I always went to the big rallies (starfucker that I am), in NYC, SF, Oakland, but this time I went local, here in El Sobrante, and now I'm sold on taking the local from now on. Unlike the, er, "express," the people in the local virtually all sported signs, handmade yet, and it was a kick to see neighbors, many of whom probably would have stayed home rather than go to the trouble of getting on the subway and so forth. It was homemade, more participatory--and I'll stop at a 6-siyllable word, if you please. Don't wanna lose my "local" cred. Anyway, it sure feels better to be active rather than sit around and complain.
I went to the one in Alameda because it was walking distance from my house, and it was incredible—we had over 1000 people! We closed down the whole block because there were so many people that they spilled out into the streets. It was really special.
Josh, I don't know how anyone can read the news and NOT be depressed. I too have always battled depression and have some idea where you're at. Regardless of what political impact it might have, (Newt Gingrich grouched "Protests are just a cheap date") It helps to go just to assuage the feelings of isolation. Also: I remember a graffito some years ago that said, "Principled struggle keeps me regular."
Depression and fascism have much in common, both are totalitarian, both try to steal the future by killing hope, both want you to believe that you are powerless, both are vulnerable to attack by the kindness superpower. Love is the superest of super powers. Flood the zone with love.
I say, look at the bright side. This lying, traitorous, narcissistic felon may eventually pull us all together in opposition to his uninterrupted heinous behavior. Just kidding of course. But, rallies are a good tool to remind us that we have plenty of allies and help us to discover the most effective ways to combat Trump and his magats. Stay tough Josh. We must not allow ourselves to be stifled by fear, as so many politicians on both sides have. We have to act together and fight back.
Josh, you are absolutely the f*#+ing (that’s for the young boys that might be reading the comments) best human - 4ever thanks and, please - keep on spreading the love! 🐱🪬
Hi Josh, Welcome back! You always inspire me. We were at Hands-Off Oakland. Saw lots of people wearing Sara’s patches. We’re hoping you and Sara were there. When we asked people where they’d gotten the patches—“Tesla Berkeley,” in every case. We Love People!!
Josh - I'm truly glad to hear that attending rallies is helping with your depression, and I would not discourage anyone else (depressed or not) from doing so. Unfortunately, based on my experience attending countless rallies in San Francisco during Trump's first presidency, doing so now wouldn't improve my own mental state. Maybe it would be different in a conservative area, but being surrounded by lots of smiling people taking selfies and group pics in a relatively safe, non-threatening environment didn't make me feel like any real change was being accomplished.
And indeed, tens of millions of people continued to support Trump, and voted for him again in 2020 and 2024. Given this continued support, Biden winning in 2020 didn't really give me any comfort.
Again, I'm not discouraging you or anyone else from attending these rallies, and I hope they do bring positive change. I'm just seriously depressed about the state of humanity at this point. If it weren't for the support of my spouse, I'm not sure I would have the strength to go on to be honest.
I’m in Wisconsin and have been strutting around so proud of us for electing a progressive state Supreme CourtJustice. A glimmer of power. And I’m so proud of our meditation community, full of wise and kind introverts, canvassing and demonstrating often for the first time. I’m in full agreement about taking action together as an energy and emotional boost. There are so many gifts when we come together. Thank you, Josh, for writing with such insight from the heart. PS, I’m craving one of Sara‘s kitten patches.
You have simpatico reps. In ‘bama we mostly have dolts like Katie Britt and superdumbo Tommy Tuberville. It can be a hoot to talk to their staff live, though.
I was there too, knew maybe 5% of the people I saw--I've been going to rallies around these parts for years, so this was not the usual crowd, though they were there too. I'm not depressed, but I'm worried, and it lifted my spirits too. I'm glad you made it. Sorry I missed you...and the patches.
I always learn something from your posts. And this time is was about depression. Which I don't have. And I try to be compassionate but it's feels.kind of tokeny because I don't really understand it. But this post really helped. The politics as Prozac analogy touched my brain.
Right now recovering from my second knee replacement. And I have to do a lot exercises to bend my new knee. And I'm remembering when Kip did stretching exercises and it was so painful for him. I was trying to be helpful when I said "just breathe and relax into it" as if what he was doing was.like me touching my toes.
But now that I'm doing physical therapy type stretching I realize that it's a lot harder than touching my toes. So where ever you are Kip, I'm sorry I was so blase. What you were.doing was awesome.
And this post about politics and depression gave me similar insight into depression and what people with depression are up against. I kinda get it. What a triumph brushing your teeth is. And going out and being part of the bigger world - awe-inspiring.
I'll be there as soon as I can stand and walk around again. And I still have the safety pins to.bring you, Josh.
Thank you, Josh, for writing again. Always appreciate reading your thoughts. May the pulls of rallies support you becoming vertical more often than horizontal. and remember, "All things must pass," to quote a famous musician/songwriter.
I've known people struggling with depression and I wish you the strength to keep up the effort. I was at the Pleasant Hill Hands Off and felt great that the community came out in large numbers. Passing cars cheered and honked horns. Felt very positive. Like Sara's idea.
I always went to the big rallies (starfucker that I am), in NYC, SF, Oakland, but this time I went local, here in El Sobrante, and now I'm sold on taking the local from now on. Unlike the, er, "express," the people in the local virtually all sported signs, handmade yet, and it was a kick to see neighbors, many of whom probably would have stayed home rather than go to the trouble of getting on the subway and so forth. It was homemade, more participatory--and I'll stop at a 6-siyllable word, if you please. Don't wanna lose my "local" cred. Anyway, it sure feels better to be active rather than sit around and complain.
Instead stand up and complain . . .
I went to the one in Alameda because it was walking distance from my house, and it was incredible—we had over 1000 people! We closed down the whole block because there were so many people that they spilled out into the streets. It was really special.
Me too! I left the Bay Area to find redder pastures. Actually, I didn’t even go to the protest but went looking for Trump voters to talk with. Here’s my story: https://substack.com/@karintamerius/note/c-106250911?r=g6x5x&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Josh, I don't know how anyone can read the news and NOT be depressed. I too have always battled depression and have some idea where you're at. Regardless of what political impact it might have, (Newt Gingrich grouched "Protests are just a cheap date") It helps to go just to assuage the feelings of isolation. Also: I remember a graffito some years ago that said, "Principled struggle keeps me regular."
Depression and fascism have much in common, both are totalitarian, both try to steal the future by killing hope, both want you to believe that you are powerless, both are vulnerable to attack by the kindness superpower. Love is the superest of super powers. Flood the zone with love.
I say, look at the bright side. This lying, traitorous, narcissistic felon may eventually pull us all together in opposition to his uninterrupted heinous behavior. Just kidding of course. But, rallies are a good tool to remind us that we have plenty of allies and help us to discover the most effective ways to combat Trump and his magats. Stay tough Josh. We must not allow ourselves to be stifled by fear, as so many politicians on both sides have. We have to act together and fight back.
Josh, you are absolutely the f*#+ing (that’s for the young boys that might be reading the comments) best human - 4ever thanks and, please - keep on spreading the love! 🐱🪬
Hi Josh, Welcome back! You always inspire me. We were at Hands-Off Oakland. Saw lots of people wearing Sara’s patches. We’re hoping you and Sara were there. When we asked people where they’d gotten the patches—“Tesla Berkeley,” in every case. We Love People!!
Josh - I'm truly glad to hear that attending rallies is helping with your depression, and I would not discourage anyone else (depressed or not) from doing so. Unfortunately, based on my experience attending countless rallies in San Francisco during Trump's first presidency, doing so now wouldn't improve my own mental state. Maybe it would be different in a conservative area, but being surrounded by lots of smiling people taking selfies and group pics in a relatively safe, non-threatening environment didn't make me feel like any real change was being accomplished.
And indeed, tens of millions of people continued to support Trump, and voted for him again in 2020 and 2024. Given this continued support, Biden winning in 2020 didn't really give me any comfort.
Again, I'm not discouraging you or anyone else from attending these rallies, and I hope they do bring positive change. I'm just seriously depressed about the state of humanity at this point. If it weren't for the support of my spouse, I'm not sure I would have the strength to go on to be honest.
Sending you love, Pax!!
Thanks Josh. I just posted a blog entry expanding on what I said here: https://funcrunch.medium.com/why-the-anti-trump-rallies-dont-bring-me-much-hope-70f9e9df6bad?sk=7b2489b3fda4c9f72e49faabd7634fe1
I’m in Wisconsin and have been strutting around so proud of us for electing a progressive state Supreme CourtJustice. A glimmer of power. And I’m so proud of our meditation community, full of wise and kind introverts, canvassing and demonstrating often for the first time. I’m in full agreement about taking action together as an energy and emotional boost. There are so many gifts when we come together. Thank you, Josh, for writing with such insight from the heart. PS, I’m craving one of Sara‘s kitten patches.
You have simpatico reps. In ‘bama we mostly have dolts like Katie Britt and superdumbo Tommy Tuberville. It can be a hoot to talk to their staff live, though.
I was there too, knew maybe 5% of the people I saw--I've been going to rallies around these parts for years, so this was not the usual crowd, though they were there too. I'm not depressed, but I'm worried, and it lifted my spirits too. I'm glad you made it. Sorry I missed you...and the patches.
I was there and I had a feeling you were there too! It felt good to stand with all those people and bask in the righteous anger together.
I always learn something from your posts. And this time is was about depression. Which I don't have. And I try to be compassionate but it's feels.kind of tokeny because I don't really understand it. But this post really helped. The politics as Prozac analogy touched my brain.
Right now recovering from my second knee replacement. And I have to do a lot exercises to bend my new knee. And I'm remembering when Kip did stretching exercises and it was so painful for him. I was trying to be helpful when I said "just breathe and relax into it" as if what he was doing was.like me touching my toes.
But now that I'm doing physical therapy type stretching I realize that it's a lot harder than touching my toes. So where ever you are Kip, I'm sorry I was so blase. What you were.doing was awesome.
And this post about politics and depression gave me similar insight into depression and what people with depression are up against. I kinda get it. What a triumph brushing your teeth is. And going out and being part of the bigger world - awe-inspiring.
I'll be there as soon as I can stand and walk around again. And I still have the safety pins to.bring you, Josh.
In struggle and unity!! La luta continua!
Thank you, Josh, for writing again. Always appreciate reading your thoughts. May the pulls of rallies support you becoming vertical more often than horizontal. and remember, "All things must pass," to quote a famous musician/songwriter.
I've known people struggling with depression and I wish you the strength to keep up the effort. I was at the Pleasant Hill Hands Off and felt great that the community came out in large numbers. Passing cars cheered and honked horns. Felt very positive. Like Sara's idea.
People power with 💕