How is it Possible?..

How is it possible?..

How is it possible that such incompetence, and downright cruelty, is commandeering our government these last few months…How did we reach this point in our national ethos, or - better said - the extreme lack therefore. From carving out esteemed federal agencies and firing teams of extremely capable civil servants, ranging from scientist amidst their very important and critical research to USAID employees serving those with the least world-wide to those serving NOAH and the CDC….It’s incomprehensible and evinces a staggering degree of irresponsibility and true disdain for the well being of the populace, here and elsewhere.

Under the guise of rooting out fraud and waste, these actions have been allowed to proceed. All institutions need to be on the lookout for these. This is an ongoing sort of effort usually. In this instance, though, it feels like a ruse. It feels very dishonest.

And when major law firms and elite universities are being bullied into submission, to heel to the impetuous and imperious White House…This I don’t believe we have ever seen before…

And the politicizing of the Justice Department. So wrong…

This just cites a few of the many egregious happenings since this administration stepped into power.

And I know none of this is really breaking news for many people. The recent “No Kings” protest, which was attended by millions nationwide, proves this.

I understand that this administration is pouring monies into ICE and defense. This shows their priorities clearly. It’s all very frontal and about domination. These approaches have greatly diminishing returns in the long run, and even otherwise. It leads to a pyrrhic victory. It contains within itself the seeds of defeat.

And, why is this? Because it lacks a fundamental attribute; empathy. This can also be described as an essential humanity. We see this in how immigrants are being treated by this masked army known as ICE at the behest of this administration. (And why are they masked, by the way?! Are they afraid to be identified?!)

We see it in the building of the terrible “Alligator Alcatraz.” We see this in so many places.

When empathy - a basic humanity - is lacking, and - in this case - severely, things cannot last; they cannot endure. And why is this so?

Because they are the fundamental keystone to support the bridge of human experience and endeavor which is sustainable.

When the underpinnings are weak and based on bullying and a lust for power, the bridge cannot sustain.

In sum, and this is an admittedly an intuitive rendering, I feel the underbelly of this country is being exposed fully to the light of day. It’s not a pretty sight. But I also feel that we have enough grace as a country to turn the ship of state around, our democracy restored and renewed

I feel this country has enough grace.

May it be so.

Annie Kiyonaga

July 11, 2025