Imagine if you had no voice, no substack, no way to help or shine a spotlight, and nobody you know feels any better about all this death of the rule of law than you do.
That's your readers. And we're here because we need your focus. It makes a difference.
Yes, I too am depressed. I call it civically depressed because I am personally well (as in my family & I are fortunate to be pretty happy and healthy as long as we compartmentalize and ignore what is happening) but depressed whenever I think of the soul & welfare of our nation. Thanks for sharing. It’s always a little comforting to know I am not alone.
I had a ginger tom too. He was a great cat. He lived all his 9 lives & more. Have you noticed that ginger toms are almost always big? My son has a 25er!!
Mine was a fill-in for my Norwegian Forest cat "Elliot Ness" who passed away and weighed about 25' when two of us had to wrestle him into a carrier. He disappeared in my house for six weeks until I found him in a closet curled under a rolled-up oriental rug. That was about six years ago; we had to evacuate for a fire in 2020 and he bolted out the door before I could stop him. I had to leave and three weeks later came back - and there he was on the porch waiting for me. The city had a bunch of guys who created fire breaks while we were all gone and saved the neighborhood. Hoover was fed in the meantime by kind neighbors who also fed the local pets. Life in CA...
Talk to your mother, father, grandparent who endured WWII and ask them how they kept up hope and what concrete steps they took to counter fascism in the US before and during WWII.
The last one of that generation in my family passed away about 6 months ago. I've heard lots of stories, but never did anyone admit to being depressed. I wish I'd asked more deeper questions, because I am also depressed and stressed out. I am better than I was, but the constant crap that happens day after day with not enough response is not encouraging.
An unfortunately common meme these days is to ask how would Trump's behavior be different if he was an agent of a foreign power bent on destroying the US and suggest that there would be no change.
In the comments there are at least two people saying that it was right to fire Erika McEntarfer because the BLS produced "bad statistics" (or some variation thereof). I don't follow the comments here closely, so I have no way of knowing whether these people are just trolls, or if these are (supposedly) intelligent and reasonable people who feel that it is right to comment about something about which they seem to be almost completely uninformed; that is, how the BLS actually works to produce its "statistics".
If the latter, then that is something to be depressed about.
You write so well, Daniel, it is to your sense of candour that you write this piece at this time.
It isn’t easy, but we must keep doing the work, recording for posterity and flagging the misdemeanours and categorising the backsliding to the breaking of the state.
I feel your pain. As a voracious news consumer and someone, I like to think, who possesses a modest degree of historical, economic, and political knowledge, I fear the institutional damage being done and the long-term consequences. My adult beverage consumption has increased significantly since Jan. 21. I do have one fine dog to occupy much of my time.
... as long as your dog doesn't indulge in adult beverages, you'll be fine. Read Timothy Snyder for backdrop - there's always hope, because God loves us as our Creator.
This is where my work at the hyperlocal level at least reduces my sense of powerlessness with what's happening my state and my country (and in great part, because of us -- the world).
I'm talking at the neighborhood level and to a certain extent, the city level. The state of our civics where I live is strong -- still contentious at times, but involved. All ages, too, including the rising generation. When you see the fruits of your efforts reflected in changing policies, it motivates you to stay in the fight and keep going.
Now to translate that to higher levels. Lots of great discussion going on in places like Ohio, Missouri and other Republican bastions about running candidates in every election for every office, state-wide. Republicans have a huge head start -- they've been at this for decades -- so don't expect overnight wins.
On a somewhat more serious note: I suppose this is one area where some political theorists have a bit of an advantage. I write about politics, but I only obliquely address current issues like this, and I am almost never under any obligation to teach it. (I mean, sure, I can use current affairs as ways to exemplify or test this or that conceptualization or argument, but I don't have to). The result is that my work often feels like a refuge from the horrors of the present. Though of course, like a lot of theorists, I also tend toward depression, so my non-work life often feels like a struggle. Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. I'm practicing making sure I look at what's happening squarely, but then also not dwelling on it. Days like yesterday are hard enough without spending all my time outraged about it or in a state of despair over it.
Sounds like someone who can add something to the discussion by describing what it is, then. Most of us have not had the same universal impetus that favors a national depression that is probably based on equal parts helplessness and the realization that half of the country either doesn't care, or know what is going on. That is the scary part, when you don't even know you are sinking into the quicksand. Or why.
Good luck to the HWSHADW for a speedy recovery from the state of funk. We need your intelligent thinking and writing on the current state of affairs, Dan. All the best finding the right version of Zoloft!
I spent the first four decades of my career in public-interest law, and for the last 12 years have been writing about the rule of law for various publications. For all the reasons you expressed, I'll simply say, "I feel you.".
Imagine if you had no voice, no substack, no way to help or shine a spotlight, and nobody you know feels any better about all this death of the rule of law than you do.
That's your readers. And we're here because we need your focus. It makes a difference.
Anyone can have a substack. Even I have one!
It is true that no one reads it, but I HAVE a substack!
I'm sorry, but I strongly disagree. My dogs are the best dogs.
I would say mine is; but Brewster just reminded me, I'm not to insult him, dogs are those yappy things next door, he is not a dog
No, mine are
Yes, I too am depressed. I call it civically depressed because I am personally well (as in my family & I are fortunate to be pretty happy and healthy as long as we compartmentalize and ignore what is happening) but depressed whenever I think of the soul & welfare of our nation. Thanks for sharing. It’s always a little comforting to know I am not alone.
I have no dog but I do have two awesome cats and one curmudgeon cat.
I have a 20-lb ginger tom with one eye named Hoover. He is such a comfort.
I had a ginger tom too. He was a great cat. He lived all his 9 lives & more. Have you noticed that ginger toms are almost always big? My son has a 25er!!
Mine was a fill-in for my Norwegian Forest cat "Elliot Ness" who passed away and weighed about 25' when two of us had to wrestle him into a carrier. He disappeared in my house for six weeks until I found him in a closet curled under a rolled-up oriental rug. That was about six years ago; we had to evacuate for a fire in 2020 and he bolted out the door before I could stop him. I had to leave and three weeks later came back - and there he was on the porch waiting for me. The city had a bunch of guys who created fire breaks while we were all gone and saved the neighborhood. Hoover was fed in the meantime by kind neighbors who also fed the local pets. Life in CA...
Talk to your mother, father, grandparent who endured WWII and ask them how they kept up hope and what concrete steps they took to counter fascism in the US before and during WWII.
The last one of that generation in my family passed away about 6 months ago. I've heard lots of stories, but never did anyone admit to being depressed. I wish I'd asked more deeper questions, because I am also depressed and stressed out. I am better than I was, but the constant crap that happens day after day with not enough response is not encouraging.
And don't whine. Do something! Join a get out the vote or protest movement.
An unfortunately common meme these days is to ask how would Trump's behavior be different if he was an agent of a foreign power bent on destroying the US and suggest that there would be no change.
In the comments there are at least two people saying that it was right to fire Erika McEntarfer because the BLS produced "bad statistics" (or some variation thereof). I don't follow the comments here closely, so I have no way of knowing whether these people are just trolls, or if these are (supposedly) intelligent and reasonable people who feel that it is right to comment about something about which they seem to be almost completely uninformed; that is, how the BLS actually works to produce its "statistics".
If the latter, then that is something to be depressed about.
You write so well, Daniel, it is to your sense of candour that you write this piece at this time.
It isn’t easy, but we must keep doing the work, recording for posterity and flagging the misdemeanours and categorising the backsliding to the breaking of the state.
Amen to that. Keep it up, Daniel. God loves us all.
I’m just continuously shocked that more people aren’t furious. I have relatives who shrug their shoulders. I just don’t get it.
I feel your pain. As a voracious news consumer and someone, I like to think, who possesses a modest degree of historical, economic, and political knowledge, I fear the institutional damage being done and the long-term consequences. My adult beverage consumption has increased significantly since Jan. 21. I do have one fine dog to occupy much of my time.
... as long as your dog doesn't indulge in adult beverages, you'll be fine. Read Timothy Snyder for backdrop - there's always hope, because God loves us as our Creator.
At least the Red Sox are surging, despite the tepid dealing at the trade deadline.
This is where my work at the hyperlocal level at least reduces my sense of powerlessness with what's happening my state and my country (and in great part, because of us -- the world).
I'm talking at the neighborhood level and to a certain extent, the city level. The state of our civics where I live is strong -- still contentious at times, but involved. All ages, too, including the rising generation. When you see the fruits of your efforts reflected in changing policies, it motivates you to stay in the fight and keep going.
Now to translate that to higher levels. Lots of great discussion going on in places like Ohio, Missouri and other Republican bastions about running candidates in every election for every office, state-wide. Republicans have a huge head start -- they've been at this for decades -- so don't expect overnight wins.
It all starts with showing up.
I was also mildly pleased that the BLS firing story got the screaming headline from the NYT that it deserved.
On a somewhat more serious note: I suppose this is one area where some political theorists have a bit of an advantage. I write about politics, but I only obliquely address current issues like this, and I am almost never under any obligation to teach it. (I mean, sure, I can use current affairs as ways to exemplify or test this or that conceptualization or argument, but I don't have to). The result is that my work often feels like a refuge from the horrors of the present. Though of course, like a lot of theorists, I also tend toward depression, so my non-work life often feels like a struggle. Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. I'm practicing making sure I look at what's happening squarely, but then also not dwelling on it. Days like yesterday are hard enough without spending all my time outraged about it or in a state of despair over it.
As a man who has struggled with clinical depression all his life what you describe is not depression.
Sounds like someone who can add something to the discussion by describing what it is, then. Most of us have not had the same universal impetus that favors a national depression that is probably based on equal parts helplessness and the realization that half of the country either doesn't care, or know what is going on. That is the scary part, when you don't even know you are sinking into the quicksand. Or why.
Good luck to the HWSHADW for a speedy recovery from the state of funk. We need your intelligent thinking and writing on the current state of affairs, Dan. All the best finding the right version of Zoloft!
I spent the first four decades of my career in public-interest law, and for the last 12 years have been writing about the rule of law for various publications. For all the reasons you expressed, I'll simply say, "I feel you.".