I'll have to say that you having a choice of posting these sudstacks. They have/had a profound effect on me. I never thought I'd ever get involved in politics, become active or even care for that matter. I guess there was a sleeping giant inside of me. And never knew or cared to fight. But here I am. Involved. And a positive choice.
Rob - Thanks for the note. Getting feedback, especially this kind, helps. Sometimes this feels like toss words into outer space, so it is good to hear this. I think sometimes all people need to get active is seeing something presented a different way. While I write on politics, I stress that we are in a democracy, a deeply flawed one for sure, but still a democracy. Democracy is supposed to be self-rule or rule by the people. Of course, every system moderates it, making it more direct or more representative, but whatever the case, we the people (excuse the cliche) matter. That is something that many of those in power don't want us to know or feel. They want us quiet and compliant and feeling powerless. I reject that and all that comes with it - the barrage of shit that they throw at us, their fronting that they are all huge monsters that will destroy us, the bait & switch too many Democrats do (which sows cynicism), etc. They also try to get us to believe that politics or democracy is something apart from everyday life or that if you engage in politics that is all life will be. Again, more bullshit. If I can be interested and engaged in say music, sports, and food, why not politics as well? And if I am a participant in all those other things, why not politics? Because someone says No? Since when have we taken No for an answer! And, really, to reduce it down to politics is pretty narrow. What we are talking about is fully participating in life! And, as you've probably discovered, when you engage in anything - music, sports, politics, etc - life is more fulfilling. That is really important when it comes to politics because often progress is slow, success comes in spurts, there's blowback, and we don't get all of what we want. Regardless, simply making the decision to be an active participant in life, specifically something as impactful as politics, is rewarding by itself because it makes us feel the power that we have inside us, the sleeping giant, as you say. Good luck and pace yourself! - Scott Soriano
A factor that can have one teeter, between fight or flight panic, and collapse in despair? Physical pain that never goes away. Saps your soul.
I'll have to say that you having a choice of posting these sudstacks. They have/had a profound effect on me. I never thought I'd ever get involved in politics, become active or even care for that matter. I guess there was a sleeping giant inside of me. And never knew or cared to fight. But here I am. Involved. And a positive choice.
Rob - Thanks for the note. Getting feedback, especially this kind, helps. Sometimes this feels like toss words into outer space, so it is good to hear this. I think sometimes all people need to get active is seeing something presented a different way. While I write on politics, I stress that we are in a democracy, a deeply flawed one for sure, but still a democracy. Democracy is supposed to be self-rule or rule by the people. Of course, every system moderates it, making it more direct or more representative, but whatever the case, we the people (excuse the cliche) matter. That is something that many of those in power don't want us to know or feel. They want us quiet and compliant and feeling powerless. I reject that and all that comes with it - the barrage of shit that they throw at us, their fronting that they are all huge monsters that will destroy us, the bait & switch too many Democrats do (which sows cynicism), etc. They also try to get us to believe that politics or democracy is something apart from everyday life or that if you engage in politics that is all life will be. Again, more bullshit. If I can be interested and engaged in say music, sports, and food, why not politics as well? And if I am a participant in all those other things, why not politics? Because someone says No? Since when have we taken No for an answer! And, really, to reduce it down to politics is pretty narrow. What we are talking about is fully participating in life! And, as you've probably discovered, when you engage in anything - music, sports, politics, etc - life is more fulfilling. That is really important when it comes to politics because often progress is slow, success comes in spurts, there's blowback, and we don't get all of what we want. Regardless, simply making the decision to be an active participant in life, specifically something as impactful as politics, is rewarding by itself because it makes us feel the power that we have inside us, the sleeping giant, as you say. Good luck and pace yourself! - Scott Soriano