Van, your insightful thoughts, calm voice and eloquent words are a soothing balm offering comfort for a painful wound at this terrifying time. Thank you for sharing empathy, compassion, humanity and hope.
Thank you for spending time with us today. I truly needed your wisdom, kindness and support. Your love for others - empathy - despite your own struggling helps me immensely. Have a wonderful weekend. Again, many many thanks. Much love, Penny💜
One, your soul-searching videos represent a new form of social media — and an effective one. I’m rapt.
Two, I’ve been going through the same process. I’ve fallen on my sword. (See patrickhouston.substack.com) But affter watching the appointments, have we as prog-libs been too nice? Honestly, I dunno.
My question is … how much of that is real? How much of that blowback was from American citizens or bots and paid trolls? And now we have to deal with AI pretending to be real people. I’ve had conversations with folks about politics and then discovered they are citizens of Canada or Nigeria. As a former systems analyst in high tech for 30 years … my advice is don’t trust what you read on X or facebook. Too many anonymous sources with hidden agendas. How much of that bashing was really from a single source that paid someone? When I had an fb page for my website, I was able to buy a thousand likes for $50.
But … I cannot walk away without saying it goes both ways. They bash us too. They look down on us too. But they get the sympathy. If I ever see another “what MAGA voters think” panel or interview … I will puke.
Hey everybody, two things you might want to check out read the book Nexus https://a.co/atONs0H and watch the movie The antisocial network on Netflix. this will help you understand how what happened happened
Having a hard time expressing how spot on your message is and cannot say thanks enough. Your video from last week was like water in a desert, along other folks who like you who are encouraging us to try in all kindness to seek the middle way, and start with ourselves. I shared your talk with many angry, sad friends. I do think we as progressives are waaay projecting. Knowing a thing intellectually doesn't mean we've done the emotional work. We could all use IFS. So much more to say, but as for me, I'm sticking with how many cakes can you bake for your neighbors, how much can you love yourself in the next 70 days and take care of each other. I wish I could bake a cake for Kathy. Thank you. Your words are landing.
Ive done soul searching, trying to figure it out, I'm hurt, I'm scared, I'm worried, what in the world is happening to our country. Like you said, we ran an outdated campaign. Since social media became anything, our brains have rewired, voting seek the be a trend and the candidates just the same, a trend, lets vote for the cool guys, the one can survive a bullet etc. it's scary!!! We got people voteinng that don't look at America the way we did as children. Btw I'm 48, People voting that know nothing about American history and they don't care! I remember when only "smart" educated people were the majority voters, people who knew ethic and history, and all about how government works and now we got millions voting just because and have no idea why they are voting for who they vote for and they don't care about anything outside of the United states, we have raised and become these spoiled, entitled, ungrateful little brother ngs that have no idea how bad our vote can be for our country and just how fragile democracy is. I sit and ponder, how do we fix this, how do we teach people how democracy works, other than just a vote, but having pride, have love for our freedom not just assume it's a mething that will always be here... The world is changing, the tides are turning and just like ocean currents, very soon it will be to late to get it back the way it was. I have a bad bad feelings about this, hope is hanging by a thread and I'm doing my best to keep it alive, its just really hard at this moment, thinks just aren't what they used to be.
I’m concerned too. I’m talking to other people in the media and also political leaders to figure out what we can learn from this election. We can’t give up. But we need a different approach.
Thank you so much, Van, for your authenticity and empathy- and for your openness and willingness to see things from other people’s perspectives.
Even if we don’t agree with others, we’re not going to get *anywhere* by badmouthing or judging them. And I’m not speaking about things like bigotry or misogyny, or other hateful rhetoric-but of seeing the struggles of people whose lives and views differ from our own. I’m a Gen-X’er, and feel like when I was younger, even if you didn’t agree with someone’s politics or policies, ‘different sides’ could still talk productively and respectfully. I definitely feel like that’s a large part of the current divisiveness.
Currently I’ve been largely staying away from news and trying to dive into more positive, forward looking activities. Re-Listening to your Common Ground podcasts has been REALLY helpful, as has reading Monica Guzman’s book ‘I Never Thought Of It That Way’.
I’ve also been soul searching for a new way to interact with my local community, and in the days after the election found a local non-profit that focuses on education, community and support for youth who have aged out of foster care. I think a lot of people just don’t connect with their local communities anymore in a way that ‘crosses lines’ and brings *different* people together.
For me, my strengths are working with animals, and an ability to connect with people who feel like ‘outsiders’ (for a variety of reasons and causes). So I am hopeful to connect with the youth, and maybe bring them into my world to see something a little different. I also volunteer at a local animal rescue, and have a horse…I used to teach therapeutic riding to people with disabilities-i haven’t instructed in years, but animals work wonders with disadvantaged or struggling youth as well, and I hope to connect these 2 passions & give back to my community.
Sounds like you have a HUGE heart. Thank you for helping so many people — as well as our furry relatives. Being grounded in real life is something more of us need to do. Scrolling alone is not working. We often feel better than we should (before the election) and then worse than is useful (after the election). As the young people say, we need to “touch grass” and be in the real world more
Thank you for sharing that. I too have been struggling and thought I was feeling a bit better today. Until I had a conversation with some 30 year olds. Both of them, did vote for Kamala, but said that young people literally don’t get any information except from their feeds. Sound bites, and random podcasts and influencers. They don’t trust traditional media. Don’t trust the establishment dems. Too elitist etc. They mentioned Gaza too. It made me very sad and I am feeling dejected. Like losing hope again.
I feel you! We just have to adapt our approach. Now that we have had a complete collapse, maybe we can build something new. We went through the same thing in 2004. We dusted ourselves off and built up new institutions (Huffington Post, Daily Kos, Media Matters, Color of Change, Center for American Progress, and the Democracy Alliance). Then we elected Obama 4 years later.
How do we make LOVE active in a way that is meaningful today? Everyone who voted for Trump is so cynical and seemingly hateful....love is the last thing on their minds. Kamala tried LOVE and it didn't work, but maybe she didn't have enough time?
I believe in Love. And I know It’s going to take both love AND strength. People like Nelson Mandela and Michelle Obama are my big heroes. The lead with love — but at the same time: don’t f*** with them!
You are like a BIG HUG with a dose of common sense Van. Thank you for all your kind words and ideas today. We can always count on your straight talk!
💜💜💜 thank you so much!! 💜💜💜
Van, your insightful thoughts, calm voice and eloquent words are a soothing balm offering comfort for a painful wound at this terrifying time. Thank you for sharing empathy, compassion, humanity and hope.
🙏🏾
Thank you for spending time with us today. I truly needed your wisdom, kindness and support. Your love for others - empathy - despite your own struggling helps me immensely. Have a wonderful weekend. Again, many many thanks. Much love, Penny💜
Very kind. Thank you!! We will make it through
One, your soul-searching videos represent a new form of social media — and an effective one. I’m rapt.
Two, I’ve been going through the same process. I’ve fallen on my sword. (See patrickhouston.substack.com) But affter watching the appointments, have we as prog-libs been too nice? Honestly, I dunno.
We have been too nice AND too mean (judgmental). We still have not found the right approach.
Judgmental? Yes! That’s one source of the bro’ blowback. A whole swath of the electorate got sick and tired of being looked down upon.
My question is … how much of that is real? How much of that blowback was from American citizens or bots and paid trolls? And now we have to deal with AI pretending to be real people. I’ve had conversations with folks about politics and then discovered they are citizens of Canada or Nigeria. As a former systems analyst in high tech for 30 years … my advice is don’t trust what you read on X or facebook. Too many anonymous sources with hidden agendas. How much of that bashing was really from a single source that paid someone? When I had an fb page for my website, I was able to buy a thousand likes for $50.
But … I cannot walk away without saying it goes both ways. They bash us too. They look down on us too. But they get the sympathy. If I ever see another “what MAGA voters think” panel or interview … I will puke.
Enjoyed today .. I have a better perspective than I did . Love will win again !
💜💜💜
Hey everybody, two things you might want to check out read the book Nexus https://a.co/atONs0H and watch the movie The antisocial network on Netflix. this will help you understand how what happened happened
Thank you brother!
That was an epic share last Friday.
I appreciate you and your sharing your thoughts from your heart and mind, Van. That's all, just wanted to say thank you.
💜👍🏾💪🏾🇺🇸💜🍪
VJ 2028
Having a hard time expressing how spot on your message is and cannot say thanks enough. Your video from last week was like water in a desert, along other folks who like you who are encouraging us to try in all kindness to seek the middle way, and start with ourselves. I shared your talk with many angry, sad friends. I do think we as progressives are waaay projecting. Knowing a thing intellectually doesn't mean we've done the emotional work. We could all use IFS. So much more to say, but as for me, I'm sticking with how many cakes can you bake for your neighbors, how much can you love yourself in the next 70 days and take care of each other. I wish I could bake a cake for Kathy. Thank you. Your words are landing.
I’m so glad. I appreciate the encouragement. IFS is a real game changer— at least it was for me.
Ive done soul searching, trying to figure it out, I'm hurt, I'm scared, I'm worried, what in the world is happening to our country. Like you said, we ran an outdated campaign. Since social media became anything, our brains have rewired, voting seek the be a trend and the candidates just the same, a trend, lets vote for the cool guys, the one can survive a bullet etc. it's scary!!! We got people voteinng that don't look at America the way we did as children. Btw I'm 48, People voting that know nothing about American history and they don't care! I remember when only "smart" educated people were the majority voters, people who knew ethic and history, and all about how government works and now we got millions voting just because and have no idea why they are voting for who they vote for and they don't care about anything outside of the United states, we have raised and become these spoiled, entitled, ungrateful little brother ngs that have no idea how bad our vote can be for our country and just how fragile democracy is. I sit and ponder, how do we fix this, how do we teach people how democracy works, other than just a vote, but having pride, have love for our freedom not just assume it's a mething that will always be here... The world is changing, the tides are turning and just like ocean currents, very soon it will be to late to get it back the way it was. I have a bad bad feelings about this, hope is hanging by a thread and I'm doing my best to keep it alive, its just really hard at this moment, thinks just aren't what they used to be.
I’m concerned too. I’m talking to other people in the media and also political leaders to figure out what we can learn from this election. We can’t give up. But we need a different approach.
Thank you so much, Van, for your authenticity and empathy- and for your openness and willingness to see things from other people’s perspectives.
Even if we don’t agree with others, we’re not going to get *anywhere* by badmouthing or judging them. And I’m not speaking about things like bigotry or misogyny, or other hateful rhetoric-but of seeing the struggles of people whose lives and views differ from our own. I’m a Gen-X’er, and feel like when I was younger, even if you didn’t agree with someone’s politics or policies, ‘different sides’ could still talk productively and respectfully. I definitely feel like that’s a large part of the current divisiveness.
Currently I’ve been largely staying away from news and trying to dive into more positive, forward looking activities. Re-Listening to your Common Ground podcasts has been REALLY helpful, as has reading Monica Guzman’s book ‘I Never Thought Of It That Way’.
I’ve also been soul searching for a new way to interact with my local community, and in the days after the election found a local non-profit that focuses on education, community and support for youth who have aged out of foster care. I think a lot of people just don’t connect with their local communities anymore in a way that ‘crosses lines’ and brings *different* people together.
For me, my strengths are working with animals, and an ability to connect with people who feel like ‘outsiders’ (for a variety of reasons and causes). So I am hopeful to connect with the youth, and maybe bring them into my world to see something a little different. I also volunteer at a local animal rescue, and have a horse…I used to teach therapeutic riding to people with disabilities-i haven’t instructed in years, but animals work wonders with disadvantaged or struggling youth as well, and I hope to connect these 2 passions & give back to my community.
Love you and the work you do,
-Mel-
Sounds like you have a HUGE heart. Thank you for helping so many people — as well as our furry relatives. Being grounded in real life is something more of us need to do. Scrolling alone is not working. We often feel better than we should (before the election) and then worse than is useful (after the election). As the young people say, we need to “touch grass” and be in the real world more
You can cover him without sanewashing him.
Thanks for your soothing and enlightening words as always Van! I'm in L.A. too. Which immigrant rights groups would you recommend for volunteering?
I’m not sure yet! I’m still doing my research! But any local group would be good, I guess.
Thank you! I have some friends who might know. Will let you know what I hear, as well.
Thank you for sharing that. I too have been struggling and thought I was feeling a bit better today. Until I had a conversation with some 30 year olds. Both of them, did vote for Kamala, but said that young people literally don’t get any information except from their feeds. Sound bites, and random podcasts and influencers. They don’t trust traditional media. Don’t trust the establishment dems. Too elitist etc. They mentioned Gaza too. It made me very sad and I am feeling dejected. Like losing hope again.
I feel you! We just have to adapt our approach. Now that we have had a complete collapse, maybe we can build something new. We went through the same thing in 2004. We dusted ourselves off and built up new institutions (Huffington Post, Daily Kos, Media Matters, Color of Change, Center for American Progress, and the Democracy Alliance). Then we elected Obama 4 years later.
Thank you Van. Your perspectives, your attitude, your way of communicating is so refreshingly real. I am so grateful you are doing this.
I’m trying! It’s a new medium for me, but I will do my best. Thanks for giving me a chance.
How do we make LOVE active in a way that is meaningful today? Everyone who voted for Trump is so cynical and seemingly hateful....love is the last thing on their minds. Kamala tried LOVE and it didn't work, but maybe she didn't have enough time?
Kamala did her best, in a bad situation.
I believe in Love. And I know It’s going to take both love AND strength. People like Nelson Mandela and Michelle Obama are my big heroes. The lead with love — but at the same time: don’t f*** with them!