Dear Kathy Griffin…

Being a millennial New Yorker and actor, I’d like to think I’ve got pretty thick skin.

Getting rejected is par for the course in the entertainment industry. The city doesn’t do you any favors — just try battling the check out lines at Whole Foods at 3pm on a Sunday.  Heck, even the squirrels seems to have a certain undeniable hutzpah on these streets.

http---mashable.com-wp-content-gallery-new-york-city-animals-and-animals-everywhere-else-Squirrels

Really, nothing quite comes as a shock to me anymore, for better or for worse.

However.

Earlier this week, opening up my Buzzfeed app to find Kathy Griffin’s infamous photo of her, carrying the bloodied head of a decapitated President Donald Trump…I literally stopped in my tracks.

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Just. No.

And I have a few words.

This is not okay. I don’t care how much you hate the President or his policies, that went. too far.

It’s no secret that Donald Trump is one of – if not the most – polarizing Presidents in the history of the United States, but propagating his death – especially by deliberate decapitation – even as “comedy” – is never, under any circumstance, funny, or edgy, or boundary pushing, or remotely acceptable. Just. No.

I’m not here to drag Kathy Griffin through the coals, but when has this level of sordid obscenity become okay?

When has it become acceptable to emulate the likes of terrorists, and pass it off as political satire?

RealTalk: We need to wake up, look in the mirror, and say, how did I make that okay?

Because here’s the thing: Ms. Griffin is not stupid. She’s a managed comedy machine. And for better or for worse, that photo shoot was calculated: she took those pictures, because the climate of our society is such that smut is culturally acceptable. And dare I say, even celebrated. ((50 Shades of Gray much?))

Sure, maybe she’s having to back pedal now, but the fact is, she released it, because we allowed her to.

And my question is this: What role am I playing in that?

What am I doing to challenge or perpetuate this climate of awfulness?

Seriously.

What do I spend my money on? What shows do I watch? What video games do I play? What clothes do I wear?  What do I retweet, or read, or talk about?

We make our cultural beds, so to speak, every single day, by the actions that we take – or don’t take.

And Kathy Griffin’s grave misstep, is just one example of the monster that we’ve helped create.

I look around, as I’m walking through the streets of New York, and I’d say that 90% of the people have their heads down, buried in their phones.

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Source: stevecutts

I kid you not. I was walking through Bryant Park at dusk one evening, and at one point, I looked up and every. single. person. was engrossed in their phones. Even the couples sitting on blankets.

We vote by our browser history. Our Netflix queue. Our social media follows and feeds.

And you and I, we’re fighting an uphill battle, living in a culture that has left God behind long ago.

Now, I look at that picture of Kathy Griffin, and instead of remaining shocked and saddened and disgusted by this disrespect and terroristic nature of the photo, I’m instead, challenged to make a change.

Ignited to combat the depravity of our age.

And it starts with you and me: With our small sphere of influence. The people in our lives. The neighbors, friends, shop keepers, and community members. How do we spread love? Respect? Tolerance? Understanding? Forgiveness?

We do it by letting God shine through us.

We do it by looking up from our phones and engaging with people on a meaningful level – hearing their stories, and sharing our own. Encountering people, and sharing the truth that they are loved and that there is something — or rather SomeOne — greater to live for.

Even in something as little as a smile. Or a hug.

Because in the world that can be oppressive and dark, a little light goes a long way.

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It starts with you and me.

It starts today.

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498 responses to “Dear Kathy Griffin…”

  1. My 10 year old granddaughter heard a popular song about smelling sheets and told her mom “that’s inappropriate, turn it off!” We all can challenge the culture every day. Well said.

  2. Well said my friend! This woman is evil as are so many on the liberal left today. So full of hate for anything that has different beliefs.

    • Yes, because the conservatives all loved Obama so much they never burned or hung his effigy or made pictures of him with a rope around his neck. This isn’t a liberal vs. Conservative thing, this is a decent people vs. Extremist thing. Both sides are guilty and until we stop namecalling and generalizing, nothing will change.

  3. Thank you for this measured and intelligent response to the current socio-political climate in our country. In some ways, being overseas now is the best place to be, being able to avoid the narcissistic rants and anger on both sides of the aisle. People who claim to put country first, but have no courage to walk across the room to speak to someone they know to be on the opposite side of an issue or even walk across the tracks to go to a neighborhood in dire need of the loving hand of humanity. We will all look back on this time as a great turning point, when we lost the narrative. I get how polarizing this president is, but we perpetuate it by refusing to tell people to stop, our OWN people on our OWN side. Reading this makes me even more grateful to have found your blog and to begin getting to know you through your words – your wisdom is appreciated and truly necessary. May I draw inspiration from you? I believe so. Now… to go back in time…

    • Thanks for this, S. Yeah, it is a pretty heated and tense climate here in the states to say the least. Yeah, I hope that this is the low point and things will only get better from here. Thanks for your kind and inspiring words. You are a gem 🙂 hugs xo

      • In about 20 hours, I will get a taste of it. Swinging through San Fran on my way to Boston and then VA. Slowly learning how to apply my own voice in a constructive and not divisive way. Hard, everyone seems triggered to react with cynicism at any positive or hopeful message of unity.

      • 🙂

        Time to close up the laptop and get my head up out of my screens. 😉 LOL the ironies, right? Maybe all those zombies are reading your blog as they walk around NYC?

        Anywho… long 15 hour flight ahead. oh my. Thank God for books and poetry.

        If you DO say a prayer on my behalf, just ask the big guy to keep my ankles from swelling up too much. and for small people in the seats on either side of me. 🙂

        Until tomorrow, my friend, I will look forward to seeing you around.

      • hahah ahh yes, the ironies. good luck on your flight! i definitely will. Compression sock — i hear they work wonders 🙂 (( the source is a particular gentleman in my family whom i respect very much 🙂 ))

      • Do the socks compress time, too? Now THAT would be an invention, and a humorous story prompt… hmmmm… the magic compression socks that did more than what was advertised… okay for real this time… take care today!

  4. I seen that Donald Trump photo on Facebook but that kind of stuff don’t shock me, like the photo that he shoots himself in the head, that say’s “Let’s make America Great Again.” I also have a physco straight even know I’m not a physco, so that kind of stuff like they show in horror moives and in photos don’t shock me at all.

  5. Yes. Sadly, lost souls have a certain aura about them in 21st Century Ameruca. Being in rebellion against God and even a rudimentary decency is the norm these days. Hate Authority? OK. Take a number, Ms Griffin, and wait on line like everybody else.

    • thanks for this reflection, David. You’re right – it really is a rebellion. makes me sad. but we can do something about it 🙂 thanks for stopping by! hugs xox

  6. I’ve seen quite a few articles today detailing how former President Obama was also subjugated to cruel jokes, how the right tends to conveniently forget about other horrendous things said about people on the opposing side of the aisle, etc.
    The purpose of these pieces, of course, is that since the other side did it first, or since they also engaged in poor behavior, it was fair game for this comedienne to shock audiences like this.
    The response has been exactly as anticipated.
    Because this is really the crux of humanity, is it not?
    Our chronic inability to admit we are mistaken, our tendency to say “But they also did it!”.
    It is not the love of Jesus that we have trouble with, but the need for repentance. It is not the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection that we fail to accept, but the truth that our hearts, regardless of how we’ve lived, are blackened with sins and in need of forgiveness.
    And it is forgiveness, true forgiveness, the one that cries out “Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do” as they are hammering the nails deep into the flesh, that we have dismissed.
    Let’s forgive Kathy Griffin and let’s forgive Donald Trump, so our Father who is in heaven can also forgive us.
    Lord knows we need it now more than ever.

    • Hi Ricardo, thank you for this thought provoking response. Yeah, there is always going to be finger pointing, especially in politics. My deepest prayer is for respect and tolerance, and understanding, and absolutely — forgiveness. Thanks again 🙂 big hugs xo

  7. It’s no secret: I despise Trump. However, I agree she went too far.
    It wasn’t okay when they did the same thing to Obama. It won’t be okay to any future president. It’s not okay to promote violence.

  8. It is sad that our society has become such followers, if a actress, actor, musician or whoever post their opinions we are like lambs that are led around. Well so and so is this so I have to be this. As a parent of two one 19 and the other 9 I have tried and still trying to instill in both my children Think For Yourself. Investigate, research, think about, deconstruct until you fully understand before you jump on any bandwagon.

    • Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. you’re so right – especially in raising children. we need to think for ourselves and live with the foundation of love and respect. thanks for stopping by. big hugs xox

  9. When it become the fashion to pull stunts like what Griffin pulled? If I had to guess, I’d say it was when right-wingers were lynching Obama in effigy and getting away with it. This is not to suggest that what Kathy Griffin did was in any way in good taste, but hypocrisy is a vice, not a virtue. I don’t recall the far right condemning its own when it effigies of Obama were burned and hanged. But no, let’s all get indignant when a supposed liberal decides to stoop to their level. Sorry. I don’t mean to come off all hostile with this comment. But I’m seeing way too many people condemn Kathy Griffin while ignoring or downplaying the lunatics who did it to Obama. Apparently things like this, in our society, are only objectionable when perceived leftists do it.

    • Hi Michael, thank you for this thought provoking response. promoting violence is never okay. wasn’t then and isn’t now. Period. Thanks for stopping by. hugs xox

  10. Me and hubby were talking about the same thing a few weeks back. We’re in a restaurant, it’s packed, not an empty seat. I looked around and NOBODY was talking to each other. Tables full of people, one would assume together but all on their phones.

    It’s a rule with us and anyone joining us for dinner, at home or out, no internet, social stuff, even phone calls unless someone is in the hospital, and you’re waiting on an update, or someone is watching your kids. LOL The art of conversation is all but dead. Which takes away feelings for the one you are “conversing” with, if you can’t hear and feel what they are saying. Hence we become more numb to one another. It reminds me of the Garden of Eden, wasn’t knowledge the first sin?

    • Hi Margaret, thanks so much for this thoughtful response. i know! what happened to talking to people! even when our phones are “away” for dinner, they’re still on the table, vibrating like crazy!! it’s nuts!! that’s a great rule — i think everyone should adopt it!! let’s combat that numbness! 🙂 thanks for stopping by! big hugs x

      • Always a pleasure. I don’t really comment on political things but I’ll go ahead and say before the comments pile up, I know there will be push back, they did this, but if we do it it’s wrong. I appreciate that you share your opinion in a non violent, open hearted way. It’s the way it should be. Depicting ANY President as being killed can always insight that one disturbed person out there to do something that can’t be undone. If some one thinks it was wrong to do it to the president they preferred then they should certainly be the first ones to stand up and say, it wasn’t right then, it’s not right now, period.

      • Thanks again. Yeah, I’m definitely not typically one who enjoys talking politics, but I do enjoy having respect, open and honest conversations. Everyone brings their own perspectives and experiences to the table, and I am always to grateful to learn and listen to other people. But you’re right – such violence like that is never okay. Thanks again!! so glad you stopped by! have a great evening 🙂

  11. People requiring attention to stay relevant for notoriety to support their income (entertainment/politics) make ridiculous statements such as Ms Griffin. Attention of all kinds is better than zero attention? NO ONE in the entertainment business delivers actual value to humanity, such as developing innovative medicine, technology, or social advancement. When ignored, their impact dwindles to nothing more than nuisance status. Consumers vote with their dollars, unfortunately…they don’t realize they perpetuate this problem 🙄

    If all this fuss were about solving a real social problem, then I could care😔

    • how very very true. I know, where is the sanctity for human life? makes me very sad. You’re right – we vote with our pocket books. thanks for stopping by! hugs xox

  12. Boom, what a post, now that’s what I’m talking about, Caralyn!! Gotta admit, I kinda missed this side of you… I was kinda concerned while reading this ’cause it was pretty dark, but then the transition to the lighter side was just amazing. Great post. 😉

    Fantastic message overall, very inspirational and well said/written. Ciao bella, hugs <3

    • Aw, thank you so much!!! i’m so glad you liked it 🙂 hah thanks – yeah, NYC brings back my spunk 🙂 … or perhaps my own hutzpah haha thanks for stopping by! big hugs xx

  13. I agree with you, these last two presidents have been the most polarizing I have seen in my 50+ years of voting. And the media and celebrities aren’t helping things by not accepting the elected president (like him or not) and working for change within the system. It seems to be a “my guy or protest, riot, and break the laws” culture.

    • Thanks for this thoughtful response. you’re so right -the media and celebrities are just perpetuating the bullying. not to mention a social media climate that allows and perhaps even celebrates bullying. it’s sad. It’s a culture of defiance. It’s got to change. Thanks for stopping by. big hugs xo

  14. I hear what you say on this and you’re right. But the reason this happens is because they probably feel society is out of their control now or they’re not being heard.
    Its a shame it gets like this…

  15. Unfortunately, I think shock value is the way people market these days. If their name is not in the media they just do something shocking / distasteful and people talk about them…for a little while. I am working on doing my best to not give my focus and energy to the negative. That usually happens when I have positive experiences of just living normal life with my family. 🤓

  16. Just before I read this I was on Facebook and saw one of my “friends” praising her for the photo! I cannot believe anyone can do that!!! Thank you for sharing the opinion most of us are feeling! We need to share love and hopefully it will spread!! I believe in the statement, what we allow will continue, so let’s only allow love 😁
    Keep up the great work!! 💞

  17. I agree with you..Even though I am NOT a Trump supporter this was appalling and incredibly evil. I am looking at my life and anything that might be indicating that I am OKAY with stuff like that…you are so right.We can only change ourselves and in doing so we MIGHT be able to change our culture.

    • Hi Dr. Lynn, thank you so much for this thoughtful response. you’re right – i don’t think it matters what side of the political aisle you’re in…promoting violence is never okay. Yes! Let’s start with ourselves and promote love!! 🙂 thanks for stopping by! big hugs xo

  18. I agree. I blogged about Snow flakes in a 2 parter and the first part was blaming parenting and education. The second part was target ed on society and I talked about the devices. I asked how could Cinderella and Prince Charming turned into Snow flakes. Ahuelon.wordpress.com. You did a beautiful job in your blog.

  19. Growing up in a post 9/11 world, this really didn’t shock me. I saw the uncensored image in all it’s gory glory and I was like: “oh, that’s obviously fake and the president is still alive. Not important … moving on.”
    But I guess the damage is done for me. once you’re desensitized, you can’t feel shocked or sad or amazed at anything much anymore. You can’t go back.

    • Thanks for this Jamie, you’re right, there has been a bit of a cultural loss of innocence since then. coincidentally, I was walking past the new World Trade Center this afternoon and thinking about that very thing. Such a great point. thanks for stopping by. big hugs xox

    • Hi Mark, thank you so much. You’re right – there really are no lines. it’s sad. where’s the sanctity of human life!? I appreciate you stopping by! big hugs xo

  20. Thank you for saying that! It used to be that even the office of President deserved respect, even if we didn’t agree. Actually, scripture says God requires we treat our leaders with respect, because they wouldn’t be in office without his say so. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 Again, thanks for speaking out!

    • Thank you so much, friend. you’re right – I mean the President definitely is going to be the butt end of some scathing political satire and caricatures a la The New Yorker — but graphic decapitations!? That is just too far. Amen to that! Thanks for stopping by. big hugs xo

  21. Reblogged this on MARSHALL W THOMPSON, SR and commented:
    Now you know why I have been posting about “Combating Liberals” They are suffering from a mental disorder called Trump Derangement Syndrome. A condition that occurs when all reality leaves a person. This syndrome progresses into a full blown Personality Disorder similar to an Anti-Social or Sociopath. It is called the “Chicken Little Personality Disorder” Thomas Payne who said ” I may not agree with what you say. But I will defend to the death your right to say it” is turning over in his grave so the liberals can kiss his ass. Please feel free to tell then they can kiss my ass also! #PeaceMarshall

  22. Promoting violence is never OK. Does not matter if you are left, right or center; liberal or conservative.

    We must remember that what goes around, comes around. Unfortunately, in this wonderful country of ours, those at the top seem to be promoting and propagating divisiveness in the society. By turning a blind eye to those rhetorics as long as those do not go against our own, we the public are silent supporters of what’s happening.

    PC be damned. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. We may certainly have disagreement but if we forget to discuss and communicate, this is what we will get. Condemning a singular event and whitewashing the prevailing atmosphere won’t solve anything.

    • Thanks so much for this, friend. You’re right – promoting violence is never okay, no matter what side of the political aisle you’re on. It’s true, saying nothing makes one a silent supporter. thanks for this great comment! hugs xo

  23. Your blog is dead on. So many have lost the ability to talk, share, engage. My daughter was recently accepted into two prominent, highly regarded law schools. She asked me to accompany her on a tour of them both. At one school (a well-known Catholic university), we were greeted with smiles, handshakes, and welcoming words. At the other, not only were we ignored as we walked the halls, we noticed that not one single student we saw, throughout the afternoon, was speaking to any other student. Every person we passed was staring at a phone, a tablet, or a laptop. It seriously felt like a utopian disaster movie. When we finished the tour, my daughter (who, by the way, was 100% for this school, saying she was not going to spend her entire life in Catholic schools) looked at me and said, “I know law schools are competitive, but I want to at least go to one that is friendly.”

    • Thanks so much Amy. First of all, congrats to your daughter for getting in! That’s so awesome. You’re right- we’ve forgotten how to interact! We’ve got to learn to connect with people again! Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

  24. “Encountering people, and sharing the truth that they are loved and that there is something — or rather SomeOne — greater to live for.” – I love this line! thank you for sharing.

  25. Yes. Yes. Yes. My God is not dead, he is surely alive and He is sad to see His creation descend into the oblivion of the cell phone. Keep fighting the good fight! God bless you for your faithfulness.

  26. You are spot on, and I completely agree with you. I am not his biggest fan, but he is President, and that deserve some kind of respect.
    “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2: 1-2

    • Thank you so much!! You’re right- respect indeed. We don’t have to agree with his policies or even his personal life, but respect at a minimum. Love that verse. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great evening! Hugs and love xox

    • Thank you so much! I would be honored if you were to share it! There’s a button to do so at the bottom, or you can copy the web address and paste it in a post:) thanks so much! Hugs and love xox

  27. This was an excellent post. How far is too far? I think we crossed that line a while back. Reality T.V. vulgarity found acceptable because it is called a joke. I am so glad that you wrote this post I hope many read it and do a self check. How many things have we accepted in the name of tolerance?

    • Thank you so much Julie. I really appreciate your encouragement. You’re right – that line keeps getting pushed farther and farther back. It’s a shame. Yes! Self checks 🙂 Hugs and love xox

  28. I agree…. Beautifully said… I think it started with reality TV… But you are right… We tolerate too many things and now comedy seems to have gone too far… A new level but is it a better level??

  29. Don’t like Trump or anyone else? Hate the sin and not the sinner, right? We went to see Griffin in Toledo once. She used to have a lot of good material, but that night she ended her show with a barrage of blasphemy. Never again. She’s way out of control. A few more comments at Patreon…just me agreeing with your wisdom.

    • Oh gosh , that’s always so sad to see comedy cheapened like that. There’s something to be said for pure comedy anymore. Hard to find. Brian Regan is a great one if you’ve heard of him. Looking forward to patreon comments! Also – I just finally got back to your email! Hugs to you and Julie!

      • I actually knew Brian in passing. We both went to Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH, now Heidelberg University. Have you heard of Gabriel Iglesias, aka Fluffy? Lot so clips on YouTube. He has several DVDs out. A couple on Netflix now. I got your email. No worries. Tears? All ok?

      • ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! oh my gosh I am literally freaking out right now!! he is hands down my favorite comedian. I’ll have to look up Iglesias. thanks for passing along that name. Yeah, just missing mama 🙂 thanks friend. hugs x

      • Don’t get too freaked! Like I said, I knew him in passing. The Berg was and still is a pretty small private college. You just knew everyone. Unlike, say NYC, you always said hi to everyone you passed as you walked across campus. It’s not like we hung out or anything. I think I recall him hanging out at the theatre department occasionally. Hugs back atcha. Really big ones tonight, yeah?

      • Haha yeah, I learned that real quick the first weekend that I moved to NYC– unlike Ohio, you *do not* wave to people when you’re jogging. Haha that was very apparent, very quickly — from the weird looks I got!! 😂 yes really big hugs 🙂

      • HA! That’ll teach you to be nice. Quick reply to your email for a smile. And let’s see how many different media we can spread a conversation across!!!

  30. I was going to write on this too, but you said everything I would have said. I don’t like a lot of things Trump has done in terms of environmental issues, health care and a couple of other issues dear to me, but I could never in a million years fathom doing something this awful as what she did. It’s the same way I felt about people burning effigies of Obama while he was president. I don’t care how much you may disagree, you just don’t do these sorts of things. It’s awful! You stated it very eloquently.

  31. (1) Griffin did nothing new. People in marches in the 1800s carried effigies of political figures hanged by the neck or dressed in tar and feathers. Actually, they subjected real people to tar and feathering as well. Somehow, we’ve come to believe that we’re too nice for that. Not true. The Alt Right/KKK/Nazis are very much part of this society. Charles Dickens was absolutely correct when he said that ignorance and want are the major threats to civilization. Humans remain very capable of evil behavior based on ignorance and greed.
    (2) Obama well said that people get the president they deserve. People who are ignorant and vote based on sound bytes or obsolete images of parties get what they deserve — poverty and a reduced life expectancy. Arguably, they get the society they deserve — which is destined to be not what they want.
    The comment about life expectancy isn’t flippant. There’s a 20 year difference in life expectancy between counties in the US. People on the lower Mississippi valley, eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and rural Nevada die earlier, while people in the NYC metro area, coastal California, Oregon and south Florida live longest. Life expectancy correlates with spending on public health services, and GOP states generally don’t treat that as a priority. That’s why my home state, Kentucky, can have some of the best roads in the country and a bottom five health system. As I know from the number of my high school classmates who are dead, Kentucky is not a place in which to get sick.

    • Hi Vic, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yeah lots of powerful food for thought. Violence is never okay. Wasn’t then and it isn’t now. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs x

  32. “Encountering people, and sharing the truth that they are loved and that there is something — or rather SomeOne — greater to live for.” Excellent statement! And wait to start a conversation. Praying God helps the church be a light of His love!

  33. Your post left me thinking as usual. Thank you for the inspiration. Have you seen this clip with Lady Gaga? For some reason, what you wrote made me think of her video: https://youtu.be/FCThj7s9kdw – “Hatred, evil, whatever you want to call it, it’s intelligent, it’s smart and it’s invisible … I am going to divide my enemy into smaller less strong groups, and make them hate each other, and make it easier to take them down…” Kindness is the remedy. Thank you for your courage to step up and help galvanize a better direction.

    • Thank you so much Anitra! I haven’t seen this clip! Wow – what a powerful thought. You’re right – kindness is the remedy. And that brings me great hope, because we can each be kind in our little circles 🙂 And that can make a big difference! 🙂 thanks for stopping by and for sharing that clip! hugs xo

  34. Good post, and I agree with you about how we have become smart phone zombies…but You know sister…It is because of that goofy phone watching that I was able to read your post too! 😉

    • thank you so much! yeah, smart phone zombies for sure! hahah i know — it’s a catch 22 — and as i type this, I’m taking a walk haha so…clearly #ImPartOfTheProblem!! haha thanks for stopping by! big zombie hugs xox 🙂

  35. Agreed. As everything has become more polarizing, extremes have merged revealing an ugly side. While I am no supporter, Kathy Griffin has gone too far in pursuit of a joke; it was vulgar. I believe that it is times like these and when there’s so much shouting over policy and beliefs that it is better to ask a question, and get at the root of such emotional reaction. It’s the old saying: “When you shout, I can’t hear your words.”

    • Hi Carl! thank you so much for this thoughtful response. you’re right – vulgar to the max. Ugly indeed. I think that’s such a powerful thought – we’ve got to seek to understand, and spend more time listening. thanks for this awesome food for thought. i hear you! 😉 big hugs xo

  36. You are SOOOO right, my sister! We can’t effectively kill a monster that we’ve helped to create…until we admit the part we played in creating it.

    I’m no Donald Trump fan, but he is our President…and he was ELECTED, which means his being in office is a reflection of us as a nation. Before we go “head-hunting” like Kathy Griffin has done, we need to take a long, hard look in the mirror first…especially us followers of Jesus.

    • Thanks so much Wayne!! You’re right, we’ve got to realize that we’re helping it along, and work to counteract the hate! Very true, love him or leave him, he was elected. And violence is never the answer. Thanks for stopping by! big hugs xo

  37. Great post — you summed up my thoughts on the subject.

    I’m not a fan of Trump, however I would never wish him ill both as the president and as a human being, because it is the decent thing to do. Wishing the president — your president — ill is like shooting yourself in the foot. I support the president, because he is the president.

    The American people who obsess over his perceived or actual faults are creating a negative climate — just petty things like his wife, children, businesses, hell even body language. I’m convinced the man could cure cancer and folks would still twist it in a negative light. None of his positive doings are reaching mainstream media because these asshats are mired in negativity and want to obsess over these actual/perceived faults. One of my friends on Fb posted eight, counted them, posts about the damned typo and poking fun. As did others.

    Its becoming obnoxious and stupid.

    These folks seem to have way too much time on their hands.

    To be honest, I kind of admire him for keeping his shit together in spite of all the billshit. Not only is it normal presidential stuff, but half the nation despises the man and are actively working against him.

    Not going to lie –I would have folded.

    • Thank you so much for this thought provoking response. you’re so right – there is a veil of negativity over Trump, perpetuated by the media and celebrities, deserved or not. I know, it’s like, haven’t we all made a dumb typo before?? hah Very true – he is our President and as a result, we should respect him and at the very least, give him a chance. Thanks for stopping by! big hugs xox

  38. Thank you Caralyn for your good honest writing. Since I am a Canadian, I cannot comment much on U.S. politics, but on the disrespect towards people I can.
    I didn’t see the original picture, I am happy to say, but hearing about it was enough to be disgusted. I don’t know Kathy Griffin, and don’t believe I have ever heard her, and now know I don’t wish to.
    We know the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders, but of course the majority of people would not read it, or know that. But besides that, everyone should know that respect should be shown to the office of the leaders of our countries, if not the person’s actions, since that person still holds the office.
    I do believe Caralyn, that if people like Kathy Griffin, including her, could know you, and hang out with you, they would learn a lot about caring for and about others, respecting others, having love for others, even when they don’t agree. Actually, others would see and hear Jesus Christ in action, with His Holy Spirit speaking and working through you.
    Thanks Caralyn, for making the world a better place, and touching many, in many ways, in NYC, U.S.A., and wherever your wisdom and love is read, including Canada,
    Luv ❤️ Hugs
    George

    • Hey George! thank you so much for this thoughtful response. you’re so right – it was fully disgusting. We really should be praying for our leaders, not tearing them down. Oh my gosh, what a kind thing to say, George. I am seriously so touched by that generous remark. thank you with all my heart. Thank YOU for being such a positive source in my life. you are a blessing to me. 🙂 big hugs xox

      • Thank you for your kindness, Caralyn. God’s Blessings. Oh, one favour to ask. Will you kindly update us all periodically, once a week or whatever feels right for you, on your Mom and Dad, as to how they are, and how they are doing? Thanks a bunch. More hugs. 😀

  39. While I agree that talk of hurting other is never okay I will also say that Mr. Trump creates all of his own messes. Media is not to blame. No one is to blame but him and his inability to keep his mouth shut and his finger off the tweet button. Unfortunately, people often imitate what they see from the top down and Trump has created all of the ugliness and an ugly climate himself.

    • Thank you so much for this food for thought. All I know is that violence is never okay. The good thing is that we can start in our own little circles of influence and propagate kindness and respect 🙂 thanks for stopping by. big hugs xox

    • Hi Michael, thank you so much for this thoughtful response. you’re right – it really is a sad commentary on humanity. We need to find our way back to human decency. At the very least. Thanks for stopping by. big hugs xo

  40. Wow, this really hit spot on for me. It really bothers me how often I see people not looking up from their phones when they are with people, it just describes such a selfishness. Let’s be different from that. Let’s look up and seriously engage in the people around us. Thank you for this!

    Much love,
    Ashley | dearash.com

    • Hi Ashley, thank you so much for this thoughtful response. You’re right – we need to get back to being in the moment with people. Learn to engage and listen and be present. Thanks for stopping by! big hugs xo

  41. I’m sure the defense of anybody who has chosen to be blinded by the depravity of such obscene post would be that it is purely entertainment, or comical, or it is symbolic to a message she is trying to pass along, but not necessarily meaning violence. The truth is that conceptions like this are being entertained because of the degeneration we have plunged ourselves into, but I am glad that someone had the courage enough to point it out.

    • hey again friend! You’re right, we really have plunged into that dark space. it really makes me sad. but there is hope because we can be the light!! 😉 big hugs xox

  42. Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!!! Love you! Keep up the truth! You are a light!!! 🙂 ❤

  43. Griffin once lectured Elisabeth Hasselbeck on respecting the office of the President simply because EH disagreed with President Obama’s policies. I guess respect doesn’t extend to offensive satire.

  44. I think those with money are already thinking about leaving this planet and trying to establish a colony on some desert planet. Better to stay here as you point out and try and shed some light on this depraved age we live in.

  45. This should end Kathy Griffin’s career. In effect, she cut off her own head.
    Remember what happened to the Dixie Chicks in March of 2003 and all they did was make this comment: “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”

    • Thanks so much Eric. You’re right, and I think it actually did – no more CNN, not more sponsorships. She really did off her own head. Yeah, that was the end of the Dixie Chicks too. Some things just go too far. Ugh. Thanks for stopping yb! hugs x

  46. I had wondered how Kathy Griffin could think of doing such an act. Thank you for clearly explaining what my generation would not have easily understood.

  47. I’ve done some looking inward this week as I have been challenged to really ask myself honestly, “Am I really sure of where I stand in this world?”

    Am I doing enough? Am I speaking out against wrongs done to others? Am I reaching out instead of turning away? What would God say to me about these questions if he were looking me in the eye and speaking right to my face?

    I really don’t like the answers to these questions if I am honest.

    Your post reinforces this and drives me to look deeper, judge less and strive to not fit into the mess that is the world around me.

    Thanks again for an inspiring post!

    • Thanks for this Mike. That is definitely a difficult conversation to have with yourself for sure. It sounds like I need to do the same. Thanks for stopping by! big hugs x

  48. My viewings & listenings have changed dramatic since coming to Christ, still a long way for me to go though. Also literally yesterday I got called homophobic for standing up against Gay “Marriage”. And with regards to another election people think the best way forward is with a non-christian twice divorced man with links to a “former” terrorist group ( I still needed to work on loving others & have patience with them if you haven’t guessed😂) hope you are well and your mum is too, sending lots of love to both of you, sorry for the rant, feel you get my thinking with this xxx

  49. Wonderful post. I disagree with the president on almost all of his policies, for what that’s worth, and it isn’t necessarily always worth much. I think he’s dangerous as a president. But he deserves our love, our prayers, and our respect as a human being, and we should respect the office he occupies. I am rooting for him, even though at nearly every turn I personally disagree with him (yesterday, leaving the Paris Climate agreement behind). I think your thoughts here are spot on. The liberals are just as bad as the conservatives, if not worse. I can’t stomach either side, the way they go after each other. I’m allergic to Fox News, to MSNBC, to talk radio, etc. My rant over. Thanks for putting up with my thoughts here. I hang my hat on one thing: the gospel of King Jesus.

    • Thanks Ted. I really appreciate this thoughtful response. You’re right, no matter how a person feels about him, we need to respect the office of the Presidency. Amen – i hang my hat on that too!! 😉 hugs xox

  50. When I saw it I thought of Antonio Canova’s “Perseus.” The visual story is almost a replica but, not many people would know it. I did, get a fond compliment from the museum there in Italy that has the original.

  51. Great post. And I totally agree, it’s NOT OK. All that violence and savagery just don’t feel right. What has happened to the human race? 🙁

  52. Sadly, I don’t think Kathy Griffin did anything others weren’t feeling. We do have a very interesting President who inspires a whole new level of vitriol. But a severed head is the stuff of ISIS and has no place in the animated dialog (to euphemize a bit).

    For her part, Ms. Griffin lost her job, got skewered by both sides of the aisle and is being tracked by the Secret Service. Whether or not she learned her lesson, she did pay and is paying for her overage of zeal.

    I applaud your approach to the current discourteous polarity. We need more love. Period. I’d add humility, humor and transparency. We need to be bigger people than we’ve been, on all sides of the polarity. We’re better than this, at least we used to be.

  53. “Because in the world that can be oppressive and dark, a little light goes a long way”.!!!!!!!!!!!
    So very true! Thank you for that entire post.
    Really brings it all into perspective!
    If you want to change the world – start in your own back yard!!!!

  54. Great post, Caralyn! I disgusted by the display put on by Kathy Griffin. And to call it ‘art’ is just giving hate another name. It says in the Bible that they will call good evil and evil good. By only seeing a handful of people on the left condemn her actions is a testament to that passage of Scripture. Thank you for sharing and thank you for helping us all see that there is a better way to go about this…with kindness and showing others that Christ is within us. 🙂

    On a side note, I totally get what you’re saying about city squirrels. I have in-laws who live in Philadelphia and those squirrels are not small! When they will crack open peanuts between their paws (hands?), then you know they’re tough!

    • Thanks so much Joe! you’re right, kindness is what we need to rediscover in our culture! hahah, yeah, squirrels are definitely not to be messed with ’round these parts 😉 haha hugs xo

  55. AWESOME thoughts, Caralyn. This discussion is SO needed in our culture. And I’m so glad someone in your generation is addressing it.

    You said: “RealTalk: We need to wake up, look in the mirror, and say, how did I make that okay?”

    Yes, I hope this is a wake up call. And it doesn’t matter if it’s the President or a homeless person. This is what Jesus addressed in the Sermon on the Mount when He said that cultivating anger is the spirit of murder (Matt.5:21-26). This evil trajectory takes us on a path away from valuing human life made in God’s image, to the point where we think it’s okay to destroy it. It’s cold-hearted and the very opposite of other-centered love. Actually, how is this different than what ISIS is doing?

    I don’t care if someone is a believer or an atheist, we know this is very wrong and it should give us pause as a society. It reveals something very sick in how we see one another as human beings. It really needs to change.

    • Thank you so much Mel! You’re so right – where is the sanctity of human life? So so true – we need to get back to the spirit of respect and love. thanks for sharing these great thoughts, Mel. have a great Friday. hugs xo

  56. She SOOOO went too far!!! I despise Trump but this was not comedy. This was not funny – more like a death threat! I know she wasn’t seeing as a death threat but yeah… it does come off that way! I feel sorry for Trump’s young son – what a traumatizing thing to see! I hope he didn’t but of course, how could he not?

    I don’t know if we’ve created a culture to allow for this to happen. I agree we all need to do our part to lead by example in a positive and loving way. I think back in history – And that violent part of human beings always existed. It is actually far more ‘policed’ these days then it was back when earlier civilization started.

    And, putting on my sociology and psychology cap, I think of societies like Japan who have a red light district where one can play out pretty much a lot of fantasies. And how their porn industry is pretty perverse. And yet, they have such a low sex crime rate compared to other developed countries. Why is that?

    I’m not saying I am for all the graphic violence we see in movies and TV shows (heck – I am a HUGE Walking Dead fan) but I believe to some extent, we all need a bit of release through fiction. The question might be – to what extent? And – what are doing for the people who suffer from mental illness and who can not distinguish what SHOULD be kept as fantasy/fiction and reality?

    I would rather our society/government put more funding into mental illness and awareness. I believe as our culture becomes more lonely due to high technology and the way we conduct business, depression and anxiety will be more of an epidemic (I believe it already is on it’s way to becoming one). As a society, we are going to have WAY more problems.

    To conclude – I also hate seeing people walk around with their head down and focusing on their phones. For one thing, it’s dangerous. But it is also annoying. How many times have I had to walk behind some one walking SUPER SLOWLY because they are on their phone and yet the aisle is too narrow for me to pass them as they walk RIGHT DOWN the middle? Or the plethora of times I can not get my fave gym machine because some is on it, but barely working out because they are busy texting. For 15 minutes! Come on. If you’re not going to even try to break a sweat get off and let me actually USE the machine for its purpose! 🙂

    Good post – food for thought for sure.

    • thanks so much for this thoughtful response. you’re right – it was terroristic in nature. i know, my heart breaks for his son, Barron too. How absolutely traumatizing. it’s a real shame. And that’s a great point about texting at the gym. i don’t belong to one, but that must be utterly annoying! hugs x

  57. Beautiful and insightful message as always. Keep the positivity flowing! Thanks for sharing.

  58. Thank you, well stated and heart felt. We would all do well to treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated. Even if we do not always agree with each other we can disagree with respect and decency.
    Blessings

  59. Let me say first of all I am NOT a big fan of the president , but that’s a topic for another day. What Kathy Griffin did was not only wrong but it was just as disrespectful as the people who did hung a noose around the effigy of President Obama and thought THAT was funny. As a black woman whose family is from North and South Carolina , it wasn’t ! Neither was this. First of all I don’t find Kathy Griffin funny at all, wasn’t a fan of hers before and DEFINITELY am not a fan now. She should be ashamed of herself .

  60. Such a good post! So sad the lack of respect in our country. Also all the heads buried in phones is devastating and I really want to be a person to shine Jesus’ light, and not just be engrossed in my own little not-even-real world. Thank you!

  61. Want a wonderful reminder that a best way to be a Christian witness is to live out our faith everyday by even our smallest actions!

  62. Great post. I think the popularity of the cell phone has a direct correlation to the decline in our moral fortitude. Good on you.

  63. This. Absolutely. I was horrified by Kathy Griffin’s photo shoot too. I mean, how did anyone on that project think that was okay? On so many levels it’s wrong. Your post reminds us to be aware of what we support and to reach out in positive ways to one another. Thank you for it.

  64. You have never disappointed me, I shared something on my whatapp bc earlier today. I thought about writing about it on my blog but I changed my mind. I think I will simply share this cos I think the message is one even though we see through different lenses.
    Love you plenty BBB

  65. You wrote what I would have. That image of Trump reminds me of terrorism. Yet, we have too allow such images to happen to appear due to freedom of speech. That is the ONLY defense I have for her poor tasteless joke- if it is one. If it were like John F Kennedy the response would have been different! Different era and different view of what you should and should not say! We, as a nation, have changed. Great post. Keep up to good work!

    • Thank you so much Stiina, I’m glad this resonated with you. I know, it reminded me of the ISIS beheadings. so terrible. thanks for this reflection. hugs xox

  66. My dear friend call up mr. prize because you deserve a Pulitzer. As perhaps the best post I’ve ever read in recent memory one sentence comes to mind in this day in age, we need more Jesus time and less screen time. I completely understand the complexities and the use of Technologies some of it can be bad some of it can be good. Constantly I’m battled with do I look at Twitter or do don’t I? Am I sad that I left Facebook that no one can find me? Except for maybe Carolyn and it’s sophisticated GPS… I’m even beginning to wonder whether I should watch the news. If I watch it too long you give me mind battles. I’m on like most of the people in the world I don’t watch television 90% of the day and yet I do because I have this little thing in my pocket and the Millennials call it a cell phone that you can even watch television on your cell phone nowperiod how spoiled of a generation Have We Become? You’re a classic millennial when I say classic Millennial I mean you’re one of the millennials that people should look up to and be inspired by. That being said I was never of a Kathy Griffin fan because she was terrible to Annie. I’m a fan of Donald Trump because I’m a friend of God. You’re right my friend tolerance forgiveness love is what we need but isn’t it so funny how when we take a gruesome image like the one we had just saw in that terrible terrible distasteful photoshoot that they lousing left scream Free Speech free speech. And anytime conservatives mention God In School it’s advocated as teaching them against the curriculum. You and I should cold blog sometime because you and I share quite a lot in common in terms of thinking and thought process and faith. As a matter of fact people congratulate the 60s people on free speech and freedom March but the fact of it remains and that the reason we have violence in schools today is because the Ten Commandments in prayer has been taken out of our schools. Don’t blame free speech on the hippies from the 60s they have enough problems with their drug overdoses the blame lies with Mankind and the enemy for the state of the world that we live in today. This by no means is God’s fault at all it is all late at the hands and feet of the enemy and man….

    God bless

    A.

    PS I didn’t leave Twitter becau of you. I left Twitter because it was getting in the way of my Jesus time. Hey that rhymes.
    Your friend in Christ always taking time to be kind
    Anthony

    • oh gosh thank you so much, Anthony. that’s so kind of you to say. and way to take control of your time and making a change to devote your free time to jesus. That’s so inspiring. sending hugs xo

      • I wash my hands this morning so very white and clean I lent them both to Jesus. To work for him until night. Little feet be careful when you take me to anything for Jesus only let me do. I told my ears to listen quite closely for any act of kindness level hands can do little feet be careful where you take me to. My eyes are set to watch them about work or play period to keep them out of mischief for Jesus sake all day. That is a poem that is hung in my Ohio Church. Yes I go to church in Ohio isn’t that funny. The Canadian kid goes to church in Ohio. The air is nicer up there and I’m not just talking about the fact that the United States has pulled out of the Paris climate agreement period jokes

      • I know I want to move there I love it there. I don’t just love their for the pizza either. I will one day I hope just like I’m hoping and watching for the rapture. Ohio people are the nicest people perhaps that’s why we get along so well because you’re from Ohio and not born and bred in New York so you don’t have a chip on your shoulder like Robert De Niro.

  67. I read today, someone on Facebook had commented, “Trump isn’t the problem, he’s the symptom.” And it goes to show yes, our world circulates around what our culture accepts. What the majority has determined as the norm. Do we accept? We don’t have to, but like you stated, how much of ourselves are we putting in this norm? I really enjoyed you opening up about the topic. Well done.

    • Thank you so much for this thoughtful reflection. You’re right- we each can contribute to make this world a better place 🙂 thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

  68. Love you thoughts about how to use social media! It should be the goal of each one of us share beauty and encourage our our varied social media outlets rather than drama and hate. What’s the saying? Be the change, right?

  69. Pastor! God is speaking through you to be His light in dark places! So proud of you and the way you share your walk of faith! Praying for you and your family. Say hi to your Mom for me and let her know I am praying for her ! Thank you!

  70. From Australia, I can’t really comment on US politics but I would have been disturbed by the image had I seen it. The last thing any of us need is an incitement to violence – even if made in jest.

    Keep on writing!

  71. Pretty insightful. I like how you made this personal. And you are right, our media is just a reflection of our culture, because we buy it. They sell it because we buy it. But, that doesn’t get them off the hook either (a drug dealer can’t claim I only sell it because they buy it). But still, I totally agree with what you said. Thanks for that insight and for encouraging us all to take responsibility and change the culture instead of just complaining about it.

    • Thanks so much. That’s so true – we buy it. But we also have the power to change it. 🙂 that gives me great hope! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

  72. Well said. I’m not a fan of hers anyway, but this was way too far out there, even for her. How she thought this was funny was surprising to me. Your post is good and you made several great points. Nice work.

  73. Refreshing. So much hate seems to be so close to the surface. The lines between critiquing someone or someone’s position and attacking the person are easily crossed by hitting “send” before thinking. I have taken to drafting most of my challenges to politics off line, editing them several times, then cut-and-pasting them into a blog post. A lot of my initial bluster gets deleted in the process. “That’s what I want to say… but I shall be more tactful”. If you have been reading my Dept. of Alternative Facts series, you can just imagine what I have cut out of those posts!

    But, as you elude to, there is so much hate in today’s political discourse. Some of this comes off as insults, such as the beheading image. Some is coming off in shootings and vandalism. Just this week someone left a noose, a symbol of lynchings, inside the National Museum of African-American History in Washington, D.C.

    Rather, you advocating that connecting with people, regardless of their position on this or that issue, will bring more understanding and respect. A few years back, while traveling in South Africa, I noticed that our guide made an effort learn and address everyone (waitresses, clerks, etc.) by name. I now glance at people’s names tags while in line. After they perform their duties, I thank them, by name. I often get a surprised look of appreciation. – Oscar

    • Thanks so much Oscar. That’s a great writing process – it really weeds out the “initial bluster” — I like that. Smart. Oh my gosh that is absolutely horrible!!! Wow. So hurtful. Yeah, when we engage and connect with people on a real level, it dissolves any of that hatred or misunderstanding that we may be carrying around. Let’s spread compassion! Thanks for stopping by and for this powerful response. Hugs and love xox

  74. He (Trump) is is is is is IS OUR president. I’ve always felt this to be counterproductive at the very very least. (Bashing him)
    Thanks for sharing and taking the time to clearly express your view.

    • Thank you so much for this reflection. You’re so right – love him or leave him, that title deserves respect. Period. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

  75. I was trying to think about how to respond to this horrible thing but you did the perfect job. It was shocking and upsetting to me. I felt hurt for the families that have had their loved ones beheaded by a terrorist. We have become a cynical society and everything has become acceptable. No compassion or grace anymore. Thank you for the challenge!

    • Thanks so much friend. Yeah that’s where my thoughts went too – to the poor families and also to little Barron trump. So sad. Let’s bring back that compassion! Hugs and love xox

  76. Beautifully said and so glad you said it because I hadn’t thought of it in this way. But society, our culture, has gone too far in what passes as completely acceptable. There needs to be more connection, face to face interaction… instead of staring at phones. And you’re right, we can spread light in small ways, and that can make a huge difference! xx

  77. No matter what who or what we believe, there is a point where we have to draw the line. There is so much hatred in the world today so there is no need for anyone to add to it in a public way. We seem to be losing the core value of what it means to be lovers of each other as a Christian and so much more as a human being. Thanks for a great blog.

  78. Thank you. I think God has given us the answer on how to affect our world, but we just aren’t listening. I appreciate you stating it again in your very eloquent way. It was an encouragement this morning, just when it was needed.

  79. It is interesting to see the general response to this. I agree, she went too far. Yes, I understand freedom of speech, and artistic license and all that. But it went too far.
    That said, things also went too far with signs that said “hang in there” depicting a scaffold and noose for Obama, or the bullseye shirts with Clinton seen at Trump pre-election rallies.
    Both sides need to cool their jets, to realize that there are acceptable and unacceptable ways of expressing political disagreement. And violence, or the encouragement of violence, is never an acceptable expression. While Barron shouldn’t have seen it, neither should the Obama girls been exposed to the racism they saw.

    Yes, we do need to think about what we do to contribute…or to disavow…this level of diatribe. A little light DOES go a long way. That’s why the lights do best on mountaintops 🙂 And light, His light, helps all. We just need to shine it
    xox