incredibly honest and heartfelt response Kathleen. I salute your courage, your work and your deep compassion. I’m sorry there are those who don’t celebrate you for your commitment to real justice and human rights. I do and I’m sure many others do as well! Even though we feel alone at times, we must continue to speak with our authentic voices. Thank you for your words.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I sincerely appreciate your support. These are dark times and I find the support and community of strangers has been my salvation. In truth, many “strangers” with whom I share a common bond of humanity are far less strangers than those I’ve known my entire life.
Again, thank you for your kindness and compassion.
A note from your father:
Just read your substack. It could have been mine except yours was a lot better except for omitting Marx in your Hegel dialectics reference (feel a little bad for your Marxist grand folks, Betty and Herman, who might have demurred with this from Uncle Karl: "Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it").
Your one comment about Covid might have riled me as retired Public Health officer, but not so much maybe because you didn't really spell it out whence I might have gotten into my space of concern about pseudoscience and the misinformation questionably challenging our public health "system". I mention the latter after just watching a recent podcast featuring pediatric vaccinologist Paul Offit from UPenn whom I admire. If you or others following this Substack catch it, tell me what you think.
Offit's link:
Beyond the Noise #45: Project 2025 vs the public's health: https://youtu.be/zuKUbc23vWY