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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Wil,
So much has been said here by a lot of people who support and follow you.
I am still trying to process what happened (and unfortunately every new development that comes out) so it is difficult for me to totally express how I feel right now, but my family is angry and depressed and feeling anxious and uncertain. It’s almost like there is a runaway train speeding down the tracks that none of us who see it can control. Because of my family history (daughter of immigrants, father escaped from Nazis, family killed in camps) we look at this with a lot of fear. Seeing all those swastikas painted on things? Unnerving…
We are also very concerned about climate change and see Trump setting the US and the whole planet back because he doesn’t think it is real. We are more sober and stressed than we have been in some time, and watching that train barreling down the track is so difficult. We yell, we scream, we cry, we hug each other, and we try to think of how we can affect some change in the midst of all the mess.
Maybe we are totally screwed, that’s the scary part. We can’t understand why so few people voted. We can’t understand why anyone supported this man, (and do not tell me you accepted his racism, sexism, ism, ism, etc., because you wanted to make a change, because he isn’t making any change except for the worse, and when he turns on his supporters and doesn’t fulfill any of his promises, where will you be then?).
Hopefully enough people will resist and get involved that we won’t be totally screwed no matter what Trump decides to do. We still have some people in Washington who have voices, and there are midterm elections in two years. There are going to be other World Leaders with voices.
Trump is clearly in over his head so it is hard to know exactly what direction his term of office will take. Right now it is totally messed up and heading clearly in the wrong direction, but who knows if that will correct or not (though even a correction will be a mess I suppose).
Breathe, and look around you. In the midst of this mess take what you do have and appreciate it. See what you can do to affect change around you. People who are scared are looking for real change but are also looking for verbal support. At my job I manage a lot of LGBTQ youth and they tell me that even if I cannot do anything on the high government level it means the world to them that I will listen to their fears and give them mental and emotional comfort.
I’m sorry Wil. I am so sorry.
I hope part of your anger is also that the DNC rigged the primary process. There was no democratic primary. The democrat party selected Hillary as their candidate without any care as to what the democrat voters wanted.Hillary was a bad candidate forced upon us by a corrupt political system. The democrat primary process really was rigged and it cost us the election!
I know, Wil. I know. I’m so sorry. Right there with you. I’ve donated to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood and I’ll keep doing what I can, but…my gods, it gets to you, doesn’t it? You’re not alone, Wil. Just remember that. You’re not alone.
It’s amazing how the left is carrying on. There were none of these cryfests when Mr Obama won = (twice). Someone wins and someone loses.
IN this case I am glad Mr Trump won. It’s a big screw you to both parties who have forgotten the middle of America. After 8 years of ultra liberal divisive politics we need a person who is not beholden to either party.
Wrong. There were protests, there have been 8 years of “Not my President,” and “Show me the birth certificate.”
I’ve not been so very upset by the outcome of an election before. Why? Because THIS TIME the people lost. Trump and Pence WILL NOT unite the country. Trump is only for the rich. And I’m from Indiana, so you do NOT want me get into how much business Pence’s social conservatism has lost this state.
The US is royally screwed. Oh, so very, very screwed.
You think this the is first time “the people lost” in an election? Look back to many elections in the 1800s. America will survive the Trump presidency if we all keep our head about us.
Straight white America, maybe. A lot of us won’t be so lucky…
No one forgot the “middle of America”, at least not the Democrats. The system that Mr. Trump is part of (buying steel from overseas suppliers, using undocumented workers) is what sent jobs overseas because they wanted to pay less and get more. Trump’s promises of bringing back coal and mill jobs will never happen because industry doesn’t want it to happen. It is no surprise that you didn’t answer Wil’s question about what will you do when Trump’s promises never materialize and you’ve sold your supposed “soul” by deciding that racism, ignorance, xenophobia etc weren’t deal breakers. I would not be terribly surprised if, in about six months, Trump supporters stated insisting that it was a “liberal conspiracy” that simply forced them to vote for someone that they really honest didn’t ever support.
It’s rather funny to watch someone say “get over it”, when they did all they could to lie about President Obama’s citizenship, and many still wave the Confederate battle flag as if they still were fighting the USCW again. And as for Trump not being beholden to a party, seems he is gathering many of the swamp dwellers to run his administration. For someone who claims that voting for Trump said “screw you” to everyone else, who is really getting screwed here, Chris?
Chris, if you truly don’t understand how this particular candidate winning is profoundly different from past election cycles, well then… bless your heart. You’re stuck right in it with the rest of us and apparently don’t even understand why.
Thanks for sharing what a lot of us are feeling Mr. Wheaton. While life does have to move on and we should not accept what we know is not right. If the end of the grieving process is to finally “accept” what has happened that I am prepared to grieve the next 4 years.
I came for the salt, and boy howdy, it is real.
First of all, I’m sending you love and support, Wil. This has been a fucked up year for all of us for so many reasons, and the election was like hitting peak FUUUUUCK ALL OF THIS.
I bawled the night of the election and posted about losing my hope. I guess I was blind because even though I know the US has a huge problem with sexism, racism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, etc etc etc, but I truly thought we were better than this. (And I guess numerically-speaking, we are. Just not voter-turnout-speaking or Electoral College-speaking. Or something like that.) The morning after the election, my brother wrote this on his Facebook wall (and he almost never posts to Facebook):
“I come from a long line of hard-working, hard-fighting antifascists. They never gave up, through Franco and Hitler, McCarthy, Jim Crow and the KKK, Nixon, Reagan, etc. They marched, protested, organized, and never stopped fighting oppression in every monstrous form that it takes, and neither will I.”
That helped me get past some of my depression and into anger. The I read Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions and his combination of savage black humor and humanist kindness helped give me some perspective. I’m still bouncing around emotionally, and thanks to Trump’s thin skin and cavalier attitude towards war, I haven’t been this terrified of nuclear war since watching The Day After when I was 13. But for whatever reasons, I’m still clinging to hope and optimism. I’m not strong, I’m not powerful, but I’m holding on and I will continue to hold on. I wrote this last week and I’ll stop babbling after this:
I’d been saying for months that I wanted this election to be a landslide to bury Trump, to show America and the world that his campaign isn’t who we are. I really thought Clinton’s victory was assured. I believed the polls. And when she was clearly losing on Tuesday night, I felt like we’d all been duped, that we were now showing that world that Trump’s campaign is exactly who we are. And I was absolutely terrified for all of the non-cis het white men in my life (well, and the ones I don’t know, too). Hell, I was terrified for me, too, even if I am a white guy with much less to lose and much less to fear.
Now we see that Trump didn’t win the popular vote and barely won a number of states, so this is absolutely not a bigoted, misogynist mandate. We’re seeing news that Trump may really have had help from Russia and from Americans with a vested interest in getting him elected. Yes, we’re seeing a spike in reported hate crimes, but we’re also seeing peaceful protests against Trumpiness and we’re seeing an increase in donations to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and other good organizations. We’re seeing people immediately starting movements to help protect people, to stand together on the side of love and justice. THIS is who we are.
So while I’m still feeling disoriented and emotionally distraught and afraid, I’m also ready to keep going, to stand on the line against bigotry and injustice and fascism, and to use all of my hope, optimism, wits, creativity, and charm to fight the good fight. It’s not going to be okay. It’s never really going to be “okay.” This is the Myth of Sisyphus, and if we want to live in this world, we have to keep pushing the rock up the hill, watch it fall down, and get back to pushing it up again. It can be exhausting, it can be demoralizing, and this is why we have to help each other out. We can’t do this alone.
I know you’re all here for me and I know that you know I’m here for all of you. If this election has gotten you down and you need time to heal, take whatever time you need. I’ll stand up for as long as you need to rest.
Thank you for all of this, and for sharing your brother’s quote. I’ve been writing notes and putting them on people’s cars, reminding them that we are not alone. I’ve been sending around petitions and information on letters/phone calls to senators, and working on my own letters. There’s more to do. I have more ideas.
That’s what is getting me through this. Not thinking about what might save us, but doing a small thing right now that absolutely won’t save us, but that has the advantage of being a real thing, not just a wish. And whenever I see somebody else doing a little thing, I think, “we can do this. Through a thousand little things, done together, we can do this.”
Thanks for sharing your thoughts; every reminder that I’m not alone in my anger and fear is another little thing. You are awesome. Keep doing what you do.
Oh, the first paragraph was directed at Joshua, the last at Wil and the middle at, um, all the people? Sorry, I really should have indicated that better.
Our brains are all so scattered!
Thank you, Lane. 🙂
I understand how you feel, but I also understand why your feelings are misplaced. I am in no way a Trump supporter. Quite the contrary. Our country was forced by the corrupt media and corrupt political system into voting for two unfathomable candidates. On one side we had a misogynistic, egotistical, and crass frat boy outsider. On the other side we had a deeply entrenched political insider who has shown years of dishonesty, corruption, and deceit, and who literally stole her candidacy from Bernie Saunders. Clinton as Obama’s State Department Advisor started a war in Egypt, and destroyed the countries of Libya and Syria. Those travesties are 100% on her. And she has spent the last year trying to drum up anti-sentiment against Russia for some strange reason, like she wants us to go to war against Putin next. She’s just as insane as Trump is People have let the mainstream news media twist them up until they have lost all sense of perspective about what is really going on. Which is – there is a powerful group of faceless, nameless people operating above the law of our govt who are hell bent on destroying our country on the alter of globalism. Clinton works for these people, just like 95% of our corrupt Congress. Make no mistake about it. This country is not doomed because Trump won. It is doomed because we the people let them offer us two of the worst candidates the world had to offer, and we did nothing except let them divide us so far that thousands of people are now acting like you are. If it wasn’t for the electoral college, the cities of L.A. and New York would be determining all of our laws and policy, and the rest of us would have no voice. The idiot twenty-somethings now protesting in the streets do not seem to understand this.
LA and New York aren’t threatening to strip away my human rights for the horrific crime of not being heterosexual, so I’d much rather they were determining it. The only satisfaction I’m going to get the next 4 years is watching the morons who believed Trump would actually help them realise just how dumb they are.
Amen to that! That’s exactly what I tell my husband…and I’d laugh at them, if they weren’t taking us down with them!
I am a fan of yours and will continue to be one. But, You are generalizing and spewing hate. Trump is not a good guy, but neither is Hilary. Calm down. Your words are honest and from your heart, but they are not going to help anyone including yourself.
They’re helping me. So there you go
Yep, they’re helping me, too.
They helped me, too!
They are helping me too, so add me to that list.
Paul, stop with false equivalency.
People said nasty things about Clinton and while she may have had issues Trump himself said and did everything right out in front of the country and people like you are giving him a pass.
On Racism, Sexism, Sexual Assault, Fraud, Cronyism, etc.
Moreover, look at the cabinet and transition team Trump is putting in place (insiders, lobbyists, core Republicans), the settlement for the fraud of TrumpU and his consistent lack of respect towards those who disagree with him or his daughter being in on a call to a foreign leader.
This president elect goes to twitter when criticized to demand an apology. Twitter.
Sooner or later the majority of Trump supporters will have to face the fact they elected a bigot, a liar and a conman who couldn’t care less about them, just putting his name on things and sitting next to important people.
It wasn’t a choice between two evils, it was a choice between an evil little man with no qualifications or ability and a woman that might be guilty of playing the Washington game as well as everyone else.
“False equivalency”?! I am not giving him a pass, I think some of the things Trump has said and done in the past are bad/wrong/evil/illegal. Same goes for Hilary. I considered them both bad, that is equal whether you like it or not.
But I have to make a choice. I assume you did too.
“While she may have had issues”? That is ignoring her issues the same as I did for the sake of choosing the candidate closest to our own policies.
True racism, sexism, fraud, assault, cronyism are all wrong. I know you agree.
What a surprise, Trump is creating a team of those that will agree with him. Did you think it would be different with Hilary or any other past choice?
“his [Trump] consistent lack of respect towards those who disagree with him” You mean like you are doing right now towards almost half the voters in America?
I find his going to Twitter quite childish too. But, you can demand all the apologies you want – does not mean he will give them to you anymore than Hilary or anyone else would. That is childish to expect.
I can accept the fact that a politician I vote for may have lied to me, in some ways, and been truthful in others. They all do it. I voted for Obama in the last election. You are going to get good and bad from all of them.
Call them names all you want. Color me because of my choice. But I wouldn’t act like you are if Hilary had won.
“It wasn’t a choice between two evils, it was a choice between an evil little man with no qualifications or ability and a woman that might be guilty of playing the Washington game as well as everyone else.” Those are two evils. And what qualifications does Hilary, or anyone else in the world, truly have to being the President of the United States? Same went for Obama but he did an ok job.
You are name calling because your candidate lost.
No Paul. “Same goes for Hillary” is a blatant FALSE EQUIVALENCY. You’re not getting it. Try harder.
Nope. You can pretend Hilary is not as bad, and possibly worse. Up to you. With her at least we have the example of her husband to base it on rather your assumptions. You should calm down and try harder.
Because a woman has no identity apart from her husband?
Some of my words are off-the-cuff. Sorry, I should write more clearly.
Of course she has an identity apart from her husband. She is not responsible for him or what he has done, EVER.
But a relationship is a partnership, and in public, what you do does have an impact on the impression folks have on your spouse regardless of gender. And she has stood by him through his very questionable behavior (as husband and former president) and vice versa. (and yes, I am aware that is true of the future first lady and Trump)
I said, “With her at least we have the example of her husband to base it on rather your assumptions.” What I meant was, I do not recall a position of hers that was contrary to her husbands. Her policies do not appear to be that different to those stated or acted upon by Bill. Which, in hindsight, I considered quite bad especially his removal of important banking regulations (while having questionable relationships with the banking industry) etc.
I am independent. I do not vote based on party line. I disliked the personal character of both candidates. I vote based on policies.
Exactly right. I remember what a conservative New York Times columnist (who was no Clinton lover) said about all the Hillary Hate. “What did Hillary ever do to them?” Sure, Hillary MAY have been guilty of playing the “Washington game” but she is no where near the dishonesty that Trump is. To me what is amazing is that how many of the Trump supporters give him a pass on his hateful rhetoric and selfishness and dishonesty. Trump and his supporters, including the spineless Republican two facers now have control of the government. Let’s see if they can do anything other than obstruct which is what they did the past eight years. The one thing they’re good at is cutting taxes for the very rich. See where that got us when the Bush/Cheney Regime almost destroyed this country’s economy with their needless wars and senseless tax cuts for the rich.
“Hillary MAY have been guilty of playing the “Washington game” but she is no where near the dishonesty that Trump is.” Saying that does not make it true. They are both dishonest, both out for themselves.
“To me what is amazing is that how many of the Trump supporters give him a pass on his hateful rhetoric and selfishness and dishonesty.” Same for every Hilary supporter. You then chose based on their policies disregarding their equal repugnance.
“Let’s see if they can do anything other than obstruct which is what they did the past eight years.” You obstruct because you disagree. Now, after the results of the election, they will be acting.
“The one thing they’re good at is cutting taxes for the very rich.” Yes, this is completely unnecessary.
“See where that got us when the Bush/Cheney Regime almost destroyed this country’s economy with their needless wars and senseless tax cuts for the rich.” Seems like we are in a war with ISIS (just not fully committed) and the economy was not almost destroyed because of lowering taxes for the rich (which is still that way through 8 years with Obama by the way). It was destroyed by removing regulation on banks by Bill Clinton (remember him? related to Hilary).
Wil,
I voted in the election yet I did not vote for either of the two candidates. I wrote in two Scientists as my way of protesting in my own little box. I disagree with some of your political positions and agree with many of your positions. I agree that Trump is such a bad choice as a president. I am still kind of shocked that we haven’t had a Special Report on the TV from Trump saying “You’ve been Punked!”.
Depression sucks and so does all that comes with it. Keep your head up and know that you have many people that support the same things you do. We have to move on and work to fix the things that are wrong with our country. We do this by educating those around us of the important issues.
I am Native American and right now I am focused on tribal issues across the nation. Standing Rock is something that is important to me. I have to do what I can to help in that situation. Its just funny that so many people say that it is wrong whats happening but what it comes down to is big money over peoples rights. I dont think Trump will help out the people and will work to help the Oil Money. This is when my depression kicks in.
Stay Strong Wil. You are not alone
It’s a terrible situation. The thing to keep in mind, is to try to not normalize these hateful behaviors and opinions. Keep talking and writing about the bad things as if they are unusual, because they should be considered such. It’s very sad that we have to devote our energies to fighting this sort of regressive garbage, when we could be moving our society forward. But, if we move to Canada or something, who will do the work? Our country needs us right now. Stand up, volunteer, donate. Create mind-expanding art, literature and other media. Show by example that hate is not the correct path.
Hi Wil,
Our job now is to stay positive and do what we can within our sphere of influence. Progress is messy, filled with frequent stops and set-backs, but rest assured that over the long term the World is improving and will continue to do so.
President Obama was quoted in the New Yorker as having told his daughters the following after the election:
‘Societies and cultures are really complicated … This is not mathematics; this is biology and chemistry. These are living organisms, and it’s messy. And your job as a citizen and as a decent human being is to constantly affirm and lift up and fight for treating people with kindness and respect and understanding.
‘And you should anticipate that at any given moment there’s going to be flare-ups of bigotry that you may have to confront, or may be inside you and you have to vanquish. And it doesn’t stop … You don’t get into a fetal position about it. You don’t start worrying about apocalypse. You say, O.K., where are the places where I can push to keep it moving forward.’
One other thing – you have made a difference in so many ways including, on a slightly unrelated note, a prominent automotive blog I follow that has adopted your axiom for monitoring its comments.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/11/spoke-listened-300-comments-well/
Hang in there.
Get professional mental health help buddy.
If you read this blog regularly, you know he already does. That doesn’t completely cure your depression any more than seeing a doctor about your diabetes suddenly cures you of diabetes.
True, Jeff. We need more of you.
One of the best, most positive things I’ve read about all this is a recent post by Mike Rowe (yep, the “Dirty Jobs” Mike Rowe). Recommended reading, regardless of who you voted for.
http://mikerowe.com/2016/11/otw-2016election/
Stay positive.
Stopped reading when Mike made the false equivalence “each came with a heaping helping of vulgarity and impropriety”. Nope. Not. Wrong. Kool-Aid. So I will counter-unrecommend that anyone “listen” to Rowe.
Agree with 100% of this. I can only come up with two good thoughts.
1.) We’re free to utterly destroy him at every chance now. Like Alec Baldwin said: There’s no more equal time now… no it’s just him trying to be President and all of us responding.
2.) This appears to be causing a big awakening on the Left on many fronts. I’m now giving monthly to ACLU and Sierra Club. I will also be subscribing to NY Times and Washington Post as my christmas (solstice, really since I’m not religious) present to myself. We need to shore up the institutions that are in place as much as possible.
Set your sights on 2018… we need to flip the Senate back and make big gains in the House. It’s doable!
We are still the majority. We need to act like it.
The time of Liberal passivity has passed. It’s time to battle.
I saw Alec Baldwin driving his uhaul to Canada the other day.
I understand. Me too. But we don’t know what will happen, and if the past few weeks have taught us nothing, it is that the future is not always predictable. People surprise you. And when I look back on this challenging time in my life, I will be proud of the way I handled this huge opportunity to stand for what I believe in, with other people who believe in the same things that I do– freedom, kindness, and how beauty is in sharpest relief when viewed in contrast to ugliness. Our founding fathers did not know while in the middle of the mess of the Revolution how things were going to turn out. Neither did Lincoln in the middle of the Civil War. Neither did the Jewish people in the middle of the Holocaust. There are people who do unspeakable good, and their acts of grace shine brightest in the worst of times. This is my opportunity to shine, and yours, too. The world needs your imagination and story-telling, Wil, more than ever. Please don’t give up, and please don’t give into the temptation to pass judgement on the future before it has happened.
Wil, you have one big advantage that some of us don’t have. You can make things and readily share them with many other people. Do that. Change hearts, and the minds will follow. Be the change that neither Trump nor HRC can be. Also, start planting seeds for Warren 2020, when America will be able to show that it isn’t the misogynist hell that a few embittered HRC supporters are accusing it of being. Along the way, please remember that both Trump and HRC were uniquely problematic candidates. Bernie Sanders could have beaten Trump. Joe Biden could have beaten Trump. If you spend the next four years hating on your fellow Americans, you will be missing the point. It is true that Trump got a vote from 24 percent or so of the eligible voters. But please keep in mind that many of those were not “pro-Trump” votes — some people simply came to believe that HRC’s unique constellation of problems made her a worse choice than Trump. Many of those voters aren’t deplorable; they just wanted to see an America that doesn’t do corrupt political dynasties (whether Kennedy, Bush or Clinton). We need to change the system so the other 50 percent of voters will feel motivated to show up, and then maybe we can all feel invested in a system that won’t give us such awful candidates beholden to interests other than the American public. And remember: Presidents come in and out of our lives, like busboys in a restaurant.
This article should help alleviate against the anxiety over Trump really being the boogeyman as portrayed by liberal media and social media echo chambers:
http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/11/16/you-are-still-crying-wolf/
Everybody needs to be cool like Fonzie and chill out.
Even better, everybody needs to take the red pill and vote third party.
I haven’t seen a good 3rd party candidate though. I tend to STRONGLY disagree with Libertarians and while I used to vote for Jill Stein for various Massachusetts offices, I’m very troubled by her veering off into pseudo-science. And that’s on top of the fact that our current system really doesn’t work for more than 2 parties on a national level.
I read that article, and found myself wondering at just what point in Trump’s appointments he wrote that. He certainly seems to be surrounding himself with white Christian nationalists.
Besides, the article only addresses the charge of racism. Being in a fairly protected group, I can spare my fear for so. many. other. things!
I call BS on no evidence Trump is any more racist than “any other 70 year old white guy”. (Bill Clinton, for just one counterexample, comes to mind.) For God’s sake the man was SUCCESSFULLY sued for racist rental practices in NYC! That’s hard EVIDENCE.
Have a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLG9g7BcjKs
It’s by a decidedly-leftist British comedian, but it gives a good explanation of what happened.
He seems a bit confused, actually. He says the left won the cultural war, but that the left is responsible for Trump. Including himself in “the left”. So the rant is fueled by a self-loathing. No, sorry, Trump is not on us. Full stop.
Didn’t actually watch the video yet.
Trump is not because of the left, that’s on him. Trump WINNING is because of the left. I would have preferred a better candidate but he was the only one adamantly against the left, even though he is all kinds of bad.
I agree with you Wil. I started November writing my memoir “Mohican Forever! as part of the NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words in November. I started out strong with 10,000 words but then I hit a massive writer’s block when the election came on Nov 8. I was so upset they announced Trump President Elect though he lost the popular vote to Hillary. I stopped writing my memoir. I was flooded with shock and rage as I laid in bed thinking this was a bad dream. Then I read on social media all the people who were just upset as I was. I have never seen such an enormous cloud of despair that befall the country as I was.
I am Native American and I support the water protectors at Standing Rock. Last night hundreds of water protectors were injured when they had water cannons spraying the water protectors in 25 degree weather. This travesty is happening while Obama is President, I cringe to think what is going to happen if Trump is sworn in to Presidency. Trump doesn’t believe in climate change and is going to favor the oil companies. Obama said he was going to wait to see how things play out, and last night’s tragedy is what happened.
Trump has been battling Native American tribes because of his casinos. Trump refuses to honor tribal sovereignty when he says Native Americans “don’t look Indian.” Each tribe determines tribal membership not based on Trump’s physical judgements. I fear what a Trump Presidency will do for Tribal Sovereignty and how that will affect Native Americans. Obama was given an Indian name by the Crow tribe. I so far have not heard any Indian tribes bless Trump with an Indian name. I fear what will happen to the status of Native American tribes and treaties under a Trump Presidency.
I am concerned about women’s rights as Rose McGowan says Trump has waged war against women and I agree with her. I have Mexican siblings and I fear what will happen to them during a Trump presidency. I have a lesbian sister who is married to a wonderful woman and I don’t want anyone to threaten her or her marriage. I am going home to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and I am afraid to travel with all the increased hate crimes happening. I am experiencing Apocalyptic nightmares since the election.
I am hoping for a miracle come December 19 with the Electoral College vote. Maryland said as a state their electoral college is voting for Hillary because she won the popular vote. Other states can do this too. Hillary is the most qualified candidate for Presidency.
Your friend,
Wenona Gardner
Remember what Spider Robinson said: “Shared pain is pain lessened; shared joy is joy increased.” We all have a lot of pain right now. There will still be joy, but this is an enormous catastrophe for those of us who care about human rights and about mitigating climate change. For at least two years, we are royally screwed. We need to mourn, to grieve our loss. Then, when we are ready, we will pull down our copies of Little Brother and Homeland and get busy electing a better Congress in 2018, and a better president in 2020. It won’t be easy, especially for those people who will be directly targeted by the bigots. But we have to keep fighting. You are not alone. I am mourning, too. I will probably mourn for years to come. But I am also preparing to fight back, to protect those I can, and to support those who are more in danger by these policies that I am. When you are ready, you will find us at your side. We are there now.
In every post-apocalyptic SF novel I ever read (probably over 100), the protagonists have three advantages: 1) Brains. We’re smart. We will create a plan; we will have backup plans; and we will anticipate the problems that might arise. We got complacent in some ways this year. Never again. 2) Community. We all need someone to watch our stuff when we pee or sleep. We need backup for when we are tired, or sick, or sick at heart. We have community. More of us voted AGAINST the monster than in support of the monster. We have the advantage of a community that loves and supports and builds. 3) Compassion. We have empathy. We can forgive our community when someone screws up, and we can forgive ourselves for trusting in people who have screwed up. We can forgive ourselves for screwing up. Then, because BRAINS, we will learn from our experiences, and we will never make that mistake again.
Our near future is totally fucked. But we still have Brains, Community, and Compassion. I have to believe that ultimately we will endure. It won’t be easy. It’s going to be damned difficult, and we will see additional setbacks. But we will prevail. We must, for ourselves and for our children.
Mourn. Be kind to yourself. When you are ready, we will welcome you back to the fight.
You are not alone.
hugs. It is unfortunately all I have right now.
To start with I am a white, evangelical Christian. I voted for Hillary since I do not believe the lies about her and believe she is the most qualified.
After the initial shock of the election results I veered straight into depression mixed with anger. I am on Obamacare and my husband on Medicare. We have much to worry about. But I refuse to let Trump and his cronies terrorize me. As hard as it is you have to stand tall, and stand up for what you believe. (Ave to admit my antidepressants do help).
We will outlast Trump. Maybe he will get bored or frustrated and resign. Never know what will happen and 4 years is long enough for anything to occur.
Hang in there, most intelligent people feel just as you do.
My opinion is that many people are very angry and very isolated. These individuals did not so much vote for Trump as vote against current politics and government. For the next 4 years, whether it is through donations or real-time support we have to try to find and understand one another. Start small, start local, we have 4 years to find individuals who are capable of leading, compromise, good judgement and empathy.
Wil, you are letting your stereotypes and preconceived notions get the best of you. The truth is both political parties nominated the worst candidates imaginable.
Hillary represents a government nobody likes. Have you looked at the overall government approval numbers over recent years?
Trump on the other hand is a political outsider. Why is it a bad thing if he doesn’t want to live in the White House? If Trump is as bad as you say, why were his TV shows not boycotted? Why do sports teams only now say they won’t use Trump hotels? Why are women only now accusing Trump of sexual assault when they claim it happened decades ago? He was famous well before running for President yet none of these accusations were a problem before.
You are worried only because of your blind faith in a single political party. This was a crazy election cycle where both parties produced far from ideal candidates. Both sides painted the other with doomsday predictions but there is no way it will be as bad as some make it out to be.
“yet none of these accusations were a problem before.” Because he wasn’t running for President before. The President gets held to a higher– the highest– standard in the land. A reality TV show guy, unfortunately, does not.
Exactly!
And if you really don’t have any idea why women might not come forward to accuse a very rich, powerful, white man, I think you need to do a bit more reading. “What were you wearing? You didn’t try to punch him? Why were you nice to him if you didn’t want to do X?” etc. etc. People (mostly women) don’t report assault ALL THE TIME because mostly they get blamed for what happened to them.
Yes; hasn’t it been called the second rape? And if it goes to trial, she gets to relive it repeatedly!
I feel the same, and I’M CANADIAN!
Wil summed up how a lot of us feel in this Twilight Zone world (if you are young, then it’s a Black Mirror world). As a historian, I know that America will survive this dance with the Devil but I agree with Wil it sucks that we will have to deal with the consequences for the rest of our lives (assuming I live to the 75-85 range). The America that we have fought for and believe in is going to be under assault. I’m not sure how much damage will occur but I’m not sanguine about our prospects. My fervent hope is that we avoid inciting a war with a nation-state like Iran or through Trump’s gross incompetence, allow a scenario where two regional nuclear powers go to war like India and Pakistan. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance. The best case scenario is that Trump’s election will wake up those Americans not engaged enough to bother to vote. I believe only 52% of the American electorate cast a ballot for President. So nearly half of our citizens were grossly negligent in their duty as responsible citizens. Our Republic works only when the citizens are well-informed about the issues facing our country and vote for the best option or person possible. We constantly hear about how we are the “greatest” country in the history of humanity with our freedom and liberty but half of our population doesn’t bother to perform the most basic of civil duties. History shows that people often need a traumatic event to occur before they appreciate what they have and what can be lost. I hope the positive outcome of Trump’s election is that the American people become active participants in the welfare of our nation.
Sorry to hear you have sleep problems. I think this happens as we get older combined with stress. The past month and a half I have had sleep issues. having trouble falling asleep, waking up after three or four hours of sleep, falling asleep at 3am. I had the same issue back in 07 and it was due to a stressful job. So, I have concluded stress and a combination of age are a factor. As we age we don’t need as many hours of sleep.
As for Trump, or Chump as I call him, (a friend of mine calls him Lord Cheeto) what can we do? America of 2016 is a very different place than it was in the 80’s and 90’s. But, the overall issue is that Chump and his supporters have a deep hatred of Muslims and Mexicans. The sad thing is many Latinos and Black people voted for him as well. (goes to show that self hatred is a real thing). There has been a deep hatred of Mexicans going back to the 1800’s. Mexicans were lynched, which is something not mentioned in school history books. The first Mexican woman to be lynched was Josefa Segovia in 1851 here in California. So, this hatred goes back a long way. But, the main focus of Chump and his supporters is Muslims. Muslims are reviled and seen as the source of problems. Yet, Muslims have been in the US since the mid 1500’s. If muslims have been planning a takeover it sure is taking a long time to see this dastardly plan come to fruition. It is all fear mongering. It was a nice to read George Takei’s piece in the Washington Post and LA Times writing in support of Muslims in America. All we can do is work to educate and stop racism, prejudice and fascism. being cognizant of what is happening is the beginning. It is stressful and scary. Now, imagine if you were a muslim or mexican, who is working and minding your own business and get hit with all this Chump nonsense
Hugs, and best wishes on improving your quality of sleep. If I had been doing a reboot, I’d be officially off that wagon now, as I have been drinking quite a lot of wine of late. 🙁
here’s what i’ve learned according to majority of the world your feelings are only valid if they don’t make others uncomfortable. if they do hide that shit, because omg why aren’t you wearing a dress!?? your pinky’s not sticking out!!!!! oh its chaos the world AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! we don’t want to face uncomfortable shit!! I mean really who does its uncomfortable, but sometimes we have to. and so the point is nazi survivors are fucking scared i’ve seen several articles and yet people are going omg it will be fine just 2 more years we can elect new reps just 4 more years we can elect a new president. well guess fucking what?! we probably won’t even have a president by then, but fine i’ll just “see” how it turns out. this is why we can’t have good things in life because people say your feelings aren’t valid. that trump isn’t going to be president, trump isn’t actually going to be racist, trump will mellow after the election. guess what trump is president, most of trumps cabinet is racist or anti-science, trump has not fucking mellowed. even when there’s been presidents i didn’t like i knew that eventually another one would be elected but with trump that might not happen. and don’t tell me but the constitution he’s gonna destroy the fucking constitution. he has no respect for the constitution or you or me, we’re fucked.
p.s. i do think people’s feelings are valid i’m just talking about my experience with some people. and i don’t think we should wait and see that part was sarcastic.
also i’ve been thinking a lot about how we got here, well not too much and the things i’ve come up with is things repeat over history, the people alive during ww2 and survived are dying because they’re old and we don’t listen to old people, i’ve always liked history especially ww2 germany history more from the survivors pov tbh and i read the pink triangle and this other book called trains which i got at the holocaust museum about a girl who disguises her self as catholic. and other things, i’m no expert, but that and pre-civil war era in the us are my two favorite periods of history, not because of what happened during them, but because of what we can learn. but i like history and wish more people would look at and go yes its not exactly the same situation but its similar we should be wary. but instead we forget, even though we say never forget. but instead we look at a situation and find the differences because we don’t want to have to face the fact that we’ve fucked up majorly. We lie to ourselves it’s gonna be ok, and it will be but not for awhile not in 4 years not in 8 years but maybe 10-15 years and for a lot of people it won’t be they won’t survive. I know physically i will i’m pretty much knock me down i’ll get back up. I told my best friend to listen to a mutual friend of ours in a year because i don’t know if i can resist fear and mass brainwashing,but our mutual friend can My friend’s the type that believes anything you tell him. Like he was convinced distilled water did not boil because he read it on the internet. he’s actually very smart but sometimes he’s so dumb and doesn’t question things.
I also only got 4 hours of sleep last night. My mind kept racing around and around, thinking about all the worst things that could happen during the next few years. I’m sorry you’re dealing with that, too. I’m trying to channel the extra worry into action (calling politicians, rage-donating, etc). Not sure what advice to offer– empathy is all I have.
You know, I feel your pain (I went through similar pain for the last 8 years) but I don’t understand your logic. What are you saying, that democrats have to always win for you to be happy?? Only Hillary Clinton for the next 8 years would suffice for you?? 16 total years of democrat rule is the only thing that you would accept? A little childish, isn’t it? It’s a two party system…every now and then the other side is going to win. It’s what makes America great, and guarantees that we aren’t ruled by the same group for 50 years. It’s a bloodless coup every four years and it is an amazing thing to watch. Sometimes your side wins, and sometimes our side wins. That’s what keeps us from being Nazi Germany. If you don’t like the outcome, do something about it, but it do it peacefully and like an adult. Trump’s not perfect. Oh, and neither was Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George Bush, etc. They were all imperfect but the country didn’t implode when they were in office. You can actually make the argument that we needed Reagans conservatism and Bill Clintons liberalism. You pull on your side of the rope and we pull on ours. It’s called democracy.
Wil, I am so with you. These have been my thought processes as well. And it feeds my depression also. I want to leave. I want to give up. I want to just wake up from this nightmare. But I won’t. As a writer I’ll try to chronicle it, turn it into a form of art that communicates a different world view. As an actor it will make me more honest in portraying the suffering around me, perhaps even my own. As a producer it will motivate me to back projects that fight back with positive messages, messages of defiance, messages that unite us against this evil. Let’s join forces; we can’t do it alone. I’m with you, brother. Every step of the way. Reach out if you want: [email protected].
Several friends and acquaintances have told me to give Trump a chance; that it’s the right thing to do to move forward. I’m tempted to tell them to fuck off, but these are people I care about. Instead I tell them, hell no! I will not give the benefit of the doubt to a man who denigrated the current president of the U.S. by questioning his birth and then – when proven wrong – refused even to acknowledge that, much less apologize.
After Trump’s rancorous name-calling and isolationist rants, I cannot expect him to succeed or wish him well. Many Trump supporters remained silent while the Republican Party made it clear from the start that they would not cooperate with Barack Obama and – in the midst of a catastrophic economic downturn – help him succeed. Now they want us non-Trump people to be fair?
I told people 16 years ago that George W. Bush would get us into a war and a recession. I was right on both counts. The questionable war, of course, is the invasion of Iraq, which was done just purely for the sake of that country’s vast oil reserves. The money this nation spent on that, coupled with almost complete deregulation of the banking and housing markets and drastic tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens, is what sent us into a financial tailspin. I suspect Trump will do the same.
I had never felt so ashamed to call myself an American as I was during the Bush years. Now I feel even more disgusted.
Donald Trump nor the Republicans did not put into place the tools that you are so worried he will use, the democrats did.
As to the Republicans not allowing Obama to pick a new supreme court justice, precedent was set for that in 1992 by then Senator Joe Biden when he argued that “President George Bush should delay filling a Supreme Court vacancy, should one arise, until the presidential election is over, and it is essential that the Senate refuse to confirm a nominee to the court until a new president is chosen”
And yes, Donald Trump will probably be able to get all of his cabinet picks through the Senate, but not because of anything he did. Again, help from the democrats will be what allows him to do what you fear: From 2013 – “Senate Democrats took the dramatic step Thursday of eliminating filibusters for most nominations by presidents, a power play they said was necessary to fix a broken system but one that Republicans said will only rupture it further.
Democrats used a rare parliamentary move to change the rules so that federal judicial nominees and executive-office appointments can advance to confirmation votes by a simple majority of senators, rather than the 60-vote super majority that has been the standard for nearly four decades.
The immediate rationale for the move was to allow the confirmation of three picks by President Obama to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit — the most recent examples of what Democrats have long considered unreasonably partisan obstruction by Republicans.
In the long term, the rule change represents a substantial power shift in a chamber that for more than two centuries has prided itself on affording more rights to the minority party than any other legislative body in the world. Now, a president whose party holds the majority in the Senate is virtually assured of having his nominees approved, with far less opportunity for political obstruction.”
So, there’s no need to point your anger towards Republicans, when all of Trump’s ease in cabinet appointments will come from past democrat decisions and his ability to pick a supreme court justice comes courtesy of Joe Biden.
Let me just say this: My Jewish-American husband moved to Germany for me. He has always been proud to be American and has never in a decade considered changing citizenship. Until the morning of the election.
I’d say to your husband the same thing that I told many of my conservative friends and colleagues when they threatened the same thing 8 years ago, when Obama won….”don’t just talk it, do it”
Renouncing citizenship claims always ring of a childlike temper tantrum to me, no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. It’s a childish thing to say. Whenever I hear it, I equate it to something an 8 year old would say.
You misunderstand what she wrote.
Her husband, in fact, just did it. He has put the words into action with the move to Germany.
💗 My nightmares have turned into apocalypse musicals. Waking up through the nights has been a relief. Please enjoy Thanksgiving, for what it’s worth. We still have Macy’s Parade. 🦃
You suffer from living within the elite, far-left bubble. You don’t know what real Americans want or need, or what is at risk.
You might also be suffering from brainwash, or cognitive dissonance.
https://youtu.be/SKGjczYz1bg
Although I suspect I’ll be subject to typical attacks, I suggest you read through Scott Adams’ blog. He of Dilbert fame. He has a long-running series of posts regarding persuasion techniques, and has laid out quite clearly how to deprogram yourself from these self-destructive thoughts.
There is a narrative running through your head (and lots of other Hillary supporters) that has been placed there by a very strong team of cognitive scientists. That narrative is false. Don’t worry, Trump’s got a narrative too, and it isn’t as evil as you think it is. Read Adams’ posts, read the stuff he links to.
I suggest this, at risk of being excoriated as someone who doesn’t agree with the dogma coming from the left side of the political spectrum, because despite out differences, we are in fact better when we recognize why we do what we do. Plus, it will help your mental state.
Good luck.
I’d feel better about your suggestion if Scott Adams wasn’t such a misogynist. It tends to make me discount his theories on other things as he seems to have trouble viewing women as people who have the right to make their own decisions.
Well, since I’m going to ignore your claim because it flies in the face of reality, I guess you can label me a misogynist, too. It’s still better that you read his blog so you gain some semblance of your mental health back. I’ve offered help because that’s the sort of generous person I am. If you’d prefer to wallow in negative emotions, that’s on you, Sarah.
Here is where the ultimate problem lies: CONGRESS. Every president since Reagan has stepped outside his constitutional authority and done stuff they’re nor legally allowed to do. Everyone from Obama all the way back to Reagan should have been impeached and removed from office by Congress. But Congress continually failed to act. Clinton got impeached, but the Democratic lead Senate let him keep his job. Had Congress done it’s God damn job and kept the president in check, the president Trump would way less of an issue, Cause, if he tried any of his batshit crazy ideas that are unconstitutional, Congress would impeach his ass and we could all move on. Because Congress has shown itself to be beyond wimpy now, we’re basically electing mini dictators now. Checks and balances got broken a long time ago.
But both sides of the table decided to give their guy a pass when he did stuff he wasn’t supposed to do, because he was their guy.
This is why 40% of the country are now registered independents. Cause they are sick of this BS.
I do have to say that 8 years of Obama has been refreshingly scandal free. I’m going to kinda miss that when Trump takes over. Though I think that the scandal train would have been worse under Clinton 2.0.
The Democrats should have thrown Sanders out there. He had less baggage. Would he have beaten Trump? I dunno. But at least with Sanders in it, there was a candidate I liked.
Thanks for saying what I’ve been thinking for the past couple weeks. I’m a scientist by day and history nerd by night and neither of those things is helping me to understand what has happened. I’m just angry. And depressed. An awful combination.
So thanks for reminding me that I’m not the only one. I needed to read that.
Hang in there, Wil. There’s a whole lot of us in exactly the same space right now.
This is how it feels as a Canadian : https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/2016/11/08/meanwhile-in-canada-canuck-responses-to-american-election/moose-watches-car-burn.jpg.size.custom.crop.612×650.jpg
On the bright side, now at least the ugly policies of the right has an ugly face on it.
When Obama sits back and lets the Standing Rock protesters get their heads cracked in, the left sits back and says “well, Obama said it’s okay, so maybe we have nothing to be concerned about.” Same thing when Obama put habeus corpus in jeopardy, expanded NSA data collection, and deported more people than every from 1892 to 1997 combined. He deported half a million more people than Bush did.
If Trump does any of that, we’ll be united in opposition.
It’s still a very dark cloud, but at least that’s a silver lining.
I hear your pain, but need to remind you that the 25% that voted FOR him are no more or less to blame than the 75% that could have stopped him…but didn’t, mostly due to systemic failures.
If we didn’t have a two-party stranglehold, he would never have won anything.
If the system hadn’t been corrupted against a different Democratic nominee, he would never have won anything.
If the system provided proper efficacy to encourage higher participation, he would never have won anything.
If we weren’t 7-50 separate nations/cultures/societies forced to try and live as one big nation, he would never have won more than one of them.
Trump didn’t ‘win’, the United States failed…and that failure was unavoidable due almost entirely to a cascade of failures inherent within a system the people are powerless to change without bloodshed.
All those that voted for Trump are to blame. they supported the Anti-Muslim, Anti-Mexican sentiment. They found someone who vocalized their hatred for groups of people. Yeah, they are to blame and there is no going back from it. Racism and Prejudice are ugly and stupid. Schools have spent millions since the 70’s to teach otherwise. It obviously was a waste of money because it failed. Any Trump supporter who says “I didn’t know” is a liar.
“All those that voted for Trump are to blame.” Yes, we voted for Trump, we are to blame/applauded for not allowing Hillary to continue the Clinton regime. I am ok with that.
“they supported the Anti-Muslim, Anti-Mexican sentiment.” No WE didn’t. Some definitely did and I disagree with them. BUT, I do support the anti-illegal immigrant, politically correct, liberal socialism, pro-killing babies sentiment.
I am hearing an awful lot of vocalized hatred from Wil, you and many others here towards a group of people. Why is it okay to paint me with one color but not yourself?
“Racism and Prejudice are ugly and stupid.” I agree. But liberal socialism is also ugly and stupid. Read many of the comments here and you will see it. I don’t recall schools teaching that much against racism and prejudice, except maybe a few words in textbooks – I doubt millions were wasted in schools for that reason.
“Any Trump supporter who says “I didn’t know” is a liar.” I agree. I haven’t heard a single Trump supporter saying, “I didn’t know”. So I guess we are not liars. That’s a relief.
Paul, so what were you supporting when you voted Trump? His entire campaign was build around Anti-Muslim and Anti-Mexican rhetoric. f you say illegal immigrants, then you need to do your homework and research. Big business has been bringing in illegal labor since the mid 90’s. After NAFTA was passed businesses started advertising jobs in Mexico. Businesses bussed in cheap illegal laborers. Why aren’t the CEOs and Execs being charged with any crime? It’s racism, plain and simple. Demonize Mexicans and the people who used them for cheap labor walk free.
You obviously do not work in the education system. I do. Schools teach diversity an they do teach against racism and prejudice. They may not give lectures on it daily, but it is implemented into how classes are run and material is taught. It goes all the way up to the university level. Who are you kidding? millions spent of teaching teachers and administrators on diversity training and how to implement it into classrooms.
I did not vocalize hatred and from what I read Wil Wheaton has not vocalized hatred either. But as for myself, I will critique and call out the liars and hypocrites.
I will ask you the same question I asked Wil Wheaton, How many muslim friends do you have? and I will add a couple more:
Have you ever read the Koran to understand what Islam is all about? have you ever stepped into a mosque and tried to learn what it is all about?
If you disagreed with the Anti-Muslim and Anti-Mexican rhetoric Trump was selling why did you support him? you say you agree that racism and prejudice is ugly and stupid, but you supported and voted for a man who sold hate against muslims and mexicans.
That makes you a hypocrite. and I will call out the liberals as hypocrites as well. Not One liberal spoke out in defense of muslims. not one. They have made the Trump win an issue about gay rights and sexism. When in fact Trump, from day one, vilified Muslims and Mexicans. And, those two groups are at the top of his agenda list. Wanting muslims to register, using japanese internment camps as precedent, connections to white nationalists. This is what you voted for, what you proudly support.
And, again, any Trump supporter who says “I didn’t know” or “I didn’t support that” is a liar because you and they knew full well what Trump was about and voted for him anyway.
You could have chosen not to vote, which I did because that is my right. Both candidates were and are liars.
“His entire campaign was built around Anti-Muslim and Anti-Mexican rhetoric.” That is not true, you are the one speaking rhetoric. Nobody stands on just one or two items in a campaign. He is a complex human being, just like you and me. But he is also a politician that lies and is out for himself (same as Hilary).
“you need to do your homework and research. Big business has been bringing in illegal labor since the mid …” I have done my research and I generally agree. I am not sure that those hiring illegals are “big” business, but many business owners look the other way or deliberately hire illegals for slave wages. This makes them culpable. But they are still illegal immigrants. And how is it racism if a CEO is getting off the hook? That is favoritism, an unfair double standard. CEOs or HR departments should be punished if they are hiring illegals. But, that still means illegals are illegal and should be removed from our country.
“Demonize Mexicans and the people who used them for cheap labor walk free.” I have no issue with Mexicans. I have an issue with illegal immigrants, no matter what country they originally came from. You are demonizing ALL Trump supporters implying we all hate Mexicans, use the term illegal immigrants because that is the real issue.
“You obviously do not work in the education system.” This is correct, I do not work in education. But, I do have multiple children in the education system. “Schools teach diversity an they do teach against racism and prejudice.” I did agree that schools do teach some of this, just not enough to justify the millions that were mentioned. You make a good point, I concede, that the funds are used for teacher diversity training. I was thinking actual classroom school work. Which is all that I see from my perspective. My apologies.
“I did not vocalize hatred and from what I read Wil Wheaton has not vocalized hatred either.” I disagree. Wil is speaking from his personal perspective but he is implying many negative opinions about how terrible things will be and how wrong it was for so many to vote Trump. I would not lose sleep over or get depressed or think America is “f*ked” if Hilary had won. I am ok if you hate Trump, but do not lump us all into a black & white scenario that does not exist except inside your fears.
As for your questions. I have very few Muslim friends, but I have a few. I have, in fact, read the Koran in an English translation. Like the Bible, some words do alarm people. Have you read it? I have been in a mosque but never to learn what it is all about. What does any of this have to do with refusing Syrian refugees or wanting to question those that enter more closely? This is not racism, it is security.
I am sure, in one way or another, everybody is a hypocrite. Please stop assuming this is one such example for me. I do not proudly support 100% of any candidate I have EVER voted for. Why are you assuming that has to be, now that Hilary lost? I do not have to support everything and that does not make me a liar. Too bad.
“knew full well what Trump was about and voted for him anyway” I would say the same to you about Hilary even though I find her lying and motivations to be bad. But, I would not equate you to her because you might vote for her.
“You could have chosen not to vote, which I did because that is my right. Both candidates were and are liars.” I agree. I hated both my choices and I struggled with it to the last moment I felt I could. I was NEVER going to vote HIlary. But you need to vote. You need to think about what matters to you and vote who will most likely follow through with YOUR policies.
“Paul, so what were you supporting when you voted Trump?” I’m not sure you really care here, but I was against liberal “values”. I am against a liberal viewpoint of pretending to care about the environment because you yell it is so important but do nothing useful about it. I am against vilifying EVERYONE on the right because of some (fair enough) bad and idiotic people on the right. I am for abortion because that is the legal right of a woman, but it is still killing a baby which is morally evil. As a legal immigrant that went through so many years of misery to become a US citizen, I am against illegal immigrants that just walk across a porous border. Having been on Obamacare for nearly 2 years, and on personal health insurance many years before and on corporate health insurance sometimes – I do not care for obamacare or the concept of universal health care like Europe & Canada. I am for more stringent checking of who gets into our country, but also making sure no racism is used to do that checking. Those are a few things.
How much do I think Trump will follow through on? Hell if I know. I would say the same of Obama, he didn’t follow through on all his campaign promises. I do not think America is “f*ed”.
“Obama didn’t follow through on most of his campaign promises” ………Obama did pretty good given all the Republican obstructionism he faced for eight years.
Regarding campaign promises, the President can only say what he wants (in many cases). The House and Senate are responsible for making it work. I do not blame Obama for that and did not mean to imply it.
Obama did okay, not “pretty good”. Some of his campaign promises I did not want and they did not happen. Good. Some of his campaign promises he made happen that I also did not want. Bad. Some of his actions as President were great. Some were very bad. Overall, I consider his (and his spouse) personal character much better than both candidates we were offered this time.
Yes, Republicans were obstructing during his eight years. Although I suspect I would not agree with every attempt to obstruct by the Republicans, I believe that is how the system works. You disagree, then you block the passage of legislation. Democrats would and have done the same. Same goes with Presidential veto power.
Voting for President was not the only important choices we made during this election.
Paul, I extend my thank you for the reasonable response you gave. You stated and asked “I have, in fact, read the Koran in an English translation. Like the Bible, some words do alarm people. Have you read it? I have been in a mosque but never to learn what it is all about. What does any of this have to do with refusing Syrian refugees or wanting to question those that enter more closely? This is not racism, it is security.”
I have read the Koran and was a student of religion for many years. I would recommend “Approaching the Quran: The Early Revelations” by Michael Sells. It is a well written introduction to the Koran (or Quran) that not only discusses the history of the text, but allows readers to explore the beauty of hearing it spoken as it includes a CD. It was first published in 1999 before all the nonsense started.
And, I have lived in Saudi Arabia, Morocco and spent time in Egypt. after the San Bernardino shooting Trump stated “I told you so,….” and Trump reiterated he wanted a moratorium on immigration from Muslim countries. Now he is saying he wants to revive the Muslim registry. Under Bush, all muslims were under surveillance. How is this security? Do you tar and feather and entire group of people based on the actions of a few? (and muslims who are citizens were under surveillance. I have family who are police officers and agencies in SoCal would have officers in unmarked cars sit outside mosques getting license plate numbers and taking pictures of people entering and leaving the mosques). How can you or anyone else justify what Trump is planning? To claim security is disingenuous. Since 9/11, the NSA has monitored American citizens as well. None of it has stopped any so called terrorist act. And, when was the last time you, or Wil Wheaton for that matter, have been chased by a gang of Muslims? attacked by Muslims? These are not things I worry about. Not where I grew up nor where I live today.
Now, as for the issue of illegals.
You seem to gloss over the fact that Trump did refer to Mexicans as rapists. There is no going around that.
But, how can you say the issue is “illegals” when they were given carte blanche to come here and businesses (small business and big business) used them for cheap labor? I have known illegals who worked menial labor jobs for low pay. They paid for car insurance, they paid for registration, were not allowed a driver’s license and paid for medical insurance, rent, food, etc. They paid for the things they wanted and the necessities. So, how are they a problem. The DMV took their money, the grocery store took their money, The insurance company took their money. Yet, they are the problem? They get called “wetbacks”, “beaners”, etc. even though they put in a day’s work. How are they the problem? It is an issue of we want you for cheap labor, but don’t live near us. This happened in New Orleans after Katrina. Mexicans were brought in to help clean up and rebuild. After the work was done people complained that they did not want Mexicans living around them. New Orleans residents wanted them shipped back. You can’t have it both ways.
And, the Hillary Clinton was the one who pushed for the airstrike on Libya, she was the one who wanted to get in their and go after Muammar Gaddafi. That alone destroys her credibility.
I don’t think American is “f****d”, but I do believe that Trump winning the election sends an very serious and ugly message to Mexican and Muslims. In regards to muslims it is discrimination not racism. my apologies if I did not clarify that. Again, I don’t see liberals championing the rights of muslims. I have heard many liberals bash muslims just as badly if not worse than a right winger. it is selective championing of human rights, which I find dumb.
I would not agree with a Muslim registry. You do understand that not everything he wants, like every President before him, will be possible. I do not have to justify what Trump is planning. I do not agree with everything a President wishes to do – I NEVER HAVE with Trump, Obama, George, Bill, etc.
“Under Bush, all Muslims were under surveillance.” Where do you get this from? I can believe the NSA has everyone under surveillance but to be able to figure out who is Muslim and then specifically monitor them only? Not likely. And the increased monitoring of Muslims did increase during Bush but I have not heard of any dismantling of that surveillance under Obama.
You are obviously against the tar and feathering of a group of people by religion. I agree with you. Look at many of the comments here, they are doing exactly that to millions of people that did not vote for Hilary. Are you okay with that? That is one of the reasons I bothered to start commenting here – even though I have been reading Wil’s blog for years without saying a word.
I do not justify everything Trump MIGHT be planning. Some are wrong, some are evil, some are just not possible and stupid. I simply have to justify my position and I am comfortable with that. I am worried about what Trump will choose, I would feel the same if Hilary had won and I was worried when a general unknown like Obama won. I voted for Obama. I do not agree with everything he did or did not do.
As for illegals. I never gave them carte blanche. I do not agree that the wealthy and business owners that encourage the hiring of illegal immigrants should be off-the-hook. That is a fault of our government and those that want them to be allowed to stay.
“They paid for car insurance, they paid for registration, were not allowed a driver’s license and paid for medical insurance, rent, food, etc. They paid for the things they wanted and the necessities. So, how are they a problem.” Because they did not pay USCIS and follow all the procedures required there. Because they came to America illegally. Because the current law on the books is to NOT allow anyone and everyone to come into this country whenever they wish.
I respect the hard work they do, I have seen it, just like I respect the hard work a legal immigrant or born American does. Working hard, paying your bills, does not change the fact that they are not here legally.
“It is an issue of we want you for cheap labor, but don’t live near us.” NO, I do not want them here for cheap labor. That is YOUR circular reasoning. You are okay that they are here and would want them to be legal, so you justify how wrong it is that they are unfairly treated. But they are here illegally which is precisely why evil people and business owners are getting away with paying them so poorly.
I truly appreciate this discussion with you, Mark. Even though we obviously disagree somewhat. I am speaking here anonymously but the discrimination against Muslims has had some tiny effect on me personally as well. I am not Muslim but profiling, you know. I just want to feel secure with a modicum of common sense and not allow political correctness to gloss over potential threats to Americans.
And I agree, both parties are full of idiots. I see no workable solution around that.
Paul, again, thank you for your well reasoned response. Yes, we disagree on some points, but we can disagree in a reasonable and respectful manner. I would like to let you know that Muslims were easily identified through DMV records and through travel. They could easily pull records of people with with muslim/arabic names. A colleague of mine converted to Islam and changed his name to a muslim name. He applied for a new social security card and went to pick it up because two months had gone by. He was told by a worker at Social Security that he had been placed on a security check list and it delayed his SS card process time. This was in 2007. So, monitoring of muslims and anyone associated with muslims has been taking place. When I returned from Saudi Arabia I was taken aside by airport police and questioned. I was informed that everyone traveling to saudi arabia was automatically flagged and questioned upon return. This really surprised me as I have never committed a crime. When I asked about reasonable suspicion one officer laughed. He told me “we don’t need reasonable suspicion”, which is actually a violation of law. is a bit of reading just as an FYI https://www.aclu.org/other/nsa-spying-americans-illegal
Again, thank you for your well reasoned response.
Not going to mince words (as if I ever do)…
The United States has always been a nation of cutthroats, conmen, grifters, snakeoil salesmen, hucksters (religious and otherwise), thieves, murderers, and purveyors of human misery, all under the vile guise of freedom and liberty. Or at least that’s the tagline we’ve always pitched to the world, accompanied by bell and drum jingles composed by unalloyed racists like Francis Scott Key.
We sell bullshit, and we’re really, really good at it.
And now our nation of shake weight, energy drink, celebrity ass metric, cheese-flavored corn puffs in their guffawing open monkey holes electorate has selected the most brazen sideshow barker in the history of our nation. Who is surprised? Americans are Trump. Yes, the blue ones as well as the red.
We’ve laughed while we’ve carpet bombed millions in our decades, indeed centuries, long manifest destiny to pillage and collateral damage as the whim strikes. Any history of our nation is always heavy on music, television, film, and dance. In other words, laughing, singing, spectacle. What happens outside of the circus tent, the revival tent? Who cares? Not my fellow Americans. Never have. It’s boring. But ask them about sportsball and zombies and they perk right up.
I like to laugh. A lot. But I don’t and haven’t watched Stewart, Colbert, Moore, Maher, or any of the others who chuckle while we expand our network of fascism. A fascism that has been a part of our nation centuries before Trump.
That is a solid, flawless, nugget of Truth; a rare thing on the internet.
Read Scalzi’s post “Two Weeks In” from today, Wil. It might help. (If someone else already suggested this, sorry. I didn’t read all the posts.)
I too have felt terrible since the election, if that helps. Now though, I’ve added research to that – trying to figure out how to best resist all the bad that is coming. Making that list helped. A lot. Donating to Planned Parenthood as a gift to Mike Pence helped too. I know it all feels hopeless at times – or most of the time – but we have to add resolve and action, no matter how small – just be legal about it! – to those moments of feeling awful.
Hang in there Wil. (Sorry, soppy platitude but it’s all I could think of after staring at my laptop for 10 minutes trying to think of something uplifting and clever.)
Watch. Breath. Hope.
First of all many Greetings from Germany, I’m a bog fan of that blog!
In Germany many people are feeling the same way like you, and I think the possibility, that a person like trump has made it to the top of the nation is a problem, that faces the whole western world! Look at Poland, where the pro western government of Tusk is history and nationalist and narrow minded people are leading the country. In Germany we will face truth when Merkel might Not be reelected and the right wing AFD could be a strong member of the government. Same in France with LePen.
All over the western world Open minded and liberal people and politicians are on the downturn. Nationalist people, who are against Immigrants, against gay people maybe against equal rights for women and other fundamental rights of a western society have upside.
Why is that so? I really don’t know, but It is sad..
The only thing you can do is to fight for all the things, western culture is standing for(not literally fight..). And society has to educate people..
Well anyway, no anger and no depression should last forever..
Wil…So very many things. I am so with you on all this. I’ve tried so hard to get my head around this mess. I have engaged with Trump supporters in an effort to understand. My determination is that whatever their reasons, they are seeing the world through orange colored glasses. They will do little or nothing to keep him in line. We must.
There are times in life when rage is the most appropriate response and using it to drive appropriate action is the right thing to do. I’m fired up and I will not stop fighting – on REAL issues. I could give a shit less about his Twitter wars (which I believe are intentional distractions from real issues – like say $25M fraud lawsuit settlements and admissions of self-dealing in the DJT Foundation). This ‘exception’ from conflicts of interest? Hells no! I will kick at that like the kid behind you on a plane.
So – feed your fire with clean fuel. Facts, accurate math, respect for all people and the genuine desire to do good in this world – that’s my clean fuel. What is yours? Shit’s been going down in this world for millennium after millennium, this skirmish happens to be ours to fight. Let the future Dan Rather write a book about how this generation bloomed late, but then tore it up! This grieving thing, it’s normal. I have totally been doing it, but the last thing I want to do is get to Acceptance on this. And THANK YOU for making me realize that so clearly. Grieve the loss of the world we thought we’d have, but DO NOT ACCEPT the world you fear will come. Screw acceptance this time. I’m going to hang out in Anger at things that are worthy of my anger and I’m going to go Winston Churchill on this bullshit. Unless Trump surprises the hell out of me, which thus far he has not, I will call, write, demonstrate, and tap dance for fucking progress.
I AM willing to allow him to do good. That is all he gets a pass on. And, by golly, my judgment on what’s good and what isn’t is just as valid as the next guy’s, so I will make the call when I see it.
There is a beautiful nation of fired up women, men, and (the best news) young people who will not accept the world he’s proposing. People, who have until now, been complacent, are active and working every day. The law of unintended consequences is at work here. Know that EVERY young woman I know is now trying to figure out how she can be just as loving and kind, but fierce in the face of this. They are beyond inspired, they are determined. And the organization happening among social media groups to make our voices heard is awesome. Smart/thoughtful/good people are using the lazy ass internet to help us make things good and right.
Here’s what I will do to help you and everyone else who finds this shit show intolerable. I will fight on real things. I won’t fight philosophy or rhetoric. They are infinite arguments that have no answer. I will know the truth when I can and make this be the beginning of real positive change. When we get there, I’ll buy you a beer.
PS. If you haven’t yet, read I Am Malala. She was a frigging 11 year old and she fought for girls education in Taliban-controlled Pakistan. It’ll make cowboying up right now feel like the least you can do. I know it did for me.
There are many things that anyone can do and lots of articles that give you the numbers to call to make it happen. Spread the phone numbers and get the word out if something is time sensitive. CALL! Staffers hate taking calls and they have a greater impact than emails/letters/tweets.
Sorry if I got preachy, but action and passion feel a pant load better than this despondency thing, so I’m going with it. Hopelessness is the worst. We got this, Wil. We will insist that we are better than this.
So move. If you don’t like, change the scenery of your life and live somewhere where you can feel superior to those around you. Because quite frankly, you’re not worthy of their adulation of you or them spending their hard earned dollars on you.
Hearing you whine for the next four years is really going to be both interesting and tiresome at the same time.
Have a fabulous Vegan Thanksgiving (unless you consider that to be racist) and have a fabulous Christmas (unless you find that offensive).
As a white male, i am pretty sure i will not be directly affected by any of President Orange Shitgibbon’s “policies” that are implemented over the next four years.
But it’s going to kill my soul watching the affect on all those people who will get royally screwed by the StormFront ™ that’s coming their way.
Is there any reason to believe that ANY “reasonable” Republican will balk at any of this? I doubt it – the giants that fuel their campaign contributions and fund their side gigs will revel in their de-regulation and rising profits from sacrificing workers into the sausage grinder.
And the media is owned by giant corporations that will have record profits if they go along to get along. CBS has already started the Emperor’s New Clothes reporting policies. So I doubt that anyone will be able to stop the train that will roll right over my friends and neighbors who are NOT straight white males.
I do not believe that anything can stop this – Congress went right on doing what they were doing with a 9% approval rate, and the incumbents were rewarded with re-election. So i think it’s going to happen, in all it’s horror. And we all get to watch. Awesome.
Not really awesome. It’s gonna be tough to live thru this, but if we have any hope for the future, we need to.
Good luck to us all.
Jeeesus. What a fucking hug box. Celebrities shilling for politicians is disgusting on its own, but shilling for a candidate as obviously corrupt as Hillary Clinton is the lowest of the low.
It wasn’t racists, sexists or anyone similar who gave Trump the nomination. It was 60 million people sick of their (and since you abused your position, your) shit.
It’s comments like this that further convince me the world needs more fucking hug boxes.