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Corlene Ankrum's avatar

Thank you, Charlotte.

I agree, there are so many people who are good and are appalled at the awfulness of what is happening.

I had someone come do some work in my house today and we found our way to realizing we are like-minded on this, just looking at him, you might expect him to fall the other way. I think there are so many of us out there who are somewhat quiet but are trying to find each other.

There are a probably a million reasons why we didn’t win this last election, but it is a nation that elected Obama twice.

Bless you and know that I just subscribed because I wanted to be able to tell you how much I appreciate you. Giant hug.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

There is a video of a conversation between Thom Hartmann and Greg Palast discussing the reason Kamala lost was voter suppression in swing states. It’s on You Tube. I don’t know how to share it here (I’m 84), but it is well worth the time to find it and watch it.

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Christine's avatar

So well said. Hugs!

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Gary Geesman's avatar

Thanks for your posts. I am discouraged but hopeful. The 25% that voted for disruption are wrong and I think as time goes on they will demonstrate just that. I may not live long enough to see the end of their myopic, hate filled, message but I believe good will prevail. Thanks again for your hopeful message.

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Paula Simmons's avatar

I did leave in January 2018. My husband and I moved to Guatemala.

My late partner and he were friends; we all worked at the newspaper in Las Vegas. I was downsized in 2012 at 54, and Bill was as well in 2013 at 64 1/2. We were struggling financially, and we needed to find a cheaper place to live. Trump was another reason.

Even though I grew up outside the US and speak Spanish, living in the third world is hard. And, I found that one simply watches the dumpster fire from afar; we are still Americans.

We returned to the US in 2023 (Oregon), after 3 1/2 years in Guatemala and two in Mexico. I’m glad to be back, regardless of the situation here.

Thanks for your thoughtful perspective, as always, Charlotte.

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Barbara's avatar

I love this so much. “…standing alongside…community…support…” Those are the words that stand out to me as exemplifying who you are to your community and to all of us. As we all slog through this muck, may your statement of belief help us discern our own journeys forward, whatever that looks like. 💕

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Nina Kiriki Hoffman's avatar

Thanks, Charlotte. I too have hope, and want to connect with others, and do what I can to return our beloved country to higher, better values, where we treat each other with dignity and respect, and help each other when we can. Make music together. Share meals and conversations. Love one another.

Thank you for sharing your journey and your observations and thoughts.

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Erica M Vogel's avatar

I’m with you. My place is here. Yes I have the means to leave, though it would mean starting from scratch elsewhere. I have traveled extensively over seas and know the difficulty I’d face. I’m also aware enough to know that decision may be made for me at some point. But until that eventuality happens I will be here fighting for my trans siblings, and all Americans.

I have friends who are leaving, trans and cis, for a variety of reasons. And I support their decisions. Their path is not mine to walk, and I hope they find everything they need elsewhere.

I still believe in what we can be as a nation, though it seems far away right now. I’m not giving up on us.

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JoAnn Welsh's avatar

All of this. And how long will people’s rights and protections will remain strong in other countries if the U.S. sets an example of denying them?

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Kathy Voth's avatar

Thank you! The thought of leaving has never crossed my mind. I think my job is to stay here and work to save my home.

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Tamara Conrad's avatar

Me either. As a former—now retired—federal court employee, I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The oath did not expire upon my retirement, and the oath requires that I stay put and do what I can now as a private citizen to continue to uphold it.

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BettR's avatar

Bless you, Charlotte.

I cannot thank you enough for being strong in the face of chaos. You are an example to us all and I love you for it.

These are really terrifying times and we have to come together to stand shoulder to shoulder to protect and care for each other. I, too, have faith that Americans understand what needs to be done in the face of tyranny. But some days, my belief in my fellows falters. You have lifted me up, again.

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Michael Moore's avatar

Thank you, Charlotte. I am a dual citizen (Canadian through my late mother) and could easily leave. However, like you, I swore an oath (for the first time in 1985) to protect the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Even though I retired from the AF in 2011 my oath did not retire. We need to stay and stand up on behalf of the voiceless and the vulnerable. Keep up the good fight, Charlotte! Standing with you ❤️

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Thank you Charlotte,

Your words are needed and inspiring. I’m not leaving either. If I may quote from Blazing Saddles:

Gabby Johnson: I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin’ bushwackin’, hornswagglin’ cracker croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter.

Olson Johnson: I’m particularly glad that these lovely children were here today to hear that speech. Not only was it authentic frontier gibberish, it expressed a courage little seen in this day and age.

Peace and watch your six,

Steve Dundas

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Sue Cohan's avatar

Thank you *so* much for this!

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Val's avatar

Thank you for always speaking your truth with passion and love. My minister always talks about fighting hate with fierce love. You are fighting hate with fierce love!

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R cran's avatar

Thank you. I needed that.

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Catherine C's avatar

Thank you for your strength Charlotte, I am not leaving either.

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