Time for Some Love?
I am wicked tired of the hate, you?
Part One:
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently delivered his “State of the State” address. I have shared the video below starting at about the 39 minute moment - the final portion. The first portion includes Illinois specific issues. Very interesting, if you are curious about a governor advocating for his fellow citizens.
But the final part of his speech that starts here, is remarkable and worthy of a view. Listen to a politician who dares to speak of LOVE.
Aren’t we really tired of hate?
My last article profiled James Talarico. He speaks of “loving God and loving our neighbors”. Could love be trending? Maybe we can help it along.
Pritzker speaks of people who help each other in small ways. Neighbors supporting each other in tough times. What if we asked our government to do the same thing? What if we said: “No more hate, please.”
It all sounds naive and corny in this world where more people play at war on their phones than watch TV. And of course, the most popular TV shows almost always involve a murder or several.
But I’d like to think Talarico and Pritzker are on to something. We can call out corruption and lawless behavior and still speak of love. I think millions of Americans are sick of hate and violence. Is it time to jump on a “Love Train”?
1972 song - Old school! Classic. Out of date? Or timeless?
People all over the world (everybody)
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world (all the world, now)
Join hands (love ride)
Start a love train (love ride), love train
The next stop that we make will be England
Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
Don’t you know that it’s time to get on board?
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through
Well, well
People all over the world (you don’t need no money)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train (don’t need no ticket, come on)
People all over the world (ride this train, ride this train, y’all)
Start a love train (come on, train), love train
All of you brothers over in Africa
Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too
Please don’t miss this train at the station
‘Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you…
I am not here to pitch the candidacies of Gov Pritzker and James Talarico. I am suggesting that they are setting a tone that is elevated - hauling us out of the depravity of Republican hate and deception.
If James Talarico loses the Texas Senate primary to Jasmine Crockett, I will NOT be sad. She is also the future of the Democratic Workers Party. What a firebrand of a Senator she would be!
But Talarico has broken ground. It will take more than one kind of approach to bring down the Oligarchy. It will take building a Big Tent that includes atheists, tree huggers, small business people, Constitution lovers and folks with strong religious beliefs. All united to fight an Autocracy that lives to hoard more money.
The core message is one that Talarico repeats:
”This is not about Left vs Right. This is about “Top vs Bottom.” In my opinion, it’s about the “Epstein Class” vs the rest of us.
Part Two:
Tonight is the another opportunity to protest the obscenity of this administration. We won’t watch the “State of the Union”. Because we already know what “state” the United States is in. Our nation is weaker, less respected, more cruel, less lawful, less and less reliable. The U.S. is led by a chaos inducing psychopath who can’t stay awake during meetings.
We are led by a demented old fool who posts childish AI produced nonsense mocking his adversaries (who could be anyone). Led by a man who doesn't read, takes advice from NeoNazis and thieves. A man who pardons traitors and drug kingpins. A man whose chaos threatens world peace. A man who abandons our allies. A man who threatens to attack our allies.
Why would I subject myself to the insults and blathering bilge that will spew from his wretched mouth? What if this State of the Union was ignored more than any other in history?
Image courtesy of Robert Fields.
See his Substack at
The Zeitgeist… Out Here In The Fields.
Part Three:
Let’s end with LOVE.
At 9:00 PM EST I usually take Sophie the Wonder Dog out for her “final walk” of the day. My wife has carved out a nice path in the very deep snow from yesterday’s blizzard. Dog lovers know that’s when you hope for that last poop and multiple pees. I’ll set up the coffee for tomorrows early rise. And say goodnight.
This one by Jesse Welles is about a year old. But wow. Doesn’t it seem more and more relevant?
Thanks for another big shot of Agape right in the Heart, Bill. All of your posts are beautiful examples of “setting a tone that is elevated - hauling us out of the depravity of Republican hate and deception.”
Amen, Governor Pritzker. That was beautiful.
"Love Train" by the O'Jays is classic and timeless (even if those fashions and hairstyles are not!). Great song.