I think it's interesting that he uses the phrase 'looking away' when he describes what we do when our government does something terrible to others with our tax money- I'm guessing there is a parallel to the 'looking away' that Anand writes about the Epstein Class- in other words, as citizens who perhaps didn't do all we were capable of to prevent the present regime gaining access to the halls of power, we have some things in common with the folks in the Epstein Class- only 8 million + showed up on a Saturday for No Kings III, how many of us are going to risk our comfort and privilege to join the May Day strike being organized by Indivisible et al for May 1st as a follow up action to No Kings, and how many of us will continue to look away?
The only thing I can contribute right now is a link to a GoFundMe for a group that's feeding people in North Gaza. I have been donating for a while now. They seem to be doing excellent work. I know this won't stop Trump but at least it's something positive we can do. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily
The example of slavery as a false “one off” instance of atrocious behavior in history is also an instance of “looking away” behavior because today there's more slavery across the globe than ever before in history. Yet those most vociferous about past instances of slavery look away from the vast suffering being caused by slavery today.
I am highly anxious today and find myself periodically in tears over what might happen and the pale resistance from leadership. How did this happen? Why has every Republican in power capitulated? Why are Dems so feeble in resistance?
I have called my reps, encouraging them to urge Jeffries to force a vote on a privileged resolution for D Trump's impeachment as I understand only he holds this power. I have expressed my horror to them at what might happen. I have donated, wheat pasted, and protested and hosted community events before now. I agree we can't give up, but I am feeling dejected. I live in a blue state where they couldn't pass one bill related to getting the $ out of politics. It is sickening and so hard. I mailed my taxes due today and didn't want to for the reasons stated. I don't know.
Thank you for everything you have done. I am feeling very depressed and defeated today. It's hard to stay optimistic after everything we do and still.....this ruthless regime continues.
Omar, thank you sharing your wisdom that reaches to the depths of your soul. I can feel how much you care to the extent you can't care anymore. America is having a reckoning. It's ugly, it's awful, it's necessary. For both Anand and Omar, thank you saying what so many refuse to say.
Omar has the face of an Old Testament prophet. Being a prophet is very hard and when that is your calling, it is excruciating. I am sorry, but also grateful for your voice! Take care of you a little, Omar. Your face is profoundly sad and your affect is very flat. “Be dejected and do the work anyway.” God bless you and help you.
Anand is right, everyone here agrees that we must do more to stop this, but what more? Heather Cox Richardson says find your lane and stay in it as much as you can.
Thank you so much, both of you, for this. London here & don’t know how (or if) I’m going to sleep. As Omar says, I have the privilege of that. And also presumably of waking up tomorrow in whatever world it will be
Bravo. the book he mentioned is called "The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism." There is much we don't know about American History.
‘A FATE “WORSE” THAN DEATH’ WOULD BE TO FALL UNDER THE HAND OF DONALD TRUMP AND BE HIS ‘PRISONER’.
It is only natural - since we are ‘animals’ to have as our foremost instinct: ‘survival’ - to fear speaking up, trying somehow to ‘oppose’, or actively planning to fight Trump’s fascist regime,…which has taken over AMERICA and AMERICA is headed to World Domination.
We are ‘frozen’ in fear and yet boiling with loathing for the despicable, hate-spewing leader of America…POTUS #47.
The message re TONIGHT (April 7th) is one of PURE EVIL loosed upon the world in the body of a demented man.
No heroic PATRIOT is stepping forward to remove the poison from the White House, which would certainly be a ‘suicide mission’.
The people under Trump’s Death Threat will be in good company…ironically, the WWII victims of the Holocaust…and that GHOST rather shamed, confused and probably willing to tell people with vengeance in their hearts to JUST LIVE…END CONFLICT…WORK FOR THE WORLD WITH A PASSION (GREATER THAN THAT OF ‘WAR’) TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF FAMINE, RACISM, BIGOTRY, AND THE FAILING ENVIRONMENT.
Every superior mind must be saved to join in this effort.
Every death is putting this very necessary CHANGE in jeopardy.
WARS KILL…WARS DESTROY THE FUTURE.
THANKYOU Anand and Omar for your sage words and your worthy souls.
Thank you, Anand and Omar, for this discussion, for your courage and leadership. Yes, we can despair and still act but perhaps we must act because we despair. While it is true that those in power who should act are "looking away," as many of us are not, as evidenced by the 8 million who protested. However, many of us are also paralyzed, scared. sad and angry, we feel powerless, and we don't know what to do or how to resist.
Our privilege is a double-edged sword: it can lead us to act in ways we think is in our personal best interest and keep us from standing up. It also obligates us to stand up for everyone's best interest. Each of us has a choice to make: stand up, fight in any way one can and save ourselves or capitulate.
These observations, like El Akkad’s book, are powerful and hugely sobering. And profoundly sad, because they are true.
Leigh, I want to cry from my broken heart because it's all true.
I think it's interesting that he uses the phrase 'looking away' when he describes what we do when our government does something terrible to others with our tax money- I'm guessing there is a parallel to the 'looking away' that Anand writes about the Epstein Class- in other words, as citizens who perhaps didn't do all we were capable of to prevent the present regime gaining access to the halls of power, we have some things in common with the folks in the Epstein Class- only 8 million + showed up on a Saturday for No Kings III, how many of us are going to risk our comfort and privilege to join the May Day strike being organized by Indivisible et al for May 1st as a follow up action to No Kings, and how many of us will continue to look away?
Your words are heartbreakingly true.
The only thing I can contribute right now is a link to a GoFundMe for a group that's feeding people in North Gaza. I have been donating for a while now. They seem to be doing excellent work. I know this won't stop Trump but at least it's something positive we can do. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily
The example of slavery as a false “one off” instance of atrocious behavior in history is also an instance of “looking away” behavior because today there's more slavery across the globe than ever before in history. Yet those most vociferous about past instances of slavery look away from the vast suffering being caused by slavery today.
I am highly anxious today and find myself periodically in tears over what might happen and the pale resistance from leadership. How did this happen? Why has every Republican in power capitulated? Why are Dems so feeble in resistance?
I have called my reps, encouraging them to urge Jeffries to force a vote on a privileged resolution for D Trump's impeachment as I understand only he holds this power. I have expressed my horror to them at what might happen. I have donated, wheat pasted, and protested and hosted community events before now. I agree we can't give up, but I am feeling dejected. I live in a blue state where they couldn't pass one bill related to getting the $ out of politics. It is sickening and so hard. I mailed my taxes due today and didn't want to for the reasons stated. I don't know.
Thank you for everything you have done. I am feeling very depressed and defeated today. It's hard to stay optimistic after everything we do and still.....this ruthless regime continues.
Omar, thank you sharing your wisdom that reaches to the depths of your soul. I can feel how much you care to the extent you can't care anymore. America is having a reckoning. It's ugly, it's awful, it's necessary. For both Anand and Omar, thank you saying what so many refuse to say.
Omar has the face of an Old Testament prophet. Being a prophet is very hard and when that is your calling, it is excruciating. I am sorry, but also grateful for your voice! Take care of you a little, Omar. Your face is profoundly sad and your affect is very flat. “Be dejected and do the work anyway.” God bless you and help you.
Anand is right, everyone here agrees that we must do more to stop this, but what more? Heather Cox Richardson says find your lane and stay in it as much as you can.
Thank you so much, both of you, for this. London here & don’t know how (or if) I’m going to sleep. As Omar says, I have the privilege of that. And also presumably of waking up tomorrow in whatever world it will be
Bravo. the book he mentioned is called "The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism." There is much we don't know about American History.
‘A FATE “WORSE” THAN DEATH’ WOULD BE TO FALL UNDER THE HAND OF DONALD TRUMP AND BE HIS ‘PRISONER’.
It is only natural - since we are ‘animals’ to have as our foremost instinct: ‘survival’ - to fear speaking up, trying somehow to ‘oppose’, or actively planning to fight Trump’s fascist regime,…which has taken over AMERICA and AMERICA is headed to World Domination.
We are ‘frozen’ in fear and yet boiling with loathing for the despicable, hate-spewing leader of America…POTUS #47.
The message re TONIGHT (April 7th) is one of PURE EVIL loosed upon the world in the body of a demented man.
No heroic PATRIOT is stepping forward to remove the poison from the White House, which would certainly be a ‘suicide mission’.
The people under Trump’s Death Threat will be in good company…ironically, the WWII victims of the Holocaust…and that GHOST rather shamed, confused and probably willing to tell people with vengeance in their hearts to JUST LIVE…END CONFLICT…WORK FOR THE WORLD WITH A PASSION (GREATER THAN THAT OF ‘WAR’) TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF FAMINE, RACISM, BIGOTRY, AND THE FAILING ENVIRONMENT.
Every superior mind must be saved to join in this effort.
Every death is putting this very necessary CHANGE in jeopardy.
WARS KILL…WARS DESTROY THE FUTURE.
THANKYOU Anand and Omar for your sage words and your worthy souls.
🧠💐🌍
Omar and Anand, you gave eloquent voice to exactly how I feel. Thank you for a powerful conversation.
Thank you both, so much.
Omar, Wonderful book. Really enjoyed reading it. TY.
Thank you, Anand and Omar, for this discussion, for your courage and leadership. Yes, we can despair and still act but perhaps we must act because we despair. While it is true that those in power who should act are "looking away," as many of us are not, as evidenced by the 8 million who protested. However, many of us are also paralyzed, scared. sad and angry, we feel powerless, and we don't know what to do or how to resist.
Our privilege is a double-edged sword: it can lead us to act in ways we think is in our personal best interest and keep us from standing up. It also obligates us to stand up for everyone's best interest. Each of us has a choice to make: stand up, fight in any way one can and save ourselves or capitulate.
Such a privilege to hear his analysis.
Possibly the most important interview that you have done since I joined a year ago, from Toronto. Thank you for holding Omar's space.
Thank you so much, Anand, for this conversation. Omar touches your heart.