It is five in the morning. After a little over four hours of restless sleep, I got out of bed before my tossing and turning woke up Anne. I’m not sleeping much recently, and what sleep I do get is plagued by nightmares.
It’s been raining all night, which I realize isn’t something worth mentioning for most people, but it hasn’t rained here in Los Angeles since 1856, so it’s kind of a big deal. Back in the old days, when it rained a few times a year, before the myth of climate change tricked us all into believing that we’re having a terrible drought that apparently doesn’t really exist, we would sleep with the window open on rainy nights, so we could hear and smell the rain.
My dogs looked at me with confusion when I got out of bed, then did the dog equivalent of shrugging their shoulders and burying themselves back into the covers. My cat wants me to let him out, stop the rain, dry off the patio, and then let him back in. And then back out. And then back in again because he’s a cat.
So. Let’s get to it: we’re fucked. Nothing matters, everything is terrible, and we’re living in a nightmare that hasn’t even begun to hint at how bad it’s going to get. I’ve been spending a lot of time going through the stages of grief, and though it’s mostly a lot of anger, I’m bargaining: maybe the Electoral College will step in and prevent this fucking catastrophe from happening. Maybe the vote will be audited in some of these states where the devil won by just barely over one percent, which is honestly kind of suspicious. Maybe the Democrats in Congress will be joined by a few principled Republicans (they exist, right? They have to exist, don’t they?) and the white nationalist cabinet this president elect wants to install won’t be confirmed.
Bargaining. I know it isn’t going to happen. I know we’re fucked.
Twenty-five percent of eligible voters elected a racist demagogue who has never held a single elected office in his life, a seventy year-old man who has the temperament of a child. I still can’t believe it. When I hear the news say “President Elect Trump” it turns my stomach. It’s such an affront to the country, to the office of the presidency, it feels like it isn’t real.
Hate crimes are happening all over the country. White supremacists, anti-semites, and the absolute worst of humanity feels validated by this election, and they are boldly and fearlessly attacking people, declaring that this election — votes cast by one in four eligible voters — endorses their hateful, bigoted, regressive world view.
Anger. This never should have happened.
How can so many people, even if they are a statistical minority, have no problem supporting a racist for president? What are these fucking idiots going to do when all the things he promised them don’t happen? They say they were voting against corruption and lobbyists and Establishment Washington, but one look at the men this narcissistic sociopath wants in the highest positions of government reveals that none of those things will be reflected in his administration. They won’t get their jobs, they won’t get their draining of the swamp, but we’re all going to get the racism, bigotry, ignorance, and white supremacy they had no problem voting for.
Denial. Somehow, someone is going to do something to stop this from happening. He’s breaking all sorts of ethical rules. He’s breaking diplomatic norms. He doesn’t even want to live in the fucking White House! He doesn’t want the job, he just wants the attention. This can’t be happening.
And back to Anger. And then more Bargaining.
And Depression. So much Depression.
Paul Ryan is going to destroy Medicare, just because he can. Because he is a selfish, evil, despicable man. For the first time in the history of the nation, the Senate refused to confirm a Supreme Court justice (and apparently even the fucking Democrats who we’re supposed to count on to fight back are fine with it) and now our nation will deal with a regressive, right-wing majority on the court for the rest of my life. The Republicans are going to roll back and undo and destroy as much of the social progress of the last 40 years as they can, and in the richest country in the world, our citizens will suffer needlessly, because people like Paul Ryan subscribe to a selfish, hateful, myopic philosophy created by an asshole who never had to experience the consequences of her bullshit.
All of this, and more, because of twenty-five percent of voters.
Oh, there’s Anger again.
And so it goes, this cycle of grief, for my country, for the freedom and hope and opportunity I’ve always believed is fundamental to the American identity, for my fellow humans who are going to suffer now and in the future.
All because twenty-five percent of voters looked at this despicable, hateful, ignorant liar, and voted for him and everything he represents.
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Thanks for sharing Wil. I think a lot of us are in this mind set. I am depressed. I am angry. All I can do is put good out into the world, the best that I can. I can teach my son compassion, understanding. It’s little, these things, but in the end they can be big. Hang in there <3
Love from Germany, where, as far as I can tell, we are equally shocked. This must have been your feeling in 1933.
Let’s hope that it won’t stay comparable…
Calling it now. Public humiliation, execution or flat out “gas chambers” in full view of the public and the public will support it. Because “nonwhites” are “other” and must be removed from the planet or something.
What worries me is the “He’s only there for four (or eight) years” mentality. Who’s going to stop him changing the amendment that limits the terms of a President? Not the Republicans who put him there and now control the entire government.
Fortunately, the President’s term limits constitutionally can’t be changed without both houses of Congress and three-quarters of the state legislatures. So that’s at least one thing we probably don’t have to worry about. If we get to the point where Trump can continue to exercise power after his term is constitutionally expired, we have much bigger problems.
Thanks for clearing that up for me! I half expect him to announce himself President for Life.
yes, it’s really not that easy to do something like that. And even the republicans would not want to see him any longer than they have to deal with him. Besides that would mean they wouldn’t get to be president. 🙂 So I see very low incentive for anyone to change that for trump.
@Wil, I understand your pain, anger and depression. It’s exactly the same as I felt after we had the Brexit vote. I could not comprehend how such a small minority could well and truly screw everything for the rest of us. I couldn’t understand how they could vote for something that was clearly a lie. The arguments were the same (anti-establishment, etc…) and the results of increased hate-crime were the same. This new world we live in sucks.
As Eva said, we have to teach our children compassion and understanding, so that they can right these terrible wrongs.
My friend shared an interesting article from The Guardian, that explains why this is possibly happening: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/17/postcapitalism-end-of-capitalism-begun
Thank you again, for always sharing your thoughts. And, on a side note, thanks for coming to Birmingham! It was great meeting you.
Niklas: Just an alternative POV on Brexit. I voted for it. Not because I believed in it, or wanted it to happen, but as a protest vote against Cameron and his permanent severe austerity (Ultimately, his cutbacks cost me my job of a decade). And I wanted to live in a country that didn’t feel terrified to leave street lights on because they cost money.
However, now Cameron is gone, I would happily vote the other way if I were given the opportunity.
Similarly, I wonder how many people didn’t vote for Trump, but only voted against Clinton.
We don’t have the opportunity to vote again on Brexit though do we? If you don’t want austerity then vote Labour or Green?
Did his cut backs cause you to lose your job or the recession which was caused by bankers? Bankers that the right love and want to give more freedom because what can go wrong???
IF YOU DIDN’T WANT IT WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR IT AND ALLOW THE UK TO FALL APART???
Exactly!
Hi TonyT, I completely understand. I know a vast number of people voted out as an “up-yours” to the establishment, to Cameron. I totally disagree with what Cameron’s government has done to this country, I never voted for them. The Brexit referendum was too important a decision to use as a way to “stick it” to Cameron. I’m certain there are a percentage of people who voted for Trump for very similar reasons. At least with the US elections, they could potentially vote him out after 4 years, whereas with Brexit, that’s done for a generation.
Protest votes are not only a waste of time, but they are stupid and ignorant as are the people that cast them. You cut off your nose just to spite your face. It’s not even like there’s a clear reasoning behind it either. I could vote against my best interests as a protest vote because I don’t like someone’s hair. No one cares. It’s not logged somewhere that you voted that way for that reason. Your vote was counted as a vote to exit the UK. Period. End of Story.
People like you belong on a register of naive people whose votes should simply be ripped up and tossed out because you are too incompetent to be trusted with the power. Much like Trump but that is another story.
It doesn’t achieve anything for us to tear each other apart. Brexit and Trump will be happy to do it for us. Don’t get stuck in anger. It only hurts you, and you’re already hurting enough. I feel so badly for the citizens of the UK and all the others that Brexit will destroy. I feel badly for us in the USA too. But we can be the best we are, individually and together, and get through it. Whatever “it” turns out to be. Find peace, then do what you can. After all, in both cases, it was minorities who pushed these horrors on us.
I’m right where you are, Wil. My greatest concern right now is about reality itself. Trump was elected by people who believe President Obama was a communist dictator, that Hillary Clinton is facing criminal indictment at any moment, that Trump is… an adult, and that cutting taxes and increasing spending will reduce the national debt. We’ve said for many years that America’s two political blocs are arguing not only from differing opinions, but differing facts, and that problem is really peaking right now.
This man overwhelmed his own supporters with bullshit, and they either didn’t know or didn’t care. And my greatest fear is that they’ll even deny the reality of what he is doing now, and what he will do over the course of however long his term lasts (four years seems quite ambitious at this point). They’ll convince themselves either that he was a great President who was sabotaged by the establishment—ignoring all the hypocrisy and contradictions required to hold such a belief—or they’ll go all the way to believing that things really are better, with the help of a mountain of fake news that they just never bother to reconcile with what they see outside their own windows.
Stop reading the news Wil. It’s an echo-chamber of fear and dislike for Trump. The idea that anyone person controls the future is an illusion. Only God controls the future.
You realize we can still read his tweets and hear his speeches online, right? It’s not the media, it’s Trump himself. And you might be right that no single person controls the future, but a few selected ones have the power to make things terrible for many years to come, and the President of the United States is one of them; specially with control over both senate and congress.
Then focus on your own life and family. Focusing on some figure in Washington D.C. that Wil has no conceivable way to control or influence does him no good, or anyone else who is panicking about Trump.
Yeah, why care about other people or your country, right? shakes head I sincerely hope you’ll never try again to help someone’s who’s having a panic attack or is anxious, angry or depressed about something until you learn not to be dismissive. Telling someone not to feel what they’re feeling because this does them no good is terrible advice. It’s also you being patronizing, ignorant and lacking any empathy and sympathy.
Thank you Andrew, for a rational post. This ‘panic’ thing is ridiculous and people are focused on the wrong things as usual. Every person who has ever held that office has been a narcissist. Read some history – Trump is not even close to the biggest asshat of the 45, and more important, Trump is not the real threat. Trump is the front-man. Pence is the real threat. If you’re going to get up in arms, at least know which of the two is your enemy. Trump = Bush Jr., Pence = Dick Cheney. Trump is the marketing campaign Republicans used to get Pence into office because any serious inspection of Pence would have eliminated him from the contest.
Pence will likely back further extraction of fossil fuels, which will damage pristine wilderness in select areas. The thing about Pristine areas is that they’re like virgins – once you F* them, they no longer are. But even more important is the fact that something like 2/3 of the fossil fuels currently in the ground must remain in the ground in order to avoid ecological catastrophe. But oil companies have already accounted for these in-ground reserves on their books. So, if those reserves are off limits, then oil companies must take them as a write-down — which would flat out bankrupt them. This is the big play. This is what all of the charades and theatricality was all about. Exxon has $800 BILLION in oil reserves baked into its company valuation. Multiply that by 0.67, then multiply by Exxon’s forwards earning P/E (about 38) and you see how much money they stand to lose if the people of this wonderful little blue-green ball decide to slap their greedy little fingers. For the non-mathy… it’s trillions. With a T.
Pence seems bound and determined to strike down the Johnson Amendment which will allow churches to funnel tax free money to political candidates. Once that is done, he can look like a good guy when he champions legislation that “gets big money out of politics” but which leaves a loophole for church money. People who live their lives based on what they think their imaginary playfriend would want, are the scary ones. Spirituality is a virtue, religion is voluntary mass mental illness.
This is what it was all about. The divisive social issues were put in play to distract from this while putting someone in office willing to roll back restrictions based on science in favor of opinions based on faith. Oil companies need to improve their options for dealing with reserves devaluation so they don’t lose trillions of dollars. Unfortunately, they’re well on their way to succeeding because politicians have learned that they can poke and prod the SJWs as successfully as they poke and prod the fundamentalists. It’s good news for them as they’ve never had such a powerful handle for manipulating progressives. Abortion whips the right into a maleable froth with admirable consistency. And now, an overly sensitive progressive youth can be similarly put in a manipulable state simply by screaming ‘Bruce Jenner’ in a crowded theater.
But here is what it was all about, encase anyone cares to know.
http://www.ogfj.com/articles/2016/03/exxon-and-chevron-face-resolutions-on-stranded-carbon-assets.html
You realize that he’s not religious, right? And saying “God” controls the future is small minded, and places no blame on yourself, because it’s in someone else’s hands, right? They have a plan, right? I’m sorry I get mad about these kinds of statements. People DO control the future.
Whether or nor not Will is religious does not deny the truth that God is in control of the universe. If Wil or anyone else wants to disregard what I’ve written, fine by me. I’ve disregarded plenty of things posted on the Internets over the years. And why should I place blame on myself? You assume I voted for Trump or support him? Based on what?
that isn’t “The” truth, that’s “YOUR” truth.
Hey Wil, you are not alone in the various stages and reactions. Aaron Sorkin’s letter to his daughter helped give me a little perspective but after all the news about recent appointments I’m back at square one. I’ve been meaning to comment for a while, because I’ve been battling post-partum this year (thanks depression, I can get a special bonus version when pregnant and nursing too! Yay!) and going through some similar stuff as your life reboot. I was having lots of nightmares too (what will climate change mean for our new daughter!?) I know it may sound kind of woo-woo, but cranio-sacral therapy has helped a lot. They use it for treating PTSD because it essentially tells your brain to reset, calm down, and break out of the flight or fight mode it’s stuck in (hello creeping anxiety!). Check it out and look for a good provider who’s experienced and uses it for counseling or stress relief. You also might find guided meditation helpful as well – Headspace is a fun app to try. Maybe you tried these but I didn’t see you mention it, so I wanted to offer just in case these are stones you haven’t turned over in your quest for beating back the depression dragon. Good luck, and as always, thanks for sharing so openly on your blog. 🙂
It could be worse
“There is power in positive thinking” Something my mother in law, a 76 year old tiny woman from Maui with a lot of ‘spark’ told me once. I think I’d be repeating everything you said by mentioning that the bottle of Stolichnaya vodka in my freezer was in danger of being opened on November 9th. (what is with those numbers, anyway? 9/11 and 11/9 – nothing but bad things). My kidney transplant and blood thinners mean no booze but the act of just holding that frosty bottle out of the fridge offered memories of being Comfortably Numb, but even if I could ‘get there’, it wouldn’t solve anything and I’d still ‘come-to’ in a world where everything hinges on one more day…December 19th. This is the day the Electoral College actually submits their votes and Wil, I’m with you….for the sake of the country and the way of life we all have taken for granted, I hope and pray, (and I don’t even go to church), that we get a miracle and we get ‘Madame President’ instead of….aw hell, I can’t even TYPE those words…as a writer, my hands won’t let me do it. Good hands. Goooooood hands.
Cycling back to the opening thought of positive thought, I don’t think that any of us will ever get past the anger and denial over what a small percentage of people did to this country by throwing their KKK hoods into the ring, but (and this was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do), personally, as a self preservation method, I’ve opted to avert my gaze from the burning crosses, bigotry and hate in favor of those who simply don’t know about all this stuff…and do what I can to make their lives better.
“Altruism is our prescription”
This is the motto for the group I just started running. We bring our cosplay skills to the bedsides and day rooms of pediatric cancer patients in the San Francisco Bay Area at UCSF and Family House. This is tough to do, not only for the obvious reasons, but when every fiber of my being wants to scream and curse at those who did what they did to the rest of us by putting Fuckface Von Clownstck {(C)Jon Stewart} into a potential position of power, (the ‘elect’ in President-elect), I know….I believe from my core….that reaching out like this will help move the torn fibers of our nation’s fabric back into place. It’s a microscopic view and I know that as just one guy it might seem that the efforts that I make might not make global change…but for that kid, (whose ‘normal’ is defined by his circumstances of being in a hospital bed with tubes sticking out of him rather than softball practice and running in the yard with his friends), these acts of kindness will make a change in he and his family’s lives, if but for a moment.
THIS ‘Mote of Dust’ {thank you Carl Sagan} refuses to let the bullies get me down and it’s my way of fighting back against tyranny, negativity, stupidity….{scratch that, you can’t fix ‘stupid’; case in point – anyone who starts a YouTube video by uttering the words, ‘…hey, watch this!’}, and oppression. I used to avoid talking politics before this election and now…it’s hard not to, what with every post on social media and every conversation in the supermarket, and every headline on the news….being what it is. We’ve saturated ourselves with the head shaking, shocked expressions and constant reminders of it all…it’s as if we’ve put this train wreck on ‘auto repeat’ – so much so that we can’t escape it.
I’m not saying to put your head in the sand, (although that’s kind of what put us here in the first place #thosewhodidntvote); I’m just hoping that through our individual acts, we can affect the kind of change that will put the country back on track…but I will I’ll admit…my doing what I do for those Cancer patients does act as a salve and helps me move more toward the kind of positive change we so desperately need, right now.
John Cleese put it best; “RIGHT stop that…..it’s silly”
Finally…well…coming from a guy who went to one of those bible thumping churches for just long enough to mess with my head, (and I’m not usually one for quoting scripture), I’ll apply it to myself and hope we all can follow suit;
“Cura te ipsum”
Which could also have been said about Hitler…
Yup, I genuinely think Mike Pence would be even worse…
I would argue the real people to be angry with are the 40% who did not vote, second only to the DNC, which managed to provide us with another un-electable candidate, and the entire Democratic establishment, which has failed to bring up the next generation of Obama’s and instead wants us to vote for people closer to our parents’ or grandparents’ ages.
An “unelectable candidate” who got more votes than the pedophile rapist.
He may be a rapist (I’m pretty sure he paid off the wife who accused him of it), but there is no evidence he is a pedophile (the accusation about the 13 year old was obviously false from the get go). If we are going to criticize others for not dealing in facts, let’s make sure we get our own straight.
Bragging about walking in on undressed 15yos because he owned the competition and they couldn’t throw him out.
Yes, pedophile rapist.
I don’t really see why it would obviously be false. Based on the allegations, it seems to me that he at worst is a pedophile rapist, and at “best” a facilitator of it…
I’d be really curious as to why you think it definitely didn’t happen…
I share all of your feelings, Wil. Just incomprehensible. Thanks for putting it all into words. I love your writing and the work you do on audiobooks. I buy books just because you are the narrator. Any thing we do that validates our feelings is a candle in the darkness. I’m trying to remember that there was a renaissance after the Middle Ages in Europe.
I am not an emotional person. I don’t suffer from depression yet I woke up and cried for 2 hours the morning after the election and could barely hold it together at work in the ER. But though I continue to be sad and angry and frustrated, I still know there are far more good people than bad ones. I know this because no matter how bleak it may feel, objectively we live in the best of times: fewer wars, fewer violent crimes, less poverty, less hunger, more interest in science and space exploration.
Political correctness had forced many of the bad ones to don good masks to blend in, leading us to believe our society had progressed further than we actually had. Now they have voluntarily ripped their masks off and revealed themselves. Which means now we know who they are, and it’s up to the other 75% of Americans who did not vote for hatred and bigotry to stand and fight for important rights again.
We have come a long way. We have a long way still to go. We can do this. We must do this. We will do this.
“She’s tore up plenty, but she’ll fly true.”
–Zoe Washburne, Serenity
Kudos on the Serenity reference. And thank you for what you do in the ER…I’ve been in them all too many times. Read my reply, above. Stay positive. (((hugs)))
I feel Trump’s election is the last gasp from conservative White Baby Boomer voters, pushback against globalization & the march of social progress in the United States. The facts of the matter are that Millennials are far more liberal than older generations & we’re a far browner and gayer nation than we were 30 years ago. In the long term I don’t see the country’s culture sliding backwards into the 1950s.
Yes, we’re stuck with Trump for four years, but let’s look on the bright side of things:
1) Trump may be many things, including a misogynist and a bigot, but I don’t think he’s a white supremacist. He’s not Hitler.
2) He stated he isn’t opposed to gay marriage.
3) He’s not going to completely trash Obamacare – he can’t without upsetting his constituents.
4) He won’t be able to revive the coal industry without massive subsidies. Likewise he won’t be able to resurrect manufacturing jobs without reversing decades of automation & productivity gains. We just don’t need as many unskilled jobs in heavy industry anymore, and not just because of trade with China. That ship has sailed.
5) Granted, he’ll nominate a conservative Supreme Court Judge, but keep in mind we’ve already had a conservative Supreme Court Judge, Antonin Scalia, for many years and during those years: a) Roe v. Wade was never reversed, b) the ACA wasn’t declared unconstitutional, c) same-sex marriage was declared a guaranteed right.
6) I doubt he’ll raise import tariffs as much as he claims for fear of starting a trade war & sinking the economy into a deep recession.
7) Given how many cities are declaring themselves sanctuaries, we won’t see police going door to door dragging out & deporting undocumented immigrants. Even Paul Ryan has publicly refuted this scenario.
1) If you look at his track record, he is at the very least racist as heck.
2) Maybe not, but he’s surrounding himself with people who are, and he possibly just doesn’t care either way, so if they want to get rid of it, he will probably let them.
5) True, but some of the others are old and in declining health, so if he can put even more conservative religious zealots on SCOTUS, then rights could be regressed.
7) Didn’t he already call those cities out and say they won’t be allowed to shelter illegal immigrants?
Congress creates the bills, not the President. The President enforces the law, which would include denying federal grants to cities that don’t cooperate with immigration detainers.
I feel the same. I’m a scientist. Grappling with how science and facts will fit in with this new administration and–apparently–the world views of half+ the country. Going to DC to protest this garbage. Come out an join!
I wish I could attend. I live in MD but am also afraid of what may transpire once both sides come together for this unfortunate event.
May I ask what type of science you practice? I just ask because most science-minded people I know aren’t into protesting, since it doesn’t affect much.
Hi there, another science phd candidate here. Also going to the protest (assuming I don’t have to defend that week). There’s more of us out here than you think.
Wil Wheaton. I’m sorry to see you going through these stages of grief. But I’m a little bit surprised to hear you thinking there’s nothing you can do. You have done so much in your life as an actor. A host. A game changer. A father. A husband. You’re someone I wish I could be. Right now, you are strong for expressing your true feelings about what is to may, or may not come. It’s not January 20th yet. It’s not over yet. Between here and then, not here and now. Here and then. Between here and then something will happen that will anger the voters of this failed experiment, this homesick abortion known as Trump. Two of my friends, who have stated exactly what you have stated, who are appalled by the so called America that voted in this pious gangster, are wondering if maybe; just maybe, that it could possibly be one big coup. Trolling, so to speak. They think this is a game for Trump. In a way, I think they may be on to something. It didn’t matter to me then but I recently took a look back at last year’s candidates who fell from grace under Trump. Couple that with something a random troll posted on a comment section of a Facebook post. He did something no other candidate in the GOP had ever done before. He played aggressively. He called the candidates like Bush and Perry on their lies. He made himself feel like other Americans felt. He used determination and action. He knew how to get people motivated. In short, Trump is a businessman. And being a businessman means knowing how to sell yourself to others. That’s why Trump became the republican nominee. He sold himself to the people. In turn, the people withdrew their support from every single candidate but Trump. Even Sheldon Adelesen. Who donated a beau coup amount of funding to the GOP. But aside from this, there is something you can do. You can fight. You can face. You can continue to do what you’ve always done. You can talk. You can smile. You’ve brought so much joy back into my life as well as others. And you bring love and laughter into your family’s lives. You can do a lot more. I support you whatever decision you make, Wil. But know this, while the World focuses on Trump, Bernie Sanders is still fighting. He had my vote. And he will always have my vote. Bernie may not be CIC but right now he’s fighting for others like you and me. All Americans. My only thought is, you need to become involved with him. Not just his words and thought but his actions as well. Politics are not fun. But if Bernie Sanders believes hard enough in do I what’s right and so do you, I think you would both make a wonderful team. I’m not suggesting you run for his VP. But maybe take time or make time to meet with him and ask for advice. There are many questions. But choose carefully the question you truly want the answer to. We will not be ignorant about this. We will work everyday to stand up to this intolerable cruelty. And eventually, we WIL succeed.
P.S. also if this helps in any way, remember, if life feels out of focus always return to the first basic of life. Breathing. (In through nose, out through mouth, slowly) It helped me immensely after I quit smoking. I feel better after taking sixty seconds to breathe.
So many of us feel the same way. We need to support all the organizations that will fight for equality. Wil, go for a run! It won’t change the awfulness ….but it helps with coping!
Honestly, Democrats brought this upon themselves. Look at the total picture, Democrats have the lowest level of elected offices in 80 years. Because why? Because they are not offering anything except a safe space.
Used to be, Democrats were the party of the working man, now they consistently vote for things that harm them. Green energy is great, but the technology is not there yet; but Democrats want to restrict coal; raising energy prices, and subsidize renewables, raising government spending.
Energy prices effect everything, which raises the cost of everything, which effectively lowers surplus family cash. Lowering savings, lowering spending.
The only people this doesn’t effect, is the 1% Democrats complain about which also taking large donations from.
Get back in touch with the people, understand that energy and manufacturing prices need to go down; which will create jobs and allow for higher pay rates.
Or sit in your room crying about a president that Democrats helped elect. Make a choice.
seriously i think this is more about how much people don’t like Clinton than approve of trump
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/many-in-the-neighborhood-didn%E2%80%99t-vote-few-regret-it/ar-AAkxHuM?li=BBnb7Kz
But also it’s 4 years- it’s not like we live in Russia and we’re stuck with him forever.
And then you hear on the news how Trump and Putin are on the path to becoming best buddies. So, yeah, we might be living in “Russia Lite” if things go super bad. Probably not, but it’s scary that it’s even a possibility.
I really don’t think it’s a possibility. The republicans aren’t all Trump. trump is like a special fruitcake all his own.
I’ve been shocked and depressed since waking up at 3:00 a.m. on election night and checking the news. And seeing the headline “President Trump.” This is a disaster, no way around it. And my deepest fear is that many of the people who voted in their anger and priorities haven’t been listening closely enough over the years to understand that fixing what angers them is not a simple process. Jobs, to pick just one, left because of the economic system and incentives set up and because of technological advance. You won’t fix the jobs lack with a presidential election because you can’t. All those promises are meaningless because they’re impossible to carry out. And you’re right: What happens when they don’t happen? And even worse, what happens when some – the racist plans – do?
Oh, I am so in the same place you are, Wil!
I ferl as though I’ve bern dealt a death blow with something very, very sharp. I can’t find the wound to staunch it, and I’m still walking and talking, but it’s getting so dark and cold.
And then! My 83 year old radcal feminist mother yells at me: “Get up! Get up and fight! No noaluzation! No camps! This is the death throes of the Patriarchy, and they will not go gently….!”
So I am writing my personsl manifesto. Who I am now. What I believe. What I will not allow to happen. So I can look back in a year or two and see if I’m the same person.
Keep cycling through, don’t let them paralyze you. You have power, to inspire and mobilize. Depression lies.
Use yoyr wonderful powers for good, wilw!
We are here, to lend you strength when you need it and hands to help accomplish good in the world. Oh! And ice cream. We also have ice cream…
I am also going through the same circle of grief. Anger. Denial. Bargaining. I can’t stop reading the NY times and Washington Post. I can’t stop being angry that we haven’t voted on Merrick Garland yet. WTF? I can’t stop hoping that some of the electors will flip on Dec 19, because this is WHAT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS DESIGNED FOR. If we aren’t going to use it for that, then get rid of it. Stop jacking off with the constitution like the “founding fathers” knew what the next few hundred years would bring. I’m angry at everyone who says “it’s only 4 years.” A lot of damage will be done. Abolishing the EPA? What the fuck, really?
I can’t stop being furious at the absolute disregard for FACTS. The trumpster fires who say that mainstream media is bad, and this bullshit fake news is the thing they believe and the big bad mainstream media won’t cover it. NO, you moron. They don’t cover it because it isn’t true! And that doesn’t matter somehow? What world is this?!
Right, even though Clinton got the clear majority vote we are still going with the Electoral College because “reasons”.
That “reason” being that such are the rules, and those are the rules all the candidates signed up to when they ran.
Those rules are terrible and should be changed, but it’s currently the law.
A bit similar to how you’re not allowed to drive through a red light for “reasons”…
Right, it’s currently the law. A law that benefits ignoring a majority of the country in favor of a few states with enough electoral votes to win outright. It’s not a bit similar at all to driving through a red light, you can’t obey one third of the red lights and still be considered within the law.
I’m not trying to start an argument or anything, I’m agreeing that Electoral College is outdated and needs to be changed.
Actually, the Electoral College is constitutional law that PREVENTS the TYRANNY of the majority. There is a quote that goes something along the lines of “those who do not understand history, are doomed to repeat it.” The founding members of our country wanted to prevent a (historical) tyranny of the majority. True democracy is not necessarily a good thing. Two wolves and one lamb vote on what’s for dinner… Is a democracy (simple majority) a good thing in that instance? (full disclosure, the metaphor was borrowed from the video linked below, yes, simplistic but it illustrates the nature of simple majority rule).
Here is a very straightforward explanation of the electoral college: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo2qXGRtsG8
As neither a Trump nor Clinton supporter, I am a voter who believes the Electoral voting process worked the way it is supposed to work. It certainly is not outdated at all and it is a shame that people do not truly understand how (and/or why) it works.
Everyone else has said already anything else I could possibly say. That said, the future is not written.
Actually, I will say one or two other things. It is good to remember that not everyone gets the results they hoped for in an election. But if you try to game the system so that you get the results you want next time, it will come back to haunt you. Take games and rules. They exist for a reason – to ensure a fair (or strategic) played game, where everyone has the same opportunity. If you change the rules to suit your needs one time, your needs might be someone else’s another time and counter to what you want. Or in other words, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
Again, the future is not written, we must become stronger and unified as a country and as a people, to let those who have positions of power know that we are the ones (sometimes sadly) who put them there and we can change things if they do not do what we voted them in there roles to do.
Everyone who wants better for us, has my support.
Thanks Mr. Wheaton. An interesting read and very understandable thoughts. Here in Austria (no kangaroos), protected by the Alps, the Illusion of our neutrality and the somewhat larger illusion of a united Europe, most people are getting out the Popcorn and watching the US’s decline into the shadow of the Dragon as the #1 Superpower. For the small number of people who are thinking it through are getting very worried though. It’s summed up very well in this essay by Tobias Stone: https://medium.com/@theonlytoby/history-tells-us-what-will-happen-next-with-brexit-trump-a3fefd154714#.pzd7pkw7n
Wil, what happens next is what happens when the electoral process selects an unfit candidate. The social fabric is being tested. We have a huge array of tools at our disposal, as well as systemic checks and balances — and 300 million agents of chaos. Remember Feynman’s refrain: Mother Nature cannot be fooled. Reality is what it is. Propaganda can only do so much. In a sense, civil society moves through time via a constant stream of trust falls. It all holds together through the circular logic of “because it does,” and we have been very sheltered to not really feel the cold chill fear of “except when it doesn’t.” Fortunately, we have constellations of writers and thinkers from other nations and time periods to learn from and rediscover solidarity with. The election yielded an anomalous result. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of work we’ve neglected for a long time. We’ll get through. Don’t relinquish your personal power. Stay strong.
Wil,
Yes, the last two weeks have been awful. My wife had an anxiety attack the morning after the election because a number her students come from other countries, and they’re terrified that Trump is going to have them deported. The basket of horribles that Trump is going to use to populate his cabinet is truly shocking. The next four years are going to suck for a lot of people.
But. The United States has managed to survive for 238 years. Trump and his cronies are awful, but we have faced far worse, such as the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II and the Cold War (I’m not ignoring other wars or events, it’s just that these were truly existential threats to the United States).
We survived.
As citizens of this country, we have the ability and responsibility to exercise our right to free speech, express our feelings, and make racists and homophobes feel uncomfortable.
Please don’t give in to despair. It’s perfectly acceptable to channel your anger positively. My wife and I are donating money to the ACLU and Planned Parent Hood, and we’re planning on attending the big protest in Washington D.C. on January 21st. https://www.facebook.com/events/2169332969958991/
I’m not going to let these bastards win without a fight. You don’t have to either.
Dear Mr Wheaton, : Every 5 years we go through this very same basket of torrent , Fear and anxiety . Please know that no matter how comparatively stupid your leader is , He is not Idi Amin, Mussolini , Marcos and Botha , you have the only Country that if the people are as powerfull as they claim their voice to be you can fix this before Dec 19th . So far the rest of the world has some faith in your Fellow Americans
Nah, the 2016 game is over, and Trump won. The electors will not flip, and the sooner people can reconcile themselves to that fact, the sooner they can start to mentally adjust.
My corner of the world does not have faith in Americans to fix this… because they can’t. They’ve made their choice, either by voting for Trump or by not voting at all. My corner of the world just hopes this won’t have too big ripple effects and we’ll keep holding Trump-like politicians away from the presidential seat and any other major positions.
There are a few folks I look to for inspiration on how to make sense of things when they just don’t to me. You are one of them. You certainly haven’t asked for it and being the humble person that you are you probably don’t even want the role. Sorry your online presence and the impact you bring by just being who you are makes you one of those folks that inspire me.
My hope is that I can give a little back this time. There are many people afraid and scared of what might happen in this country. That is just the way the incoming Trump administration and those 1 in 4 who voted for him want it. This is our country too and we need to send a message that we will not compromise on the uncompromisable. If we find strength and comfort in these values then we have to be willing to stand up to threats to them and draw strength from others around us standing up as well.
So please take this time to heal, reflect and spend time with friends and family over the holidays. Do not let yourself be dissuaded that there is nothing you can do. Now is the time to organize and help get state and local politicians reflective of what we hold dear. Now is the time to support those movements that will stand in opposition to national values under threat.
Thank you Wil, for being you!
Don’t give up so easily. America has been through many dark times in its history. What would have happened if people of conscience had looked at slavery, Jim Crow, child labor, women with no rights, Japanese internment, and said to themselves… “We’re fucked, nothing matters”?
No, part of America has made it through dark times. Another part of America didn’t make it through: they died, were killed, imprisoned, committed suicide,got sick and couldn’t get medical treatment, got life-altering diseases, their life expectancy shortened, were uprooted, separated from their families, deported,… Real people are in real danger and will suffer the consequences of racist, misogynist, homophobic transphobic, Islamophobic, antisemitic hate crimes and policies. Again. Don’t forget them.
hugs from across the Atlantic if you want them. I had to have a conversation with my middle-schoolers on the day after the election result because they were shocked and afraid of what was going to happen (cuz, you know, nuclear power). I can only imagine what it feels like for you. As some have said, you have a powerful voice. Not as powerful as some, but still. I think doing what you’ve done which is talking facts, spreading correct information, stating with conviction that something is not ok, speaking up against fascism, racism,… is really important. It may not feel like enough but 1)this is not easy as it seems 2)it matters a lot.
Same.
I had one of the strongest panic attacks that I have had in a very long time–like had to take twice the dosage of my Clonazepam to function. Self care just seems selfish, though.
I’m reaching for tangible things to do. I’ve added once a week calls to my representative to my planner. Since we have a small child, we are planning which of us will register in protest of a Muslim registration (my husband is favoring the fake name “Mohammed al-Hammedan”; that, or “Suq Madiq”). We are updating our personal papers, getting in better shape, learning more homesteading skills.
Relations with extended family are strained at best.
So many tell me that I’m winding myself up needlessly. Maybe. Maybe not. I really want it not to be bad. And I am already standing up to hate in my daily life in ways I didn’t think I could. I’m afraid of getting tired before we’ve even really begun.
Wil
As a Canadian I don’t have as much skin in the game as you do as an American.
However this will affect us as well. I share your views on this election.
That said there are some checks and balances to temper Trump’s agenda. Mid term elections are in what 2 years ? The Republican Party will rein him in if they want to get reelected.
He’s already backing off on some policies. We need to wait and see. What choice is there?
Have faith. There’s an old saying ….”this too shall pass”.
You should watch the Bernie Sanders interview from Meet the Press yesterday, it was inspiring. https://youtu.be/u8vsCXN9JMg
Hi Wil,
I’m not sure I can offer you any cognizant advice on what you and your nation are inevitably about to go through, beyond a urge to breathe deep, stay calm and fight the good fight.
We went through a similar event here in Toronto with the election of our mayor Rob Ford. It followed almost exactly the same pattern as Trump: crowded field of (mostly) qualified candidates and one dumpster fire. The dumpster fire spewed a fact-free, rage-driven candidacy that captured roughly 25-30% of the voters, mainly suburban white males who thought the “cappuccino-sipping urban elites and their bike lanes” needed to be put in their place. The result was Rob Ford, a man who literally besmirched this city.
You are in a worse situation. Ford, for all his bluster and substance-abuse, did not hold much power due to the structure of the city council. His damage was limited, but the media circus and subsequent lasting damage to everyone’s calm, is still being unraveled. Trump has none of the restraints in play that limited Ford. But he also has none of sensibilities. Trump, like Ford, is already awash in minor scandal, petty corruption and stupidity, and he has yet to assume power. Given time, he will shoot himself in the foot…and the knee…and the face.
This is inevitable. What you want to do is:
a). Try not to get caught up in the welling anger and media hysteria over nothings. Trump, like Ford, sells papers and boosts ratings, so as news organizations whip themselves into a frenzy over the most minor foibles, don’t let them distract you from the key and important issues. Don’t waste time and energy on the small stuff. A good example is the Pence-Hamilton frenzy. It is utter crap compared to Trump University, the nature of his federal appointments etc. You will have a limited amount of time and energy, so spend it on real issues.
b). Check your assumptions – Don’t automatically assume that Trump is “doing wrong”. There may be some gold hidden in the enormous piles of sediment and bullshit. For example, limits on allowing federal officials to leave govt and go work for lobby firms. Ford did do some useful things on city council spending that might otherwise not have been forced to the forefront.
c). Force discussion, force recognition, force nuance, force compromise. Do it at all levels of government. Don’t allow the processes to roll-over your voices. Trump doesn’t know anything about how government works. The rules are there, Use them. Force them to acknowledge the opposing views. Every budget session for Rob Ford turned into a 24-hr long community action battle over his desire to shut down programs, libraries and services. The result was people became more aware of the services, more aware of their rights and more politically active at all stages. This helps. It increases the acrimony but often gets people more involved in government and in politics, so it is mostly a net win, even when you lose.
d). Don’t monolith your opponents. It is easy to see them as a single thing, a single enemy, but the majority of people that support candidates like Trump are people who are disillusioned and disenfranchised. They need and want to have some type of power over their lives, just like everyone else. A certain percentage of them will end up being worn down by the inevitable Trump discord and scandal. They need to be able to find alternatives they can stomach, so try not be work from absolutes. Compromise, outreach, facts, involvement & opportunity – all these are great tools.
e). Take a deep breath and recognize that you will NEVER reach a certain percentage of Trump backers – either politically, through facts or through any other mechanism. They are the hard core of supporters who have found something in the Trump worldview that resonates (might be racism, might be sticking to the elites, might be distrust of institutions etc.). You won’t reach them with facts or figures and the GOP mainstreamers won’t reach them either. They will be throwing bricks through the window for all eternity – just accept that fact and move on.
You have a rough four years ahead of you. Good luck and fair winds.
River Tam: “Storm’s getting worse.”
Mal: “We’ll pass through it soon enough.”
I’m feeling the same, pretty much since I woke up at 3:30 the morning after and discovered he’d actually won. I can’t believe anyone with a ethics of any kind would even consider voting for him – especially women. And non-whites. Watching him fill the cabinet with white supremacists and others of that ilk is not helping. I’m worried especially about what’s going to happen when those people that stood there in his rallies with their children in tow, being fine examples for them, start to figure out he doesn’t really care about them and isn’t going to help them.
The weekend before the election, I started getting a really bad feeling in my stomach as I ran into more and more Trump supporters. Because Obama didn’t do what he promised. Excuse me, folks, we elect presidents, not kings/dictators and they have to work with a f***ing Congress where male WASPs dominate. For many years I have felt ashamed of being white because of all the ways we’ve mistreated people. Now, I can also say I am ashamed of being a white female when I read how many white women supported Trump. Endlessly, I reminded people to get out and vote, to vote early, and not to assume the election was “in the bag”. I avoided hearing election results for all of Tuesday, and at noon Wednesday, November 9, I knew I couldn’t put off the results any longer. My heart and stomach hit the floor when I saw my fears had been realized. I would like to apologize to everyone who is now facing all the hate that is in this country. To the LGBTQ community, to minorities, to victims of what it seems wasn’t an assault after all, because boys are allowed to be boys, so deal with with it, and let’s not forget that pipeline that will be built no matter how sacred the land is or how unspoiled the water. I apologize to all of you from the bottom of my heart. Now, where to I sign up to register as Muslim?
i wish i could say something uplifting. i wish you could have said something uplifting to me.
my family tree has a large block of early deaths starting about 3 generations ago. and all we can think around here is “again?”
Hey Wil,
I’m the guy that sent you the light-up Dodger hats about a decade ago. You gave me a call to thank me (classy move) and I’ve never forgotten it.
While I agree we are fucked, I also have hope. Sadly, I can’t tell you why because words don’t express these things. Sort of like explaining a sunset to a blind man, a Chopin concert to a deaf woman or an inner sense of Divinity to a kind Atheist.
All I can ask you to consider is this. There are people (ME!) who believe just as deeply as you do that we are fucked. That this man is a wolf in wolf’s clothing and he will try to upend decades of conscious, kind, principled social evolution and replace it with chaos. But for reasons word’s can’t express, I also deeply, with all my being, believe all will be well. I get that you and many others don’t/can’t believe that. Perhaps you can believe that I and others believe that, and maybe that will be a slight balm.
Part of my beliefs come from much work in depth psychology, particularly Jungian. Many years of this have conditioned my mind to tolerate ambiguity and anxiety. It has also taught me to recognize synchronicities that can appear abundantly in times of tension. In closing, here is post from Facebook I put on a friend’s wall 2-days after the election.
Keep the faith going, Will. Do what you do.
All the best,
Jack
“Driving this afternoon I had the most extraordinary experience. A large bird was on a phone line and as I approached it dove toward me. I slowed the car and the magnificent bird swooped left and right feet from my window. The wing span was six to seven feet and for a moment I was afraid I might hit it. Never have I been so close to a wild bird. As I looked at the beak and white head I realized this was a perfect, proud, regal bald eagle. It stopped in the road as I stopped the car. We stared at each other. Likely it was there to scavenge or prey on a mouse, but I felt pride as chills of grace and wonder tingled along my spine. As I carefully opened the door to take a photo he/she flew up and landed on the power line. As I started to drive I felt a calmness, the best I had felt since the kick in the gut that Secretary Clinton likely lost this election. It felt as if the Eagle confirmed all is well. That despite the election of Donald Trump America is strong, and I was best served by letting go of my doubt and worries and continuing to live the best life I can. It was such a beautiful bird and no facebook post or television commentator could have accomplished as much for my spirit as the first visit I’ve had from an Eagle. I thought you might enjoy this small experience.”
Agree with everything you’re feeling Wil and I am going through the same. Here is a link to a German site. Read some of the articles. Europeans are screwed as much as we are if not more. We’re headed into terrifying and uncertain times. Fortunately Obama had the sense to turn over leadership of the Western world to Chancellor Merkel. America has held the position for 100 years. NATO is preparing for the worst. Excuse me while I go vomit.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/
Yes, I do. The GOP leadership has no principles, and wants to privatize everything, fuck the poor, undo the civil rights movement, and they don’t care how they accomplish that. With Trump and Pence in the White House, total control of the House, a majority in the Senate, and (soon) a right-wing majority on SCOTUS for a generation, Paul Ryan and the rest of them will get all of that, and more.
They have no reason to restrain Trump, because they don’t care about anything he does, because he will sign anything they send him. This is the death of our Republic.
You are really going to demonize the republicans that much? ‘they’re all evil.
Is there any part of you that wants to take a step back and ponder… hmmm. just because people don’t share my ideals doesn’t mean they’re evil.
I subscribe to a set of ethics that if I actively harm someone, I’m in the wrong. Republicans are ACTIVELY attempting to harm MANY people ON PURPOSE right now. What word you prefer we use?
“the republicans are ACTIVELY trying to harm MANY people ON PURPOSE”
sigh. yes because all republicans are racists who hate the poor… blah, blah, blah.
Throughout this election cycle my facebook feed has been filled with people talking about how the world would end if the other party wins.
The evil party was whichever party that person didn’t agree with.
this is exactly how we ended up with Trump. The disillusioned decided all politicians were evil (especially Hillary) and they needed to put in mr. crazy to send a message.
Many democrats couldn’t even get up enough energy to vote for her.
I never thought Trump would win. But now we’re stuck with him.
If people would just stop trying to put the entire other party in the evil box…. try and be just a little more open-minded that there is a different viewpoint. It might not be yours. But it’s not evil. …then maybe we wouldn’t be in this scary place.
I didn’t vote for him
I keep wanting to respond with another call to take a breath and think of the opposing viewpoint as a human being that doesn’t agree with your viewpoint. Obviously you feel all this seething hatred is working for you. So you know… keep on keeping on.
…Ok apparently I can’t help it:
Again there were plenty of democrats that didn’t even vote for their candidate. So for me I can see why there were plenty of republicans (who don’t agree with democratic philosophies) that would vote for him just so a democrat did not have the white house for another 4 years.
I can imagine the GOP in Congress turning on Trump only because a number of them don’t actually like him and if he’s gone, they get Pence, who is probably easier for them to deal with (and not any better for the rest of us).
We all grew up hearing about “checks and balances,” so it will be interesting to see how well they actually function. This is kind of like a “stress test” for the system; could be informative.
Wil, I was originally drawn to your blog because of our similarities. We were born only a few years apart, (I’m a little older than you are 😉 We both ended up marrying women with children from previous relationships and raising them as our own, we both are gaga about our dogs and animals in general, we both have a creative side and love games and gaming, and we both suffer from depression. I keep reading your words because we became very different men because of our life experiences.
While you were playing Wesley on TNG I was in a column of marines driving up the western shore of the Persian Gulf to liberate Kuwait City. I took some shrapnel in the arm and developed a case of PTSD, which was understood but not very well.
I am writing this because I was where you are now four years ago. You see, I’m conservative. I supported McCain over Obama in ’08, but when he won, I didn’t think much about it beyond, “Oh well, we lost. But at least he seems like a nice guy.” I watched in horror over the next few years as liberal policy after liberal policy was rammed down our throats. For me, the final insult was when Senate Democrats did an end run around a likely Republican filibuster to pass Obamacare. So I joined a movement called the Tea Party (which, despite what you have been told is about limiting government spending. (Period, Full Stop.))
I was watched as my beliefs were vilified and I was called everything but a Child of God. (And thought, what happened to “Opposition is Patriotic?”) I watched men and women who held mainstream beliefs on marriage (beliefs that until just before had been publicly espoused by the leaders of the current ruling party,) were publicly shamed and had their livelihood destroyed. I watched my beloved Appalachians pushed into a depression as the primary industry in the area was systematically attacked and dismantled.
I say all of this not to brag, but to let you know where I am coming from.
You have been very good about not demonizing the “other.” The few times I’ve seen you pop off with an insult on Twitter, you are quick to come back with an apology, so I have reason to believe that you actually think about what you say and may listen to reason.
You seem to realize that hurling insults and screaming {fill in the blank} ism at someone may get them to shut up for now, but it will not persuade them. What’s more, it will cause others listening not to come to your way of thinking, but to either parrot what you have said, at best, or keep their mouth shut, at worst, while retaining their original views.
In that spirit of reason, I would like to ask you what you have done to understand what happened last Tuesday. Have you actually read or listened to any conservative commentators, or have you simply accepted others summations of what is being said? When was the last time you read The Wall Street Journal or actually listened to Rush Limbaugh? Do you have any conservative friends (assuming you can find any in southern California), or have you surrounded yourself with like-minded people?
There are individuals on both sides of the aisle who have behaved appallingly since the election, but which party leader has told his followers to cut it out and which has egged them on?
For the love of God, stop buying into the screams of “racist” with every Trump appointee. (A charge that might carry more weight if it hadn’t been leveled at every single Republican President in my adult life.) Instead let’s talk. I assure you that if there is actual racism at play, I will be with you protesting against it. I joined the Marines to defend my country and countrymen, not just those I agreed with.
Finally I will ask you what you have done personally to forward your beliefs. Have you sought out people with differing views than yours and engaged them in an honest debate about the merits of your causes, or are you content merely to dismiss them because they are wrong. You have a bit of a bully pulpit with your celebrity, what use have you put it to? Why haven’t you run for office yourself? (Heck, it worked for Gopher and Sony Bono.)
Your (hopefully) friend,
Aonghus
This is rapidly becoming a “Death to anything that is not me, and if I can’t control it, I will destroy it, because fuck you.” situation. I seriously wonder if he’s going to go live on camera and go “Nations of the world… fuck yourselves. Bow down to be or I’ll nuke the planet, because EAT ME.”
Right there with ya, buddy.
Humanity had a decent run of the planet. Me thinks it’s time to let the cockroaches have a go at it (since they’re probably the only thing that will survive after Trump sets off WWIII because some foreign leader dissed him on Twitter).
My only hope is that I’m at ground zero and fast asleep when the bombs start to fall.
I feel very much the way you do. It took a little time but I do believe that the 25% who voted from trump felt that “the system” is corrupt. That somehow democracy was not getting them what they wanted. I am not really sure what they want to be honest. I really don’t understand how they think the trump was the answer. trump will appoint a right wing justice, which will not change the Supreme Court from what is was with Scalia. If no one else retires or dies, in two years maybe democrats will come out in force. Being involved with your community, promoting your values, and getting others to buy-in to our democratic process is the only way we will really win.
Wil – my feelings EXACTLY…everything, including the trouble sleeping, depression and a kind of free floating constant anxiety. And every time I hear his name or see his picture it turns my stomach too!
Holy crap, Wil! In these times it is especially vital for us all to “get a grip”!
Let’s at least try to act like responsible adults. Can we do that? Please? It is past time for us to get beyond the Nervous Nellie phase. We’ve had our collective freak-out, and it’s time to move on.
Yes, I too spent the 24 hours after the election catatonic with massive depression. The only reason I got out of bed was to use the bathroom. I did not eat at all. But that one day was it. (Well, with occasional relapses to be sure, but nothing close to that first day.)
First, nothing is EVER as bad, or as good, as it may at first appear. Remember the euphoria during the first Obama campaign and after he was elected? Yeah, that didn’t quite pan out as well hoped. It was still positive, but not extremely so. The Trump administration will not turn out nearly as badly as most fear: Is likely to be negative, but not extremely so.
Second, it is important to realize that NOTHING CAN HAPPEN UNTIL 20 JAN! The period until then is especially crucial since it will be the main time Trump will be able to set or significantly change the direction of his administration. Despite the post-election kumbaya moments on the right, Trump is still locked in a battle for control against his own party.
The music is playing, and there are lots of 800 lb. right-wing gorillas dancing. Let’s let it play, and see who gets a chair when the music stops. Even the initial Cabinet appointments should be taken with a grain of salt until we see how many are disqualified by revelations. Let’s let the gears grind and see who survives.
Third, TRUMP IS A CENTRIST! He is certainly not a far-right ideologue, despite his positions on some key issues.
The real battle starts on 20 Jan. Let’s be sure our mental and physical health is ready.
Fourth, and this is the most important one for me: I SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Now and in the future. Not blindly, and not in all things, but always at the bottom line. It is my first post-election affirmation as a Citizen of this amazing country.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the majority of Americans, especially those of us born into citizenship, have never taken a Citizenship Oath, at least not beyond the Pledge of Allegiance (which could use an update). Military veterans and naturalized citizens are the two groups that DO have to make an oath, but it is optional for the native born.
The Oath of Allegience is one brief paragraph (https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-test/naturalization-oath-allegiance-united-states-america). Please give it a read, think about it, and talk to yourself, friends and family about it. Personally, the tougher things get, the closer I cling to it.
I believe we must first, last and always be Citizens of The United States of America. Proud and honored we can claim this privilege. Resolved to be worthy of it. Ready to defend it by participation, not weaken it by fear-mongering.
Let’s start there. It’s time to suck it up folks, pull-up our big boy pants, get a grip, and prepare to DO OUR DUTY each and every day, with our heads held high, especially on and after 20 Jan!
Your first homework assignment is to enjoy the holidays! We still have a massive list of things each of us can be thankful for, and nothing must be allowed to taint them. Sit down and literally write out that list. It should be quite a long list. Yes, it may feel like a few items we had become accustomed to may be missing from that list, but in literal truth, nothing in the real world has YET been removed.
Only hope has been attacked. We must start there within our minds and hearts. Hope is something we each must define for ourselves, individually, before we can share it. If nothing else, we can at least start with the minimal “This, too, shall pass” and build from there.
Let’s DO that! Find and share hope, rather than give in to the abundant fears when, in literal truth, none of the Big Bad Things can happen until 20 January, at the earliest.
Give yourself the gift of being a hopeful and determined citizen. Cling to the light, rather than the dark.
My personal hope during the current transition period is that Trump will move to the center enough to win over some key Democrats (who may be holding their noses) while largely excluding the Radical Right (who will throw tantrums). A faint hope perhaps, but a real one, and one well worth supporting and pursuing.
Another hope is that Democrats will fully and completely take on their role as Minority Party. They must become masters of the Congressional process, diligent and determined during negotiation, and indefatigable during debate and filibuster. Another hope well worth supporting and pursuing.
We must now become the Loyal Opposition. Simultaneously fervently Loyal to our country while determinedly Opposing the upcoming leadership.
Stop wringing your hands. Roll up your sleeves and wash them instead.
It’s anecdotal, but I’ve heard a couple of instances of Trump voters who were just plain unaware of the controversies around him. Their pastors recommended Trump, and that was all they knew. This is pretty horrifying that they didn’t bother to pursue learning more – but, in most of those cases, I’ve also heard that when they were told about the controversies around Trump, they were shocked and dismayed and all “oh no what have I done”.
Cold comfort, I admit, but at least it is a sign that they could be allies in trying to stop the damage.
I can also report – I work for the International Rescue Committee, and we’re seeing an encouraging amount of support from people. Someone at one of our offices in Idaho reports that they got a flyer in the mail, sent anonymously – it was a photoshop of the famous Uncle Sam “I Want You” poster, but instead of pointing sternly at you, Uncle Sam is smiling and stretching out a hand in welcome, and the caption was changed to “You Belong Here”. The note inside read that “this is a nation of immigrants, and no vote will ever change that. Bless you.”
There IS hope.
I’m sorry for you Wil and hope this is not the first level of a whirlwind of destruction
Dear Mr Wheaton, I’m a fan of you and I’m sorry you’re going through what you’re going through right now.
Especially because I think you will have a good president for the next four years.
You know what? Let’s just see what happens. Let’s give it time.
Our own beliefs are irreconcilable. Yet because mine does not view Trump as a cure-all remedy while yours view him as the worst, yours has the most chance to be proved wrong since it’s more extreme than mine.
Pardon me now for daring to say that I think even the idea you could be proven wrong and that Trump will be better than you believe, is making you feel anger too. That’s the impression I’m under after reading you. And I really really hope I’m mistaken.
Cheers,
Thomas
Thank you for daring to tell the world what it feels like to be you. You are a great writer! But no one can cheer you up right now. I wrote some words ⦅http://pyesetz.livejournal.com/141292.html⦆ but they won’t help. Hopefully you will eventually feel like doing your good works again, even though Donald (like W. before him) will not make you proud.
As your Canadian neighbour, I’m hoping I won’t have to say, “There goes the neighbourhood.” Unfortunately, if ‘He-who-must-not-be-named’ lets his dogs out, they are sure to shit on our lawn, as well.
I know exactly how you feel, my friend. I could barely function on the day after the election. But life must go on, apparently. A wise, if fictitious, man once said “Never give up; never surrender.” If you still need them, hugs will be available when I see you in March.