Yes, I am counting the days. Yes, there are a lot of them. The last time that president was in office, I vowed never to speak his name, and the same goes forward. I won’t give him the childish satisfaction of counting me as another mention of his name. I also believe names have power and to speak one gives vitality to its owner. if I say “that president” or “that old felon” you will know who I mean. Something new this time is the collective term I have chosen for his government and I’ve noticed a few friends already using it. This is not a government nor an administration, for it appears intent on doing neither. It’s a regime. That’s what tin-pot despots have.
People will argue that the flag is for all of us, and not just for the regime. Yes, technically it is, yet it has been weaponised to mean things that are not my values, and I stopped using it long ago. In truth, I just live here. I have never felt patriotic thoughts because they are based in odious comparisons, most of which are untrue, and all of them limit our ability to see the excellence in the rest of the world and to embrace it for our betterment. Honestly, if I didn’t love my woods and enjoy my friends so much, I might live elsewhere.
My parents and grandparents taught me this mindset. They lived where they did because of family, moved elsewhere for safety or love, and valued the local community over the broader one. there is nothing wrong with that. That view is practical and allows a person to be objective about what they need to call a place home.
What do I need? A renewed emphasis on civility and kindness. Less interference in others’ private matters. A better sense of relativism, to be able to engage in respect for others who are not like you, to say yes more than no.
The regime has gotten off on a bad foot with that.
In other news, I’ve put up a video on crafting and activating sigils. Please subscribe so that I don’t have to keep mentioning it so often.
Tales from the jolly bungalow 