The Damage is Done
In 100 days Donald Trump has irreversibly destroyed 80 years of cooperation and economic growth. Now "we the people" must act to build a newer and better world.
“We are now well on the road to full-on authoritarianism” ~ Fiona Hill
“I Am, I Cried”
Following Hurricane Maria much of the “Nature Island” Dominica was devastated but here, on the side of a demolished building, a small blue handprint declares the resolute nature of the people.
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Let me repeat what I have said many times before: Donald Trump is a symptom, not the cause of our troubles. More accurately, he is the proximate cause of what Thomas Paine called, in his time, “The Crisis”.
Trump’s cruelty, his racism, and misogyny are symptoms of a much deeper set of problems that we all must face. The human tendency to ignore problems that are not directly affecting us personally and a lack of commitment to the fundamental principles of American Democracy when they inconvenience us.
Yet, still, it is undeniable that in less than 100 days, Trump and his minions have irreversibly destroyed over 80 years of relative economic stability and cooperation, and thrown us into a crisis that is most likely to take several generations to heal.
I have spent some time this month emailing and speaking with dear friends from Canada, Germany, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria, to share my sadness with them about the deterioration of relations between our respective countries. In every case, each has assured me that the human bonds and experiences that we have shared over the years have built an unbreakable loyalty and love that cannot be destroyed by a bunch of oddballs, currently inhabiting the White House, who think they know better than the rest of us. In almost every case, they have responded in the language of Kipling’s song of the jungle: “We be of one blood, you and I.”
At the same time, each has reminded me that what was built over time between our nations and people can too easily come undone in the blink of an eye. . . Alas, that is what has happened. Rebuilding those bonds will take time and - here’s the thing - the harder we fight back now, the less time it will take to repair the wounds.
Now it’s no secret that I consider myself a radical centrist. Not a denizen of the mushy middle but, instead, more concerned with seeking out and building creative common ground than stoking fires.
Our biggest challenge at the moment is not our adversaries but ourselves.
However, as inclined as I am to seeking common ground, at least for the moment, we are in need of some “tough love” to staunch the bleeding. Too much is at stake.
There is an ancient story shared among many Indian nations of an elder who shares with the children a story of two wolves inside him, battling for supremacy: one that is good and honorable, another that is selfish and cruel. When a child asks him which wolf prevails, his answer is simple: “The one I feed.”
In the coming months, I am going to invite you to join me in dreaming about some of the things we might do to help us believe in ourselves again.
Some of the things we postulate about will revolve around the ways we can solve problems by abandoning the mindless menace of partisanship and ideology; Some of them will be focused on our desperate need to listen - really listen - to one another. To talk less and take in more, with an eye and an ear for the Native American wisdom of walking a mile in our neighbor’s moccasins.
Some of the things we explore will be the mistakes we are making and some will be celebrating the examples of community when our efforts help us to rise as one.
There is a tradition among many Native nations where the seemingly endless bounty and joy of the warmer months yield to the more communitarian months of winter when we share the warmth of the council fire, and talk and listen to one another.
I am calling this section of the Anamaki Chronicles substack, “The Talking Stick”. Honoring the tradition of sharing stories, each in our own voice. Listening as our neighbor holds the talking stick and speaking with clarity and courage when the talking stick is in our own grasp.
We will tell stories that give us hope and yield lessons; Sing of those whose wisdom opens doors to a greater understanding of ourselves and our neighbors.
I hope you will add your own wisdom to the process by subscribing to this substack and inviting your friends and neighbors to join with us - and, most of all, helping us to dream together by adding your own wisdom to the cumulative vision we create when we listen to one another.
Next. week: “Bucky Was Right . . . Vonnegut too.” Some wisdom from the minds and ideas of R. Buckminster Fuller and Kurt Vonnegut.
Have an idea for a guest column on Talking Stick?
Here are some of the areas I intend to explore with you.
Public Service
Election fairness, and reform
AI - leveling us up: male, female, black, white, red, brown, yellow, straight, gay, trans, and all
Wealth disparity
Recommitting to Institutions and developing ongoing mechanisms for regular assessment of their effectiveness, honesty and goals.
Globalization redux
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of and from Religion
Immigration
Subsidies
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has been called out for another Signal chat incident. Shared with family members and his attorney. Like his boss, Hegseth is quick to blame members of the Department of Defense. This is a hostile takeover of the American political system using the electoral system to impose an anti-democratic agenda on the US military. If the day comes - and I fear it will - that we have a Kent State Moment initiated by a President who uses the Military against the American People, US Troops may be called upon to demonstrate an act of conscience in the face of the treatment of those same troops by the Administration, should Trump try to employ the Insurrection Act against peaceful protestors.
If you have thoughts about how we “arm” ourselves against a moment like this - in advance - we’d love to hear from you.
Keep Hammering at the Walls of Injustice. A Better country lies ahead, even if we don’t live to see it.
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Grand Parade Dreamscape
Color and Light on the Mad River
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Rowing by Moonlight - Newfound Lake