I have hope after we get rid of the orange menace we'll go back to not being the world's joke but I don't think we'll ever be trusted again on the world stage. Why should anyone trust us? Every 4 damn years our voters get us someone trusted OR a complete idiot that ruins everything. How's that to be trusted? Every 4 years someone can break the previous guys agreements. Every 4 years whatever happened 4yrs ago can just be destroyed. This country needs to get its shit together. I know there's amazing, caring people in this country, but there's enough people that WANT all the bullshit that's currently happening to continue. They thrive on the cruelty and hate. I know there's more of us than them, but they've managed to infiltrate every aspect of our government like the cancer they are so nothing gets done. Keeping hope alive is getting real damn hard.
Fireflies and Haitians- two under appreciated forces. This newsletter got me a little choked up, I’ll be honest.
I’m friends with some great Haitians who came to the US in the 80’s via a Soviet Union engineering scholarship in Wodz, Poland. Henri the dad married an amazingly cool, kooky intelligent Polish wife. When the wall fell, they went to Queens and the rest is history. Fascinating family. Fireflies are also fascinating, and I bet they speak creole, because they’re so cool. 😎
Grateful for the Hope today! Thank you for making visible the bravery and kindness of fellow citizens and neighbors. May we band together with greater fortitude to express the values of "Bring me your tired ..." Our welcome of strangers and care for widows and orphans is what makes America GREAT each day. 🎆🇺🇸❤️🤍💙
Thank you for going to Springfield, Jim. I appreciate your observations. I think the people finding joy in community understand the moment. I hope their/our prayers will be heard. I am deeply sad and embarrassed that our word is worth so little and cannot imagine what it will take to restore faith in it, if that’s even possible.
I can’t relate to the folks taking some joy or pleasure at the plight of other human beings who’ve done them no harm. I’d like to think they will realize that their hate has shrunk their world to a cold and empty space, but I don’t know if they ever will. My MAGA brother said this past week that maybe he should have voted democratic. Sadly, it’s not because he discovered any warmth for the stranger; the economic hit is finally sinking in. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
The term "gormless worm" came to mind as I watched clips of Stephen Miller celebrating the Supreme Court ruling.
I'm feeling mostly sad as we prepare to observe July 4th this year. Not just for the Haitians and Syrians who well may lose their homes, but also for the people who celebrate this as a victory.
Jim, thank you for your observations of what's happening in springfield. Had the opportunity to drive through there on my way to Cleveland last month. Its an amazing community... and we made sure we visited a local Haitian restaurant and made sure we tip them very well! It's a shame what our country has done to them now. Please keep covering this!
As you know the school is not in the best shape. Which is sad because it's a great place. The region is about to experience a lot of pain. I have wondered how that would affect places like it. An angle I will consider pursuing in the future!
I'm with The JVL on the 4th (admittedly, I am an extreme introvert, so this was not a hard sell to me). We don't deserve a celebration. All should go to our rooms and think about what we've done.
I live near Springfield and this situation is so sad. The area will never be the same- it’s already changed since last winter.
So much vitality, prosperity and jobs are being lost for no reason except to placate malice and grievance- it’s hard to wrap my head around. Let’s all agree never to forget what happened here.
Republicans used to care about economic impact. What's hundreds of millions of dollars at a time when the bad orange man is burning hundreds of billions?! Hard for anyone except maybe Mike Turner to see on the right. How we get through to them I don't know.
I lived in Ohio for 4 years early in my marriage. My son was born in Dayton and I worked in Springfield for 2 years. Then in Fairborn and Xenia. I continued to return at least once a year until 2007 when my mother in law died.
I watched Springfield be hollowed out at its downtown lost Wrens and nearly all else.
It was clearly revitalized by the Haitian immigrants but now?
Trump has stopped in massive waves coming in. So why not grant mercy where it would help the immigrants and the US.
I have hope after we get rid of the orange menace we'll go back to not being the world's joke but I don't think we'll ever be trusted again on the world stage. Why should anyone trust us? Every 4 damn years our voters get us someone trusted OR a complete idiot that ruins everything. How's that to be trusted? Every 4 years someone can break the previous guys agreements. Every 4 years whatever happened 4yrs ago can just be destroyed. This country needs to get its shit together. I know there's amazing, caring people in this country, but there's enough people that WANT all the bullshit that's currently happening to continue. They thrive on the cruelty and hate. I know there's more of us than them, but they've managed to infiltrate every aspect of our government like the cancer they are so nothing gets done. Keeping hope alive is getting real damn hard.
Fireflies and Haitians- two under appreciated forces. This newsletter got me a little choked up, I’ll be honest.
I’m friends with some great Haitians who came to the US in the 80’s via a Soviet Union engineering scholarship in Wodz, Poland. Henri the dad married an amazingly cool, kooky intelligent Polish wife. When the wall fell, they went to Queens and the rest is history. Fascinating family. Fireflies are also fascinating, and I bet they speak creole, because they’re so cool. 😎
Grateful for the Hope today! Thank you for making visible the bravery and kindness of fellow citizens and neighbors. May we band together with greater fortitude to express the values of "Bring me your tired ..." Our welcome of strangers and care for widows and orphans is what makes America GREAT each day. 🎆🇺🇸❤️🤍💙
Thank you for going to Springfield, Jim. I appreciate your observations. I think the people finding joy in community understand the moment. I hope their/our prayers will be heard. I am deeply sad and embarrassed that our word is worth so little and cannot imagine what it will take to restore faith in it, if that’s even possible.
I can’t relate to the folks taking some joy or pleasure at the plight of other human beings who’ve done them no harm. I’d like to think they will realize that their hate has shrunk their world to a cold and empty space, but I don’t know if they ever will. My MAGA brother said this past week that maybe he should have voted democratic. Sadly, it’s not because he discovered any warmth for the stranger; the economic hit is finally sinking in. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Jim Swift standing up with the truth for democracy, and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.
The term "gormless worm" came to mind as I watched clips of Stephen Miller celebrating the Supreme Court ruling.
I'm feeling mostly sad as we prepare to observe July 4th this year. Not just for the Haitians and Syrians who well may lose their homes, but also for the people who celebrate this as a victory.
Jim, thank you for your observations of what's happening in springfield. Had the opportunity to drive through there on my way to Cleveland last month. Its an amazing community... and we made sure we visited a local Haitian restaurant and made sure we tip them very well! It's a shame what our country has done to them now. Please keep covering this!
Was it Rose? By a library. Great spot if so. Thanks for making a point to stop. I expect I'll be back very soon.
Yes. They ran out of goat when we were there, but the fish was awesome!
One of my sons went to Wittenberg, just up the road from Springfield. I feel as if their plight is personal, even though I live many states away.
As you know the school is not in the best shape. Which is sad because it's a great place. The region is about to experience a lot of pain. I have wondered how that would affect places like it. An angle I will consider pursuing in the future!
I'm with The JVL on the 4th (admittedly, I am an extreme introvert, so this was not a hard sell to me). We don't deserve a celebration. All should go to our rooms and think about what we've done.
I live near Springfield and this situation is so sad. The area will never be the same- it’s already changed since last winter.
So much vitality, prosperity and jobs are being lost for no reason except to placate malice and grievance- it’s hard to wrap my head around. Let’s all agree never to forget what happened here.
Republicans used to care about economic impact. What's hundreds of millions of dollars at a time when the bad orange man is burning hundreds of billions?! Hard for anyone except maybe Mike Turner to see on the right. How we get through to them I don't know.
Jim, please share the link to donate. I plan to pull up yesterday’s Morning Shots, but I’m sure others may be seeing it for the first time.
https://haitiansupportcenter.org/
I lived in Ohio for 4 years early in my marriage. My son was born in Dayton and I worked in Springfield for 2 years. Then in Fairborn and Xenia. I continued to return at least once a year until 2007 when my mother in law died.
I watched Springfield be hollowed out at its downtown lost Wrens and nearly all else.
It was clearly revitalized by the Haitian immigrants but now?
Trump has stopped in massive waves coming in. So why not grant mercy where it would help the immigrants and the US.
Hope in Springfield, well said.