The Life in My Years

An anthology of life

The signs of uncertain times.

“. . . when a people or family so divide, it never fails to be against themselves.” ~ Federalist No. 4, John Jay. November 7, 1787.

June 2020. Oakland California.

” However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. ” ~ George Washington’s Farewell Address. September 17, 1796.

October 2022. Somewhere in Indiana.

“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” ~ John Adams in a letter to Jonathan Jackson on October 2, 1780.

Somewhere in Southeast Oregon. “Let’s go Brandon” became a euphemism for “Fuck Joe Biden.”

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” ~ Abraham Lincoln. June 16, 1858.

Walnut Creek, California. June 5, 2025

“Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” asked Elizabeth Willing Powel of Benjamin Franklin, as the Constitutional Convention adjourned.

“A republic, if you can keep it,” replied Dr. Franklin. September 17, 1787.

Regardless of party or ideology, the question hangs.

Can we keep it?

10 thoughts on “Scene on the Streets: A Nation Divided

  1. Hettie D.'s avatar Hettie D. says:

    Great pictures, and great post! Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Paul's avatar Paul says:

      Thank you Hettie.

      Like

    1. Paul's avatar Paul says:

      Hello Ritva, I never thought that my confidence in the republic would be downgraded to hope. I think that maybe we allowed ourselves to be dormant and careless.

      Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Like

  2. Good question. Maybe not. Because, in my opinion, Trump and everyone that supports him are a plague.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Paul's avatar Paul says:

    Not to mention the ones who didn’t bother to show up in November of 2024.

    Like

  4. eden baylee's avatar eden baylee says:

    Hi Paul, Before the current regime took over, your country was a destination for us annually. There was so much more we wanted to see, but … whether we ever go to the US again is unimportant. What I really want is the madman ousted and an end to all the grifting. Lies and corruption have been exposed, and yet, it seems like little has been done about it. How much longer can this go on?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Paul's avatar Paul says:

      Hello Eden, The madman’s regime will eventually come to an end. What takes its place is the big and troublesome question. Even if the democracy is somehow saved the damage done will take years to repair and some of it may never be repaired. As for people being made to answer for the corruption and the crime my sense is that everyone will skate. Thank you for reading and commenting.
      Paul

      Like

  5. Toonsarah's avatar Toonsarah says:

    Very apposite quotations, and the photos say it all. Maybe your mid-terms will tell you if you still have a republic?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Paul's avatar Paul says:

      Hi Sarah, Our midterms will absolutely tell the world what we have. Thanks for reading and commenting.
      Paul

      Liked by 1 person

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