I, too, cry for the promise that was America. I turned 80 the beginning of this year. Never thought my « golden years » would be spent watching the destruction of our democracy. I hope that saner, more patriotic, more intelligent folks will overcome this nasty despot, & those who believed in him will have their eyes opened to the truth. I don’t expect to be around to see the return (it won’t happen quickly),but sincerely hope with all my heart that it happens.
Beautifully crafted, Alexander. You are definitely not the only one saddened and troubled by the loss of what was. I remain hopeful we will recover some of our past character, but as you rightly point out, "Trust, once broken, cannot simply be restored to its original state." I share similar feelings towards the people who recklessly handed over our government to a fascist, misogynistic, racist, felon.
Thank you, Mike. As I wrote, this is not a farewell to my many friends, but it just hurts so much to see what’s happening; so much is lost and nothing is gained for anyone but a few billionaires who have more than enough already.
So heartbreakingly beautiful, and so sad. Those of us who are the children of WW2 soldiers can only be relieved that they aren’t alive to see this “administration’s” utter betrayal of everything they fought for. I hope and pray we can recover from President Musk and his cronies. Someday…
Those WW2 soldiers knew that fascism begins by targeting those perceived as "others" on the fringes of society, but its hunger for enemies grows insatiably over time. As the initial targets are eliminated, fascism turns inward, constantly redefining who belongs to the "in-group" and who must be purged. This process of continual othering leads to an ever-shrinking circle of acceptance, ultimately consuming even those who once considered themselves part of the fascist movement. Its need for conflict and domination means it can never achieve stability, instead spiraling towards its own annihilation. Fascism's built-in self-destruct button is the only light point in its overwhelming darkness.
I, too, think of my father who fought at the battle of the bulge and survived that horrible war. Now we are ‘governed’ (?) by men with no heart or understanding for rights of those less fortunate than themselves. I worry about all of those that are being left behind and I worry about the children all over the world who are entering into such an uncertain time. At 70, my time here is short. But my plan is to fight this administration in any ways I can manage so the world may survive to see the next century long after my dust has settled into the earth. Thanks to Alexander for such a beautiful remembrance of what my country was before this ugly time.
"This is Master Obi Wan. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen, with a dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and reminder to remaining Jedi: Trust the Force".
On April 19, 1995, a day after my birthday, a home grown White Supremist Terrorist blew up the Murrah Bldg. in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. The world lost a hero; I lost someone I love very much. This point in our history feels much like April 19th to me. Democracy has imploded from within; our Republic has fallen, and our future is uncertain. But we persevered then, and we must persevere now. "And in time, a new hope will emerge."
And the Red Rocks of Sedona will stand; the desert sunsets with their "Chispa" will still amaze, The Colorado River will flow to Mexico and the first place I ever tasted Indian "Fry Bread" on the Courthouse steps will still be serving the best coffee at "Late for the Train" on Aspen St in Flagstaff. Arizona will survive. We are resilient as the Saguaro and hold lifesaving water in our souls.
So, trust The Force, trust the tides, trust the American Spirit. Evil my come but our will is stronger. "May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true; may you always know the truth and see the light surrounding you."
Just as the light in Arizona shines bright, I hope when the path is blocked, we can back up and see the whole way illuminated. Hope prevails. After all, Obi Wan is never wrong. Thank you, as always, for the clarity you bring with your message.
Thank you for this beautiful message. It will not be a farewell to Arizona. I will return, but it may take a while. It's one of my favorite states, and I have many stories of kind people I met. I have no doubt they voted for this regime, but they were so kind to me. They are victims of a system of flaws in education and media, where money buys politics. I hardly blame the voters, but I can't understand why Republican Members of Congress, well-educated and well-off, don't stand up for what is right.
You so eloquently say what a lot of us are thinking. My heart breaks for all my friends in the US and also with my decision not to travel back there for the foreseeable future.
I remember visiting most of the places you mention and also how I spent my 21sth birthday in California. A surreal experience because everybody was talking about the ability to buy alcohol - something I'd been able to do back home for 5 years.
So many great memories to be thankful for. Now making European memories.
Your newsletter brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your farewell.
It was such a similar experience for me. After two years at a university in the Netherlands, I had reached the phase of moderate alcohol consumption to avoid being associated with drunken first-year students. And then all those congratulations in the days after my 21st birthday that I could now finally drink alcohol. Only years later, I got my driver's license, another difference from the US. And since I moved to Norway, I haven't even thought about buying a car.
Beautiful article, Alex! Mirrors my own yearning for the now-lost, enchanting America I first visited as a UK teenager by Greyhound buses from Maine to California …
Alexander, your reminiscences about your childhood and the years that followed when you spent time in America are so touching… Your writing is heartbreaking, but truthful. I don’t recognize my country
and your writing of our recent and terrifying history has helped me to clarify my thoughts. I’m so upset by the fissure between America and Europe that hasn’t been created by the ocean between us (which is a metaphor in itself), but by a mentally unstable autocrat and his sycophants who think of no one but themselves.
I long for “better” times for us all… Thank you for a your
Thank you, Anne. We progress by two steps forward and one step backward. There are moments in history where we make the mistake of stepping a few steps backward, and at very rare moments, we take a great leap backward. But the US is resilient; it will bounce back. Look at the countries in central Europe that had democracy before the Second World War. Once the Soviet domination was lifted, most easily adapted to democracy again.
Thank you Alex. This is a a beautiful essay. Your honesty and the sorrow and frustration at the betrayal by my country tear me up. (you can read that either way)-I am grateful you have family and personal memories of America's 'better angels' and finer moments but I feel such shame for who and what we are now. I will hope that we will again become a land you can visit with delight.
Thank you, Leslie. Reading history gives a long term perspective of progress from cavemen, via the Middle Ages, to the iPhone I’m typing on right now. But there are deep, dark pitfalls in between, often as a result of human folly. This is a particularly bad one where the climate crisis combines with a return to fascism, a philosophy that’s inhuman from the very start (unlike communism that turned out to be inhuman in practice but had a foundation of sharing and taking care for each other). But we are at the edge of a deep ravine. We can still avoid sliding to the bottom. That’s the good news. It urgently requires brave and visionary leadership and not business as usual combined with complaining.
I went to law school at a Catholic University and brightest among us was very progressive and outspoken. This was the early 70s and he was teased by another student who asked, 'What are you, a communist?' His response--'No, a Catholic.' It has stuck with me all these years. Yes-brave and visionary leadership is needed, I expect it will come from an unexpected place, I doubt that will be either house in Congress. Be well and guard your heart.
Not only you, Alex. To me it seems like... "And the three men I admire the most, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, They caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died. And they were singing, bye bye Miss American pie..."
Yes, it’s a farewell of sorts, as nostalgic as this epic song which is also about looking back, remembering the beauty, and a clear cutoff date. But there is also hope in McLean’s masterpiece; Buddy Holly, Richy Valens, and the Big Bopper sadly died but the spirit of their creativity evolved into the most brilliant decade of modern music. The joker, the marching band, and all others mentioned, I still listen to their songs daily (Dylan, the joker, even made a brief guest appearance in this newsletter. As jobs would say: only when looking back you can connect the dots).
Thank you, Alex. You always know how to give your readers hope. Let's hold on and not give up. There are still many voices (here on this platform for example) that support human values and speak up against the immoral and aggressive behavior of the American leaders of today.
This ship of State will right itself in time. How a pathetic conman and grifter brought us this low perhaps began with the falling of the twin towers or earlier but the importance is how we regroup and emerge again in this beautiful land with a comparatively short history of 250 years of intermittently “steady” leadership. We’ve emerged from dark places before and have demonstrated the ability to do so again. But retaining hope and care for all is essential. I regret that I don’t have the time left to see the resurrection. To leave this nation of my birth that I treasure in chaos in the hands of a few evil men and their brainwashed sycophants is the most 💔💔💔 loss of my lifetime; but the years have taken so much from me already, I feel the loss of time left acutely and grieve all the more. The failure of the current administration to value the elderly as a marginalized group who are unable to work is sadistic and cruel. They value elder experience and wisdom none at all. What fools they are to believe they or their legacies will endure (except in the wreckage they have sewn. ) They have stolen the last of my light and that is unforgivable, as is all of their self indulgent treason. May they burn 🔥 forever in the fires of hell, their own impotence. What evil, death and insecurity they have wrought on the planet 🌎 at large is what will endure, the saddest memorial of all.
Musk/T rump#2 have certainly come as a shock AND a wake up call. We now have Russia to the east and Russia to the west. What does Putin have on T rump? We know about the prostitutes but …
T rump’s decision to demand payment from Ukraine (for aid already given free of charge) has precedent. Dis-U.K. politicians and conservatives talk of our ‘Special Relationship’ 🤦♂️. We were paying off the debt for their help in WW2 for decades, well into my life time. Many are now pointing to the aid that Europe gave freely to the U.S.A. in the years after 9/11. No leader has yet to demand repayment from T rump for this despite several cartoonists and commentators making the suggestion.
I, too, cry for the promise that was America. I turned 80 the beginning of this year. Never thought my « golden years » would be spent watching the destruction of our democracy. I hope that saner, more patriotic, more intelligent folks will overcome this nasty despot, & those who believed in him will have their eyes opened to the truth. I don’t expect to be around to see the return (it won’t happen quickly),but sincerely hope with all my heart that it happens.
Damn. Heart-warming and heart-breaking. Your words always move. Sigh
Beautifully crafted, Alexander. You are definitely not the only one saddened and troubled by the loss of what was. I remain hopeful we will recover some of our past character, but as you rightly point out, "Trust, once broken, cannot simply be restored to its original state." I share similar feelings towards the people who recklessly handed over our government to a fascist, misogynistic, racist, felon.
Thank you, Mike. As I wrote, this is not a farewell to my many friends, but it just hurts so much to see what’s happening; so much is lost and nothing is gained for anyone but a few billionaires who have more than enough already.
So heartbreakingly beautiful, and so sad. Those of us who are the children of WW2 soldiers can only be relieved that they aren’t alive to see this “administration’s” utter betrayal of everything they fought for. I hope and pray we can recover from President Musk and his cronies. Someday…
Those WW2 soldiers knew that fascism begins by targeting those perceived as "others" on the fringes of society, but its hunger for enemies grows insatiably over time. As the initial targets are eliminated, fascism turns inward, constantly redefining who belongs to the "in-group" and who must be purged. This process of continual othering leads to an ever-shrinking circle of acceptance, ultimately consuming even those who once considered themselves part of the fascist movement. Its need for conflict and domination means it can never achieve stability, instead spiraling towards its own annihilation. Fascism's built-in self-destruct button is the only light point in its overwhelming darkness.
I, too, think of my father who fought at the battle of the bulge and survived that horrible war. Now we are ‘governed’ (?) by men with no heart or understanding for rights of those less fortunate than themselves. I worry about all of those that are being left behind and I worry about the children all over the world who are entering into such an uncertain time. At 70, my time here is short. But my plan is to fight this administration in any ways I can manage so the world may survive to see the next century long after my dust has settled into the earth. Thanks to Alexander for such a beautiful remembrance of what my country was before this ugly time.
Thank you, Wendy, it helps to see so many positive reactions.
"This is Master Obi Wan. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen, with a dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and reminder to remaining Jedi: Trust the Force".
On April 19, 1995, a day after my birthday, a home grown White Supremist Terrorist blew up the Murrah Bldg. in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. The world lost a hero; I lost someone I love very much. This point in our history feels much like April 19th to me. Democracy has imploded from within; our Republic has fallen, and our future is uncertain. But we persevered then, and we must persevere now. "And in time, a new hope will emerge."
And the Red Rocks of Sedona will stand; the desert sunsets with their "Chispa" will still amaze, The Colorado River will flow to Mexico and the first place I ever tasted Indian "Fry Bread" on the Courthouse steps will still be serving the best coffee at "Late for the Train" on Aspen St in Flagstaff. Arizona will survive. We are resilient as the Saguaro and hold lifesaving water in our souls.
So, trust The Force, trust the tides, trust the American Spirit. Evil my come but our will is stronger. "May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true; may you always know the truth and see the light surrounding you."
Just as the light in Arizona shines bright, I hope when the path is blocked, we can back up and see the whole way illuminated. Hope prevails. After all, Obi Wan is never wrong. Thank you, as always, for the clarity you bring with your message.
Thank you for this beautiful message. It will not be a farewell to Arizona. I will return, but it may take a while. It's one of my favorite states, and I have many stories of kind people I met. I have no doubt they voted for this regime, but they were so kind to me. They are victims of a system of flaws in education and media, where money buys politics. I hardly blame the voters, but I can't understand why Republican Members of Congress, well-educated and well-off, don't stand up for what is right.
Never forget the teachings...
You so eloquently say what a lot of us are thinking. My heart breaks for all my friends in the US and also with my decision not to travel back there for the foreseeable future.
I remember visiting most of the places you mention and also how I spent my 21sth birthday in California. A surreal experience because everybody was talking about the ability to buy alcohol - something I'd been able to do back home for 5 years.
So many great memories to be thankful for. Now making European memories.
Your newsletter brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your farewell.
It was such a similar experience for me. After two years at a university in the Netherlands, I had reached the phase of moderate alcohol consumption to avoid being associated with drunken first-year students. And then all those congratulations in the days after my 21st birthday that I could now finally drink alcohol. Only years later, I got my driver's license, another difference from the US. And since I moved to Norway, I haven't even thought about buying a car.
Beautiful article, Alex! Mirrors my own yearning for the now-lost, enchanting America I first visited as a UK teenager by Greyhound buses from Maine to California …
Thank you, Alister. If we combine forces and memories, we have a book :-)
Alexander, your reminiscences about your childhood and the years that followed when you spent time in America are so touching… Your writing is heartbreaking, but truthful. I don’t recognize my country
and your writing of our recent and terrifying history has helped me to clarify my thoughts. I’m so upset by the fissure between America and Europe that hasn’t been created by the ocean between us (which is a metaphor in itself), but by a mentally unstable autocrat and his sycophants who think of no one but themselves.
I long for “better” times for us all… Thank you for a your
excellent post today.
Thank you, Anne. We progress by two steps forward and one step backward. There are moments in history where we make the mistake of stepping a few steps backward, and at very rare moments, we take a great leap backward. But the US is resilient; it will bounce back. Look at the countries in central Europe that had democracy before the Second World War. Once the Soviet domination was lifted, most easily adapted to democracy again.
Thank you Alex. This is a a beautiful essay. Your honesty and the sorrow and frustration at the betrayal by my country tear me up. (you can read that either way)-I am grateful you have family and personal memories of America's 'better angels' and finer moments but I feel such shame for who and what we are now. I will hope that we will again become a land you can visit with delight.
Thank you, Leslie. Reading history gives a long term perspective of progress from cavemen, via the Middle Ages, to the iPhone I’m typing on right now. But there are deep, dark pitfalls in between, often as a result of human folly. This is a particularly bad one where the climate crisis combines with a return to fascism, a philosophy that’s inhuman from the very start (unlike communism that turned out to be inhuman in practice but had a foundation of sharing and taking care for each other). But we are at the edge of a deep ravine. We can still avoid sliding to the bottom. That’s the good news. It urgently requires brave and visionary leadership and not business as usual combined with complaining.
I went to law school at a Catholic University and brightest among us was very progressive and outspoken. This was the early 70s and he was teased by another student who asked, 'What are you, a communist?' His response--'No, a Catholic.' It has stuck with me all these years. Yes-brave and visionary leadership is needed, I expect it will come from an unexpected place, I doubt that will be either house in Congress. Be well and guard your heart.
It's so good to have someone like you, Alex, capable of expressing our sorrow...
thank you
Thank you, Susanne. Yes, you’re right, I may have been speaking for many.
I'm sorry we didn't do right by you and ourselves. We have so much work ahead to do better.
Yes, lots of repair work to do, and no time to lose.
😭
Not only you, Alex. To me it seems like... "And the three men I admire the most, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, They caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died. And they were singing, bye bye Miss American pie..."
Yes, it’s a farewell of sorts, as nostalgic as this epic song which is also about looking back, remembering the beauty, and a clear cutoff date. But there is also hope in McLean’s masterpiece; Buddy Holly, Richy Valens, and the Big Bopper sadly died but the spirit of their creativity evolved into the most brilliant decade of modern music. The joker, the marching band, and all others mentioned, I still listen to their songs daily (Dylan, the joker, even made a brief guest appearance in this newsletter. As jobs would say: only when looking back you can connect the dots).
Thank you, Alex. You always know how to give your readers hope. Let's hold on and not give up. There are still many voices (here on this platform for example) that support human values and speak up against the immoral and aggressive behavior of the American leaders of today.
You put all my feelings into words- thank you!
Thanks Mia
This ship of State will right itself in time. How a pathetic conman and grifter brought us this low perhaps began with the falling of the twin towers or earlier but the importance is how we regroup and emerge again in this beautiful land with a comparatively short history of 250 years of intermittently “steady” leadership. We’ve emerged from dark places before and have demonstrated the ability to do so again. But retaining hope and care for all is essential. I regret that I don’t have the time left to see the resurrection. To leave this nation of my birth that I treasure in chaos in the hands of a few evil men and their brainwashed sycophants is the most 💔💔💔 loss of my lifetime; but the years have taken so much from me already, I feel the loss of time left acutely and grieve all the more. The failure of the current administration to value the elderly as a marginalized group who are unable to work is sadistic and cruel. They value elder experience and wisdom none at all. What fools they are to believe they or their legacies will endure (except in the wreckage they have sewn. ) They have stolen the last of my light and that is unforgivable, as is all of their self indulgent treason. May they burn 🔥 forever in the fires of hell, their own impotence. What evil, death and insecurity they have wrought on the planet 🌎 at large is what will endure, the saddest memorial of all.
Musk/T rump#2 have certainly come as a shock AND a wake up call. We now have Russia to the east and Russia to the west. What does Putin have on T rump? We know about the prostitutes but …
T rump’s decision to demand payment from Ukraine (for aid already given free of charge) has precedent. Dis-U.K. politicians and conservatives talk of our ‘Special Relationship’ 🤦♂️. We were paying off the debt for their help in WW2 for decades, well into my life time. Many are now pointing to the aid that Europe gave freely to the U.S.A. in the years after 9/11. No leader has yet to demand repayment from T rump for this despite several cartoonists and commentators making the suggestion.
Thank you, Martin. Luckily, we have wiser politicians here who don’t go for a revenge politics.
Farage 🤷🏻♂️🤦♂️.
But I’m happy today because I am on a train from Innsbruck on my way to ski in my ‘second home’ (I wish), Alpbach in the Tirol, Austria.