Monday, January 30, 2017

LET'S TAKE A BREATH


My sister was recently in the hospital receiving an out patient antibiotic IV for an infection in her foot when she discovered that the lady next to her undergoing chemo was a friend of her daughter's. 

They were catching up when Jan noticed a story on  the TV about Trump being on Air Force One and mentioned it. 

The young girl quietly said, "I don't care for him."

Now my sister is a Trump supporter but said nothing further. She and I disagree but have never had the first argument. We respect each others opinion and don't try to force our belief on the other. However a man in the same room who had just finished his treatment, jumped all over the young lady. 

The lady defended her position calmly but the man got really aggressive and loud. 

Jan, trying to defuse the situation, joked with a smile, "Anyone want to discuss religion?"

That would have made me laugh but it didn't him. He finally had to be physically escorted out of the hospital. 

Tensions today are barely under the surface and some are worn boldly. I do hope we can get past this and work towards making our country whole again but I sometimes wonder. I have felt the anger boil up in me and I don't like it. 

I took the week off from posting to regain some calm and hope. I think it worked--a little bit anyway.  My optimism has found a fragile toe hold. I am regaining faith in our system of checks and balances that worked recently. Hopefully those fail safes won't let us go too far off the rails. It has worked in the past for both sides and hopefully kind hearts and level minds will prevail. 

Barring anything egregious happening, this is my last post on politics. I will settle for doing what I can to preserve the standards our country was established upon. I will do this via emails to my representatives and a march if need be. I will also plead for our wounded planet through those same channels.

My views will be heard, not here, but where they may do some good.  Our email accounts and our feet are powerful tools. Use them, regardless of the side you are on. 

I wish you all some peace in your lives. Sure will be nice to exhale someday. 

55 comments :

  1. In truth, our country has endured through much strife and divisiveness. This too shall pass with the intentions and actions of good and caring people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olga,
      That is what gives me hope, knowing we have been down similar roads before and our system has pulled us through.

      Delete
  2. Good for you! I try to keep my blog politics free. I doubt that a mind has ever been changed by a blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smartcat,
      You are so right. Neither does confrontation with a closed mind.

      Delete
  3. Taking chems, fearing death and physical pain would make many people lash out at the world. Hospitals are just scary places. My wish is that everyone in your post finds good health and peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Belva,
      I am sure he was not in the best frame of mind that day either.

      Delete
  4. One of my nieces is an ESL teacher in a school for refugee students. Another niece has chosen to work with refugee families as they struggle to get settled in our country. I couldn't be prouder.

    Trump is very thin skinned and cares very much what people think of him. I'm hoping that all of the protests will force him to rethink what he is doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole,
      I was entertaining those thoughts also but think we might do better to try and influence those he listens to who might be more malleable.

      Delete
  5. I refuse to let these issues mar the relationships I have with friends and family. It is called agreeing to disagree. I try to avoid discussing the issues and I try to avoid reading posts on blogs or on Facebook that are political rants but sometimes I get caught. By the way, I thought your sister's comment about religion was hysterical.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie,
      I get caught up also but will try not to in the future. I am glad you liked Jan's comment. I thought it funny also.

      Delete
  6. As I said on yesterday's blog, the only thing I can really control is my attitude, and I have decided to be optimistic rather than pessimistic, although sometimes that means not reading the news. And giving money to organizations that can make a difference. I have always loved your blog for ages and am always glad to see your "face" on my laptop. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Djan,
      I know. I found myself in an unusually pessimistic frame of mind lately which is why I took an attitude adjustment break.
      Thanks you so much my friend. I hope we keep hanging out in each others blogs for many years to come.

      Delete
  7. Thank you for writing this, Patti. These are such wild times and moving in directions more quickly and crazily than I'd ever imagined. We all need to stay sane, keep our feet on the ground, protect our planet and all the critters (including humans!). I have been heartened by the protests and the energetic response. So, thank you for being there and writing it down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin,
      It is so easy to get caught up in the passion and lose our focus. There are so many ways we can effect change and we must do what suits our talents. Those of us who care will do what we can to save this lovely planet and its citizens.

      Delete
  8. Boy, this has been an exhausting time, hasn't it? I do participate occasionally in political exchanges, but only one on one in a respectful way. I am very impressed with how so many Americans have gotten up off their complacent couches and responded where they feel they must.

    I admire your sister's young acquaintance for her calm response, and your sister for her tact.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda Myers,
      You show such caring and courage in your work with the refugees. I am proud to consider you a blog buddy.

      Delete
  9. We all deserve to find some peace and calm. I hope you will be able to continue to locate it and be refreshed.
    The world is spinning out of control. But remember, the reason we don't fall off is because we are spinning to. wink wink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda W,
      Ah yes, hold on tight. I know a lot of this will pass and we will survive.

      Delete
  10. Excellent post. The methods you've chosen to deal with the situation are good. That said, I intend to do everything I can to keep the passion alive to correct this dangerous course we're on. I will use my blog to pass on information. If I lose my readers so be it, many people read who do not comment. It's a way for me to feel like I'm speaking out. I never engage in social media discussions about politics. I refuse to engage in person to person discussion/arguments. I'm secure enough I don't have to engage in that. When that happens it's time to walk away. If I'd been trapped like the young woman you mentioned, at my age, I would call a nurse and ask her to call security. With age you get braver. I will not remain silent in this crisis. I also will continue to email elected officials and march when given the opportunity. I will continue to read and collect information to assist my adult children who work and live in the real world. They're busy and don't have the time I have to read and research to be informed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,
      I think most of us avoid the person to person confrontation. My sister's episode was the first I had heard of. Most people know it is an explosive topic with no resolution in a face to face shout out so they avoid it.
      Your post, Margaret and Helen's, and TGB have a very useful niche. Keep up the good fight.

      Delete
  11. Trump is going to discover that he does not have a mandate and more Americans disapprove of him than support him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen,
      I would love for him to recognize that but I don't think his ego will allow it. Hopefully his advisers will and act accordingly to influence him.

      Delete
  12. Hi Patti, Glad you and your sister can still be 'friends' through all of this... Our family has political disagreements --but we keep quiet when we are all together... Had a wonderful Christmas with family --and I'm proud of all of us!!!!!!!

    Me???? My interests now (as you can see by reading my two blog posts today) are on the Wildfire Disaster in Gatlinburg... I love the strong-willed, compassionate, loving, caring people there who are working hard helping each other to continue living the best lives possible. I'm sure they are not thinking about any of this political stuff. Life is just SO much more important.... God Bless Us ALL.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betsy,
      That is the importance right now, helping one another. When we set aside all of these raw feelings and look around we will see just people who need help or are offering it. We are basically a really nice bunch, just a bit hard headed at times--and that goes for all of us. I have faith in us all.

      Delete
  13. I told my doctor today that I have had a new disease called: Trump won the election disorder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Inger,
      There is a lot of that going around. I have the same disease. It was actually making me physically ill. Wonder if they will develop a pill for this?

      Delete
  14. I watch from Canada, and although not religious, I pray that calmer heads will prevail. As you state, making contact with those who might be able to influence the direction of the government through respectful discourse is the appropriate response.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eileen,
      It must be scary watching from so close yet powerless to stop it. I do believe that is our only chance for if we contact him, he will just dig in tighter.

      Delete
  15. I am with you all the way. I am writing to my congressmen and I think I will write to Trump though that would do no good. I was complacent for too long.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glenda,
      Welcome to TNS and thank you for commenting. I thought about sending emails to Trump but I think that will just make him want to double down. We have elected officials that can be more effective--I hope.

      Delete
  16. There have been strains on my relationship with some of my family, but I think we will be OK. I do not avoid stating my opinion and neither does my sister, but we are careful and respectful, mostly.
    I will ebb and flow in my activism, I'm sure. I do know that I need to stay informed. That's just who I am.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda R,
      I know, we all need to stay informed though it is virtually impossible not to be with all the coverage. Besides we need to know the causes to plead with our representatives. Those guys and gals are going to earn their pay this term.

      Delete
  17. I, too, stay away from politics in my post but I am afraid for the future of America & indeed, the world. As far as I'm concerned, the two most frightening words in the English language are "President Trump"!! (Jan's comment was brilliant!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fran,
      Me too exactly. Hopefully we will survive this. I thought her comment was perfect also. Too bad it didn't work.

      Delete
  18. Like you I never try to argue with Trump supporters. But I must admit that I will never look at any of them in the same light again. I just don't understand how otherwise sane and reasonable people can think this man is the answer to our Nation's problems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn,
      It boggles my mind also. We have to keep believing that there are more of us than them.

      Delete
  19. My sister-in-law is a Trump supporter and it's hard to accept that. So we don't talk politics. I don't dare because I don't want to cause a family problem. My poor brother is definitely NOT a Trump supporter so that's got to be tough. I can understand why you have to take a breather from politics because it is awfully, awfully draining these days. I've stayed away from it as much as I can, but sigh... I can't quite stay totally away from it anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay,
      I know there are mixed political families out there and think what a nightmare that must be about now. I am only taking the breather from the blog forum as a tool. I will still work with the tools I have to affect change.

      Delete
  20. Good choice, Patti. I made the same one when I started blogging and have only broken it a few times...:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TB,
      It will help me keep my sanity and I can' put my efforts where they will do some good. I will try to stay quiet but he does make it hard.

      Delete
  21. We are the "United" States of America and we need to start acting like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Savoring Sixty,
      It is my hope also and only hope both sides can give a little though I'm beginning to have some doubts.

      Delete
  22. I learned early on in life that with some people you can not have a sensible discussion on politics or religion. I never discuss either of the subjects in any public forum and with very few at any time or place.

    I think that the last couple of paragraphs in your post sweet Patti are excellent and in my opinion that is what will bring change where needed. Hugs to you sweet friend and nose kisses for sweet Callie and sweet Minnie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      Thank you and I really hope we will use the tools we have and not resort to anger and violence to achieve a goal.

      Delete
  23. I have 2 good friends that are not on the same page as me regarding politics. My dad was a diehard Democrat all his life and my sweet aunt would tell me from time to time she was proud to be a liberal. I have blogging friends who are also for the "other side". :) I am happy to say that none of us ever had an argument about politics, (well, dad wasn't real happy with me when I switched sides) maybe because we just didn't talk about it all that much, there is much more in life to discuss even tho politics does affect our lives.
    I will never understand the behavior and hatred from some folks after this election. Many of us didn't like the last president or his policies but I can't recall any of us rioting or acting with such hatred. I believe this time it is being fueled by those that want to bring chaos to our country for whatever reason. I'm praying for peace for all of us.
    Thank you, Patti, for being my friend in spite of our differences! I always enjoy visiting you and reading your stories.
    xx Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl,
      I too am so glad we can remain friends. Political belief does not a whole person make. It would probably help to be aware of what we have in common.

      Delete
  24. On any other election in my lifetime I've always been accepting of the results once the election was over if my candidate didn't win. This election is different in that our system of government is under assault. I have no problem reading or discussing all views and think it's vitally important we do so with one criteria -- that the conversation remains civil. Despite the seriousness of the situation I appreciate hearing how those with views different than mine think. I don't feel compelled to convert them to my view or vice versa. Can appreciate and respect anyone wanting to cease discussing politics on their blog even tho I think this unique situation has issues that have progressed beyond politics. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. joared,
      I recently saw on my sisters FB account the list of things she was hoping for. Yes--I totally disagreed with some but others were common goals for both sides. We must do what we can to keep our principals as sound as possible with the tools we have but may have to realize, some of these things we will just have to ride out till the next election.

      Delete
  25. I don't ever recall an election season like this one..and the even worse aftermath of one. It seems like before everyone settled down after it was finalized and we all got on with the business of life. This time...I'm just not so sure that things are going to smooth out.
    Have a great weekend, aways from the durn news, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri,
      This has been an election for the history books hasn't it? Painful and divisive. I am hoping also it will settle down but have my doubts. There is actual fear this time. Hopefully a middle ground will be found before permanent damage is forged. I am praying for level heads and kind hearts on both sides.

      Delete
  26. I applaud you for staying away from the political scene. I wish I had the type of temperament that would allow me to do the same. It would make it much easier but our country is my first concern.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh Patty, I am so sorry you have lost your funny bone. Check under the bed. I looked for mine there and....well...it wasn't there but you can still look...who knows what is under there. I did find that lost sock and yeah that lip balm I've been missing. Well so long for now from chapped lips.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I avoid political discussions, and when I am drawn in I stay polite. Twice while exercising on the treadmill at the health club, two women I don't know told me they hate a certain candidate and I happily told them I like that candidate.
    I thought they should know!

    ReplyDelete

Comments moderated. No spam will be published nor comments with links