This hurt to read, mainly because I, too, feel extremely pessimistic about the state of things. Is “not beshitting the Oval Office” too much to ask of a president? (Based on the recent and not-so-recent past…apparently it is.)
It also shows that they are the ones who hate America, because they hate the one that actually exists. They hate the constitution when it doesn’t serve their cause. They hate our laws, institutions, Democracy, and they even hate themselves when one of them steps even the slightest way outside the lines drawn by MAGA. They have no beliefs other than Trump will fix all. They just don’t realize that he will only fix it to his liking after fucking everyone else. Including his supporters.
I deeply dislike the "Tim Scott as Uncle Tom" meme. No other ethnicity gets the kind of scrutiny for supporting Republicans that African-Americans do. While we may agree that there are historical reasons for assuming Black antipathy towards modern Republicanism, it's unfair to assume that somebody would necessarily put their ethnicity above, for example, their religious convictions. Both may be equally important to them as people, but we assume that a Black person must choose their race over their religion. I don't understand Tim Scott's deal at all, particularly now that he's made common cause with Trump, but is he an Uncle Tom? I don't think so. I think he aspires to one day own the plantation.
I highly recommend listening to Clay Cane's take on the subject on Slate's A Word podcast. His book "The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump." comes out today.
Yikes! Great post Michael. You articulated what we are all thinking/feeling. But you’ve got to have hope and have got to see that the tide is turning. This is the year of accountability! We are finally seeing it. Trump and company will get what they deserve and more and we will have the trifecta in November to make real things finally happen.
When Cinnamon Hitler was elected my husband and I moved to Prague because we couldn’t stand the thought of living in a country that would elect that thing as President. Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to return after several months and resigned ourselves to surviving his remaining time in office. When Joe Biden was elected we breathed a sigh of relief and thought that the worst was behind us.
Now here we are again. The same painful knots in our stomachs and the same disbelief that so many people actually support this loathsome, disgusting, stupid traitorous criminal. It is absolutely mind boggling.
So if the nightmare repeats itself we will once again be leaving. We’ve decided to have what I’m calling a traveling retirement. A few months in one country and then on to the next. I’ve been around the world a few times and lived in other countries, both in the Air Force and as a civilian, and I’ve always enjoyed it. My husband has traveled a little and can’t wait to see more. Maybe one day we might come back for a while to see family and friends but I doubt it. I’m sure they’d much rather come see us in whatever far flung location we find ourselves in. If it all gets to be too much, consider yourself invited as well.
Wish you the best Wanda. We left the US 5 1/2 years ago, and while we certainly do miss family and friends, we do not miss American culture and politics at all. We recently moved to Utrecht and so far we’re finding a very nice quality of life.
We will see you there. I have friends who have retained their US homes and bought cheaper but far more peaceful homes in Italy, France, and Spain. One friend is considering Uraguay. No way for citizenship at our age but as long as you have good worldwide medical insurance, it seems a good bet.
I'm also disillusioned and down in the dumps. There's no alternative but to fight. My husband and I work on voter registration. He serves as a "ballot chaser." That's calling voters who haven't yet submitted their ballots or have questions, contacting voters whose ballots had flaws, and advising how to remedy that, or how and where to vote in person provisionally. Your Substack article like this reaches a lot of people, makes them think, and then talk about it. You are doing what you can to prevent the pig from once again beshitting the oval office, and you're doing it well. Not fucked yet.
I agree completely -- both about us being fucked and how eloquently this was stated. The last 2 paragraphs in particular state so well how I often feel.
This hurt to read, mainly because I, too, feel extremely pessimistic about the state of things. Is “not beshitting the Oval Office” too much to ask of a president? (Based on the recent and not-so-recent past…apparently it is.)
It also shows that they are the ones who hate America, because they hate the one that actually exists. They hate the constitution when it doesn’t serve their cause. They hate our laws, institutions, Democracy, and they even hate themselves when one of them steps even the slightest way outside the lines drawn by MAGA. They have no beliefs other than Trump will fix all. They just don’t realize that he will only fix it to his liking after fucking everyone else. Including his supporters.
But on the bright side, “Bootlickery and Moral Fuckedness” will make a great title for my memoirs.
Thank you.
We are at a time in this country in which facts and information no longer matter. It’s terrifying.
Jail Trump needs to be the rallying call.
Tim Scott is an Uncle Tom.
I deeply dislike the "Tim Scott as Uncle Tom" meme. No other ethnicity gets the kind of scrutiny for supporting Republicans that African-Americans do. While we may agree that there are historical reasons for assuming Black antipathy towards modern Republicanism, it's unfair to assume that somebody would necessarily put their ethnicity above, for example, their religious convictions. Both may be equally important to them as people, but we assume that a Black person must choose their race over their religion. I don't understand Tim Scott's deal at all, particularly now that he's made common cause with Trump, but is he an Uncle Tom? I don't think so. I think he aspires to one day own the plantation.
I highly recommend listening to Clay Cane's take on the subject on Slate's A Word podcast. His book "The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump." comes out today.
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vYXdvcmQ/episode/MTAwMDY0MjEyMzIwMw?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahgKEwiop8rWyYWEAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQvgE
You’re right. I was rooting for him in the primaries and he isn’t doing what any other Primary candidate does in endorsing the front runner.
He is a southern man who is deeply religious, and I respect the heck out of it.
Yikes! Great post Michael. You articulated what we are all thinking/feeling. But you’ve got to have hope and have got to see that the tide is turning. This is the year of accountability! We are finally seeing it. Trump and company will get what they deserve and more and we will have the trifecta in November to make real things finally happen.
May I recommend Robert Hubbell’s Substack to you all for some positive reflections and hope on today’s politics? https://roberthubbell.substack.com/?utm_medium=web&utm_medium=reader2
When Cinnamon Hitler was elected my husband and I moved to Prague because we couldn’t stand the thought of living in a country that would elect that thing as President. Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to return after several months and resigned ourselves to surviving his remaining time in office. When Joe Biden was elected we breathed a sigh of relief and thought that the worst was behind us.
Now here we are again. The same painful knots in our stomachs and the same disbelief that so many people actually support this loathsome, disgusting, stupid traitorous criminal. It is absolutely mind boggling.
So if the nightmare repeats itself we will once again be leaving. We’ve decided to have what I’m calling a traveling retirement. A few months in one country and then on to the next. I’ve been around the world a few times and lived in other countries, both in the Air Force and as a civilian, and I’ve always enjoyed it. My husband has traveled a little and can’t wait to see more. Maybe one day we might come back for a while to see family and friends but I doubt it. I’m sure they’d much rather come see us in whatever far flung location we find ourselves in. If it all gets to be too much, consider yourself invited as well.
Wish you the best Wanda. We left the US 5 1/2 years ago, and while we certainly do miss family and friends, we do not miss American culture and politics at all. We recently moved to Utrecht and so far we’re finding a very nice quality of life.
Italy sounds welcoming from what I read about older Americans relocating to moderately priced modern homes.
We are likely going to make Italy our home base. Buy a place there and then travel between Schengen and non-Schengen countries.
We will see you there. I have friends who have retained their US homes and bought cheaper but far more peaceful homes in Italy, France, and Spain. One friend is considering Uraguay. No way for citizenship at our age but as long as you have good worldwide medical insurance, it seems a good bet.
Save us a cot.
Nice: walked us right up to the final pigs/humans image from Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Accidental!
I'm also disillusioned and down in the dumps. There's no alternative but to fight. My husband and I work on voter registration. He serves as a "ballot chaser." That's calling voters who haven't yet submitted their ballots or have questions, contacting voters whose ballots had flaws, and advising how to remedy that, or how and where to vote in person provisionally. Your Substack article like this reaches a lot of people, makes them think, and then talk about it. You are doing what you can to prevent the pig from once again beshitting the oval office, and you're doing it well. Not fucked yet.
Hi Susan, thanks for you and your husbands work, may I recommend Jessica Cravens Substack for political activism opportunities? https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/?utm_medium=web&utm_medium=reader2
She’s amazing and very hopeful for our time. We can do it together! We can make change.
We are so fucked. You stated it far more eloquently, however.
I agree completely -- both about us being fucked and how eloquently this was stated. The last 2 paragraphs in particular state so well how I often feel.
Yep.
A great write up that puts a lot of words to my own feelings. Thanks Michael.