17 Comments
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Tammy Chatfield's avatar

Thanks Cindy.. Have you listened to Rachel Maddow's podcast Burn Order, it's really worth the time. And I don't know if you see all my Facebook posts but Im relentless.

Cindy Eastman's avatar

I haven't listened to Burn Order--yet. Thanks for the recommendation. And I have seen your Facebook posts...maybe not all of them, but you are relentless!

Lynn's avatar

Thank you for your candor and commitment Cindy. While I am away from the States I am not seeing the daily strife and chilling of our democracy though the ripple effect is global. When I think of our fathers and mothers who fought in the 1940’s to secure world peace, I know we, as their children and grandchildren we must keep our faith in the good and speak our truths. Be honest and move forward instead of keep calm and carry on!

Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thank you, Lynn. You're right...the time to keep calm and carry on has passed. It's time to witness and speak to the destruction that is taking place on a daily basis.

Dianne slater's avatar

Well said. Compassion in action.

It’s brutal right now. My heart is so heavy.

Cindy Eastman's avatar

SO heavy. I dreamed about Liam again last night. It's so wrong.

Katherine Szpekman's avatar

Thank you, Cindy, for this. I have fantasized about running into the street and just screaming some days. What if we all did that? What if we all showed just how dire grief can be? I want to be loud like the whistles that warn about ICE. Louder.

Cindy Eastman's avatar

I know how you feel...I feel like I should stand on my street with a sign everyday, even if I'm alone, even if nobody joins me. Human whistles...that's us.

Lucy Murray's avatar

Yes, speak up. The time is now. Even though I feel I am speaking into a void. I've written letters to the editor and taken part in 3 protests. They are counting on us being scared and doing nothing. We can't accept what's going on.

Cindy Eastman's avatar

It sounds like you aren't accepting it--good for you for doing your part! xo

Jude's avatar

Hell yes to speaking up! I've always been able to assert myself, in a NICE way, of course. But I mostly kept my own struggles to myself. Now I'm carefully managing my time and energy. I make sure I have the writing, reading, and nature time I need. AND, I do SOMETHING every day: phone calls, emails, sharing posts, making donations, etc. The time is NOW!

Cindy Eastman's avatar

I know it can seem like we're not doing enough, but the more we share--especially online and social media--the more others might begin to feel comfortable expressing their outrage, too.

Judith Owens-Manley's avatar

Yes to speaking up. Imagine if each of us took even one action for the world we want, no matter how small. I just had an op-ed published about our national outrage according to me. I don't know if I should put it here, but it pertains to what has silenced us and how will I express myself in the current circumstances. Feel free to delete if not appropriate! https://www.adn.com/opinions/2026/01/29/opinion-the-challenge-of-focusing-our-national-outrage/

Cindy Eastman's avatar

Oh, no Judy--the more the merrier! At least the more the stronger. I commented above that the more we speak out, the more we show a path to others who might not feel so comfortable speaking out right now. More power to us!

Heidi Durig Heiby's avatar

Yes being "stoic" has always been rewarded in my life, too. As I've gotten older, I try to be more authentic about the way I'm feeling without being a "complainer." It's very vindicating. I feel completely stuck right now with the world/ US situation, because most of our family and most of our neighbors are MAGA (red state). Yes, still! My husband owns a business. I have to admit, I've been very quiet about my outrage to all but a few like-minded friends and my brother (also like-minded). The family knows how we feel, but we've gotten to a point of not talking about it to keep from fracturing relationships. I'm starting to feel like I don't want to be so silent anymore. I can leave the people in my life alone with their choices, but what is happening is not right and I think I'll start speaking out more in general. Enough is enough. Thanks for putting this out there. It does inspire others!

Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thanks, Heidi...I appreciate your response. I can't imagine how hard it is to keep quiet among family, but there must be a middle ground--you don't have to be completely silent nor loudly deafening. But certainly speak your mind. Good luck...let me know how it goes. xo

Heidi Durig Heiby's avatar

Thank you! It's definitely a delicate balance in some ways. The good news is that I'm finding my voice through all of this. I will be speaking my mind when questioned for sure! Been doing more and more of that. Keep talking! Keep writing! Keep resisting!