Hello Everyone, yes, we’re still in England, but not for much longer! On our way home soon. 🏡 But ever since our election, I’ve had a hard time sleeping, I can’t turn off my brain, I wake up thinking about it, and go to sleep worrying about it. Finally I turn to the cure, I’m going to work it over in my mind by writing about it. It’s not that I have any secrets from you. I usually see my blog as a happy place, even as an escape from the negativity these days, where kindred spirits gather to talk about the little things that make life wonderful, things we all have in common. And, until recently, I always thought
And I have done it, risen above reality, quite easily throughout most of my life. When bad things happen, I go to the garden and pick a few flowers, make a cup of tea, get under my nap blanket with an old movie, and I feel better. I put away the disappointment I feel for the direction of the world and go knit my 89th scarf instead. I invite friends to dinner, light candles, pour wine, play beautiful MUSICA that fits my mood and forget. Even during 9-11, the worst, most intrusive example of man’s inhumanity to man, followed 
by all the other ones since, I could turn on Shirley Temple or Fred Astaire and slowly but surely, be healed. Maybe this made me a shallow person, but I didn’t see it that way. I saw it as a “take charge” of my life gesture, and it has always worked (except once, Sandy Hook 😥). But what has just happened to our country, I fear, is a 9-11 in very slow motion…no Shirley Temple movie is going to help. Where this election will take us, as a people, is still to be seen. And I have to talk about it. Please try to read this, because it comes from my heart. It’s not so much about the election, but more about us, and this angry world we live in.
See this photo, this room full of anything-but-angry Girlfriends? This and the photos below are the wonderful faces of some of the people that Joe and I had the privilege of meeting while crossing the country in the Fine Romance 
Van this last spring. I have no idea what political party they affiliate with, and I honestly don’t care. Because that’s only one small part of who a person is, and these people were so giving, kind, and filled with light . . . and we have so much in common! I would much rather concentrate on that . . . I could write a book about our commonalities! Oh yes, I forgot, I have! I’ve always known it from the wonderful letters I’ve received over the years, my whole life is based 
on it. We love our families and our best friends, we love nurturing them. We love to decorate our houses, make curtains and pillows, pick wildflowers for vases, because we all agree, home is where the heart is. We fold clothes, warm from the dryer, on the kitchen table (sometimes we wrap our kids or husbands up in them), we call each other to catch up, bake cookies and birthday cakes, feed our beloved pets, make Thanksgiving dinner, welcome family home with open arms, work hard, get the kids to school, put their drawings on the fridge, give to charity, mourn our lost loves, count our many blessings and are so grateful we have this amazing opportunity and gift to be able to do these little things that make life so very sweet.💞 We know how quickly everything can change and we are grateful for a normal day.
These days though, another thing we have in common, we worry. Mostly for our children and grandchildren in this changing world ~ we want them to hold on to the look in this little girl’s eyes for as long as possible, to grow up free as the wind, 
so tenderly careful never to touch butterfly wings, never experiencing war, sure that all things in our world are right and good. We want them to read books, embrace honesty, integrity, and ethics, have the very best education possible so the stars are the limit, honor family traditions, lay under trees, watch the leaves fall, dream, and 
feel perfectly free to reach for the moon and make this world a better place because I’ve never met a child who didn’t wish to do that. Every one of us wants our families to receive the best health care, and none of us want to see our parents grow old, destitute and alone. I don’t care which political party we’re from. Or even which country. Right? Isn’t that who we are as human beings, all of us? It’s what I believe.
Some of us are Catholic, some of us are Methodist, Jewish, or Muslim, and some of us have no religion at all, but that’s okay, because we respect freedom of religion as our forefathers, those we honor on Veterans Day, have fought so hard to preserve. We aren’t afraid of people that are different from us. We know their children will be bullied in school if we adults do not stand up for the rights of their parents. No child should ever be bullied because of some crazy adult thing. And common sense tells us, you can’t hold a person down without staying down there with him. And it’s our intention to rise and rise together. Right? One world, one people? Our grandmothers taught us that we’re going to disagree with people, but to be respectful, don’t throw our trash in other people’s yards, and remember that religion and politics are taboo subjects in mixed company and good manners means that sometimes we just keep our mouths shut.
💛
If A is success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut. 💛Albert Einstein
We might be Republicans or Democrats, but until the last few years, we’ve always believed we were on the same American team, trying to make a better country. We agree that we’d like to use our tax money to have safe bridges, clean water, good schools. Despite what we are told by a divisive media, we do want the same things, Yes we do, and are mostly just exactly alike. And that is true for peace-loving, garden-planting, women and men of all backgrounds, in all countries. Imagine waking up each morning not knowing if your child will make it home from school 
alive. Not knowing if men with machine guns will pop in the door of your little house with the one flower in the vase. Really imagine it, because it’s like that for some women in the world, women just exactly like the ones in these photos, people like us, who never stop dreaming of a better world. We are so lucky to live the way we do. To knit Christmas presents, make soup, take the kids to a movie. To go to tea parties wearing a new hat. All the joyful little things that make life so wonderful.
But our peace is under threat. We are being torn apart from within. I can tell you for 100% sure, no one in any of these photos hates America, whether she’s from Iowa, California, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, or Wisconsin or all of the lovely places in-between. You know it, and I know it. Believing they do hurts our country. The people who tell us one part of the country is BETTER or WORSE than another, is a traitor to his country. His purpose is to rip us apart when he does that. It’s cruel and wrong, it has not a single American value in it, and if I was queen I would put these people in rehab (on a desert island). They do it for money. Look closely at those faces, we all love our country. We are good people, all of us. Anyone who tells you different is lying. That’s the first thing I wanted to clear up.
“Reporting is expensive, and making stuff up costs nothing.” 😜 BBC
But something has clearly changed when we elect a President of the United States who 
admits grabbing women by their private parts. I don’t care about one political thing, but that statement was a knife in my heart. That was the moment I said to myself, “Done.” Because it tells our young men that we condone this, it tells our daughters they are nothing. There is not one honorable thing in it, it is against everything I want the world to be. I would be very surprised if we didn’t all agree on this too no matter who we voted for. When I think of women in other countries who are buried in the dirt up to their necks and stoned to death for not following the local rules, and remember how hard we’ve fought for respect in this country, my heart bleeds and I cry very sad tears.
So what changed and when? Our country didn’t always suffer from so much divisiveness. Our media didn’t always take us to the lowest common denominator. I know, because I’ve been around a long time. When I was in high school, whether you were a Republican or a Democrat did not matter a bit. Most of us didn’t even know what we were. When did half of us become “the other” and the other half become “reviled?” How did this knife get driven into the heart of our country, dividing us like we are today? How did we all get so hurt, because both sides are very hurt by this. And, with all this glorifying of negativity, this shamelessness, how do we raise our children? How do we teach them? How do we take care of the sick and dying? How do we live and work together in peace?
How’d it happen? I think I know because I watched it unfold. Age is very good for this type of thing. It began for real in 1988. . . when radio and TV talk shows (on stations owned by huge political corporations) starting using fear, 
telling people that half of us were trying to undermine America by doing things like getting rid of Christmas (which is the MOST ridiculous thing I ever heard, no one ever wanted to do that, breaks my heart to think anyone would believe it), that our leaders, our media, were “not to be trusted” — that only THEY could be trusted. And guess what, fear worked! And radio talk proliferated, and moved to television. This kind of media, with their 24/7 brainwashing, was allowed because of a change in the law called the Fairness Doctrine in 1987. Turns out the people doing the talking were cheating on their wives, having affairs in bathroom stalls in airports, were addicted to 
drugs, yet the very things they would blame on “others.” They told us Obama wasn’t born in this country. They said he is a muslim (as a fear tactic). These days they are starting to call this Fake News. They’ve lied to us a thousand times, and yet, for some reason (due to a myriad of personal experiences) many of us believe them, and, slowly, over the years, we have allowed them to tear us in two. Because there wasn’t anything we could say. We couldn’t stop them, they gained strength and filled the airwaves with this stuff. Now it’s all over social media. Families are being torn apart, friendships are ending, violence is occurring. It’s not getting better, and no one knows what to think. Or, we think we do.
I used to imagine it didn’t matter who became president, because if I turned off the news, I couldn’t see how it made an actual difference to my life. Sun still came up, trash was picked up in same big trucks, street lights still worked. Then two things occurred. First, 
good paying jobs began going to other countries where people could work for a lot less. Our little towns were robbed of our small businesses, some look like ghost towns now, because they could not compete with large corporations such as Walmart who bought everything cheaply-made from foreign countries. (And, to be fair, we forgot to notice that we supported them by flocking to their stores.) In my art licensing business, in the years just after 2000, so many manufacturers closed, I was no longer able to license my products, the jammies, or the 
dishes, the way I used to…there was no one to make them anymore. All the money that used to go into the hands of small bookstores, publishers, editors, printers, authors, PR people, and agents, and most importantly, their families (who spent that money supporting other small businesses), now goes into the hands of just one person, Jeff Bezos, who owns Amazon. Yes, a billionaire is born every minute, to the exclusion of the rest of us. Everyone was affected by this mass abandonment by our government and big business who had gotten their successes on our backs. Our middle class was having the rug pulled out from under it. It was going away. ALL of us felt it! Then they had the nerve (and greed) to invent Black Friday and open stores on Thanksgiving (no, young ones, Black Friday is NOT an “American Tradition” despite that they tell us it is). There was a time when corporations felt a duty toward the country and the people that supported them. But no more. We’re losing our American way of life. We’re all in the same boat, together, the people on the coasts, the mid-west, the south, the coal miners, the manufacturing towns. And we put up with it. But we are mad. And media and the powers that be used our anger to divide us even further. It’s not US, it’s THEM.
Then in 2008, the banks walked away with all our money, they foreclosed on us and our neighbors who had done nothing more but applied for and were granted a loan from a bank, and walked away with retirements and pensions. Zip, too bad, gone. They were bailed out with OUR TAX MONEY (but not any for the foreclosed-upon), and the powers that be did absolutely NOTHING about it, news media did nothing, talk news ignored it. I have never 
been so upset with government in my life. Someone should have gone to jail. Someone should still go to jail. None of my friends got through it unscathed. It’s become much harder for everyone to make ends meet. It’s not just you. It’s not just your imagination. We are all worried sick about what will happen to us when we get too old to work, or if we get really sick. Most of us, including me, now work for nothing most of the time, and 
steal money from the retirement funds we’ve managed to put by, to make ends meet, still trying our best, adapting, the only way we know how. New graduates from colleges and universities are hurting, young people saddled with massive debt that the government gets interest on (btw, university in France and other countries is free, we could most definitely have that too, if it wasn’t for the large faction of our legislators that are trying to convince us now that we don’t need a Department of Education in this country) and these kid’s lives have a hopelessness to them that we never felt. These are our children, and words such as “Liberal” or “Conservative,” used as poison darts have NOTHING to do with it. Some things should not be politicized. They have undermined our beautiful American middle class. There is plenty of money in this country, it’s OUR money, and our government officials, corporations and media are using it to enrich themselves, through changes in laws, tax codes, and sadly, war. It’s our money, it should be used to make America better.
I hope I haven’t lost any of you. I want more than anything to figure a way to bring us together. I speak right out of a broken heart. There is common ground in every single subject and we are so sensible, and so like minded, kindred spirits can always, always find a way. 💙 But not unless we can see the truth that we are being used, divided, and conquered. 
Who’s in charge, who are the powers that be, who are the ruling class in this country? It’s not just the President, or congress, it’s the guys behind the scene, it’s the CEO of Walmart 
and every large corporation in America, the heads of CNN, CBS, FOX, oil companies and insurance companies, drug companies, chemical companies, bankers, and all their lobbyists that work behind the scenes making sure the laws are written to make them richer and happier. It’s the media and talk radio that have realized that they become richer and more powerful by separating us. And they are willing to say 
anything to do it. They tell us they are the “true news,” the only believable ones, and they use fear, the cruelest of all, that Isis (or whatever the fear is because they make up tons of them) is coming into YOUR town to GET YOU, and that they are the only ones that can save us. They tell us that people (the other, who just might be your family member or your next door neighbor) who disagree with them are Godless, or hicks, or racist, violent, or anything they want and tell stories to back it up. Problem is, it’s legal to say 
anything in this country. You can go in, make a fake newspaper, put a fake article in it, put it on your website, all fake and newspapery-like and say it’s true. And it’s really hard to tell the difference between fake and real these days. And some websites are so inflammatory, using despicable language, frightening everyone into fearful action, when what is needed is slow, thoughtful contemplation based on truth and fact. We don’t trust anything anymore. Friends and families are being torn apart by these lies, and our country is being torn asunder from within. Our beautiful country. I know this is strong, but I don’t care, I call this treason.
Imagine a town meeting: I’m sure many of you have attended them, so you recognize the process: the town identifies a need, a water system or stop sign at the corner of Park and Main, something. So they hash it over in the most boring way possible, what’s the best way to get what they need, how do they find the money for it, etc…and then, the town votes, and they SOLVE the problem between them, and the water system gets updated, the stop sign gets put in, and the town is better.👏
Your national government should work exactly the same. But if half the people refuse to deal with the other half, nothing gets done, your air turns dirty, your water becomes poisoned, your health care is taken away, your education system gets dismantled, your bridges fall down, regulation goes away so big business doesn’t have to tell you what additives they put in your food or how much lead is in your water. And who benefits from all that? Because definitely someone does, and it isn’t us.
We have to work together. Because there is a way to bring America back together, but not with all this name calling and fake news. And saying it’s okay because the other guy did it first, doesn’t help. The buck must stop with each of us. Turn off the radio. 
Just say no. Don’t believe everything you hear. If there is an issue, follow it through to see who is benefiting from the divisions it causes. A very good place for that is C-Span, it’s a little boring because it sticks to facts, but it lets you see all sides of issues and decide for yourself. It doesn’t lie. Your presence in your government doesn’t end with your vote for president. Watch your congress. Watch them like hawks. Don’t let anyone TELL you what they do, see it for yourself. Many of them (not all!!!) are selling us out. Doing NOTHING for the people, giving all our tax dollars to the lobbyists for the large corps. We are alike, we are Americans, we sink or swim together, and what we provide for our fellow citizens through laws we all work to make together, in jobs, healthcare, affordable housing, clean water, the best education, internet and hospitals for small towns not only brings up our country, it brings up our children, and it brings up the world.
We are being kept apart by an evil force that we need to join together to fight. Please, 
believe in each other, please don’t believe in these voices using us for, when it comes right down to it, money. They take our tax money and give it to each other, while we are fighting about stupid things, they manage not to spend it on the things we want, those schools, those roads, a VA that works for our lost and suffering veterans . . . they ignore us completely, pay lip service, and all the money, OUR money, goes to wars that we don’t want or ask for, to make up for the taxes that corporations don’t pay. And at this point in time the 
ruling class, media, government and corporations are in cahoots against we the people.
Not to throw out the baby with the bath water, because there are several wonderful politicians/people who are in it for all the right reasons. Of course these good ones are first to be demonized by the media. A politician that they can’t control is a bad one as far as they are concerned and has to go. If one of them chooses to vote for gun control, the NRA does everything in its considerable power to unseat that person no matter what his or her other achievements 
have been. The NRA, therefore, runs our country, not us. (And don’t go crazy here, nobody and I mean nobody, wants to take away everyone’s guns, that’s another lie, but who needs machine guns in the hands of crazy people or children? Lovely to be in England where people don’t have guns, and go to the movies, and be perfectly sure that no one will begin to mow everyone down.) And yes, politicians with that kind of bravery, who put their jobs on the line for doing the right thing, are few and far between. We should find the good ones, check backgrounds, find out what they’ve stood for, and bring them forward. It’s not what they SAY, it’s what they DO. But if our elected officials divide us, refuse to work on behalf of the country we love, we should vote them out of office.
💞
Americans are WONDERFUL friendly, hard working, generous, creative people. Don’t believe ANYONE who tells you differently. Our country does not have to be made great again, it is already the greatest country on earth. This bit about some of our United States being filled with “hicks” and some filled with “elites” makes me sick, they are doing this to separate us and we are letting them.
We have to outsmart them. If the media outlet you’re listening to tells you your neighbor thinks you are stupid, laugh in their face and say, “You must think I’m stupid if you think I believe that malarky.” 
If they tell you, “They don’t think like you,” “or those people are baby killers,” or “Christianity is under attack,” be aware that these are total and complete lies, they make it all up because our laws say they can and no one can stop them. If they blame Mexicans, Jews, African Americans, Iranians, Muslims, whoever, it’s because they want to separate us. Remember, Timothy McVeigh who blew up the Murrah building in Oklahoma City was a white Christian American. Terrorists come in all colors and from all countries. You and your neighbor are in the exact same boat, and the powers that be want to OWN the boat and will SINK it if they have to. Government has limits. It’s not supposed to be in charge of religion (they honestly don’t care about it, they use it to divide), it’s supposed to be in charge of roads.
Trump was appealing because he sounds like change, and at least he spoke to our total national frustration with the ruling class that shipped our jobs off-shore (even though he manufactures all his products in China), and let the banks walk away with our national treasure, foreclosing on people (hardworking citizens of this country) to whom they had approved loans because they thought they could get away with it (then blaming it on them), and the truth is WE ALL FEEL THAT WAY, no matter WHO we voted for. We all feel the need for change. But, unfortunately, electing this divisive man, a billionaire who told us that if he lost, the election would have been rigged, thereby inviting violence between the American People, for whom he was purporting to work, was not the answer. It is the saddest day America has ever seen. It’s the loss of presidential nobility, honor, honesty, integrity, truth, justice and the American way I lament. 😥 I know some of you disagree with me, and you have every right to do that, and write about it on your own blogs. But you can’t disagree with some of the things he has said and done. I see the election of Trump as the culmination of massive amounts of misinformation coupled with total frustration at the system. Everyone has a right to vote they way they see fit. Remember, I’m still here in England. I JUST basically woke up to this, and I’m torn apart. What has happened to us? There has to be more to this than meets the eye, this wall building that Mexico’s going to pay for, this “Lock Her Up” rhetoric, I don’t believe he will do these things. It will unfold. If Trump puts people in his cabinet that are on the side of We the people, I will be thrilled and happy. But if it ends up as all deal-maker conmen billionaires, heads of corporations that have been running this country for years anyway, I will be heartbroken even further than I am now. 
Yes, we desperately needed change and Hillary should have said, “I will jail the people that stole our national treasure, I will stop us from subsidizing corporations for taking our jobs overseas (that money will go to rebuild our infrastructure and fix health care), and I will raise taxes on corporations. I will work for the people.” Obama, instead of trying to “make nice” when he got into office, should 
have had opened a huge investigation into the banks. Banks should have been broken up. Drug makers should go to jail for overcharging us. Insurance companies should be prosecuted for not being there when we need them. But he wanted to soften the rhetoric between the parties, so instead he went to work saving the auto industry … he tried to be a healer, but the congress had vowed not to work with him, and in the end, he missed the boat. Hillary is also more of a hawk than I would personally like. She voted for that ruinous war we were lied into. But at least I know her as an honorable person. Despite the fake stories, she is not a murderer, she has worked hard all her life to make a better world. At least she tried to talk about roads and schools and children’s health. And, sadly, the powers that be (which even includes foreign governments like Putin) would rather see a man in office, no matter how inappropriate he might be, than any woman. Tons of manipulation went into that. (And now Melania Trump is in the crosshairs. She’s not evil either, and neither is Michelle Obama.)
But our country was so upset, we needed change so badly, we’ve been lied to and manipulated so much in this post-truth world, we forgot our core values as defender 
against tyranny, champion of the little guy, equality and justice for all. If you see an article beginning with, “Sources have told us . . . that so and so is sick, dying, meeting with the KKK, in a rage, falling apart . . . whatever . . . be suspicious. What sources? Never forget, they can say anything. The unvarnished truth is the only way we can make a better world. We need to know. There was a huge discussion on BBC here yesterday about false information coming from Facebook. We can’t let the forces of evil take over the world. We need new foot soldiers to join in the fight against the misinformation they are using to control us. If you think it’s all one side or the other, you are wrong.
We grew up in our lovely middle class world believing in the American Dream, and this includes Hillary Clinton, who is my age and remembers it the way it was, is a good mom and a hard worker, and since I’ve been around long enough to watch it unfold, I have to tell you, she is the most investigated person in the history of this country. It’s been almost constant since I first heard her name. Looking back, ever since Rush Limbaugh began calling her a femi-nazi in the early 90s (because she wanted to help fix health care and the powers that be didn’t want that, because it would change the status quo, i.e. their pocketbooks, follow the money Insurance and drug companies), she has been demonized. I don’t know how she’s stood it. She’s a brave person, and in my opinion, she stood it for us. Despite our congress spending millions of dollars of OUR tax money on the best and the brightest lawyers hired to prove something against her (should have spent it on reopening the mental health facilities in this country that were closed in 1982), she has never been charged … not with the murder they said she committed, nor any of the “crimes” they say she did. Because accusing someone of something is perfectly legal ~ totally reprehensible, without integrity or honor, but legal, and lucrative. And if you put them through hell and find out they did nothing, too bad for them. If she was guilty of something, she would be in jail. Obviously the system, despite Trump’s lie, is not “fixed” — or, for example, Donald Trump would not be president. He was willing to say that, to shout LOCK HER UP, to incite violence (because he never had any intention of locking her up, he knew she’d never been charged with anything), even to bring this country to civil war, in order to win. Donald Trump, supposed outsider, was not the answer. He is the ruling class (and so is Hillary, btw). Before he 
ran for president, he was a pro-choice, bonafide card-carrying Democrat who invited Hillary to his wedding in order to court her for whatever he wanted voted for, now he says he’s a Republican and he’s vowed to lower corporation taxes from 35% to 15%. But we have no idea, none of us really know what he will do; he will say anything because what he really is is an opportunist. He’s the art of the deal. He would have done anything to win, and he did. Now we are going to have a government run by his children. Please God. Common sense tells us this is not good. Yes, we needed a shake up. But the damage that can be done in four years can actually never be undone. We can never take back the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the costs associated that we paid for, we can never bring all those soldiers back to life, we can never take back what the banks were allowed to do to us. And if it’s bad for us, you can only imagine how hard it is on people of color.
One thing I know for sure, the enemy is not your neighbor. Look at the faces in these photos and ask yourself, who benefits from reduction of corporate taxes, reduction of 
death taxes, and who profits from war? Because people do, and those people aren’t us. Who benefits when there is no regulation or weak regulations on car safety or safety of our food or water so they can make it cheaper, faster, using slave labor? Who profits when they advertise disgusting drugs on TV that none of us ever heard of? Who benefits if the legislative process is stymied? Do you think that oil companies want us to believe in global warming? Heck, no. Standard Oil started calling it a hoax 40 years ago. Kids gun down their classmates with AK47’s and we’re scared when we’re told that “libs” want to take away our first amendment rights, who benefits from that 
lie? Us, our kids, or gun manufacturers? Who benefits when we fight each other over gun control or Obama Care? Everything is fixed to benefit them, not us, and in this, Trump was right: the system IS rigged against us, but not the way he says it is. When we fight, they get away with it. It’s our NOT ALLOWING them to divide us that can save us. Can we do it? I don’t know. We’re in 
so deep. The yelling on Twitter breaks my heart, moms screaming at other moms. And the powers that be are loving every moment of it. I mean, how better to sell a newspaper than the screaming headline VIOLENCE ENSUES OVER ELECTION. And some media outlets say the violence is coming from the right, and some say it’s coming from the left, and the only thing we know for sure, when they do this, they win and we lose. We’re being used. They would rather we don’t vote at all actually, they make it harder and harder for us to do so, and when media made both candidates seem so unpalatable, when they decided issues didn’t matter, many people stayed home and didn’t vote at all!!!! Perfect. Just the way they like it.
See this photo? This is a room full of Girlfriends who have EVERYTHING in common. We can be mad, but not at each other, let’s be 
mad at them! Some of you may like what I’ve written here, some of you may see it as political, some of you may wonder why I didn’t write it before the election. Now I wish I had. If my dad was still alive he would have made me, but, sadly, I no longer have his sage advice. I’m on my own. Although I’ve paid close attention to politics over the years, I’ve never been a political person, I’ve believed that goodness would always just automatically win. I have a vision of a strong, inclusive America. Some of you might agree with me that our divisions are not real, but are caused by influences from within, from the powers that be who have everything to gain by keeping us separate and off message, if you do, pass this blog around, because we need all the help we can get. Some of you might decide I’m the enemy and never come to my blog again. So be it. Let the chips fall where they may. Many tears have been shed over the choice of best words here, maybe I didn’t do it perfectly, but please, never doubt one thing, my sincerity for the outcome: Us. Together. Forever. One country, one world.🌎
He drew a circle that kept me out, heretic rebel a thing to flout, but love and I had the wit to win, we drew a circle that took him in. 💖
I’ve said my piece. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
We’re on our way home! We leave England on Saturday, via the Queen Mary 2, back to America across the deep blue sea. It’s been wonderful beyond words and I wrote it all down in my diary.✍🏼 And don’t worry, my blog will come back in its same old homemaking celebratory way because that’s my heart and it’s almost Christmas🎄, and despite everything, I was born with the happy gene and I know I’ll come out of this. I could probably go on all day, but I believe I have entertained you long enough.💞
Susan,
Thank you for your words. I am heartbroken over what has happened to our beautiful country. I have two precious daughters, which makes it even more personal.
We were actually in England during the election of 2008 and I can tell you that it was a time of jubilation. The British were elated for us and we were so proud.
I told my daughters that the best antidote to the past week was to study their hearts out and become as educated as possible. Education is the key! Plus, we have listened to lots of Dixie Chicks music! If anything good can come from this, it is the bond of sisterhood which will only grow more formidable.
I pray that God binds up our wounds and is our ever present help in these troubling times.
Hugs and best wishes from Dallas
Thanks for writing as you did.
I am not American but have been horrified on behalf of all good people there,and all over the world. How and why people have allowed themselves to become so influenced by press and tv news is dreadful and along with this article written by you I am reminded of the book The Wave ( by Todd Strasser)
Many will not agree,but each individual needs to look verrrrrrrry deeply into their hearts and consciences these days and decide if they really like the things that happen or will happen and if they are what they wish for their own children and grandchildren.
Thank you for putting into words that I have been think for so long. This county use to work by both sides working together. Now no one wants to work together. There is truth to the saying united we stand divided we fall. This country is so divided right now that if we don’t work together for the greater good we will fall.
I recently bought two of your books. I will now buy them ALL because you speak TRUTH and you share LOVE. Don’t believe what people tell you, go out and find the truth. Whatever happened to research and primary sources? If you hear something on the news, go find another source to back it up. Understand what is a real news source and what is a fake news source. Believe people when they tell you things about themselves.
And just an important point – Donald Trump doesn’t read books. I heard this and then I researched it to see if it was real. (He said this on FOX news, Megyn Kelly’s show, for those who want to research it.) Peace and love to you, continue to inspire us all to be kind and bring love to everyone.
I thank you so much for writing this.
I am compiling recipes and making lists for Thanksgiving
with family and some of the recipes are from your books. I have loved your work and your magical thinking for so many years. I first saw and saved your recipes from Country Living magazine and now I consider your books and calendar my happy place.
How to cope is going to be very difficult but I believe as you do that we can work together.
I don’t keep my mouth shut many times. I do call out injustices. I want more kindness.
We are all either grieving or rejoicing and along with that we are waiting to see.
America is the most wonderful place for me. I want that too for all who live here.
Bless you Susan
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
Your words are wisdom and comfort at the same time. Thank you, Susan. I’ve believed for a while that fear and lies has been working for the wrong-minded people in our congress and media to make us suspicious of anyone different from ourselves; to turn us against one another. That has left a stain on our country. But it also an opportunity to wake up, stand together, and take action; to support the people and organizations who will be marginalized by the new administration. Peace.
Susan, I say “ditto” to all those who thank you for your bravery in writing this post. It makes me feel sick inside that it represents the truth. I also can appreciate the angst you might have had in writing it. I write a blog but am not sure I will have the bravery to address it directly. (I do touch on it via my Facebook pages, but I take the approach that we are all upset, no matter who we supported. That we need to take care of our selves and reflect before we speak, listen, and act. We need to try not to be rash and reactive; rather be calm and proactive.) Like you, I cannot sleep; I am walking around with headaches all day. What can we do about it, except to check the sources of the stories we’re hearing? If we DO speak out, we are verbally attacked, even if we try to speak our truth without drama. I guess I need a thicker skin. What also gets me upset is that I feel Donald Trump wooed and duped many of my fellow Christians.
Bravo Susan!!! thank you thank you.
Susan, I’ve been thinking about your post for a bit and while we might not always agree on how to make the world better, politically speaking, we can certainly agree on how to do it as homemakers and homemakers at heart. At first, I was sad that you posted your political views. I already kinda knew where you stood, but seeing it in print was a tiny bit unsettling (as would my views if you read them 😉 ). But you were quite brave to open your heart like that to us, knowing you’d ruffle some feathers (mine, lol)! I respect that. We have freedom of speech in this country, and you were exercising your right to speak your mind. This is your space to do it. As your friends, we can all agree to disagree where needed, but also feel love you because of your passion and hunger for good. We may not see things the same way sometimes, but we can still enjoy each others’ company. It would be so boring if we all thought alike! So bravo to you for sharing your heart yet again with us. Let’s not lose that sisterhood just because we’re passionate about our world in different ways. Much love!
You are a brave woman and I respect you more than ever for your courage to speak up in truth.You make me proud to be an American woman in these days of so much rhetoric being spoken to make us all feel LESS THAN. I’m weary to the bone and ricochet between anger and despair over the damage that might be done in the next 4 years (and, please God, don’t let it be more than 4). One of my own adult children voted for Trump and I feel as though I failed somehow in his upbringing. I’m taking a news break right now for personal sanity time and trying to think what I can do with my disgust over this election when I live in a state where I’m vastly outnumbered.
Thank you for very eloquently saying what was in my heart. Hope you and your sweetie have a safe trip home. Jack is waiting for his momma!
Hoping to come here to escape political discussion. Seems no place is exempt, not even your lovely blog.
Susan, I have almost a library of your books but I could not even finish reading this blog. And though I surely respect your opinion, I am sorely disappointed in your response to our National Election. Yes, Donald Trump made a horrific error in judgement in uttering those despicable words in private. He did not however say he actually acted on those words. You have apparently read into that. Hillary Clinton did ruin women’s lives in her despicable remarks AND behavior toward the women her husband Bill preyed upon. Her absolute disregard of the lives that were lost in Benghazi “What difference does it make?” and her elitist world global open borders vision is intolerable. Not to mention her telling the FBI over 30 times that she “did not recall her activities”. My family has more college degrees and advanced degrees than the Clinton and Obama Families combined. We work hard and respect all others. I am tired of being called ‘uneducated white deplorables.’ I would rather have a person with a vision to move our Country forward in a Healthy way than to have a person who for 30 years accomplished virtually nothing as part of elitist Establishment. There is no such thing as “My turn” in a Presidential Election. Forgive me, but I am as passionate about our beloved Country as you are.
‘
Susan. Funny I was just sitting here at work with my nurse friends talking about how hard it is to know what is true and what is a lie!! Its almost like you need your own personal fact check machine to carry in your back pocket!! I read every word you wrote and my head was bobbing “yes” the whole time. My goal from now on is to try very hard to pay attention to my local and town government and make sure I watch them like a hawk (as Goldie Hawn said in Protocol) and VOTE when it comes time for governors and senators because they will be my voice and hopefully that will be a way for me to make a wee bit of difference. I am sad for you that you have to come home but happy that maybe we will hear more from you. Happiest of Thanksgivings to you. I am very thankful for you 💕 Love, Kerrie
Well, I read that and am typing this through tears, and thanks for that. It’s not your usual subject matter, but I’m glad you tackled it with your unique view and empathetic outlook. I personally have unfollowed several people on Twitter over the last week not because we voted differently, but because their negativity and anger was wearing me out! It wasn’t long ago at ALL that no one knew their friends and families political opinions, and I truly miss that! Thanks for the love and the perspective – now to turn up my music and down my TV. 😉
Susan: THANK YOU — I have been in a fog of disbelief after the election, and in a depression I cannot shake. Your words are exactly how I feel and we all needed to be reminded. I am utterly devastated that he is in charge – I feel very worried. How on Earth could any woman vote for him??!! I have been speechless – thank you for speaking up. I love you for that. I am always, your biggest fan.
Dear Susan, I read your post and have thought about what I might say in response. The beauty of America is that you have a right to say what you want in your own blog! We may agree or disagree but it is your right to say them. I thought your words were very well spoken and thought out. I didn’t care for either candidate, but I voted my conscience; that’s what we should all do. We have been fed a pack of lies for a long time, from both “sides”. It needs to stop! My husband works in the corporate world and can tell you stories that would sicken you, the lies and corruption that goes on amongst these groups needs to stop. I have been the victim of sexual abuse and cannot abide casual and intentional talk/actions against women; it needs to stop! Hateful rhetoric and destruction of others property in the name of protests needs to stop! I could go on and on. Where is civil discourse? My best friend of 25 years and I hardly agree on anything political but I can’t imagine my life without her-she’s funny, kind, loving and brave. Long before I heard of you, I have kept a journal of sorts with quotes and little day to day things that made me smile or think-they used to call these journals ‘Commonplace Books”. The English poet Thomas Gray kept one as did John Milton! One of my favorite quotes is as follows: “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them, 1. To vote without fee or reward for the person they judged most worthy. 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” John Wesley, Oct 6, 1774.
My husband says I have the happy gene, too. I CHOOSE to live my life this way, I will not let the world get me down. God is my rock and my refuge, in Him will I hide. Thank you for ALL your words, Susan, you are a blessing to many, many girlfriends! I love seeing your posts and tweets; they brighten my day and inspire me! Ive made new social media friends because of you! John and Iwill be staying with Carrie and Stuart for 3 days June 2017, BECAUSE OF YOU! God bless you and Joe and safe travels home to MV andJack!
Kind Regards,
Sharon Silva
.
Thank you for taking time out from your vacation in Scotland to bare your soul. Love you for it! A great blog piece–special, truthful, and important. All great nations topple from within–we need to be brave and keep living and loving and not contribute to its downfall.
Came here today to get your perspective, Susan, because I know you’ve got that happy gene and mine has been squashed. I am up and down. I am terribly sad for our nation and it’s hard to look anywhere online. Even trying to reach out via wearing a safety pin has received backlash – and rightfully so – from marginalized people groups who are, necessarily, afraid and on high alert for themselves and their children, to say the least.
I wish I could DO something. I won’t be frozen into complacency. I will have to look at things that weaken my spirit, because I find the news so hard, but if that is my “hardship” I am facing as a white woman in this country, then so be it. It is nothing compared to so many others. I love that you posted about CSPAN. I will be watching there. I never have before, but I will now. And I will be supporting civil rights groups around the country as much as I can. And then I will continue the kinds of things I do on a daily basis: volunteering, hugging and smiling at neighbors, working in the library, working for equitable access to all our country offers. One-day-at-a-time, I guess. The way it’s always been. But now I am looking for more opportunities to stand in solidarity with anyone who wants to heal our nation. I don’t know what that will mean, but I am on the lookout.
Dear Susan,
God bless you and your wonderfully written thoughts. You have every right to share how you feel and why you are concerned. As people attempt to justify their own reasons for voting for him, I stand tall with you and others who still believe that a leader should be someone bigger and better than ourselves. Those who voted for him should prepare themselves for the push back from the over half of the country who did not. We all have the rights and the protections of the Constitution and its first amendment. If we want to speak up and against the behaviors that he openly condones, or to protect our family and friends who may be easy targets, we have that right. Thank you for exercising yours. I will now buy two of everything that I would normally buy from you in order to offset anyone who chooses to leave you. YOU are worth it.
I enjoyed reading your heart-felt comments, Susan. I don’t see it as a conspiracy of some kind but more as a result of our becoming complacent and allowing ourselves to believe the lies and innuendos because we were too lazy to look for the truth. As far as the voters, and bigots, and those who hate, they have always been there. Unfortunately, they found someone who pandered to their worst lights and voted him into office. Hillary would not have been my first choice, either, but she was the only alternative to Trump.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
Forgive me, I can’t resist a history lesson, even though I retired as a social studies teacher long ago. Read about the elections of 1800, 1824, and 1828, if you so desire. We’ve been through some really acrimonious times in the past. And we’re still here. The next presidential election, and the midyear elections are coming as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow. Then we’ll have more chances to right this wrong. I can’t help but be optimistic about this country. That being said, I’m keeping my eyes and ears wide open, I’m writing to my senators and representative, I’ll speak out when I think it’s necessary. Lies can be countered by the truth. I will not sit idly by.
Some more things… Last Wednesday I made stock, and two herb butter rolls to freeze. Anything to keep from the sadness. Since then, I can’t stop cleaning. I cloroxed our bathroom today whether it needed it or not. I planted pansies out front and potted herbs for our little green house. Tomorrow, who knows? But I have to stay busy! Peace and love, Susan, peace and love.
Thank you dear brave Susan. Thank you. The night of the election I vowed to not watch or read the news headlines. Instead, I will read a book or a researched article, but not the “reality” nonsense . All we can do is be kind and seek the truth. I am so proud of you. And you are an amazing role model. As always, your admiring bookseller in Cedar rapids .
When times are uncertain, difficult, fearful, full of change,
they become the perfect place to deepen the practice of seeing things clearly.
After viewing the elections…whatever your point of viw,
take the time to quiet the mind and tend to the heart.
Then go out and look at the big sky.
Remember vastness, there are seasons to all things,
gain and loss, praise and blame, expansion and contraction.
Learn from the trees.
Practice a steadfast heart.
Think of the best of human goodness.
Let yourself become a beacon of integrity with your thoughts, words and deeds.
Integrity and virtue and non-harming bring blessings.
Greed, hatred and ignorance cause suffering. Let them go.
Love, generosity and wisdom bring the end of suffering. Let them GROW.
The human heart has freedom in itself to choose love, dignity and respect.
In EVERY circumstance, embody respect and cultivate compassion for all.
Amidst the changes, shine with courage and trust.
This is your world. Plant seeds of goodness and water them everywhere.
Then blessings will grow for yourself and for all.
-adapted from the writings of Jack Kornfield
May we all be happy, healthy and deeply peaceful, standing strong with love in the winds of a new time.
Oh Susan, I’ve been a fan for a long time and I truly love your blog….until today. You started off so beautifully and spoke such truths…..wonderful, refreshing to read, hopeful, positive, uplifting…..until you wrote of support for Mrs. Clinton and lack of support for our incoming President. It is your blog and you have every right to voice your opinion but you do influence so many people. You, like the media, is dividing our friends and family…..again. I’m not saying that I agree with all Mr. Trump has said, done, will do or how he lives but he is, now, our incoming President. Not all our country was in support of President Obama or any past President…..they all had faults and families were divided over election results. But I truly feel that people in the “public eye” need to bring our country together not add to the division. I was sad to read the last half of your blog as I’m sad to read so much in the news and social media. We need to heal as a nation.
Reply
Susan, I totally support you in being courageous enough to publish this post. You are a brave and mighty woman! There just comes a time when saying nothing and not speaking our truth is the thing that enables the liars and fear mongers to prevail. Thank you for your very insightful, eloquent description of the political and economic factors that caused this bizarre outcome to the election. For myself, I CHOOSE to focus on my own happiness by creating beauty, counting my blessings, and strengthening loving relationships. I CHOOSE to not come from a place of fear, anxiety or anger. And I CHOOSE to not be influenced by those who try to make me feel powerless.
I’m like one of your previous responses………you’re on target, but I could not read the whole thing………..guess I’d rather go to my HAPPY place and forget all this nonsense of the past week (and actually the past year+). Unfortunately the news media promotes much of this frenzy………..I’ve had to learn to turn off the TV or radio because I don’t need their warped views. AMEN to what you conveyed in your blog………..BLESS you and Joe for sharing your ideals with us. Many, many HUGS to you both………… Safe journeys back across “the pond” and WELCOME HOME to the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am deeply moved by your words. They reminded me so much of what Dr. Martin Luther King once said. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” You write thoughtfully with deep respect and sincerity toward all. It is a model of decency we should adopt in all facets of our lives.
Peace and grace,
Rose
Thank you for you wisdom. You brought up your age – I think that is important. You are older than I, and have lived through more. I think that it gives you good insight.
I kept thinking while reading your most excellent twitter feed from England, that I was glad you were not here for all this. I see you as brave and a get things done kind of gal, but also a gentle soul. Todays post confirmed it.
Freedom of speech – Susan your words are eloquent, thoughtful and true. Social media helped to make Trump President by giving him a similar platform where his words were divisive and at times cruel and could not be disputed because they did not come from any other platform but his own. They were words that did nothing to lend hope, lift or inspire. Why is it our freedoms only apply when they aren’t questioned? We have every right to speak our minds without persecution of thought. What makes this country great is the fact that people of all walks of life have varying opinions and because of those freedoms we can freely voice those opinions and stand up for what we believe in without harm. Susan, you are brave for voicing your concerns, my concerns for this country at this very difficult time.
‘Ripple of hope – years ago a remarkable man lent these words and maybe it is at times like these that these words ring forth to remind us of what ALL of us can do for this Country and for the world as representatives of this Country –
“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” – Robert F Kennedy
Safe journey, Joe & Susan and thank you for this meaningful post and all the other lovely posts from the U.K. They lent comfort and love.
Best,
Kelly
I was very disappointed to see politics enter your blog. We get enough of it elsewhere! I come to the blog for peace and serenity and discussing politics has taken that away today. Scripture says that God puts in authority whom He wishes, so I leave it to Him for His Will to be carried out. I’m sorry you’re unhappy with the election results, but now you know how conservative voters felt 8 and 4 years ago when the current president was elected. It seemed the end of the world. I don’t begin to understand our Creator’s reasons for putting certain people in places of authority, but I know that He knows why and I’m at peace with that.
Susan, I am so heartened to read your thoughts, and I send hugs to you for publishing them. Your gifts – communicating through your wonderful art and words – have brought joy, comfort, and insight for years. I just turned seventy (how did *that* happen?!?!) and I have never felt such grief at election results. Thank you for expressing so much of what I feel, and thank you for reaffirming the basic goodness that is our country. I hope and pray that will prevail. Nancy Miller
Dear Susan: I am so glad you & Joe had a memorable trip and will be coming home soon. You have the kind of mind-set of many of us who have gone through this election. But, as always you have given us hope to stay with the values that have made us believe we will survive in the troubled times ahead. I have been gifted with a Great Grand Son recently, and at 84 years of age, I have fears for myself and him with all the uncertainty. But Family, Love for ourselves and Friends cannot be taken away, if we stand strong. Thank you Dear Friend and stay strong for yourself and your convictions. I too am a Tree Hugger….
You go girl! I chose to give money to a non-profit who recently lost funding to provide Thanksgiving meals. I was NOT born with the happy gene but WAS born with the “do some good in the world” gene. I figured spreading some kindness may be a salve for my soul.
Safe travels and my best to you and Joe!
Jenny
Hey Susan!
What a hoot to open your blog and find that the second picture in this blog taken on your book tour to be that of, from the left, me (Pat), my best buddy (Bette), and a brand new friend (Nanette)! As we stood in line for a few hours together waiting to hear you speak in Asheville, NC, we got acquainted very well. We found out that our new friend actually lives where we do!! We all drove at least 4 hours to see you and ended up in line together! My best Buddy and I met singing in our local community chorale many moons ago, were roommates in the same home on a singing trip to our beloved England in the Yorkshire area, and have remained dearest of friends ever since. So we asked our new friend if she sings. Long story short, she has joined our choir and is a dear new friend we now enjoy singing with each week. You brought us together. The heart of the home brought us together!
I know it was painful to put your thoughts down in your blog. But your words only proved to me what I have long said. We all agree on where we want to go. We just can’t seem to agree on how to get there. Let’s hope for the best, and with God’s help, maybe we can ALL get going in the right direction and doing the right things for the right reasons. Without God, money and power corrupt. We see that happen on both sides to otherwise good people who only ended up that way after getting caught up in the Washington bubble. Let’s pray for our leaders that they will start their day asking for His guidance daily. Your blog has not offended me. It shows me your good heart. Add to that our kindred spirits in loving homemaking and all that it encompasses, and you and I are lifelong friends of the highest degree! I love you Susan Branch. Thank you for all the fun and joy you bring to my life!
Susan, I love you. You are so wise & so honest & so caring. You seek the good, the light in this world. Thank you❤️💜💙💚💛
Oh boy. Oh wow. I always look forward to coming here and leaving with a good feeling. My blood pressure is now up, my heart is racing and I am sad. Never expected this kind of post here. I can’t vote for anyone who thinks abortion is ok, so I guess you know who I voted for, so now I am one of the deplorables. As I voted I prayed really hard and will continue to do so. My one wish is that we can stop labeling people and just all call ourselves, Americans.
God bless you, Susan. I am heading off to work now.
Donald has been pro choice his whole life. He just used it to get votes. As so many do. You are NOT a deplorable. xoxoxo
Susan, thank you so much for this courageous, heartfelt post. I have been devastated by the election results. I have been incredibly fearful. Because Thanksgiving is near, I have had my head in your cookbooks, making up my shopping list. I found myself wondering how all of this business is affecting you. I have recently read all your memoirs, and I was so taken with the way you “do” your life. You are so positive, so celebratory of the ordinary beauty in life. But with what just happened in our country, I was feeling like there is no longer any room for enjoying the simple pleasures. I was feeling like the simple pleasures aren’t strong enough to hold up under these trying times. I went to your blog to see how The Heart of the Home was holding up. I’m so buoyed by the fact that you wrote about what’s going on. It was such a strong post, so authentic, and it made me realize that celebrating the ordinary, daily beauty in life is THE strongest thing; it is not weak, and it will not be destroyed. Thank you for your strength, your passion, your belief in the goodness of humanity, your fairness. The Heart of the Home is built on bedrock.
This made me weep…….
Susan, Bless Your Heart for speaking up. Perfectly written, I might add. Yes, it seems we are divided. I see it in my own network of people that I come in contact with daily. I actually had to take medication the night of the election because I felt so helpless. My niece, who is currently living in New Zealand, shared the people there are really scared. A good friend who is French also shared the concern of people in France. This doesn’t just affect the United States.
Dear Susan,
A totally amazing blog! You spoke from your heart and the hearts of many. One of your readers felt there would be fallout, I doubt it, but if so, so be it! You are an amazing woman with so much to offer. Your major concern is the welfare of our country and I sincerely believe you delivered a much needed message. Prayers and continued success, my heart goes out to you, such a brave individual!
Love and Kisses to you and Joe. Safe and peaceful travels home.
Thank you for the beautiful, heart-felt blog…and if you lose your career because of it, you can always run for President – you possess more common sense than most people !! And if your presidential bid fails, you can always move to Canada – we would love to have you ! Keep up the wonderful blogs…they make everything seem better.
I too believe she meant deplorables as KKK – racist actions that took place everyday at his rallies. Here in Florida at the college there are now drawings of blacks with nooses around their necks- and Hispanic kids told your parents won’t be home after school. It is only getting worse.. God help us all. Your site today was terrific – and women more than ever had better stand together….. The holidays are going to be hard to enjoy…
Thank you, Susan, for articulating so thoroughly all I have been thinking and feeling. You are thoughtful in the deepest sense, brave, caring, compassionate, and you have based your reasoning on facts, not sound bites, research, not rumor, investigative reporting rather than populist tracts, the Constitution, not religious doctrine. I loved you before and I love you even more now.
Wow. Looking for the unsubscribe link.
Dear Susan,
I read every word because it warmed me to the heart. I have been trying in my small way to say some of these things to my friends on facebook and face to face. This election was different than any within my memory. How did we become enemies instead of members of political parties and fellow Americans?? It’s been so hard to watch!
Thank you for saying what is in my heart.
Love to you all, Carole B.
Susan, please Google the Pedigree Election Commercial and watch it if you haven’t already seen it. It confirms, in a small way, that you just may be right! 🙂
Well said Susan! Thank you for this – gives me a litter glimmer of hope that there are folks out there that believe in love and happily ever after……
Love you to the moon and back!!! You put down in words all my feelings.
Thank you my friend…and yes, the sun will come, the earth keeps rotating, and I will get up every day and live the best possible life so that I can be an example of love and kindness to all those I touch…most especially my family …I do so want to leave a kinder, gentler world for grandchildren and all the generations to come after us.
Safe Journey home…Happy Thanksgiving…I will say a little prayer for you…xoxo
Just wanted to add a p.s. to the above…I have forwarded your blog on to several friends. My husband Richard and I had a beautiful discussion about it last night after I read it…all day today I keep thinking about it and how brave you are for openly expressing yourself and most of all for “walking the walk”. The world needs more like you and I can see from all of the wonderful responses that you are helping to bring out the best in people, one by one. Thanks you so very much.
xoxox
My favorite response to the election results comes from Barry C. Black, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate: “Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States, and I feel grateful, optimistic, and satisfied. I feel grateful because 1 Thessalonians 5:18 admonishes, ‘In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus.’ I feel optimistic because of Romans 8:28: ‘in everything God is working for the good of those who love him, who are the called according to his purposes.’ I also feel satisfied because Philippians 4:12 declares, ‘I have learned in every state to feel contentment.’ In short, after the election of any president, as a person of faith I know I have nothing to fear.”
I like his response because it’s got nothing to do with the results and everything to do with a sovereign God. That’s where I’m choosing to rest. 🙂
Thank you so much for this post Susan. I agree with every word. Seeing
how horrified my 2 twenty-something year old sons were about the outcome
of this election gives me hope for our future. Kids today are very intelligent,
politically & socially aware on a global scale. They are not afraid to stand up for their rights or for the many who don’t share their rights.
Sending much love and respect.
Bravo Susan!! Thanks so much for such a heartfelt post about what just happened to our wonderful country. My head was nodding up and down the entire time I was reading and I agree with every single point you made!!
To those commenters who may be a bit mean spirited, please remember that Susan wrote this from a place of love and concern for our country, and not for financial gain. There is always a place for political discourse, even on a fun and happy blog. This is real life. Girlfriends united!!
xoxo Debbie
Susan,
Thank you! I am 54, watched this happening as well. And AMEN to your words. I have three daughters in their 20’s….and have been struggling to help them put the pieces of their hearts back together since the election. Thanks for speaking your heart and truth. It is balm to my heart. Lets all pray for Unified Hearts for good.
Keziban
I know where you stand……..I could argue with you till I’m blue in the face, and that won’t change your mind.
Before the election I got off of FaceBook and I have only one thing to say to you……………..GONE………………
Reason…………Your “feel good blog” was the LAST PLACE I ever believed I had to read this mess……………
Please remove me from receiving any more of your blogs and store items.
Susan, you made my day. Every time I read or hear someone agreeing with what my broken heart is feeling, I heal a bit inside. Thank you for expressing what so many of us feel in such a thoughtful and well written way.
Pam B. in Lynden, WA
Amen, Susan. Well said and thank you for saying what is in your heart knowing that some of your girlfriends will vehemently disagree with you. I think and hope that this election will motivate more good people to run for office, to reject the big money that has poisoned our society. I agree with you 100% that the big money that has been allowed to creep into the political process is a key reason for the mess we’re in now. I’m with you all the way, Susan, thank you for speaking out. On another note, I hope you will write a book about your trip. I’d love to read it and own it.
Dear Susan
Just read your e-mail… so heartfelt and honest….no time to write now… needed to tell you that you are loved… have Joe give you a hug for me. Enjoy the rest of your trip, and have a safe journey home.
Love Sue
Susan,
Thank you for this beautiful posting. You make the world a better place.
You and I are what some call “old school” and I wouldn’t change for all the tea in England! 🙂 Hugs to you, kindred spirit.
PS I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventure. Thank you for sharing it with us. Safe travels home. ~Charl
Amen Susan.
I have not been a fan, follower or customer for almost 30 years, but I do not come here for this type of reading. You are correct, it is your blog and your right to voice your opinion.
No thank you. Please unsubscribe.
(I am re-sending as I don’t think my emails go through? “awaiting moderation” when many other emails sent after me are not? here goes)
Susan – you are brave,, articulate…your words….I am almost without words….so many of us have had a dull headache since Tuesday, hiding under covers, trying to sleep….it is NOT political at all – because the president-elect and the team he chooses, makes decisions that impact all parts of our lives – that is not politics – that is civil rights, human rights, children, education, health, the environment, humane treatment of people who are without homes, how we treat women, people of color, to be safe from gun fire in our schools and places of worship – that is NOT political – it is our life – now our life is in the hands of someone who is divisive, who is not educated about our world affairs, who is a reality TV person…..your encouragement for us to be with our friends, to walk, to care for each other is needed – and to not blame each other….even people I love voted for the divisive person – I will go on loving them, never understanding, crying for what we could have been as a country – a friend said a good thing that has happened is that maybe we will become more involved in groups, projects, community activities that build, that help children, women live full lives….I just never imagined, that in 2016, we would be fighting so hard for women’s rights, children’s rights, people of color’s rights…..you are brave, Susan Branch, and I read every word…..you are loved and cherished and I thank you from my heart.
Reply
Dearest Susan,
There have been many times in my life that being married to an Eagle Boy Scout has been useful. He has used those skills so many times through our married life and gotten us out of many situations. He said the other day that the world would be a better place if everyone followed the Boy Scout law which is:
“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” I tend to agree. I hope that going forward Americans can embrace these qualities.
Love to you and Joe and travel back to us safely.
PS; On a lighter note, I found Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail hopping around my local Good Will. They quickly hopped in my basket for a total of $5.00 and came home with me. They are behaving themselves nicely..your spirit must have been shopping with me that day.
Dear Susan, It was weird but you are the one person I wanted to hear from after the election. I knew you would help me feel better. I agree with all that you said & It could not have been said better. You were spot on with talk radio. Most of my friends & one of my sisters only listen to them to get their info. I dont argue with them. It is a lost cause. So I try to keep conversations nuetral, because I still love them. But they sometimes say things to me that are hurtful. Being an adoptive mother, grandmother & great grandmother ( I am only 69) of Black children you would think they would know better. So thank you for speaking out. I would also but I become flustered. You are truly a beautiful & brave person. Now I know there is someone out there not sleeping either. I hope Hillery and all the abused women out in the world feel the love. Stephanie from the Cape
I had an 8 year knot in my stomach released with this election. I have great hope for America and I think you will be very surprised at how good of a President Mr. Trump will be. He is not a politician and has not lived his life preparing for the public eye like other politicians, hiding their financial and undisciplined outbursts (judge not). Your comments continue the rhetoric and rumor. And you can go right ahead and continue to post your views because you are a free American. We can all be proud of our heritage and the God-fearing founding fathers that gave all to give us these freedoms. Peace, friend. Gather hope and an open mind as you look on the next 4 years. It’s going to get better.
Thank you so much, Susan, for speaking what is in my heart. It sickens me what has happened in this country. Your words are the voice of reason and I agree wholeheartedly. I hope this keeps us all awake to being kind, loving and understanding of others, alike or different from us. We are better than all the hateful rhetoric that has been spewed in the last 18 months.
Thank you, Susan! Thank you for going there! I am terrified for our country.
It is funny how people seem to forget about JFK and his relationships with women and President Bill Clinton sexually abusing many young women including a TEENAGE INTERN in a blue dress. Just because social media was not available at the time to record and replay their every move, a lot of sexual abuse of past presidents has been forgotten. …
I feel sick about the fact that I have been buying things from you for years … I am not putting all Susan Branch items in the pedal bin, as I would feel irresponsible donating to other people after reading your current post. Shame!
Dearest Susan,
So sad that we must also see politics here, but, alas, we did. I am so much like you in some ways, I do not involve myself in politics, and it hasn’t affected my life in the least. Although, I fear that one day it will. I prefer to drink my tea and knit or crochet my frustrations away. Or watch an old movie or two!! I see so much hate on Facebook, so I am staying off of that for a while. Politics has a way of separating friends. I will not share my choice in who I would trust, (it is hard to put trust in any politician) but I do know that God allows things to happen for a reason and we need to be patient. I pray you will have a wonderful trip home! And do not allow the media to poison us! We must stick together as girlfriends!!!
😢😔🙏
You wrote so eloquently what is also in my heart. Thank you. Have a pleasant, sea sickness- free voyage home.
Thank you. I only wish you could hear how heartfelt. I deeply respect you for having the courage to open yourself up and speak your truth. Despite our widely divergent views we can stand together in our universal belief in the love of our country.
Just a PS…last night read what Tom Hanks said and thought it was well worth reading…makes sense to me! I can honestly say, IF Hillary had YOUR reputation, Sue…I would have voted for her, no matter the problem to me personally (being called to jury duty). I still feel we CAN be a united people…and let us do that without a war…WW1 and WW2 did unite people…but at what cost? We all must choose whom to believe, and technology today makes finding truth even harder…but we all no doubt think as we do, at least in part, due to what we have gone through. My hubby and I in the last 2 years have twice been severely menaced (in store parking lots) by Arabs…why? We were there…we in no way did anything to them or anyone else…last time these 2 women tried their best to run us over and had I not screamed…we would have been toast and who could say it was not an accident? Even though I am the size of the side of a barn!! Do we hate any of them? No…but we no longer park anyplace but right next to the bldg too, in these parking lots because that in itself gives some protection. I am unable to even run any more thanks to old age and injuries. This is not a story I read, dear Sue…this is my life. Did we report them? No…what use…no proof as in both cases we escaped. But we do urge others, esp. in our age group, to be more careful where they park to shop, etc. The America I grew up in would never have had this happen…NEVER! I do hope someone can change these sort of incidents and soon…but first I guess we have to be believed…
Thank you for writing this. I totally agree with all you have said. It is so sad seeing what is happening. I have taken the time to unfollow friends on Facebook to keep the negativity out of my life. There is no need for so much hate.
Dearest Susan,
Thank you so much for your brave, heartfelt post. I feel so grateful to feel there is someone else out there expressing just what I am feeling. Misinformation IS such a problem for everyone today. I took a class in critical thinking, offered through an online university, and I found it tremendously helpful. We all need to learn how to dig and unbox and explore information. It’s now part of our responsibility as citizens. We can’t sit by and let someone tell us what to think.
Lucky me, I’ve found, through ‘personal research’, (reading your blogs, books and seeing you in person) that you are trustworthy and a profound inspiration for me. Thank you so very much! Safe journey home.
Love,
Elizabeth
AMEN!
xoxoPam
My sentiments exactly and you have presented a very true and real picture of what has taken place in our wonderful country. We are not done doing what we can do! We are magic and we can set things right again. In the midst of many things that seem wrong – there are still many more things that are right! Thank you. Janie
Well done, Susan. And especially for speaking kindly to those who still seem unable to sort opinion from facts (not that facts were always correctly reported, but that’s another issue).
Your words are as beautiful as your drawings. At least we can have faith and trust in your qualities, since it’s rather difficult (to say the least) to have faith and trust in the institutions that our country is and was based upon now that much of the progress so many of us struggled for and believe in may be upended.
Well said Susan! From an English woman who has lived all over the world, we are all much the same in our need for love, peace and dignity in the heart of our homes, wherever they may be. God bless us all.
Hear, hear. Sniff, sniff. Thank you for your bravery and your heart.
I know that couldn’t of been easy to post. ….it was so hard to simply be at peace in the days following the election. …..I like that beyond all that passion, people are recognizing that the hope lies on the head of our own shoulders so much more than the head of our nation. I’m by no means belittling the position and the respect a president needs to move forward…..but I’m that american (and a vet at that) that will always believe our hope truly lies in our everyday words, deeds, and actions. It does us no good to believe in “We the People” if we ignore all that is encompassed in those words. People need to vote, not just have opinions gathered but actions to back up all they say is important and believed…….ugh, I’m simply full of opinions here so will smile and simply add my two cents of actions will always be more powerful of we the people than our opinions after reading something…not to say light a fire but definitely beautify the world even outside your own door….. I love your passion….love the things I’ve learned through your books…think I’ll make some eclairs and share with the friends whom voted differently than myself. 😀 be safe on your journey back….we’re all hoping for more from you at your young almost 70 age.
Thank you. I was in tears as I read your heartfelt words. How someone like Donald Trump could be elected is beyond comprehension. So very sad to know that the people who voted him in have not considered the harm that will be done, and worse yet, how it will ever be undone. Keep shining, Susan, your light is a balm and will surely be needed in the days that lie ahead.
You are an inspiration, Susan! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your honesty and bravery in writing this. I so admire you!
Dearest Susan,
Many years ago, my vicar used to say that it only takes a good man to say nothing for evil to triumph. You know full well that many of the things that you have blogged about are also prevelant here in the UK. Alan and I have not bought a newspaper for years and we rarely watch or listen to the news. We haven’t buried our heads in the sand but we did recognise that the lies and fear we are fed through the media is too damaging and soul destroying to cope with on a daily basis. I applaud your courage and pray that posting this blog will bring you a return to peace of heart and mind. May you find that the sparkling, twinkling delight of Waddesdon has restored your soul to its usual joyful state.
With love to the Dream Team from Ann in Chester xxxx
Susan, you were true to yourself when you wrote this, and I congratulate you for being brave and courageous! I, too, believe that there is more good in this country – in this world! – than any of us know, because “good” doesn’t make the news. I’m not the savior of the world, but if I live a good and true life every day, I will make a difference . . . it’s called the “ripple effect”. So, Girlfriend, let’s keep loving, keep being positive, keep praying, keep doing the right thing. And if we remember that God is in charge, we will rest easier at night.
Now go and enjoy the last few days of this delightful trip! I know that, among many other blessings, I will be grateful on Thanksgiving Day for you and your wonderful books and beautiful paintings, and for the privilege of having your influence in my life! You bring joy and beauty and thoughtfulness and love to so many of us, Susan . . . . think about that before you close your eyes tonight!
Safe travels, and we’ll see you on this side of the pond very soon!
Thank you for expressing this so eloquently. You are not only creative but possess a heroic soul that wants what is best for this country. We are NOT a country built on hate, lies and divisiveness.
No we are not.
Thanks you, Susan, for your wise words! My husband and I have been worried through this whole election season as we saw the hate and vitriol day after day. As someone from the Heartland of this great nation, I have the same fears and pit in my stomach that you do. You are so brave to stand up and speak your truth! We need more people like you in this world! We are ALL Americans and we need to quit trying ways to identify what is different about us and focus on what is similar. We all love our families, friends and country and if we could somehow get going in the same direction, it would be powerful and our country would be stronger than ever! Blessings to you and Joe! May we all move forward in a positive and inclusive way!
I did not vote for Trump or Hillary because I felt they were both unsuitable to lead our country. But Trump has been elected our president. I think now we must give him him a chance. Hopefully he will work to be good leader for the whole country.
Yes, the powers that be would rather you don’t vote at all.
I did vote, but not for Trump or Hillary. I wrote in Bernie Sanders because I think he is both honest and trust worthy. I have been voted as long as you have and in every election. I agree with many of the points you made and it is time for all of us to work together, making our country safe and inclusive for all.
I thought Bernie Sanders was wonderful.
We are indeed being manipulated from both sides.
My anger has dissipated, but it has been replaced by profound sadness.
I am sad that people that I know (or thought I knew) simply shrugged their shoulders at the terrible things that were said by our President-elect during the campaign. It all feels so hopeless.
Oh I’m so sorry ~ you are so right, there is such a hopelessness to it. It’s been going on for so long. One day at a time, maybe there will be a miracle.
Who are you to decide what’s hopeless. I felt the same way when obama was elected. I didn’t go all safety pin on the country. Obama is the only president that has ever affected my personal life. My insurance deductible is $10000 and he is shutting down power plants that my husband works in. Now that’s something to be mad about.
Dearest Susan, I love how you have shared from your heart about this troubling situation we here in America find ourselves. With faith, hope, and love we will all begin to work for the good of our children and our grandchildren. America is Great and I’m so glad you said it. It hurts me think there are those that think otherwise. Yes, there are problems, but we must all stick together and solve the issues at hand. I appreciate all of your thoughts and know they came from the most heartfelt place. Love to you and all the girlfriends. XOXO ♥
Thank you, Susan for your brave and honest remarks. I live in Little Rock AR and know the Clintons and have watched them from afar and close up. The women who are ranting about Hillary committing murder and Bill being a rapist (hilarious!) are what we call “CLINTON HATERS”,
Their souls are so full of hatred that there’s no point in trying to talk to them. THEY are the people dividing this country. How people can have so much hatred in their hearts is just unbelievable to us…and they are usually the ones who call themselves “Christians”. I’m a Christian too but we obviously are reading from different Bibles. Jesus was a man of peace and love. These women know nothing about the life of Christ. The Clintons follow the example of Christ. All they want is to help less fortunate people and do good in the world. And they’ve done it. I’m grieving today and will for a long time. These people have been conned by a CON ARTIST and he will take our country backwards as far as he can. I’m proud to know Bill and Hillary Clinton. These Clinton Haters have elected a very evil man to run and ruin our country.
It’s just those constant lies that has made this almost a truth. They say that if the lie is big enough and constant enough it will be believed. I don’t blame the believers, they have been duped, but so have we all. I look at New York, where Hillary was a Senator. They loved her. They voted for her overwhelmingly. Not just the city, the entire state, small upstate towns too. That means something. She’s not perfect, but she worked herself silly for this country.
Thank you Sarah Nulley for your comments So good!!!
Most people believe what they WANT to believe. They’re not innocents who have been duped. They really love to hate.
This is my fear.
Thank you Sarah….how wonderful to read some kind comments and support.
Hiding our heads in the sand and pretending our great America is not going down the drain is not going to help. We have to give this a try. The people are sick and tired of all the corruption in Washington. I’m willing to give something new and different a good try. We have to. I’m very worried about our country. The middle class seems to have no say in anything. I feel they have spoken how they really feel.
Love this! Yes! There is something afoot. Now we start to see it. And we say NO.
Susan, I couldn’t agree with you more about the outcome of this election. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about this very worrisome situation. You are terrific to have done this blog!!
Love to have you here Betty!
Like many others, I, too, struggle with all that has happened in this election. All I ever wanted to know leading up to Nov. 8th was what do you stand for, how will you improve life for the people in our country and what are you planning to do about it? I abhor mudslinging, no matter who does it. Now, I am in shock. More than that, I am scared for our populace. We are all descendants of immigrants, even the Indians came across what is now Alaska and Canada to settle here way before anyone sailed to our eastern shores. That’s why we are the UNITED States.
I am so happy to live in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where the residents decide the fate their community’s progress and growth. It is the only place I have felt so encouraged to be as involved as I want to be. There’s lots still to be learned and done, but we are communities involved in our success. In America, there are many, many more who stand ready to be involved, too. Thank goodness for that!
Thanks for your words. They (and the responses you got) have given me lots to think about, a few answers to what I have been hearing, and a better insight into what makes people tick. I would love to set my rose-colored glasses firmly back on my nose, but I will now accept the clear ones instead.
Your words and sentiments echo my soul. Thank you for putting it into words, for saying it like it is, and for being gracious and caring in doing so.
November 9 was a day of zombie-like behavior and tears, everywhere I looked. I saw no celebration, even from those who supported the winner. Total disbelief was hanging over us. How could we, as a nation, be so conned? The con man’s biggest con of his life is to soon become our new reality, — he will have the power to even scores domestically and globally (like Christie or not, he sure got the message), and he is choosing to surround himself with… questionable people… in the new administration.
Our world will never be the same. Our youth has a new role model, one who incites unspeakable violence, cheats, lies, behaves hideously, — etc., — It is all on tape to refresh anyone’s memory.
What are we to do? Many say to trump hate with love, but this is nothing more than something to say. Those who have love and peace in their hearts today will have love and peace in their hearts tomorrow, thank goodness. An organized movement of intelligent, truth-minded people across the country and globe must unite to educate us all with truth and facts, and this would, at the very least, confound those who do not respect fairness, goodness, equality, and the common good. What you wrote, to share with us, dear Susan, is part of exactly that. Heartfelt thanks…
Thank you for speaking so frankly about this painful election, and the denial of all we hold so dear as Americans. I was sobbing practically the whole time reading your words of anger, frustration, disbelief and LOVE. I share your sentiments exactly. It is difficult to face all that is to come. And difficult to try to comfort our daughters, sons and each other. Somehow the message of love and caring has not been able to drown out the self-centered fear-mongers we cohabitant with. But we continue to love, and to try to spread that love though kindness and understanding. Perhaps in two years we will see a change in the senate, I hope. And in 4 years, when our country is an absolute mess, perhaps we will rid ourselves of he-who-shall-not-be-named.
I imagine that the Brits are once again flummoxed at our disgraceful voting. John Cleese wrote a very funny piece about the UK revoking our independence that made me laugh out loud.
You really took a risk by writing this, and I just want to say THANK YOU for taking a stand, and being a voice for positive change. Many look up to you because you brighten our lives with beauty and light. Maybe you have helped to change a few minds, and open a few hearts. More than ever, you inspire me. Much love, Gaili
Hi Susan, Thank you for your courageous, insightful post. I would like to add a couple of points:
You, I and most of your readers may have grown up in our lovely middle class, but millions of folks did not.
We may feel a if we are on the same American team, but many black, brown, LGBT, Native and disabled folks never have felt this, and women, who intersect all of these groups, as well.
Trump has taken power because he was able to cleverly tap into and manipulate white folks’ fear and resentment regarding the groups I mentioned above.
I’m sorry, but these divisions did not begin with the advent of conservative talk radio or the 24/7 cable news cycle. Our country was founded on these divisions…genocide of Native Americans, slavery, oppression of women.
I write these things not to be “negative” but to be honest, because until we all understand and own our history and its legacy, healing will forever be perfunctory and we will all continue to suffer.
We must learn about each other across our divisions, political and otherwise, so we can truly unite for the betterment of us all.
You are so right… our lovely middle class has changed since the 1950s and almost disappeared. We can only imagine what that means for those at the bottom. Thank you for bringing us more depth than I was capable of.
WOW!!!!
LOL! is that good or bad?🤓
I’m sure as you sat down to write this blog that you realized that a whole lot of us do not agree with you. You were handling it beautifully with remembering that we are all people and we should put aside our differences. Then it seemed to veer off into a political speech or a sermon however you want to look at it. I’ve always looked at this lovely blog as an escape and now will never be able to see it as the same. So much I want to say but I’ll leave it there. You blew it for me today.
Sorry. It wasn’t the plan. I know everything I talked about was sensitive. I tried really hard to do it right, but I knew I would probably not get it perfect. My only point is about the ruling class, the media, the lobbyists, the corporations dividing people that have so much more in common than not.
Who do you thinks runs the ruling class, the media, wall street. They all gave money to hillary.
Hillary IS the ruling class. I said that in the Blog. And so is Trump. And they’re all in this little game together. And we’re not.
Yep. But that’s ok, sparrows, lilies of the field, and all…..
So glad that you spoke out Susan. I , too, believe we are being controlled by the media fueled by big business. Listening to the radio and TV is being exposed to propaganda. We need to all come together, pray to the God of our understanding, and work from the bottom up.
We are the world, we are the children . . .
Dearest Susan,
Above all things, I desire truth, and thankfully, I know you feel the same way! That’s the reason I stopped re-posting posts on Facebook unless I knew for sure that they came from a reliable source or that I could research and find they were true. Hence, I just want to let you know why Christians in America feel that their Christianity IS really under attack. These reasons I am giving are true and verifiable:
Hillary Clinton informed one audience that Christians would have to change their beliefs on some issues.
Christian bakers are under attack. Christian photographers. Christian pastors. Real people are losing real businesses that they had labored for years to build. Their way of life is being destroyed. In some cases, Christian business owners saw the wages they needed to feed their families dry up because they were targeted by gay activists and labeled hateful, homophobic bigots simply for declining to assist in celebrating a gay union. That’s all. They just wanted to live their lives in accordance with their own beliefs, and because of that, activists came gunning for them. A true Christian hates no one!! But we must act according to our Biblical beliefs.
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton wanted to force Christians to fund the abortion industry. Barack Obama even voted against protecting those children who survived abortion, and Hillary Clinton defended abortion even in the latest stages of pregnancy.They were even going to court to force nuns—a group called “Little Sisters of the Poor”—to fund birth control.
There are probably more reasons than this, but these are all that came to mind right now. I just wanted to clarify that Christians feeling that way was not without reason or was not unfounded.
Love always! xoxoxo Mary S. in Fresno, CA
No honey, no no no. Christians are not under attack. Period. The powers that be are using abortion and all these lies about Christians under attack to make you feel that the only safe spot is with them. But trust me, you are not safe with them. No one likes abortion and that is a true statement. I promise you. and you know I mean that. xoxoxo
Susan, I am so sorry by you sound sadly ignorant here. They are many who have been attacked. You can bury your head in the sand, but its happening. It seems as though history begins to repeat itself.
I think there’s been an attempt with some Christian religions to get government to be more responsive to them . . . which always leads to that old thing about separation of church and state. And perhaps that has been seen as attacking Christianity. But really, this country is founded on it.
I agree with you Jo
2012 the Democratic convention booed god.
No, they did not. Give me a web site that shows that. And by the way, I’m not a linguist spelling bee winner, but I believe God is capitalized.
I just watched it on you tube. It was about adding God (that’s capital for the spelling nazi) and Jerusalem to the Democratic platform. Correction- it’s more like NNNOOOOOOOOOO.
Wait. You (Michelle) are bringing up a point about a political party not wanting to add religion into politics and booing the idea – and that is supposed to be a BAD thing? I thought there was some little thing written in the Constitution about separating Church from State?
You need a hug, Michelle.
Michelle, you are doing such an amazing job of proving Susan’s point…wow
sarcasm on spelling and capitalization? Really? this is getting so nasty. Susan, what happened?!
Oh, get over it Michelle. It was almost midnight, and I get tired of hearing how Democrats don’t like God. It gets a little old to be defined by the right wing media, as baby killing, men-in-bathroom-loving, Christmas hating, femi-nazi-left-wing-God haters, so I was snappy when it was once more thrown in my face and I had to, once again, stick up for myself. Truly sorry. But all of this serves to prove my point, as we argue about ridiculous lies that simply DO NOT MATTER AT ALL, the powers that be do any thing they want and get away with it. Do you know that people in Congress have salaries for LIFE? Do you get free money for life? I sure as heck don’t. Be mad about that!
Thank you for speaking up, Mary.