“We have met the enemy and he is us.” – Pogo Possum, 1971.
Pogo was right.
Yesterday, despite pleas and warnings from non-Americans to “don’t fuck this up,” America did. How we did that, and why we did that will be fodder for a million articles and historians for decades to come.
But this morning, many of us are feeling anxiety, fear, and anger. I recognize that fear for the future of this country and international relations because I felt the same way back in 1972 when Nixon was elected. He was gone within two years after the public woke up to his abuses of power and violations of the rule of law.
Will the country wake up within the next year and will Trump and Congress suffer a tremendous backlash, or will the alt-right and rural members of our society be pleased by what he does as President? Will those of us who opposed him vociferously find something good about his presidency and will we be pleasantly surprised? Only time will tell, I guess.
But this morning, the sun still came up, and my dog is still curled up next to me demanding that I pay attention to her. The world didn’t end last night.
So those of us who worked for, fought for, and put our lives on the line for civil liberties and human rights need to take a breath, and then dig deep down and find the strength to stand up and continue working towards a better society for all of us.
Exactly. This outcome, regardless of people’s opinions is the exact reason why this country has a Constitution. We have the rights and liberties to still advocate for civil liberties and human rights in a peaceful and nonviolent matter and anyone who woke up with anxiety, depression and anger but can see the other perspective need to continue to fight the good causes.
I am leaving this great quote from A FABULOUS SONG, that I think can help bring some peace and perspective to many:
” Now I’ve been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating, why cant we live in bliss? Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train. Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again.
Oh, I’ve been smiling lately, dreaming about the world
as one and I believe it could be, some day its going to come.”
For those of you need auditory support, go here and listen to this link. IMO, it is one of the best versions of this song 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T_bowzT8tw
P.S. I also give it 90 days before there is a royal screw up loose cannon moment and he gets booted out. I do not think we will have him for 4 years. He has NO IDEA what he got himself into.