I am glad that you decided to write as it is resistance. On a personal level, the uncertainty has only amped up as I may lose my job no thanks to unknowing and uncaring numbskulls. Long ago during a dinner conversation, my father commented that if we ( our family) had lived in Germany under Hitler, we would have remained silent to survive. I remember arguing with him that I would have not done so which angered him. I didn’t really know the term “Good German” back then so I thank you for that. Write on and take comfort where you can as we all must. Thanks!
After another sleepless night my thought is this. Until these sick scofflaws come apart defeated, so many things as well as precious time will be wasted that we *must* do the things we enjoy, so that time will not be entirely wasted. I hope to remember that creation is natural for us, for the natural world. I hope for some times when whatever we create and observe may feel as powerful as and more present than the losses from the man-made destruction they're hoping for.
Oh my! What you wrote here is exactly how I feel, even down to the wondering if this will make me a "Good German." At first, I felt sick to my stomach. Then, I realized it was my heart that hurts, not my stomach. I can't anymore. I garden now.....I did before but am throwing myself into it now. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for this Merrill. You nailed the challenge of focusing on what I like without sticking my head in the sand. I'll let you know when I've perfected it! (Not anytime soon)
It’s great to see you writing again, post election. I’m a Canadian but have followed U.S. politics all my life. I’m shocked at how lopsided the results were for Democrats. What to say that isn’t insult to injury as the postmortem continues? Keep your creativity and sense of humor flowing. Hopefully the up coming generation of Dem voters are ready to fight and rise to the challenges.
It actually wasn’t that lopsided. He only won by 1.5% and his total popular vote was under 50%. It’s the stupid electoral college that weights the votes.
I have been thinking about the Dada sound poems the whole election and now it’s even too much to utter insanities.
I appreciate your writing, and have always admired the specificity of the projects. From the private eyes of the 80s to the butterfly birthing, it’s all human in a way that feels hopeful. Like if our best can’t prevail, we’ve always got the silly, mundane, lazy, dreaming, or crazy ready to undermine Dr Evil and his plans to block out the sun.
You are not alone. Keep in mind that trump won by only 1.8% of the vote, and that every single nation in the world kicked out the incumbent party post-covid. Yes, it's depressing that half the US is either so foul or greedy or ignorant, but, to paraphrase Jesus, the stupid will always be among us. It's the artists, and the brilliant minds with the courage to be honest, that point us forward (like you.) Take heart, the midterms have already begun, and the onslaught of stupidity we are witnessing will put dems back in power, likely through 2033, long enough to do something about the damn climate already. and if that doesn't happen, and we wipe ourselves off the planet even faster, the earth won't care.
straight up fabulous t shirt. I lose sleep over the suffering animals who will drown, starve, etc. in a heated planet, but it's not like they enjoy good lives now. a silver lining to climate devastation is that it will bring a quicker end to their suffering. the next iteration of monkeys will either smarter, or they won't. don't let it detract from the 'is' today.
Yes. I wear my shirt to the Wildlife rescue. Once you start worrying about animals...phew. Talk about a spiral. My one consolation is that if we really are able to make ourselves extinct, animals will get the planet back and thru evolution, adapt to it.
I feel similarly detached now, adrift amongst terrible people and ignorant people and the difference between them (when it exists) doesn't really matter to me anymore. I also can't feel much about who is being named in positions of power when the person at the top is already so corrupt, so venal, so stupid, so deferential to the worst people in the world. That he received just under 50% of the vote is small consolation for what is likely to come next.
I'm also looking to do what I can closer to home to make my smaller world bearable as the larger one becomes more cruel. Getting in the way of the cruelty where possible, but for now, during this limbo, I'm doing the things to make my corner better. Sending more money to the local Project Safe and Casa de Amistad. Actually reaching out to friends when I think of them (a text, an email, a call), asking about their dogs, their cats, their kids, their parents. Sending cute holiday cards with handwritten notes. Seeing if kindness can grow from at least my space.
I would like for you to keep writing and being funny as much as you can manage. I believe that humor MATTERS—that it can actually make a DIFFERENCE. (Especially when people armed with humor use it to fight evil.) Also, I want to touch on what Sabrina Haake said in a comment here. Trump won the electoral college, but he and Kamala were nearly even in the popular vote. So I don't see his win as a mandate or a landslide. But what do see, sadly, is evidence of how much of the U.S. population decided on someone so horrific.
P.S. When I was a teenager my uncle was railing about drug dealers and said they should all be executed. I said, "Even if they just sell pot?" He emphatically responded, "YES!!" I never looked at him the same way again.
So relatable. Just writing is an act of resistance. Kindness is an act of resistance. Volunteering is an act of resistance. Live each day with your eyes and heart open.
Thank you for thanking me. As with everything I write on this substack, It is always alarming to see that 15 people have left me once they have read it. On the bright side, fifteen other people usually show up. So I am able to regain my pride. Until the next piece when 15 other people all run screaming for the exits.
Let’s take a moment to talk a little more about that black hat. It doesn’t seem to have a crown. How is it staying on your head Merrill? Is a hatpin involved? There’s a jaunty tip to it. Very nice. I think you’ve put a French spin on the brim. In any event, it’s a good look for you. Tres jolie. You’ve always been very dang cute.
I think this photo is within walking distance of when I met you. And I believe I was balancing that hat on my head, much as I would a platter of something in the restaurant at the circus. It did have a little head pouch. But come on...this was the SF bay area. There was 0% chance of encountering weather that was going to be friendly to having that hat stay on someone's head.
I had NO idea you balanced platters of something in the restaurant at the circus. I didn’t even know there were restaurants in circuses. Good for you! You certainly are a multitalented individual.
I want to be Merrill Markoes shrink when I grow up.
I was phone wrangling late voters for Kamala in Arizona with 300 others until 10 pm election night. A judge had kept Apache county polls open 2 extra hours due to some early voting day issue. Apache county is heavy blue. Then the PBS Newshour crew gave it to me like a punch in the face till 4 am.
Like waking up and my favorite dog has left town for good a couple days ago. I was so ready to meet the day then after a few seconds,....
Oh no, that happened and its still real.
it had been a while so I checked the news for any Malibu fires.
I find it oddly comforting to see you struggling with this too. I’m determined to not let the ugly cloud make me miserable. But I’m also determined not to be a good German.
That concept has an extra layer for me, since my ancestors actually were German. I assume many of them were the sorts of Germans you’re referring to. I’ve avoided looking too closely at my heritage. But I didn’t expect this fun new wrinkle— now I get to see if I’m better than they were.
Also— the Quick Draw/Peter Lorre cartoon is a work of genius. That’s what I should have said the first time I saw it, instead of trying to be clever.
I am glad that you decided to write as it is resistance. On a personal level, the uncertainty has only amped up as I may lose my job no thanks to unknowing and uncaring numbskulls. Long ago during a dinner conversation, my father commented that if we ( our family) had lived in Germany under Hitler, we would have remained silent to survive. I remember arguing with him that I would have not done so which angered him. I didn’t really know the term “Good German” back then so I thank you for that. Write on and take comfort where you can as we all must. Thanks!
Joe and Mika, Bezos, the editor of LA Times, are good Germans. it's a reflection on the shortcomings of our species.
Joe and Mika are dead to me, along with the cast and crew of every other basic cable "news show."
After another sleepless night my thought is this. Until these sick scofflaws come apart defeated, so many things as well as precious time will be wasted that we *must* do the things we enjoy, so that time will not be entirely wasted. I hope to remember that creation is natural for us, for the natural world. I hope for some times when whatever we create and observe may feel as powerful as and more present than the losses from the man-made destruction they're hoping for.
(I'm deeply afraid of the cruelty.)
Oh my! What you wrote here is exactly how I feel, even down to the wondering if this will make me a "Good German." At first, I felt sick to my stomach. Then, I realized it was my heart that hurts, not my stomach. I can't anymore. I garden now.....I did before but am throwing myself into it now. Thank you for writing this.
Gardening is a good choice! Volunteering somewhere is also good.
Thank you for this Merrill. You nailed the challenge of focusing on what I like without sticking my head in the sand. I'll let you know when I've perfected it! (Not anytime soon)
It’s great to see you writing again, post election. I’m a Canadian but have followed U.S. politics all my life. I’m shocked at how lopsided the results were for Democrats. What to say that isn’t insult to injury as the postmortem continues? Keep your creativity and sense of humor flowing. Hopefully the up coming generation of Dem voters are ready to fight and rise to the challenges.
It actually wasn’t that lopsided. He only won by 1.5% and his total popular vote was under 50%. It’s the stupid electoral college that weights the votes.
I have been thinking about the Dada sound poems the whole election and now it’s even too much to utter insanities.
I appreciate your writing, and have always admired the specificity of the projects. From the private eyes of the 80s to the butterfly birthing, it’s all human in a way that feels hopeful. Like if our best can’t prevail, we’ve always got the silly, mundane, lazy, dreaming, or crazy ready to undermine Dr Evil and his plans to block out the sun.
You are not alone. Keep in mind that trump won by only 1.8% of the vote, and that every single nation in the world kicked out the incumbent party post-covid. Yes, it's depressing that half the US is either so foul or greedy or ignorant, but, to paraphrase Jesus, the stupid will always be among us. It's the artists, and the brilliant minds with the courage to be honest, that point us forward (like you.) Take heart, the midterms have already begun, and the onslaught of stupidity we are witnessing will put dems back in power, likely through 2033, long enough to do something about the damn climate already. and if that doesn't happen, and we wipe ourselves off the planet even faster, the earth won't care.
I found and also bought this shirt: https://obviousplant.com/products/earth-was-better-without-us-1 Shirt activism is a pretty mild form of activism. But I guess its something.
straight up fabulous t shirt. I lose sleep over the suffering animals who will drown, starve, etc. in a heated planet, but it's not like they enjoy good lives now. a silver lining to climate devastation is that it will bring a quicker end to their suffering. the next iteration of monkeys will either smarter, or they won't. don't let it detract from the 'is' today.
Yes. I wear my shirt to the Wildlife rescue. Once you start worrying about animals...phew. Talk about a spiral. My one consolation is that if we really are able to make ourselves extinct, animals will get the planet back and thru evolution, adapt to it.
Getting in the way of cruelty. Yes.
Have you listened to comic, Jackie Kashian, with her meat shield analogy in “I’m not the hero of this story?”
I will do all I can to be a white lady meat shield and throw myself in front in the way of bad behavior. That is my mindset.
https://youtu.be/SID7tsqE30E?feature=shared
I feel similarly detached now, adrift amongst terrible people and ignorant people and the difference between them (when it exists) doesn't really matter to me anymore. I also can't feel much about who is being named in positions of power when the person at the top is already so corrupt, so venal, so stupid, so deferential to the worst people in the world. That he received just under 50% of the vote is small consolation for what is likely to come next.
I'm also looking to do what I can closer to home to make my smaller world bearable as the larger one becomes more cruel. Getting in the way of the cruelty where possible, but for now, during this limbo, I'm doing the things to make my corner better. Sending more money to the local Project Safe and Casa de Amistad. Actually reaching out to friends when I think of them (a text, an email, a call), asking about their dogs, their cats, their kids, their parents. Sending cute holiday cards with handwritten notes. Seeing if kindness can grow from at least my space.
Seems like a good plan. Thanks for those suggestions!
I would like for you to keep writing and being funny as much as you can manage. I believe that humor MATTERS—that it can actually make a DIFFERENCE. (Especially when people armed with humor use it to fight evil.) Also, I want to touch on what Sabrina Haake said in a comment here. Trump won the electoral college, but he and Kamala were nearly even in the popular vote. So I don't see his win as a mandate or a landslide. But what do see, sadly, is evidence of how much of the U.S. population decided on someone so horrific.
P.S. When I was a teenager my uncle was railing about drug dealers and said they should all be executed. I said, "Even if they just sell pot?" He emphatically responded, "YES!!" I never looked at him the same way again.
So relatable. Just writing is an act of resistance. Kindness is an act of resistance. Volunteering is an act of resistance. Live each day with your eyes and heart open.
Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for thanking me. As with everything I write on this substack, It is always alarming to see that 15 people have left me once they have read it. On the bright side, fifteen other people usually show up. So I am able to regain my pride. Until the next piece when 15 other people all run screaming for the exits.
Let’s take a moment to talk a little more about that black hat. It doesn’t seem to have a crown. How is it staying on your head Merrill? Is a hatpin involved? There’s a jaunty tip to it. Very nice. I think you’ve put a French spin on the brim. In any event, it’s a good look for you. Tres jolie. You’ve always been very dang cute.
I’m glad you dumped your uncle. What a jerk.
I think this photo is within walking distance of when I met you. And I believe I was balancing that hat on my head, much as I would a platter of something in the restaurant at the circus. It did have a little head pouch. But come on...this was the SF bay area. There was 0% chance of encountering weather that was going to be friendly to having that hat stay on someone's head.
I had NO idea you balanced platters of something in the restaurant at the circus. I didn’t even know there were restaurants in circuses. Good for you! You certainly are a multitalented individual.
Yes. True.
Oh, thank you for this piece. Your sentiments are my sentiments. We’re definitely not alone.
I think the 2 movies scared me straight.
I want to be Merrill Markoes shrink when I grow up.
I was phone wrangling late voters for Kamala in Arizona with 300 others until 10 pm election night. A judge had kept Apache county polls open 2 extra hours due to some early voting day issue. Apache county is heavy blue. Then the PBS Newshour crew gave it to me like a punch in the face till 4 am.
Like waking up and my favorite dog has left town for good a couple days ago. I was so ready to meet the day then after a few seconds,....
Oh no, that happened and its still real.
it had been a while so I checked the news for any Malibu fires.
keep the faith
Thank you for the Kamala wrangling. I think it gives you points for something, tho I am not sure yet about the list of prizes.
Brilliant as always! Great word that alluvion and thank you for this.
I find it oddly comforting to see you struggling with this too. I’m determined to not let the ugly cloud make me miserable. But I’m also determined not to be a good German.
That concept has an extra layer for me, since my ancestors actually were German. I assume many of them were the sorts of Germans you’re referring to. I’ve avoided looking too closely at my heritage. But I didn’t expect this fun new wrinkle— now I get to see if I’m better than they were.
Also— the Quick Draw/Peter Lorre cartoon is a work of genius. That’s what I should have said the first time I saw it, instead of trying to be clever.