So today I was trying to ask my coworker why she voted for Trump (not that it made a difference, our state is so not a player in the electoral college), why, in the end, she thought Hillary Clinton was worse than Donald Trump.
She practically lunged over my desk to shake her finger in my face and yell "I refused to have those Clintons in the White House again." Those Clintons.
I don't understand people's hostility. Times were good under Bill Clinton. Shit was accomplished. Congress wasn't at a standstill. No social "progress". (Geez, he passed welfare reform, DOMA, don't ask don't tell.) Economically things were booming. Shrank the debt and deficit. WHAT was so wrong?
Two things: Bill Clinton cheated on his wife and lied to the public about it and got caught and Hillary Clinton stepped outside the traditional First Lady role. That right there is where it started.
That's all I can come up with. Am I wrong here?
None of them. NOT ONE of those Trump supporting Clinton hating folks has been able to give me anything substantive. Anything other than but...Emails...but...Benghazi...but...bullied women he had an affair with...but...stayed with her husband...
Everything having to do with her as a woman or residual backlash against Obama being elected twice. It is just insane.
My fear now is that in the mid-terms, even if Trump and Congress are a colossal catastrophe, they won't see it because of the way the republicans are able to manipulate fact and blind people. They've been doing it since before Obama was elected and all through his presidency.
HOW do people not see that?
I admit to being profoundly disappointed in my countrymen and women.
75% said it's okay to have a president that says out loud all the nasty, mean, divisive things we've been fighting for decades. A president that promotes racism (if he isn't a closet racist himself). A misogynist. An incompetent. A liar. (He lies to their faces and they don't care. WTF?)
49.5% of the eligible voters in this country didn't even bother to show up. Their apathy showing they clearly don't give a damn what happens to blacks, Hispanics, women, Muslims, or anyone else in this country.
25 % by voting Trump show they don't think his words and actions and threats toward women, minorities, "others", are a problem. It's acceptable, it's okay. What. The. Fuck.
I am really worried what kind of world we are going to be living in once he is sworn in and the Republican party can start making changes. We know which way they've been headed for nearly a decade now.
And I guess the worst for me is that all my life I've been told that I could be anything I wanted to be, do anything I wanted to do, and even when in reality I was faced with the sexism in our culture, especially the subtle ways it hinders women at work, I somehow consoled myself that we'd made progress. That things were better. That being a woman wouldn't hold me back, and more importantly, my young nieces wouldn't have to deal with the same things. Could do anything.
What this election did was slap me hard across the face and say "No, bitch. We humored you. We let you have a little recess on the playground but recess is over. And you know what? Because you sassed us, we're taking it away entirely. Now go sit down and shut the fuck up and be grateful we let you play as much as we did."
I'm now convinced I won't see a female president in my lifetime. People would rather a racist, cheating, morally bankrupt, incompetent, dictatorial-leaning man be president than one of the most highly qualified candidates we've ever had who just happens to be a woman.
Everything I felt and thought when Obama was sworn in that first time is gone. All the hope, all the promise. It's very hard to see where to go from here, what to even do.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Struggling
This election has left me floundering and I'm not quite sure why. It's been almost a week and I've not had anyone to really discuss it with. I'm too busy reassuring everybody else about it or about some other issue they are dealing with. When the fuck is anyone going to ask me how I'm doing with it or comfort me or reassure me?
Thursday, February 25, 2016
My Fellow Americans. Well, American Republicans. Well, American Republicans for Trump...
I am truly baffled by the current presidential election. Most particularly by the way Donald Trump has seemingly steam-rolled to the forefront of the Republican pack.
Everyone keeps saying it's because he's tapped into the "anger" of the Republican party. Well, the same can be said of Bernie Sanders for Democrats. But look at the difference. The anger of the right boils up into aggression against anything "other". Anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-Islam, anti-gay, anti-Black, anti-women, anti-poor people. Are they actually for anything? Other than business, that is? The anger on the left is all about inclusivity. Pro-living wage, pro-equal rights, pro-fair taxes, pro-education access for all....
I mean, when your supporters are yelling to set people on fire because they're protesting at your rally, and you don't tell them to stop, what does that say? Or they beat a protester up, and a presidential nominee says "maybe he should have been roughed up"? What. The. Fuck.
This is not "passion". This is not "high energy". This is violence. This is mob rule.
What has happened to the Republican party? I used to be a Republican. I was raised in a Republican household. My parents and brother are Republicans. As a teen I was part of a Young Republicans group. My first votes were Republican. Now I'm embarrassed to even write that! How did it get hijacked into this festering morass of hatred and ideology that serves to impose a puritanical religious view on the rest of the country? That seems to be divorced from common-sense, practical fiscal policies to pro-business-no-matter-what? From utilizing scientific fact to demonizing it? What the hell happened?
I really wish one of my Republican friends or family would explain to me how voting for Trump just because he's a Republican, just because he's not Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders is smart? How does that work? How would he be a better president than Hillary Clinton? He says nothing. (Other than insults when challenged.) What will his policies be? What does he stand for? Other than kicking anyone and everything that isn't white and male to the curb? What business skills does he actually bring to the table? Bankruptcy? Making the same one real estate deal over and over and losing money? Consistently choosing inept business partners or partners that grow to dislike him and his business so much they seek to break contracts?
THAT is better than Clinton or Sanders?
Realistically, we know what Clinton is going to support. She's been in politics long enough. And with Congress as divided as it is, we know nothing much is going to happen. Sanders has been pretty vocal on what he wants to do. And with Congress as divided as it is, we know nothing much is going to happen.
So here's my challenge Republicans. How is Trump better than either Clinton or Sanders? And no name-calling (i.e., liar, criminal, socialist, communist). No Benghazi, either, or the email server. Substantive policy issues please. Can you do it?
Everyone keeps saying it's because he's tapped into the "anger" of the Republican party. Well, the same can be said of Bernie Sanders for Democrats. But look at the difference. The anger of the right boils up into aggression against anything "other". Anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-Islam, anti-gay, anti-Black, anti-women, anti-poor people. Are they actually for anything? Other than business, that is? The anger on the left is all about inclusivity. Pro-living wage, pro-equal rights, pro-fair taxes, pro-education access for all....
I mean, when your supporters are yelling to set people on fire because they're protesting at your rally, and you don't tell them to stop, what does that say? Or they beat a protester up, and a presidential nominee says "maybe he should have been roughed up"? What. The. Fuck.
This is not "passion". This is not "high energy". This is violence. This is mob rule.
What has happened to the Republican party? I used to be a Republican. I was raised in a Republican household. My parents and brother are Republicans. As a teen I was part of a Young Republicans group. My first votes were Republican. Now I'm embarrassed to even write that! How did it get hijacked into this festering morass of hatred and ideology that serves to impose a puritanical religious view on the rest of the country? That seems to be divorced from common-sense, practical fiscal policies to pro-business-no-matter-what? From utilizing scientific fact to demonizing it? What the hell happened?
I really wish one of my Republican friends or family would explain to me how voting for Trump just because he's a Republican, just because he's not Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders is smart? How does that work? How would he be a better president than Hillary Clinton? He says nothing. (Other than insults when challenged.) What will his policies be? What does he stand for? Other than kicking anyone and everything that isn't white and male to the curb? What business skills does he actually bring to the table? Bankruptcy? Making the same one real estate deal over and over and losing money? Consistently choosing inept business partners or partners that grow to dislike him and his business so much they seek to break contracts?
THAT is better than Clinton or Sanders?
Realistically, we know what Clinton is going to support. She's been in politics long enough. And with Congress as divided as it is, we know nothing much is going to happen. Sanders has been pretty vocal on what he wants to do. And with Congress as divided as it is, we know nothing much is going to happen.
So here's my challenge Republicans. How is Trump better than either Clinton or Sanders? And no name-calling (i.e., liar, criminal, socialist, communist). No Benghazi, either, or the email server. Substantive policy issues please. Can you do it?
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Free Speech, Choice, Responsibility
So there's this measles outbreak across 14 states that's causing a lot of talk about vaccinations again. Mostly because it was unvaccinated kids/people at the core of the outbreak. President Obama said during an interview on Superbowl Sunday that people should vaccinate their kids. Since next year is an election year, naturally the potential Republican candidates had to respond, and being anti-anything-Obama says, they're trotting out the whole "choice" view when it comes to vaccinations.
It's one of those topics where I used to be more torn between the views. I mean, forcing someone to vaccinate their child seems wrong. But we are now seeing the results of that with many childhood diseases making a resurgence in the United States. (Whooping cough, measles, etc). Where do we draw the line between one person's choice and the overall community?
Frankly in this instance I think it should be the overall health of the community, that trumps parental choice. Especially when you consider that most of that "choice" has been fueled by one debunked study linking autism and vaccines. Something that has been disproved time after time by the medical/scientific community. At the least, opt-out should be much more restricted, and should be allowed only after the parent has had a consultation with a medical doctor and given accurate, factual information. One state is doing this (I think California?) with good results in the near-term.
And then I shared an article on Facebook from one of the Republican candidates saying vaccines are linked to "mental disorders". How irresponsible in light of the current climate. So I commented that if I was a parent that lost my child to one of these preventable diseases because a parent doesn't vaccinate, I'd sue these people for their comments. To which my Dad replied you can't sue someone for free speech.
But is it protected free speech? When they have the weight of their position, etc, behind them. When they should know better. When they have resources to verify these issues before making statements. How about exercising some of that personal responsibility Republicans are always going on about and not make a statement that is inflammatory, and could cause potential harm to someone, even cost them their life? I mean, yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is free speech, right? But it's also not protected. Libel, slander, commercial speech restrictions...
And of course I could take this into the hypocrisy of these statements being made by Republicans about choice, when they are hell-bent on denying women any right to choose when it comes to our bodies. Or using "choice" to insert creationism/religion into school curriculum. Or using "choice" to limit other parent's choice by removing medically accurate sex ed from health curriculums. Instead of teaching it to their kid at home, or opting their kid out of that portion of the class, they seek to take it away from everyone else. But I'm digressing.
Free speech has limits. And I still say I'd sue the pants of these people if I lost a child because someone out there didn't get the vaccination or vaccinate their kid(s) because of what they said.
It's one of those topics where I used to be more torn between the views. I mean, forcing someone to vaccinate their child seems wrong. But we are now seeing the results of that with many childhood diseases making a resurgence in the United States. (Whooping cough, measles, etc). Where do we draw the line between one person's choice and the overall community?
Frankly in this instance I think it should be the overall health of the community, that trumps parental choice. Especially when you consider that most of that "choice" has been fueled by one debunked study linking autism and vaccines. Something that has been disproved time after time by the medical/scientific community. At the least, opt-out should be much more restricted, and should be allowed only after the parent has had a consultation with a medical doctor and given accurate, factual information. One state is doing this (I think California?) with good results in the near-term.
And then I shared an article on Facebook from one of the Republican candidates saying vaccines are linked to "mental disorders". How irresponsible in light of the current climate. So I commented that if I was a parent that lost my child to one of these preventable diseases because a parent doesn't vaccinate, I'd sue these people for their comments. To which my Dad replied you can't sue someone for free speech.
But is it protected free speech? When they have the weight of their position, etc, behind them. When they should know better. When they have resources to verify these issues before making statements. How about exercising some of that personal responsibility Republicans are always going on about and not make a statement that is inflammatory, and could cause potential harm to someone, even cost them their life? I mean, yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is free speech, right? But it's also not protected. Libel, slander, commercial speech restrictions...
And of course I could take this into the hypocrisy of these statements being made by Republicans about choice, when they are hell-bent on denying women any right to choose when it comes to our bodies. Or using "choice" to insert creationism/religion into school curriculum. Or using "choice" to limit other parent's choice by removing medically accurate sex ed from health curriculums. Instead of teaching it to their kid at home, or opting their kid out of that portion of the class, they seek to take it away from everyone else. But I'm digressing.
Free speech has limits. And I still say I'd sue the pants of these people if I lost a child because someone out there didn't get the vaccination or vaccinate their kid(s) because of what they said.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Blowing in the Wind
How is it that I can compose these really great blog posts in my head while driving to work, and then forget them completely by lunch time? We're talking 4 hours here! I can't even remember the topic. How pathetic is that?
I wonder if Si.ri takes memos. I know I can dictate a text to her. Hrm. I think I'll test this...Interesting. It works. At least for a few sentences. (Aside: I feel a bit awkward talking out loud to myself in my office, lol) I think I'll have to try that next time I get an idea in the car.
This is why I like using the treadmill. For some reason when I walk, it frees my mind to wander. I loved walking across campus from one class to the next or to the buss top when I was in college. It doesn't work if I have to do anything complicated like a workout routine, or it's more strenuous, like running, lol. Does anyone else experience this? They must. I'm not that unique, lol.
On another note, my god daughter Shirley had her 4th birthday yesterday. After the presents and pizza, we were eating ice cream cake. She was sitting next to me, and in the middle of everyone talking she says "Tia, I love you." How sweet is that? So adorable and made my day. That's the second time she's done that. It's remarkable to see how they grow and change and understand these concepts and emotions. :)
Reminds me of when my sister's oldest and I were playing some game, and she was half on the floor half hanging from my arms (we were either playing chase and I'd caught her, or I was spinning her, can't quite remember) but she looked up at me and said "You're great!" with lots of emphasis, lol. As my Aunt Nina (miss you lots) once told me, I'm a Pied Piper of Children. ;)
I wonder if Si.ri takes memos. I know I can dictate a text to her. Hrm. I think I'll test this...Interesting. It works. At least for a few sentences. (Aside: I feel a bit awkward talking out loud to myself in my office, lol) I think I'll have to try that next time I get an idea in the car.
This is why I like using the treadmill. For some reason when I walk, it frees my mind to wander. I loved walking across campus from one class to the next or to the buss top when I was in college. It doesn't work if I have to do anything complicated like a workout routine, or it's more strenuous, like running, lol. Does anyone else experience this? They must. I'm not that unique, lol.
On another note, my god daughter Shirley had her 4th birthday yesterday. After the presents and pizza, we were eating ice cream cake. She was sitting next to me, and in the middle of everyone talking she says "Tia, I love you." How sweet is that? So adorable and made my day. That's the second time she's done that. It's remarkable to see how they grow and change and understand these concepts and emotions. :)
Reminds me of when my sister's oldest and I were playing some game, and she was half on the floor half hanging from my arms (we were either playing chase and I'd caught her, or I was spinning her, can't quite remember) but she looked up at me and said "You're great!" with lots of emphasis, lol. As my Aunt Nina (miss you lots) once told me, I'm a Pied Piper of Children. ;)
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