Thank you, Nicole. You have done a powerful and sensitive analysis of friends and family who are trump voters. I know people in each of those descriptions of his voters. My problem is that I am not sure I could be as open and understanding as you encourage us to be. I will work on it.
It is a daily (sometimes hourly) struggle. I am both incandescent with rage and filled with a grieving sort of compassion. Does that make sense? Probably not, but not much does right now.
I teeter back and forth between anger, fear, and I told you so-mindset and simply not talking about Trump or Reynolds bc it's too emotional and embarrassing.
Hopefully those who voted for Trump bc he seemed powerful and like a good businessman will see the destruction he will cause too close to home.
Thank you for inspiration. It is complex times. I hold deep concerns for my young family members. It saddens me to have young people see country leaders without dignity and integrity. We used to value truth and value of character.
I agree. It also saddens me to imagine the world they will inherit. With few allies, worsening environmental disasters, freedoms being stripped away… I can get very worried.
Thank you for your bravery and honesty. I just upgraded to paid Substack (I have some other favorites too, including another Sioux Center raised woman) because we need to stick together to get the work done! I write and/or '5 Calls" every day because there are so many anti-Christian things going on now in this administration. We must all be modern day Bonhoeffers. I am adding your articles to our Act Justly website.
Twila, thank you. For some I know that $50 a year is unthinkable. For others it’s nothing at all. For me, it’s an affirmation that I should keep writing, even when it’s difficult or feels pointless. Every single paid subscription is a gift that allows me to write instead of becoming a barista (which would be absolutely lovely, but words have my heart). ♥️ I’m so grateful.
Thank you for writing honestly and compassionately. You manifest far more grace than I can. I cannot find it in my heart to forgive those who voted for Trump and are now pleased with all the damage he is doing. Our country will likely never again in our lifetimes be a beacon of goodness and an aspiration. They really want a mean spirited, hateful, bullying, despised country? I can only shake my head. Where is the America of a couple decades ago?
I hear you, and honestly, I feel the same way. I’m just gutted by what’s happening. And though I know there are definitely people who are cruel and indifferent, greedy and destructive, I have to believe that most are simply fooled. They drank the Kool-Aid and now are too deluded or ashamed to admit that they got played.
Great messge to heed - I suggest reading history of late 1850s prior to the Civil War. At present, we are at great risk of injuring or killings cousins and brothers - a replay of death and destruction on a scale unseen and up-close and personal, since our Civii War. It's Time to take step and actions to "Step Baek" from the brink.
My husband and I started a non-profit in Liberia nearly twenty years ago. This past November, as I stood at Unification Park (the site of the massacre of 13 government officials and the start of the Liberian civil war), I utterly leveled. You're exactly right: we need to step up and take action, to learn from history instead of repeating it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. You might not recall some ominous Iowa history 1857 - 16 whites were lynched in five Eastern Iowa counties - same year as the Spirit Lake massacre in Northwest Iowa by band of indigenous natives.
Nicole, I absolutely agree with you and wondered why you did not speak out sooner. I am glad it happened a few weeks ago and I support your writing and thoughts. Keep it up. You do need to be faithful to what you feel is true. I see the injury to Ukrainians, undocumented Latinos, the very poor who were helped by US programs that supported them, and others who Trump is un employing. Stay strong and be faithful to the Trinity-who created the world, sustains it, saves it and blankets it with grace.
Thank you! I feel as though you have reached inside my mind and plucked out my very thoughts! People on both sides of the issues are just covering their ears and saying "lalalalala." If we don't talk, write, and post about it now, it's going to be too late. I so appreciate your talent.
Your voice is vital and I thank you for speaking out. If all quiet, moderate, thoughtful citizens fail to express themselves, we are doomed. It's not even a matter of changing minds, since many are closed. This President and his cronies must go and must be replaced by steady types who actually believe in democratic/republican government.
We are decades from where we need to be regarding equality of wealth and income, but that move must be secondary. This particular travesty and smear on America, this move to dictatorship, must go.....soon.
I still have hopes for the federal courts. If they crack down, perhaps Congress can wake up and do its job. If they do not or if the Administration completely flips off the Courts, then the rest of the world may need to step in and knock sense into us.
Our nation is so close to lapsing into violence....not funny at all.
I agree with you and I’m terrified. I have to believe that kindness and commonsense is the way back to each other, but how do you settle a rabid dog? Bad metaphor, but I think you know what I mean. And yet I believe dark cannot drive out darkness. It’s going to be a painful reckoning for us all.
Hang in there! Hope you saw my Letters from Iowans this week.
I know lots of people are reluctant to discuss politics, but this is the lives of so many all over the world.
I noticed your mention of Liberia. I had the privilege to visit West Africa for several months in 1975...with Operation Crossroads Africa, precursor to the Peace Corps. Americans just don't seem to grasp: a) how easily our country could assist if we would just listen and learn; b) how readily we can destroy whole other nations with the flick of the pen. And we resist teaching our kids "foreign languages".
Thank for this, Nicole. Yes, these are conversations I wish I could have, too, as I watch the destruction of our democracy unfold in real time. Heartbreaking and infuriating. Hope to see you at the DSM Book Festival on Saturday!
Loved your thoughts and perspective - I have a boat load of horrible feelings about POTUS 47 - as I am unable to permit myself to speak his name - more corrupt than Judas Iscariot. As a now retired 40 yr. manufacturing professional & certified quality engineer —I followed his corrupt ethical business tactics, and his bluster & bullying of those who oppose his deplorable personality since he first came on the NY City real estate scene. He is the brain dead anthesis of the Constitutional principles upon which this country was founded. It is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to have a "constructive" conversation & exchange of ideas of him moving the country forward in a positive fashion —with those who continue to genuinely admire him, his obscene moral character, and his belligerent, bellicose business & political acumen. I find it unimaginable how a person of such character qualifies to be POTUS & First Defender of The Constitution of The United States. I am still trying to get my head, heart & soul sufficiently convinced to sincerely pray for his redemption, and those who (even now) would again vote for him. America can no longer, with legitimacy, profess to be a Beacon of Light for human freedom and humanitarian care in the world. May GOD's GRACE help all of U.S.
Hi, Jim. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m also not in a place of empathy or goodwill toward 47 and his cronies. Enraged might be a better word. But I wrestle my fury every day because I fear who I will become if I let it control me… But yes, all the rage here, too.
Thank you, Nicole. You have done a powerful and sensitive analysis of friends and family who are trump voters. I know people in each of those descriptions of his voters. My problem is that I am not sure I could be as open and understanding as you encourage us to be. I will work on it.
It is a daily (sometimes hourly) struggle. I am both incandescent with rage and filled with a grieving sort of compassion. Does that make sense? Probably not, but not much does right now.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Please keep writing. You make me feel like we have a chance against this evil!! ❤️
There is always, always, always hope. I think I read that somewhere once. 😉
I teeter back and forth between anger, fear, and I told you so-mindset and simply not talking about Trump or Reynolds bc it's too emotional and embarrassing.
Hopefully those who voted for Trump bc he seemed powerful and like a good businessman will see the destruction he will cause too close to home.
I fear that everyone will have a chance to regret the Trump presidency—much to all our detriment. It’s agonizing, isn’t it?
Thank you for inspiration. It is complex times. I hold deep concerns for my young family members. It saddens me to have young people see country leaders without dignity and integrity. We used to value truth and value of character.
I agree. It also saddens me to imagine the world they will inherit. With few allies, worsening environmental disasters, freedoms being stripped away… I can get very worried.
Thank you for your bravery and honesty. I just upgraded to paid Substack (I have some other favorites too, including another Sioux Center raised woman) because we need to stick together to get the work done! I write and/or '5 Calls" every day because there are so many anti-Christian things going on now in this administration. We must all be modern day Bonhoeffers. I am adding your articles to our Act Justly website.
Twila, thank you. For some I know that $50 a year is unthinkable. For others it’s nothing at all. For me, it’s an affirmation that I should keep writing, even when it’s difficult or feels pointless. Every single paid subscription is a gift that allows me to write instead of becoming a barista (which would be absolutely lovely, but words have my heart). ♥️ I’m so grateful.
You are welcome. I enjoy and learn from your bravery in speaking out. For those of us coming from Sioux Center, it brings judgement.
Thank you for writing honestly and compassionately. You manifest far more grace than I can. I cannot find it in my heart to forgive those who voted for Trump and are now pleased with all the damage he is doing. Our country will likely never again in our lifetimes be a beacon of goodness and an aspiration. They really want a mean spirited, hateful, bullying, despised country? I can only shake my head. Where is the America of a couple decades ago?
I hear you, and honestly, I feel the same way. I’m just gutted by what’s happening. And though I know there are definitely people who are cruel and indifferent, greedy and destructive, I have to believe that most are simply fooled. They drank the Kool-Aid and now are too deluded or ashamed to admit that they got played.
Great messge to heed - I suggest reading history of late 1850s prior to the Civil War. At present, we are at great risk of injuring or killings cousins and brothers - a replay of death and destruction on a scale unseen and up-close and personal, since our Civii War. It's Time to take step and actions to "Step Baek" from the brink.
My husband and I started a non-profit in Liberia nearly twenty years ago. This past November, as I stood at Unification Park (the site of the massacre of 13 government officials and the start of the Liberian civil war), I utterly leveled. You're exactly right: we need to step up and take action, to learn from history instead of repeating it. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole
Thanks for sharing. You might not recall some ominous Iowa history 1857 - 16 whites were lynched in five Eastern Iowa counties - same year as the Spirit Lake massacre in Northwest Iowa by band of indigenous natives.
I never knew that...John Brown's experience in late 1850s IA is also compelling reading...
Nicole, I absolutely agree with you and wondered why you did not speak out sooner. I am glad it happened a few weeks ago and I support your writing and thoughts. Keep it up. You do need to be faithful to what you feel is true. I see the injury to Ukrainians, undocumented Latinos, the very poor who were helped by US programs that supported them, and others who Trump is un employing. Stay strong and be faithful to the Trinity-who created the world, sustains it, saves it and blankets it with grace.
Thank you for your encouragement, Pam. Grateful for you.
Thank you! I feel as though you have reached inside my mind and plucked out my very thoughts! People on both sides of the issues are just covering their ears and saying "lalalalala." If we don't talk, write, and post about it now, it's going to be too late. I so appreciate your talent.
"It's going to be too late..." My greatest fear. Thanks for reading and being a part of this community, Nancy.
Thank you, Nicole, for laying things out in such a clear way, using your gift of writing to awaken all of us and spur us on to action.
I figure we all need regular encouragement these days! Thanks for using your voice, Carol.
Let's all become paid subscribers of Nicole's column.
I love that idea! 😉
YES!!!! Nicole Baart is an author who lives in the heart of the reddest part of Iowa.
Thanks, Julie.
Your voice is vital and I thank you for speaking out. If all quiet, moderate, thoughtful citizens fail to express themselves, we are doomed. It's not even a matter of changing minds, since many are closed. This President and his cronies must go and must be replaced by steady types who actually believe in democratic/republican government.
We are decades from where we need to be regarding equality of wealth and income, but that move must be secondary. This particular travesty and smear on America, this move to dictatorship, must go.....soon.
I still have hopes for the federal courts. If they crack down, perhaps Congress can wake up and do its job. If they do not or if the Administration completely flips off the Courts, then the rest of the world may need to step in and knock sense into us.
Our nation is so close to lapsing into violence....not funny at all.
I agree with you and I’m terrified. I have to believe that kindness and commonsense is the way back to each other, but how do you settle a rabid dog? Bad metaphor, but I think you know what I mean. And yet I believe dark cannot drive out darkness. It’s going to be a painful reckoning for us all.
Hang in there! Hope you saw my Letters from Iowans this week.
I know lots of people are reluctant to discuss politics, but this is the lives of so many all over the world.
I noticed your mention of Liberia. I had the privilege to visit West Africa for several months in 1975...with Operation Crossroads Africa, precursor to the Peace Corps. Americans just don't seem to grasp: a) how easily our country could assist if we would just listen and learn; b) how readily we can destroy whole other nations with the flick of the pen. And we resist teaching our kids "foreign languages".
Thank for this, Nicole. Yes, these are conversations I wish I could have, too, as I watch the destruction of our democracy unfold in real time. Heartbreaking and infuriating. Hope to see you at the DSM Book Festival on Saturday!
I’m so glad you’ll be at the festival! Please say hi!
JIM BARNETT - Earlier comments under Linda Barnett are mine.
Loved your thoughts and perspective - I have a boat load of horrible feelings about POTUS 47 - as I am unable to permit myself to speak his name - more corrupt than Judas Iscariot. As a now retired 40 yr. manufacturing professional & certified quality engineer —I followed his corrupt ethical business tactics, and his bluster & bullying of those who oppose his deplorable personality since he first came on the NY City real estate scene. He is the brain dead anthesis of the Constitutional principles upon which this country was founded. It is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to have a "constructive" conversation & exchange of ideas of him moving the country forward in a positive fashion —with those who continue to genuinely admire him, his obscene moral character, and his belligerent, bellicose business & political acumen. I find it unimaginable how a person of such character qualifies to be POTUS & First Defender of The Constitution of The United States. I am still trying to get my head, heart & soul sufficiently convinced to sincerely pray for his redemption, and those who (even now) would again vote for him. America can no longer, with legitimacy, profess to be a Beacon of Light for human freedom and humanitarian care in the world. May GOD's GRACE help all of U.S.
Hi, Jim. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m also not in a place of empathy or goodwill toward 47 and his cronies. Enraged might be a better word. But I wrestle my fury every day because I fear who I will become if I let it control me… But yes, all the rage here, too.