So just received this from a good friend and fellow political activist ... leave it to the Greeks to eloquently sum it up:
A little bit of Aristotle to start off the day: ( Imagine if he had a Substack)
When states are democratically governed according to law, there are no demagogues, and the best citizens are securely in the saddle; but where the laws are not sovereign, there you find demagogues. The people become a monarch... such people, in its role as a monarch, not being controlled by law, aims at sole power and becomes like a master.
And in another quote:
For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all; since armed injustice is the more dangerous, and he is equipped at birth with the arms of intelligence and with moral qualities which he may use for the worst ends. Wherefore, if he have not virtue, he is the most unholy and the most savage of animals, and the most full of lust and gluttony. But justice is the bond of men in states, and the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just, is the principle of order in political society.
Adam, your optimism bolsters all of us! Thank you for sharing your personal stories of your grandfather and of your experiences in Iraq. It helps us to put the current political chaos in perspective. I especially like when you said that we’re not a nation of whiners. That is so important to remember. Can you imagine how this country would be if the pioneers were whiners? For generations we have worked hard, endured much, and became better with each struggle. Thank you for reminding me of this and that this current drama we face will make us stronger too. It’s a new year and I am on board with whatever you have planned. Lead the way!
Thank you for this end of year post! It gives me hope in a dark time. I have been thinking a lot about my father and uncles recently so I appreciated hearing about your grandfather. My father was in a foxhole at the Battle of the Bulge when he learned of the deaths of his brother (killed in the South Pacific on New Year’s Eve, 1944) and his brother-in-law (MIA after his plane was shot down over Mongolia a few weeks earlier.) These young men were fighting for democracy against fascism, and the sacrifices they and their families made stagger me. I also feel all the feelings for the young men like you who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan against an equally sinister foe. The rise of fascism in our time is horrific. How could we forget? The resistance of the GOP in Congress to fund Ukraine betrays everything good that our fathers fought for. So thank you again for leading this fight.
Very uplifting message! We must all work together, if we do we can absolutely defeat chaos! None of us can be complacent, though. Our very futures depend on our action.
“The forces of chaos are exhausting, depressing, and can drive us to a feeling of helplessness. We try to talk logic and truth into a portion of the population which feels threatened by such things, and our temptation is to throw up our hands, and give up.
This is exactly what the forces of chaos are counting on. You see, the chaos that drains us- energizes them. “
Your opening says it all. I carry that exhausting, depressing feeling around everyday. AND I am very involved and quite active in different political action groups and supporting
candidates and raising money. It just feels like the other side is so crazy and without any limitations to what they connive to do and that the laws and regulations of our nation do not adequately stop them. And , Yes, Democracy is messy and complicated ... but it’s so hard to comprehend how seduced such a large portion of our population & elected officials have been by the TFG and his off shoots ! But not to worry, I rise up and fight the battle against the chaos and fascism every day...because if I didn’t then as you say, they have won ... and that would be beyond horrific !
My grandfather's also fought in WW2. My father was Anapolis, class of '48 1/2. I never got to hear stories from my mother's father. He died back in 1960, when I was only 3. But Grandpa, my father's father, was Army, artillery officer. He came back with a lot of nightmares but he made sure that we all know it was the right thing to do. That you had to stand up and fight, even when it hurt you inside. You never gave up and never yielded, because you could only lose if you gave up.
He was a good man, and I think you would have liked him. Tough as they come, too. He passed away back in 2010 from cancer. A bit gruff, but kind and gentle too. It was because of him that I took the oath and put on the uniform. Sometimes, we have to fight. And it was better that we stand up and do it than for those who were still innocent of war. But there are times that we must all stand up together, not just those of us who served.
I am old and tired, but I am still in the fight, and I've got your back. Cherish those old stories, the ones that you did get to hear. And never yield, even when it hurts and seems to never end. If someone stumbles, there will always be a hand to help them up. If you fall, we'll carry you. When you feel lost, we'll pray with you. And when the fight is over, we'll bring everyone home, together.
Love your optimism and your stories of Iraq, grandfather. My favorite uncle who was always a riot to be around could never talk of his WWII days in Europe. As for today, I see so many reasons why the Perpetual Victim will not succeed and why reason and good governance will overwhelm the sizeable minority sowing hatred and chaos. Changing minds happens through conversation, pointing out the negative effects that the cult of the victim brings out in friends. HNY!!
Thank you thank you for this! I have turned off all my news alerts because I am exhausted reading about day to day issues, and feelings of hopelessness. It clouds my perception of the future. I will be reading this post when I feel like giving up. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you, Adam. You continue to be an inspiration to so many of us. We will all work together to make it a year for the winner, not whiner. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Adam, Thanks for the encouragement as we head into (what looks like) a battlefield in 2024. I can identify witht he exhaustion of constantly trying to use truth, logic, and facts to bring friends and family members back into the relm of the reality, and help them to understand where we could be headed if we don't stand up to the authoritarian threat that is coming at us like a freight train. So many of us here in Arizona grew up in the shadows of great Republican statesmen (Goldwater, Rhodes, Fannin, Kyl, McCain). I would love to hear Barry's take on the current Republican party and candidate. It would be salty.
So just received this from a good friend and fellow political activist ... leave it to the Greeks to eloquently sum it up:
A little bit of Aristotle to start off the day: ( Imagine if he had a Substack)
When states are democratically governed according to law, there are no demagogues, and the best citizens are securely in the saddle; but where the laws are not sovereign, there you find demagogues. The people become a monarch... such people, in its role as a monarch, not being controlled by law, aims at sole power and becomes like a master.
And in another quote:
For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all; since armed injustice is the more dangerous, and he is equipped at birth with the arms of intelligence and with moral qualities which he may use for the worst ends. Wherefore, if he have not virtue, he is the most unholy and the most savage of animals, and the most full of lust and gluttony. But justice is the bond of men in states, and the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just, is the principle of order in political society.
Yes thank you!
Spot on! Thank you for sharing.
Adam, your optimism bolsters all of us! Thank you for sharing your personal stories of your grandfather and of your experiences in Iraq. It helps us to put the current political chaos in perspective. I especially like when you said that we’re not a nation of whiners. That is so important to remember. Can you imagine how this country would be if the pioneers were whiners? For generations we have worked hard, endured much, and became better with each struggle. Thank you for reminding me of this and that this current drama we face will make us stronger too. It’s a new year and I am on board with whatever you have planned. Lead the way!
Amen. We haven’t failed yet and i don’t expect us to
I just learned that if I highlight part of your text, I get options to share. It created a quote for me and I shared it on FB
This will be the year of the winner, and the year the whiner finally goes away forever.
Ha i didnt know that! Thanks!
Thank you for this end of year post! It gives me hope in a dark time. I have been thinking a lot about my father and uncles recently so I appreciated hearing about your grandfather. My father was in a foxhole at the Battle of the Bulge when he learned of the deaths of his brother (killed in the South Pacific on New Year’s Eve, 1944) and his brother-in-law (MIA after his plane was shot down over Mongolia a few weeks earlier.) These young men were fighting for democracy against fascism, and the sacrifices they and their families made stagger me. I also feel all the feelings for the young men like you who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan against an equally sinister foe. The rise of fascism in our time is horrific. How could we forget? The resistance of the GOP in Congress to fund Ukraine betrays everything good that our fathers fought for. So thank you again for leading this fight.
I agree. Thanks for sharing about your father
Trump no more in 2024!
Great pic of your grandfather btw. God bless you both. You have done him proud!
That means alot thank you
Very uplifting message! We must all work together, if we do we can absolutely defeat chaos! None of us can be complacent, though. Our very futures depend on our action.
Thats right. They want us to turn on each other and we must hold the line
“The forces of chaos are exhausting, depressing, and can drive us to a feeling of helplessness. We try to talk logic and truth into a portion of the population which feels threatened by such things, and our temptation is to throw up our hands, and give up.
This is exactly what the forces of chaos are counting on. You see, the chaos that drains us- energizes them. “
Your opening says it all. I carry that exhausting, depressing feeling around everyday. AND I am very involved and quite active in different political action groups and supporting
candidates and raising money. It just feels like the other side is so crazy and without any limitations to what they connive to do and that the laws and regulations of our nation do not adequately stop them. And , Yes, Democracy is messy and complicated ... but it’s so hard to comprehend how seduced such a large portion of our population & elected officials have been by the TFG and his off shoots ! But not to worry, I rise up and fight the battle against the chaos and fascism every day...because if I didn’t then as you say, they have won ... and that would be beyond horrific !
I know the feeling. While the fight wont end with the election it will deal a serious blow to the facists
And thank you for battling.
Thanks Adam. Yes we need to maintain a positive outlook.
"... a portion of the population that feels threatened by such things." That is right on the money.
We have to call it out over and over
Happy New Year, Adam. To you, and to your family.
My grandfather's also fought in WW2. My father was Anapolis, class of '48 1/2. I never got to hear stories from my mother's father. He died back in 1960, when I was only 3. But Grandpa, my father's father, was Army, artillery officer. He came back with a lot of nightmares but he made sure that we all know it was the right thing to do. That you had to stand up and fight, even when it hurt you inside. You never gave up and never yielded, because you could only lose if you gave up.
He was a good man, and I think you would have liked him. Tough as they come, too. He passed away back in 2010 from cancer. A bit gruff, but kind and gentle too. It was because of him that I took the oath and put on the uniform. Sometimes, we have to fight. And it was better that we stand up and do it than for those who were still innocent of war. But there are times that we must all stand up together, not just those of us who served.
I am old and tired, but I am still in the fight, and I've got your back. Cherish those old stories, the ones that you did get to hear. And never yield, even when it hurts and seems to never end. If someone stumbles, there will always be a hand to help them up. If you fall, we'll carry you. When you feel lost, we'll pray with you. And when the fight is over, we'll bring everyone home, together.
very powerful. Thanks for saying that
We are right beside you Adam.
THank you!
Love your optimism and your stories of Iraq, grandfather. My favorite uncle who was always a riot to be around could never talk of his WWII days in Europe. As for today, I see so many reasons why the Perpetual Victim will not succeed and why reason and good governance will overwhelm the sizeable minority sowing hatred and chaos. Changing minds happens through conversation, pointing out the negative effects that the cult of the victim brings out in friends. HNY!!
We just have to keep this perspective in mind! Thanks for being part of this
Thank you thank you for this! I have turned off all my news alerts because I am exhausted reading about day to day issues, and feelings of hopelessness. It clouds my perception of the future. I will be reading this post when I feel like giving up. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Yep.. Take care of yourself so dont deal too much in the darkness, but dont give up the fight
Thanks
Karen,
Don't give up. We can't afford it.
Thanks for the encouragement. Happy new year
Thank you, Adam. You continue to be an inspiration to so many of us. We will all work together to make it a year for the winner, not whiner. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you! Its nice to hear.
Adam, Thanks for the encouragement as we head into (what looks like) a battlefield in 2024. I can identify witht he exhaustion of constantly trying to use truth, logic, and facts to bring friends and family members back into the relm of the reality, and help them to understand where we could be headed if we don't stand up to the authoritarian threat that is coming at us like a freight train. So many of us here in Arizona grew up in the shadows of great Republican statesmen (Goldwater, Rhodes, Fannin, Kyl, McCain). I would love to hear Barry's take on the current Republican party and candidate. It would be salty.
The party would be unrecognizable to everyone of them
Oh yeah. I’m buckled in real good. 💯 Happy New Year everyone!
lol. hopefully we can unbuckle next year!