Yes, I got the bizarre letter from SSA.gov. I thought it was spam, but no...! Disturbing that even the Social Security Administration is overtly politicized.
I, too, got the message from Social Security. It was appalling that they’re using our official government agencies as a propaganda machine for Trump. I wrote back, but of course my message was undelivered because the site is not attended by a person. This should scare people….. this is how they’re going to try to make this big bogus bill of theirs seem like it’s helping the American public, which is the exact opposite unless you’re a billionaire. Today I’m flying my flag upside down. I can only wonder what my dad who parachuted into France during the Normandy beach invasion would counsel me now.
I’m very concerned. Do you happen to follow anyone here on Substack who is giving good info about specifics of how the Ice/ mass deportation will function exactly?
I don’t think anyone knows (even ICE which is making it up as they go along). I would follow Steve Vladeck for legal analysis and the aclu for know your rights types stuff, plus Dara Lind on immigration policy.
Good point! I’m concerned about racist people contacting bounty hunters every time they see a brown person.I would love info on this too, if anyone has it. Thank you, David, I will follow the people you mentioned.
I too got the email from the Social Security Administration and found it reprehensible. There is no bottom to the lies, arrogance and stupidity of people willing to please Trump
Thank you for your spot on analysis. I have two comments I’d like to add. The first is that the use of masked ICE officers and the camps to frighten people is similar to what happened in the late 30s in Germany to the Jews with the jackbooted thugs!
The second point is about your use of the term “existential threat”. First, I think we should stop using that term as I believe most people don’t really understand what it means, and unfortunately, we are already there…
Thank you for bringing up the misleading email from the head of Social Security I got today as a Social Security recipient. I hadn’t seen this mentioned elsewhere. I’m worried that so many seniors will be disappointed in the recent bill’s actual outcome.
Just finished the book. Making my extremely talented niece read it as she enters medical school.
From my perspective, given the disorientation that the current political climate induces, Drowning is an out loud laugh, Laughing is not to be underestimated in this day and age.
The SSA.gov document was what we learned growing up was a "baldface lie." And yes, it made me angry, and alarmed, but what do we expect when the best answer Republican members of Congress can say is they "have concerns" and then vote yes anyway for every atrocious nominee who knows nothing about the agency or responsibility for which he or she has been tasked?
Now about It's Only Drowning, I have 4 chapters left to finish. I could have read it faster, but it is my current read before I go to sleep, and 1 or 2 chapters a night is just right. It is funny, fun, and I have learned more about surfing than I will ever need to know, but knowing things and understanding things you do not necessarily need to know can be adapted for transferring to other settings. I am now in what I would call "the meat of it" as far as common ground and those differences that tend to polarize, including of course, in my own family. I will finish those few chapters over the weekend and get back to a final assessment!
I am in my 80's and I did not receive a message from "Social Security" saying how the new bill would save me money. It may be because she is in the republican database. I have a now unused gmail email address which was a very common name ie Mary-------@gmail and I got tons of email from other careless "Mary's". One of which was a staunch republican and the misinformation and lies she got was unbelievable. I notified these folks if it was important ie family or business news. This "Mary's" daughter was so thankful but her mother was convinced that it was spam. I also got multiple daily emails from the republicans.
We both received the same letter. While we won’t benefit from the changes to social security being taxed, it is one of the few positive changes in a terrible bill. The email was totally unnecessary and rubs salt into a wound on the big terrible bill.
We loved your book in so many ways. Mazel Tov on your perseverance and ability to overcome your fears and grow.
I've been binge listening to your book today (I've made it to chapter 8 so far) and resonate with the emotional state between melancholy and depression, the bafflement at logic that takes one eight steps in one direction and then pivots hard, and the hilarious truth of being summed up by a teenager.
It feels important that we not get stuck back into that mental/emotional space that took you to surfing in the first place. That's something I'm really thinking about on this day in particular.
I’m so glad you’re liking it - week one I had to exclusively recommend the hardcover but tbh recording the audiobook was really fun and I’m so happy with how it turned out!
The good news is that I have both the hard copy and the audio - we are reading it for my book club and it's harder for me to discuss without a paper copy. Also, that's the game, right?
Thanks for reading the audio. Gym guffaws worth it.
Yes, I got the bizarre letter from SSA.gov. I thought it was spam, but no...! Disturbing that even the Social Security Administration is overtly politicized.
I, too, got the message from Social Security. It was appalling that they’re using our official government agencies as a propaganda machine for Trump. I wrote back, but of course my message was undelivered because the site is not attended by a person. This should scare people….. this is how they’re going to try to make this big bogus bill of theirs seem like it’s helping the American public, which is the exact opposite unless you’re a billionaire. Today I’m flying my flag upside down. I can only wonder what my dad who parachuted into France during the Normandy beach invasion would counsel me now.
I think you’re understating the danger of this camp in Florida. It is about to be used on American citizens. Ice is about to grow by a factor of 10.
I’m very concerned. Do you happen to follow anyone here on Substack who is giving good info about specifics of how the Ice/ mass deportation will function exactly?
I don’t think anyone knows (even ICE which is making it up as they go along). I would follow Steve Vladeck for legal analysis and the aclu for know your rights types stuff, plus Dara Lind on immigration policy.
Good point! I’m concerned about racist people contacting bounty hunters every time they see a brown person.I would love info on this too, if anyone has it. Thank you, David, I will follow the people you mentioned.
I too got the email from the Social Security Administration and found it reprehensible. There is no bottom to the lies, arrogance and stupidity of people willing to please Trump
Thank you for your spot on analysis. I have two comments I’d like to add. The first is that the use of masked ICE officers and the camps to frighten people is similar to what happened in the late 30s in Germany to the Jews with the jackbooted thugs!
The second point is about your use of the term “existential threat”. First, I think we should stop using that term as I believe most people don’t really understand what it means, and unfortunately, we are already there…
Thank you for bringing up the misleading email from the head of Social Security I got today as a Social Security recipient. I hadn’t seen this mentioned elsewhere. I’m worried that so many seniors will be disappointed in the recent bill’s actual outcome.
I’m over 65, received the email, and was horrified. What a blatant piece of propaganda. Directly from a department of our government. I am appalled.
Just finished the book. Making my extremely talented niece read it as she enters medical school.
From my perspective, given the disorientation that the current political climate induces, Drowning is an out loud laugh, Laughing is not to be underestimated in this day and age.
Joan H.
Thanks Joan!
I just read the chapter where you stayed so late on the wintery beach that you were alone and then in trouble! DAVID!!!!
The SSA.gov document was what we learned growing up was a "baldface lie." And yes, it made me angry, and alarmed, but what do we expect when the best answer Republican members of Congress can say is they "have concerns" and then vote yes anyway for every atrocious nominee who knows nothing about the agency or responsibility for which he or she has been tasked?
Now about It's Only Drowning, I have 4 chapters left to finish. I could have read it faster, but it is my current read before I go to sleep, and 1 or 2 chapters a night is just right. It is funny, fun, and I have learned more about surfing than I will ever need to know, but knowing things and understanding things you do not necessarily need to know can be adapted for transferring to other settings. I am now in what I would call "the meat of it" as far as common ground and those differences that tend to polarize, including of course, in my own family. I will finish those few chapters over the weekend and get back to a final assessment!
Thanks for today's encouragement.
Thanks Susan - and glad you’re liking it so far!
I am in my 80's and I did not receive a message from "Social Security" saying how the new bill would save me money. It may be because she is in the republican database. I have a now unused gmail email address which was a very common name ie Mary-------@gmail and I got tons of email from other careless "Mary's". One of which was a staunch republican and the misinformation and lies she got was unbelievable. I notified these folks if it was important ie family or business news. This "Mary's" daughter was so thankful but her mother was convinced that it was spam. I also got multiple daily emails from the republicans.
Check your Junk mail folder.
The book is very, very funny - and we all need laughter now!
I'm not 65 (close, but not there yet!) and I don't yet draw social security benefits, but I received that email also. It made me sick.
We both received the same letter. While we won’t benefit from the changes to social security being taxed, it is one of the few positive changes in a terrible bill. The email was totally unnecessary and rubs salt into a wound on the big terrible bill.
We loved your book in so many ways. Mazel Tov on your perseverance and ability to overcome your fears and grow.
I've been binge listening to your book today (I've made it to chapter 8 so far) and resonate with the emotional state between melancholy and depression, the bafflement at logic that takes one eight steps in one direction and then pivots hard, and the hilarious truth of being summed up by a teenager.
It feels important that we not get stuck back into that mental/emotional space that took you to surfing in the first place. That's something I'm really thinking about on this day in particular.
I’m so glad you’re liking it - week one I had to exclusively recommend the hardcover but tbh recording the audiobook was really fun and I’m so happy with how it turned out!
The good news is that I have both the hard copy and the audio - we are reading it for my book club and it's harder for me to discuss without a paper copy. Also, that's the game, right?
Thanks for reading the audio. Gym guffaws worth it.
I'm a senior and I didn't get an email.