A Well Trodden Path
A Nation at the Crossroads of History9 total reviews
Comment from Adri7enne
Way to go, Marisa. I so admire your logic and your courage in standing out and telling it like it is. I have been comparing your current government to Hitler from the beginning. His rants against immigrants and his total disregard for the suffering of children separated from their parents was totally disgusting. They say history repeats itself. I pray it doesn't. Keep reminding your fellow Americans to wake up. If you can hang in there for two more years, things might go back to semi-normal. I think you should have won this contest. Congratulations on placing. Terrific writing.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Way to go, Marisa. I so admire your logic and your courage in standing out and telling it like it is. I have been comparing your current government to Hitler from the beginning. His rants against immigrants and his total disregard for the suffering of children separated from their parents was totally disgusting. They say history repeats itself. I pray it doesn't. Keep reminding your fellow Americans to wake up. If you can hang in there for two more years, things might go back to semi-normal. I think you should have won this contest. Congratulations on placing. Terrific writing.
Comment Written 22-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
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Thank you for the generous six stars, but even more for your review and insightful comments. This is truly a stressful time for the US and the longer this man is in office the more damage he causes to the American people as a whole. I have witnessed a lot of bad administrations come and go and I thought we had seen the worst of it with George W Bush and the terrible mess he got us into in the Middle East. We have him and those who pushed him to thank for the current and ongoing unraveling in that region. I don't know how many of these horrific administrations we can survive, but I have to believe this too shall pass.
I hope that Canada our wonderful neighbors to the North will forgive us for this embarrassment that is currently our president.
I pray we do a whole lot better next time. Thank you again for your very thoughtful review, it is much appreciated
Comment from Thomas Bowling
"Some may think this piece high drama; a bit of theatrics"
You're right I do. Yada, Yada, Yada. I'm tired of the constant comparison of our President to Hitler. Every person you disagree with is Hitler.
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2018
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"Some may think this piece high drama; a bit of theatrics"
You're right I do. Yada, Yada, Yada. I'm tired of the constant comparison of our President to Hitler. Every person you disagree with is Hitler.
Comment Written 14-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2018
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Well, Yada, Yada, Yada, back at ya fella! If you are so tired of what you deem to be "high drama" then guess what?? On this site you can just skip pieces you consider to be boring or egregious and cruise on down the list to a piece you feel is worth the read.
Actually, i was not comparing Trump to Hitler directly, only the unlikely rise of both figures who were, at one time, considered caricatures. Trump does not have the dogged hyper-focused that Hitler had, he is just a clown that was in the right place at the right time. He is dangerous because he is ignorant and easily manipulated by seasoned power brokers. Ever the narcissistic, preening buffoon, one only needs to employ flattery in order to get what they want from him. Even if there were a voice of reason in his administration or among those who are supposed to be counseling him, he would not and does not listen.
We are being subjected to a 24/7 reality show streaming from the West Wing and the atmosphere of paranoia, Xenophobia and other extremes emanating from this git and the sycophants that are kissing his backside has brought the people of this country to one of the worst times in our history since the Civil War. His influence has encouraged those with mean and sick agendas to come to the foreground and spew their venomous hate speech.
However, if this is who you align yourself with then so be it. I for one am not a fan!!
Comment from estory
This is an interesting essay and you make some interesting points, but I don't quite agree with all of them. Comparing Nazi Germany to the Trump administration or even to the democratically elected republic we have now is a stretch, I think; although I do believe the corruption in our government is rampant and the leadership vapid. In this country today, like many other countries throughout history, we have a turning away from God, and this is the real problem at the heart of the society. Selfishness, greed, insensitivity, these are the watchwords of American culture today. What we have is a squabbling mass of special interest groups all angling for influence and wealth, at the expense of the national good. The politicians are merely products of this national culture, so you can hardly blame them. Waiting for politicians to solve the problems of society and culture is like waiting for the diners in a restaurant to cook their own meals. Jesus preached "He that does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me" so short of dying to our selfish selves, we will all have to rely on the grace of Christ. estory
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2018
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This is an interesting essay and you make some interesting points, but I don't quite agree with all of them. Comparing Nazi Germany to the Trump administration or even to the democratically elected republic we have now is a stretch, I think; although I do believe the corruption in our government is rampant and the leadership vapid. In this country today, like many other countries throughout history, we have a turning away from God, and this is the real problem at the heart of the society. Selfishness, greed, insensitivity, these are the watchwords of American culture today. What we have is a squabbling mass of special interest groups all angling for influence and wealth, at the expense of the national good. The politicians are merely products of this national culture, so you can hardly blame them. Waiting for politicians to solve the problems of society and culture is like waiting for the diners in a restaurant to cook their own meals. Jesus preached "He that does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me" so short of dying to our selfish selves, we will all have to rely on the grace of Christ. estory
Comment Written 05-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2018
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First my apology for just now getting back to you with a response and many thanks for taking time to read and comment on this piece.
I think we are in agreement on all the points you have made with regard to the current state of our republic. However, my comparison to Nazi Germany was to shine a light on our hubris as a country. Other democracies have fallen and we appear to be going down an extremely precarious path these days. Slipping and sliding backward into our very dark and selfish history.
As to whether we have become too secular, I'm not quite sure I place all the blame on people not following a particular religious path. I personally am not keen on organized religion, as I see it as a source of the problem. There is a great deal of piety/hypocrisy in those who feel they have the right to judge others based on their religious beliefs. Evangelicals seem to do a lot of bible thumping and placing themselves in a position to judge others. I do believe there are people of faith that truly live that faith and I do not include them among the hypocrites I encounter on a daily basis.
One thing is certain and that is if we as a nation do not regain our humanity we will be of no use to one another. One of the major concerns is our growing indifference to those who are seeking our help at our borders. It is my belief that we do not get to say no to those who are seeking freedom from oppression. This country was established by the oppressed and we have continued to grow and thrive because of our diversity, our willingness to accept and assimilate those of other cultures; it is our greatest strength.
David Cornwell, a former MI5 and MI6 agent who writes under the nom de plume John Le Carre', stated the following:
"These stages that Trump is going through in the United States and the stirring of racial hatred ... these are absolutely comparable signs of the rise of fascism and it's contagious, it's infectious. Fascism is up and running in Poland and Hungary. There's an encouragement about."
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I think you are misinterpreting the message of Christianity. It is that EVERYONE is entitled to the GRACE of Christ. Every sinner, every sin. Moses and David were murderers, the criminals on the crosses next to Jesus were also admitted to the forgiveness of Christ, when they admitted they needed a savior. Sticking Christians in a closet doesn't jibe with the charge of Christ to preach the gospel to everyone, all nations. estory
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With all due respect, I am not misinterpreting the message of Christianity, I am rejecting the convoluted human interpretation of the bible. That is how I view organized religion. People get full of themselves and become self-righteous and this leads to cruel and unsympathetic behavior. I honestly have not encountered very many true Christians. That does not mean that they are not out there, but those I have encounter instead have jaded my view of organized religion. I really don't want to go down this ideological path with you. It is a no-win situation. I respect your beliefs and your faith and I hope you are one of those that live that faith and truly walks the talk.
Comment from Artasylum
Their is nothing dramatic about speaking and bringing into the light a fascists and the dictatorship that it is possible, without our vigil, to be immersed into this horror again... We all need to wake up. thanks for the read. yours, diana
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2018
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Their is nothing dramatic about speaking and bringing into the light a fascists and the dictatorship that it is possible, without our vigil, to be immersed into this horror again... We all need to wake up. thanks for the read. yours, diana
Comment Written 05-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2018
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Diana, thank you for your review and comments. I agree that we need to be vigilant. We must never take our freedom for granted. I think to keep in mind that fascism is on the rise globally is not unrealistic. So many of the traits of the Nazi regime are taking hold once again worldwide. If we do not heed history we will be doomed to repeat it.
Comment from meeshu
I truly enjoyed your treatise on Fascism and its cause and effect. your points are so very well made, delineated and expounded. this is a superbly researched and executed piece. well done, Marisa3. I disagree with every syllable, that's what makes it fun................meeshu
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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I truly enjoyed your treatise on Fascism and its cause and effect. your points are so very well made, delineated and expounded. this is a superbly researched and executed piece. well done, Marisa3. I disagree with every syllable, that's what makes it fun................meeshu
Comment Written 01-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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I have to say that this is probably the nicest review I have ever had from someone who is diametrically opposed to "every syllable" I wrote!
Thank you for taking time to read and review this piece.
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we can disagree and still be civil. a lost art these days.
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Very true
Comment from royowen
I think people won't speak out until fear really grips their collective tongues and renders them speechless. Extreme regimes tend to rise when countries are at their most needy economically, and much needed patriotism rises from the ashes, as Germany, they say the WW2 seeds were sown by draconian measures against Germany after the WW1 concluded. It proved to be so. Rise of communism the same. Well done, a very well researched and hopefully not, prophetic work, well done, good job, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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I think people won't speak out until fear really grips their collective tongues and renders them speechless. Extreme regimes tend to rise when countries are at their most needy economically, and much needed patriotism rises from the ashes, as Germany, they say the WW2 seeds were sown by draconian measures against Germany after the WW1 concluded. It proved to be so. Rise of communism the same. Well done, a very well researched and hopefully not, prophetic work, well done, good job, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 01-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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Thank you, Roy, for your review and most welcome comments.
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Welcome
Comment from Alexander Vasa
Hello Marisa, I appreciate your candor in this piece of writing, that you must understand will have appeal to the Americans on the site. I am not American, so it is hard to have an opinion. It looks well written and reads well. You get your ideas down and stay focused. I hope you get some more helpful comments as to the content. Dialogue can be good, can't it?
Thanks for sharing your writing which was a good read, and you have put a lot of effort into it and for that, you are to be commended, cheers, Ana.
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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Hello Marisa, I appreciate your candor in this piece of writing, that you must understand will have appeal to the Americans on the site. I am not American, so it is hard to have an opinion. It looks well written and reads well. You get your ideas down and stay focused. I hope you get some more helpful comments as to the content. Dialogue can be good, can't it?
Thanks for sharing your writing which was a good read, and you have put a lot of effort into it and for that, you are to be commended, cheers, Ana.
Comment Written 01-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much, Anastasia, for your most thoughtful review.
Comment from bob cullen
My friend, as you say apathy is often akin to surrender and I must admit I too see problems with your current leadership. I've read opinions similar to this before, but none presented in as much detail as yours.
I truly hope your warning is heeded. The world depends on a stable America and I feel your present Government is running full steam on instability.
A great post.
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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My friend, as you say apathy is often akin to surrender and I must admit I too see problems with your current leadership. I've read opinions similar to this before, but none presented in as much detail as yours.
I truly hope your warning is heeded. The world depends on a stable America and I feel your present Government is running full steam on instability.
A great post.
Comment Written 01-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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You are so correct about the US running full steam on instability. We continue to have a stalemate in Congress and an administration that only adds to the problem. We need desperately to find our balance again. I just am not at all sure that Americans are paying close enough attention to what is really happening.
We do seem to have some individuals running for office that are intelligent, reasonable human beings with their integrity still intact and hopefully, they won't be drowned out by the nastiness of the other side. I still have every hope that we can turn things around. The problem is how much damage will be done before we can get people in there to stop the insanity.
Thank you for your review and also your very astute comments. Both are greatly appreciated.
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing this well-written essay about the state of affairs in the world today.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that we are heading for another dark time in history. So many people think we are exaggerating when we compare Trump to Hitler, but they are ignoring the fact that Hitler continued to test the waters to see how far he could get - just like Trump, and eventually, he took Germany into the darkest place.
What race will be decimated this time? More than likely it will be Muslims. And why, because too many ignorant folks insist that the Koran tells them to kill the infidels. WRONG!!
Ignorance is ruling right now, and it's scary,
~patty~
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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Hi there,
Thank you for sharing this well-written essay about the state of affairs in the world today.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that we are heading for another dark time in history. So many people think we are exaggerating when we compare Trump to Hitler, but they are ignoring the fact that Hitler continued to test the waters to see how far he could get - just like Trump, and eventually, he took Germany into the darkest place.
What race will be decimated this time? More than likely it will be Muslims. And why, because too many ignorant folks insist that the Koran tells them to kill the infidels. WRONG!!
Ignorance is ruling right now, and it's scary,
~patty~
Comment Written 01-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018
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I agree that Muslims are definitely on this administrations hit list, as well as immigrants. He has already shown his complete lack of empathy for Hispanics seeking asylum in this country. Separating children from their parents is unconscionable! Most of these immigrants are fleeing terror and persecution only to come here and be persecuted further.
I just hope we can survive the destructive ways of this president and his insane administration.
As you say, ignorance is ruling right now, and it is very scary!
Thank you for your review and especially your welcomed comments.
