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paulkienitz

(1,345 posts)

46. We wouldn't have been the same people if brought up in that place and time.

Mon Nov 4, 2024, 10:13 PM

Nov 4

I have been so lucky in where and when I was born (silicon valley before the big boom) and how I was raised (with liberal values and no religion or racism), that I can't conceptualize myself as being the same person had I been brought up in Germany between the wars. I might have been traumatized into a super-rigid or cruel mindset in any number of ways. I consider myself a very independent thinker now, but I'm aware of how much luck and privilege underlies the opportunity I had to develop in that way. Maybe I would have found my way to humane and empathetic values (as some people close to me did despite being raised by abusive racists), but I'm sure not going to take that for granted. I just don't have the flexibility at my age to blow that much smoke up my own ass. I can't mentally place myself in that environment, because the person I am now couldn't possibly have come into being there.

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This will likely sink, but I hope some may read my thoughts. Writing them out helped. [View all] Betty Boom Nov 4 OP

Bump irisblue Nov 4 #1

Good thoughts displacedvermoter Nov 4 #2

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #10

Your history is shared by many bucolic_frolic Nov 4 #3

Thanks Betty Boom Nov 4 #11

Thank you for sharing your thoughts,,,,, nt KarenS Nov 4 #4

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #12

Well said. Let's hope enough Americans make the right choice. Doodley Nov 4 #5

❤️ Betty Boom Nov 4 #13

Breath deep, drink water or tea. nt AnotherDreamWeaver Nov 5 #58

Thank you for this post. Mister Ed Nov 4 #6

So kind Betty Boom Nov 4 #14

K&R Think. Again. Nov 4 #7

😊 Betty Boom Nov 4 #15

Thank you Tesha Nov 4 #8

😊 Betty Boom Nov 4 #16

Not just Germany Cirsium Nov 4 #9

I am also predominately of German ancestry. Mr.Bill Nov 4 #17

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #22

Well said BB. NoMoreRepugs Nov 4 #18

😊 🇺🇸 Betty Boom Nov 4 #23

K&R! dchill Nov 4 #19

Eloquent, moving, thought-provoking. Frank D. Lincoln Nov 4 #20

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #21

I used the term "good Germans" earlier today Maeve Nov 4 #24

Kicking to keep this OP visble. Thank you for sharing that with us. I think niyad Nov 4 #25

Exactly!!!! Betty Boom Nov 4 #28

Thank you, excellent post wendyb-NC Nov 4 #26

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #29

Being able to put something down in writing is evidence of gaining some mastery... 3catwoman3 Nov 4 #27

What a beautiful reflection Betty Boom Nov 4 #30

KnR Jmb 4 Harris-Walz Nov 4 #31

Recommended and bookmarked. love_katz Nov 4 #32

And thank YOU in return Betty Boom Nov 4 #42

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K an R BlueKota Nov 4 #33

NPR segment today: kindness in KC pat_k Nov 4 #34

Kicking this⬆️👍🏻 louslobbs Nov 4 #35

Thank you Betty Boom Nov 4 #41

👍🏻 louslobbs Nov 5 #79

Wow! As an author, I find your writing to be enlightening, heartwarming, inspirational, professional -- and powerful. wordstroken Nov 4 #36

Thank you for your very kind words Betty Boom Nov 4 #39

Your words definitely are a comfort to me. wordstroken Nov 4 #44

My grandfather Linda ladeewolf Nov 4 #37

Thank you for putting my thoughts into words. littlemissmartypants Nov 4 #38

No matter what Betty Boom Nov 4 #40

❤️ littlemissmartypants Nov 4 #49

YES. I will gladly stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow patriots Silver Gaia Nov 4 #43

And thank you for your kind words Betty Boom Nov 4 #47

I read your words & THANK YOU for sharing them! CaptainTruth Nov 4 #45

That's exactly right. I've had the same experience. Betty Boom Nov 4 #48

We wouldn't have been the same people if brought up in that place and time. paulkienitz Nov 4 #46

I want to hope that's true Betty Boom Nov 4 #50

Strength and Honor. WheelWalker Nov 4 #51

Beautifully written MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #52

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This is profound Nictuku Nov 4 #54

I am incredibly flattered Betty Boom Nov 5 #59

Kicking Cirsium Nov 4 #55

Kicking because I don't want this to sink! calimary Nov 4 #56

Wow Betty Boom Nov 5 #60

Your thoughts will definitely not sink and as they helped you arthritisR_US Nov 4 #57

Thank you so much Betty Boom Nov 5 #61

That's understandable given you didn't know how your responses arthritisR_US Nov 5 #63

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Thank you! Nt stage left Nov 5 #64

..... markie Nov 5 #65

Early on Election Day I can only hope your wishes come to pass. Boomerproud Nov 5 #66

The Dawn is about to break--- then it'll be "morning in America" !!!! Jack Valentino Nov 5 #67

Thank you Mystery To Me Nov 5 #69

Well said. K&R. nt akbacchus_BC Nov 5 #70

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thanks poozwah Nov 5 #72

This is beautifully written Erda Nov 5 #73

That is so kind of you to say Betty Boom Nov 5 #74

If, at this moment, 74 replies and 326 likes is "sinking," then it sunk? BobTheSubgenius Nov 5 #75

Well, it has made my day thus far Betty Boom Nov 5 #83

I'm so glad your post didn't sink! 10 Turtle Day Nov 5 #76

What a sweet response Betty Boom Nov 5 #84

Thank You for sharing. Tommymac Nov 5 #77

❤️ Betty Boom Nov 5 #85

Excellently put ! Tweedy Nov 5 #78

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K & R! It really resonated with me! 50 Shades Of Blue Nov 5 #80

TY Betty Boom Nov 5 #87

I fully believe the country, as a whole, will choose to the correct path forward...not go back.... sdfernando Nov 5 #81

Well it didn't sink. We are all anxious about this election. Dave Bowman Nov 5 #82

And thank you also Betty Boom Nov 5 #88