Author’s preface: This began as a post on Facebook. But the ideals outlined below apply to all of my social interactions, online and off. And because, a) not everybody who reads Stonekettle Station or follows me on Twitter subscribes to my Facebook page, and b) my Facebook page is subject to continuous attack by those who violently disagree with my viewpoint and my right to express such and therefor commenting is perforce limited to less than 5% of the people who follow me there, and because c) there is no such limitation here, I’m reposting this here on Stonekettle Station, expanded from the original Facebook post. // Jim
Let us make a resolution.
Let us resolve, in the coming year, to be the people we believe ourselves to be.
It won’t be easy, but then nothing worth doing ever is.
Let us resolve:
1. Trump will be president.
All alternate options are now exhausted. Short of his abnegation or unexpected demise, Donald Trump will be president of the United States.
Whether or not Trump should be the president is irrelevant.
Whether or not the opposition could have run a better candidate is irrelevant.
Whether or not Trump lost the popular election is irrelevant.
The wisdom and merits of the Electoral College (or not) are irrelevant.
This is our Vietnam, we won all the battles, but we lost the war. Trump will be the president.
As such, I ask that you stop sending me scenarios describing far-fetched, impossible ideas for [insert alternate of your choice here] to become president in his stead. That's not going to happen and I'm sick of being polite while people waste my time with it. Stop it. Please.
The simply truth of the matter is this: We need to face reality. And that reality is Donald Trump will be president.
2. Trump is not going to abdicate.
Whether or not Donald Trump "really wants to be president" is irrelevant.
Donald Trump is many things. And there are many things he unfortunately is not. But one thing is certain, Donald Trump is pathologically incapable of not accepting the office as his due.
Donald Trump if left to his own devices, will be president. He will not reject the office.
As such, stop entertaining fantasies suggesting that he might. He won’t. Face it.
2a. Tell you what, if he does resign the office, you may crow about it then and I will eat that crow, raw and kicking. And I will do it publicly and I will tell everybody that you told me so.
3. Do not wish for Trump's untimely demise in my presence.
I shouldn't have to explain why.
4. It's Trump. And it's going to be PRESIDENT Trump.
Yes, I know that pains you.
Yes, I know you hate the idea.
But after eight years of Oblamo, Obummer, Oh No Mo, Nobama, Obama bin Lyin, Obie, Barry, and whatever idiotic childish diminutive Conservatives managed to slap on President Obama in an attempt to delegitimize him, I refuse to resort to similar juvenile behavior.
And I think you should too.
Somebody has to be the grownup in the room and it's obviously not going to be Republicans.
So that leaves us.
I'm not telling you what to do on your own social media pages or in your own life, but I would appreciate it if you'd stick to "Trump" here.
4a. Please stop using "Drumpf."
Folks, I know some of you are really attached to that supposed insult. But it just sounds stupid. More, it is an unconscious repudiation of what we – those of us who believe in the right to define yourself – are supposed to stand for.
We tell ourselves every American has a right to define themselves, to define their own identity, and we will accept it, gay, straight, trans, queer, undecided, conservative, liberal, religion, that’s our right. We decide who we are. That’s what we tell ourselves. Some of you would come at me with both barrels if I insisted on using “Bradley” instead of “Chelsea” to describe former Army Private Manning, because in your mind even a disgraced soldier and convicted criminal who betrayed her country has the right to define who she is. And I agree with you.
My own Dutch and Irish ancestors anglicized their own (unpronounceable) surnames when they arrived here during the Potato Famine. A lot of immigrants did.
It's time to let this go.
4b. Guessing here, but I estimate that I've been called a "libtard" at least a dozen times today. That's probably the politest thing I've been called since a bunch of openly admitted racists have apparently gotten my number. Yay. So, Libtard.
Sounds stupid, doesn’t it?
Libtard. It sounds stupid even if you don’t say it out loud and it sounds even more booger-eating gap-toothed shirtless overall-wearing ignorant when you do.
Folks, that's what you sound like when you use "rethuglicans" and "conservatards" and ...
Just, stop. Please.
5. It's Melania. It's going to be First Lady Melania Trump.
I can't say I admire her taste in men or her choice of careers, but it's not up to me.
She's never done anything wrong to me. I have absolutely no reason to attack this woman personally. Likely neither do you.
Whether or not you find her attractive matters not one iota in any way whatsoever. Whether or not Donald and Melania find each other attractive or whether they are simply engaged in a business relationship is as irrelevant as speculation by conservatives regarding the Clintons’ marriage. I don’t know. I don’t care. I doubt you could make me see how it matters in any way important to me.
Look here, either we are the people we say we are, or we're not.
Either we are, or we aren’t. There's no gray area.
After eight years of watching Conservatives level every vile form of attack at Michelle Obama, every racist insult, every misogynist sneer, every attempt at body and identity shaming, I refuse to resort to similar behavior.
I refuse.
Again, I'm not telling you what to do on your own social media pages or in your own lives, but here I would appreciate it if you'd dispense with any tendency to slut-shaming and body/gender/identity based insults with regard to Melania Trump or the Trump children.
5a. NOTE: If Donald Trump's adult children become part of his government, or otherwise affect us as a nation, they are obviously then legitimate targets of public criticism.
Those of Trump’s adult children who are part of his transition team have made themselves legitimate targets of public criticism. Certainly. Just as adult Chelsea Clinton or Bristol Palin made themselves when they stepped into the public spotlight. I’m not arguing that at all. But that criticism is for their actions, not because they are somebody’s kids – with the caveat that nepotism is a legitimate criticism in certain cases – the Trump administration for example.
Trump’s underage kid is not a legitimate target.
I shouldn't have to explain why. Again either we are the people we say we are or we're not.
6. If you're an American, Donald Trump is going to be your president.
Yes, he is going to be your president.
Yes, I know a number of you pedantic bastards are going to argue the semantics of it. I would be disappointed if you didn’t.
But, just as Barack Obama was your president and the president of conservatives whether they liked it or not, Trump is going to be your president. If you're an American, if you believe in law and the Constitution and America, then you accept the results of the election (and if you don't believe in those things, then why does it matter to you who is president?).
Trump will be your president.
Our president.
It galls me as much as it likely does you, but refusing to face that unpleasant truth doesn't change the truth. It was childish when conservatives did it, it's childish when liberals do it. And as I noted up above, somebody has to be the adult, either it’s you or it’s not. Make your choice.
Trump is going to be be our president, we’re responsible for him and for what he does to our country whether you voted for him or not. Take ownership and demand he be held to account.
That’s a responsibility of citizenship in this Republic.
That's how America works.
So what am I saying here?
Am I saying I'm throwing in with Donald Trump? That he’s my president? That I stand behind him no matter what? Is that it?
No.
Hell no.
I stand foursquare against this guy and nearly everything he represents and I will continue to do so until I no longer have the means to resist.
Because that too is a responsibility of citizenship.
What I'm saying is this:
Either we are the people we say we are, or we are not
And if we are to be the people we say we are, that we want to be, then that requires we not resort to the behavior we despise.
We must hold fast to fact-based and fact-checked reality.
After eight tedious years of one wild-assed glassy-eye conspiracy theory after another, after nearly a decade of endless birthers and a parade of truthers and more goddamned lame-ass Benghazi reboots than the Batman franchise, after robot alien reptiles in rubber human suits, after Obama is a Muslim, Obama is gay, Obama went to Mars (no really, there are people who believe the CIA teleported Obama to Mars as a teenager, twice, and those silly sons of bitches write me letters), Obama killed Antonin Scalia, Obama has 39 different Social Security numbers, Obama secretly worships Satan, Obama is going to invade Texas, Obama was adopted, Obama's wife is a man, Obama's kids were stolen from Africa (because Obama's wife is a man), Obama is a commie, Obama is a Nazi, Obama refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Obama is a time traveling super-villain here to gayify white Christian babies with his Magic Negro Ray of Chocolate Mojo, and etcetera, and etcetera, and etcetera up to the part where conservatives are actually floating the idea Obama is conspiring with Hillary Clinton to kidnap kids for some world-spanning Soros-funded pedophile wholesaler operating out of a pizza joint in Washington D.C (which they've figured out from "clues" they "deciphered" by reading John Podesta's emails which were stolen by Russians and fenced via an international criminal organization run by a guy who actually is wanted on sexual assault charges), after 8 years of that, let's not resort to the same defective Creation-Science based reasoning here. Please.
Let's focus on the things that matter.
Let's try not to repeat every unsupported bit of wild rumor and unhinged conspiracy theory that comes along.
Trump is grossly unprepared for the job, Trump is a big enough problem, he's creating big enough problems, without us inventing stuff on top of it. So don't.
Check your facts.
Check your memes.
Check you sources.
Check your reasoning.
Logical speculation and extrapolation based on history is one thing, wild conspiracy theory is another.
We have to be the people we want to be – otherwise there is no point. And it's hard, being that person. No doubt. But the things in life most worthwhile usually are.
If you lay claim to the moral high ground, then you have to hold the moral high ground.
So, in 2017, let us resolve to be the people we want to be.
Let us stand together against the fall of night.
And let us always remember history is on our side if only we have the fortitude to see it through.
Thank you for this, Jim. Especially the bit about the juvenile name calling. Twisting and distorting someone's name as an insult is something 3rd graders do to bully. It's not rational discourse. I immediately discounted the intelligence and/or rationality of those who did it with Obama and I refuse to descend to that level with Trump.
ReplyDeleteMy own personal level of rebellion, such as it is, is that I refuse to call him President Trump. I realize he will be the President of the US and technically that makes him my President. I get that. And I will always use his name - Trump or Donald Trump or sometimes Donald - but I won't give him the respect of the office that he is going to profane and demean.
I suspect most people will neither notice or care about my little personal act of civil disobedience, but it makes me feel better. Some.
I'm with you. I simply cannot put those two words together in one phrase. Not after we've seen what real dignity in office looks like.
DeleteI always called George W. Bush, Mr. Bush. Thus, it will be with Mr. Trump.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis sums up my feelings. I can be respectful in your house, and most of your attitude mirrors my own. However, Trump has expressed attitudes and opinions which firmly place him as an enemy of the Constitution, and I cannot bring myself to laud someone who does that as my President. It's a good thing I'm no longer active duty.
DeleteGood words. Wish I could comment on your fb...
DeleteYes, it's childish, but I will simply refer to him as tRump.
DeleteIt's better than the 5 minute profane description ending in "asshole" I'd like to use, and gets the idea across.
I have never hoped to be so wrong in my life, but I'm pretty sure he's going to figuratively shit on anyone not a white millionaire (and probably some of those that are "poor"). And those rich enough had better stock up well, money isn't nutritious.
I agree with you on not calling trump president. I never will. That too is my little bit of rebellion.
DeleteDuring my very brief stint among the military (which constituted one semester of ROTC, hardly long enough to learn how to salute), I persisted in addressing officers by their rank, and not as "Sir." Which was insolence, of course, but as I was a 17 year old male, insolence was rather the nature of the beast.
Delete-- Eric Hammer
I won't use the title "President" to preface his name. It will just be Trump.
DeleteI think there will be enough room to criticize policy without having to resort to name calling with a Trump presidency.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we need to stay alert and honest and call them as we see them!
He is a dishonest, shallow man who has questionable business practices that impact his ability to be fair honest, transparent and ethical as POTUS.
We need to be vigilant as a people and protect our rights as citizens, custodians of this world/environment and people of the whole planet, not just of the US.
Well said, but I'm will continue to petition any and all deities for his swift impeachment.
ReplyDeleteOh please, don't impeach him. That would leave us with President Pence, a conservative bigot who thinks more Jesus is the answer to every problem. Trump might be a conman with the no morals, but at least if public sentiment changes so will his stance on just about everything we're worried about. Pence on the other hand would insist on going down in a blaze of religious glory.
DeleteAmen, Ruth.
DeleteTrump is the cockroach-elect until he is the cockroach-in-chief. In your self-righteous presence, Mr. Wright, I Wish for the death of the cockroach-elect.
DeleteJohn Ward, while you're certainly entitled to your opinion I'd rather be wrong my way than yours. At least I can look myself in the mirror and my son in the eye.
DeleteDamn, Jim.... just when we thought all was lost, you come on board, salute the flag and remind us of our better selves. We've all wallowed in the mud so long we've mostly forgotten who we were, or wanted to be, when this fracas all started. Thanks for the lift back up. -- cheers...Bob
DeleteGreat summation of an essay we need to take to heart, no matter how difficult it will be. We will all be better in the end for the effort. (Thank you, Jim Wright, for being a lighthouse in the darkness.)
DeleteI would only point out that the tear down worked. As much as I loathe it, and as much as it was bullshit, it worked. From a distance I can admire the realpolitik of the tactic and acknowledge it was effective, even though it was based in bullshit. My big question then, why preemptively take that tool out of the toolbox? Ideals are good. So is success. Right now my ideals are cold comfort with January 20th looming.
ReplyDeleteCan you define "success" for me? Because a world where liberals do all the things we despise about conservatives doesn't sound like much of a success to me. Certainly not one I would fight for.
DeleteSuccess as in moving the legislative and political arguments in a direction they want. There's a kind of squeamishness to dirty our hands in liberal circles I don't quite get. It's stretching the metaphor a bit, but once someone is hitting you in the face, you are in a fight whether or not you believe in violence. Socially/politicallly we are in a fight. The "loyal opposition" has demonstrated they are willing to bring a gun to this knife fight. Why aren't we? Because we are better than them? Cold comfort to rape victims who will be losing abortion access, or people who are about to lose their healthcare, (I could go on for a bit). I'm pretty sure those people could give a damn less about how the fight was won to protect those things.
DeleteWe cannot argue with the success of these tactics, true. But what has been successful will not always be what is successful. If we lower ourselves to their tactics, then liberals become indistinguishable from conservatives, and there is no incentive for people to believe that we would do things any differently than conservatives.
DeleteIf anything, we should be doing the opposite of what they are doing. We should be reaching out and being kind to conservatives. We should be searching for the things we have in common - and there are things we have in common. We should be drawing conservatives in, trying to understand what they have to say rather then denigrating it. To do otherwise is to continue the polarization that has lead us to elect a buffoon as our president. The single most important thing that each of us can do is to actively pursue amicable conversations with people who don't share our views. It isn't easy. They don't trust us and we don't trust them. But the only way we win back the country is to understand what is important to them and be as empathetic as possible.
People want to feel heard. People want to be liked. Liberals are supposed to be the empaths of the political spectrum. Let's do what we say we do: be open-minded. There are huge swaths of Trump voters who didn't vote for him because of his racist statements, but because they have consistently been screwed by both Dems and Repubs, and they thought that they guy who was hated by both parties had to be good for them. They were wrong. Their dream is going to be shattered very quickly, and we need to be there sincerely listening to them, not insulting them. Only in that way can we help them to see the ways in which their lives would be better in a Sanders vision of life than a conservative one.
There are times for empathy. There are times to turn the other cheek. I do not think this is that time. Ms. Grant where has your philosophy gotten us? Since 2001 when the SCOTUS installed GWB as POTUS, politically we have lost the war though winning almost every battle. If we continue on the path you subscribe we may continue to win battles in the majority of hearts and minds but we will lose in the grandiose halls of governance as our elected institutions do not give a damn what you think. Either we learn to fight with everything we have or we lay down, show our bellies and piss ourselves.
DeleteNever Give Up, Never Surrender, 3 yards and a cloud of dust. I can be killed but I can never be beaten.
I agree. I suck at resolutions but I will try to stick to this one. Thank you for leading by example.
ReplyDeleteThank you for calling out the slut-shaming, misogyny, and disgraceful attacks on a minor child who surely has a hard enough road. I am disabled that it is mostly my gay male friends who post slut-shaming memes about Melanie.
ReplyDeleteAnd I shouldn't have to explain that.
If it makes you feel any better, my fellow liberals are just as bad. Their denigrating of her is no different from how the fright wingers have disparaged Michelle Obama over the years. I've left a variation of this comment on more than one occasion: ". . . as I've said so many times, I refuse to get into bashing the future First Lady. Any woman who has been in an abusive, controlling marriage should recognize that she isn't allowed to have a single thought to call her own. To think that she has any influence over that p.o.s. she's married to is being naive to the nth degree. I also don't give a rat's ass what she did in her past life. That was BT and it was in Europe where, thank God, most people have a much healthier attitude toward the human body. You can rest assured she will get nothing from this man in the way of appreciation or praise."
DeleteTheir being gay has nothing to do with their antics. I shouldn't have to explain that either. You might want to re-evaluate the characters of the people you be-friend before you insinuate that one common denominator is the determinant of their ugliness. Not a single one of my gay friends has posted a slut-shaming comment about the next First Lady.
DeleteWho cares where it was and if it was before she met him and what view of nudity is currently popular? The point is that it's a crappy way to judge anyone be they make or female.
DeleteI couldn't care less that Melania posed nude. What I WILL, however continue to bring up, is the massive hypocrisy of the right going ballistic when Michelle had the GALL to show her shoulders (! hellfire and damnation, the Rapture is near!), while not a peep about full body exposure by Melania.
Deletetalonts - I'm with you on that. I don't care what the current Mrs. Trump did. She was/is an attractive woman who did what thousands of other beautiful women do. Her pictures don't bother me and I do have a bit of sympathy for her (strange as that may seem).
DeleteBut, I will not stand by while "evangelicals" who criticized the current FLOTUS for wearing a dress that bared her shoulders but have not one bit of comment for Mrs. Trump's pictures.
I will continue to point out their hypocrisy.
Yes, accept the things I cannot change and refrain from name calling, no problem but cannot and will not address him as "President Trump" or his clan as "First family". It's going to be Trump and family! He and his policies will be watched every step of the way because we owe it to the other half of this country and to democracy to not let him or his elected cabinet take away our rights and our freedom!
ReplyDeleteWell, as long as we're willing to be eaten alive, with our feeble good intentions and weak-willed ankle-grabbing.
ReplyDeleteThese are all good things NOT to do, but there's so much more to be said on the subject of necessary reaction. There are things that MUST be done, and very little of it is lame-ass petitions or protests.
We are engaged in a war, with an enemy that has already proven willing to roll over us, to spit on our institutions, to hug traitors to their breasts and to sneer at our lives and livelihoods. I think this is all going to get unbelievably nasty, and I'm not sure it's fixable.
So criticism and fighting back only comes from saying things like Drumpf? I think you have missed the point.
DeleteHow much respect do you have to give, when Trump gloates with his billionaire friends during a New Years Eve speech at Mar-a-Lago, that he will remove millions off of medical insurance and they all cheer? Did you miss that video Jim? Did you?
ReplyDeleteAt no point has Jim ever stated that he had respect for Trump. Acknowledging his presidency is reality, not respect.
DeleteYou're reading things into my comments that I didn't say.
DeleteI suggest you read it again. Slowly. // Jim
Thank you Jim. There would be no problem if he wasn't our president so don't like the not my president thing. I hated all the attempts to change the Electoral College because it wasn't going to happen and it won't. You don't get to change the rules of the game just because you lost. I hated the recount because I knew it wouldn't change anything it would just make him more smug if that's possible. I hate when people call Melania a whore or or a tramp especially after you're saying you're a feminist. You can say she's sleeping with Satan. None of this is giving him respect it's just facts. I hate that fuck as much as anyone and I'm going to do my damnedest to fight against him. Of course he's not going to abdicate but he might get impeached. It doesn't matter if that would make Pence the president because all our rights are going to be eroded one way or the other but at least Pence and the Republicans know better than to risk America getting bombed. (Trump is not a republican is a white nationalist.) Again this is not respect this is reality and we all look better accepting that and doing the real work of trying to fight back against him. and of course this is not telling anybody what to do, no one will prevent you from being a dick.
DeleteWedding Warehouse - Did you read what Jim wrote ?
DeleteAgree, as much as I am losing sleep over the thought of a Trump presidency it is going to happen. It's time to stop dreaming, name calling, posting dumb memes. There are going to be a lot of disappointed Trump voters and it would be great to swing them to at least more towards the center.
ReplyDeleteIt will also soon be time to hold President Trump fully accountable for his actions on behalf of the US.
I also hope that Trump's kids and confidants know that while it's extremely difficult to indict a sitting president on corruption, racketeering, etc, it's a lot easier to indict those around him.
I love reading the followup comments and I forgot to check notify me. So I am doing it this time.
DeleteI was reminded of a different time and place today with the corruption, indictments and finally resignation of Nixon's Vice President Spiro Agnew. Hardly anyone even remembers that time. It will be no harder with Trump. Just a faded bad dream in our memories of 2017.
DeleteMy personal point of resistance is that I will not brand the office of the President with the Trump label. I will refer to him as President-elect now and as President after he is inaugurated, but I resist using the brand.
DeleteBesides, I cannot separate the word from the notion of doom. It's an emotional thing--the core of advertising, strangely enough.
So I will survive this Presidency just as we survived previous presidential disasters.
And thank you, Jim, for reminding me so eloquently of who I am.
I agree with you. You do set a high bar. I am not certain Trump views himself as everyone's president since he already called those that didn't vote for him the enemy but it is time to show the country how grown-up people behave.
ReplyDeleteHm... I simply cannot bring myself to call him President Trump. The President works for me, I guess. I regard name calling something akin to cussing; if you choose the right words nothing else provides quite the same relief. I do grok what you are saying, though. They have stood on the bow of the boat; we have seen them; they are real. But that is all that I will acknowledge. I will fight with whatever little time is left to me. I will take my frail and aging and pained body to whatever rally or protest I find worthy. I will hold out my hand to those in need and offer sanctuary to those endangered. But I will not capitulate, as did my ancestors in Germany, believing against all demonstrated fact that they "aren't really that bad." They are that bad. I'm glad you're here, Jim. You help us keep our sense of balance in an off-kilter world. I am scared. And I don't want to die with that asshole in the White House. Perhaps I should be grateful that he/they have given me a reason to fight for another five years, since I don't think he will survive more than one term.
ReplyDeleteShoshana, I stand with you.
DeleteYour posts are such a breath of fresh air. It's so heartening to see there are people like you still in the world- people who are their own person and for whom personal integrity and thinking for oneself matter far more than some kind of artificial label of party or of leaning. I would like to comment on your section about the First Lady. I think any kind of First Lady bashing is completely out of line. But I think there's something else to consider when judging Melania Trump and her colorful past. I believe that most other First Ladies married men that they knew were going to be involved with politics, so they had some idea how their own behavior might be judged. I doubt Melania Trump ever imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be First Lady. I doubt if she had ever considered it, it would be something she aspired to. So I think criticizing her past is even more out of line. After all, SHE didn't run for President. And,no I'm not a Trump supporter. I think he's an absolute menace no matter what his politics are. I can't think of anyone more unsuited to run our country.
ReplyDeleteThank you. This is exactly what I needed to read right now. I will reread it when fear and anger threaten to take over.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in all that you said; I have caught myself a few times using pejoratives (The Cheeto, Moronia) and was immediately disgusted with myself after having cringed at the other party doing the same thing(New York Slimes, libtards, etc). As Michelle Obama said "They go low and we go high". Even though the things he has said and done are abhorrent to me, we really don't KNOW what he's going to do and, anyway, we're stuck with him so we may as well try and make the best of it. I have faith that if he pulls anything really egregious and illegal our structure as a country will kick in and do what has to be done. I can't live every day of the next 4 years hating and fearing, so I have to soldier on and do my best. All we can do is watch him and work for what is right
ReplyDeleteI agree: the best way to defeat an unprincipled foe is by principled attack.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, leave that little boy alone.
It couldn't hurt anything. Not sure it will have any effect on those in opposition. I pointed out in a comments section the other day [respectfully] that Mrs. Clinton won the popular vote, and thus Mr. Trump does not have a mandate. And got called 'libtard', 'precious snowflake' and some other flavor-of-the-week names, and was informed that, had I bothered to do any research I would know that more illegal immigrants cast votes in CA than the difference in the popular vote. I was not aware of that! Because it did not actually happen! The Trump people are living in an alternative reality. Nothing we do or say, or don't say is going to have any effect on that whatsoever. Nothing.
ReplyDeleteSadly I think you might be right. I have seen some totally crazy stuff posted even by people I served in the military with. I think that we are almost in an ideological battle for the country.
DeleteOh, now it's illegal immigrants? Last I heard it was 4 million dead people and every one of them voted for Hillary. Because someone found out the names and somehow got a hold of the election rolls and counted them. All.
DeleteWe *are* in an ideological battle for the country.
DeleteI don't think anyone has really followed through on the question: what do the Republicans/Conservatives want? What is their vision of society? To be fair, no one has really made them say it outright, and they've been very good at obscuring the details with a lot of bluster about economics, patriotism, and nostalgia; but beyond their business interests, do we have any idea what kind of world they are trying to build? Liberalism is fairly forthright with declaring that the principles of equality and fairness underpin the majority of their policy proposals; presumably conservatives have similar principles, but I don't think I've ever heard any Conservative come right out and say what they are. (Granted modern Conservatives are a different breed entirely from the Conservativism of my grandfather, who retired as a Lt. Col. and believed in universal health care - he died in the '90s, but still. Jim's essay "Pragmatism" gives a pretty good description of the kind of Conservatives both my grandfathers were actually, both military.)
Once upon a time, there was a political faction called "Neotraditionalists," who believed human society was naturally hierarchical, that tradition and custom provide essential guideposts for man through life, and that religion precedes civilization and morality (Christianity being the natural winner in that competition, of course). Sound familiar? The UK's Tories are a descendant. Can you think of any modern Conservative who would blatantly say for the record they think society should be hierarchical though? No, probably not. But look at the policies they implement and I think it becomes clear that's part of what is/has been going on.
I once read (can't remember source, sorry) that any society that fully embraced monotheism could never be truly democratic because monotheism is essentially a form of monarchy, so the religious structure imposed by the Church (any Church) would forever be in conflict with the political one. Consider our long running and increasingly insane Culture Wars, and further consider Mr. Trump's inner circle is composed almost entirely of Christian Fundamentalists.
"We the people..."/"We hold these truths to be self evident..."
We are totally in an ideological battle for the country.
Most of my conservative friends would say their values are based on less government, individual freedom (whatever that means) and free enterprise. Those are some of the espoused values. It would be a good question to ask any conservatives you know, and could be the jumping off point for an interesting conversation.
DeleteI don't pray for impeachment because what would be the point in that? Pence would be as bad or worse and Ryan would be a catastrophe. All we can do is hang on, organize and hope to get the Senate,House, or both back in two years and the Presidentcy back in four. It may in fact be best to keep Trump so that his supporters can be totally betrayed and disillusioned with both him and the Republican party.
ReplyDeletePence and Ryan are essentially going to be in charge anyhow and at least they aren't going to be so insane that they will taunt other countries to try and blow us up! And they would not be in bed with Russia. Pence is horrifying but he's already there and going to be calling the shots.
DeleteAs Howard Dean noted this morning in a TV interview, part of the reason the GOP are in their present position of power is the simple fact that they are willing to "play hardball." He also feels that Democrats make a mistake because they are not willing to meet the GOP on that level ... I agree ... I don't think that "mud slinging" is necessary, but I do feel that the minute we begin to pull back and be civilized we've taken the first step down the slippery slope toward normalizing and capitulating to an inevitable future ... I expect nothing less from the Democrats ... too bad.
ReplyDeleteI get this. Going to be difficult though when my President addresses me periodically as his Enemy.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that all messed up? Americans are his enemies but Russia is his BFF.
DeleteYep. I'm tired of being called a libtard, and I detest the term rethuglican, too. Conservatard sounds like something Ted Cruz might wear to his ballet lessons. Don't care for that one, either (or the visual that accompanies it). Slut-shaming (etc, etc, etc) Melania isn't fair, although slut-shaming the evangelicals who proclaim that she will return classiness to the White House after eight years of First Lady Michelle Obama is definitely fair, especially if they mention their "values" in the same sentence. I'm with Kara, though. I won't name-call Trump, but it will take a while for me to come around to an acceptance of the words President and Trump in conjunction to one another.
ReplyDeleteI may never forgive you for my overactive imagination's mental image of Ted Cruz in a tutu.
DeleteI wish I had discovered you sooner, Mr. Wright. You cogently put into words thoughts that I find floating nebulously in my mind. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI have felt this deeply. He is my President, because I believe in the Constitution. It is all we have. Yet I will be vigilant, and call him out withounresorting to bame calling.
I feel so blessed to have you in my feed!
Eleanor R. Smith aka healingmagichands
Thank you. Enjoy your writing immensely.
ReplyDeleteAgree , but my distress flag fly's until this storm passes.
ReplyDeleteJim, I am unable to Friend you on Facebook. I've wanted many times to comment, or agree, but ... can't.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a couple of pieces of my own on this event. I don't know if you accept links in posts, or are interested in the blogs of unknown authors, but the first piece is here:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/acitizenofearth/2017/01/trumps-america-got/
I have exceeded the maximum number of social connections (to include friends) allowed by Facebook. As such, Facebook will not give you to the option to friend me. // Jim
DeleteMahatma Gandhi said
ReplyDeleteWe must be the change we wish to see in the world.
I always turn out when childish name calling starts. May we strive for eloquence in our resistance. The following is an excerpt from an editorial written by Teddy Roosevelt.
ReplyDelete"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
"Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star"
May 7, 1918
Jim, this is important. If we let others dictate our actions and words by declaring, "Well, they said/did. . . ," we are not who we say we are. We are the mirror image of those with whom we disagree. I want to be who I say I am. Thank you, sir, for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteI don't do the name calling. It annoys me. As for calling him President? No. The Electoral College did not do their job. I don't want excuses about fines or any other cop out - their job was NOT to put someone like Trump in the White House. They failed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful essay full of reason, acceptance and logic. Hope you are stocked on whiskey for the hate mail. Cheers! And thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'd already transitioned from candidate Drumpf to President-elect Trump. He won. It is what it is. I will call him by his name for exactly the reasons you stated. It's no longer a joke candidacy, it's real. I've even removed the Drumpfinator Chrome extension. (sigh) It is what it is.
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ReplyDeleteAs you always say, Chief, if we want a better country, we have to be better citizens.
ReplyDeleteSomeone had to say this. Thank you for being that someone. I teach a course in human diversity, and I will be using the election as an example in class. So will need to be impartial in class. This will help. Elizabeth A. Mancz
ReplyDeleteI never in my worst nightmares thought I would miss G.W.Bush as president. But Donald Trump may shock me and be better , it's not a very high bar after all. I'm not counting on that though. Being a bit of a history nerd I've always wondered how someone like Warren G. Harding could get elected , now I know. I do have the very bad feeling Mr. Trump's presidency will make for interesting times. It is now time to have another dopplebock and try to transform reality in my mind so I don't get tossed in jail for my " non-patriotic thoughts" by the "dream police". I will try to play nice and communicate in English and not my native tongue of sarcasm. Lets all play nice for as long as we can . Thanks for being a light in the wilderness for me Mr. Wright .
ReplyDelete#notmypresident... Say what you want nut i refuse to be held hostage by this simpleton. I will fight every step of the way and in 2 years I will fight to change the face of the house and senate. I.respected Reagan both Bushes even Richard Nixon. There will ne no respect for this moron. From word one he insulted this country. Do I won't suck it and ay well with others because I dont intend to be a sheep.
ReplyDeleteSay what you want nut i refuse to be held hostage by this simpleton
DeletePlease point to the part where I suggested any such thing. // Jim
To paraphrase a great man, "Stay angry my friend".
DeleteI think what Jim is saying, if I may be so bold, is to do whatever you can to fix the mess we're in, just be better than them.
Jim, I already shared your first version of this on my facebook page. It is an apt reminder of who we are and how we should behave, as Americans. Too bad there are so many on the conservative side of the spectrum that no longer subscribe to the behavioral concepts you've outlined here, but this essay serves as a reminder that we should not sink into the muck with them in the process of keeping watch over the integrity of our democracy. I applaud you, sir, for your level and respectful point of view, and I wish that you, or more people like you, were our elected representatives instead of the motley crew poised to run roughshod over our higher values when they take office later this month.
ReplyDeleteTrump will engineer his own downfall. He will be the POTUS. I would really like him to prove he is up to the task but I really think he will engineer his own downfall. He already has a headstart just using Twitter alone.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is one of these feel-good appeals to be the "bigger person" that will have not one bit of effect on the political landscape, because the other side threw the rulebook out the window a long time ago. I don't know what the answer is, but civility in the face of "whatever he says is truth, facts be damned" doesn't feel like it.
ReplyDeleteThere are ways to fight that do not involve playground name calling and bullying. In the face of childishness I say we offer adult fighting: calling things as they really are; boycotting those who attempt to use us; withholding financial gain by whatever means available to us as citizens, be it credit unions or refusal to purchase the newest ooh shiny that comes along; to growing our own (food, as well as that other stuff). There are many ways for adults to fight that do not involve poking the tiger with sticks.
DeleteAllow me an analogy: Whether or not the United States tortures prisoners has little bearing on whether or not our enemies do. But if you torture people, if you allow your government to torture people -- no matter how you justify it -- then you are a nation of torturers. Whether you voted for it or not. Some of us don't want to live in such a nation.
DeleteIt's not about having an affect on the political landscape.
It's about me being the person I'd like to think I am.
As noted in the text, what you do with your own time is on you.
It's driving me crazy that half responses are fighting about things you didn't say. No one said he should be respected, in fact he should'd be, it's our civic duty to criticize him. I think the only point is to not be bullshity about it. Don't pretend he's our not our president because we wouldn't be bitching if he wasn't, denying reality is childish.
DeleteThere are a lot of people who don't vote. By being civil and dealing with reality as it really is, we have the possibility of showing those people that, no, the right and the left are not the same people. Then we can try to explain policies that will improve their lives.
DeleteOh thank God. This is my internal list, only far better organized. Thank you extremely.
ReplyDeleteJim, there is a significant difference between the behavior towards the Obama family and upcoming behavior towards the Trumps. Those who opposed Obama seemed to have done so out of a deep racial prejudice. As far as I'm concerned, criticism of the Trump family is based on their behavior, their values, and their lack of any sort of intellectual readiness for the jobs they'll shortly (shudder) be undertaking. Trump (I stand with those who will refuse to use the title out of respect for the position) not only is vastly intellectually incapable, he is also blissfully unaware of this lack, and that makes him not only dangerous, but impossible to reach on any sort of reasonable way. Whatever-Diety-You-Choose-to-Call-On help us!
ReplyDeleteWhere did anyone say you couldn't criticize them?
DeleteWe should absolutely criticize him, it's our civic duty. I don't see anywhere that Jim didn't say that.
DeleteWe should absolutely criticize him, it's our civic duty. I don't see anywhere that Jim didn't say that.
DeleteInvective is not criticism.
DeleteEric Hammer
I'm very sorry that this even needs to be written down. But, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. As FLOTUS said at the DNC, "When they go low, we go high". Outraged, engaged and fully in-gear, but taking the high-road.
ReplyDeleteAnd while it's a lovely sentiment, it's why we are where we now are. The left has been rolling over for decades and playing by rules that the right refuse to admit exist any longer.
DeleteAnd if they roll over YET AGAIN, midterms will result in zero gain, as there are some that will refuse to vote for collaborators.
It's time to fight, and not with the methods that have failed for decades.
Do I know what methods should be used? Not really, beyond obstruction of absolutely everything that is contrary to values shared by most on the left. And obstruction of every possible Justice position - tRump is going to be filling HUNDREDS of benches, and that could stop ANY action on the left for DECADES.
talonts, I don't see anything about "rolling over" in what Jim said. Just keep the level of discourse civilized, while you eviserate their program. The right has taken over this country by planned incursion into government at all levels. They have gotten their people elected at all levels of govertnment by showing up and participating in the system. That is what the left/progressives need to do, instead of assuming everything will turn out OK because they trust in the goodness of all people or whatever, they need to run for every office - school board, libray, port district, public utility board, local govt., county/parish positions, state legislatures, judgeships, EVERY position. Starting right now, and we will be able to take back the house and senate at the midterms. Responsible people can do all of this without calling names by using facts and being the positive option.
DeleteI fear more the belief in the fake news than the name calling. Presidents have been given disparaging names since the creation of the office. The propagation of half-baked news souffles based on how good particular internet blogwriters' right bunions are feeling that day causes more damage.
ReplyDeleteWarts and all, Trump is our President. God help our country.
I don't have to like the person who is becoming the next President of the United States, but I will give the office the respect it is due. And if I am ever in a place where I am face to face with the POTUS, I would address him as Mr. President regardless of what I think of him. We all have a hard 4 years coming our way; we have more important things to worry about than how we choose to address the POTUS in any conversation.
ReplyDeleteIf you think that only 4 years are at stake, you haven't looked into the situation very deeply. It's going to stretch to DECADES if Democrats in Congress don't obstruct nearly every action headed their way.
DeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteWould you mind if I post this (credited to you) on my blog? (Publiusthegeek.com)
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ReplyDeletePlease point to the part where I said anything about "playing nice."
DeleteIt is time to take the pages from their book and use it against them. Unfortunately we are at war, a war that may require us at times to stoop to their level.
Did you read that to yourself out loud before posting? Because you sound like conservatives giving justification for waterboarding. I
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DeleteI would respectfully disagree with you on at least one point. You stated "The war is over. The battles were lost. Trump will be the president". Yes, Trump will be president and the battles may have been lost but the war is far from over.
DeleteYou ask me not to wish for or call for his demise, OK, I won't but I'd like to ask you a question. If you were a German citizen in 1932-33 and knew the devastation that would be wrought on your nation and others and the millions of deaths he would be responsible for after having listening to a man tell you what he was going to do before he gained the power to do it, would you have wished for his death? I have friends that live in Germany, they are the decedents of people who lived though Hitlers Germany and more than one has stated to me it would have been better if someone had killed the bastard before he ever took office. I have to wonder if in 70 yrs my great Grandchildren will not be thinking the same about Trump. No, trump has not killed 6-7 million people but he has suggested we bomb countries into the stone age and kill their families regardless of whether they are combatants or not, based on their religion. That sounds pretty Hiteleresque to me.
I do agree with you 100% that stooping to name calling and slut shaming is below us and if we want to prove our moral high ground we need to stop it. Yes, Trump will be President, he will be my president whether I like it or not, but if he fell dead tonight I would fall asleep with a smile on my face imagining him trying to negotiate a deal with the devil while being short on collateral.
You have earned my utmost respect over the yrs. as a man of great wisdom. It is apparent in your writing. I admire your ability to put thought into word which almost always lines up perfectly with what I don't have the skills to write. I would only point out that there are times when a person presents such a clear and present danger to the fabric of society that to wish that person dead does not make good men bad.
I have to agree with you, Lynn. "Disgusted" doesn't even begin to touch how I feel about this entire disaster and the people who eagerly embraced it. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT US ALL ENSLAVED AND/OR DEAD. They've said so repeatedly, their minions have said so repeatedly, and they aren't hiding their evil any more, they're flying that flag with malicious glee. God help you if you're one of the scapegoats they want to see suffer.
DeleteNormally I like and agree with most of what you write, Mr. Wright. But this...I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with it. (for the most part)
#notmypresident
The problem with this line of reasoning is that it assumes that Hitler was a uniquely evil individual and that without him Germany would have been a well-behaved liberal democracy. Hitler didn't spring from a vacuum. The conditions for his rise existed whether young Adolf had been born or not. If it hadn't been him, it would have been someone else. Assassination is rarely or never an instrument that changes policies or large-scale political trends. Similarly, Trump didn't create the social and political environment that allowed his rise. He surely exploited it but the ground work of creation was laid over many years. To unmake that environment will also be the work of many years and it won't be achieved by some vile mirror image of the very things that have led us to this state.
DeleteJim, if you ever unFriend one or more on Facebook, please send me a Friend request.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/hank.simpson.39
I swear to the Sweet Baby Jesus I will write thoughtful, pithy, occasionally unexpected and astonishingly original comments.
Also, I was a mule packer and draft horse teamster for many years, so there's that. I'm one of the few blue collar/redneck sort-of-liberal atheist bloggers you will ever meet. (I say 'sort-of-liberal' because, though I tend liberal in viewpoint on most issues, I'm irritated enough with online-Liberal dumbassery that I now call myself a Rational Centrist.)
Love your writing and thinking. Man, keep at it!
Hank, at this point I'd have unfriend a bit over two THOUSAND people.
DeleteJim,
DeleteHave you thought of creating a page away from your personal page? You could have a lot more control of posts, etc and be able to have many more people involved.
I would definitely follow a page. It may be too much of a head ache though. Pages suffer from troll infections.
DeleteMaybe a group...?
*claps*
ReplyDeleteSometimes I see liberals acting like conservatives in their ranting and name-calling and the only way I know who is who is by the target. I am subject to this myself sometimes and I appreciate the reminder.
I'm still using the "Do I want this to be true?" question you provided while reading the news. And almost every time when I need to ask this question, it's a fake news article.
~ Lenora Hames Lundquist
Some folks have a hard time understanding where their arguments go awry. (Some don't care, that's outside my scope at the moment.) Argument mapping is a good way to understand what we mean by making an argument, how to analyze one, and craft better ones for your arguments. The linked PDF is a case study for how kids in school have used argument mapping, and has some helpful hints on constructing arguments. Mapping doesn't save every problem with how to disagree in a civil fashion, but it can help you work out why you think you're right.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reasoninglab.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Twardy-Argument-Maps-Improve-CT1.pdf
When I first saw this on Facebook I was prepared to answer each point with a huge, point-by-point HELL NO, basically giving the same responses that I give to all my former contacts who insisted it was time for me to unite behind Trump. Then I lived up to my own standards and read it all. Twice. Agree on every point but one; I will nevert call him MY president. Aside from the obvious reasons, I don' even call my favorites (Obama and Clinton) MY president. they were THE president, the person I voted for because they best reflected my own values.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think much of the angst expressed is the overwrought initial reaction to the shocking election result, and that most will pass soon after the inauguration. It's incumbent on us to decide our next productive steps, on the plans for keep Trump and the rest of the GOP from undoing everything we've accomplished as a society in the last 100 years. Things will definitely get worse before we can improve them, but we won't save our country by pissing and moaning and acting like lunatic conspiracy theorists. we need to fight fire with fire, to stop bringing teddy bears to street fights and proudly stand by the things that make us progressive, intelligent, and forward-thinking.
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ReplyDeleteLong time lurker but I've never actually commented on anything. Not sure what that makes me (other than someone who's had too much rye tonight). Since the election I have specifically referred to our President Elect with that honorific. It doesn't matter if I think he's an idiot who has surrounded himself with a coterie of fucktards. Somehow we need to figure out how to show respect to different ideas even if we think they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim for laying out a plan for next year and give me a shout if you want to talk coffee.
Somehow I hear the words of Arlo Guthrie mixed up with yours in the back of my mind. It comes out something like, "Friends if 2 people a day act like adults, they'll think you're crazy, but if 6 people a day act like adults they'll think it's an organization but if 50 people, 50 people a day act like adults we'll have a movement!" I think it's going to take more than 50 but a few hundred thousand people acting like adults could probably make a big change in this country. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteI only disagree with one point. They have been saying he has a mandate. They'll keep saying it. The fact that he lost the popular vote is not irrelevant. It's vital.
ReplyDeleteJim didn't say he has a mandate.
DeleteWhen Nixon was elected, I think the first time, he claimed a mandate as well. In response Gore Vidal said, "Twenty-five percent of the people voted for him, twenty-five voted against him, and fifty-percent didn't vote. That's not a mandate. That's not even a boy-date."
DeleteThis seems to be the current situation as well, more or less.
Thank you! It's time people all across the political spectrum started acting like adults instead of petulant children.
ReplyDeleteI will not call him "President Trump." I will call him the President and Trump, but I will not use the two together when talking about him or to him. Think of it as along the lines of what a good Southern gentleman does and be icily polite to his enemies.
ReplyDeleteIcily polite...yes! I can see a bunch of southerners saying "Bless your heart" in the way they do, so that the other person doesn't even realize the disdain that is being directed at them. Lol
DeleteThank you, Jim. All this name-calling and fussing over the latest outrageous tweets and getting into social media battles with the PEOTUS' goose-stepping, BS-swilling followers is a waste of time and energy. Arguing with your racist uncle or gay-hating grandma is a waste of time and energy. There's work to be done. I encourage people to join (or start) their local chapters of groups inspired by Indivisibleguide.com, or something similar, and commit to regular action where we CAN make a difference. Focus on the people who didn't vote, or who voted country over party, not the ones who are still turning purple and screaming, "Emails! Benghazi! Crybabies!" every time you dare to criticize their Fuhrer - er, hero.
ReplyDeleteIn short ... each and every one of us has to get off our collective asses and RESIST.
Thanks so much for the link. My issue is that I haven't known where to start! This is a great resouece!
DeleteWell said, Jim. Thanx from Fairbanks.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, better candidates next time?
ReplyDeleteBecause candidates are also citizens and chosen candidates are chosen by citizens, until the citizens become better, there will be no better candidates.
DeleteThe Democrat needs to win by 10 million votes or we lose.
DeleteI like your points. But the angry child I keep caged in the back of my head is always going to refer to him as Mr. Cheeto. It gives a moment of morbid humor to an otherwise humorless situation. I tend to have a "pet" name for all of them though, so this isn't anything reserved for Trump.
ReplyDeleteHe is the President. But he isn't a President. I'm not sure how many have been my President, as I tend to see it more as our President.
This video by Tess Rafferty titled "aftermath" sums up my feelings quite well.
ReplyDeletehttps://vimeo.com/191751334
Anecdotal perceptions would support you. I see and hear people praise Trump unconditionally with alarming frequency.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this post as I was looking at Twitter and going through some pages and groups I belong to on Facebook. There are fractures already developing in the Trump/Republican alliance. Military groups that used to be really strong for Trump are split on the Russia connection. McCain and McConnell are hot on this. Also there are others questioning his cabinet choices.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that we can either post dumb memes and call them all dumb asses or we can point out where Trump is out of line and not living up to promises. We need to start talking about looking out for the little guy and how an alternate platform would look. There are opportunities to break this stranglehold.
Okay, fine.
ReplyDelete"After eight tedious years of one wild-assed glassy-eye conspiracy theory after another..."
ReplyDeleteExcellent paragraph, there. I've felt the same way but was never able to put it into words. And just seeing that list of indignities directed against Obama makes me marvel all the more and his diplomacy and cool.
Trump will resign, Jim. I'm fairly confident of that, considering the majority of people hate him, and he's coming in with the lowest approval numbers in history, not to mention being the least popular president. And it's becoming apparent he's getting more unhinged by the day. It's really going to hit him when the stress of the office kicks in for him. Combine all that, and he's going to want to find a way out at the earliest opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAs Daniel Roberts once wrote on Deadspin:
"Donald Trump caves all the time. He just doesn’t like to admit it. As one of his former attorneys told Vanity Fair, 'The key to Donald, like with any bully, is to tell him to go fuck himself.' And when people have done that, literally or metaphorically, Trump, more often than not, has reacted in much the same way he did when faced with the draft: He’s found a way to get out as quickly and quietly as possible."
I don't think he'll actually resign, but I do think he won't bother to govern. He'll hang around NYC and his resort and tweet crazy shite, but he won't bother with the boring details of governance. He'll leave that, God help us, up to Pence.
DeleteI think so too -- maybe two years, because he won't be able to hack the job. The people hoping that he will be impeached need to get over that pipe dream -- there's no way the milquetoast Republicans in Congress will discover a backbone to indict Trump for any misdeeds, even it turns out he's beholden to Putin and the Russian oligarchy for millions and millions of dollars in debt.
DeleteYes. I finally found a place to comment (I've only recently become a reader of your fb blog and have been frustrated in my (admittedly feeble) attempts to put my two cents in.
ReplyDeleteSo, here goes:
A) Thanks for a positive and affirming message for this new year
B) How can you even handle all the sycophants?
C) And this might be a contentious point: You're a military man, you use somewhat salty language. Less than me, but then again, I'm addressing, what?..30 followers? My concern is that I see a slippery slope developing where you might say 'crap" and your dedicated follower responds with 'shit', and ...
I'll stop right here, because I'm sure you get my drift already, without any further epithets. Enough for today...
He is and will always be the Orange Hate Monkey or OHM to me. Perhaps Birther-in-Chief. I will not refer to him as President because he will never be worthy of that title unless I am completely mistaken about his character; and having known several Real Estate Developers, I'm pretty sure I'm not.
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth, I will happily give him the title he really wants; Emperor Trump or Perhaps His Supreme Excellency Trump (the irony of latter title will be lost on him anyway) since he won't be doing the job that the historic president would have done. That will be Pence's job, pretty much as I figured all along.
He proves, every time he opens his mouth, that he is not mentally capable of doing the job that has to be done. Just wait until the alert signal is in his hands and the three AM shitter tweet is something you are woken every morning at 3 am to read. See how long that lasts.
I remember being called a troll and accused for false equivalence when I said that claiming that Trump is "not my President" is the same as those who claimed that Obama was "not their President".
ReplyDeleteWhile the reasoning behind each differs, the act itself and the impression it gives is the same.
It is clear that those who side with Trump have no principled center, they will not play nice or by whatever rules because as Trump himself has shown, all they are interested in is winning.
By hook or by crook. Even if they have to become like that which they claim to oppose as Trump himself has mentioned on the topic of the torturing and perhaps even execution of "enemy personnel".
"They do it, why shouldn't we?"
The greatest challenge of what's left of the left is to oppose Trump without becoming him.
A difficult task indeed.
I have a dream.
ReplyDeleteThat someday the word Trump shall become a pejorative to represent everything the man of that name stood for.
Like how the name of the fascist party of Germany (Nazi) has become a pejorative representing everything it stood for.
That fake news shall be known as "Trump News"
That blatant lies shall be called "Trump Truths".
That racism be known as way of Trump.
That narcissism would also be known as "Trump complex".
That bigotry in attempt to divide people by race, gender or religion shall be known as "Trumping".
That mindless tweeting of ad hominems would be called "Trumpspeak".
I have a dream.
That when all this happens, it will finally, FINALLY.....
Make America Think Again.
I share your dream for the transformation of his name.
DeleteUntil then I will only use #heWhoShallNotBeNamed
Anonymous, my dream is that he goes down in history forgotten instead...one of those Presidents that some poor 6th grader has trouble remembering when he's trying to memorize the list. There was President Obama, and President FillInTheBlank, but I keep having trouble remembering that guy in between the two of them.
DeleteIf that happens America will likely elect another Trump again.
DeleteForgetting past mistakes makes it more likely for such to be repeated than if one remembers them for the mistakes that they were.
Just like how remembering what the Nazis were rather than forgetting them helps to avoid becoming them in future.
Can I call him the Cheeto in Chief here? Because as far as self-determination goes he did that to himself.
ReplyDeleteWell, I really hope he did. But now I have this mental image of a small room in the basement of Trump Tower with plastic tarps on the walls, like you see on Fast 'n Loud or the other hot-rod shows, while some poor bastard with coveralls and a respirator sprays that fake tan over The Donald's naked form.
And just when the painter -- who you just know is making minimum wage -- is praying for the sweet release of death, or at least a goddamned coffee break, ol' Donnie hikes up a leg and says IT HAS TO BE AN ALL-OVER TAN.
So, can I use that one?
That's low. Really low. And morbidly hilarious.
DeleteHe's making minimum wage *and* he will be stiffed on payment, because Trump will claim the job wasn't to his satisfaction.
DeleteI'm trying, Mr Wright. I actually have the possibility of leaving the country to be with the love of my life, even though I would end up being an "illegal" in my destination country. For 3 long days, I thought about it, in between the tears and staving off multiple panic attacks. My heart was both breaking and mending when I told my beloved that no, I could not leave now-- my country needs me here, fighting tooth and nail every step of the way. There were tears in my eyes, and his, as he actually applauded (thanking the geeks for Skype). Old and tired I may be, but there's still some fight in this old woman and if I have to spend it all fighting for the America we grew up believing in, then so be it- my forefathers and foremothers gave more. So I'm girding my loins and preparing for the fight ahead. Just one last quick question though... I know it's wrong to bring a gun to a knife fight but can I please bring a sword? Pretty please? With a cup of coffee and a bottle of whiskey on top?
ReplyDeleteRoberta Fewell
Jim, I've read you for years. I love you to death. But I can't agree. I will concede that you are a much better person than I, but, as for me, here's what I want...
ReplyDeleteI've got no sympathy whatsoever and if the policies that the repugs are going to put in place only affected those fucking asshole dumb shits who voted for them I would be the loudest cheerleader in the stands! I hope all those rump voters are the first to die for lack of health care and/or jobs and or/food and/or of poisoned water/food/medicine and air. I hope the removal of OSHA regs means their homes and the factories they slave in 80 hours a week for fifty cents an hour falls down on their stupid, fucking heads and they die a long, slow death under the rubble. I hope every natural disaster hits them with no federal money bailout. I hope their kids never learn to read or write because they can't afford the private schools that now only exist. I hope that all the roads leading into and out of their shitty little towns become mud ruts so deep they can't even walk through to get to the store for the moldy bread which is the only foodstuff they can still afford. I hope they no longer have even electricity because they can't afford the private utilities.
I make no apologies. The ONLY reason these cheeto-heads keep winning elections is because we let them get away with all their lies and deceptions, and keep fixing, to the best of our abilities, their destructive behaviors. Maybe it's time to let them reap what they continue to want to sow. Even you understand that letting a bully keep beating you up without recourse isn't the way to teach the bully not to be one.
I'm glad people like you exist, but I think sometimes it's better to fight fire with fire. Treat these people like they treat us.
At least a little bit. How else will they ever learn?
April
Thanks April!
DeleteI agree April,thanks. I'm not Ready to make Nice Either.
DeleteThank you, Thank you, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou continue to serve your country.
I think that this service, your reasoning, your words of warning, your dissemination of facts along with plain English explaining them, may end up being as crucial a service to our country now as your former military service.
The only way we can possibly break through the armor of ideology will be with communication that doesn't immediately put the ones we are trying to reach on the defensive.
The instant we attack someone, name call (them or the PE) the cause to create dialogue is lost.
This is not saying we need to roll over, but we need some serious communication to happen.
Thank you.
May I call him by his initials? DT or POTUSE (I'll drop the E on inauguration day) and his wife by FLOTUSE or MT? Many called GWB simply W, and it was widely reported that even his family did so. Granted, I'm well aware that The Orange One very much likes to have his last name plated in gold and fifty feet tall wherever he can plaster it, but while I know I must acknowledge him as my elected head of state, I still feel that giving him Google updates to tickle his jimmies every time is just a bit much.
ReplyDeleteEnough that he'll get them soon enough just for POTUS. {shudder} Yes, I know, I must move along and get over it. Work my way through this stage and figure out ways and means to thwart his most overt horrible-ness. Maybe tomorrow. Today I've got a migraine. But the good news is, the family spent two days cutting and splitting firewood. Which is a big part of why I feel like I was run over by a cement truck. That, and my usual spot at home (my chair) is broken, so there's nowhere comfy to sit or lie down. Almost a relief to get to work today. Now to worry how long I'll HAVE this job. Come on, DT, where are those jobs you say you're bringing? Heh.
Gretchen in KS
One of the reasons I decided against a military career (being among the first of my generation who had any choice in the matter) was because of the dictum "You don't salute the man, you salute the uniform." While the reasons for that practice are self-evident, they were ones that were never appetizing to my 17 year-old self.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is also known as "The King's two bodies" in other contexts. And it is one exacerbated by personality journalism and celebrity obsession, which erases any lines between man and office by intent.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions, believing them to be ridiculous. But I have no intention of altering my public conduct due to a change in circumstance, anyway. I consider it demeaning to resort to vulgar comments or insults in public discourse, towards the public faces of persons. (What I might do or say in private, among friends, is, well, private. Which, as it were, is a variation on the "Two bodies" problem) Mr Trump shows every sign of being a poor man, and encourages us to believe he will be a poor President. That is the end of it, as far as I am concerned, it is demeaning to oneself to indulge in other adjectives to express his worth.
But you know, Mr Gandhi already advised us to be the change we hoped to achieve. We really shouldn't allow others to dictate our conduct, for good or ill.
-- Eric Hammer
I couldn't stand him during him during the campaign and he has only gotten worse since becoming president elect. The only way I refer to him is as #heWhoShallNotBeNamed .
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which would be worse, having him as president or, should he expire for any reason, having Pence running the show.
Thank you. That's all, just: yes. I expect to spend a lot of the next couple of years biting down on schoolyard names and hot-headed rejoinders, but I'm going to put in the effort to remember that no one believes they're the evil one, and hope that keeps me honest and open.
ReplyDeleteI've kept thinking to myself that what I'm feeling is what many -R felt after Obama's election. Looking at their reaction, I want to be better than that. Thank you for articulating it.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you mean someone got your phone number and are calling with libtard insults and worse? My sincerest sympathies and may gods have mercy on their souls because you won't.
Calling him "my President" is making me choke. I'll follow everything else you've said in this amazing piece, but I just *can't* say that. Thank you, Jim, for putting things into word so eloquently. Sharing this!
ReplyDelete"Do not wish for Trump's untimely demise . . ."
ReplyDeleteSigh. Well, ok.
But he's 70 years old. Would I be splitting the hair -- the sparse, orange dyed, combed-over hair -- too finely if I were to wish for his timely demise?
Thanks for writing this! I feel much the same way and your words helped me clarify my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine pointed out that her Rotary Club has been seeing many new members since the presidential election. Her thoughts were that this election has gotten chunks of our population actively involved in our society again. Having recently rejoined several professional groups with the intention of actively participating, I must agree!
Hopefully, the result of this last presidential election will be to get us, as a country, more involved in our politics on every level.
As long as can still reply to his stupid tweets, I'm down with 1 through 6.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. Love your blog, and thanks for this post, as well. Your writings are always an education for me, and sometimes an inspiration. However, I draw the line at acknowledging this man as "my" President, and my lack of acknowledgement is unrelated to whether he or I are liberal or conservative. This man, and in fact much of the GOP, represent no political party really. They have instead become usurpers, resorting to third-world tactics, media manipulation, hacking, and explicit support from non-US actors (i.e., Russia) in order to obtain and retain their power. The fact that our current President elect managed to acquire an electoral majority is the result of these undemocratic and unconstitutional actions. In addition, their complete lack of morality precludes me from attaching the word "my" to anything they represent. I can be civil, and acknowledge that Trump is *the* President, but he will never be *my* President.
ReplyDeleteGave my initial gut-reaction comment some more thought after re-reading your blog post again, Jim. Horribly what you wrote is 100% correct, and (also horribly) I have to correct myself. Trump really is not only the President, but also (can I say horribly one more time) *my* President. To say otherwise, I think, sounds childish. I'm an American citizen still. He will be the American President. Therefore he is my President whether I like it or not. Does it mean that I have to support or agree with a single thing he says or does? Absolutely not. But if I don't start with the premise of accepting reality, then -- as you wisely pointed out -- I'm really not starting from a place where I can affect any worthwhile progress, change, or meaningful discussion. And I really do descend into the childish stupidity that so many demonstrated during President Obama's tenure. I won't do it. Thanks for the large bucket of ice water. It was needed.
DeleteAnybody can become angry - that is easy,
ReplyDeleteBut to be angry with the right person,
And to the right degree,
And at the right time,
And for the right purpose,
And in the right way - that is not easy,
And not everyone can do it.
- Aristotle
We must somehow transmute the hot anger of fear and betrayal into the cool anger of righteous ethical action, and it will require deep and creative thinking to find the way to do so.
Thank you for your thoughts on the matter.
Jeanne M
Thanks for being the adult in the room.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melissa Gregory-Simon above. I have noticed a resurgence in political activism - especially among my female friends. There is a large rally scheduled in DC the day after inauguration. There are local meetings in my hometown - based on neighborhood location - of women very interested in making sure their voices continue to be heard. I - as with you Jim - hope this helps in making more Progressives understand that it is not just enough to be "active," you actually have to show up at the voting booth. This is something we are not very good at accomplishing. I hope this scares many into realizing what the consequences of not voting look like.
ReplyDeleteThis is so HARD! I did say Mr Reagan, Bush, Bush, but THIS! I'll try...😖
ReplyDeleteSharing...
There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tiny blasts of tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us.” - Walt Kelly, The Pogo Papers, 1953
ReplyDeleteI admire your work, your forthright honesty, and your passionate citizenship. Many of your posts delineate what I have been searching for words to convey. I’ve been unable to sum up what I hope for the coming year, nay, coming four years. Until this. Your resolution strikes the chord I’ve been seeking. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI finished reading this, and suddenly stopped to wonder what Gore Vidal would have thought about Trump getting himself elected president?
ReplyDeleteUnrelated, but funny story: Someone asked John Wayne what he thought about JFK when he was elected president, and if memory serves, he said: "I didn't vote for him, but he's my president; I hope he does a good job."
That's right, John Wayne.
Well said as usual. Thank you.
ReplyDelete"Look here, either we are the people we say we are, or we're not."
ReplyDeleteThis is the first post I've read on this blog...thank you for what you wrote. The quote above says it all.
And I, for one, will call him President Trump (without choking I hope). It pissed me off when "they" used the name Obama like a curse. Since then I have been careful to use titles (one of the hardest for me, being from Indiana, was "Governor Pence") when speaking of elected officials...even if the thought of them being in the position they're in makes me sick.
After all, "either we are the people we say we are, or we're not."
I recommend reading as many of the posts here as you have time for. Jim has an eloquence that is too rare these days.
DeleteIn private, I've been calling him President Skroob - Make Planet Spaceballs Great Again; but I am entirely in agreement with your post, Mr. Wright. In fact, I'm working on communication skills with a friend who happens to be a virulent Trump fan (there, I said his name). She agreed not to call me a snowflake or libtard, and I agreed to hear her out when she supports the new administration. We value our friendship more than our politics, but it's a test of character for both of us. If we can do it, then perhaps others can, too. Thanks for your respectful intelligence, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI don't actually have a god, but if I did, you'd be as good as any for that post, so that's what I checked. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to live up to your own principles, isn't it? I can agree with 99% of your items due to either it's the right thing to do or I have friends/relatives who don't deserve the ugly names. I can even call him President Trump and the President, but MY president? No, not mine. I voted against him as many times as I could. That part of my grief process is still in denial over such a man as him winning.
ReplyDeleteIt's rarely easy to be the change you want to see or the kind of person you say you are. I would have preferred any other test of my mettle than President-Elect Trump's new reality show.
"As such, I ask that you stop sending me scenarios describing far-fetched, impossible ideas for [insert alternate of your choice here] to become president in his stead. That's not going to happen and I'm sick of being polite while people waste my time with it. Stop it. Please. The simply truth of the matter is this: We need to face reality. And that reality is Donald Trump will be president."
ReplyDeleteYeah almost certainly and I won't send you any scenarios fantasising and searching differently. But, until it happens, I'm going to keep hoping and wondering and dreaming that something,anything - okay almost anything intervenes to prevent Trump becoming POTUS.
And once it does happen, I'm going to keep hoping and dreaming and fighting and advocating for something, again almost anything, to end the Trump presidency as soon as possible and minimise the damage it'll do every day.
I just can't NOT wish so. Because of what it means & implies for our whole world and all our futures.
But yes, especially to the last points on checking sources & reasoning, going high where they go low, et cetera ..
Sigh, OK, Jim. No more President-Elect Pussy Grabber. There. Out of my system. The problem with all that unrelenting with-us-or-against-us, Winning! macho media crap is that sometimes it gets to me, and I feel like a loser because I choose rationality over mindless feel-good aggression. I don't want to speak truth to power when power smirks. I want to punch it in the nose.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm better than that, and your example helps me to remember it. On Saturday I'm going to vote for a Sanders supporter to be my Democratic Party Area Representative, so that the DNC can hopefully grow a spine and get out from under the Wall Street lobby.
Happy New Year!
Thank your Jim you have articulated my views better than I. I am old. All that I can really do is stand in witness, stand in pride and stand in hope. I worry less about the people who have come to support Mr. Trump than I worry about those who supported Bernie and now have slipped over the line in their disappointment/fear/anger to attack all institutions. The political name Mugwumps (a very similar hatch) has been taken so I am using the term Whatevers until someone come forward with a better one. I would be very interested in what you see developing within this group. Thank you for your work.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I feel a little better...not great, but better. I'm doing the Women's March and maybe that will help too. We'll have to watch every bill and every conflict of interest and all the smooth-talking and call them on it. If we let up on anything, it will be that much harder to get back the lost ground.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I am truly not sure how much we can do but I couldn't live with myself if we didn't watch every bit of legislation and regulation and show up to oppose that which we believe will hurt people, hurt the planet. But, darn it all, it was not how I expected to spend my retirement. (A selfish 1st world statement if ever I saw one.) Onward (with a deep sigh.)
Delete"Salute the rank. Not the man."
ReplyDeleteI get that Jim. I really do. The Chain of Command is paramount to any organization. Someone has to make the hard decisions, and someone has to carry out those decisions. I get that.
But Jim.
Hardly a day goes by when Trump doesn't seem to go out of his way to demonstrate the fact he is not qualified for his position. The man has disrespected service members taken as POW's. The man has insulted service members who are dealing with service related PTSD. The man has belittled the families of fallen heroes. The man is ignoring his daily intelligence briefing, and disparaging those who put their lives on the line to get him that information. I would mention his open admiration of Russia, but I'm trying to keep down a meal here.
He doesn't know what he doesn't know, and he doesn't care to learn.
It is possible to fix ignorance. In my experience, if the victim is sincere and wants to learn, a little education is a life-time remedy. The only way I know to educate someone who thinks they already know it all is to let them fail until they admit they need help. I don't want Trump to fail, because doing so will cause pain to people who don't deserve it.
I agree with what you say about his name. I have always called him Trump and will continue to do so. Should I have need to refer to the office of the Chief Executive, I will most likely use the term President.
Please don't ask me to use the two together.
Oh nonsense, show Drumpf no quarter! He is president in name and legality only.
ReplyDeleteIf by whatever means an abomination seizes power it is our civic duty to never stop screaming it from the highest mountain.
His path should be made as difficult to traverse as legally possible!
Well said Jim. I have stopped going to major media blogs because the back and forth insanity will never stop.
ReplyDeleteOn the 20 of this month, after being administered the oath of office, Donald Trump will be my President. Whether I like it or not does not matter. At this point the only thing that matters is what actions he takes and how they will affect our nation. Then we get into the 'if you do it, you own it' phase of his presidency. That may be interesting.
CS in Florida
I'll give Trump exactly the same amount of respect the Tea Party gave to Obama.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican party continues to foist itself on America because it knows Democrats lack the fortitude to engage in the same dirty style of politics. If we Democrats want to win, we have to get muddy, too. Unless we want eight years of the Pussy Grabber, not four. You don't actually win against bullies by maintaining some kind of abstract higher moral ground. You win by slamming their face into the gravel and exposing them for the cowards they actually are. It's time to start slamming them into the gravel, not engaging in some kind of mutual respect party. Because they are NEVER going to respect their opposition, and neither should we.
Tit for tat? What are you, 10?
ReplyDelete“Slamming their face into the gravel?” I’ll bet you’ve never thrown a punch in anger. So stop.
This sucks. All around me I can feel people’s anxiety. But there’s nothing to be gained by denial, anger, in-fighting. Only the willingness and determination to present a long-term, united front will defeat Trump. That means a very strong Democratic mid-term turnout, pressuring Democratic Leadership to stand strong in the face of Fascism, and a hostile press that never stops hounding this Administration.
This is a very dangerous time in American history. Radical shifts (right or left) tend to reverberate, becoming unintended consequences. The Left needs to stand firm, here.
Peace
Chris in S. Jersey
I have read this essay at least a couple of times. I have also read the comments more than once. Some of the stated premises, I can go along with. Yes, he is the president. Technically, he is, in fact, my president. However, this time it really is different. I have grown up through the Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, Bush 2 and Obama administrations. During that entire time, I was a liberal democrat. I never loathed or hated any of the Republican presidents. Well, maybe Nixon. I certainly did not like or approve of much of anything that Reagan or the Bushes did, and there was quite a bit of what Clinton did that I was unhappy about. Same with Obama. But, this time it's different. I could be wrong, but I do not think that there was such a term as "rethuglican", or the like, until AFTER Libtard became a popular right-wing term of disparagement.
ReplyDeleteObama and far too many Dems have not understood that the other side has no rules, no moral center, no regard for anything but that which will help them win. Too many Dems stayed home in 1968 and gave us Nixon. In 2000, to many Dems voted Nader and gave us Bush 2. If Dems don't grow a pair, the country will not survive.
It is time to bring the really big guns to the fights...not just bring good sense, a belief that all folks are really good, nice folks. They are not. Trump is proof.
Therefore, while some may consider it childish or whatever, as far as any Republican I know is concerned, he is not my president, he not legitimate, his father really was an orangatan (thanks, Bill Maher), and he deserves no quarter whatever.
This. So fucking hard.
ReplyDeleteI don't give a shit how many people Melania has fucked, what genders, races or sexual orientations they were, why she fucked them, whether she did it for money or not...I don't care. It's not my fucking business, and I'm sick of having it shoved down my throat every time her name is mentioned.
I don't have to like her. I also *don't have to be a hypocrite*. It is quite possible to call the Republicans out for their hypocrisy without resorting to slut-shaming Melania. People who insist on doing that are *just as bad* as the people they are condemning!
-- Diana
I tried to organize my thoughts about the election of Trump and just couldn't manage to sound like a reasonable adult, so I gave up and linked back to you and Stonekettle Station - Resolutions! Thank you, sir!
ReplyDeleteDamn it Jim, why do you have to be all reasonable and call upon us to act our ages and with integrity, and make so much sense. I was rather fond of my pet name for Mr. Trump. But you are right. I despise the man, I have never called his family names though because it iS childish and they can't help being related to him. I also don't believe in shaming Melania. People forget we are only 3 generations away from being unable to vote, attend a full co-ed university or work outside the home. I digress.
ReplyDeleteI can't bring myself to call him President anymore than I could ever bring myself to call Mr. Bush President. But I despise people who can't call President Obama by his correct name and I don't really want to act like that myself.
Thank you for reminding us to remain our proper ages and to maintain our integrity and our dignity in these times.
Hello, Savannah sent me.
ReplyDelete"We have to be the people we want to be – otherwise there is no point."
This remembers me a bit of Mr Boswell, who one day deceided to be himself. He used to write little notes for himself for the next day. And the one for the 21st of July 1764 reads . "Be yourself. Be unique. Be happy !" Old James seriously did follow his own advice.
If being oneself also includes being serious, civilised and perhaps even friendly even when facing someone who disagrees with own beliefs etc. - this would be a nice idea ! But, frankly, I have some doubts about the public discourse in the US. at the moment it seems to work like "If in doubt, yell out !" With the notable exception of your blog of course. :) In Savannah I trust !
As a subscriber, I’ve long appreciated your blogs … and the fact that you seem to think as I do. I’m further encouraged to read the comments on this piece … most are in agreement with what you’ve written. In the past, I’ve assumed that we grownups were in the minority; but perhaps we’ve all just kept silent, waiting ‘til juvenile noise died down, before speaking our mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being an adult; and for providing this space for the rest of us.
I got as far as this:
ReplyDelete"stop sending me scenarios describing far-fetched, impossible ideas for [insert alternate of your choice here] to become president in his stead. That's not going to happen and I'm sick of being polite while people waste my time with it. Stop it. Please."
before I went from 'oh good, another Jim Wright thing' to 'OH THANK GOD SOMEONE SAID IT'.
I cannot express - luckily, you did, so I don't have to - how *annoyed* I have been at other liberals coming up with *increasingly* far-fetched, ridiculously bizarre ideas for whatever next stop-Trump idea someone has come up with now.
And I'm with you 100% on #3. Ugh! Who thinks that's a reasonable thing to do? I am willing to discuss the theoreticals of what happens if he *does* die, as an intellectual exercise (theoretically, I'm pretty sure that the people who go 'what if he dies' are hoping for a whole new election or something; ALSO NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, GET OVER IT - I'm pretty sure they don't want to hear this answer, but tough).
And 4a. Please. It makes the person *saying* it look like a little kid whining, "NO I WON'T! I WON'T GO! i WON'T I WON'T I WON'T!" It doesn't make *him* look like a little kid whining. Who wants to look like a little kid whining? (I admit to having trouble with the President Trump thing.)
And 4b. Duh. I've never understood this. Again, all those other things make the person *saying* them sound dumb, and make the 'recipient' go "well, *that* person is clearly not worth dealing with/trying to converse intelligently with. Next!" If your goal is to make yourself look stupid, keep saying stupid derogatory things; it's not helping *you*, it's actually helping the other side dismiss you. Great idea! Mature!
And 5, too. Well, okay, all the rest of it.
YEAH. C'mon. If we want to look like the grown-ups in the room, we need to *act* like the grown-ups in the room.
As always, stellar article.
Plus, this made me crack up: more goddamned lame-ass Benghazi reboots than the Batman franchise.
Thank you for this wisdom. And for the belly laugh. I needed it.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with our progressive message isn't that people in rural areas don't want to hear it or don't agree. It's that they CAN'T hear it. I've learned by travelling through middle America by RV that in rural cable providers always carry FOX and almost none of them even carry MSNBC. That a huge information gap.
ReplyDeleteJZinFL
I came at the suggestion of Savannah Marsh Mama, whom I greatly respect. Through her I'm familiar with your postings on FB. I don't always comment on what I read...I try to embrace my trembling inner adult and walk away if I can't add to a conversation. :) Thanks for this piece. I tell folks I always aim to take the high road...and that it's often lonely, but doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing. Thanks for walking that path with me for a spell. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso from Savannah's blog. Great post. Also a post that should be on a blog and not on Fakebook.
ReplyDeleteI thought Trump fought the GOP and Hilary would win. Yes I was wrong he won. However, he did fight the GOP and apparently is still not completely sync'd up with many of them. Now the GOP will crash and burn resulting in a new centrist party. Oh did I mention my prediction that Hilary would win?
I never understood why the USA has only two "parties". As I learned recently there are Greens and perhaps even some who may be called "left", but in the end there are only two.
DeleteIs the country too large ?
Thirty years back I learned that it is a big difference between a man who calls himself "Republican" in New York, and another "Republican" in New Texas. Or a "Democrat" in Boston and one on Alabama. Through some magic they seemed to have come over these distances. But Trump just ignored all and everything, replacing any content by "Trump". Same as Putin I guess.
Anyway, both behemoths should ask themselves if they still represent "the Nation" - whatever this may be.
Yes, yes to everything I've read above just wanted to add that my new years resolution was to NEVER speak his name again in my life. Today he is "President-Elect", next month he will be "the current president" and after he leaves office he will be "the former president, you know who". It works for me.
ReplyDelete