43 Comments

Thanks for taking us to the ballroom in Boston and reporting on how it felt. Seeing that glow on you and Tonika could make anyone hopeful for a bright future! One glowing candle, lighting the next, inspiring truth, restoring community--that is what it will take to bring us together again, despite all the efforts to tear us apart. You saying “yes” to the inspiration and “showing up” is a great example of how following our inspiration can lead one person to truly make a difference. I hope your hope is highly contagious!

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What a lovely comment, Katie. I agree it's the communal sharing of hope that will bring us to a new reality. And that part is really up to each one of us. You are modeling that "showing up" all the time, thank you!

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You know what, Mary? Reading that made me hopeful. I love that pic of you and Tonika. Two of my favorite stackers. Thank you for sharing this, and your feelings about being there. And saccharine aside - 'sunshine' suits you. I feel the warmth from here.

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I'm so glad, on all counts!

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Mary’s sunshine is contagious, I can attest. :) actually we are pretty similar, the three of us. I think we’re all about the same age and I think we each have three children and we write about the madness but wish to expand consciousness through our gifts. I love the people that I have found on Substack - a platform rich in talent, personality and spirit.

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I love them, too! Much as I complain about technology, it has brought some stellar people -- like you two -- into my life.

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"...we each have three children and we write about the madness but wish to expand consciousness through our gifts."

Nice. Completely agree on Substack being a hub for rich connection.

Will we be getting your reflections from Boston?

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Yes, I’m slow. I’m writing it. Hope I get it through by tomorrow.

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Amazing article, Mary. Thank you for sharing with us your impressions of Bobby's speech, the crowd reactions, and the general atmosphere at the event. I really value what you have to say. With that silver tongue of yours, you certainly can be very convincing, and your enthusiasm is definitely contagious, but I'm not quite ready to jump on this bandwagon yet. It's the system, not the person, that makes me hesitant. I think it's great that you acted so spontaneously to book a flight and that Tonika was able to join you to share the experience. You two complement each other and make a good team. xox

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Thank you, Rocket! I don't blame you in the least; bandwagons can take us to places we never planned to go. I share your doubts about the system AND the person, even as I allow hope to inhabit my being. I think they can co-exist. (Maybe it's not doubt, maybe it's open-eyed acceptance of very real flaws?)

Tonika is a gem. I'm so lucky to have met her -- in person, no less! -- and I'm looking forward to collaborating with her. Say what you will about the last three years of Wackoworld, it has knit together some amazing individuals! I would never have met you without it! xox

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I love your "Wackoworld" expression. It's perfect! I totally agree that some miraculous connections did come about over the course of these last three years for which I am extremely grateful. I never would have made it through without the solidarity I formed with people like you. I loved seeing that photo of you and Tonika. Your smiles were the best. xox

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Mary, thank you for taking us there to the ballroom with you. RFK, Jr's speech was so powerful. I agree with your sentiment--it feels so good to be told the truth. Like a balm for the soul after these wearying years. It feels as if something has already shifted. A more mature, grounded energy has entered the political realm. May we all feel inspired to carry forth integrity, courage, and truth-telling into our hearts, homes, and communities.

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"May we all feel inspired to carry forth integrity, courage, and truth-telling into our hearts, homes, and communities"

I'll second that, Moira! Yes, please.

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That's just beautiful, Moira. May we all.

And you're right, there's a gravitas that has arrived. Knowing you as I do, I think you are someone who embodies that energy! I so look forward to our conversation about the event...

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Well, Mary, thankyou for so convincingly and beautifully inviting me to be less cynical about RFK Jr: I've already tried to black pill Tonika about it. It's easy for me to take pot shots from the safety of the other side of the realm, but goodness me you guys have had to put up with one appalling leader after the next - having someone who you can genuinely put hope towards, just at the point where such an act would see futile, might be as "real" as politics can be.

And you are both right: it is incredibly courageous for him to run, being a Kennedy and saying the things he is saying - and with your politics just being ridiculously crazy that nothing can be ruled out - i'm sure i'm not the only one who legitimately fears for his safety if he keeps saying those things. It will be compelling, whatever happens: especially if he makes it far enough to debate Orange Man.

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Isaac, I'm happy to do it. :-)

And your attempts to black pill are so welcome! Historically, I've always sought the good, it's just my nature. But as I've matured I've opened my worldview to include it all, the dark and the light. Makes me appreciate the light even more. Kennedy has had his darkness, FOR SURE. Pretending he doesn't is just foolishness. But I'm willing to give him a chance to redeem himself through his actions. Who doesn't need that chance?

His entrance into the race does make it compelling! I'd love to see a debate between him and DeSantis...

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Hahaha! I an forever grateful for your black pilling attempts. Where else can I earn my tin foil hat? You also know more about American politics than I and I live here!

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Where does Isaac live?

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Down Under.

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Aha 👍

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A fine tale of two parties (Red, Blue), two cities (DeeCee, Boston..), an' the tale 've two talented friends mutually inspired to meet-impromptu not givin' a hoot 'er holler about parties (polly-tick-cull) 'er cities (strategic-al) or even the fact that the entire nation (nay, shun!) is divided--which all sounds very much like the event itself, havin' folks come together beyond the distorted divide, all joined in hope, all hearin' RFK Jr throw his hat inta the ring.

The POINT of the man runnin', I do declare, is that he gits ta speak. Rules are 15 minutes' soapbox time, same fer the next guy. Bless 'im tho--he's doin' this NOT to win (slim chance...) but to say his piece. I've no illusions he's gonna get a nom from the bought n' sold DemOCraps (nor would I think the RePublikCons either, had he done a 360). Nope, the whole "run" is about takin' the talkin' stick an runnin' with it as long as he kin hold it! RUN RFK JR RUN!

Honestly, I'd hoped he'd a run as an independent BUT...now I git it. He wants time on the official soapbox and that's enough--as he's gotta LOT ta say (important true stuff indeed!) so THIS is what it's about--speakin'! YOU WERE THERE, Mary, you were THERE for the part that mattered! It's about SO MUCH MORE than this one election. It's about setting the records straight fer all time too.

I'm grateful fer yer eyes n' ears n' heartfelt, observant reportage, some "Windas on the Whirled" so ta speak. Happy that you n' Tonika got ta meet an' on SUCH an important day in such an apt settin' cuz it'll be something ya both'll remember well! (...even wizout Maurice Chevalier singin')

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Eloquently said, Daisy! His broken voice needs to be heard, because he's saying the things no one else seems to have the courage to say. Like you, like Tonika, like so many Substackers -- thank god for the freedom of Substack! Long may it continue!

I was so grateful to be there, witnessing it all, ESPECIALLY with Tonika. An experience I will never forget!

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...an irony 've ironies, I heard that RFK Jr learned that the vocal issue was CAUSED by them blasted vaxxxines -- the flu shots specifically... To me what's interestin' is that due to the speakin' troubles he's got, it makes me listen to him more carefully. The eloquence is his tho! -- I heard him speak live a couple times (not on so momentous an occasion but at 2 diff. anti-mandate protests) an' he does have this gift! I know not ta git my hopes up (warts n' all) but as they say, "from his mouth..." Jon Rappoport feels he has some chance if he can harness the crushed "middle class" (to which recent admins gave their proverbial middle fingers!) Here's ta hopin' Bobby Jr's rich-with-promise messages git spread like so much good manure! (...an' mebbe he'll git a tad bolder with the unsaid stuff too...I know HE knows...)

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That's so true, Daisy... I listen more carefully, too. It's like those icky commercials in the 70s... "If you want to capture someone's attention, whisper." Not sure if you're old enough to remember those!

Rappoport's take on things seems plausible. I'm with you -- the bolder the better!

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Exactly right, Daisy! E just need him to say out loud and clear, for all the people in the back and beyond. And repeat it and repeat it and repeat it until the spell of Big Pharma is broken. Sunshine had to do it. Might as well be him.

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This was an absolute joy to read, Mary! More so for experiencing it through your eyes and heart! And I had a blast with you in Boston! I’m so glad you texted me and that providence moved mountains to make the trip happen. :) I started writing about our adventure today and hope to finish in the next couple of days. But I’ll truly cherish our short time together. You’re a blessing. 🤗

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I feel just the same, Tonika. A day that will live in... what's the opposite of infamy? Estimation? Honor? Whatever, I had a blast, too. SOOO happy you joined me!!

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Honored, Mary. 🙏

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Looking forward to reading about it.

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Me, too!

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What an incredible honour to have actually been in the room when RFK Jr. gave this historic speech! Even as a Canadian I was deeply moved and as you say, felt hope for the first time in years. (Though we don't seem to have anyone in our politics with such gravitas and integrity, but as I wrote in my Substack, the jury is still out on that one.) Let's pray it's not fleeting hope but as I wrote, "a sudden confluence of events that manifests in an eruption of the collective consciousness with a power akin to a force of nature." Thanks for reaching out!

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Mary, yes! Hope is what I felt in the Ballroom. I hope we can all foster that wonderful emotion and pass it to others who may not be so hopeful. Thank you for your inspiring words!

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I'm right with you on that, Phil. Hope is just as contagious as fear! Thanks for your comment...

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Yes! Similar! Actor-whisperer Mike Nichols was known for this too--very quiet, only heard by the one for whom it was intended..an' then inspiration happened! Now'daze we all gotta pay careful attention to mutterins', murmurs, an' indeed to the "hoarse whisperers" who have much ta say!

(Ha ha, my puny daze did date back ta that wacky tacky era my friend, but I don't recall those par-tick-u-lar adverts... That said, I belted the Oscar Mayer Weiner song an' marched around the livin' room with the best've 'em!)

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Same!😂

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This is so beautifully written, Mary. I'll take homemade soup over gummy bears any day. I absolutely love that analogy. Maybe you have some Sagittarius in your chart. We live our lives searching for Truth and are the eternal optimists. I watched his announcement online and cried at the same time you did. Hard not to. Thank you for this perfect telling of RFK Jr.'s announcement. I feel like I was there.

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Hmm... eternal optimists searching for truth, eh? I'll take it! And thank you for such a kind comment. I felt so lucky to be there, and I'm glad my story helped you teleport in! It did feel monumental somehow, though I suppose only time will tell... :-)

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Thank you, Mary, for your kind, encouraging words. I appreciate your choice of the word "energy" in your response. It seems like energy, along with steadfastness, collaboration, and discernment will help us through this campaign season and beyond.

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And I, in turn, appreciate your choice of the word "discernment." It has become increasingly difficult to know what's real and whom to believe. Open hearts are wonderful... AND it behooves us to keep our eyes and ears open, too!

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I've been alerted to the fact that 8 years ago, RFK Jr. was on camera stating that "climate change deniers" should be jailed. Given his willingness to "prove me wrong" with a presentation of evidence, I would hope that in this case too he'd be open to revising that rather extreme opinion. Just as he did with the childhood vaccine schedule and its well-established links to the explosion in autism. I've updated my article on RFK Jr. to discuss these points: https://seanarthurjoyce.substack.com/p/the-better-angels-of-our-nature

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Just as my finger was poised to hit "publish" on this essay, Tonika texted me an article about some of RFK's closet skeletons that I was not aware of. I panicked, Tonika talked me off the ledge, and I ended up making a few changes to reflect my newer understandings.

Bottom line: no one's perfect. And I hope, like you, that RFK Jr. will remain open. It's what ANY decent leader should be, for crying out loud. Our standards are sooo low.

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I think RFK Jr. has already modified his views on climate change to some extent, at least by admitting that the WEF and their billionaire goons have co-opted the movement as a means to totalitarianism. (Link in the Postscript to my article.) And as he said himself in his inaugural speech, "If all the skeletons in my closet could vote for me, I'd be king of the world."

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