Many thanks to both of you, Tim and Frank, for a discussion that encouraged your listeners to pause and reflect, rather than to simply react. I found myself thinking about words and phrases such as "elevate," "take the high road," "breathe," "listen."
I closed my social media (Facebook and Twitter) accounts in 2016 during the run up to th…
Many thanks to both of you, Tim and Frank, for a discussion that encouraged your listeners to pause and reflect, rather than to simply react. I found myself thinking about words and phrases such as "elevate," "take the high road," "breathe," "listen."
I closed my social media (Facebook and Twitter) accounts in 2016 during the run up to the election because I had found myself posting my most heated thoughts, unrestrained screed, in response to the anxiety I felt about the future should Trump actually be elected. I realized that if I was contributing anything as I screamed into the abyss, it was to add to the tendency for those holding different views, grievances (nod to the book), beliefs to figuratively "throw" rocks containing their anger across a wide expanse from one side to the other.
Ken Blanchard, in his book, "Situational Leadership," illustrated this issue when he wrote about "autocratic" and "democratic" leadership styles. He correctly pointed out that different situations require different styles of leadership. This observation also applies to interactions between students, protesters, politicians, neighbors, etc.
I loved the part of the discussion where Frank talked about the fragility of our unprecedented, democratic experiment, that is the United States. It is easy to make fun of Donald Trump. There is no limit to the material he makes available (just watch Jimmy Kimmel).
An example of the "Trump effect" is the flood of golden visa applications coming from Americans (something I have considered) who are considering fleeing to (where will we/they go?) different shores should Trump be re-elected. This is the case even though the populist movement is rising virtually everywhere, and those who love this mess that is our wounded democracy know in our hearts that, whatever the result of the election, whatever damage may be done should Trump be elected, we must stay and (figuratively!) fight for our country, as we prize and promote the obvious and seminal advantages of diversity, immigration, progress.
A word just for Tim - I listen to the Bulwark podcast every day, and think of you as a fellow traveler. I must say, however, that the Tim who relishes a good Trump "fart" joke, or laughs at Trump's latest gaffe (again, there is unlimited material) is not the Tim I enjoy the most. The Tim I most enjoy is the thoughtful, open-minded, courageous advocate for our higher purpose(s) and useful "wokeness." We must always remember Theodore Parker's quote - "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." And yes, thank you internet, I once thought Dr. King was the author of this quote.
Many thanks to both of you, Tim and Frank, for a discussion that encouraged your listeners to pause and reflect, rather than to simply react. I found myself thinking about words and phrases such as "elevate," "take the high road," "breathe," "listen."
I closed my social media (Facebook and Twitter) accounts in 2016 during the run up to the election because I had found myself posting my most heated thoughts, unrestrained screed, in response to the anxiety I felt about the future should Trump actually be elected. I realized that if I was contributing anything as I screamed into the abyss, it was to add to the tendency for those holding different views, grievances (nod to the book), beliefs to figuratively "throw" rocks containing their anger across a wide expanse from one side to the other.
Ken Blanchard, in his book, "Situational Leadership," illustrated this issue when he wrote about "autocratic" and "democratic" leadership styles. He correctly pointed out that different situations require different styles of leadership. This observation also applies to interactions between students, protesters, politicians, neighbors, etc.
I loved the part of the discussion where Frank talked about the fragility of our unprecedented, democratic experiment, that is the United States. It is easy to make fun of Donald Trump. There is no limit to the material he makes available (just watch Jimmy Kimmel).
An example of the "Trump effect" is the flood of golden visa applications coming from Americans (something I have considered) who are considering fleeing to (where will we/they go?) different shores should Trump be re-elected. This is the case even though the populist movement is rising virtually everywhere, and those who love this mess that is our wounded democracy know in our hearts that, whatever the result of the election, whatever damage may be done should Trump be elected, we must stay and (figuratively!) fight for our country, as we prize and promote the obvious and seminal advantages of diversity, immigration, progress.
A word just for Tim - I listen to the Bulwark podcast every day, and think of you as a fellow traveler. I must say, however, that the Tim who relishes a good Trump "fart" joke, or laughs at Trump's latest gaffe (again, there is unlimited material) is not the Tim I enjoy the most. The Tim I most enjoy is the thoughtful, open-minded, courageous advocate for our higher purpose(s) and useful "wokeness." We must always remember Theodore Parker's quote - "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." And yes, thank you internet, I once thought Dr. King was the author of this quote.