A listless, rudderless ship captained by two political parties that are both willing to run the country up on the rocks as long as they get to keep holding the wheel?
After the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush told the country that with his second-term victory, he believed he had earned a large amount of political capital that he was going to spend freely. Given the clear-signal victory that Trump just secured, it gives me palpable anxiety to think about the devil-may-care, let’s-fucking-burn-it-to-the-ground kind of stint we have ahead of us. Buckle up, children.
after my initial revulsion, i find myself oddly calm at the moment. this isn't like 2016 when the clinton campaign absolutely shit the bed. i don't know that the harris campaign could've done anything differently that would've made a difference. we knew as a nation who trump is and what he stands for, and we chose that. now i think it's our obligation to defend those who are weaker than us, to stand up for what we believe to be right, and to irritate the hell out of billionaire assholes.
Similarly to Rob, I didn't wake up this morning in nearly the mindframe I did in 2016. As I've already said, I expected this. Not happy about it, nor am I hopeful for the future but it always seemed to me that this would be how things worked out. Might need to look into that whole Portugal thing again.
You could be like my father, who is despondent as someone who used to be very active in the Democratic Party. He sent a text of dejection to my sister and me, ending it with some positivity that would be welcomed were it not front-loaded with the thinly veiled potshot at his portly son:
"For now let's set our personal priorities for health (fitness), friends, work, and good deeds as we live through challenging times."
Can't let one chance just slip by, Dad? And that comes before friends and good deeds?
I am essentially taking Whit's pop's approach, trying to do my best at the things where I have direct impact. What can I do besides take care of myself and support the people I care about?
Sorry about the portly shaming. Prove the old man wrong and get ripped!
I thought my luck had changed quickly over the last 12 hours when zwoman walked into the bathroom and locked eyes with me right after I got out of the shower. But then she said "Can you open this jar of salsa for me" and everything remained as it was.
I too thought of 2004 when I couldn't believe MORE people voted for the winner of that election in spite of everything that happened in the preceding four years. You may recall that W's unfettered and emboldened second term ended ... poorly (he lost the economy, the city of New Orleans, America's standing in the eyes of the world, etc.). I hope that DJ Trump's star-studded cabinet guides him to a less disastrous second term (Kash Patel for SecDef! Steven Miller for Homeland Security! RFK Jr. for DHHS! Judge Jeannine for AG! Elon Musk for State!).
In other (better) news, my company was acquired by our biggest competitor a little less than a month ago (it's closer to a merger in practice but they are larger so acquisition it is). Suffice it to say it's been an interesting few weeks and there was no doubt people would be let go due to the duplication of roles in many areas. I wasn't all that worried for myself as I believe my record over the last 3.5 years speaks for itself. But, you never know. Yesterday I received official word that I wasn't going anywhere and actually stand in a better place from an earning perspective. Still a lot of details to be ironed out but certainly not bad news at first blush.
A listless, rudderless ship captained by two political parties that are both willing to run the country up on the rocks as long as they get to keep holding the wheel?
ReplyDeletehard to argue otherwise
ReplyDeletewe also really seem to hate women
ReplyDeleteAfter the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush told the country that with his second-term victory, he believed he had earned a large amount of political capital that he was going to spend freely. Given the clear-signal victory that Trump just secured, it gives me palpable anxiety to think about the devil-may-care, let’s-fucking-burn-it-to-the-ground kind of stint we have ahead of us. Buckle up, children.
ReplyDeleteoperative word there being children.
ReplyDeleteafter my initial revulsion, i find myself oddly calm at the moment. this isn't like 2016 when the clinton campaign absolutely shit the bed. i don't know that the harris campaign could've done anything differently that would've made a difference. we knew as a nation who trump is and what he stands for, and we chose that. now i think it's our obligation to defend those who are weaker than us, to stand up for what we believe to be right, and to irritate the hell out of billionaire assholes.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly to Rob, I didn't wake up this morning in nearly the mindframe I did in 2016. As I've already said, I expected this. Not happy about it, nor am I hopeful for the future but it always seemed to me that this would be how things worked out. Might need to look into that whole Portugal thing again.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually the type to look for silver linings in unwelcome news. I am struggling mightily to find any this morning.
ReplyDeleteYou could be like my father, who is despondent as someone who used to be very active in the Democratic Party. He sent a text of dejection to my sister and me, ending it with some positivity that would be welcomed were it not front-loaded with the thinly veiled potshot at his portly son:
ReplyDelete"For now let's set our personal priorities for health (fitness), friends, work, and good deeds as we live through challenging times."
Can't let one chance just slip by, Dad? And that comes before friends and good deeds?
silver lining a la rootsy: your friends want you to stay around longer so you can do more good deeds?
ReplyDeletei wonder if i can bet on trump not making it to the end of his term
ReplyDeleteI am essentially taking Whit's pop's approach, trying to do my best at the things where I have direct impact. What can I do besides take care of myself and support the people I care about?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the portly shaming. Prove the old man wrong and get ripped!
Curious about reaction of Gheogherati's young adult daughters. And young adults, period.
ReplyDeletei asked my oldest if they were okay this morning. they said, "no. but i will be." haven't heard from the colorado team member yet.
ReplyDeleteI thought my luck had changed quickly over the last 12 hours when zwoman walked into the bathroom and locked eyes with me right after I got out of the shower. But then she said "Can you open this jar of salsa for me" and everything remained as it was.
ReplyDeleteI too thought of 2004 when I couldn't believe MORE people voted for the winner of that election in spite of everything that happened in the preceding four years. You may recall that W's unfettered and emboldened second term ended ... poorly (he lost the economy, the city of New Orleans, America's standing in the eyes of the world, etc.). I hope that DJ Trump's star-studded cabinet guides him to a less disastrous second term (Kash Patel for SecDef! Steven Miller for Homeland Security! RFK Jr. for DHHS! Judge Jeannine for AG! Elon Musk for State!).
ReplyDeleteZ, get your wife this and it will eliminate the head-fake.
ReplyDeletei'm worried about clicking that link
ReplyDeleteWe have one of those and she can’t operate it.
ReplyDeleteIs she left-handed? I used to discount the notion that lefties can't use scissors, but I have seen that shit and it's real. Maybe this, too.
ReplyDeleteIn other (better) news, my company was acquired by our biggest competitor a little less than a month ago (it's closer to a merger in practice but they are larger so acquisition it is). Suffice it to say it's been an interesting few weeks and there was no doubt people would be let go due to the duplication of roles in many areas. I wasn't all that worried for myself as I believe my record over the last 3.5 years speaks for itself. But, you never know. Yesterday I received official word that I wasn't going anywhere and actually stand in a better place from an earning perspective. Still a lot of details to be ironed out but certainly not bad news at first blush.
ReplyDeletenice. love a bit of good news for the family.
ReplyDeleteg:tf?
ReplyDeleteIs Teej the don of this family? Don Gheorghio?
ReplyDeleteBut that is indeed good news, Mark. Glad to hear it.
ReplyDeleteGheorghe and the Family Stone? Teedge and the Family Gheorghe?
ReplyDeleteThat Zman, sharp as a tack at all times, didn’t write “Gheorghe and the Family Stoned” when Teejay was the subject material, is startling.
ReplyDelete