Thank you, Sara, for this ode. Really happy that my prompt prompted you! The pendulum has swung, as it always does. We will move forward again, but it's going to take time and a lot of hardship.
Lovely, Sara. As you know, my thoughts are still angry and confused. Writing like yours can lead us past this sad period and sustain us until there are brighter days.
Thanks Kit. We need to do whatever it takes to not give in to despair. Then they really have won and not just the election. I hope you post your writing.
Thanks for your ode, Sara. I share the final sentiments you express, but I feel what we see now is, indeed, recognisable from when I was much younger. Those were years of Nixon, "the silent majority," and George McGovern's dramatic loss in the presidential election to another heinous individual. I also witnessed open racism and sexism in those days, when the John Birch Society operated an "American Opinion Bookstore" in the town where I lived and right-wing perspectives were shared among the people I worked with in many blue-collar jobs. But we also had people like my father who served in a savage war against fascism who were not capable of forgetting and voted accordingly. The country is poorer for the passing of that generation, and for not having effectively passed on the memories of a prior generation.
Have you read Heather Cox Richardson today Letters to an American: "Social media has been flooded today with stories of Trump voters who are shocked to learn that tariffs will raise consumer prices as reporters are covering that information." "Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, who studies focus groups, told NPR, “When I ask voters in focus groups if they think Donald Trump is an authoritarian, the #1 response by far is, ‘What is an authoritarian?’”
With all the purposeful misinformation, this generation is the least knowledgeable of what they are voting for and against. It's hard to fight that without an Elon Musk on your side. We must be of similar age. How often I've said since Nixon was president that things have to swing back, get better. And over these 50 years, it's gotten much much worse.
Here in France, Macron greeted Trump's win with a loving congratulations. Gag me.
Oh, Sara, so true. We worked and fought to attain women 's rights, gay rights, not to mention voting rights. Many thought we made great strides in the sixties and seventies. Not so very much. An double gag on Macron. France has always been my place of refuge. Maybe not so much anymore? On the other hand, we haven't met, but I may come visit you there!
Yes I’ve read Richardson’s commentary today; I think the president elect has never himself learned how tariffs work, and will not since it would require admitting to a mistake. I read Macron’s comments as well, ugh (I moved to France after retiring from work in Ireland; healthcare’s a big for us). Thanks for replying !
Thank you, Sara, for this ode. Really happy that my prompt prompted you! The pendulum has swung, as it always does. We will move forward again, but it's going to take time and a lot of hardship.
Well said, Sara. Inspired to write a bit on the election myself. Great speaking to you the other day, despite the gruesome news post election.
Extremely well said, Sara!
Lovely, Sara. As you know, my thoughts are still angry and confused. Writing like yours can lead us past this sad period and sustain us until there are brighter days.
Thanks Kit. We need to do whatever it takes to not give in to despair. Then they really have won and not just the election. I hope you post your writing.
Thanks for your ode, Sara. I share the final sentiments you express, but I feel what we see now is, indeed, recognisable from when I was much younger. Those were years of Nixon, "the silent majority," and George McGovern's dramatic loss in the presidential election to another heinous individual. I also witnessed open racism and sexism in those days, when the John Birch Society operated an "American Opinion Bookstore" in the town where I lived and right-wing perspectives were shared among the people I worked with in many blue-collar jobs. But we also had people like my father who served in a savage war against fascism who were not capable of forgetting and voted accordingly. The country is poorer for the passing of that generation, and for not having effectively passed on the memories of a prior generation.
Have you read Heather Cox Richardson today Letters to an American: "Social media has been flooded today with stories of Trump voters who are shocked to learn that tariffs will raise consumer prices as reporters are covering that information." "Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, who studies focus groups, told NPR, “When I ask voters in focus groups if they think Donald Trump is an authoritarian, the #1 response by far is, ‘What is an authoritarian?’”
With all the purposeful misinformation, this generation is the least knowledgeable of what they are voting for and against. It's hard to fight that without an Elon Musk on your side. We must be of similar age. How often I've said since Nixon was president that things have to swing back, get better. And over these 50 years, it's gotten much much worse.
Here in France, Macron greeted Trump's win with a loving congratulations. Gag me.
Oh, Sara, so true. We worked and fought to attain women 's rights, gay rights, not to mention voting rights. Many thought we made great strides in the sixties and seventies. Not so very much. An double gag on Macron. France has always been my place of refuge. Maybe not so much anymore? On the other hand, we haven't met, but I may come visit you there!
Hi Sara,
Yes I’ve read Richardson’s commentary today; I think the president elect has never himself learned how tariffs work, and will not since it would require admitting to a mistake. I read Macron’s comments as well, ugh (I moved to France after retiring from work in Ireland; healthcare’s a big for us). Thanks for replying !
FWIW:
A Post Mortem Autopsy: From A Diddy Party to a Pity Party https://shorturl.at/eIVYI
Black Women Blaming Black Men For Harris Loss https://shorturl.at/mq0kH
Absolutely soul lifting! Thanks so much, from a former Bernie delegate
Your ode brings tears to my eyes. (Though they may already have been lurking nearby.)