What happens when the anger is too much?

Have you reached anger and information overload yet?

When does your meter peg out?

I had to put my dog to sleep last Friday. River has been dealing with end stage arthritis for quite a while and in the last month she had been getting weaker and suffering with pain that left her bedridden or struggling to walk, take steps, or even poop. Seeing her fall just from turning too fast and unable to do anything but lay in her bed in a drug haze was just too much.

So, I wrote the post to this platform about my new podcast episode and that afternoon I met my girlfriend at the veterinarian after a day of over the top dog spoiling. River had a good day from a bacon breakfast to laying in her favorite spot in the back yard in the sun. Then I held her face in my hands and told her how good a dog she was and how much I loved her as she went to sleep one last time.

River has been my best friend for a long time. I told her story right here about a year ago and how much she meant to me through my toughest times.

It was one of the toughest things I’ve done in a long life of really tough things. She was with me for 12 years and was the last of my family dogs. Now that she is gone it’s the first time I’ve been without a canine companion in over 29 years.

So…it was a tough week.

But there is more to it

I imagine this is a pretty weird way to introduce my latest podcast episode with an exceptionally smart guest. But that is also my point. We all have so much going on in our lives, even the people you follow on social media, writers, “content creators,” and pundits. I spend almost every day immersed in politics, conflict, fencing with MAGA trolls, writing scripts for interviews, and recording them in different studios.

All day, every day, immersed in the muck on top of my actual life. Some days it’s just too damn much.

Let’s review the list of stuff this week:

• Donald Trump criminal trial

• Donald Trump unlimited immunity Supreme Court arguments

• The fight for and passage of aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan (while forcing the sale of TikTok)

• Supreme Court hearing on outlawing homelessness

• Israel swatted a few drones and missiles into Iran

• Reports of mass graves found in Gaza

• Massive outbreaks of protests and then police crackdowns on campuses across the country about Israel and Gaza

• Pennsylvania Primary

• My dog died

• I had to see a neurosurgeon to decide if it’s time to operate on my failing lower back (BLUF: not yet…maybe)

• Spent four hours at a tire store to fix a slow leak in my right rear tire

I throw those last three in for a reason. All of us have lives. All of you have lives. We are faced with a constant barrage of ever growing insanity in the world and we have to carry on with our daily lives at the same time. Yet, we do because we have to.

I suppose what I am trying to say is it’s okay to be tired for a bit. God knows I am worn out. I’ve been in this fight for our democracy as an actual profession for about four years now. It hasn’t slowed down at all. Not once.

We all can’t be angry all the time about all the things that people want us to be angry about. I get it myself. I find myself struggling to be constantly upset about every thing I am expected to be upset about.

But, the fight must go on. Even in the heat of combat and the long term deployments that were the constant of the Post 9/11 wars, we took time to send our troops on mid-tour trips home, rest and relaxation centers in theater, and just days off in the forward operating bases. We knew that even in the important combat mission we had to let our warriors take a step back to preserve their sanity and bodies.

Be sure to take a step back. It’s okay not to participate in every fight you are invited to. It’s okay not to be angry about every issue in the United States and the world.

….and now this

I wanted to have a show this week that touched the hot issue, Trump’s trials, but more of less discussed political aspects and how it’s hurting his “Alpha Male” image…but also about those other things deeper on my list. Things that even me as a professional watcher of our politics is missing. My guest, Brynn Tannehill, is a writer for multiple publications as well as a think tank analyst and transgender activist.

I wanted to have a conversation with her about the things that are getting lost a bit and I think we pulled it off. I didn’t understand the implications of the Supreme Court hearing a case of an Oregon town that outlawed sleeping outdoors and how it could be used to say that being gay or transgender isn’t a “protected status.” I didn’t know about how the United Kingdom’s commissioning of something called ‘The Cass Report’ is being used to attack the transgender community by Republican and and anti-trans activists here. I’ve been busy with those other things.

We had a good chat and I learned a couple of things. I hope you will too by watching it and hearing her perspective. She’s terrific…even for a Naval Academy graduate.

The Show

Brynn Tannehill

Brynne Tannehill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology with degrees in Computer Science and Operations Research. She is a Naval Aviator who did four deployments to locations such as the Adriatic, Middle East, and the North Atlantic. After leaving active duty she has continued to work in defense research, while as an advocate, writer, and researcher on LGBT civil rights issues and policy and now serves with the National Guard as a UH-60 qualified aviator. Her most recent book is ‘American Fascism.’ She currently works at a think-tank in the Washington D.C. area as a senior analyst, where she lives with her wife and three children. You can follow her on X/Twitter (@)brynntannehill.

The latest ‘In the Hot Seat’

I sat down with Senate candidate Katrina Christiansen who is currently taking on North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer. Katrina proudly hails North Dakota as her home—where she raises her family and works to shape a brighter future. Katrina understands the struggles facing the working class. While growing up, her family lost the farm. She grew up with the help of federal programs like Head Start, Food Stamps and W.I.C. She completed her education with a Ph.D.in Agricultural Engineering, and she holds two patents from her research work at a prominent agricultural processing company. Katrina is a professor at the University of Jamestown, molding future engineers. Her dedication stretches beyond the classroom; she's an engaging communicator who encourages dynamic learning through challenges. Katrina pledges to tirelessly advocate for North Dakotans— farmers, laborers, essential workers, and the land itself. Resolute in her determination, she aims to tackle challenges head-on. She believes in her students' potential and is committed to bettering North Dakota's future. Katrina embodies tenacity, translating convictions into actions. Her mission is unwavering: to empower North Dakotans with government resources for their success. Throughout history, North Dakota's legacy has been prioritizing its people. Katrina vows to tirelessly champion their cause, advocating for farmers, ranchers, laborers, essential workers, and the land. With unyieldin determination, she confronts challenges with thoughtful, tailored solutions.. Beating a nearly 20-year incumbent and one of the most toxic members of Congress.

Learn more about her campaign at: https://www.katrinaforussenate.com/

Thank you for your support

I appreciate all of your support especially all of you amazing paid subscribers who provide the financial support that allows me to…well…pay for tire repairs and continue working to tell the story of our democracy. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your part of this community.