How is it that I find the most inspiring stories on Grumpy Combat Veteran (the +Friends factor?)? First came the letter, after which I needed to reflect before reading further. Then, another inspiring and uplifting story.
Foreign aid, broadly speaking, for humanitarian causes, is an issue that had me believing myself (for decades, really) to be a liberal. The other two are my solid pro-choice stance which dates to my teens and the simple fact that since the late 90s I've known that climate change would be the issue it is today.
I want to see this bubble get popped in a dramatic fashion before the election. People do not understand the political spectrum. Conservative does not mean authoritarian, nor does it make one a bigot. It does not mean not supporting the rights of women. It doesn't mean misrepresenting the science community. Conservatives should support the Bill of Rights, for example.
I hope that people see that Republicans are the ones who have corrupted conservatism itself. Conservative does not make one an anti-Federalist. It doesn't make a guy like me be a bigot or anti-government militia member. It doesn't make me feel like I'm in a position to dictate healthcare decisions for women, or force LGBT people back into the closet. That would be absurd on my part, when I live in a country where I have the freedom to not engage, to not read or watch these things if I so choose. I mind my own business, which is something I thought was conservative.
You're so right!! Conservatives and Republicans used to be good people. I used to be one and so was and still are my family members who I love very much. I didn't switch Parties until 2008.
Your beautifully written piece about Hazara Cultural Day and the remarkable Dr. Shakardokht Jafari is truly inspiring. Your words vividly capture the joy and pride of your community and celebrate the incredible achievements of a fellow Hazara woman. Your admiration for Dr. Jafari’s perseverance and success is heartwarming and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of dreams and determination.
Your aspirations to become an astronaut are equally inspiring. Your courage, vision, and pride in your heritage shine through in your writing. Keep dreaming big and sharing your voice with the world you are already making a difference.
As a writer in the space industry, it still brightens my day when I learn of young people who are interested in space. While nowhere near an astronaut, I had to do a lot of reading to get smart on the field so I could write about it intelligently (and Aqsa's writing is better than mine was at her age!). So as a starting point, I'll pass along a link to a blog page that shares the posts I've written to help English majors like me learn the right things to work for the space industry. There's other stuff there as well. I hope she finds it useful. Welcome to America, Aqsa! I hope we do right by you.
Dr. Rahmani's spirit and ability to protect and create her talents is inspiring, particularly give her challenges. And her work will help human beings all over the world. Please thank her. I am inspired by her spirit (as I am by another Hazara, a young pro-democracy leader and his wife who were able escape Kabul. Celebrating the Hazara people for turning their values into cation for humanity.
Glad I finally discovered your Substack after loving your articles in the Bulwark. This hits home for me, as I am applying (along with other members of my synagogue) to sponsor an extended family of 8 Afghan refugees through the State Department’s Welcome Corps program. They are currently stuck in Pakistan in pretty dire conditions, and one of the young girls is about the same age as Aqsa. I can’t wait to hear what she dreams of once she arrives in the US.
That is an amazing story written by an amazing young woman. May your ideas continue to blossom into more like this. And may you find the meeting place of your writing and your aspirations to be the first Afghan lady astronaut.
I do have a question based on my screed masquerading as a comment. Will, perhaps it is something to write about? Has anyone questioned your conservatism? I could imagine a person viewing Will’s history and saying, ”Looks to me like you're turning into a liberal.”. I do wonder if you've faced that.
Crazy, right? My main sticking point regards the separation of church and state. I know the answer to our problems is certainly not ”more Jesus”. That path will lead to violence.
I'm a white dude, so the Constitution was written for me. The amendments are gold and better highlight what my rock-solid rights are in our society. I simply believe that, as written, it was inevitable that others would look at these and ask, ”What about me?”. If I said, ”No, these rights are meant for me and my kind,” what would that say about me?
How is it that I find the most inspiring stories on Grumpy Combat Veteran (the +Friends factor?)? First came the letter, after which I needed to reflect before reading further. Then, another inspiring and uplifting story.
Foreign aid, broadly speaking, for humanitarian causes, is an issue that had me believing myself (for decades, really) to be a liberal. The other two are my solid pro-choice stance which dates to my teens and the simple fact that since the late 90s I've known that climate change would be the issue it is today.
I want to see this bubble get popped in a dramatic fashion before the election. People do not understand the political spectrum. Conservative does not mean authoritarian, nor does it make one a bigot. It does not mean not supporting the rights of women. It doesn't mean misrepresenting the science community. Conservatives should support the Bill of Rights, for example.
I hope that people see that Republicans are the ones who have corrupted conservatism itself. Conservative does not make one an anti-Federalist. It doesn't make a guy like me be a bigot or anti-government militia member. It doesn't make me feel like I'm in a position to dictate healthcare decisions for women, or force LGBT people back into the closet. That would be absurd on my part, when I live in a country where I have the freedom to not engage, to not read or watch these things if I so choose. I mind my own business, which is something I thought was conservative.
You're so right!! Conservatives and Republicans used to be good people. I used to be one and so was and still are my family members who I love very much. I didn't switch Parties until 2008.
Dear Aqsa,
Your beautifully written piece about Hazara Cultural Day and the remarkable Dr. Shakardokht Jafari is truly inspiring. Your words vividly capture the joy and pride of your community and celebrate the incredible achievements of a fellow Hazara woman. Your admiration for Dr. Jafari’s perseverance and success is heartwarming and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of dreams and determination.
Your aspirations to become an astronaut are equally inspiring. Your courage, vision, and pride in your heritage shine through in your writing. Keep dreaming big and sharing your voice with the world you are already making a difference.
As a writer in the space industry, it still brightens my day when I learn of young people who are interested in space. While nowhere near an astronaut, I had to do a lot of reading to get smart on the field so I could write about it intelligently (and Aqsa's writing is better than mine was at her age!). So as a starting point, I'll pass along a link to a blog page that shares the posts I've written to help English majors like me learn the right things to work for the space industry. There's other stuff there as well. I hope she finds it useful. Welcome to America, Aqsa! I hope we do right by you.
https://heroictechwriting.com/writing-for-nasa/
Dr. Rahmani's spirit and ability to protect and create her talents is inspiring, particularly give her challenges. And her work will help human beings all over the world. Please thank her. I am inspired by her spirit (as I am by another Hazara, a young pro-democracy leader and his wife who were able escape Kabul. Celebrating the Hazara people for turning their values into cation for humanity.
Glad I finally discovered your Substack after loving your articles in the Bulwark. This hits home for me, as I am applying (along with other members of my synagogue) to sponsor an extended family of 8 Afghan refugees through the State Department’s Welcome Corps program. They are currently stuck in Pakistan in pretty dire conditions, and one of the young girls is about the same age as Aqsa. I can’t wait to hear what she dreams of once she arrives in the US.
That is an amazing story written by an amazing young woman. May your ideas continue to blossom into more like this. And may you find the meeting place of your writing and your aspirations to be the first Afghan lady astronaut.
Best thing I have read in years!
I do have a question based on my screed masquerading as a comment. Will, perhaps it is something to write about? Has anyone questioned your conservatism? I could imagine a person viewing Will’s history and saying, ”Looks to me like you're turning into a liberal.”. I do wonder if you've faced that.
I'm saying this based on just this post. Anyone who has read Will more knows where he is politically.
All the time. People think I'm a liberal, which is hilarious!
Crazy, right? My main sticking point regards the separation of church and state. I know the answer to our problems is certainly not ”more Jesus”. That path will lead to violence.
I'm a white dude, so the Constitution was written for me. The amendments are gold and better highlight what my rock-solid rights are in our society. I simply believe that, as written, it was inevitable that others would look at these and ask, ”What about me?”. If I said, ”No, these rights are meant for me and my kind,” what would that say about me?