Well, as expected, Trump has started his presidency with a flood of executive orders. Some are appalling, many destructive, some obviously illegal, and others just silly. The word “retribution” comes up again and again. I read this week that his Justice Department is now firing employees who worked on the criminal investigation case led by Jack Smith, which focused on Trump. Retribution.
Silly: Expecting Canada to become a U.S. state is silly, as is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. I could go on.
Hurricane Helene Because of my long-standing interest in environmental affairs and in the effects of the climate crisis, I am particularly distressed at Trump’s overturning of environmentally-related policies. He can think climate change is a hoax if he wants to, but the climate crisis is happening all around us. The Los Angles-area fires, made far, far worse by climate-related drought and excessive winds, are predicted to cost in the tens of billions of dollars. Hurricanes are made much stronger and more destructive by the climate crisis, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused $217.8 billion in damage. Last year (2024) was Earth’s hottest year on record, and climate scientists say the rising heat is contributing to extreme weather affecting millions.
If we think we can avoid the worst of the climate crisis just because we don’t live in LA or North Carolina, think again. The permafrost in the Arctic is melting and releasing pathogens, both bacterial and viral, that could cause global pandemics which will be greater than Covid. Examples of pathogens released by permafrost melting are anthrax and botulism. https://www.science.org/content/article/permafrost-can-imprison-dangerous-microbes-centuries-will-arctic-thaw-release-them
Mi Nonna Going after migrants who come to the U.S. to create a better life for themselves is a major action being taken now by the Trump administration. The news is full of stories about individuals with no documentation who are given the choice of leaving America without their families, or leaving with their families. Think about how a child is affected by losing his mother who has been deported, or a child going to live in another country when all he/she knows is a family here, friends here, a school here, and a life here in the U.S.
I’m reminded of my grandmother who was brought to the U.S. as a five-year old and who didn’t have legal status much of her life until she married an American well into her adulthood. https://www.cjshane.com/blog/my-grandmother-and-the-border
Particularly distressing and annoying is the harassment of our Native Americans happening now. The Navajo president, Buu Nygren, is receiving reports that tribal members are having “negative, and sometimes traumatizing, experiences with federal agents targeting undocumented immigrants in the south-west.” He is recommending tribal members carry “state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, other picture identification, or their certificate of Indian blood, known as a CIB.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/27/navajo-nation-immigration-raids
Last I heard, those American Indians were here first. The Europeans are arguably the real “illegal immigrants.” And Trump is going after American birth-right citizenship, too.
Last I heard, those American Indians were here first. The Europeans are arguably the real “illegal immigrants.” And Trump is going after American birth-right citizenship, too.
What about those pets of people who get deported from the U.S.? Here are guidelines for the trauma involved, how to plan in case this happens, and what to do to make sure the dog or cat is cared for and not just left out in the cold to starve.
https://www.visaverge.com/news/what-happens-to-your-pets-after-ice-raids-and-deports-you/
What about you and me? How are we going to deal with all these not-so-great changes?
I’ve read that a lot of people are acquiring guns. That’s not my idea of a good solution. I don’t agree with some who think we’re headed for a civil war. Others are planning to leave the U.S., and some Americans have already left. Much scarier to me is the possibility that we could be entering a period similar to Germany in the 1920s and 1930s when Nazi fascism rose. For a lot of Germans during that period, the tyranny crept up until it was too late to leave and too terrifying to speak out.
Before all else, we’re going to have to make an effort to keep our spirits up so we’ll know what to do when we’re called on.
I’ve read that a lot of people are acquiring guns. That’s not my idea of a good solution. I don’t agree with some who think we’re headed for a civil war. Others are planning to leave the U.S., and some Americans have already left. Much scarier to me is the possibility that we could be entering a period similar to Germany in the 1920s and 1930s when Nazi fascism rose. For a lot of Germans during that period, the tyranny crept up until it was too late to leave and too terrifying to speak out.
Before all else, we’re going to have to make an effort to keep our spirits up so we’ll know what to do when we’re called on.
Here’s what I’m doing to keep my spirits up. Walking every day and practicing mindfulness every day to stay centered and calm. Doing a lot of art and writing stories, which I think is fun and centering. Having positive interactions with loved ones and neighbors. Gardening. My focus is on tomatoes. Photo (left) is of newly sprouted tomato seedlings.
Remember the song: “Only two things that money can’t buy, True love and homegrown tomatoes.”
Remember the song: “Only two things that money can’t buy, True love and homegrown tomatoes.”
Enjoying the beauty of the natural world is for sure a way to stay balanced.
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Supporting those of us engaged in what the Buddhists call “right action” is another way. For example, I give a financial contribution to World Central Kitchen whenever I can afford it. WCK is a group founded by chef José Andrés. WCK shows up when and wherever folks need a hot meal, regardless of politics. https://www.wck.org
There of plenty of other places to pitch in and help out. Your local animal shelter, community food bank, local environmental group, arts center, youth center, senior center or maybe helping out a neighbor with a ride to the grocery store are just a few.
We’ll get through these dark times together.
What are you doing to get you through the dark times? Feel free to leave a comment below.
We’ll get through these dark times together.
What are you doing to get you through the dark times? Feel free to leave a comment below.
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