So glad you did this Nelson. It's very real and very well said. Would love to talk at the springs sometime soon. Of course so many people are having the exact same thoughts and turmoil. "Should I stay or should I go." Of course I am biased, but I think we need to stay and fight. And I'm further biased in favor of focusing locally, person to person, online like you are here but also, most importantly, IRL.
Also so glad you wore that tshirt. I've never seen one like that. It's perfect. Nature is lifesaving for me, and I don't get enough of it, but that's on me. Mil gracias!
Thank you, Nelson, for your thoughtful video! Good questions.
I don’t have the economic means to leave and my 85-yr-old mother lives here so leaving is not an option for me personally, although I know a few people who are considering it for the exact reasons you describe and it makes so much sense!
In my eyes this country belongs to the people, not the government, and whatever damage this rogue administration does, I want to put forth remedy, wherever I live. Fight can be made here or abroad.
For 8-9 years I have organized a small volunteer group that I began at the onset of, and because of, his first administration. We do wish list drives for local nonprofits selected specifically for their help to people most likely to be hurt by his current (and former) administrations: Inmates, impoverished elderly, homeless, runaways and LGBTQ kids, refugees…
We are a tiny group. Our last meeting boasted zero sign-ups, so I have rescheduled it, but the one before that there were a good 7-8 of us. And over the last 8-9 years the help has added up. So since I don’t have the option to leave, I’ll stay here and fight.
So whether you fight from abroad or fight from here, the fight is the thing!
Thank you for fighting, Nelson!
Here are some pictures from our volunteer group’s drives the last few years. It feels good not to feel overwhelming paralyzation, however small our contributions, however small our fight, we are still fighting.
Hey Nelson, thank you for sharing this video. I’m not sure how I came across it, but you were expressing the feelings exactly that I have about what’s going on in our country.
About a year ago before the election my wife Cheryl who is a native San Antonian, and has never lived outside of Texas actually had a conversation with me about the possibility of us emigrating to another country and I was shocked to hear her say that. Since then, we have had conversations about what we can do in the meantime.
But I like you I am torn about what is the right thing to do. I think the answer lies in doing both! Fighting now when we can where we can, but also understanding that we have the freedom to say we don’t want to be a part of this shtshow and leave. Is that cowardly, maybe. Then I think back to how this country was founded . . . and I think well now I understand.
Your idea of a creative residency in France is fascinating, especially since that is my family‘s homeland. Autard was the original spelling of my last name. I would love to attend one of those retreats or to visit you all. Just to have some time outside the USA.
I am finding that’s the answer though. I can’t keep this up every day 24/7 as they say I have to have that balance and get away from it, but I know in my heart and in my gut, this is the time to step up and speak out.
I also want to share that at the same time we have to be open to ideas that aren’t the same as ours. In our contrary, we do have to look for the good so to speak on the other side there’s enough bad and horrendous actions that you referred to, and I agree with you. The question — Is there anything good coming out of it? I think we have to look for that and support it where we can. I also feel like it’s upon us to call on our oligarchs. Is that a thing? why aren’t wealthy, tech women, sports athletes, someone - - coming out and supporting candidates like Bernie and AOC? And some of these others like the brave Jasmine Crockett from Texas who’s not afraid to speak out. There are national races going on right now that need their support, in addition to ours - the general public. If the muskrat is pouring money into their opponents campaign, they need help from the creativegarchs (just made that up) to help their movement. They don’t have to accept big dollar donations in order to get this help.
In the meantime, I’m doing what I can do here locally I volunteered to be our precinct chair and I’m helping a balanced, logical candidate (Angiefor9) in our local non-partisan city election. Even those are becoming tainted with political action money from our state government and entities connected with them. That’s insane. All to gain control. They don’t want San Antonio to be a sanctuary city. They don’t want CampassionUSA to be part of SA.
So I feel we have to, stay and fight, but with balance, and when the time comes, and if it’s within our wherewithal, I would love nothing more than to join you in France for a week in the country. To get away and focus on being whole. To write, sing, create, cook, eat. . . . and then return for another round.
So glad you did this Nelson. It's very real and very well said. Would love to talk at the springs sometime soon. Of course so many people are having the exact same thoughts and turmoil. "Should I stay or should I go." Of course I am biased, but I think we need to stay and fight. And I'm further biased in favor of focusing locally, person to person, online like you are here but also, most importantly, IRL.
Also so glad you wore that tshirt. I've never seen one like that. It's perfect. Nature is lifesaving for me, and I don't get enough of it, but that's on me. Mil gracias!
Yes! Let’s meet up soon at the pool!
Thank you, Nelson, for your thoughtful video! Good questions.
I don’t have the economic means to leave and my 85-yr-old mother lives here so leaving is not an option for me personally, although I know a few people who are considering it for the exact reasons you describe and it makes so much sense!
In my eyes this country belongs to the people, not the government, and whatever damage this rogue administration does, I want to put forth remedy, wherever I live. Fight can be made here or abroad.
For 8-9 years I have organized a small volunteer group that I began at the onset of, and because of, his first administration. We do wish list drives for local nonprofits selected specifically for their help to people most likely to be hurt by his current (and former) administrations: Inmates, impoverished elderly, homeless, runaways and LGBTQ kids, refugees…
We are a tiny group. Our last meeting boasted zero sign-ups, so I have rescheduled it, but the one before that there were a good 7-8 of us. And over the last 8-9 years the help has added up. So since I don’t have the option to leave, I’ll stay here and fight.
So whether you fight from abroad or fight from here, the fight is the thing!
Thank you for fighting, Nelson!
Here are some pictures from our volunteer group’s drives the last few years. It feels good not to feel overwhelming paralyzation, however small our contributions, however small our fight, we are still fighting.
I love this so much. Thank you Marla for your work and for your support. I didn’t see the photos attached, but I’d love to see them
Oh! Maybe they didn’t save. I’ll comment again with the pics
Volunteer group pics…
I love those!
Me too! Such wonderful people I meet in this group!
Hey Nelson, thank you for sharing this video. I’m not sure how I came across it, but you were expressing the feelings exactly that I have about what’s going on in our country.
About a year ago before the election my wife Cheryl who is a native San Antonian, and has never lived outside of Texas actually had a conversation with me about the possibility of us emigrating to another country and I was shocked to hear her say that. Since then, we have had conversations about what we can do in the meantime.
But I like you I am torn about what is the right thing to do. I think the answer lies in doing both! Fighting now when we can where we can, but also understanding that we have the freedom to say we don’t want to be a part of this shtshow and leave. Is that cowardly, maybe. Then I think back to how this country was founded . . . and I think well now I understand.
Your idea of a creative residency in France is fascinating, especially since that is my family‘s homeland. Autard was the original spelling of my last name. I would love to attend one of those retreats or to visit you all. Just to have some time outside the USA.
I am finding that’s the answer though. I can’t keep this up every day 24/7 as they say I have to have that balance and get away from it, but I know in my heart and in my gut, this is the time to step up and speak out.
I also want to share that at the same time we have to be open to ideas that aren’t the same as ours. In our contrary, we do have to look for the good so to speak on the other side there’s enough bad and horrendous actions that you referred to, and I agree with you. The question — Is there anything good coming out of it? I think we have to look for that and support it where we can. I also feel like it’s upon us to call on our oligarchs. Is that a thing? why aren’t wealthy, tech women, sports athletes, someone - - coming out and supporting candidates like Bernie and AOC? And some of these others like the brave Jasmine Crockett from Texas who’s not afraid to speak out. There are national races going on right now that need their support, in addition to ours - the general public. If the muskrat is pouring money into their opponents campaign, they need help from the creativegarchs (just made that up) to help their movement. They don’t have to accept big dollar donations in order to get this help.
In the meantime, I’m doing what I can do here locally I volunteered to be our precinct chair and I’m helping a balanced, logical candidate (Angiefor9) in our local non-partisan city election. Even those are becoming tainted with political action money from our state government and entities connected with them. That’s insane. All to gain control. They don’t want San Antonio to be a sanctuary city. They don’t want CampassionUSA to be part of SA.
So I feel we have to, stay and fight, but with balance, and when the time comes, and if it’s within our wherewithal, I would love nothing more than to join you in France for a week in the country. To get away and focus on being whole. To write, sing, create, cook, eat. . . . and then return for another round.
Thank you again for sharing your video.