14 Comments
User's avatar
Joe Light's avatar

Your recent posts have been some of the most cogent and yes, hopeful we’ve read recently. Wish you’d consider a run for governor (assuming you still live in RI).

Expand full comment
Joan Zuerner's avatar

I appreciate your letter and agree wholeheartedly with its message of hope. It’s still hard to believe we are at this point

Expand full comment
David Goldsmith's avatar

Aaron, you speak with wisdom, power and a long view. We each choose our future. Maybe as things grow darker we'll move closer together to get the light we need. Then, maybe, we'll find the words and actions that bind us together.

One of my visions is that I get to meet your beautiful new child someday and tell him a story from the year 2025!

Expand full comment
Eli Morowitz's avatar

He is extremely cute!

Expand full comment
Dannin Robert's avatar

Eloquent and heartfelt. Congratulations! May he have a long and happy life.

Expand full comment
Allan Shapiro's avatar

Wow, what can we do????

Expand full comment
Larry Goldberg's avatar

Thank you, Aaron. You have only confirmed why I admire you and worked on your previous campaigns. Your energy, enthusiasm in the face of adversity, and humanity is an important voice. I can't help but feel that I'm living in Germany in 1933, living amongst my relatives I never knew. Lots of words have been said about Trump, but "depravity" is not one that I've heard used.

Narcissistic, egomaniac, demigod, or king are far too soft for a man who relishes punishment without remorse. Psychopath may also be appropriate. I fear that Trump has "enlightened" and empowered that segment of our population that has existed long before the reign of Trump.

This country has a checkered past and dark deeds have been done in the history of this country. That being said, the better half of our population has always arisen to the occasion to put humanity above prejudice. At nearly 80 years of age, I plan to live long enough to see the tide of history restore grace, compassion and equality.

I believe there are a lot of us doing good work on a personal, one-to-one level, to change minds and hearts. Your words give sustenance to our efforts. Best wishes to you and your family.

Expand full comment
Donna Celone's avatar

Your speech in Bristol was excellent. This holding onto hope is very difficult.

Expand full comment
Neal Stamell's avatar

Amazing edition. And I love that you quoted Havel. Deep cut!

Expand full comment
Diana Harmon Jackson's avatar

Thank you Aaron. I fully support your statement and the work you are doing. And congratulations for your new baby!!!

Your work is so important!!!

Diana

Expand full comment
John Rok's avatar

Thanks Aaaron - I needed this today. All the best to you and your family.

Expand full comment
Susan Council's avatar

Hi, Aaron. Great news about your baby--grateful for it, bc it's the only good news around. We are lost. The world is too large and scary and too many ppl believe "strongmen" will keep them safe.

Expand full comment
barry's avatar

Aaron, thanks for another finer post, the topic of hope vs despair is very relevant for me as I'm not just tempted to give up, I'm also tempted to think Americans collectively voted for this, they deserve the resulting bad effects. But then I remember the many campaigns I know about where persistence in face of repeated difficulties finally paid off, and this gives me hope even now.

But the environmental movement has some soul-searching to do as to why they have lost so much ground in DC, with the public, and even in RI where the latest legislative session failed to act on almost all environmental issues. Maybe we need to do some things differently.

Expand full comment
Ellen Franzen's avatar

I wish your second child a future. Frankly, back in 2017, I told my son I didn't want any grandchildren, and I'm the person who was collecting baby clothes for it, but eight years ago it was looking so grim, I gave up. I haven't seen anything that has improved my outlook since then.

Expand full comment