One of the highlights (lowlights?) of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was the discussion of America’s role in supporting Ukraine against Russia.
Thank you for the thought-provoking and well written essay. I think your optimism is well-founded and hopefully self fulfilling to allow the planet to grow into a healthy and sustaining place, in light of the gazillion cultures and people and problems it faces.
Assuming our election brings the best possible outcome, (and really the only one that will bring about continuation of democracy and hope for so much of the world), I am very pleased that Ukraine has more options than just our delicate balance of support!
So, I am running for local office this year, in spite of not being a political person AT ALL. In spite of the fact that the negativity of National, and then State politics, has trickled down and infiltrated our kind, actively engaged community. The toxicity tide has to be intentionally turned, and a big par of my running is about that. As David French put it in a recent Times editorial, paraphrasing, people are tired of feeling angry, and are ready to drop the "snarl" and embrace the "smile". I embody this, and therefore am SO GRATEFUL for this piece which dropped in my mailbox unexpectedly this morning. THANK YOU for writing it! It is another in a long line of affirmations I have received front multiple fronts since I began this journey just a short time ago. I look forward to more, and thank you for persisting in this work.
Carolyn, congratulations on your bravery and thank you for stepping outside of your comfort zone to try to make your community a better place! We need more like you, and I wish you the very best of luck. Your community is lucky to have you and I’m sure you will inspire others to do the same.
Oh, thank you so much for this encouragement. We ALL have to capacity to make a difference in our own way. A lot of little things can add up to a big thing. We need the big thing to sustain our society, help it thrive.
Having being a student of global development, geopolitics and in the pointy end of capitalism for the past 35 years I agree with much in this article, Zachary. Well articulated.
Bravo! Someone finally had the courage to call out American imperialism. We should not be the world's policeman. What a joke, when our own policing borders on fascism. No more big sticks and little carrots.
I appreciate this. Once the United States made all the problems their own, like the codependent orphans of Europe that we are, the United States also became everyone's favorite scapegoat. Now every despotic ruler in the world has the United States to blame for their bad decisions.
You're a complete JERK for advancing the idea that the US Empire has been anything other than a purely destructive, chaos-producing parasite. The use of proxy-war puppet Ukraine as a tool to weaken Russia is absolute imperialism.
90% of Humanity rightfully seeks the end of 'All Things American,' and the Yankee doom now is onrushing!
Whoa, how do you really feel? You totally missed the point of that whole article, not to mention the writer’s admission and self-own of the US’s lack of perfection and altruism. Your complete negativity without any offer of how to improve or make our country more constructive means your bitterness is all that is evident. Not very constructive of you.
Sooooooo love what and HOW you are going about this!! And this particular piece needs at lest Three Unpacks. Soooo love that it’s free for a little longer.
You are also on my next 10 Substacks to Upgrade Sooon
Thank you for the thought-provoking and well written essay. I think your optimism is well-founded and hopefully self fulfilling to allow the planet to grow into a healthy and sustaining place, in light of the gazillion cultures and people and problems it faces.
Assuming our election brings the best possible outcome, (and really the only one that will bring about continuation of democracy and hope for so much of the world), I am very pleased that Ukraine has more options than just our delicate balance of support!
Really a brilliant piece. Thank you.
So, I am running for local office this year, in spite of not being a political person AT ALL. In spite of the fact that the negativity of National, and then State politics, has trickled down and infiltrated our kind, actively engaged community. The toxicity tide has to be intentionally turned, and a big par of my running is about that. As David French put it in a recent Times editorial, paraphrasing, people are tired of feeling angry, and are ready to drop the "snarl" and embrace the "smile". I embody this, and therefore am SO GRATEFUL for this piece which dropped in my mailbox unexpectedly this morning. THANK YOU for writing it! It is another in a long line of affirmations I have received front multiple fronts since I began this journey just a short time ago. I look forward to more, and thank you for persisting in this work.
Carolyn, congratulations on your bravery and thank you for stepping outside of your comfort zone to try to make your community a better place! We need more like you, and I wish you the very best of luck. Your community is lucky to have you and I’m sure you will inspire others to do the same.
Go forth and conquer! You’ve got this 🥰
Oh, thank you so much for this encouragement. We ALL have to capacity to make a difference in our own way. A lot of little things can add up to a big thing. We need the big thing to sustain our society, help it thrive.
Having being a student of global development, geopolitics and in the pointy end of capitalism for the past 35 years I agree with much in this article, Zachary. Well articulated.
Bravo! Someone finally had the courage to call out American imperialism. We should not be the world's policeman. What a joke, when our own policing borders on fascism. No more big sticks and little carrots.
I appreciate this. Once the United States made all the problems their own, like the codependent orphans of Europe that we are, the United States also became everyone's favorite scapegoat. Now every despotic ruler in the world has the United States to blame for their bad decisions.
You're a complete JERK for advancing the idea that the US Empire has been anything other than a purely destructive, chaos-producing parasite. The use of proxy-war puppet Ukraine as a tool to weaken Russia is absolute imperialism.
90% of Humanity rightfully seeks the end of 'All Things American,' and the Yankee doom now is onrushing!
Goodbye, Fool of the Fascists!
Thank you for commenting on a piece you clearly did not read
Whoa, how do you really feel? You totally missed the point of that whole article, not to mention the writer’s admission and self-own of the US’s lack of perfection and altruism. Your complete negativity without any offer of how to improve or make our country more constructive means your bitterness is all that is evident. Not very constructive of you.
Hope your day/life gets better.
Sooooooo love what and HOW you are going about this!! And this particular piece needs at lest Three Unpacks. Soooo love that it’s free for a little longer.
You are also on my next 10 Substacks to Upgrade Sooon
Thanks so much for your kind words
Pls don’t get discouraged.