18 Comments
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Renee's avatar

This is spot on. I have vastly different political views than my rural neighbors, and they are lovely, generous people. Fox and U-tube inform their views, unfortunately, but we do mostly want the same things: peace, health, safety.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

As do we all. And that is what unites all of us.

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Kathryn Carlson's avatar

As disappointed as I am by friends, family and neighbors who voted for Trump I also understand why to some small degree and remember that is not all that defines them so I continue to love them. As you so eloquently expressed we need to focus on giving grace, moving past hate and finding common ground where we can.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

And some folks got pretty angry for my suggesting that. Oh well. Silly me.

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Renee's avatar

Btw, if I can’t manage the subscription in the app, where do I manage it?

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Oh lord I have no idea. I have never used the app to do much of anything so I'm afraid I"m not the one to ask, I am so sorry. I'm kinda useless for this kind of question.

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Linda Ann Robinson's avatar

Today I read a lengthy comment on FB from one of my former professors in graduate school (Richard Fenker); I believe he is 81 years old now. It parallels some of what you've been saying in the last 2 posts about understanding "the other" and then goes beyond it. Tried copy & paste w/o any success, sadly.

Look him up on FB.

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Les's avatar

🌵🌺love your deep thoughts! You echo indigenous wisdom : let our heart guide our mind. Not vice versa! Encl few min video a warning frm a wise Lakota elder: heal yourself, before you try to heal Mother Earth. NOW’s the time to live mindfully w our heart first♥️. https://youtu.be/vZZhpTUDYCg?si=BwWqovrhPseUa8UK

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

That's very kind of you Les.

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DeeCee's avatar

I am still feeling the anger but I know that prevents me from making the best decisions. Trump is looking a bit too much like Hitler. I often wonder what people should have / could have done as Hitler was coming to power. How might the people have stopped him? Whatever it is, we should be doing that. I know I need to think logically rather than emotionally. Logically, I know that in order to fight against what is coming, liberals will need the help of those who voted for dt. Logically, I know we need to keep the door open to them so we can welcome them once they realize they've been duped. Emotionally, I just want to slap somebody. I have to be around Maga's more than I like. I tamp down my feelings and paste a friendly smile on my face. I guard my every word, even with family. I am tamping down my being. I worry about what that does, too. Anger is a killer. But slowly losing yourself is, too. As much as I want to stay involved, the thought of being a hermit is very very appealing.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

You and me and millions. This is very much on the minds of many, DeeCee.

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Gypsy Jane's avatar

So very right. I was born to old to hate. It takes to much energy. And does no good. No one ever was persuaded to change their views by being called stupid or evil or wrong. It just makes them dig in further.

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Stephen Redding's avatar

I enjoyed your article and feel bad that you got "riled" responses to what was a spot-on description of what should be going on. From my side, however, though I make attempts to engage with Trump supporters, even on the non-political level, it takes two to tango. Although I've reached out to my neighbor, he has seen the signs on my lawn during election time, and has decided to freeze me out. If the only way you can engage is to leave part of you at the door, what kind of relationship is that? Hopefully it will get better, but my wife and I don't have all that much time (in terms of decades) to wait for the resolution.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I've got one neighbor like that. I know full well that if I yelled help, he'd saunter in the other direction. That said, my other neighbors wouldn't. I work hard at that. That's all we can do. Some folks choose to be assholes and the only choice is to ignore them.

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Diny Monaghan's avatar

Thank you Julia for your passion and values. Looking with a lot of trepidation at what’s happening in the USA from Western Australia.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

This right here is what should be shouted from all the pulpits, podiums, and pedestals in the nation. Better, the world.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

coming from you that is high praise, Jan.

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Nicole Rodeia's avatar

I completely agree with you. Also I will become a paying member by the beginning of the New Year. I love your writing. You are spot on.

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