When you think it can’t get much worse, American diplomacy led by President Trump and Vice President Vance — implodes on national television.
Regardless of which side you’re on, most will agree that what happened this past Friday has severely harmed America’s reputation as a leader in the free world.
It’s worse than that. Without question, our world’s health, safety, and stability are much more at risk today than they were just one week ago.
When leadership was needed the most, these guys, intentionally or unintentionally, dropped the ball.
Berating and belittling an international “friend and ally” on a world stage, then shutting him down when he tries to defend himself – is not leadership.
President Donald Trump calling former President Joe Biden “stupid” on national television while sitting in the Oval Office are not the actions of a leader.
Telling the President of Ukraine, who’s fighting desperately to defend his country, essentially to “Take my deal, give me your minerals, take a knee, kiss the ring, and say thank you, or I’ll leave you and your people to Russia, and they can do with you as they like.” — is not leadership. It may demonstrate the presence of a powerful deal-making thug, but it’s not leadership.
I received an email a few days ago with the following short and to-the-point message: “I’ve been reading your stuff for a while. Can you help us on the national level? The manure pile building up has been flung into the windmill. Can you please direct me to the revolution?”
I’ve received more than a few of these notes recently, referring to “revolution” and/or expressing fear of a coming “civil war.”
As individuals living in a small community far from the global centers of power, what positive and tangible actions can we take, and what must we take?
I can only speak to what I am doing and encourage others who feel similarly to me to do so.
First of all, take a deep breath. Go for a walk. Turn off the news, get off the phone, and go outside. Throttle back the fear and anxiety. Perhaps take a dip in the ocean. Hug your family.
Next, consider your security and tighten up the loose ends. Consider “disaster preparedness” and get ready — flashlights, radio, batteries, water, etc. I’m serious. Hopefully, I’m wrong, and if so, at least you’re prepared for the next hurricane or tsunami.
Stay informed. Resist “doom scrolling” through the news, but stay informed.
Plant food. I’m cleaning my yard of overgrown greenery that feeds no one and replanting it with stuff I can eat.
While my budget may not allow me to “leave the grid,” I’m looking into it.
If disruption comes, we must be ready first in our own homes.
But what else must we do?
For starters, we must actively boycott those businesses supporting the anti-Ukraine, anti-diversity, anti-worker, and anti-environmental positions of President Trump and Elon Musk.
We must also continue contacting our members of Congress, as well as friends and relatives across the continent, to offer encouragement and support.
In addition, today I’m signing up for news/action alerts and sending in a little bit of money to Indivisible Hawaiʻi https://indivisiblehawaii.org
Indivisible Hawai‘i Statewide Network — Take Action / Protect Democracy / Move Forward
We are part of Indivisible, a national grassroots movement formed in December 2016 to defeat the Trump agenda of racism, misogyny, and authoritarianism. Indivisible boasts a nationwide network of thousands of local groups across the US, representing over a million people. The Indivisible Hawai‘i Statewide Network has eleven chapters spanning four islands, mobilizing thousands of residents.
indivisiblehawaii.org
AND we must continue to monitor and push our local government to support truly affordable housing, protect the disenfranchised communities now under attack, increase energy independence, and block efforts to dismantle environmental protections.
Remember, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised — “True change will not be brought by corporations, but rather through a change in one’s own mind and actions.” National Civil Rights Museum
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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council. He presently writes on Hawai‘i Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
Source: The Garden Island
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