Dare I say it but I think this might be my favourite piece of yours yet! (And I have loved everything you've written - this is just next level). This is exactly how I feel too - I used to obsess over America. I travelled there several times - loved it. And I still love the scenery and the geographical wonders of the land itself - and the people I know and met there. But, everything you have described here - I feel the same way. It breaks my heart to know we share a planet with such a reckless, dangerous place that time and time again gives the middle finger to its own people and humanity as a whole.
At this point I have absolutely no doubt that we are kindred spirits. So lovely and affirming and inspiring to have found someone who feels so similarly about things, from disco balls to America. Thank you, Kerrie - I deeply appreciate your words, as always. xx
Yes. It would take a national shift in consciousness to change the tide. People collectively need to care enough about others to overpower the power of the minority the wealthy barons that take take take. Land of opportunity is more like land of the oppressed, like in the old westerns when the land barons bullied everyone and greed was rampart.
Amazingly powerful Belle. You’ve put your finger right on the lack of mercy that’s destroying America. Thank you for sharing what’s in your heart and enriching all our lives in the process. Love you and your writing.
Not quite sure how I stumbled across your substack, but so happy I did. What a well written, lovely piece this is. As a born and raised American now living in Europe, I resonate with this so much. It pains me to say it- and even sometimes makes me feel guilty (that American pride runs deep) but America is just not the country it used to be. And years after your post, especially after this recent inauguration, your words couldn't ring more true. I'm thankful for so much of my American privilege, but until things drastically change, I'm breaking up with them, too.
Isabelle, this is beyond eloquent. I have the same feeling when I see how far down the path of greed, corruption, and violence we have gone. There is some kind of lower common denominator that worships aggression, competition, yelling, and being kinda loud, dumb, and following others who do the same. It is embarrassing to see what a big ignorant, arrogant Giant our public discourse and global policies have been in the past several decades. I apologize for most of our recent presidents, except Obama and Biden (he's quite the progressive old badass, just can't get the word out!) I hated traveling outside the U.S. when baby Bush was in, 'cause damn he was the idiot missing from a village somewhere in Texas.
We've been a country taken over by Hollyweird and consumerism, which does not represent us well. There is a disdain for intellectuals here, which I find disheartening. In any case, there are many of us who are both terrified and determined to regain a sensible, rational, inclusive democracy. Perhaps we had to hit rock bottom to see how fragile democracy is. Our very imperfect justice system (excepting the Supreme Court of the U.S., or SCOTUS, about which I just had a nice rant) is slowly moving in the direction of holding elected criminals and their cronies accountable. Don't listen to the polls, and stay hopeful. No one should be thinking the U.S. is better at all, and sure as hell not culturally. We love Aussies, Kiwis!, Canadians, and UKers as our cousins, as well as the rest of the PEOPLE on the planet, but only some of the people in charge. Those of us who can read know that we must push the bullies back under the rocks, out from under which they felt it was safe to crawl, simply because a horrible old deranged rapist orange goat hypnotized a portion of the sheeple. We love the world and the earth, and lots of us are not crazed screaming jackasses, as you kindly noted. <3 Keep up the great work, and best to you! Big love, Kate
PS: No disrespect to real goats or sheep. We had some Shetlands, and named the wethers Cloudy, Gray and Stormy ;-)
Wow, this just the best, most thoughtful comment. Thank you, Kate! It's so good hearing from an American - and I am sorry, this must be the kind of salt in the wound stuff that's hard to read when you're living in it. But I am also glad that this resonates for you, an American. There are so many brilliant people in your country and despite what I've written here, so much of it still has my heart; the vast expanses of desert road through Joshua Tree, the rivers in California, the snow fed lakes in Montana, hearing jazz music pour out of bars in New Orleans, a man in New York dancing towards me singing "New York New York" and then offering me help with directions. It's an incredible place, and it's absolutely worth fighting for.
Aw, thanks, Isabelle, you are so sweet, and thank you for subscribing to my Substack! Those are fantastic anecdotes and memories to savor! BTW, if you haven't read her, omg I think you will love Laura, who writes Normal Island News. Freaking hilarious! <3 -Kate
Also, one of our respected professors, intellectuals, real life thinkers and doers when it comes to exposing where power lies, why, and what to do about it is Robert Reich.
Great read belle, so may things I have thought for a while. I really hope one day they can see the harm they are doing to a country that’s crying out for change.
Well said…iv felt the same way about their health system and gun laws and now, a step back..I was shocked by the decision on terminations and what that means to woman. It’s all pretty f*c*ed 😞
Omg this is BRILLIANT! You took the words from my mouth! But made it eloquent. Love you xx
Thank you my beautiful Liv for your support! 💕
Dare I say it but I think this might be my favourite piece of yours yet! (And I have loved everything you've written - this is just next level). This is exactly how I feel too - I used to obsess over America. I travelled there several times - loved it. And I still love the scenery and the geographical wonders of the land itself - and the people I know and met there. But, everything you have described here - I feel the same way. It breaks my heart to know we share a planet with such a reckless, dangerous place that time and time again gives the middle finger to its own people and humanity as a whole.
At this point I have absolutely no doubt that we are kindred spirits. So lovely and affirming and inspiring to have found someone who feels so similarly about things, from disco balls to America. Thank you, Kerrie - I deeply appreciate your words, as always. xx
Yes. It would take a national shift in consciousness to change the tide. People collectively need to care enough about others to overpower the power of the minority the wealthy barons that take take take. Land of opportunity is more like land of the oppressed, like in the old westerns when the land barons bullied everyone and greed was rampart.
Amazingly powerful Belle. You’ve put your finger right on the lack of mercy that’s destroying America. Thank you for sharing what’s in your heart and enriching all our lives in the process. Love you and your writing.
Not quite sure how I stumbled across your substack, but so happy I did. What a well written, lovely piece this is. As a born and raised American now living in Europe, I resonate with this so much. It pains me to say it- and even sometimes makes me feel guilty (that American pride runs deep) but America is just not the country it used to be. And years after your post, especially after this recent inauguration, your words couldn't ring more true. I'm thankful for so much of my American privilege, but until things drastically change, I'm breaking up with them, too.
Isabelle, this is beyond eloquent. I have the same feeling when I see how far down the path of greed, corruption, and violence we have gone. There is some kind of lower common denominator that worships aggression, competition, yelling, and being kinda loud, dumb, and following others who do the same. It is embarrassing to see what a big ignorant, arrogant Giant our public discourse and global policies have been in the past several decades. I apologize for most of our recent presidents, except Obama and Biden (he's quite the progressive old badass, just can't get the word out!) I hated traveling outside the U.S. when baby Bush was in, 'cause damn he was the idiot missing from a village somewhere in Texas.
We've been a country taken over by Hollyweird and consumerism, which does not represent us well. There is a disdain for intellectuals here, which I find disheartening. In any case, there are many of us who are both terrified and determined to regain a sensible, rational, inclusive democracy. Perhaps we had to hit rock bottom to see how fragile democracy is. Our very imperfect justice system (excepting the Supreme Court of the U.S., or SCOTUS, about which I just had a nice rant) is slowly moving in the direction of holding elected criminals and their cronies accountable. Don't listen to the polls, and stay hopeful. No one should be thinking the U.S. is better at all, and sure as hell not culturally. We love Aussies, Kiwis!, Canadians, and UKers as our cousins, as well as the rest of the PEOPLE on the planet, but only some of the people in charge. Those of us who can read know that we must push the bullies back under the rocks, out from under which they felt it was safe to crawl, simply because a horrible old deranged rapist orange goat hypnotized a portion of the sheeple. We love the world and the earth, and lots of us are not crazed screaming jackasses, as you kindly noted. <3 Keep up the great work, and best to you! Big love, Kate
PS: No disrespect to real goats or sheep. We had some Shetlands, and named the wethers Cloudy, Gray and Stormy ;-)
Wow, this just the best, most thoughtful comment. Thank you, Kate! It's so good hearing from an American - and I am sorry, this must be the kind of salt in the wound stuff that's hard to read when you're living in it. But I am also glad that this resonates for you, an American. There are so many brilliant people in your country and despite what I've written here, so much of it still has my heart; the vast expanses of desert road through Joshua Tree, the rivers in California, the snow fed lakes in Montana, hearing jazz music pour out of bars in New Orleans, a man in New York dancing towards me singing "New York New York" and then offering me help with directions. It's an incredible place, and it's absolutely worth fighting for.
Aw, thanks, Isabelle, you are so sweet, and thank you for subscribing to my Substack! Those are fantastic anecdotes and memories to savor! BTW, if you haven't read her, omg I think you will love Laura, who writes Normal Island News. Freaking hilarious! <3 -Kate
https://normalislandnews.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=27dg2w
Also, one of our respected professors, intellectuals, real life thinkers and doers when it comes to exposing where power lies, why, and what to do about it is Robert Reich.
https://robertreich.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=27dg2w
Thank you so much for the recos, Kate! And so thrilled to be reading your stack ❤️.
Recos! Love that. I'm adopting it instead of recs, which sounds like car crashes. 🫣 Adore Ozisms!
Belle, this is amazing. Bloody amazing!
Love you Fran! 💕💕💕
Great read belle, so may things I have thought for a while. I really hope one day they can see the harm they are doing to a country that’s crying out for change.
Hope that trip of yours is going amazing xx
Thank you beautiful Sarah! It’s such a sad and frustrating thing to observe. ❤️🩹
Well said…iv felt the same way about their health system and gun laws and now, a step back..I was shocked by the decision on terminations and what that means to woman. It’s all pretty f*c*ed 😞
Thanks Jan! It is so bleak... hopefully the millions of good people in the states can create change one day soon. 💛