So far I have only read your beautiful, thoughtful answer to MY question (Elizabeth L), and I am already crying, predictably. Thank you so much, Sarah, for caring for your children AND ours--and the community of people of love and respect you--as much as you clearly and relentlessly do. I am grateful. And please, take good care of yourself!!
You too! You are not alone -- your question was the most popular and a lot of folks feel like you do. I struggle too. It's hard to parent in this day and age! We'll get through it together
Great essay that sparks lots of ideas for my community. Aside: Chicago pizza is 5” deep and phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and try it. My daughter always brought me a Gino’s (now defunct) pizza on her lap whenever she flew back to Seattle after visiting Chicago.
Your reference to the book 1984, spurred me to share a discussion Joyce Vance hosted as this was the August Book Club selection. This discussion is a must listen.
During this re-emergence of the Epstein files as a big story (yet again) I re-read your book “THEY KNEW” for a fresh look at where the incriminating dots connect with highly placed public figures in our current times. Your books are so packed with frightening information it is easy to miss some of it the first time while the emotions of shock and betrayal are so blinding.
Because of your work, I was not shocked to see Adam Schiff, Corey Booker, and other prominent Democrats who I once respected at a warm reception for Netanyahu (!!!) held in what appeared to be Sen Chuck Schumer‘s office only a few weeks ago. The group photo shows them all smiling with joy.
The enormity of their countless betrayals to our Constitutional principles, justice, human rights and simple decency is quite literally so appalling it is emotionally unmanageable. Goddam them.
On the morning of June 9, 1967 I evacuated the wounded from the USS Liberty following Israel's intentional attack on our unarmed vessel which was then located in international waters. Unmarked Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats attacked the ship, killing 34 and wounding 171. It's a sordid tale of duplicity and corruption which has remained hidden by U.S. classification of tapes and documents containing evidence of Israel's treachery. Our government cooperated with Israel in concealing what happened from the American public. Over 1100 holes were covered over and the ship entirely repainted. Survivors, their families and the families of the dead were threatened with military prosecution if they spoke to anyone about what they had endured, witnessed or been told of the event. We came very close to nuclear war with the then Soviet Union as we launched nuclear armed aircraft against their ally Egypt when we thought them responsible for the attack. Fortunately they were recalled 6 minutes from Cairo. Watch "Sacrificing Liberty" on Youtube and visit usslibertyveterans.org.
I try to use details of the Israeli attack if they are descriptive and illustrative of current Israeli behavior and excuses. Not many these days (I'm almost 84) know of the attack and what followed. Whenever I provide that information in response to a rabid pro-Israel post, there is never a response.
Thank you for this Q&A. For some reason I feel super isolated and sad today. I read your entire Q&A and - - -even though the subject matter is not light-hearted by any means---it made me feel less alone. I appreciate you, as always, Sarah.
"...one reason I strongly oppose AI: it’s an assault on the imagination, and we need to be more imaginative than ever." Thank you so much for this strong and simple truth. I'm increasingly annoyed by the enthusiasm with which educators/academics are now embracing AI. I'm constantly telling my kids and their friends to stay human and make art and to write with their own, unique and worthwhile voices. No to robots. (Have you bumped into Shelly Turkle's books, Alone Together and Reclaiming Conversation?)
Sarah: I've been reading the stuff about "soft secession" as well. Living in Connecticut the idea appeals to me, but I frame this differently than you seem to. It's not a question of "Blue" states spiting "Red" states and telling them to go to hell. It's states lead by Democratic governors, legislators, and AGs taking action to govern outside of what the federal government can control for the benefit of their citizens. I don't think of this as a strategy or a gambit on their part; it's a moral responsibility. And if those states end up creating regional alliances, I very much doubt they'd shut out neighboring Republican run states who want to play ball.
BTW, your talk with Jared Yates Sexton on his podcast about the unfairness and stupidity of the Red vs Blue framing was powerful stuff. I have a ton of friends in "Red" states. The politics there may suck but the people (all) don't. I hope you keep banging that drum. And I hope you do more stuff with Jared! He's amazing.
I really appreciate this--and this whole conversation and Sarah's thoughtful answers. The *soft secession* idea is the most intriguing democratic action idea I see at present, and have seen it described as functioning state governments using all tools at their disposal AND collaboration with other such states to create a democracy firewall--as both a means to effectively resits and counter as well as to give people hope and something around which they can rally and tend to their country and reclaim a commons. This rundown came through my feed within the last couple of weeks; since then I've seen others bantering it about: https://substack.com/@anchorlightpublications/note/c-147588197?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=9t5ko Be safe and be well, everyone!
What I take away from this Q&A is that, yes, freedom as we know it may be disappearing before our very eyes, but there is still a lot to smile about. Its comforting to see the humor of your writing mixed in the the predictions of disaster. And I agree, "all smartphones deserve a side-eye". Good stuff!
Nurse for 34 years here.Everyone assuming that Trump is going to keel over very soon has never seen the patients on a geriatric unit. He has much better medical care than a typical senior citizen in America, although, since I'm certain that he dictates his own care, he has at the same time worse care. We would consider him a "walkie-talkie that gets confused sometimes and needs to keep his feet up for the edema. Gets Lasix at 1000 and 1600." Granted I haven't seen his numbers but unfortunately I think they can patch him up for a long time.
Thank you for reminding everybody here that being a good neighbor and being compassionate is a good way to combat authoritarianism AND the red/blue state argument; we are all purple like a bruise under this regime.
As usual a great read- but I’m getting very nervous about where we are heading, and I totally agree, Vance and his handlers will be worse than Trump and the oligarchs.
That’s why Don will have an accident and they will put Vance in at the appropriate time, to complete the mission of tech bros & total control. I doubt we will see a fair election any time soon. We didn’t get one last time, I really believe they fooled with it just enough to put Trump over the line.
Another great set of questions and answers from this online community. As the darkness gathers it is helpful to know all of us are here and sharing our support. I am only a few days now from leaving Ukraine for the 6th time: to be amongst these people of such fortitude, belief, dogged courage, and hope make me ashamed that I sometimes doubt myself. Now it is back to work telling these stories through the children of Ukraine's art. Small acts of goodness and love can all add up and can never be defeated.
Wonderful Sarah, thank you. Elizabeth's question hits so many of us. Living lives of dignity, artistry, care and meaning essential for our children esp the adults for whom, as parents, we still have all the love but no control.
MakeTheWorldSafeForDiversity: You kinda forgot about Jimmy Carter, no? That dude was an actual saint, or as close to it as we've ever had in the White House.
Fantastic Q&A! Oh, if only you were a willing politician who needed a soapbox. I too am concerned that Substack et al will disappear. (Hackers, get busy and keep us up!)
Years back, someone I know was telling me to seriously consider political office. We ended up in a big argument over this even, lol.
But in all seriousness, I am legit frightened by people who aspire to high federal offices (especially the presidency). Remember back in 2020 when folks said they preferred Biden for his decades of experience? On one hand, that makes sense, but I saw it as a red flag. If he’s been fossilized in the corruption so long, how could he genuinely represent us and move us to a post-Trumpian future? Never got an answer when I asked others this.
I work in the political space, and it’s clearer to me than ever that we need an entirely new system powered by citizens. We’ve got to let worshipping these figureheads at the top go for good. It’s not democracy at all.
I have served in elected office on a local level. I ran for state representative. The problem is it requires huge amounts of money to compete at that level. You also have highly organized groups that can make or break you, whether it's Right to Life or other single issue groups. You cannot cross those groups in any way or you are finished. They have money and social networks and foot soldiers that overwhelm you. This is why so many elected officials are corrupt. You have to sell your soul to win. And if you get to DC, you face all the things Sarah writes about. Politicians and judges are already corrupted or they and their families are threatened into compliance. There clearly are exceptions, but not nearly enough. I actually enjoyed politics at the city and county level back then. Now I couldn't get elected dog catcher because the money and the lobbying groups have descended on local governments and local school boards. I continue to be amazed how mask mandates motivated so many people to hate government and run for office. They took over my county for 2 years and almost succeeded in getting an anti-vax HVAC safety guy to head our health department. He wanted to send everyone Ivermectin and a Neti pot in lieu of Covid vaccines. We were able to defeat enough of them in the last election to end their majority. We still have an almost all GOP board of commissioners, but we are no longer run by religious extremists who want to impose their views on the rest of us. Interestingly, they changed the county motto from "Where you Belong" to "Where Freedom Rings". The current board just decided to drop a motto altogether because they couldn't come up with anything non-controversial. I have no solutions, but just remember that MAGA at the local levels is a citizen run group. Also, as Sarah notes, the priority for Biden should have been a Voting Rights Act. We need to outlaw gerrymandering. Voters need to pick the politicians. Politicians should not be allowed to pick their voters. And we need to limit campaign contributions from big donors, or at least pass conflict of interest laws. If any elected official takes a big donation, they have to recuse themselves from voting on any issues that affect that donor.
"Trump is pushing us over the cliff so we can land in Thiel’s uncanny valley." Another classic for the Kendzior merch (in fairness, these would be the world's most depressing merch, maybe, but I'd still rock a "transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government" one!)
About six years ago, someone made a "This is a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government" line of shirts with my face on them. I didn't know about it, but I didn't care all that much. Someone wore one on TV at a protest and that's how I found out about it. It was very odd for me to see something like that -- but it's MORE odd to see people pretend that everything I said wasn't widely known to the point that it was marketed in this fashion. They're pretending that it's a brand-new revelation! (Which, ironically, is a propaganda tactic of feigned naivete I discuss in that very book...)
People were obsessed with "Dallas" at the time, including me. Larry Hagman was brilliant! His character was a stark contrast from his role in "I Dream of Jeannie". Never forget the season that was erased by a dream.
So far I have only read your beautiful, thoughtful answer to MY question (Elizabeth L), and I am already crying, predictably. Thank you so much, Sarah, for caring for your children AND ours--and the community of people of love and respect you--as much as you clearly and relentlessly do. I am grateful. And please, take good care of yourself!!
You too! You are not alone -- your question was the most popular and a lot of folks feel like you do. I struggle too. It's hard to parent in this day and age! We'll get through it together
Many heart emojis in this space!
Much prefer the Sarah Kendzior of "we are all purple like a bruise" to the Sarah Kendzior of "We'll get through it together."
Yes, I needed this today. It's so incredibly wise.
Great essay that sparks lots of ideas for my community. Aside: Chicago pizza is 5” deep and phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and try it. My daughter always brought me a Gino’s (now defunct) pizza on her lap whenever she flew back to Seattle after visiting Chicago.
I love Chicago-style pizza! I don't know if it's pizza but I know it's delicious. Gino's is defunct?!
Two Gino’s remain! The one in my old neighborhood is gone but a few remain in the city.
Your reference to the book 1984, spurred me to share a discussion Joyce Vance hosted as this was the August Book Club selection. This discussion is a must listen.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joycevance/p/substack-live-with-princeton-professor-e3b?r=e7ha&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for all the work you are doing.
During this re-emergence of the Epstein files as a big story (yet again) I re-read your book “THEY KNEW” for a fresh look at where the incriminating dots connect with highly placed public figures in our current times. Your books are so packed with frightening information it is easy to miss some of it the first time while the emotions of shock and betrayal are so blinding.
Because of your work, I was not shocked to see Adam Schiff, Corey Booker, and other prominent Democrats who I once respected at a warm reception for Netanyahu (!!!) held in what appeared to be Sen Chuck Schumer‘s office only a few weeks ago. The group photo shows them all smiling with joy.
The enormity of their countless betrayals to our Constitutional principles, justice, human rights and simple decency is quite literally so appalling it is emotionally unmanageable. Goddam them.
Yes. It’s absolutely horrifying.
To hear them pontificate, you’d think they were men with dignity. But their actions….traitors to decency and life itself.
It’s all so unreal, and yet it’s real - and needs to change.
I miss Katie Porter so much, Mark.
Or do I err? I don't think she'd be coddling up so much to the war criminals and genocidalists.
On the morning of June 9, 1967 I evacuated the wounded from the USS Liberty following Israel's intentional attack on our unarmed vessel which was then located in international waters. Unmarked Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats attacked the ship, killing 34 and wounding 171. It's a sordid tale of duplicity and corruption which has remained hidden by U.S. classification of tapes and documents containing evidence of Israel's treachery. Our government cooperated with Israel in concealing what happened from the American public. Over 1100 holes were covered over and the ship entirely repainted. Survivors, their families and the families of the dead were threatened with military prosecution if they spoke to anyone about what they had endured, witnessed or been told of the event. We came very close to nuclear war with the then Soviet Union as we launched nuclear armed aircraft against their ally Egypt when we thought them responsible for the attack. Fortunately they were recalled 6 minutes from Cairo. Watch "Sacrificing Liberty" on Youtube and visit usslibertyveterans.org.
Wow!
Thank you for the link about the attack by Israel on the U.S. Navy vessel. Very many Americans are completely unaware of what occurred.
Thanks for checking it out.
I try to use details of the Israeli attack if they are descriptive and illustrative of current Israeli behavior and excuses. Not many these days (I'm almost 84) know of the attack and what followed. Whenever I provide that information in response to a rabid pro-Israel post, there is never a response.
Thank you for this Q&A. For some reason I feel super isolated and sad today. I read your entire Q&A and - - -even though the subject matter is not light-hearted by any means---it made me feel less alone. I appreciate you, as always, Sarah.
Glad it helped, Valeria!
It really did. 💖
"...one reason I strongly oppose AI: it’s an assault on the imagination, and we need to be more imaginative than ever." Thank you so much for this strong and simple truth. I'm increasingly annoyed by the enthusiasm with which educators/academics are now embracing AI. I'm constantly telling my kids and their friends to stay human and make art and to write with their own, unique and worthwhile voices. No to robots. (Have you bumped into Shelly Turkle's books, Alone Together and Reclaiming Conversation?)
Sarah: I've been reading the stuff about "soft secession" as well. Living in Connecticut the idea appeals to me, but I frame this differently than you seem to. It's not a question of "Blue" states spiting "Red" states and telling them to go to hell. It's states lead by Democratic governors, legislators, and AGs taking action to govern outside of what the federal government can control for the benefit of their citizens. I don't think of this as a strategy or a gambit on their part; it's a moral responsibility. And if those states end up creating regional alliances, I very much doubt they'd shut out neighboring Republican run states who want to play ball.
BTW, your talk with Jared Yates Sexton on his podcast about the unfairness and stupidity of the Red vs Blue framing was powerful stuff. I have a ton of friends in "Red" states. The politics there may suck but the people (all) don't. I hope you keep banging that drum. And I hope you do more stuff with Jared! He's amazing.
I really appreciate this--and this whole conversation and Sarah's thoughtful answers. The *soft secession* idea is the most intriguing democratic action idea I see at present, and have seen it described as functioning state governments using all tools at their disposal AND collaboration with other such states to create a democracy firewall--as both a means to effectively resits and counter as well as to give people hope and something around which they can rally and tend to their country and reclaim a commons. This rundown came through my feed within the last couple of weeks; since then I've seen others bantering it about: https://substack.com/@anchorlightpublications/note/c-147588197?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=9t5ko Be safe and be well, everyone!
What I take away from this Q&A is that, yes, freedom as we know it may be disappearing before our very eyes, but there is still a lot to smile about. Its comforting to see the humor of your writing mixed in the the predictions of disaster. And I agree, "all smartphones deserve a side-eye". Good stuff!
Nurse for 34 years here.Everyone assuming that Trump is going to keel over very soon has never seen the patients on a geriatric unit. He has much better medical care than a typical senior citizen in America, although, since I'm certain that he dictates his own care, he has at the same time worse care. We would consider him a "walkie-talkie that gets confused sometimes and needs to keep his feet up for the edema. Gets Lasix at 1000 and 1600." Granted I haven't seen his numbers but unfortunately I think they can patch him up for a long time.
Yes exactly. I don’t think folks know how common that kind of hand bruise is or how fragile skin gets at that age.
Thank you for reminding everybody here that being a good neighbor and being compassionate is a good way to combat authoritarianism AND the red/blue state argument; we are all purple like a bruise under this regime.
As usual a great read- but I’m getting very nervous about where we are heading, and I totally agree, Vance and his handlers will be worse than Trump and the oligarchs.
Vance can't get elected in a fair election. The man has all the charm of a sea slug. That said, I have my doubts about fair elections.
That’s why Don will have an accident and they will put Vance in at the appropriate time, to complete the mission of tech bros & total control. I doubt we will see a fair election any time soon. We didn’t get one last time, I really believe they fooled with it just enough to put Trump over the line.
Insult to sea slugs 😉
JD’s “handlers” are the oligarchs.
Another great set of questions and answers from this online community. As the darkness gathers it is helpful to know all of us are here and sharing our support. I am only a few days now from leaving Ukraine for the 6th time: to be amongst these people of such fortitude, belief, dogged courage, and hope make me ashamed that I sometimes doubt myself. Now it is back to work telling these stories through the children of Ukraine's art. Small acts of goodness and love can all add up and can never be defeated.
Wonderful Sarah, thank you. Elizabeth's question hits so many of us. Living lives of dignity, artistry, care and meaning essential for our children esp the adults for whom, as parents, we still have all the love but no control.
MakeTheWorldSafeForDiversity: You kinda forgot about Jimmy Carter, no? That dude was an actual saint, or as close to it as we've ever had in the White House.
Fantastic Q&A! Oh, if only you were a willing politician who needed a soapbox. I too am concerned that Substack et al will disappear. (Hackers, get busy and keep us up!)
I am never, ever entering politics. It's hard for me to think of something I'd rather do less!
Years back, someone I know was telling me to seriously consider political office. We ended up in a big argument over this even, lol.
But in all seriousness, I am legit frightened by people who aspire to high federal offices (especially the presidency). Remember back in 2020 when folks said they preferred Biden for his decades of experience? On one hand, that makes sense, but I saw it as a red flag. If he’s been fossilized in the corruption so long, how could he genuinely represent us and move us to a post-Trumpian future? Never got an answer when I asked others this.
I work in the political space, and it’s clearer to me than ever that we need an entirely new system powered by citizens. We’ve got to let worshipping these figureheads at the top go for good. It’s not democracy at all.
I have served in elected office on a local level. I ran for state representative. The problem is it requires huge amounts of money to compete at that level. You also have highly organized groups that can make or break you, whether it's Right to Life or other single issue groups. You cannot cross those groups in any way or you are finished. They have money and social networks and foot soldiers that overwhelm you. This is why so many elected officials are corrupt. You have to sell your soul to win. And if you get to DC, you face all the things Sarah writes about. Politicians and judges are already corrupted or they and their families are threatened into compliance. There clearly are exceptions, but not nearly enough. I actually enjoyed politics at the city and county level back then. Now I couldn't get elected dog catcher because the money and the lobbying groups have descended on local governments and local school boards. I continue to be amazed how mask mandates motivated so many people to hate government and run for office. They took over my county for 2 years and almost succeeded in getting an anti-vax HVAC safety guy to head our health department. He wanted to send everyone Ivermectin and a Neti pot in lieu of Covid vaccines. We were able to defeat enough of them in the last election to end their majority. We still have an almost all GOP board of commissioners, but we are no longer run by religious extremists who want to impose their views on the rest of us. Interestingly, they changed the county motto from "Where you Belong" to "Where Freedom Rings". The current board just decided to drop a motto altogether because they couldn't come up with anything non-controversial. I have no solutions, but just remember that MAGA at the local levels is a citizen run group. Also, as Sarah notes, the priority for Biden should have been a Voting Rights Act. We need to outlaw gerrymandering. Voters need to pick the politicians. Politicians should not be allowed to pick their voters. And we need to limit campaign contributions from big donors, or at least pass conflict of interest laws. If any elected official takes a big donation, they have to recuse themselves from voting on any issues that affect that donor.
Well, then, at least you could be an advisor and a good one
"Trump is pushing us over the cliff so we can land in Thiel’s uncanny valley." Another classic for the Kendzior merch (in fairness, these would be the world's most depressing merch, maybe, but I'd still rock a "transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government" one!)
About six years ago, someone made a "This is a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government" line of shirts with my face on them. I didn't know about it, but I didn't care all that much. Someone wore one on TV at a protest and that's how I found out about it. It was very odd for me to see something like that -- but it's MORE odd to see people pretend that everything I said wasn't widely known to the point that it was marketed in this fashion. They're pretending that it's a brand-new revelation! (Which, ironically, is a propaganda tactic of feigned naivete I discuss in that very book...)
Wow... You can't make this shit up for real
People were obsessed with "Dallas" at the time, including me. Larry Hagman was brilliant! His character was a stark contrast from his role in "I Dream of Jeannie". Never forget the season that was erased by a dream.