Post-Election Fears & Anxieties

[Revlonred]

28 minutes ago, Pixel said:

I've been needing new running shoes and usually buy New Balance. Not anymore. There are plenty of good brands who didn't just support Trump today. 

I'm tossing my New Balance.  

[crayon78]

57 minutes ago, Deanie87 said:

So I guess I'll respectfully ask those who voted for Trump if they can understand the point of view of those who are now sad and sincerely afraid, either for their personal safety or for the future of our country.  And if so, how do you feel about that?  Do you think that people are overreacting?

For some Trump voters, the answer is definitely no. I planned to skip Facebook today in the name of self-care, but I ended up going on anyway. Someone posted an article about the safety pins. There were 5 or 6 commenters, all telling people to grow up, stop whining and crying, get over it, and just generally more ridiculing and belittling of people's feelings, mocking of safe spaces, and all the usual stuff. Sure, 30 people liked the article, but all of the commenters just couldn't or wouldn't understand the point of view at all of people who are genuinely afraid. No one is requiring them to wear safety pins. No one is saying you're a bad person if you don't do it. The article just gives people something to do to try to help other people feel safe. Yet apparently that's worthy of a litany of comments about people being weak babies.

I think a huge issue these days (not just related to the election) is that some people can't or won't try to put themselves in another's shoes to see how they might feel. I get that people who voted for Trump are overjoyed right now. I'm not telling them they can't feel that way, and I understand that they're happy. But I'd also like them to try to understand how someone not in their position might not feel the same way, respect that, and allow that as well. That being scared is legitimate. That being sad that the country isn't what you thought you knew is valid. Why is so important to take an affirmative step to vocally and publicly reject someone else's feelings just because they are different from your own? Anyway, I think there are genuinely people who cannot understand at all why anyone might be afraid, who can't see that perspective even if they tried. If only we had the Point of View Gun from the Hitchhiker's movie.

I just don't know when it became such a bad/weak/shameful thing to have empathy and compassion for another. That's the thing that bothers me the most on Facebook these days. The dismissive nature of the comments to anyone who dares feel grief about this, to anyone who doesn't just let it go and move on, to anyone who is taking time to process real feelings. That gets to me way more than people who just post that they're happy with the results or even gloat about winning. I expected that after the election. It might be naive, but I really didn't expect people, some of whom I have known in person, to just show such a lack of compassion to others. It's the type of thing that's hard to come back from in any relationship.

[DrSpaceman73]

I didn't vote for Trump (I was a gary Johnson supporter) but I know a number of people who did.  Most of them did so as a vote against Hillary, not for Trump.  You can say there is no difference, but many don't view it that way.   Actually I think the Supreme Court being on the line shifted things for the Republicans.  The Republicans took a big gamble on that and it paid off, thus far. 

 

I am willing to take a wait and see approach with Trump.  I was shocked he won.  I blame the political system for this whole mess.  The reasons he won is rooted much deeper than can be explained with simple statistics about republicans, democrats, male, female, race, etc.  We have a screwed up mostly two party political system that produces bad candidates.  I viewed it as only a matter of time until this screwed up system produced such a screwed up winner.  Both sides leave little room for moderates or reasonable discourse.  The number of voters considering themselves independent rather than Republican or Democrat has increased over the last 1-2 decades.  And the internet and social media plays a role.  Most people don't actually seek out objective news.  They go to news outlets they know will reinforce their own views.  And all news outlets anymore are biased.  They have to be.  The viewership/readership landscape is so huge and so fractured that you can't exist trying to appeal to a broad base.  As a result, they go for niche segments and do all they can to reinforce their stranglehold on those niche segments.  Fox is blatant about it, but other outlets do the same.  Its the reality of the media market.  There are some that are exceptions.  Michael Smerconish does a great show for moderates. 

People voted for Trump in spite of his racist and mysoginistic views, not because of them.  Two things tell me this.  One, Trump won North Carolina but Pat McCrory, who passed the infamous HB2 "bathroom" regulations, has lost in a close vote.  Two, Sheriff Joe was voted out of office while Trump won Arizona.  These issues aren't being ignored.  I am not even sure Trump winning is good for republicans.  Not all his views are on the conservative side and he has obvious divides with leaders in his own party, which will hinder his ability to actually make changes. 

The way to fix this from happening again is expanding choices and think beyond two parties, which is how it works in every other country on the planet except the US.  The Pirate party just helped take over Iceland.  Refuse to vote for the "lesser of two evils".  Find someone you agree with.   Look more to independent and moderates who actually want compromise and solutions (John Kasich is who I wanted for the Republicans) rather than just more power for themselves and their party. 

If nothing else, good or bad, we will find out how a non-career politician works as the leader of the country.  If it goes badly, the republicans are going to be crushed in 2018 and then he will lose in 2020.  There is always another election to vote them out.  Hopefully Trump the campaigner is nothing like Trump the president.  Trump is many things, but stupid is not one of them.   He better have a fast learning curve on this job. 

[zxy556575]

19 minutes ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

Trump is many things, but stupid is not one of them.

I could not disagree more about that!

9 hours ago, sistermagpie said:

Let's face it, calls for unity very often are polite ways of telling minorities to shut up and submit.

Indeed. I'm not going to be an Uncle Tom Democrat. It's not in my nature to vandalize or riot (Ack, the noise!) and I wish others wouldn't, but I will remain defiant and steadfast.

Quote

It's easy to just say that they are stupid, they are racists, they are not as good as you. It's harder to research and truly learn what motivates half of the American people not to agree with you.

What I have seen in the political threads is people who are pretzeling and sweating and postulating and theorizing and citing articles and stats to try to understand the Trump voters.

If "half the nation" voted for Trump, then half didn't. I'm encouraged and heartened by hearing from others here who agree with me and that is what I will keep in mind when I make my posts.

Edited November 12, 2016 by lordonia

[DeLurker]

36 minutes ago, magdalene said:

But it makes me sad to hear of flag burnings and vandalizing etc. . That never helps and gets folks labeled as anarchists and criminals.Meanwhile, I plan to not give my money or my business to organisations, businesses, private parties who are Trump supporters and/or right wing Republican.  It's usually pretty easy to find out what businesses  are pro Republican and or pro Trump in your community - right now especially the Trumpers like to boast all over twitter and facebook of how the tears of the defeated liberals are so satisfying - sometimes they do this on the same page advertising for their business.

I don't go to movies that star right wing actors. I never visit Seaworld.  I don't watch Tom Sellecks TV show.  I don't buy products that Tom Brady endorses (I stopped watching the New England Patriots because  Brady and their coach support Trump.) I don't give any money (or buy any cookies, etc.) to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.  It may seem like a little thing to do but it can make a difference.  For example, Seaworld was forced to make a lot of changes that benefit the animals in their "care" after their business and attendance was down. 

And write these organizations to tell them why you aren't spending your money there.

21 minutes ago, auntl said:

I will try one last time. You can stay in your bubble and keep telling yourself that you are superior, or you could try to understand why half of the American people don't agree with you.

It's easy to just say that they are stupid, they are racists, they are not as good as you. It's harder to research and truly learn what motivates half of the American people not to agree with you.

Conversely, 60,797,426 people voted for Clinton and 60,232,744 for Trump.  Are the Trump supporters being suggested to "research and truly learn what motivates half of the American people not to agree with" them?

I appreciate the civility of your posts, but we are processing what has to be one of the most significant historical elections ever.  There are going to be things that happen as a result that impact people on an individual level and on a social/cultural level.  It is a matter deeply significant to the entire world.   So there's not a mandate that we do so within X number of days.

[DrSpaceman73]

I say Trump is not stupid because he somehow managed to find a way to work his way through a complex political system he had never participated in before as a candidate and despite that somehow found a way to win.  I don't like how he did it and I don't support him.  His manner was not what I consider presidential, honest or dignified. 

But he still won, somehow, despite everyone doubting his ability to do so and thinking at some point he would stumble.  Skilled career politicians , in fact ones he beat, have many teams screwed up in the whole same process. 

Continuing to underestimate him and the results is a mistake for everyone. 

As for the popular vote, you can't say she should have won based on this because the scenario we all know that is set up is it doesn't matter if you win the popular vote, its about the electoral college.  If people knew ahead of time it was popular vote and not the electoral college that decides things, results may be different.  Many people in non swing states would likely have voted when they chose not to in this election, and all elections, because they know voting is not likely to change the results in their state.  How many people on California bother to vote for Trump or any republican know they are likely going to lose?  You can't change the rules after the fact. 

Edited November 12, 2016 by DrSpaceman73

[galax-arena]

If anyone is planning on donating to Planned Parenthood sometime in the near future (since the GOP will now do their utmost to strip PP of any funding), may I suggest some pettiness with your charity?

[windsprints]

Quote

I will try one last time. You can stay in your bubble and keep telling yourself that you are superior, or you could try to understand why half of the American people don't agree with you.

 Perhaps I missed it (thread moves so fast) but I didn't see any information you posted to get people to understand. There were several posts respectfully asking for explanation - people making an effort to understand - and well, nothing.

Perhaps this is nitpicky but half the American people didn't vote for either candidate because half the American people didn't vote at all.  Slightly less than half the American people who voted were for DJT and slightly more than half who voted were for HRC. 

Quote

People voted for Trump in spite of his racist and mysoginistic views, not because of them.

Opinions will obviously vary but this is a deal breaker for me. I do not understand  just overlooking someone being racist, etc. and vote for them for President. Its not like ignoring the fact that the cashier at the market is racist, this is the President, the person who will be responsible for setting policy for all Americans.  Seeing it and voting for him in spite of it is (for me) the same as condoning it because everyone is aware of the power the office of President has and the impact those view can potentially have. I'm sorry if that insults anyone. I'm only trying to explain myself (and probably failing to do so).

[Calvada]

Some questions I have:  will he wear a baseball cap during the inauguration?  Will most of his inaugural address be a commercial for inauguration-related swag, all profits going to him?  Will he still take time out for tanning to manage that level of orangeness? 

Seriously, I find hysterical all these people saying chill out, what he said during the campaign was simply hyperbole, just the "usual" campaign rhetoric.  We will have a president who has demeaned and assaulted women, mocked the disabled, urged violence against people of color, Muslims, and the media, and said appalling things about members of the military, POWs, and Gold Star families.  And he has lied and lied and lied and lied and lied again.  I worry about the future of our country, I worry about him bungling us into a war, I worry about him destroying the economy..  Quite honestly, I will not feel safe in any respect during the tenure of his term. I have been unhappy with election results many, many times during my life.  I have never been scared until now. 

[Lantern7]

New Balance supports that guy? I need new sneakers. I have been avoiding Nike, thinking that I'd be screwing over sweatshop workers.

Greg Popovich? That's a winner. Five championships in the span of fifteen years.

ETA: It was a vice president who tweeted. Maybe he'll get fired. Still, I need new shoes.

[RHJunkie]

58 minutes ago, auntl said:

I will try one last time. You can stay in your bubble and keep telling yourself that you are superior, or you could try to understand why half of the American people don't agree with you.

It's easy to just say that they are stupid, they are racists, they are not as good as you. It's harder to research and truly learn what motivates half of the American people not to agree with you.

Is it as easy as saying that those who disagree are staying in their bubble? 

You don't need to know what is the precise motivation to any given voter to understand why they voted for Trump. His policies and beliefs are a package deal. When you vote, you may only like part of the package, but it doesn't change the fact that you are explicitly or implicitly endorsing everything because your vote says that 'while I may not like these other things, I'm willing to overlook those things (ex. racism, sexism) because increasing job opportunities (for example) are a higher priority than ensuring that citizens rights are protected and that no citizen should be afraid because of the colour of their skin, the religion they follow, who they love, etc. Why does the small picture mean anything at all when the big picture paints one of a country that has many many Americans afraid to be an American all because they aren't white? Why does anyone need to be politically correct about this when basic human rights is being threatened? Why you voted for Trump is ZERO solace for any person who will be most greatly impacted by the results of this election. It's easy overlook the big picture when the individual voter doesn't have to worry about any of those ramifications.

With all that said, for any good motivation a Trump voter may have, I would love to have a follow-up with an explanation of what his policies are to implement those great ideas that may not be racist, sexist, etc. Buying into promises without being given any real plans on how to deliver - I'm sorry, that makes you an ill-informed and ill-equipped voter, regardless of what your motivation was in the voting booth. 

It isn't superiority that is driving this anger and disbelief. It's human conscious. 

Edited November 12, 2016 by RHJunkie

[DeLurker]

10 minutes ago, galax-arena said:

If anyone is planning on donating to Planned Parenthood sometime in the near future (since the GOP will now do their utmost to strip PP of any funding), may I suggest some pettiness with your charity?

Too funny!  I actually thought of doing a similar thing to my alt right brother for his birthday (A gift has been made in your name to ultra left org).  Never thought to do it to a politician - whee!  Fun times ahead!

[Pixel]

4 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

New Balance supports that guy? I need new sneakers. I have been avoiding Nike, thinking that I'd be screwing over sweatshop workers.

Greg Popovich? That's a winner. Five championships in the span of fifteen years.

ETA: It was a vice president who tweeted. Maybe he'll get fired. Still, I need new shoes.

I saw a blurb on the news today about New Balance making a statement about Trump being good for them because of his stance on TPP. They already started back pedaling on it, but people were already burning their shoes. New Balance Statement

[EyewatchTV211]

7 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

New Balance supports that guy? I need new sneakers. I have been avoiding Nike, thinking that I'd be screwing over sweatshop workers.

Greg Popovich? That's a winner. Five championships in the span of fifteen years.

ETA: It was a vice president who tweeted. Maybe he'll get fired. Still, I need new shoes.

Anyone have information on the people behind Skechers either way? Hopefully there's a sneaker company worth supporting.

[Kromm]

1 hour ago, Menrva said:

I know I'm still very angry and I am still finding it hard to be generous, but I do want to know if Trump voters who don't see themselves as racist or bigoted would stand up and protest some of the violence being carried out now. I just saw on the news that KKK flyers are being distributed throughout Lyndhurst, NJ. Would they stand with us against the KKK? Or would they shrug and say, "Hey, not my problem," or just assume it's Democratic troublemakers being paid to make Republicans look bad? Because that's what I've seen so far. Will they continue to get annoyed with us because we're rocking the boat and making them think about things that they really don't want to think about? Because then they have to admit that they're part of the problem and they haven't done anything to make it better.

Here's the issue. Here's the reality of people's reactions I believe.

All of us... and I mean ALL, have developed a frightening ability to doublethink.

I believe the tendency is markedly worse with Trump supporters and ultra-conservatives (often, but not ALWAYS the same thing. remember), but we've all been forced down that road.

Hillary is no hero. She's a standard model politician with all of the thorns (and the muck) that always includes. Countless lies and exaggeration were told about her--the nail in the coffin being James Comey's fake re-opening of the email investigation--but part of the whole tragic cycle is that she was a fairly shit candidate, and Bernie really not any better, and that's ALL the fucking Democratic party could put up to run. Aside from the undeniable positives of being the first woman to have a realistic chance at the Presidency, and her actually KNOWING the job, the downsides were that everyone knew how hated she was. Not just the standard cross-party hatred, but deeper, broader hatred. A lot which has to do with her having a Vagina, but not all of it. And the inability of people to see and acknowledge that was a problem: a big one. Ultimately she wasn't elected BECAUSE of that Vagina--it certainly was "worth" a few percentage points for Trump no matter what else went on, and that's all she lost by in the battlegrounds, but at the same time I think it's also fair to say that virtually any other Democratic candidate OTHER than either a Clinton, or a Socialist, probably would have done better. Really it was stupid running her, and the denial of people in admitting that isn't a good thing. 

The doublethink on the Trumpeteer's side manifests in lots of ways, as we've seen, but one thing I've noticed a lot in particular is the tendency to deflect, and to constantly create false equivalencies. Go on a very pro-Trump board and make the same point you made about the KKK activities in Lyndhurst? Rather than try to address it, the typical response will be a deflection to talking about 'the black protesters' rioting" or something along those lines. Probably no one would actually address the KKK stuff, or if so very minimally in a way that implies it's "being blown out of proportion" and is an "isolated incident" (but even there they typically won't come down on STOPPING those incidents). 

Really it sucks that George Orwell was so dead on. Just 32 years later than he predicted.

[Calvada]

Maybe this should be a new thread - which companies to support if you're a Dem, which ones to support if you're a Republican.

Seriously, I need to know which shoes I can buy.  I've been a loyal New Balance customer for years, but no longer.  I need something to offset the Ben & Jerry's!

[Kromm]

42 minutes ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

I didn't vote for Trump (I was a gary Johnson supporter) but I know a number of people who did.  Most of them did so as a vote against Hillary, not for Trump.  You can say there is no difference, but many don't view it that way. 

Have you had any problems mentally or emotionally reconciling your vote for Johnson after the election? I assume you went into the vote assuming it WOULD work as a protest, since you believed Clinton would still win, but then Johnson's showing would send a message. I suppose the message is sent even harder this way, but do you see why a lot of people believe it was cutting off your nose to spite your face?

[catrox14]

12 minutes ago, auntl said:

Trump voters are not on this board calling Hillary voters stupid and racist. If they were, I would suggest the same thing to them.

The country is basically split down the middle. To me that says that there is probably right and wrong on both sides. I don't think that 60 million people on either side can be totally wrong or totally right.

You can't really say the country is split down the middle because over 40% of the eligible voters did not vote.  They either didn't like either candidate or didn't care about voting. Hillary won the popular vote. That can't be ignored in an examination of the overall electorate.

[magdalene]

3 hours ago, maasa said:

This campaign was very ugly. People said a lot of mean and hurtful things on both sides. I understand that the people who's candidate lost are very disappointed and need a chance to commiserate.

However, some of the things said on this board are venomous. One person called the 60 million Trump voters "dumb fuckers". Wow...

At some point this board will stop being perceived as disappointed people expressing their disappointment and anxiety. It will start being perceived as a board for hateful sore losers throwing a temper tantrum.

I think I called them "dumb fuckers" and I totally stand by that sentiment.  

Let me put it this way:  Had Mitt Romney or a Jeb Bush been elected I would have been disappointed but I wouldn't have  called his voters dumb fucks. (And I have found a new respect for Romney during this election).   Most of our Republican presidents have been decent and well-meaning. I disagree with their policies but I can respect them.  Heck, even Nixon was a much better man than Trump.

But the voters who elected Trump have elected a racist xenophobe who is a threat to our most vulnerable people and the world. . He has espoused fascist views - I have German roots and I can spot a fascist pretty quick. German history has taught me a lot of brutal lessons and I know how insidious fascism is and how it starts and how it grows.  And now thanks to his voters this man has the nuclear codes.  I was indeed being restrained when I said "dumb fuckers".

[FuriousStyles]

14 minutes ago, auntl said:

Trump voters are not on this board calling Hillary voters stupid and racist. If they were, I would suggest the same thing to them.

The country is basically split down the middle. To me that says that there is probably right and wrong on both sides. I don't think that 60 million people on either side can be totally wrong or totally right.

But what you're saying is that inherently there are things boths sides can compromise on. When it comes to misogynistic, racist and xenophobic rhetoric....its just wrong. Period.  You want to debate what to do about the environment, or justice reform or abortion or whatever....we can do that.  But some things are simply not up for debate...assuming you live by the standard that everyone deserves respect and the ability to feel safe in this country?

[magdalene]

1 hour ago, Deanie87 said:

For whatever this is worth, my husband works for a German company and talks with Germans and colleagues from other countries all day long, and has done for over a decade.  The day after the election, his colleagues were very upset and very worried about the US.  One person in particular actually told him, "this is how it begins."  Now, I don't know this person, I wasn't on the call, and my husband has said that many of the Germans that he works with are a bit disdainful of America in general LOL!  BUT they take this kind of stuff very, very seriously and they are super, duper vigilant about it as well, and will not tolerate any kind behavior (even jokingingly)  that may seem to include even a whiff of fascism, etc.  At least at my husband's company and at least among every single German that he works with.  I will say that this really gave my husband pause and he came downstairs quite shaken after that conversation.

So much yes to this.

[EyewatchTV211]

Yes, they are not done counting official numbers in some places, such as California. 

Plus the various voting issues that have been reported, including:

*The state of WI ignored a judicial ruling that they overturn and remedy some of worst of the new voter restrictions. Trump won Wisconsin by 27,000 votes. 300,000 voters were turned away by the states strict Voter ID law. There is your "rigged" election.
* 80K votes were missing after the computer "glitch" in Durham, which has NC's highest concentrations of African American voters.
 Both of those were states Clinton lost by less than the amount of missing votes. In both states, especially in WI, they likely affected the down-ticket races as well.
* 800K mail-in votes in FL were "never returned" according to the election board there. 

(Regarding FL, I personally know someone whose 3 family members submitted absentee ballots that were supposedly "never returned." She shared that either on Monday or early in the day Tuesday, so it wasn't just an attempt to support the unfairness of Trump winning.

And no use denying the voter suppression considering the GOP was showing off about doing it.

Edited November 12, 2016 by VMepicgrl
New data

[Grommet]

27 minutes ago, VMepicgrl said:

Anyone have information on the people behind Skechers either way?

EGAD, not Sketchers! I live in mine.

I'm sure there are people I know and like who voted for Trump. I'm sure they're not racists or sexual predator apologists. What they are is ill-informed about policy issues and easily swayed by celebrity and sound bites. They don't see the election as being as critically important as my liberal friends and I do, so they figured why not vote for the guy who says whatever the fuck comes into his head. It's kinda fun, like the zing you get from eating something spicy right before your throat catches on fire,

[Lillybee]

What is frightening to me is the Donald's war on the press. At his rallies, he encouraged people to turn on the reports, so much that they had to be escorted out by the secret service.

[EyewatchTV211]

Eh.  I'm inclined to agree with the article someone else just posted earlier (sorry, forget who): http://whatever.scalzi.com/2016/11/10/the-cinemax-theory-of-racism/     They may not practice racism themselves, but voting for Trump to get other stuff knowing the racism was included in the "package" is still a problem.

[zxy556575]

1 minute ago, Grommet said:

I'm sure there are people I know and like who voted for Trump. I'm sure they're not racists or sexual predator apologists. What they are is ill-informed about policy issues and easily swayed by celebrity and sound bites. They don't see the election as being as critically important as my liberal friends and I do, so they figured why not vote for the guy who says whatever the fuck comes into his head. It's kinda fun, like the zing you get from eating something spicy right before your throat catches on fire,

In other words, they're dumb fucks!

[crayon78]

17 minutes ago, auntl said:

Trump voters are not on this board calling Hillary voters stupid and racist. If they were, I would suggest the same thing to them.

Maybe not on this board since it's a post-election anxiety thread and therefore most participants were not Trump voters. But I can say that in my Facebook feed, people with views like mine were absolutely labeled stupid, weak, blind, delusional libtards just doing what people told them to do and not thinking for themselves. That rhetoric hasn't really changed since Trump winning except for adding in talk of whiny babies and being dumb for having fears.

My problem is that every post/article I've seen about "unity" in the wake of the election is asking "liberals" or "coastal elites" or Hillary voters to think about what may have caused Trump voters to vote the way they did. I'm not saying we shouldn't, but I haven't seen a single one suggesting that the people who voted for Trump try to understand why people may be unhappy or afraid, or to try to see things from their perspective. I've been looking at the news in small doses, so it's possible I missed it, but I've seen multiple articles on the first topic and zero on the second. I don't know how we can see each other's perspectives, if only one side is supposed to do the work. Empathy should go both ways.

I've asked here before for someone to tell me why I should not be afraid, why I should be hopeful, what positive things there are to look forward to, and I have meant it honestly, but I still haven't seen anything. I want to hear something concrete, instead of just having hope and faith that it won't be so bad. Right now I take Trump at his word. I believe he is going to do all the things he promised during his campaign, including bans on religions, deportations, repealing Obamacare, all of it. He said it. Multiple times. But for me, that's treating him the same way I've treated every other president-elect. I believe they are going to do what they promised their voters they would, unless shown otherwise. So I'm not seeing the light in the darkness for a female POC. I honestly want to see where other people are coming from though, and their reasons why they think Trump will be a good president for everyone in this country. I just haven't seen any responses to that.

[EyewatchTV211]

Another company to support is Starbucks. In addition to having shown support for Hillary for awhile, they have spoken in support of our diverse society. And I also just went on twitter for the first time and saw this retweeted: "Sitting here in Starbucks, which is training its local employees on aiding LGBT people targeted by hate crimes & how to provide safe space."

[Bastet]

Quote

Too funny!  I actually thought of doing a similar thing to my alt right brother for his birthday (A gift has been made in your name to ultra left org). 

I did that with my aunt when I graduated from law school.  She sent me a check for $100 and a card in which she went off on my plans to use my education to become a civil rights lawyer (in a way that was so inappropriate to the occasion that even my conservative mother who also disagreed with many of the causes I'd taken on was appalled by her).  So I wrote her a polite thank you note the way my parents raised me, and then made a $100 donation in her name to the ACLU (complete, of course, with them sending her an acknowledgment card). 

Edited November 12, 2016 by Bastet

[abstractstuff]

Support Starbucks?! hahaha! Wow.. Yeah.. They are totally for the working person.. 

[EyewatchTV211]

http://dcist.com/2016/11/million_woman_march_planned_in_dc_f.php

[DeLurker]

3 minutes ago, crayon78 said:

I've asked here before for someone to tell me why I should not be afraid, why I should be hopeful, what positive things there are to look forward to, and I have meant it honestly, but I still haven't seen anything.

Speaking for myself, I am afraid.  Not because of any of the demographical (is this a word?) categories I might fall into, but as a person and an American.  I fear existing in a place where we are no longer making progress in issues - racial, social, political, scientific, etc... but regressing.  Where we are failing to evolve as people and, more horrifyingly, choosing not to.

I am hopeful because even at this point of tension, we have people and leaders speaking up.  Not inciting riots or a revolution, but vocalizing concretely alternatives paths forward.  Former Attorney General Eric Holder was on Real Time with Bill Maher just now.  I felt better just listening to him. 

And, as a most unlikely realization, I feel good that I can be a small part in working to make this country better.  That I am existing at a time of huge historical significance - politically and socially - and can do something to try to aid in that effort.

[Kromm]

5 minutes ago, VMepicgrl said:

http://dcist.com/2016/11/million_woman_march_planned_in_dc_f.php

If it's the day after inauguration, then it will be a real test of how quickly President Dumptruck can get the Stormtroopers in place. I mean arresting a million people?  Even for him that will be a challenge.

Now if they were brave, they'll hold a followup march a year later (when the infrastructure for whole-scale oppression is in place). 

[aradia22]

Quote

Third, find your thing. Find your cause, and get back in the game. Be a mentor or volunteer. Remember every priority of Secretary Clinton's and dive into one headfirst. Most importantly, bring your friends.

It's our responsibility to form a tribe unlike anything that's ever been seen before—one that is stronger, louder, and more ferocious than ever. The suffragettes didn't win us the right to vote by walking down the street with headphones on, reading Twitter. We cannot let this happen again. [...]

We have to be the women that the very young, confused, and deeply disappointed little girls look up to. We have to take the time and make the effort to show them that the world isn't totally fucked. We can't take our toys and go home because where would that leave them? We have to come together and move forward.

We have to do this for them, because she did it for us.

https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/a-letter-to-young-women-how-we-will-all-move-forward-together-now

[EyewatchTV211]

More evil numbers, courtesy of the NY Times:

Hillary won by more than Gore in 2000, Nixon in 1968, or Kennedy in 1960, it seems. Currently at 2 million and counting.

And on a very sad note regarding what Trump has unleashed, from USA Today:

Saudi student assaulted in Wisconsin, dies of his injuries

Edited November 12, 2016 by VMepicgrl

[backgroundnoise]

Quote

I will try one last time. You can stay in your bubble and keep telling yourself that you are superior, or you could try to understand why half of the American people don't agree with you.

It's easy to just say that they are stupid, they are racists, they are not as good as you. It's harder to research and truly learn what motivates half of the American people not to agree with you.

Will you answer this:  Do you think Donald Trump owes the nation an apology for his rhetoric?

[aradia22]

Quote

I read an open letter that Jennifer Lawrence penned where she told us to not blame anyone or and "if you're worried about racial violence love your neighbor more than you've ever tried to before—no matter what they believe or who they voted for." Uh, sorry, what? No fucking way am I going to love my neighbor who thinks I don't belong in the country based on my skin color or that I should be denied rights based on my sexuality. 

I think we should try to find common ground with people who aren't the worst but still felt like they could vote for Trump because they turned a blind eye to things he has said and done or because they had an irrational hatred of Hillary Clinton. Basically, I think there's a lot of misinformation and if someone is willing to really talk, we shouldn't shut them out. But if you know that someone is completely irrational and hateful and will never change their minds, then you go ahead and ignore them. Do not engage with the crazy. 

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I think we need to spread our love to those who need it most. If you have useful skills (admin skills, accounting, food preparation, job counseling, etc.) or enough disposable income find a place where they might be needed. Organizations that assist homeless LGBTQ youth, Planned Parenthood, soup kitchens, volunteering in school districts that are underfunded, etc. Please help me come up with other suggestions!!!

Quote

LOL, I could be wrong though -  I was God-quoted back when disagreeing & apparently have the devil trapped inside me.

Have you tried doing a cleanse? Just add a dash of holy water in with your lemon and cayenne pepper.

[Kromm]

7 minutes ago, backgroundnoise said:

Will you answer this:  Do you think Donald Trump owes the nation an apology for his rhetoric?

I'm not who you asked (and that person should still answer), but I have to say that even with Orange Hitler, that may not be a fair question to ask. 

Why? Because politicians rarely apologize for anything, and they certainly don't admit they lied. 

We've learned (since he's in mere days already brushed off a whole group of his promises) that DumpTruck is indeed just another politician. It means he lied about being anything more, but admitting he IS such means that we could all hold our breaths until death and we're not going to hear any acknowledgments like the ones you want to hear.

[Keepitmoving]

Does anyone know if the democrat won the governorship of North Carolina? Did they call that race?

[EyewatchTV211]

Harry Reid agrees with us that fear is a rational response to this campaign: http://dcist.com/2016/11/harry_redi_their_fear_is_legitimate.php

[maraleia]

I'm at the resistance and mocking point of my grieving process. I want to make him the most unpopular person in the country because he hates that.

Also, remember Obama has 69 days left and he can still investigate the hell out of him. Just you watch. Also, there are the 75 lawsuits against him. He will hate being president and being forced to live in the White House. He is already floating the idea that he won't live there full-time but the Secret Service won't let him do that.

[backgroundnoise]

I asked

2 minutes ago, Kromm said:

13 minutes ago, backgroundnoise said:

Will you answer this:  Do you think Donald Trump owes the nation an apology for his rhetoric?

I'm not who you asked (and that person should still answer), but I have to say that even with Orange Hitler, that may not be a fair question to ask. 

Why? Because politicians rarely apologize for anything, and they certainly don't admit they lied. 

I think most Trump supporters did not expect the backlash against them as expressed on this forum (from myself included).  I am curious Auntl: "I am not asking for an apology from you for voting for him, but now that you've seen how distressed, afraid and offended we are by him, do you think Trump owes the nation an apology to those of us who did take his words literally?"

[EyewatchTV211]

Another petition that may not do anything, but can't hurt to try and takes less than a minute:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov//petition/appoint-garland-now-senate-has-waived-its-rights

If we could have the supreme court vacancy filled now like it should be, I'd feel a marginal amount better. 

[Toomuchsoap]

3 hours ago, CherryMalotte said:

Big hug to everybody, even those that I don't agree with.  

I have a very interesting home dynamic now - I'm the Clinton voter, the husband is the Trump voter.  There was a lively (screaming) discussion last night.  Strange bedfellows again!

I've been in that dynamic. I wish you better luck than I had back then. I had to leave. Eventually, he became physical. Always, always believe someone who tells you what they're going to do. They mean it. Make no mistake.

[Toomuchsoap]

12 minutes ago, maraleia said:

I'm at the resistance and mocking point of my grieving process. I want to make him the most unpopular person in the country because he hates that.

Also, remember Obama has 69 days left and he can still investigate the hell out of him. Just you watch. Also, there are the 75 lawsuits against him. He will hate being president and being forced to live in the White House. He is already floating the idea that he won't live there full-time but the Secret Service won't let him do that.

I hope you're right. I'm not sure they they don't already have a file on him that's about a blocks-length. But I think no one would give it credence. So much sour grapes. But I quite like tart grapes. Let's give it a go, shall we?

Edited November 12, 2016 by Toomuchsoap

[abstractstuff]

Trust me.. The reaction that has been shown.. Was completely expected. 

[twoods]

Wish I knew about this thread when I was devastated on Tuesday night realizing that my daughters would be witness to the worst excuse of a president. I could not understand why half the country just voted for a man who made fun of pretty much every type of human being (except for the white supremacist of course) and who was a fucking bully. Even my six year old daughter asked the next day why he won when "he was such a mean person." I didn't know how to answer her. 

I understand that some people voted for him despite his racist and misogynistic attitude because they wanted change, and were tired of the politician promising them over and over again that things will be different. Here was someone who told it like it is, who never sugar coated anything. Finally, right? But they forgot that he wasn't qualified for this job- that he had no clue what was in store for him because he wasn't a politician. He's a narcissist who wanted center stage and power. Yet they still voted for him. I'm sure we would all be a lot less upset if Cruz won the primary and beat Clinton- he was qualified and wasn't a bully. It's not that a Republican won, but THIS Republican won. I know my parents voted for him after they initially said they wouldn't, and I have refused to bring it up to them because it would make me angry. Wanting your taxes decreased and limit illegal immigration is not worth having this guy as the face of America.

Now it's going to give some people an excuse to be racist assholes, which is already evident by a spike in hate crimes. I wish that Trump would let people know that he's not okay with what is going on- maybe then some of the anxiety will be relieved. I think he wants to be liked above all else, so maybe he will surprise me.

[backgroundnoise]

Just now, abstractstuff said:

Trust me.. The reaction that has been shown.. Was completely expected. 

Ok.  Let's say I believe Trump's core is not racist, that that is just the fringe, do you think he owes the country an apology for his rhetoric? 

I really would like a Trump voter to answer that question.  

[Lantern7]

Saw a thing on Facebook where a Brit bashed liberals for not engaging in dialogue with the opposition prior to the vote. While he may have intentionally come off as an asshole, he might have a point. I felt that Hillary was the lesser of two evils, and that no change in Washington was better than the alternative of You-Know-Who. I also know that lots of people are ready to write off parts of America as "Dumbfuckistan" (tm SNL 2000). But it feels so hard to relate to people who threw it with that. I'm still hoping the Electoral College will screw the Cheeto-In-Chief, but I am fully prepared to be disappointed.

[windsprints]

The reaction from people who voted for Trump was completely expected for me too. I watched people on Facebook disparage President Obama for years over and over. As the election went along every criticism about Trump was hand waved away, often followed by some meme with some lying BS often followed minutes later by some quote about God loving all. It was entirely predictable that they would just spew more memes putting down others then say everyone should unite as God wants us to.  It would have been predicable even if I didn't see all their posts on Facebook for years. They behave just as Trump did during the campaign when anyone questions them, looks for discussion/explanation or has any criticism - insult the other side and never answer the question. JMO.

Edited November 12, 2016 by windsprints