As a Canadian, I would not visit the USA while the present administration has the government of that wonderful country held hostage. To see what you describe "from the inside", I highly recommend Sarah Kendzior's latest book "The Last American Roadtrip". She is an expert on authoritarian states who writes like a poet. It was released yesterday and I now have the Kindle version IN my computer, not online. America's heritage is first being digitized and then erased. Sarah makes this perfectly clear.
I read Project 2025, so I am not shocked to see what's happening, I'm despondent. I've spent over half of my life in service to this country 4.5 years USMC and 30+ years of teaching math at the college level. As soon as I can settle my affairs I will probably move to Europe. I have friends in Portugal and in Greece. My heart aches.
I'm sorry Alexander, but my country is no longer a free state. FYI: Arizona has unrestricted concealed carry of firearms, no permit, no background check or training. Tucson has been described to me as an island of conservatism in a sea of fascism viz. Arizona.
My sister died a week ago. When the estate is settled I'm leaving. It sucks.
Alexander, as another Colorado USA friend and follower, we will miss not seeing you next week in Boulder. You very eloquently explained how you can not travel to the U.S. at this time. Your friends and followers share your views. We live in a very troubled, unexplainable time in the States. We thank you for your past participation with the CWA and for your perspectives.
Alexander, you’ve written a second beautiful love letter to America. Your words about the topographical beauty of my country touched me so deeply, as I, too, love to drive the wide open spaces.
The “meat” of your post is disturbing because of its many autocratic references. I am so very sorry, but relieved (and sad) that you have wisely decided not to come to the CWA conference that I know you love. Your friends will patiently wait until the time is right for you to ‘cross-pollinate’ in your discussions with them, either on the panel or over coffee in a Boulder café. Your descriptions of our “border behavior” are very scary and factual. We are a changed country and I feel your anxiety and pain which you so vividly wrote about. I await the next chapter of your book…
Thank you, Anne. Yes, the book, someday perhaps, but Substack keeps me busy. I keep postponing it while there is more and more to write about each day.
The Mourning Doves have returned to my Sonoran Desert Home, their gentle calls waking me up and drifting off to sleep. I find a deep-seated comfort in this. A comfort knowing they were never lost. While the world watches, my country teeters on the brink; times are uncertain, and it seems no one is safe.
Yet the vast untamed beauty of the desert tells me differently. Dangers lurk everywhere in this harsh clime and somehow, we make it through as we rely on the Moon and St. Christopher. I completely understand the choice of Europeans to cancel travel plans to our borders. Their absence will be our loss. But nothing that is lost cannot be found. We cannot as Americans give in to fear and hatred. We were all on that Senate Floor with Cory Booker. We were all in that voting booth in Wisconsin. And we are all fighting every day for the things we hold dear.
As my Mourning Doves stand at my patio door to greet me in the beautiful April light, I know the Universe will have its say. Oceans will rise and the Grand Canyon will shine; the Rockies will give up their snowfall and rivers will flow to the sea. "To everything there is a season." It may be time to pull back, to close ranks and let the world settle.
But remember the desert sunsets still amaze; the Ponderosa Pines share their music with the wind and my Mourning Dove coos still echo in the dawn. Gracias, Alex. I hope your wait is not long, I hope you stay safe, and I hope you will not forget.
I share your love for the Arizonan desert and am sad to miss it. Just as I always return to the island, you have that same passion for the sunsets in the desert. I’ll be back. There should always be hope, even if there is no reason for hope. In that sense, we are far better off now: this won’t last. Democracies are notably slow to respond, but when it does it wins. Think of September 1939-December 1941 or think of the many terrorist attacks that preceded 9/11, or even structural wrongs in society: resilience works two ways. First you just take the punches and let it all happen, but when it reaches a tipping point and there is no other solution, a democracy unites and restores.
Morn morn! Good decision, my new friend. I'll restack this beautifully written essay! Even I as a dual citizen, I am even having thoughts of going on a business trip to Canada. What might happen upon my return to San Francisco? I was born in Montreal.
Fear is the main harvest of these 72 days; you can’t run an economy or a society on fear. And it wasn’t on the ballot. I hope you can just travel, as an American citizen you have different rights than foreign visitors.
I agree with your decision - as you say, it’s so arbitrary who they decide to detain. Their policy is to detain first, ask questions later - and “later” could be several weeks! And held in a virtual jail away from friends and family. Their goal is intimidation and fear, and that’s what is happening 😞. I have also advised some family members from Europe not to visit right now.
Dear Alex, I completely understand this decision, but I am so sorry that my country has come to this place. I appreciate your perspective so much, to see my land from the outside. Not from a critic, but from someone with a deep affectionate relationship to her natural wonders and her history and her people. I grieve with you the loss of your reconnection with friends in Boulder and the western reaches of the continent. I hope that you will feel most welcome in the future. With a grieving heart, Leslie
Very sensible comments from everyone. I must retain hope to go on with my girls, 😽😽, thank you Alexander for your clarity. Maybe next year or soon after ? So sorry for the pain every one is feeling.
The new “MeToo” movement! I’ll be here with my ♿️ by my sofa for the duration. Be safe my tribe! 🕊️
I will be back, confident that Trumps attempt to radically change US politics is doomed to fail. Add to the mix his successful destruction in just seventy-something days of an economy described as ‘the envy of the world’ and it’s clear this system won’t last.
The United States was formed as an experiment by religious separatists. Some of the founding fathers were deists. The USA today is imperialist, like the other superpowers. I can't tell you how many times I have woken in a cold sweat, after lengthly nightmares about ending up lost with no ID and no money, some place I've never been before, trapped and unable to escape. The thing that is troubling me is how the current politcal regime comprises the social pact that is woven into the constitution. Since USA is imperialist, it at times acts unilaterally. In the case of immigration, the current administration seems to seek isolation. Something Australia 🇦🇺 does so well. I plan on helping in any way I can. For diversity's sake.
There is a library that straddles the US/Canadian border—the main entry is on the US side, and it was recently decided that Canadian citizens would not be allowed to cross the US border to enter the library. They are currently in the process of building a new library entrance on the Canadian side. The residents of these two adjacent towns have crossed back and forth for many years, but now they must produce documents to cross to the US side. Even to visit an old friend. Or shop at a favorite store. The two towns have been violently ripped apart.
I have friends in Canada, and I support Canadian boycotts of American products and travel to the US. At this time, I would recommend that no one visit the US. Anyone can be detained while entering or leaving the US, even American citizens or green card holders.
It is frightening how so much has changed here in the past four months. And there are disturbing signs of things to come. US military soldiers have been posted to the Mexican border. This is contrary towards their purpose, which is to fight enemies outside the US. They are not a domestic army, and should not be used to guard the border. But it is possible to imagine that the Trump administration will quietly erase that line, and the US military will be used against Americans residing in the US.
I am married to a Canadian citizen and could move to Canada. But should I? And if so, when? Authoritarianism creeps in bit by bit. What if we decide to leave, but wait too long?
I am sorry that you will miss your time in Colorado, my friend in the Netherlands. But I fully support your decision not to come. 🦋
"What also troubles me is the arbitrariness. There’s no clear standard for what expression might trigger detention or denial."
There is nothing "normal" about this administration. Instead, the phrase "cruelty is the point" is what one most often hears.
I will miss watching your important participation in the many panel discussions, but relieved you will be safe from our current insanity.
Thank you for understanding my considerations, Rena
Sad, but you are wise to avoid the United States at these fraught times.
Thank you, Jean. It helps to read this.
Tough decision - smart decision.
Sad you won't be on those panels - I always enjoyed watching them.
So much of what you say in this post resonated. I might come back to it later.
Glad you're safely in Europe.
As a Canadian, I would not visit the USA while the present administration has the government of that wonderful country held hostage. To see what you describe "from the inside", I highly recommend Sarah Kendzior's latest book "The Last American Roadtrip". She is an expert on authoritarian states who writes like a poet. It was released yesterday and I now have the Kindle version IN my computer, not online. America's heritage is first being digitized and then erased. Sarah makes this perfectly clear.
Thanks, Doug, I’m looking forward to reading it.
Buy it, read it ... but here's a short summary in her own words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2l4sGevZ-g
I would have advised you to cancel last November.
I read Project 2025, so I am not shocked to see what's happening, I'm despondent. I've spent over half of my life in service to this country 4.5 years USMC and 30+ years of teaching math at the college level. As soon as I can settle my affairs I will probably move to Europe. I have friends in Portugal and in Greece. My heart aches.
I'm sorry Alexander, but my country is no longer a free state. FYI: Arizona has unrestricted concealed carry of firearms, no permit, no background check or training. Tucson has been described to me as an island of conservatism in a sea of fascism viz. Arizona.
My sister died a week ago. When the estate is settled I'm leaving. It sucks.
Sorry for your loss, Bob. And the sad state of affairs at the moment. You’ll love Europe.
Thanks
Alexander, as another Colorado USA friend and follower, we will miss not seeing you next week in Boulder. You very eloquently explained how you can not travel to the U.S. at this time. Your friends and followers share your views. We live in a very troubled, unexplainable time in the States. We thank you for your past participation with the CWA and for your perspectives.
Thank you, Bob, I’ll miss seeing you again too. (I’ll write you later)
Alexander, you’ve written a second beautiful love letter to America. Your words about the topographical beauty of my country touched me so deeply, as I, too, love to drive the wide open spaces.
The “meat” of your post is disturbing because of its many autocratic references. I am so very sorry, but relieved (and sad) that you have wisely decided not to come to the CWA conference that I know you love. Your friends will patiently wait until the time is right for you to ‘cross-pollinate’ in your discussions with them, either on the panel or over coffee in a Boulder café. Your descriptions of our “border behavior” are very scary and factual. We are a changed country and I feel your anxiety and pain which you so vividly wrote about. I await the next chapter of your book…
Thank you, Anne. Yes, the book, someday perhaps, but Substack keeps me busy. I keep postponing it while there is more and more to write about each day.
The Mourning Doves have returned to my Sonoran Desert Home, their gentle calls waking me up and drifting off to sleep. I find a deep-seated comfort in this. A comfort knowing they were never lost. While the world watches, my country teeters on the brink; times are uncertain, and it seems no one is safe.
Yet the vast untamed beauty of the desert tells me differently. Dangers lurk everywhere in this harsh clime and somehow, we make it through as we rely on the Moon and St. Christopher. I completely understand the choice of Europeans to cancel travel plans to our borders. Their absence will be our loss. But nothing that is lost cannot be found. We cannot as Americans give in to fear and hatred. We were all on that Senate Floor with Cory Booker. We were all in that voting booth in Wisconsin. And we are all fighting every day for the things we hold dear.
As my Mourning Doves stand at my patio door to greet me in the beautiful April light, I know the Universe will have its say. Oceans will rise and the Grand Canyon will shine; the Rockies will give up their snowfall and rivers will flow to the sea. "To everything there is a season." It may be time to pull back, to close ranks and let the world settle.
But remember the desert sunsets still amaze; the Ponderosa Pines share their music with the wind and my Mourning Dove coos still echo in the dawn. Gracias, Alex. I hope your wait is not long, I hope you stay safe, and I hope you will not forget.
I share your love for the Arizonan desert and am sad to miss it. Just as I always return to the island, you have that same passion for the sunsets in the desert. I’ll be back. There should always be hope, even if there is no reason for hope. In that sense, we are far better off now: this won’t last. Democracies are notably slow to respond, but when it does it wins. Think of September 1939-December 1941 or think of the many terrorist attacks that preceded 9/11, or even structural wrongs in society: resilience works two ways. First you just take the punches and let it all happen, but when it reaches a tipping point and there is no other solution, a democracy unites and restores.
That's beautiful, Sharon ❤
Thank you, Rena.
Morn morn! Good decision, my new friend. I'll restack this beautifully written essay! Even I as a dual citizen, I am even having thoughts of going on a business trip to Canada. What might happen upon my return to San Francisco? I was born in Montreal.
Fear is the main harvest of these 72 days; you can’t run an economy or a society on fear. And it wasn’t on the ballot. I hope you can just travel, as an American citizen you have different rights than foreign visitors.
👌👌🙏
I agree with your decision - as you say, it’s so arbitrary who they decide to detain. Their policy is to detain first, ask questions later - and “later” could be several weeks! And held in a virtual jail away from friends and family. Their goal is intimidation and fear, and that’s what is happening 😞. I have also advised some family members from Europe not to visit right now.
Thank you, Louisa, it helps in a difficult time to know I’m not alone.
Dear Alex, I completely understand this decision, but I am so sorry that my country has come to this place. I appreciate your perspective so much, to see my land from the outside. Not from a critic, but from someone with a deep affectionate relationship to her natural wonders and her history and her people. I grieve with you the loss of your reconnection with friends in Boulder and the western reaches of the continent. I hope that you will feel most welcome in the future. With a grieving heart, Leslie
Thank you, Leslie, for understanding and capturing this so well. It helps me to know my friends agree with my decision.
Very sensible comments from everyone. I must retain hope to go on with my girls, 😽😽, thank you Alexander for your clarity. Maybe next year or soon after ? So sorry for the pain every one is feeling.
The new “MeToo” movement! I’ll be here with my ♿️ by my sofa for the duration. Be safe my tribe! 🕊️
I will be back, confident that Trumps attempt to radically change US politics is doomed to fail. Add to the mix his successful destruction in just seventy-something days of an economy described as ‘the envy of the world’ and it’s clear this system won’t last.
Looking forward to that day! 😘
The United States was formed as an experiment by religious separatists. Some of the founding fathers were deists. The USA today is imperialist, like the other superpowers. I can't tell you how many times I have woken in a cold sweat, after lengthly nightmares about ending up lost with no ID and no money, some place I've never been before, trapped and unable to escape. The thing that is troubling me is how the current politcal regime comprises the social pact that is woven into the constitution. Since USA is imperialist, it at times acts unilaterally. In the case of immigration, the current administration seems to seek isolation. Something Australia 🇦🇺 does so well. I plan on helping in any way I can. For diversity's sake.
Thank you, John!
There is a library that straddles the US/Canadian border—the main entry is on the US side, and it was recently decided that Canadian citizens would not be allowed to cross the US border to enter the library. They are currently in the process of building a new library entrance on the Canadian side. The residents of these two adjacent towns have crossed back and forth for many years, but now they must produce documents to cross to the US side. Even to visit an old friend. Or shop at a favorite store. The two towns have been violently ripped apart.
I have friends in Canada, and I support Canadian boycotts of American products and travel to the US. At this time, I would recommend that no one visit the US. Anyone can be detained while entering or leaving the US, even American citizens or green card holders.
It is frightening how so much has changed here in the past four months. And there are disturbing signs of things to come. US military soldiers have been posted to the Mexican border. This is contrary towards their purpose, which is to fight enemies outside the US. They are not a domestic army, and should not be used to guard the border. But it is possible to imagine that the Trump administration will quietly erase that line, and the US military will be used against Americans residing in the US.
I am married to a Canadian citizen and could move to Canada. But should I? And if so, when? Authoritarianism creeps in bit by bit. What if we decide to leave, but wait too long?
I am sorry that you will miss your time in Colorado, my friend in the Netherlands. But I fully support your decision not to come. 🦋
Thank you, Lizzie, I won’t give up on you. Things will get better, it takes time though.