My fear has immobilized my brain. I can't write or draw because all I feel is helpless desperation. I keep trying to think positive or hope, but then the next wave of garbage rolls in, and I have to start all over again.
I'm just like you. Pathologically hopeful. So here's what I think: not all Republicans are trumpians. Not all Republicans are hard-hearted and hateful. Like us, they want a better world. The Republican Party has been hijacked, but it can be retaken. I hope for that. I've been a Democrat all my life. Blue through and through. And I remind myself that even the Nazis were overtaken by good people in the end. We have to hang in there, and keep protesting.
Great work, Aubrey! It’s the hardening of hearts, AND the diminishing of intellect and critical thought, that have made amerikkka so vulnerable to manipulation and deception by the puppet-masters of empire. Compliments, once again!
I’m with you on the whole “assume the best of people” thing. But eventually there has to be a limit to how far I imagine it. Like if someone consistently shows me over and over that they’re a jerk, eventually I’ll believe them. That’s sorta how I’m feeling about half the American voters these days. They knew what they were voting for this time—and they chose it. Ugh.
Thank you for your words and art Aubrey and for saying what so many of us are thinking. Homo sapiens aren't exactly known throughout time for their empathy for the vulnerable, but I see it out there every day so I know it exists. If everyone who feels this way just keeps speaking up and helping in any way they can maybe we can turn the tide.
I think the leaving kids without a community ecosystem is catching up with us. Communities and families are so transient and isolated, kids learn to look out for themselves at all costs because others won’t. This is a very overwhelming problem to fix, and my optimism in people gets stuck behind this.
Another optimist here. I keep wondering why the big push by media lately to tell us 2024 voter stats (we already know the result of that election). So many current stories are out there about angry citizens who are not happy with their elected officials, Democrat _and_ Republican. A few elections recently have had "surprising" Democratic wins. I share a lot of the feelings you express in this comic. I keep sanity by trying to remember that we really just don't know what the 2026 election cycle will bring.
Only fair weather fans give up on their team when their in a slump, and definitely not the sport. Those who've traditioanlly been gung ho about sportsmanship are backing a "coach" who beats up on umpires and spectators alike. It is disenheartening.
As an optimist (with strong cynical tendencies) I appreciate this. I do believe that humans will continue to get collectively smarter and therefore more empathetic, so hopefully we just have the bad timing to live in a blip on an overall upward trajectory. Thank you for your comics, I always really enjoy them.
I loved this comic, thank you for making it. It made me reflect on the shifts in my own wants and needs and how I find myself making justifications for just shutting down and triggering cognitive dissonance. I think a lot of the meanness we're seeing is a pain response. I used to think that if therapy was more accessible, people would be able to better regulate their emotions and avoid getting drawn into polarised camps. But then I see the rise of the extreme right wing in Germany where therapy is basically free. Your comic reminded me of my responsibility to not give in to overwhelm. Let's keep going. And be here for each other.
Took all my feelings and turned them into a comic.
My fear has immobilized my brain. I can't write or draw because all I feel is helpless desperation. I keep trying to think positive or hope, but then the next wave of garbage rolls in, and I have to start all over again.
I' so sorry. It's all so totally overwhelming sometimes.
I feel this too but then decide we must write, draw, create so the negative is not the only voice out there! Silence is complicity, remember?
Sadly, I overwhelmingly relate!!!
With love to you from across the world.
I'm just like you. Pathologically hopeful. So here's what I think: not all Republicans are trumpians. Not all Republicans are hard-hearted and hateful. Like us, they want a better world. The Republican Party has been hijacked, but it can be retaken. I hope for that. I've been a Democrat all my life. Blue through and through. And I remind myself that even the Nazis were overtaken by good people in the end. We have to hang in there, and keep protesting.
Great work, Aubrey! It’s the hardening of hearts, AND the diminishing of intellect and critical thought, that have made amerikkka so vulnerable to manipulation and deception by the puppet-masters of empire. Compliments, once again!
I’m with you on the whole “assume the best of people” thing. But eventually there has to be a limit to how far I imagine it. Like if someone consistently shows me over and over that they’re a jerk, eventually I’ll believe them. That’s sorta how I’m feeling about half the American voters these days. They knew what they were voting for this time—and they chose it. Ugh.
So true!
Thank you for your words and art Aubrey and for saying what so many of us are thinking. Homo sapiens aren't exactly known throughout time for their empathy for the vulnerable, but I see it out there every day so I know it exists. If everyone who feels this way just keeps speaking up and helping in any way they can maybe we can turn the tide.
Thank you!
I am right there with you. Thanks for sharing.
🩷
Thank you for this.
And you wrote this before yesterday’s news 😿
I think the leaving kids without a community ecosystem is catching up with us. Communities and families are so transient and isolated, kids learn to look out for themselves at all costs because others won’t. This is a very overwhelming problem to fix, and my optimism in people gets stuck behind this.
Another optimist here. I keep wondering why the big push by media lately to tell us 2024 voter stats (we already know the result of that election). So many current stories are out there about angry citizens who are not happy with their elected officials, Democrat _and_ Republican. A few elections recently have had "surprising" Democratic wins. I share a lot of the feelings you express in this comic. I keep sanity by trying to remember that we really just don't know what the 2026 election cycle will bring.
Only fair weather fans give up on their team when their in a slump, and definitely not the sport. Those who've traditioanlly been gung ho about sportsmanship are backing a "coach" who beats up on umpires and spectators alike. It is disenheartening.
As an optimist (with strong cynical tendencies) I appreciate this. I do believe that humans will continue to get collectively smarter and therefore more empathetic, so hopefully we just have the bad timing to live in a blip on an overall upward trajectory. Thank you for your comics, I always really enjoy them.
I loved this comic, thank you for making it. It made me reflect on the shifts in my own wants and needs and how I find myself making justifications for just shutting down and triggering cognitive dissonance. I think a lot of the meanness we're seeing is a pain response. I used to think that if therapy was more accessible, people would be able to better regulate their emotions and avoid getting drawn into polarised camps. But then I see the rise of the extreme right wing in Germany where therapy is basically free. Your comic reminded me of my responsibility to not give in to overwhelm. Let's keep going. And be here for each other.
We can’t build a shared community of morals if we are all behind screens.