Chuck Yeager, October 14th 1947 said “just before you break through the sound barrier, the cockpit shakes the most.”
Chuck Yeager was the first test pilot to successfully fly faster than the speed of sound. Engineers did not know if he would survive the flight as they worried the sound barrier was like flying into a brick wall.
The past eight years have shaken the life out of many of us both literally and figuratively.
We are on the precipice to take flight to a new level of greatness for our country or hit a brick wall.
Thank you Mary for flying with us and being one of our pilots!
Maybe every time someone complains about Trump being treated differently the response should be, “oh, so you want us to stop treating him better than anyone else would be treated?”
I so desperately want to move past 2015, 2016 and 2020/Jan. 6 so badly. It seems like we are in a perpetual loop of hell because of the MAGA cult. Across the street from my Mom's house in suburban Chicago (that has Dem electeds at every level of government) the older white male owner of that house put up a small flag pole and hung a Trump 2024 flag on it. His neighbor two doors down has a gay son and I'm worried about his mental health having to look at that all the time while he's home from college this summer. This has never happened on my Mom's block in the 48 years she (and my Dad before he died in 2019) has lived there. Thank you for everything you are doing Mary. Sending you lots of love!!!
I feel like it's a form of mass hypnosis. Nothing else explains it, imo. My gay adult child lives in Chicago as well, and I fear for them. The country has a cancer.
So many of the insurrectionists came from suburbs that once had GOP electeds and now have Dem electeds representing them. The white cishet grievance DESPITE that demographic still controlling so much of American society is so toxic and dangerous.
Right! The cognitive dissonance is really powerful. They find it impossible to believe what they are experiencing, and everything is "stolen" or a"cheat", not the natural result of shifting demographics or better, more positive policy. The obstinacy is killing us.
I want white cishet people to become a minority in America VERY FAST. As a lesbian, I want our multi-racial, multi-cultural, LGBTQ+ expansive communities to hold power because this thing we are currently living through is not working at all.
I get you. I'm an old white cishet woman, but I have NEVER felt threatened because of it. Two of my three adult kids are queer. I absolutely love diversity of any kind! More power to diversity!!! I'm a huge ally and I support any movement towards your power 💪🏻
I have been wanting to pull out of the nosedive my psyche has been in since 2015. But it just gets worse and more daunting. He and his republican enablers and mainly the corporate elite/mafia, that sponsors them, is dragging the whole 🌎 through increasingly darker circles of hell
Sadly, for those of us who want unity, compassion, kindness, and decency to prevail- these other people DO NOT. It’s our nature that we all “hoped & believed” the Supreme Court would always protect our rights and Not Remove Our Civil Rights! Because that was “the norm” until now.
Democracy has been eroded from the inside because we’ve been complacent, believing our system and our society was the best and “Who’d Imagine” anyone would want it to fail!
WE THE PEOPLE Need to vote in every single election. If you’re Not sure of a judge, look until you see who appointed them and if the Federalist Society supports that judge. The Federalist Society Is A Problem!! We need to back people who are normal (ie the word norm comes from normal) and realize that there Were and Still are Americans that supported Hitler & his ideas; and the confederacy!
Only if the rest of us (the majority) band and stand together and vote can we stop this decline in real decency, our rights, and our Democracy. I’m stunned to see Americans hating Americans- That Should Never Become Normal!!!
If you’re a “christian” - I don’t think I’ve Ever heard “hate thy neighbor” come out of Jesus’ teachings.
Thank you Mary for continuing to give us your personal insight. This cannot be easy for you to continue to do since it brings up so many family memories. But like you we are living it to. Love the suggestion to get away from the rhetoric and soothe our minds. We have a long and treacherous road ahead of us as a country. Prayers and peace to all...
Hi Mary. I finally became a paid subscriber because I believe you are an important link to learning the truth about your uncle during this crucial time in American history and how we can get through this together. I wish there were one sustaining link between all the states in our country to unite in faith and trust and wanting normalcy for our country and how we can get there. I too agree that the arts are a compelling way to experience an elevated inner freedom. Thank you for being here 🇺🇸
The bottom feeders are still enthralled to the music man and will continue to enjoy the angertainment. The solution will be to send him off to an obscure prison, where he can be marginalized and spend his time reading love letters from his admirers. If Jeffrey Dahmer was able to get some love letters, then I would think the Donald should be able to as well. Hopefully we’ll make it to that point without a hot Civil War in the interim.
This is the FIRST time, in 7 years, that the actions of the Orange Sadist's cult has made any sense to me. As Mary writes: "As for the Democrats, they have not yet wrapped their head around the fact that Donald has figured out something most others have not: white evangelicals, the white working class, the Proud Boys and their ilk, aren’t voting against their self-interests, they are voting for what is of most interest to them and what most animates them—white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and hatred of the other."
Mary, I’m going to focus on the beauty of the art you posted, and on the spiritual benefits of museum-going.
My husband grew up in the Bronx, and as a youngster in the 50’s and 60’s (he’s a wee bit older than me), would take the subway to visit the Museum of Natural History, the Met, and his favorite, the Frick. He eventually became an industrial design major at Pratt in Brooklyn, so he took his art appreciation seriously.
I’m a So Cal gal born and raised, and was introduced to LACMA at a young age by a very culturally astute mother. She also started taking me to the LA Phil as a 9 year old. (I love symphonies, my husband operas. We chose to accept this disparity in our musical tastes.)
Imagine my surprise 38 years ago to meet a man who not only loved going to museums, and as a child, went to those institutions by himself on the subway, but would go to them happily with me! I was jealous of his easy access to the places I would grow to love but had a hard time getting to. LA, freeways... ya know?
It became a running family joke that no matter where we were, Mom (me) would drag the boys to a museum - Amsterdam, Sydney, Hawaii, Utah, NYC, Tanzania ( well, that’s a living museum so no complaints there), wherever, and our hometown gems the DeYoung and the Legion of Honor.
I believe, like my mother and my husband’s mother, to have instilled a love of beauty and of learning into my children.
We desperately need these moments of calm, of reflection, and of gentle discovery to guide us and support us through these turbulent times. It is there in the subtle complexity of a Rembrandt still life, in the rousing 4th movement of a Beethoven symphony, in the graceful notes of a Puccini aria, and in the simplicity of a blossoming rose.
I’m so grateful for the gentle admonitions you and the sisters-in-law continue to provide to help us all with our patience. Joyce has encouraged people to draw near to the people you love, care for them, and now your encouragement to take breaths and even develop a greater appreciation for art. I have been so over wrought for the last 3 years I had forgotten that I am actually a decent musician and love music. Oh, and are you still looking for an editor? 😂🎸🦎 Thanks, so much. The interview on Last Word recently was really good.
Trump's authoritarian cult is rapacious. I fear the Democrat's seeming innocence and naivety will fail to create new ideas and actions on how to confront this "brave new world". Our justice system will do its thing as it is now....slow though it may be. All the emerging "defending democracy" groups need to coalesce. ....now. The high alert is everywhere. We need new thinking, strategies, plans........at least I do. Thank you, Mary L. Trump for your pertinent literate Broadsides. Thomas Paine would approve.
Thank you Mary, for your eloquence in these uncertain times. Being in nature or turning to/making art is a balm I use to tamp down my anxiety. I recently read in the Washington Post why birds and their songs are good for our mental health, so I’ve been seeking that out too. It helps. You’ve got that covered with your sweet feathered friend!
Chuck Yeager, October 14th 1947 said “just before you break through the sound barrier, the cockpit shakes the most.”
Chuck Yeager was the first test pilot to successfully fly faster than the speed of sound. Engineers did not know if he would survive the flight as they worried the sound barrier was like flying into a brick wall.
The past eight years have shaken the life out of many of us both literally and figuratively.
We are on the precipice to take flight to a new level of greatness for our country or hit a brick wall.
Thank you Mary for flying with us and being one of our pilots!
Loved your post So spot on .
The assault on women and democracy strikes again... the Southern Baptist Convention just voted to:
Oust Churches With 1) Women Pastors AND they also 2) took a Vote that All Women Be Prevented from holding leadership roles in the Southern Baptists.
War Against Women CONTINUES under the guise of religion.
Great Depiction Lisa
Maybe every time someone complains about Trump being treated differently the response should be, “oh, so you want us to stop treating him better than anyone else would be treated?”
Amen!
I so desperately want to move past 2015, 2016 and 2020/Jan. 6 so badly. It seems like we are in a perpetual loop of hell because of the MAGA cult. Across the street from my Mom's house in suburban Chicago (that has Dem electeds at every level of government) the older white male owner of that house put up a small flag pole and hung a Trump 2024 flag on it. His neighbor two doors down has a gay son and I'm worried about his mental health having to look at that all the time while he's home from college this summer. This has never happened on my Mom's block in the 48 years she (and my Dad before he died in 2019) has lived there. Thank you for everything you are doing Mary. Sending you lots of love!!!
I feel like it's a form of mass hypnosis. Nothing else explains it, imo. My gay adult child lives in Chicago as well, and I fear for them. The country has a cancer.
So many of the insurrectionists came from suburbs that once had GOP electeds and now have Dem electeds representing them. The white cishet grievance DESPITE that demographic still controlling so much of American society is so toxic and dangerous.
Right! The cognitive dissonance is really powerful. They find it impossible to believe what they are experiencing, and everything is "stolen" or a"cheat", not the natural result of shifting demographics or better, more positive policy. The obstinacy is killing us.
I want white cishet people to become a minority in America VERY FAST. As a lesbian, I want our multi-racial, multi-cultural, LGBTQ+ expansive communities to hold power because this thing we are currently living through is not working at all.
I get you. I'm an old white cishet woman, but I have NEVER felt threatened because of it. Two of my three adult kids are queer. I absolutely love diversity of any kind! More power to diversity!!! I'm a huge ally and I support any movement towards your power 💪🏻
Great Analysis Carrie
There is also a collective consciousness that is above the fray and no noise only true knowing.
Yes. A Cancer
I have been wanting to pull out of the nosedive my psyche has been in since 2015. But it just gets worse and more daunting. He and his republican enablers and mainly the corporate elite/mafia, that sponsors them, is dragging the whole 🌎 through increasingly darker circles of hell
Sadly, for those of us who want unity, compassion, kindness, and decency to prevail- these other people DO NOT. It’s our nature that we all “hoped & believed” the Supreme Court would always protect our rights and Not Remove Our Civil Rights! Because that was “the norm” until now.
Democracy has been eroded from the inside because we’ve been complacent, believing our system and our society was the best and “Who’d Imagine” anyone would want it to fail!
WE THE PEOPLE Need to vote in every single election. If you’re Not sure of a judge, look until you see who appointed them and if the Federalist Society supports that judge. The Federalist Society Is A Problem!! We need to back people who are normal (ie the word norm comes from normal) and realize that there Were and Still are Americans that supported Hitler & his ideas; and the confederacy!
Only if the rest of us (the majority) band and stand together and vote can we stop this decline in real decency, our rights, and our Democracy. I’m stunned to see Americans hating Americans- That Should Never Become Normal!!!
If you’re a “christian” - I don’t think I’ve Ever heard “hate thy neighbor” come out of Jesus’ teachings.
Wow. Older White Male Owner. About says a lot about the maga divisive lot.
They don’t seem to care about anyone or anything else ( like their fearless leader).
I too hope their neighbor’s son is doing well and gets strength from the majority of us who trust in and believe Love Is Love.
Thank you Mary for continuing to give us your personal insight. This cannot be easy for you to continue to do since it brings up so many family memories. But like you we are living it to. Love the suggestion to get away from the rhetoric and soothe our minds. We have a long and treacherous road ahead of us as a country. Prayers and peace to all...
This is the best essay I've read all year, Mary. You absolutely NAILED what we're up against. Thanks for giving a damn!✊️
Totally agree!
Blistering and eloquent at the same time, deeply first-personal. Thanks Mary. Really enjoying your writing.
Excellent. We do need to include in our lives art, music, and I would include volunteering.
Years ago in a magazine interview Donald reportedly said, “ It is the Trump show 24/7 and everyone is tuning in.”
😵💫
Trump circus!
Hi Mary. I finally became a paid subscriber because I believe you are an important link to learning the truth about your uncle during this crucial time in American history and how we can get through this together. I wish there were one sustaining link between all the states in our country to unite in faith and trust and wanting normalcy for our country and how we can get there. I too agree that the arts are a compelling way to experience an elevated inner freedom. Thank you for being here 🇺🇸
The bottom feeders are still enthralled to the music man and will continue to enjoy the angertainment. The solution will be to send him off to an obscure prison, where he can be marginalized and spend his time reading love letters from his admirers. If Jeffrey Dahmer was able to get some love letters, then I would think the Donald should be able to as well. Hopefully we’ll make it to that point without a hot Civil War in the interim.
This is the FIRST time, in 7 years, that the actions of the Orange Sadist's cult has made any sense to me. As Mary writes: "As for the Democrats, they have not yet wrapped their head around the fact that Donald has figured out something most others have not: white evangelicals, the white working class, the Proud Boys and their ilk, aren’t voting against their self-interests, they are voting for what is of most interest to them and what most animates them—white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and hatred of the other."
Mary, I’m going to focus on the beauty of the art you posted, and on the spiritual benefits of museum-going.
My husband grew up in the Bronx, and as a youngster in the 50’s and 60’s (he’s a wee bit older than me), would take the subway to visit the Museum of Natural History, the Met, and his favorite, the Frick. He eventually became an industrial design major at Pratt in Brooklyn, so he took his art appreciation seriously.
I’m a So Cal gal born and raised, and was introduced to LACMA at a young age by a very culturally astute mother. She also started taking me to the LA Phil as a 9 year old. (I love symphonies, my husband operas. We chose to accept this disparity in our musical tastes.)
Imagine my surprise 38 years ago to meet a man who not only loved going to museums, and as a child, went to those institutions by himself on the subway, but would go to them happily with me! I was jealous of his easy access to the places I would grow to love but had a hard time getting to. LA, freeways... ya know?
It became a running family joke that no matter where we were, Mom (me) would drag the boys to a museum - Amsterdam, Sydney, Hawaii, Utah, NYC, Tanzania ( well, that’s a living museum so no complaints there), wherever, and our hometown gems the DeYoung and the Legion of Honor.
I believe, like my mother and my husband’s mother, to have instilled a love of beauty and of learning into my children.
We desperately need these moments of calm, of reflection, and of gentle discovery to guide us and support us through these turbulent times. It is there in the subtle complexity of a Rembrandt still life, in the rousing 4th movement of a Beethoven symphony, in the graceful notes of a Puccini aria, and in the simplicity of a blossoming rose.
Peace be with you all.
You don’t sound hopeful. I don’t think he will win another election, but he has unleashed authoritarian wannabes.
Praying for a miracle, fearing for my children.
I’m so grateful for the gentle admonitions you and the sisters-in-law continue to provide to help us all with our patience. Joyce has encouraged people to draw near to the people you love, care for them, and now your encouragement to take breaths and even develop a greater appreciation for art. I have been so over wrought for the last 3 years I had forgotten that I am actually a decent musician and love music. Oh, and are you still looking for an editor? 😂🎸🦎 Thanks, so much. The interview on Last Word recently was really good.
Trump's authoritarian cult is rapacious. I fear the Democrat's seeming innocence and naivety will fail to create new ideas and actions on how to confront this "brave new world". Our justice system will do its thing as it is now....slow though it may be. All the emerging "defending democracy" groups need to coalesce. ....now. The high alert is everywhere. We need new thinking, strategies, plans........at least I do. Thank you, Mary L. Trump for your pertinent literate Broadsides. Thomas Paine would approve.
Thank you Mary, for your eloquence in these uncertain times. Being in nature or turning to/making art is a balm I use to tamp down my anxiety. I recently read in the Washington Post why birds and their songs are good for our mental health, so I’ve been seeking that out too. It helps. You’ve got that covered with your sweet feathered friend!
If you don’t have it, The Merlin app is great for identifying birds by their songs and chatter, as well as photos. I love it!
Thank you, Mary, for your column.
The Republican responses scare me.
Take Care. 💙
Those responses lack substance, a great thing to remember.
They are still threatening.
Focus is everything. The fascist playbook is to throw us off track. They create noise (fear) to encourage us to give up.