Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
It's very possible that things will get worse before they get better, but they will get better. It might not even happen in our lifetimes, but don't lose hope.
I know I already added an opinion on this topic, but felt the need to post something else that relates to what you wrote here. I recently heard a song on a Minneapolis alternative radio station that made me want to post again. While listening in my car that day, I thought it was the coolest song I had heard in a very long time. I could not wait for the program host to tell the listeners who the artist was. I waited through several more songs before the announcement came. I could not believe it was by Roberta Flack, who just died last month. I only knew about her thanks to a song long ago about someone who loved her softly with his song. I was a rocker, so I didn't care about that song.
But, on that day, I considered "Tryin' Times" to be a cool song not only because of the jazziness and bluesiness, but also because of the words and the timeliness.
"People always talkin' about man's inhumanity to man / whatchya tryin to do do to make this a better land . . .
Thanks for this, Jon. I’m an optimist who’s often been proven wrong, but I’m at least half with you here. It really does feel like they’ve overshot so extremely that the country is waking up, they’ll be blown back, and it’s a question of how much permanent damage is left in their wake.
I’ve had an interesting experience in the last few days taking coffee and breakfast at the Lovejoy Cafe. It’s taken awhile for me to realize it’s a Ukrainian hotbed. At least two and probably all three of the counter-staff are Ukrainians, as I think are a number of the customers. Nearly all of them speak excellent English and it took awhile to hear the underlying accents. It brings the dire state of today’s world home and is humbling. Our little aging issues are nothing compared to whatever horrors they’ve likely experienced and are dealing with now. Can they stay? Do they have a home to return to or have they lost everything including their family members? Rachael and I are both being slowed down by arthritis and now I can’t see out of my right eye, boo, hoo. I hope for all of us that the good guys rally and win in time.
Also FYI, I’ll be publishing our detailed itinerary (dates and overnight stays) later today. We aren’t coming to lumpy Cornwall but we’ll be pretty close. We’ll spend July and the first half of August biking from London to Axminster by way of Oxford, Somerset, Exmoor, Dartmoor, and part of the Jurassic Coast before we catch the train north to Lancaster for the ride back to London. It would be terrific if we could arrange a meetup somewhere in there.
Well, that was a gut punch and uplifting at the same time.
A timely reminder that great art comes out of "Tryin' Times".
Thank you Jon. Patrick too has the sense that Europe is coming together. There's grassroots organizations called 50501 in every state. The big worry here in Idaho is the plan to send Public Lands and National Parks management back to the states. This is the first step to then take the resources off the land and after the first forest fire the state can't pay for, sell and privatize the land.
Fortunately, though this isn't such a partisan issue, from all political spectrums there are Public Land users for ....hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, river rafting and camping. Perhaps this issue could bring people together.
There have been calls in parliament for Musk's South African citizenship to be revoked but unfortunately our Minister of Home Affairs brushed it aside (but at least the rule of law still applies here). From https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/816425/elon-musks-south-african-citizenship-questioned/
Parliamentary member Thapelo Mogale asked Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber whether Elon Musk, Deon Barnard, Peter Thiel and David Sacks were South African citizens.
He also asked whether their South African citizenship status would be revoked as they are linked to President Donald Trump.
Mogale argued that they funded his presidential campaign and contributed to his negative views about South Africa.
Schreiber responded, saying he could not disclose details about people’s citizenship as the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) prohibits this.
The Minister added that the Department of Home Affairs will not weaponise the law to pursue political ends.
“Instead of being based on politics, our decisions are informed by the requirements of the Constitution, the rule of law, rationality, and just administrative action,” he said.
Thanks Scott and everyone. Indeed I try to keep optimistic - and to keep in mind that setbacks are just that, and there's always another day to push on. These sorts of stories certainly add a hefty dose of perspective - it's humbling as you say, and I don't know how I could ever cope with a life in such upheaval. But it also makes me realise just what capacity there is for renewal and resilience.
Oh that's great - yep I was looking with anticipation at your route when I saw you were coming back to Devon. Can't stay away - I don't blame you! July/August will be perfect - absolutely, I'm up and down to Devon quite a bit to see family, it'd be great to arrange a get-together.
Hey, Jon. Could you get in touch with me through scoandpdx at gmail? I’m starting to look at lodging near Heathrow and am looking for ideas on what to do with our suitcases for three months. I can try finding a willing hotel or airbnb listing. But a reasonably priced storage facility would work too. Thanks.
Hi Scott,
I stayed at this place ages ago and they put my bike suitcase (for my bike Friday) in their attic for 5 weeks until I returned. I booked 2 nights when I arrived to get over the jet lag and the night before I left. They will shuttle you to/from the airport for a small fee, at least they used to.
https://heathrow-cottages.co.uk/
Karen
Excellent commentary, Jon, we needed that.
I am one who believes that shame is a great motivator, as well as righteous anger at injustice, and solidarity with others. I am hoping for an awakening in my country, that people will stand up for themselves and each other. And we are starting to see that.
I'm inspired by millions of others, in the streets of Serbia, in the jungles of Myanmar, and definitely in the trenches of Ukraine. We can do this too, stand up to autocracy and those who would dismantle our history and democracy and institutions that serve the people.
And thank you to all who have weighed in with your thoughts, information, worries, and support. Bicycle tourists are curious about the world and are part of it in such intimate and courageous ways, and thus your input holds immense value to me.
4 weeks ago