It was back in 2024, before the US withdrew from NATO, the fall of Ukraine, and all the dominoes began to tip over in Putin’s campaign of European conquest.
It was before the economic crash, before all the civil unrest, before the internment camps, before the self-pardons, before the “official act” of suspending the 2028 presidential elections.
It was before Milley was arrested and jailed. And Obama. And Schiff. And Harris. And Cheney. And Hillary. And Cox Richardson.
Life was much calmer then, but it was still a stressful time. Some of us, at least, still had hope.
We’d seen how the UK had screwed itself over with Brexit and couldn’t really imagine that the US would do something even far worse.
We’d seen how Hungary had given up its democracy, and we could not conceive that the US would ever do the same.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I reached out to some friends to let them know how concerned I was for America. I wish I had reached out to more.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I made another donation to the Democratic candidate’s presidential campaign and to Red, Wine and Blue. I wish I had donated more.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I thought about where I might live if the worst came to pass. I’m glad I did that. With America no longer helping to protect democracies around the world, no place is safe, but some places are less risky than others.
I’m lucky that I was one of the few to have the resources to go elsewhere. Not all my friends were so fortunate.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I was angry that the media had failed us, constantly minimizing the existential risks posed by one of the presidential candidates, a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist who spewed a never ending litany of lies, hate speech, disinformation, and promises to use the White House to engage in future criminal and treasonous behavior.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I didn’t believe that Americans would choose autocracy over democracy, corruption over the rule of law, tyranny over freedom, propaganda over truth, or Russia over Ukraine.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I still thought that the majority in America who believed in democracy would mobilize to vote and to save our country from a madman who had once staged a coup and insurrection to try to overthrow the govenment of the United States.
I wish I had not been so very wrong.
On the 4th of July, 2024, I wrote this post. I wish more people had shared it.
(Minor edits July 7, 8, 9, 11 & 15 2024.)
- Remembering the Heroes of the 2024 US Election - September 23, 2024
- How I Spent America’s Last Independence Day - July 4, 2024
- Real Americans - June 30, 2022
Very scary times. I barely sleep at night. 🥺🥺🥺
I am so very afraid of what Trump would do if he were to get back into office. I’m so very stressful and upset. I hope people will see him for what he truly is and really understand the consequences.