I'm with her

I'm with her.

10/18/2016

Wayne and I have to remind each other daily that the flabbergasting absurdity of this election has seeped into our lives in a somewhat abrasive manner. We find ourselves in bad moods whose origins have no apparent reason, other than having read some the posts on social media. I want to look with the same trepidation as someone watching gruesome scenes from a horror movie through the spaces between their fingers. I scroll down through the comments like a potato-chip addict, unable to read just one, and I’m ashamed by what the Trumpsters are saying in support of a fairly obvious misogynist. I want to redirect them back to the issues at stake such as healthcare, diplomacy, equality, but it all seems to be in vain. When I ask for their sources, they quietly slither away, or worse, come up with long-winded, conspiracy-laced explanations as to why Hillary is so awful.

Come on you guys, it's politics. For one thing, can a person really talk to a eight-year-old in the same way they’d speak to a multi-degreed diplomat? And who is leaking what? Do you know for sure where the leaks came from? How? Have you ever said anything you wish you could have taken back? Yes? Now try juggling that with family, the country, the world, disparate viewpoints, and some fairly impossible people. Think you’re up for it? Still think the guy who hasn’t dabbled a chubby pinky in world diplomacy can pull it off?
I’ve just read a disturbing article in The Week about conspiracy theorists. Apparently, some of them believe that the Sandy Hook incident was actually "created by the government." I'm not kidding. One father who lost his 6-year-old son still gets hate mail accusing him of being a paid actor, that his son never really existed.

Then there’s the humorous side. Mr. Trump has handed comedians their material on a golden platter. Just as in the 2008 election, they barely have to stray from what’s actually being said. I can only hope that what Tina Fey did for Democratic ticket back then, Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon* can accomplish for this election.

There. I’ve said it. I’ve gone ahead and made a political statement on my otherwise, egocentric, weight-watching, wood-chopping blog. I like the way I’ve grown a thicker skin when the trolls try to hammer me with insults and abusive schoolyard banter. Am I worried about the backlash of those disappointed by the election’s outcome? Oh yeah. But I’m still with her, and understand that if she’s elected, she’s probably bringing Bernie with her.

*Kate McKinnon went to my high school on Long Island. Many years later of course, but still, I feel like a proud, very distant relative.

Meanwhile, for historic reasons, I’ve compiled some of my favorite postings and memes of the times.