Annoying, Worrying, Concerning, and Troubling
November 9, 2025 by agutting@reviewjournal.com
Filed under Conversation
BY LOUIE OVERSTREET
Over the last 10 months, I have experienced annoyance, worry, concern and troubled thoughts about what we are allowing to take place in America — and to a lesser extent, the disrespect exhibited towards our allies.
Things that I would classify as annoying are things that have only a small chance of doing permanent harm to our way of life or system of government. Two examples that come most readily to mind are the POTUS lying about his college grades and his engaging in petty name-calling about political opponents’ low IQs.
Things that I would classify as worrying are those things that could cause me to have to adjust my lifestyle if they persist for any period of time, such as the current administration’s economic policies causing prices to rise. Another example would be to fire government employees who fail to express a pledge of loyalty, thus causing a break in the chain of continuity of institutional knowledge.
Therefore, causing the potential disruption in the delivery of government services.
Things that I would classify as concerning are those that will definitely cause a financial impact on my lifestyle and disruptions in the delivery of heretofore expected regular government services. The POTUS issuing executive orders denying climate change, acts of obvious retribution (most notably, retaliatory and selective prosecution of political adversaries) and his attempts to erase Black History are issues that disturb me.
Things that I would classify as troubling are actions by the POTUS, Congress, and/or the SCOTUS that will be harmful to America for literally decades or that may be irreversible to the extent that could bring down our very system of democratic governance. Presently, there are documented cases of wholesale violations of long-established lawful principles and the occupation of American cities by armed federal troops are very reminiscent of Eastern Europe in the mid-1930s.
The excuse most often heard to dismiss the foregoing is that “America is better than that!” The sad fact is if we don’t do something, then no we ain’t!
