Behind frozen smiles and expensive cocktails, Memorial Day conversations turned toward missiles, dictators, global instability, and the growing fear that war is inching closer.
Damn, Michael - you nailed it. One of your best posts. Thank you for your voice of sanity. The topic is depressing and frightening, but we - every one of us - need to face it head-on and deal with it. Everywhere.
I know it probably isn’t easy to continue speaking openly when it comes with criticism or losing subscribers during emotionally charged times.
Even if people disagree, I respect your willingness to continue questioning narratives, standing by what feels right to you, and encouraging people to think critically rather than blindly follow one side or another.
What I appreciate most is the continued pursuit of truth, facts, and humanity through all of it.
Please continue doing what feels authentic to you. Thoughtful voices still matter.
Because, for the first time in my lifetime of 60+ years, WE are the geopolitical instability. Not enough people are talking about the potential loss of freedom of the seas. If Iran controls the straight and demands payment, how soon until other countries close to waterways start demanding tolls too? We’ve had 10 years of the normalization of Donald Trump. The both sides-ism. The “go along to get along.” The cowardice. The inability to hold him accountable. The Republicans care about nothing but power and the Democrats don’t know how to use power when they have it. It’s a sad state of affairs.
Yes, Lisa - you're absolutely right on all accounts. I'm sure that most people would not have ever considered that countries could/would close their waterways. Good thought.
Per usual. Michael you have failed to mention one important aspect of this global instability of which you speak. That it is entirely self-inflicted by the actions of Donald Trump, his sycophants that support him, and a msm that looks the other way. Not only has Trump given a permission structure to his cronies and goons in the US to commit crimes in plain sight, he has given the other dictators of the world permission to unleash further aggression and chaos upon their neighbors. And to top it off he is financing their efforts while at the same time compensating his cronies and goons back home!!! When is this country going to wake up???!!! The absolute corruption is endless...
Welcome to the dread. Canadians and Europeans have been carrying this for months. When Trump threatened to take Greenland, every Canadian did the math in about ten seconds, NATO ally, Denmark, a stone's throw from us, we were going. Then Cuba. Then abducting Venezuela's president. Then Canada itself, on repeat. And Americans are worried about Taiwan? The threat isn't across the Pacific. It's in your own house. Glad you're feeling it. We've been feeling it.
I'm Canadian, too, Kate. Yes, those persistent 51st state comments, etc. And Greenland. Now threats to Cuba, on top of all else...yes, we've been feeling and boycotting almost everything American...as much as seems possible, anyway.
This was exactly as you said Michael. Reality loud and clear. The last line of My Country ‘Tis of Thee is LET FREEDOM RING! That is at stake here. If we do not make a chance then that might be the very thing we lose. The very core of what our country was built on is democracy and people better wake up and realize that is exactly what’s at stake here.
It feels more and more like history repeating itself. Except this time, maybe we have the slimmest of chances of turning the boat around. Michael, thanks for ringing alarm bells louder and louder. We need to continue our actions!
You could feel the tension in the air. I went to get flowers for a friend who just had knee surgery. No one at the greenhouse mentioned Memorial Day at all. There was a couple at my friend's house. Again, not a mention. The couple was her Pastor, wife, and 6-year-old daughter. The Pastor and I had a lively and interesting conversation on his beliefs as a Catholic and mine as a Jew. Only two people in the parking lot at the greenhouse said "Happy Memorial Day" to me. I replied that we aren't supposed to be happy today and left it at that. I didn't feel that it was a teachable moment. The atmosphere was thick with fear and confusion, and, yes, exhaustion. I see that things are all going to get worse. It's as though I was on a scary roller coaster ride and I wished I had not gotten on the ride. Your post was so depressing, yet it was accurate. We are already behind the game, IMO, and I don't know if we will be able to right ourselves in time.
IMPEACH AND DUMP TRAITORS, NAZIS PREDATORS AND ENABLERS , IMPERIALIST CRIMINALS, WAR MONGERS, CAREER CRIMINALS, CRIMINAL GRIFTERS, FASCIST PIGS, FRAUDSTERS, RACIST, AND CON REPUBLICONS EVERYWHERE. RELEASE ALL UNREDACTED EPSTEIN FILES AND JAIL CON RTRUMP. AVOID CON RTRUMP'S AND THE REPUBLICON'S RECESSION AND DEPRESSION. FIX CLIMATE CHANGE, FOR THE FAIR DEAL, NOT THE RAW DEAL. VOTE BLUE AND SAVE DEMOCRACY. STOP THE RTRUMP OLIGARCHY. BOYCOTT CRIMINAL RTRUMP & ELON THE NAZIS. INVOKE 25TH AMENDMENT FOR A BETTER DEAL, DUMP CON REPUBLICONS
Americans got fat and sassy. Even many who didn't have much financially, at least had a life that wasn't filled with stress every day. In the Ponzi scheme that is capitalism in America, we allowed, and even encouraged, chasing the dollar at the expense of just having a decent life. It's everyone's fault, for different reasons. The chickens (whom we also take for granted far too much) have come home to roost.
The political climate now feels like a chronic headache or deep toothache — the kind that never fully fades and for which there is no pill, no quick fix, no moment of real relief. My family and friends feel that constant throb and "soldier on". We keep pushing forward, pretending we’re fine, but the exhaustion shows. It’s the emotional version of waiting for medical results you’re terrified to read.
What used to be background noise has become a permanent ache. Global crises, political tension, and nonstop instability seep into daily life, turning even casual conversations heavy. And that’s the hardest truth: there’s no cure yet. No antidote. Just a country learning to function through the pain, even as the ache deepens.
Damn, Michael - you nailed it. One of your best posts. Thank you for your voice of sanity. The topic is depressing and frightening, but we - every one of us - need to face it head-on and deal with it. Everywhere.
I know it probably isn’t easy to continue speaking openly when it comes with criticism or losing subscribers during emotionally charged times.
Even if people disagree, I respect your willingness to continue questioning narratives, standing by what feels right to you, and encouraging people to think critically rather than blindly follow one side or another.
What I appreciate most is the continued pursuit of truth, facts, and humanity through all of it.
Please continue doing what feels authentic to you. Thoughtful voices still matter.
Honesty often is not rewarded as it should be.
Especially as Substack becomes tribal and incestuous.
Absolutely Skip. I'm seeing it more and more each day.
Sadly
I agree, Morgan.
Agree wholeheartedly! 💯
Because, for the first time in my lifetime of 60+ years, WE are the geopolitical instability. Not enough people are talking about the potential loss of freedom of the seas. If Iran controls the straight and demands payment, how soon until other countries close to waterways start demanding tolls too? We’ve had 10 years of the normalization of Donald Trump. The both sides-ism. The “go along to get along.” The cowardice. The inability to hold him accountable. The Republicans care about nothing but power and the Democrats don’t know how to use power when they have it. It’s a sad state of affairs.
Yes, Lisa - you're absolutely right on all accounts. I'm sure that most people would not have ever considered that countries could/would close their waterways. Good thought.
The no-war potus is a lie. All lies, 100% corrupt.
he always was
Per usual. Michael you have failed to mention one important aspect of this global instability of which you speak. That it is entirely self-inflicted by the actions of Donald Trump, his sycophants that support him, and a msm that looks the other way. Not only has Trump given a permission structure to his cronies and goons in the US to commit crimes in plain sight, he has given the other dictators of the world permission to unleash further aggression and chaos upon their neighbors. And to top it off he is financing their efforts while at the same time compensating his cronies and goons back home!!! When is this country going to wake up???!!! The absolute corruption is endless...
What part did you play in this? Are you willing to take responsibility for it?
Welcome to the dread. Canadians and Europeans have been carrying this for months. When Trump threatened to take Greenland, every Canadian did the math in about ten seconds, NATO ally, Denmark, a stone's throw from us, we were going. Then Cuba. Then abducting Venezuela's president. Then Canada itself, on repeat. And Americans are worried about Taiwan? The threat isn't across the Pacific. It's in your own house. Glad you're feeling it. We've been feeling it.
I'm Canadian, too, Kate. Yes, those persistent 51st state comments, etc. And Greenland. Now threats to Cuba, on top of all else...yes, we've been feeling and boycotting almost everything American...as much as seems possible, anyway.
This was exactly as you said Michael. Reality loud and clear. The last line of My Country ‘Tis of Thee is LET FREEDOM RING! That is at stake here. If we do not make a chance then that might be the very thing we lose. The very core of what our country was built on is democracy and people better wake up and realize that is exactly what’s at stake here.
Well said Michelle.
It feels more and more like history repeating itself. Except this time, maybe we have the slimmest of chances of turning the boat around. Michael, thanks for ringing alarm bells louder and louder. We need to continue our actions!
You could feel the tension in the air. I went to get flowers for a friend who just had knee surgery. No one at the greenhouse mentioned Memorial Day at all. There was a couple at my friend's house. Again, not a mention. The couple was her Pastor, wife, and 6-year-old daughter. The Pastor and I had a lively and interesting conversation on his beliefs as a Catholic and mine as a Jew. Only two people in the parking lot at the greenhouse said "Happy Memorial Day" to me. I replied that we aren't supposed to be happy today and left it at that. I didn't feel that it was a teachable moment. The atmosphere was thick with fear and confusion, and, yes, exhaustion. I see that things are all going to get worse. It's as though I was on a scary roller coaster ride and I wished I had not gotten on the ride. Your post was so depressing, yet it was accurate. We are already behind the game, IMO, and I don't know if we will be able to right ourselves in time.
I had similar experiences Joanne. No one mentioned Memorial Day other than my sister who sent a text GIF of a grave site with a comment.
Sigh.
The chaos has a name: Donald Trump. How many of these folks voted for Trump, and would still vote for him?
IMPEACH AND DUMP TRAITORS, NAZIS PREDATORS AND ENABLERS , IMPERIALIST CRIMINALS, WAR MONGERS, CAREER CRIMINALS, CRIMINAL GRIFTERS, FASCIST PIGS, FRAUDSTERS, RACIST, AND CON REPUBLICONS EVERYWHERE. RELEASE ALL UNREDACTED EPSTEIN FILES AND JAIL CON RTRUMP. AVOID CON RTRUMP'S AND THE REPUBLICON'S RECESSION AND DEPRESSION. FIX CLIMATE CHANGE, FOR THE FAIR DEAL, NOT THE RAW DEAL. VOTE BLUE AND SAVE DEMOCRACY. STOP THE RTRUMP OLIGARCHY. BOYCOTT CRIMINAL RTRUMP & ELON THE NAZIS. INVOKE 25TH AMENDMENT FOR A BETTER DEAL, DUMP CON REPUBLICONS
Americans got fat and sassy. Even many who didn't have much financially, at least had a life that wasn't filled with stress every day. In the Ponzi scheme that is capitalism in America, we allowed, and even encouraged, chasing the dollar at the expense of just having a decent life. It's everyone's fault, for different reasons. The chickens (whom we also take for granted far too much) have come home to roost.
Just maybe….
The wealthy, successful people you mention are having second thoughts about supporting a dictator.
This possibly wouldn’t have happened if they had balls instead of trying to get richer!!!😡
The political climate now feels like a chronic headache or deep toothache — the kind that never fully fades and for which there is no pill, no quick fix, no moment of real relief. My family and friends feel that constant throb and "soldier on". We keep pushing forward, pretending we’re fine, but the exhaustion shows. It’s the emotional version of waiting for medical results you’re terrified to read.
What used to be background noise has become a permanent ache. Global crises, political tension, and nonstop instability seep into daily life, turning even casual conversations heavy. And that’s the hardest truth: there’s no cure yet. No antidote. Just a country learning to function through the pain, even as the ache deepens.
Smoke before the fire is an unsettling and accurate metaphor. Suffocating and inescapable.
//The biggest concern at most Hamptons house parties...// 'Nuf said. Anybody bitch about the price of hamburgers and the cost of a gallon of gasoline?