Your feelings match mine, Deborah. I agree that we need to face the future with a cold sharp eye. May I add that the election’s outcome does not exempt those of us who oppose Trumpism from doing the best we can each day to remain sane and do our utmost to make the world a better place. There’s this thing called the Butterfly Effect. Even the smallest act affects the whole shebang. Thanks for writing this.
[Deleted my previous comment because I forgot to share my comment, and therefore your essay, as a note. I think sharing these ideas are important during this time]
I'm still reeling, still processing what the hell happened, and will be for some time. At the same time, not really shocked. I guess we were all hoping so much that we underestimated or overlooked the very real dynamics in place that would lead to this kind of takeover.
Although, I must say as most of the votes are being counted now, that gap has narrowed. It wasn't such a great red sweep. He doesn't rule... and I use "rule" deliberately instead of "govern" because that is exactly what he will do in areas he can get away with.
He doesn't have a mandate from the people.
Nonetheless, however comforting, it does not change the fact that a despot-wannabe will be in the White House with his sycophant minions. And that is a thought to be wept over.
And resisted. And fought. On as many levels as we can in the ways we can. Each of us. In ways that are right for us, in spheres where we have influence, no matter how big or small, public or heart-to-heart.
Thank you, Damian, for sharing this. We are on the same wavelength, and there are millions like us. This is important to remember, and important to realize how powerful and empowering that is. Despite the results of this election I truly believe Truth and Love are a force more powerful than hate and lies, or Trump and his minions.
Thanks for this, Deborah. On Wednesday, November 6th, I woke up to an even more confusing world than what it already was. I have no answers for what happened in our country last Tuesday. I will let others speculate on that. However, as a parent of a child who identifies as LGBTQ+ and as a teacher who works hard to ensure *every* child feels safe, seen, respected, and valued in my classroom, I worry for them and their future.
I know what you mean, Michael. I worry too. Especially for the children growing up in this world, and women who become pregnant. And Ukraine. And Gaza. Our planet. The list goes on.
Well, Deborah, you know that I see it differently. I was not jumping up and down with glee though. We are at a quite profound point in global history. The tectonic plates will be shifting. We are leaving one era and entering another. First, and quite rightly, you have faith in human nature. Secondly, and this sounds a bit like 'Well, Hitler had his good points' - Trump will utterly confuse Putin. The reason is this: Until now, the West had a game plan for dealing with Russia. It rarely worked, but at least there was a plan, something the spies could get a handle on report back. Trump does not have a plan, which means the Kremlin will not be able to game their next move. Trump is impulsive, and as the Democrats found out to their cost, completely invulnerable to their fighting strategy. In the medium term, this means that Putin will have no idea whether to encourage Trump or oppose him. Putin's strength lies in his ability to play the West and win. And just like the Democrats, he will find that all his cunnning and power is useless against someone who is mercurial and utterly unpredictable. Apart from this, I believe that there are two things you must know. The first is that people like Trump do not happen unless there is a tsunami of popular support. It is worth asking if the liberal left are in any way responsible for this. I think they are. They have routinely ignored the concerns of the populace on things like immigration. They have appeased the religion of hate. They have turned universities into academies of repression. They have manipulated the media into ignoring some home truths. Not only that, they scored an own goal by encouraging an influx of Hispanic people who have demonstrated at the ballot box that they do not want a woman telling them not to do. (This point was brought up on MSNBC) Long ago I predicted that 'woke' will eat itself; it sowed the seeds of its own destruction. The left, as I said, is an Empire and like all empires it is inherently self-destructive. There is going to be a lot of pain. But don't think about leaving the country, the country needs you. And anyway, I don't know if you noticed, but the rest of the world is going towards Trumpism, so unless you want to try Cuba, the options for a liberal progressive nirvana are limited. I really do believe that Democrats have a very important part to play in the future of America, but first they must look at their failures and work out 'what went wrong'
Thank you, Titus. You make some pertinent points. Trump's unpredictability will confuse world leaders on how to deal with him. Except with the understanding that flattering him with get them almost anything they want if it aligns with his vision of complete control of all aspects of society.
I have no plans to leave this country that I love. I have often wished the people immigrating here because of their tyrant at home would have stayed and fought for freedom and democracy in their own homelands. Had they, there would have been fewer problems at the border and more democracy in the world.
I have no illusions about the failures of the Democrats to help the working class economically. But I have no illusions about the working class either. It too has a largely patriarchal viewpoint. Many who started at the bottom of the economic ladder and reached the top exploit their workers as much as those they suffered under. Many are as greedy and self-centered as Trump or Musk--and that is their appeal for them. They want to be the next Trump or Musk.
I have no illusions about the elite academics. As part of that world I saw how colleges and universities exploited their part-time work force, paying them poverty wages, keeping their more expensive full-time instructors at a minimum. And of course, allowing much of their budget to float to the top of the ladder--the administrators.
As for woke--what does that even mean? Does it mean being awake to the fact that our economic and legal systems are skewed to favor those who are male, white, and rich? Countless statistics tell us this is true. Is it being awake to the fact that people can fall in love with and raise beautiful families even if they are not heterosexual and deserve t be able to get married and adopt children like everyone else? Does it mean being awake to the fact that some people are born in bodies with genders that feel false to them and should be allowed choose what gender they want to be considered? Does it mean being awake to the fact that police officers can be corrupt, can be cruel and unjust, can beat and kill those they have no regard for and should not have immunity from prosecution when they do so? Does it mean being awake to the fact that women should have control over their own bodies, their own reproductive systems without interference from the government?
If that's what woke means, then I'm all for it, and I think we would be living in a better, kinder, world if we all were that woke.
As for what liberal progressive nirvana would look like, it certainly wouldn't be Cuba or any form of communism. It would be what our founding fathers and mothers fought for: liberty and freedom, equal opportunity and justice under the law, for everyone, regardless of economic class, gender, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, or immigrant status.
But I agree, a new world order is at play around the world. And I would not be surprised if we enter a new dark age--for under this new order the environment will be continue to be neglected and exploited, floods and fires and hurricanes will increase exponentially, vast poverty and mass migration will follow, and the only ones surviving will be those oligarchs living at the top of the world with their mountains of riches--until the angry mob pulls them down and crushes them. Or until people who love and fight in the here and now for democracy and equality and the sanity to save our planet from the worst that is coming regain power. That is what I pray for.
Your feelings match mine, Deborah. I agree that we need to face the future with a cold sharp eye. May I add that the election’s outcome does not exempt those of us who oppose Trumpism from doing the best we can each day to remain sane and do our utmost to make the world a better place. There’s this thing called the Butterfly Effect. Even the smallest act affects the whole shebang. Thanks for writing this.
[Deleted my previous comment because I forgot to share my comment, and therefore your essay, as a note. I think sharing these ideas are important during this time]
I'm still reeling, still processing what the hell happened, and will be for some time. At the same time, not really shocked. I guess we were all hoping so much that we underestimated or overlooked the very real dynamics in place that would lead to this kind of takeover.
Although, I must say as most of the votes are being counted now, that gap has narrowed. It wasn't such a great red sweep. He doesn't rule... and I use "rule" deliberately instead of "govern" because that is exactly what he will do in areas he can get away with.
He doesn't have a mandate from the people.
Nonetheless, however comforting, it does not change the fact that a despot-wannabe will be in the White House with his sycophant minions. And that is a thought to be wept over.
And resisted. And fought. On as many levels as we can in the ways we can. Each of us. In ways that are right for us, in spheres where we have influence, no matter how big or small, public or heart-to-heart.
I'm glad I know you. ❤️
Thank you, Damian, for sharing this. We are on the same wavelength, and there are millions like us. This is important to remember, and important to realize how powerful and empowering that is. Despite the results of this election I truly believe Truth and Love are a force more powerful than hate and lies, or Trump and his minions.
Thanks for this, Deborah. On Wednesday, November 6th, I woke up to an even more confusing world than what it already was. I have no answers for what happened in our country last Tuesday. I will let others speculate on that. However, as a parent of a child who identifies as LGBTQ+ and as a teacher who works hard to ensure *every* child feels safe, seen, respected, and valued in my classroom, I worry for them and their future.
I know what you mean, Michael. I worry too. Especially for the children growing up in this world, and women who become pregnant. And Ukraine. And Gaza. Our planet. The list goes on.
Well, Deborah, you know that I see it differently. I was not jumping up and down with glee though. We are at a quite profound point in global history. The tectonic plates will be shifting. We are leaving one era and entering another. First, and quite rightly, you have faith in human nature. Secondly, and this sounds a bit like 'Well, Hitler had his good points' - Trump will utterly confuse Putin. The reason is this: Until now, the West had a game plan for dealing with Russia. It rarely worked, but at least there was a plan, something the spies could get a handle on report back. Trump does not have a plan, which means the Kremlin will not be able to game their next move. Trump is impulsive, and as the Democrats found out to their cost, completely invulnerable to their fighting strategy. In the medium term, this means that Putin will have no idea whether to encourage Trump or oppose him. Putin's strength lies in his ability to play the West and win. And just like the Democrats, he will find that all his cunnning and power is useless against someone who is mercurial and utterly unpredictable. Apart from this, I believe that there are two things you must know. The first is that people like Trump do not happen unless there is a tsunami of popular support. It is worth asking if the liberal left are in any way responsible for this. I think they are. They have routinely ignored the concerns of the populace on things like immigration. They have appeased the religion of hate. They have turned universities into academies of repression. They have manipulated the media into ignoring some home truths. Not only that, they scored an own goal by encouraging an influx of Hispanic people who have demonstrated at the ballot box that they do not want a woman telling them not to do. (This point was brought up on MSNBC) Long ago I predicted that 'woke' will eat itself; it sowed the seeds of its own destruction. The left, as I said, is an Empire and like all empires it is inherently self-destructive. There is going to be a lot of pain. But don't think about leaving the country, the country needs you. And anyway, I don't know if you noticed, but the rest of the world is going towards Trumpism, so unless you want to try Cuba, the options for a liberal progressive nirvana are limited. I really do believe that Democrats have a very important part to play in the future of America, but first they must look at their failures and work out 'what went wrong'
Thank you, Titus. You make some pertinent points. Trump's unpredictability will confuse world leaders on how to deal with him. Except with the understanding that flattering him with get them almost anything they want if it aligns with his vision of complete control of all aspects of society.
I have no plans to leave this country that I love. I have often wished the people immigrating here because of their tyrant at home would have stayed and fought for freedom and democracy in their own homelands. Had they, there would have been fewer problems at the border and more democracy in the world.
I have no illusions about the failures of the Democrats to help the working class economically. But I have no illusions about the working class either. It too has a largely patriarchal viewpoint. Many who started at the bottom of the economic ladder and reached the top exploit their workers as much as those they suffered under. Many are as greedy and self-centered as Trump or Musk--and that is their appeal for them. They want to be the next Trump or Musk.
I have no illusions about the elite academics. As part of that world I saw how colleges and universities exploited their part-time work force, paying them poverty wages, keeping their more expensive full-time instructors at a minimum. And of course, allowing much of their budget to float to the top of the ladder--the administrators.
As for woke--what does that even mean? Does it mean being awake to the fact that our economic and legal systems are skewed to favor those who are male, white, and rich? Countless statistics tell us this is true. Is it being awake to the fact that people can fall in love with and raise beautiful families even if they are not heterosexual and deserve t be able to get married and adopt children like everyone else? Does it mean being awake to the fact that some people are born in bodies with genders that feel false to them and should be allowed choose what gender they want to be considered? Does it mean being awake to the fact that police officers can be corrupt, can be cruel and unjust, can beat and kill those they have no regard for and should not have immunity from prosecution when they do so? Does it mean being awake to the fact that women should have control over their own bodies, their own reproductive systems without interference from the government?
If that's what woke means, then I'm all for it, and I think we would be living in a better, kinder, world if we all were that woke.
As for what liberal progressive nirvana would look like, it certainly wouldn't be Cuba or any form of communism. It would be what our founding fathers and mothers fought for: liberty and freedom, equal opportunity and justice under the law, for everyone, regardless of economic class, gender, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, or immigrant status.
But I agree, a new world order is at play around the world. And I would not be surprised if we enter a new dark age--for under this new order the environment will be continue to be neglected and exploited, floods and fires and hurricanes will increase exponentially, vast poverty and mass migration will follow, and the only ones surviving will be those oligarchs living at the top of the world with their mountains of riches--until the angry mob pulls them down and crushes them. Or until people who love and fight in the here and now for democracy and equality and the sanity to save our planet from the worst that is coming regain power. That is what I pray for.
I suspect we both want the same thing.
Thanks for this, Deborah.
You are welcome, Russell. I know we are on the same page politically. I wish our new now was your New Now. Maybe we can still make it so.