A new worry for those of us who are peaceful is the very real threat of the U.S. joining with Israel in the bombing of Iran. As I watch 47 saber rattling and saying he hasn’t made up his mind whether to go to war, I am fearful and angry. I realize the military parade didn’t please him because he didn’t think the troops took it seriously – waving to the crowd, marching out of step, and enjoying themselves when they should have looked like a serious military unit. The event at one point put the commander in chief to sleep.

All his campaign promises to bring peace to the Middle East, to make a deal with Hamas regarding Israel, and to find a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine were simply part of campaign rhetoric to placate his base supporters. Putting American troops in harms way over conflicts that are more safely resolved diplomatically is not responsible leadership. Trying to make up for the disastrous June 14th parade by flexing military muscle is not something most people in this country will support.

It was a good feeling to be part of the large,  peaceful demonstration on Saturday prior to the start of the big parade. Seeing reports of thousands of people opposing decisions being considered in congress made me proud. So many essential government workers, scientists, National park employees, air traffic controllers, hospital employees, and educators have been eliminated or threatened for no reason. I love my country, and I have been satisfied with the lack of military events in the recent past. War destroys. It shatters families, harms children in multiple ways, especially in the war zones. I see nothing good about war. I want to feel safe and unafraid. I want children and grandchildren to be safe. What can we do to make sense of things? 

Lately I’ve been thinking about my early years, growing up in a small town where most faces were familiar, and the homes in our neighborhood were called by the first surnames I heard as the owners when I was pre-teen. Even now when I go back to my home town, I think of the houses as belonging to those long-ago neighbors. Our family doctor lived on the corner on the opposite side of 4th Street N. His home, clinic, and small hospital were all in one building. I was born there. The doctor and his wife, also his nurse, were friends of our family. As with many small communities, there were few secrets and we children were welcomed anywhere we knocked on the door. We knew people’s church affiliations, pets’ names as well as children’s names. As youngsters we didn’t necessarily know political affiliations or much else that was really personal. Times were happy, peaceful, and friendly. I honestly didn’t know troubled, evil people could exist. Even childhood “bullies” were pretty tame – name-calling, teasing, ignoring someone for a while over an imagined slight. The government took care of the people. These were the late 40s and 50s with rationing of gasoline, sugar, and other commodities. We never felt the pressure of those difficult times. I credit the adults, especially our parents, for shielding us from the shortages. As a farm community, much bartering of goods and services was common. My dad, a dentist, was frequently paid with farm produce and the exchange of services with others.

As much as I miss my parents and their peers, I am glad they don’t have to try to understand and accept today’s political climate. Making sense of the behaviors of the “haves” and their apparent disregard for the needs of the less fortunate should not only be unnecessary, but the behavior is  heartless. We have friends who are living on social security. In this country of plenty, no one should be trying to raise a family  or live on a fixed income that is inadequate for paying bills, buying food, paying a mortgage, and being unprepared for a crisis or emergency.

We plan to join others in a protest on June 14th, the day of the president’s birthday parade of military might involving weapons, military personnel, tanks, and a display of U.S. destructive strength. It’s an embarrassment. The protest is called “No Kings.” That doesn’t begin to touch on my list of outrageous and destructive activities that have occurred. Even kings I’ve read about haven’t been so cruel and evil. We’ll do what we can to express our dismay. May the sheer magnitude of protests throughout the country  encourage Congress people to begin to fight back. That’s all that can put on the brakes. I’m very unhappy with the Now.

As I survey my surroundings, I am proud of what we’ve done with our home and yard. June flowers are in bloom, our tomato plants, grown from seed, are getting some size – I’ve already tied them to posts. We have a quiet neighborhood made up of older people and several young families. We live in a circle, so the traffic isn’t a problem – noise or otherwise. It’s been a comfortable place to grow old. We are close to shopping, medical care, churches, tennis players, and our families are within an hour of us in several directions.

All of that could make me satisfied with my world. Since the last election, satisfaction has been disrupted. Five months into the takeover, nothing is as it could be, or as it should be.

We have several friends who live on social security checks exclusively. As that income source is under attack, we are feeling the pain of those whose livelihoods are being threatened. What can be done? We’ve been part of a protest, made our dissatisfaction public in various ways, and feared for the chaos that will only increase as decisions are made by folks who have no real understanding of the needs of the less fortunate. I feel like a voice crying in the wilderness. That’s a cliche that I’ve rarely understood in the past. Having been through a catalogue of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, frustration, helplessness, and back through all of them again, I still believe in the innate goodness of people. I’ve witnessed it via news articles and simple observations of life around me. I dislike living in fear, being angry, feeling helpless.

I long for life to return to what it was six months ago. 

Things are heating up. It’s 91 degrees here right now, and we’ve moved from outdoor chores to the pleasant cool of our house. The hideous House bill has moved into the Senate where more heating up is occurring. The more I read about it, the more I grieve for our people. This republic has been sustained through major events, wars, storms, droughts, and a revolution. Problems have been dealt with, compassionate legislation has made some personal difficulties solvable by bringing aid at critical times to communities, industries, individuals, and families whose livelihoods and lives have been upended by natural events. Those safeguards are less available at present, and problems haven’t stopped just because help has become problematic. Other countries have envied and emulated our acts of conscience; the way the U.S. has provided support and funds to help with cleanup, nutrition, housing, and medical aid following natural disasters. Not only were this country’s difficulties being addressed, but aid to other countries for similar events was available. The changing attitudes of our leadership, the egregious lack of compassion is stunning. A country I’ve always viewed proudly for its attention to the welfare of the poor, the challenged, the children, and the elderly, has in mere months steered the focus from the needs of those whose taxes and support have made the republic work. Talent and expertise, dedication and dependability no longer seem to matter. As someone who spent 30 years working in and for public education, I regard the proposed changes to schools and curricula, to acceptance and caring, as offensive and cruel. I know there are others who feel as I do. We know there is good in people. Neighborhoods come together when a need arises. Families gather in support of those who suffer. I see all of that and know it’s not enough. I keep searching for answers to questions I have no power to answer with effect.

The selection of a new Pope, Leo XIV, who is much like Pope Francis in his theology and compassion, is good news for the Catholic Church and for non-Catholics as well. In these tumultuous times, having a caring person in that role will bring a voice of reason and empathy to offset the negativity brought to the world by an angry, cruel, thoughtless leader in the U.S. I am not a Catholic, but I admired Pope Francis.

Another bold leader must step up to remind humanity how to remain human and bring love and hope to a suffering world. The average person has a responsibility to care for others in whatever manner that person has to give. It costs nothing to be kind and caring. Looking out for those around us can be healing for others and for us. A smile, a gentle touch, a visit may cost one very little but it may be received gratefully. It can lift spirits for the giver as for the receiver. It’s tempting to keep myself in a safe cocoon, losing touch with friends and neighbors, waiting for life to get back to a comfortably reasonable place. If I don’t work at my attitude, nothing will change for me. 

A larger war could break out at any time in a variety of places where lives have been touched by war and cruelty. Saber-rattling is frightening for those of us who have lived peacefully for most of our lives. Most families can identify family members who have been at war in foreign lands; some have lost their lives or been damaged by wartime physical or emotional wounds. Wars are ongoing in many places leaving people homeless and hopeless without an acceptable end in sight. I have nightmares of wars started by this country over land that is coveted, expansion that is unwelcome, or some unsettled grievance. This is a time to take a good look at what is happening and temper the ugliness with gentleness and humanity.

Today the president met with the newly elected  Canadian leadership. The president continued to suggest that Canada will be the 51st state; Canadian leaders say no. Does it make sense to alienate an ally by suggesting something idiotic like that? It’s embarrassing. Embarrassment never seems to deter or discourage or persuade or even affect the man. 

I grieve for those specialists and experts who have lost their jobs in scientific research, weather study, air traffic control, testing of aircraft, keeping a watch on artillery and missile storage…Some of the people whose jobs were eliminated had exclusive and specialized knowledge shared by very few, in some cases by no one else. Hundreds of those whose experiences can’t easily be replicated have been eliminated. I find it appalling and senseless. What has happened to this country in just over 100 days? 

Why are the checks and balances built into the constitution not being utilized? I know there are thoughtful, wise people in the Congress.  Why are they waiting? 

I believe in the inherent goodness of our citizens. None of us want a war that the U.S. instigates. Our allies are bewildered and moving away from the expectation that this country will remain allied with them. Strong alliances with like minded countries have long maintained friendly competition and shared peaceful goals. I pray for our future.

There is outrageous news from the W.H. every day. It’s hard to keep up, analyze, rationalize, or find a sane reaction to everything as it happens. Life is too precious to have it manipulated for sport. I need to see some sanity from people in positions of power. Our elected leaders need to do something. We who are waiting and watching will do what we can when we have a sensible task. We willingly gather with those who protest when there is a location and a schedule. 

It’s fortunate that not all news is monitored and censored. I expect that to change, but for now we can get information. I’ve long objected to censorship and book-banning. If schools are teaching students to think and analyze what they read, teachers are doing their jobs and students can learn discernment. It was part of my education and was encouraged without being forced on me. I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. Good fiction can distract from day to day outrages in the news.

I read recently that Denmark has Empathy as a part of their school curriculum. I’m not totally sure how that works, but as a concept it has appeal. Are situations presented for student reactions? I can see flaws in that approach as it may be misdirected.

I’m encouraged by some who have had enough of the strange directives with no clear purpose except to misdirect and destroy the necessary: scientific enquiry, the arts, a path to higher education, libraries. All the things that make us human are in jeopardy.