3 Years Around the World

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I Am So Sorry, World

Day 555: April 8, 2026 – At Sea, along Australian coast

Some of us Americans on this journey hoped that being physically away from the U.S. would shield us from the chaos engulfing our country. Instead, I find myself apologizing a lot, navigating the shame and embarrassment I feel about this lunatic who is destroying our world.

People in the countries we visit are often hesitant to bring up politics, especially those who wonder if I am aligned with Trump. But many are curious, and as soon as I give them the opportunity to do so, they are full of questions. Their reaction is one of bewilderment. Why, they ask. When will this end? What is wrong with him? What has happened to America? Why did you vote for him?

I don’t have answers. I have only horror watching my country being taken over by a deranged lunatic. Everything he touches is destroyed: our art, science, nature, community, lives. He turns friends into enemies. He has no qualms about forcefully taking what he wants – whether that’s women or countries or buildings. Threatening to destroy civilizations. And his actions are having a devastating ripple effect around the world.

To those of you who believe that “never talking politics” is an admirable indication of restraint, my answer is (to quote Audre Lorde) your silence will not protect you. We are past the time of being polite or silent. This is not politics. It is life. It makes me sick to my stomach that convicted felon, sexual predator, world terrorist, pathological liar are words associated with the person in charge of my country. And if you continue to make excuses for him, you are complicit in the destruction.

As I make my way around the world and struggle to deal with the global bewilderment, all I have to offer is this: I am so sorry, World. I hope someday you will be able to trust us again.

20 responses to “I Am So Sorry, World”
  1. Michal Anne Pepper Avatar
    Michal Anne Pepper

    Given the level of destruction to our economy (and thereby the world’s economy), I am afraid there is no place to hide.

    Reply
  2. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    Thank you for your eloquent apology. I have never been so ashamed to be an American.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Sometimes when people ask where I’m from I’m tempted to say Poland (which is true) ’cause I just don’t want to be linked in any way with this destruction.

      Reply
  3. Ron Walker Avatar
    Ron Walker

    Well said, and thank you for advocating for what I believe is the majority of us.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Thanks Ron. I know it’s true for the majority of people in my circle. What is bewildering is that it may not be the majority of Americans, since so many voted him in. The only encouraging thing is that at least some seem to be having buyer’s remorse.

      Reply
  4. Tereska R Buko Avatar
    Tereska R Buko

    Kochana Basiu, your mom and my parents would be crushed if they were still alive. Everyday I think, “this can’t get worse.” And then every tomorrow proves me wrong. I think of my grandkids….. what will be left for them. So we are all asking, “How did it get to this point?” Of course, not overnight, and not all at once. It starts with a suggestion, a thought, and a toe in the door. The orange man might be in total dementia and insanity – but, my question, why are so many willing to march into hell for him? Men who are probably fathers of girls who could be raped; fathers of boys who could be killed in illegal worlds. Nazis were eventually run out of our Poland. I am hoping enough common-sense people will run the new Nazis out of America. Sierra and I always apologized to Canadians when we encounter them here in Vermont. They always say we know it’s not you – that’s little comfort as we feel helpless to stop this madness. Hang in there. Sending love.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Yes, they would be crushed indeed. And yes the real question is why do so many support him? He wouldn’t have this power to destroy if so many hadn’t voted him in.

      Reply
  5. Margret Avatar
    Margret

    Thank you Basia! I also encounter the same, as my siblings and class mates live in Germany and especially my radical catholic all-girls school classmates are VERY politically engaged. They cannot understand that a large swath of this country is virtually comatose and politically and otherwise uneducated. I appreciate your engagement with the wider world!

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Thanks Margret.

      Reply
  6. Wanted to Just read travel articles Avatar
    Wanted to Just read travel articles

    “I want them to understand that, because it does mean that they have to look very carefully at their society. Because whatever stage of development they might be in their nuclear weapons program in the next ten years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.” -Hillary Clinton

    The media has people in total TDS. I am sorry you have been so misinformed.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      And I am sorry that you are so deeply entrenched in the cult that you are blind to everything going on around you. Just unfollow/unfriend me and go elsewhere. I don’t need your toxic nonsense in my space.

      Reply
    2. Gordon Dow Avatar
      Gordon Dow

      It doesn’t take the media to let people see what a dangerous clown the American people have as their president. Basia’s excellent words some up very eloquently how most people feel about Trump, certainly here in the U.K., in Europe and indeed in the USA according to the polls. The sooner he goes the better for everyone.

      Reply
  7. Christine Barry Avatar
    Christine Barry

    Thanks for promoting the right message. It’s painful to think how people must be hating our country and maybe not realizing how hard it is for us to be here going mad watching this massive political machinery standing behind this hateful megalomaniac. We’re going mad, bombarded with it daily. The protests are loud and often, but we feel so powerless.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      I am so appreciative of the protests, as I watch them from afar. The protesters are my heroes.

      Reply
  8. Denise Doris Avatar
    Denise Doris

    Basia,
    And here I was envying your travels, wishing I could be in your shoes… anyplace but here! I mused, what good planning on your part. I honestly never thought about what you might be enduring as you traveled the world. I guess it’s painful and gut wrenching irrespective of your location to watch the country be destroyed. Stay strong and keep traveling for as long as you can. It’s ugly up in here!!

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      These days his actions are having such a global impact, it’s almost impossible to escape, no matter where you go.

      Reply
  9. Alison Hilton Avatar
    Alison Hilton

    Amen.

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Indeed.

      Reply
  10. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    I admire you for not only speaking your truth, but for also speaking THE truth!

    Those of us still in the (not) United States (thankfully I’m in the middle of the Pacific Ocean), live with the horror daily.

    I never thought in my lifetime I would see such radical swings in politics and religion. Having escaped a family who were involved with the John Birch Society, campaigned for George Wallace, members of Jim & Tammy Bakers scam, etc.

    The only thing keeping me here is Medicare, and it is going to hell along with everything else.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Basia Avatar
      Basia

      Thanks for the support, Dawn.

      Reply

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