Issue 13
Friday, July 4, 2025
The linked articles in this issue are free.
Each week as I write The Kindling, I brush aside news stories that would have once made my toenails curl, dismissing them as relatively inconsequential, because our new normal has devolved into a never ending cascade of absolute atrocities. Alligator Alcatraz are you fucking kidding me? This week was a living nightmare and I am sure that somehow next week will be worse.
I’m not numb, far from it. But this week I felt rudderless.
A friend and I exchanged EXPLETIVES IN ALL CAPS over text as we watched the events unfold, from Trump calling for Zohran Mamdani to be stripped of his citizenship to the congressional passing of his megabill that guts medicaid and will have far reaching impacts on our healthcare system here in Maine. We reflected on simpler times when we had to make sense of things like classified military information being shared in Signal group chatswith reporters.
I felt despair washing over me. I wondered how you were taking this all in.
Another friend sent me the words of @earthlyguy: “if you ever feel heavy because you care deeply about injustice, suffering, and ecological destruction, remember that a trillion dollar propaganda machine was built to make you numb and it didn’t work on you.”
It’s easy to pay attention to news at the federal level. It’s often free and it’s tremendously hard to avoid on the social media platforms that dominate the time I spend on my phone. I couldn’t help but watch as Republicans sold their constituents and their purported values to the highest – and most fascist – bidder.
There is oh so much bad flooding our great nation. But here, where you are? There is good. Despite how it seems during weeks like this, our country is made up of individuals, not politicians, and the dim light of revolt is starting to glow. Let me draw your attention to the Texas Democrats who drew a line in the sandand Steve Bannon on a fracturing MAGA constituency.
Back to the rudderless-ness I felt throughout the week, I started to regain my navigational capacity when I remembered that I stand with millions across the country and across generations. I thought about the “No Kings March” two weeks ago and what it felt like to see friends and neighbors and folks I had no idea were on my team out in the streets marching in opposition to fascism. I thought back to the Bethel Pride event last Thursday at The Gem Theater that was overflowing with loving families and laughing children. I remembered that change and hope is born out of our conversations, our collective joy and safety, and ultimately our communities.
Community is the forever antidote to despair. If you feel like you’re sinking, how about turning off your phone in the next couple days and
meeting a friend at The Gemini
visiting the library and asking for a book rec from one of the amazing librarians
taking a picnic to Valentine Farm and eating with family around the table inside the Habitat For All garden
heading to any one of the awesome community events scheduled around Bethel over the long weekend.
The holiday weekend comes with a metric ton of baggage about the concept of “freedom” and “democracy” weighing us down. Let’s stay focused on what matters: the events happening throughout our community are the exact right place to gather with friends, family, and neighbors as we hold each other through this fever dream.
Until next week,
Michelle and The Kindling Crew
Mark your calendar
See an ever evolving list of community events and find additional details on the events below on The Kindling’s calendar here.
Monday, July 7: Bethel Democrats Meeting at the Bethel Library
Monday, July 14: Maine People’s Alliance meeting
Tuesday, July 22: Volunteer Trail Work with Inland Woods and Trails
Wednesday July 30: The Mahoosuc Land Trust Book Club will be discussing “Ministry for the Future”. I’ve started it and can’t wait to discuss! Head to the Maine Library System here to request a copy through the statewide book borrowing program using your Bethel library card.
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