18 Comments
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Vivien Beere's avatar

I totally agree Ethan. Ninety per cent of what I spend money on as a senior, apart from housing, is recycled or comes in the form of services from a local mechanic, independent medical provider, independent grocers,butchers, delis, plant nursery, etc and much fruit grows wild (lemons, limes, mulberries, figs) and I preserve it and give it to my neighbours. I do buy from a big hardware chain though because they bought out everyone else, alas. The thing is all these small family businesses get to know their customers and vice versa. There’s condolences when the matriarch dies and congratulations for weddings and new babies. Sit down for a coffee outside my deli and the owner will remember I like macchiato. I live in Australia and don’t have ICE beating people up in the neighbourhood, but there are still lonely people and homeless people when there do not need to be. I hope people will do as you suggest and find allies in their communities and maybe also create community gardens and help out in shelters and food banks. I think many places in the US may be in for a cold and hungry winter, so dealing with it together is the way to go. And you can share the info about the vipers too and support your judiciary. All the best with it.

🌏❤️🌎

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Sandra H's avatar

Sounds eutopic

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Vivien Beere's avatar

Well there’s nothing perfect about anyone having to go to counselling to deal with the trauma of sexual assault, but yes not having to pay and having (mostly)well informed and respectful police dealing with complaints and a dedicated unit for child survivors certainly helps.

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Jean English's avatar

Great idea

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BeckBeck's avatar

I love all the writers on Substack wish I could subscribe to everyone, wish there was a package deal

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Sheryl's avatar

Me too ! Darn..

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Starter's avatar

A strange exhaustion indeed. We have never been invaded from within. It's a new experience that we didn't ask for and definitely hadn't developed the tools to fight these vipers. Thank you for this reframing of where we are at and what we need to focus on moving forward. I for one will be more deliberate in my spending and actions. We can make a difference and make our country inhospitable to the creatures masquerading as leaders.

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Yolanda D.'s avatar

Thanks for reposting this article, Ethan! Everyone needs to read and understand what's really happening. 🙏🏼

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Stephanie Gibbs Dunlap's avatar

You have the most magnificent mind.. The Rattlesnake, is rarely appreciated, I have had a few run ins with them, on trail rides. And once when I picked up a bucket of grain, a young rattlesnake was behind it, and wound up to strike, my friend told me, “not to move,” which went on for 20 mins. I will never forget those black eyes staring at me.. Thanks for the memory.

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Fromtheheartland's avatar

Boycott is a key tool. Thank you Ethan. I’m going to redouble efforts to shop at my local cooperative market. They lead the way in local sourcing. Shopping there is a natural way of avoiding supporting the corporate shills.

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Stephanie Gibbs Dunlap's avatar

Yes, boycotts work! I’ve been pondering this thought, we all should start boycotting certain billionaires products, and markets. Most of these CEO’s today, were born into the money, second, third and fourth generations, did not create the company, or products. Their only goal is more money, a race to have the most. Obscene greed, • in need of a monkey wrench, tossed in. They know how to spend it, but not create it. Most are republicans. Start with a think tank, any Ideas? So sick of Trump 👺Republicans. Eisenhower would be disgusted.

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Libby Milliken's avatar

For those interested in a long-term plan, also consider this:

https://substack.com/@hopefullyhypervigilant/note/p-176142205?r=1qocm1&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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CLEAR Rule of Law's avatar

This is gold. Wish I’d found it earlier, but in early November I started a working on my own little fortress that ties into my music hobby and network and is way to build community and an independent communication network while being officially apolitical and under the radar.

Radio Free Fort Worth (not launched yet):

https://freefortworth.com

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Susan J Kula's avatar

They have the money but we have the numbers! The more who step in to protest and boycott, the better our chances!!

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Gail Shields's avatar

Sounds good!

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Seeker of the Lattice's avatar

True compassion is the seed of remembrance…..

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Sherri Wilson's avatar

Very well presented, may I share this? They want to be “ god” correct? This post has laid out an outline to redirected the cataloging of vipers, what about using the same “ re-cataloging” and seeking strength and understanding within the Word of the One True Lord, Christ also? They want you to not understand and become just as frustrated. The methods combined with fighting the tyranny and seeking the True Creator combined will reveal actual peace, endurance, revelation, and perseveration through the cutting off 1 head and several more appear tactics of the enemy. They want to “ control & destroy” life. Why are we here in the first place? They pushed the answer to that question right out of all learning. Please just consider this also for Mr. Rebel has a wonderful outline that can be joined with the forces of truth in addition to turning over the rocks!

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Getitwrite's avatar

And don't forget the Farmers and Saturday Markets, local fairs, and local food tanks and family and community kitchens whi rely on our charity (volunteering is always great!)

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