At age 65, I never thought I would live in an America where

[Ferrets are Cool]

It can be criminal to teach history in classrooms.

The right to vote is being challenged.

Science is evil.

There was a attempted coup in the nations Capital.

Civil war is openly discussed at a viable option.

Children being shot is so commonplace that it's not even news.

The right to abortion would be "virtually" outlawed.

Fascism is openly celebrated.

The Supreme Court has been radicalized by the right.

We could very possibly lose our Democracy.

[JuJuChen]

1. Well....you do.

[YoshidaYui]

91. i SURE would hate to live in a DICTATORSHIP ...

AND to know our leaders failed to keep Democracy a live... and I wonder how much RUSSIAN language will be required learning?

[Beachnutt]

2. Welcome to the republican

Twilight zone..

[certainot]

25. brought to you by 1500 rw radio stations

[2Gingersnaps]

65. And one anti immigrant immigrant.

Rupert Murdoch.

[dem4decades]

3. And I stopped drinking, may have to reevaluate. I guess that's how the Russians survive.

[walkingman]

8. Cool!

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img][/img][/url]

[monkeyman1]

11. bull -shit !!

[llashram]

49. yep

just finished dinner. Time for a nice healthy shot of bourbon.

[cilla4progress]

4. I think we are going to lose it -

and once lost, it will be excruciatingly difficult to get it back, if at all...

Here is a quote I just came across, that I like:

"There is no rhyme or reason. There is only the chilling reminder that we live precariously and die randomly, and that there is honor
in facing each day with purpose and grace."

This was shared with me here, some time ago. I just did a Google search and found it was a quote from an article in the LA Times about a train crash that occurred there in 2005, killing some of the passengers.

I posted it on my (physical) bulletin board at home alongside a Howard Zinn quote posted here in another thread this morning:

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty,
but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to
do something. If we remember those times and places – and there are so many – where people have behaved magnificently, this
gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession
of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous
victory."

Fare well, dear Ferret!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

58. Thank you.

[Ferrets are Cool]

71. Thank you for sharing those great quotes.

Hold on tightly, Cilla

[Goonch]

5. ;-{)🖖‍

[Boomerproud]

6. We're the same age.

Bookmarking.

[LakeArenal]

7. Just got legal residency in Costa Rica Whew!

I guess they don’t call us ex-pats for nothin’!

Seriously. Think of a temporary or permanent move somewhere. You still have your right to vote.

There’s no reason to watch from the front Row.

Can still phone bank, donate, and network in other countries.

[monkeyman1]

12. scoot over !

[LakeArenal]

22. Come on down!!!🇨🇷🇺🇸🇨🇷🇺🇸🇨🇷

If you can live in a tropical place and learn patience.....you will know the laid back life.

[childfreebychoice]

55. Just got legal residency in Panama, Jan 15th. Yay! nt

[argyl]

56. I've been living in Thailand the past 3 1/2 years.

On a retirement visa. It's easily renewable once a year. I'm coming to the States for six weeks this year; mid June to late July.

The last time I was there was Oct.2019, pre Covid. I wanted to come last year because I didn't know if I'd ever see my Mother again. She died Feb. 10th of 2021, Covid. She was 96 and going down. We did discover Skype anyway.

I'm honestly afraid of what I'll be seeing. Most of my time there will be spent with a good friend and we'll be traveling the American West, Big Bend to Puget Sound with many stops along the way, of course.

I'll be pretty much keeping my mouth shut about politics, which isn't easy for me but I'll do it.

I doubt I'll ever come back to the States to live but I did get overseas ballots in 2018 and 2020.
As a Texan, I desperately wanted to vote for Beto in 2018 and in 2020 I had to vote against The Dotard.
I've voted in every Presidential and off year election since I was old enough to vote. My first vote was for McGovern. I knew he was going to lose but I felt good just casting my vote for him.
Maybe my 2022 vote for Beto will get that asshole Abbott tossed out on the street.

[Ferrets are Cool]

72. I have heard that Thailand is a very interesting place to live.

I hope you enjoy your time there Argyl.

[argyl]

97. It is. Thailand's beaches and islands are as beautiful as any in the world.

And the North has lush hilly to mountainous rain forests where Thai tribespeople still live off the land as they've done for centuries. Of course, the sightseers are a source of income as well.

The Thai people are as a whole the kindest, most polite people I've ever met.

The City of Bangkok is a truly modern metroplex. Modern skyscrapers, malls that are as luxurious and modern as any in the world.

And,WTH, if this is sexist then so be it. No country has women more beautiful than Thailand.

It's not perfect, but you're right. It is very interesting.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. At 65 years of age, you grew up in that America.

[iluvtennis]

10. KnR - agree n/t

[randr]

13. Ain't it Great!

[Evolve Dammit]

14. Thanks for your post. Every assertion is correct and there are many more. We are in for some shit.

But we need to fight back. Hard. It ain't over by a long shot.

[Ferrets are Cool]

73. Fighting back in every way that I can

[cinematicdiversions]

15. Are you an immigrant?

I was alive in 1968, as were you

You certainly have lived in an America just like that unless you are a recent immigrant.

[Ferrets are Cool]

74. No, I've lived in Mobile, AL all my life

I will amicably state that I do not believe the issues we face now are the same we faced in '68. Yes, there were huge problems, but we never thought that our Democracy was at risk.

[pfitz59]

16. 40 years of Reaganomics and Faux News

has taken its toll.

[leftieNanner]

26. And Don't Forget

Rush (still dead) Limbaugh.

[kskiska]

90. ...and just about forgotten.

It rare if his name is even mentioned.

[aggiesal]

40. I started attending college in New Mexico in 1980 ...

After the 1980 election, I told a friend that I'm shocked that NM had voted for Reagan.
I was then asked why that was a big deal? I told my friend, because in 30 years we will no longer have a middle class.

[Ferrets are Cool]

75. AND, right wing radio.

Preaching hate is very profitable.

[vercetti2021]

17. Sadly

Seems like a total fall out will be the only way to save the country. Democracy won't die unless we allow it. God be damned if I go out without a fight

[Mysterian]

21. I wonder if the USA must lose a war to finally "grow up"

If the fascists gain power and establish a dictatorship in the former USA, there will be war and it will be lost. I hope the nation in which I was born survives.

[The Jungle 1]

18. Well put!

I am also 65.
I want to find my super ball.

[doc03]

19. Never could understand how a man like Hitler came to power in Germany. We see

how it was done in real time.

[Elwood P Dowd]

24. We're getting close to where Germany was

just before the Reichstag fire.

[monkeyman1]

27. real easy ! people piss'd at government & had a-

blow hard like trump saying he can fix it ! he sure did ! what ya' expect out of a carrier flim flam man ! his whole family major'd in it ! do the history ! people wanted a change & donny jumped right the hell in !! the only people we can blame is the media for hyping this pos !! get so tired of listening to all cry babies ! you know the problem - fix it!

[Ferrets are Cool]

76. How would YOU propose we "fix" it?

[BlueJac]

20. Agree 100%

[Augiedog]

23. My wife and I were talking about this very thing. I'm older than you and a Viet Nam vet

and I am horrified by what i see.

When I watched the January 6th attack on the capital and our democracy my heart sank and I felt an unusual kind of fury. That anger surprised me…i am extremely well trained in conflict de-escalation, yet saw red for the first time in a very long time.

When I witness the derangement of the right wing in our country I have believed that some sort of consequences would change the behavior of the extremists, that their political leaders would see the danger and restrain them. No such luck, they are using them as a shield, dupes and cannon fodder.

We may be looking into the abyss, and what is looking back is not going to be kind to us.

As I said at the beginning, I was talking to my wife about this and one of my thoughts was that I’m glad I won’t have to live all that long under what may well be the death of our nation as a democracy. Although I am ridiculously healthy…so there is that. So as long as we are allowed to vote, and that is clearly in question, I will vote democratic.

We need our democratic leaders to step into the breach and go after these extremist elements, be they insurrectionists, domestic terrorists, billionaire financiers or their politically powerful leaders…no matter who they are.

[monkeyman1]

28. "With you all the way ---- V.N. VET ! ------------ AIRBORNE HERE !"

[BidenRocks]

34. USMC CAS

A-4s Forever!

[monkeyman1]

35. cool bean's - 173rd airborne -army ! know your out-fit !

[BidenRocks]

38. Blacksheep

VMA 214

[monkeyman1]

41. knew that rang a bell --- pap's squadron -ww2 ?

[BidenRocks]

43. Even a TV show

USMC 73-78
Avionics/6614

[BidenRocks]

44. Even a TV show

USMC 73-78
Avionics/6614

[monkeyman1]

45. just remember my dad telling me about them ! said great morale booster back then !

[monkeyman1]

46. plus , was proud of everybody over there ! spent 3 tour's there !

[CaptainTruth]

31. Well said. I feel like right now we are all being called to serve...

...in whatever way we can.

[llashram]

50. same here

74 this month...A.O. in the delta around Saigon, Zuan Loc, Long Thanh. I learned this week my Agent Orange induced cancer has made a return. Well, 4 years ago I beat it into remission, along with chemo and radiation and the beautiful staff at my primary cancer centre. So I'll fight it again. I just hope the Nazi's 2.0 won't win. I can still fight them.

[Ferrets are Cool]

77. Amen!!

[CaptainTruth]

29. And I never thought I would feel motivated to buy firearms...

...to protect myself from crazy people who want me to die for no other reason than my political philosophy... but here I am... shopping for options.

It's truly sad & I'm doing everything I can to change reality. We all must work together toward that goal.

[vercetti2021]

32. Yep

From personal experience dealing with my right wing neighbor threatening us many years ago. I decided to not take a chance. I own a few rifles and some handguns. Mainly due to that fact of these people cannot be reasoned with. Push comes to shove, shove first before you're dead

[llashram]

51. ++

[Lonestarblue]

30. I'm a decade older than you, but I too have been amazed at how quickly Trump pulled

decades of Republican culture wars and anti-government sentiment together to almost overturn democracy in one fell swoop. Our democratic institutions barely held, and they have been weakened since with voter suppression laws and a Supreme Court that is ready to overturn laws based on their religious views. One of their more pernicious actions with the Texas abortion law is that they have made it legal for state governments to loose vigilantes on the public and allow them to deny people of their rights under federal law. Vigilantes take the law into their own hands, as we saw with the McMichaels in Georgia as they murdered a man because they thought they could get away with it as privileged white people.

We will have perhaps a decade where Republicans will steal elections and no one will hold them accountable if they also hold the presidency and both house of Congress. The current Supreme Court is useless unless it is just a rubber stamp for whatever Republicans and religious extremists want to do. I wish I knew what could save us, but I think it most likely lies in the hands of those in their 20s and 30s, who will need to carry on our fight if they want democracy for themselves.

[BidenRocks]

33. Firearms are easy.

Ammo is hard.
So we end up with militant rookies.
Good luck with that.
This Marine has 50 rounds of 45.

I plan on taking the overarmed lardass down and taking their stuff.
They are mobile ammo depots.

Let's not play this game!

[marie999]

89. Best not to be specific, someone may be taking notes.

That is why I am against registering weapons.

[calimary]

36. The deterioration of the America we once knew.

Sad and bewildering.

[Ferrets are Cool]

78. It's never been perfect, but the Democracy has never been under attack like now.

[USALiberal]

37. Great post!!! Nt

[c-rational]

39. Good post. Bookmarked.

[PatrickforB]

42. Quite. But on a positive note, my COVID test came back negative!

As to losing the republic, yeah, we may very well do.

[Texaswitchy]

47. I wonder how long all the social programs will exist.

The rich will not care how many people die.

More money for them.

The young will have to fight back.

Not a good looking future.

[Ferrets are Cool]

79. I NEVER thought that abortion rights would go away BECAUSE

the right could use them as political fodder for the ignorant. I was wrong about that.
I fear for our social programs...they seem untouchable, but with this Supreme Court, who the hell knows what actions they will take.

[Texaswitchy]

98. Jr. Bush tried to destroy Social security.

The rich do not need it.

The goal is to kill off people, like with the virus.

Reduce the population.

Republicans are voting to kill themselves.

[llashram]

48. at 74

I see a loose confederation of American states on its way. I don't think I'll see this happen. Yet there is too much ideological difference in our society. There is a Supreme Court that will move us far right. I see the lower courts as like the fake courts that rubber-stamped Hitler's edicts. Rittenhouse has started me thinking this way. Voting rights as a lever for putting millions off the nationwide voting rolls. Women will lose their rights to make decisions about their own bodies and POC will end up again with slavery by another name.

I should have gotten out 10 years ago.

[Ferrets are Cool]

80. I honestly wish I had gotten out when it was feasible for me to do so.

No one wants old farts like me, and with my wife's physical condition, it would be impossible.

[Woodwizard]

52. I am a few years younger

tale end of the boomers, I was optimistic and terrified as a child, one part worried about imminent nuclear war and worrying about my brother getting drafted for Nam, the other was the optimistic watching of the space program I thought our society would be more enlightened by technology, boy was I off on that one.

I feel like I am watching the dark ages unfold.

[Ferrets are Cool]

81. I feel ya.

[Progressive Jones]

53. Not only is fascism celebrated, it's illegal to crush the life out of fascism. For now, anyway. nt

[grantcart]

54. That people wouldn't rejoice to get an effective vaccine

Or that a President while looking at a solar eclipse would stare directly into the sun.

[betsuni]

57. 61, and every decade since the 80s it was clear what would happen.

They were creating a monster and Trump was the perfect monster.

[IzzaNuDay]

59. I've finally been binge watching Handmaid's Tale

And all I can say is ****! We are close to being Giles’s it’s distressing!

[Ferrets are Cool]

82. The main reason I haven't watched it is because

I know it would depress me too badly.

[nwliberalkiwi]

60. New Zealand

Take a strong look at living in New Zealand. If it wasn't for family we would be living in New Zealand. Had the great pleasure of living there for two years, now too old to move back!!!

[Javaman]

61. And that we've polluted so much that the

Climate is fucked beyond repair

[Ferrets are Cool]

83. Yes, I neglected to mention the damn climate damage we are doing to the Earth.

Filling the oceans with plastic and the atmosphere with Co2.

[ificandream]

62. I'm a little older than you ...

Five years to be exact, and yeah, it also saddens me to see what has happened to this country. I really blame Fake Fox more than even the Republicans. Without that scummy piece of trash, I think this nightmare GOP b.s. would have faded away. I mean we had inklings of this in the past and no one took it seriously because we didn't have a strong media element to back it. But because you have Fox's mostly white idiots making comfort food for America's GOP racists, it has really taken hold. I'm almost glad I won't be around in 50 years to see what this country will look like.

[Ferrets are Cool]

84. Yes, but you have to include right wing radio. It is rampant.

And there are so many willing to let their ears be filled with hate.

[ificandream]

96. Yeah, but radio doesn't have the same pull

... and remember that many of the big shots on radio come from TV, like Hannity. Rush was a major exception to that, granted. But when you can both see and hear the scumbags, they get more attention.

[malthaussen]

63. I think of it as a "worst-case scenario."

For a given value of "worst."

-- Mal

[Tickle]

64. I'll be 64 on Monday

I don't know how I got this old but that aside I'm with you on your thoughts 100%.

[Ferrets are Cool]

85. Yeah, it's hard to believe I've crammed this much life into 65 years.

[Tickle]

92. Nice outlook

you seem to have. I just can’t get over I’m 64 …. Last time I checked I was raising children while noticing I had a few gray hairs 🤦?♀️😊🎈

[Ferrets are Cool]

93. The only time it really bothers me is

the aching joints and knowing that there are so many things that I will never be able to accomplish or experience.

[Tickle]

94. Boy do I

get it!

[DSandra]

66. Honestly, there needs to be a sacrifice paid in order to keep the evil ones at bay

Whether it is a courageous few people at the top who risk their lives or people at the grassroots that are organized, indivisible and are courageous and do not fear death and repercussions by the evil ones. The COVID-19 Pandemic alone has shown that more blood is spilled in NOT fighting courageously and indivisibly against evil than fighting it.

[bif]

67. I'm about the same age, and moving the Europe is starting to look like an option.

I was born and raised here. But America is really stating to scare me.

[Ferrets are Cool]

86. I'm not sure anyone wants Americans of this age group.

[bif]

95. I'm talking about retiring in Europe.

[malaise]

68. Great post

Rec

[Ferrets are Cool]

87. Thank you my friend.

[malaise]

69. Great post

Rec

[czarjak]

70. White supremocy, the same yesterday, today and forever?

[Ferrets are Cool]

88. Yes, that is something that doesn't seem to change, right?

[Texaswitchy]

99. This is why in April my housemate and are leaving for Canada.

The kids are already there.

It just so sad to see a once great country go down the tubes.

All the work over the years to make this country a better place. Destroyed by one asshole in four years.

If this country is saved it will not be the same.

To much right wing hate.

Trump kicked over the rocks and let it out.

Maybe my grandkids will come back one day if things are better. At my age I will not. I am 68 now.

Texas will not be a fun place if the rightwing takes over.