19 Jul 20
Trump’s Failures Are Erasing the Memory of American Greatness
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-failures-are-erasing-the-memory-of-american-greatness
An excerpt:
"What he does not realize is that there has always been one dominant emotion that has bound every American to one another. It is called loss. Every normal person is familiar with it, has experienced it at some level, losing a job, a paycheck, a house, health insurance, admission to a college, a roster spot on a Little League team. Losing hope. Losing a spouse, a child. Pride. Dignity. Self-respect. Losing a sense of place in your own small universe.
Comprehending loss is beyond his grasp. He casts himself as a stranger to loss. Losing something, anything or anyone could mark you as a loser. Not him."
19 Jul 20
@suzianne saidI do not think this is an emotion that is dominant among Americans.
An excerpt:
"What he does not realize is that there has always been one dominant emotion that has bound every American to one another. It is called loss. Every normal person is familiar with it, has experienced it at some level, losing a job, a paycheck, a house, health insurance, admission to a college, a roster spot on a Little League team. Losing hope. Losing a spouse, a ...[text shortened]... elf as a stranger to loss. Losing something, anything or anyone could mark you as a loser. Not him."
I would have guessed that the most American emotion would be one that correlates well with the rugged individualism or high rates of piety that Americans have in the Western world.
19 Jul 20
@philokalia saidI believe what you are referring to is 'false piety'.
I do not think this is an emotion that is dominant among Americans.
I would have guessed that the most American emotion would be one that correlates well with the rugged individualism or high rates of piety that Americans have in the Western world.
The evangelicals have this in spades.
@philokalia saidLoss surely correlates very well with high rates of piety, though the pious need not despair at loss.
I do not think this is an emotion that is dominant among Americans.
I would have guessed that the most American emotion would be one that correlates well with the rugged individualism or high rates of piety that Americans have in the Western world.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
20 Jul 20
It’s a funny thing.
Of most Americans I’ve met in real life (certainly outside of the US) the trait that springs to mind is optimistic.
Unhealthy optimism... certainly compared to Scots, who, if anything, live in a cloud of morbid despair.
Seriously friendly, always willing to help and confidently optimistic.
I don’t know what’s wrong with our resident Americans. They certainly don’t sound like the gung-ho heroes who charge into burning buildings to save puppies.
Yet, seriously, most Americans I know personally, would.
Even when gung-ho fearless characters like myself are suggesting: “Perhaps we should think this one through...”
Off they charge, into the storm; absolutely sure they’ll be safe.
But, then again, none of the Americans I know personally voted for trump or wear MAGA hats... well, not publically anyways.
20 Jul 20
@shavixmir saidI consider myself a realist. That said, I'm not immune to being idealistic. But as the quote stated in my OP, one common thread is, indeed, loss. I've lost someone, everyone I know has lost someone. Trump, however, fashions himself as someone who's never experienced loss, because to have experienced loss, in his mind, makes you a loser. In my mind, saying that you've never lost anyone or anything makes you a liar.
It’s a funny thing.
Of most Americans I’ve met in real life (certainly outside of the US) the trait that springs to mind is optimistic.
Unhealthy optimism... certainly compared to Scots, who, if anything, live in a cloud of morbid despair.
Seriously friendly, always willing to help and confidently optimistic.
I don’t know what’s wrong with our resident Americans. T ...[text shortened]... f the Americans I know personally voted for trump or wear MAGA hats... well, not publically anyways.
20 Jul 20
@philokalia saidAs I said.
I am incapable of being a judge of such a thing, and I would caution others against judging it (Mt. 7:1).
20 Jul 20
@philokalia saidThen why did you claim they were pious? Isn't that a judgement?
I am incapable of being a judge of such a thing, and I would caution others against judging it (Mt. 7:1).
20 Jul 20
@teinosuke saidInteresting take.
Loss surely correlates very well with high rates of piety, though the pious need not despair at loss.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
I would not have thought that this would correlate with piety, but moreso something like... gratitude, or humility, but in a sense, I totally now see why loss is there.
Ironically, Suzianne thinks that a huge amount of Americans have a false sense of piety.
I wonder how this would correalte to some universal American emotion of loss.
Or is it that a third or a fourth of Americans (whatever the number may be) just do not have worth nor do they have to be considered in these questions.
20 Jul 20
@athousandyoung saidIf I judge someone to be good in their heart and esteem them, I am loving my neighbor as myself.
Then why did you claim they were pious? Isn't that a judgement?
When I accuse somebody (or tens of millions of people) of practicing false piety, I am opening myself up to the exact same accusation, and perhaps it is the case that I will not fair well.
20 Jul 20
@shavixmir saidExactly right.
It’s a funny thing.
Of most Americans I’ve met in real life (certainly outside of the US) the trait that springs to mind is optimistic.
Unhealthy optimism... certainly compared to Scots, who, if anything, live in a cloud of morbid despair.
Seriously friendly, always willing to help and confidently optimistic.
I don’t know what’s wrong with our resident Americans. T ...[text shortened]... f the Americans I know personally voted for trump or wear MAGA hats... well, not publically anyways.
I haven't heard many stories about the typical American, quietly floating about, introspective and full of great poise gained through the wisdom of loss.
I hear moreso of Americans that are loud, kind, share too much information, have a sense of pride.
20 Jul 20
@philokalia saidSelf obsession and selfishness can often masquerade as “ rugged individualism”
I do not think this is an emotion that is dominant among Americans.
I would have guessed that the most American emotion would be one that correlates well with the rugged individualism or high rates of piety that Americans have in the Western world.
What is rugged about a corporate fat cat in a leather recliner?
‘Rugged’ died with the last frontiersman and all that’s left in the western world is a choice between ‘individualism’ and ‘community’.
As for piety can you explain even to yourself how a ‘pious’ nation can end up with a whore monger for a President on the votes of those who claim to be the most ‘pious’?
20 Jul 20
@philokalia said@philokalia said
If I judge someone to be good in their heart and esteem them, I am loving my neighbor as myself.
When I accuse somebody (or tens of millions of people) of practicing false piety, I am opening myself up to the exact same accusation, and perhaps it is the case that I will not fair well.
“If I judge someone to be good in their heart and esteem them, I am loving my neighbor as myself.”
No your not! Your simply practising judgement and judging individuals as worthy or unworthy depending on how closely their beliefs and lifestyles correlate with yours. You could not be any less self aware.
20 Jul 20
@kevcvs57 saidNobody said that rugged individualism is synonymous with corporate fat cats, or that piety is synonymous with Pres. Trump.
Self obsession and selfishness can often masquerade as “ rugged individualism”
What is rugged about a corporate fat cat in a leather recliner?
‘Rugged’ died with the last frontiersman and all that’s left in the western world is a choice between ‘individualism’ and ‘community’.
As for piety can you explain even to yourself how a ‘pious’ nation can end up with a whore monger for a President on the votes of those who claim to be the most ‘pious’?
Nobody said that rugged individuals have to support that, or pious people have to vote for Pres. Trump.