Siblings, who live abroad, didn’t respond when I reached out to them reacting to the events on Jan 6

[Anonymous]

My county was bombed by the U.S. My American SIL never once called me to ask how I was doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just got back from 3 weeks of travel plus tons of office work plus virtual school for the kids. After watching BLM vandalism, curfews broken, arson, looting, squatting and various state houses and US capital infiltrated with protestors over the years trying to stop legislation, I am desensitized.

Plus mass media wasn’t quantifying the crowd outside (usually means smallish) or inside the Capitol (“dozens” they admitted 48 hours later). They were in at 2:15 and cleared by 3:30. Loved the overly dramatic photos of the evacuation protocol and smoke canister “explosions”. Those will get some mileage.

So the unhinged emails from around the states, mainly from leftist friends or relatives were ignored. In fact, many of them still owe us a note that they received their Hannakuh card or present.

What does this have to do with anything? Sounds like many people, minus the irresponsible travel. Also, no one is obligated to respond to your Hanukkah card. “Leftist” friends? Wonder if they’d still be your friends if they knew that’s how you referred to them. You sound like a real bitch.

You think leftists get offended by being called leftist?!? Hahaha. They love it! Lmk if you need some new Instagram or Fb friends and feeds to see it for yourself!

[Anonymous]

I think OP has been overly dramatic, and the sisters are tired of it; thus the slow response from BOTH of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Similar experience, and my family members live in other large cities on the East coast. Strangely they told me they were glued to the tv all day watching events unfold but seemed to have no thoughts or caring that people living in DC would be frightened and affected by this. I don’t get it. They actually said to me “But you don’t live near Capitol Hill.” I checked on everyone I knew in NYC on 9/11. Not just people in the World Trade Center.

Wait... haven’t read the whole thread but... did you just compare Wednesday’s to the 9/11?

This is why trump won and you don’t even see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP do you live in the city of DC itself, or like...Reston?

This is so obnoxious. Like people who live in Reston can’t be scared about what’s happening to our democracy?

Disagree. It would have been foolish to be scared if you lived in Reston. As in, you simply don’t understand the world, and that’s not the op’s sisters fault.

[Anonymous]

OP- I didn’t read all the responses but do think you are overreacting. I lived overseas and people, on average, are focused on the many different things happening in the world. Not just in the US. Re: public safety it was over and most people went home. Not trying to mitigate the event at the Capitol but that was the focus. Business and homes were not burned.

That being said, I would expect a family member to text me back. If for no other reason to see if I had an inside scoop.

[Anonymous]

“ I think people who found out about it after it occurred are having a different reaction than those of us who watched it all live. DH and I watched everything from 2 pm on - ”

I agree OP. I think if you were watching it live it was extremely horrifying - and the fact that the police were doing nothing (it looked like) and then reinforcements were just NEVER coming it took so long.

I have been kind of obsessed with coverage of it for the past week. I may not have had the same reaction if I found out about it the next day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sisters both live on different continents, and I live in DC. When the events were unfolding on Jan 6th, I texted them (our usual way of contacting each other, given the time difference) in a panic with my concerns over what was happening. I texted several times between 2 and 6 pm our time that day, and again the next day reiterating that things were crazy, it get scary, etc.

Neither of them replied to me. I never expect an immediate reply, but given the circumstances, and that it was all over the news, I thought they’d respond within a couple of days. Finally yesterday I said something to them along the lines of, I understand your not replying doesn’t mean you don’t care, but it does make me sad. I was hoping to connect with you over this, you are American, etc. (both are very liberal btw)

They responded something like, sorry, we’re just busy.

I’m upset. I’m disappointed. Putting aside whether you think it’s “reasonable” for someone in my position to be scared by Wednesdays events, I reached out to them and heard nothing back. Honesty even if I hadn’t reached out to them first I would have thought they’d have heard the news and reached out to me.

Am I crazy to be hurt here?

No. Your sisters are kind of jerks. You were scared. You asked for connection to help you get through something that was scary. Your sisters ignored you. They didn't care enough to even send a 5 second text. They are the assholes here.

This. Your sisters regardless of what you texted about should have asked if you were okay emotionally since it obviously was upsetting to you. Ignore most of DCUM posters. Most of them are in failed marriages and their kids will hate them one day anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Similar experience, and my family members live in other large cities on the East coast. Strangely they told me they were glued to the tv all day watching events unfold but seemed to have no thoughts or caring that people living in DC would be frightened and affected by this. I don’t get it. They actually said to me “But you don’t live near Capitol Hill.” I checked on everyone I knew in NYC on 9/11. Not just people in the World Trade Center.

Wait... haven’t read the whole thread but... did you just compare Wednesday’s to the 9/11?

This is why trump won and you don’t even see it.

He lost. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

I know this event is really big on DCUM, but normal people in the country (and the world) have been hearing about rioting, arson, destruction, lawlessness, increased gang violence, even people getting killed in these extended “protests” (summer of love, anyone?) around the country for the past year. Frankly, I’d rather that people riot in DC than in communities that have nothing to do with politics where innocent families (many working class immigrants) were having their livelihoods destroyed by rioters.

[Anonymous]

Unless you are in personal danger, it did not require several texts to someone overseas about your fear. Overreaction. They have new lives in places removed from the US. They're probably thrilled to forget what a mess the US has become!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dad (decorated Vietnam veteran, did riot duty in DC in '68) called me practically in tears-for the state of our country and because I'm a progressive organizer and he was probably afraid I was out the streets. I think it is strange, OP, that they would at least respond with a "that sounds scary, thinking of you." This year has been really tough and I know I haven't always responded to people the way I should have.

Yes, my Dad (also a Vietnam vet) was very upset. I also think it is strange that neither of OP's sisters responded. It sounds like they're in communication overload from OP unfortunately. OP you might want to do a quick check - how many texts and emails are you sending versus how many are you receiving. A quick tally may help you see if there is an inbalance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly--I would have rolled my eyes and thought you were being over dramatic. That said--I would have responded even if I thought you were over-reacting. I'm sorry they blew you off.
Are you normally close and this was a one time thing? Are they normally dismissive? Do you send them a lot of over-wrought texts and they're tired of it? It's hard to know how to feel without more context.

(But this was nothing like 9/11. That comparison is ludicrous.)

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I think people who found out about it after it occurred are having a different reaction than those of us who watched it all live. DH and I watched everything from 2 pm on - and there was a long stretch where it seemed it would be a successful coup. We were watching I believe cnn and the newscaster started to cry on air (they cut away from her when she did).

I recognize I would have a different reaction if we hadn’t watched it all unfold, not knowing how it would end. Also, we don’t work on the hill but like many in DC have so many friends and colleagues who do.

Regardless, I’m attempting to make this not about the attack itself, as what’s hurtful is that they didn’t reply - not that they didn’t preemptively contact me.

I think I’m not melodramatic and if anything my therapist (when I used to see a therapist, before covid) would say I should be more open with my feelings to have more authentic relationships. So, that’s what I was trying to do here; and i didn’t get any response.

I live in DC. You seemed like the overly dramatic type.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't think you're a drama queen. Multiple friends of mine reached out on Wednesday to make sure my husband and I were alright.