In defense of churches, we wouldn't have a lot of polling places if it weren't for churches. The last time I was a supervisor at a polling place, it was a Catholic church hall with only one crucifix. and the monsignor was as nice as he could be about us being there.
Interesting footnote to history: Anne Arundel (Maryland) County Board of Education District election result: Robert A. Silkworth - 23,244 (100%) of the vote. Apparently, John Grasso (write-in) didn't even walk in and vote for himself.'
One has to wonder if there is a Mrs. Grasso or if this is the one election in the country where the ghost of Hugo Chavez managed to hack the voting machines.
Being a Delawarean is the only thing keeping me upright today. I was the person ranting about how amazing Sarah was in the comments months ago, and I'm thrilled for her. But I'm also terrified for her now that she's going to walk proudly chin up and headfirst into a snake pit.
Near as I can tell, the entire GOP transgender message had everything to do with "Boys in girls' locker rooms!" yet nothing to do with "Girls in boys' locker rooms?!?"
This is a happy story, thanks Crip Dyke. Tangentially connected, I just got an email from The National Democratic Training Committee asking for a donation to help fund recounts in 32 house races that are currently too close to call. Can any of you lovely Wonks tell me if this is a legitimate organization that will actually use the money for recounts?
I'm sorry. I don't care about the story above. I can't care. I don't know how. My depression has destroyed all the good I could feel. It's ten after four AM here in Japan. This liberal to the marrow of my bones Boomer expat can't sleep, can't feel warm. I'm shaking because my country has died. I don't know what to do. I'm all alone here. I have nobody to turn to. I don't know what to do. 'Keeping it together' has never been a part of my life. Depression doesn't allow that. 50 years with this demon in my head. Decades of useless drugs and therapies leave me with not knowing what to do. Japan sucks in mental health care. The prefecture I live in is useless. Almost 40 years in Japan but I'm more American than those mindless buttsmears that killed my homeland. But right now I don't know what to do or where to turn. Fuck that miserable, fucking orange pustule and the creature with him. A pox upon the houses of all Redumlicans.
Expat here, too, and I feel your pain of helplessly watching our homeland sinking into the abyss of Christofascism. When I left the States, we were still in Obama's first term and it looked like everything was going to be all right. The last time I was "home" was less than a month into trump's presidency in 2017 and I could literally FEEL the change in the country—it was meaner, with a lot of gloating by people still sporting their treason flags on their massive pickups and an almost palpable sense of "politeness is for losers." It didn't feel like "home" anymore. I imagine if I'd gone back in the past four years, it would have felt the same despite the nicest guy in the world being president. Now I'm afraid of it getting to even more of a bully state—where "fuck your feelings" may as well be the new national motto. I used to feel that, should England not work out for me or (god forbid) anything happened to my husband, I could always go back to the States; that feeling is gone, it disappeared when my parents and two of my three kids decided to support that orange menace. Instead of being a voluntary expat, sometimes I feel like I've been forced into exile.
I hope you—and I, and millions of other *real* Americans—can find some sort of acceptance or understanding of this but it's hard. I can't sit here and just shrug and say, "Oh well, at least I don't have to live over in that mess" because, like you, I'm American to the core and seeing what has happened felt like being stabbed in the heart. I CAN'T understand how so many people could think, after more than a decade of chaos caused by this peice of slime, he's a better choice than a smart, capable mixed-race woman who actually knows what she's doing, while just nodding and saying, "Sounds good to me!" when learning what's behind Project 25 or hearing the nastiness spill from his mouth.
It took a world war to put an end to Nazi Germany; lord knows what it will take to end Trump's Amerikka. I just hope it isn't irretrievable.
Yep. I came to Japan in '85 during the Reagan Regime. Even though I live on the other side of the world, this was a gut punch to me. I just can't get my head around how many lizard brain morons could vote for this despicable cretin, totally ignoring their own self-interests. I'm convinced that buyers' remorse is not long in coming, and those self-satisfied idiots with what passes for their brains is in their stupid red hats are in for a reckoning they never expected. They just took out their guns and shot themselves in both feet.
Even though you and I and all other intelligent people who are expatriates, we are true patriots. My ties to my country couldn't be stronger, yet right now I feel stateless. I'm fortunate to be in a peaceful country, but I don't really feel any great attachment to it. At 73, my bones or ashes will remain here.
What you wrote touched me greatly and is exactly how I feel. If you would like to keep in touch with another grieving expat, find me at sodesuyo1985(at)gmail(dot)com. If you do write to me, I can send you a .pdf file of an article by Paul Krugman that exactly sets out what our poor countryfolk, AND THE IDIOTS WHO VOTED STUPIDLY, can look forward, or should I say backward, to. It's entitled "Why Trump’s Supporters Should Also Be Wary if (now Since) He Returns to Power", my parentheses.
Try to keep it together, Dina. My decades long depression is making the task nigh impossible. Yours in disbelief, Crossroads, who can't believe how applicable my user name has become.
My e-door is always open, so don't hesitate to write. I have no-one here with whom I can talk to about this. I still feel shattered, trying to find what pieces I can to try and glue them back together.
But will there be anything left in the end? How many women must die from lack of life-saving health care? How much longer will the air be breathable, the water drinkable? The future god king of the poorly educated cares nothing about these things, nor do his loyal know-nothing toadies. Project 2025 is more like Project 1984. You got a plan?
I could’ve written this word for word, except I’m in the states. I’m sorry for yours and all our various kinds of suffering. It seems like some peoples’ ability to be and feel Ok is not dependent upon their larger world also being Ok. They can compartmentalize the horror going on beyond their immediate worlds and still feel like things are going to be alright or better or whatever. I can’t do that, at least not yet.
People who’ve lived under corrupt, fascistic, authoritarian governments were somehow able to function and even thrive nonetheless. That seems to be our challenge now, too. I don’t know how else to proceed.
Anyway, my thoughts are with you, from New England.
I've lost track of almost everyone, family and friends, in the States. Writing just requires more mental energy than I can summon. It pains me deeply but I feel powerless to do anything about it.
So far, I've donated to an organization that assists migrants, an organization that helps women in red states with reproductive care, and the MMRF. The days not over, and all my extra money will be given away before it is, to places that will need all the help they can get, once the new regime takes power.
I can't do anything else. I can only rage silently, and throw whatever little extra I have, at wherever I think needs it the most.
Then, I'm going to stock up on paper products, soap, and hand sanitizer, so if I'm still here, when Bobby Jr. lets loose with the plagues, I'm prepared. I hope I'm not, but better safe...
Once upon a time, I started giving to Planned Parenthood saying "it's all about health." After Trump, Round Uno, I started giving straight to the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund. No hiding behind just "health" assistance of a vague variety anymore. YOU get an abortion! YOU get an abortion! Anyone who needs or wants one should have access to an abortion!
I have to get cleaned up for a doctor's appointment in a couple of hours. I'll try to make myself look nice but I'm afraid I don't feel very nice at the moment.
Clusterfucks are pretty scary from a macro point of view. Trump's last 2 years of the last fiasco were interrupted by COVID... I doubt we will be that lucky this time.
Isreal/Palestinian/Iranian (North Korean) conflict, Russia/Ukraine, China/Taiwan... all are a tinderbox and Clusterfuck is the spark. Hopefully, he's going to get the best people on it. 🦨💨
In defense of churches, we wouldn't have a lot of polling places if it weren't for churches. The last time I was a supervisor at a polling place, it was a Catholic church hall with only one crucifix. and the monsignor was as nice as he could be about us being there.
Ta, Crip Dyke. This is a gem among all the plastic. I've been following along at PJ, also too.
CripDyke 😭🥰 thank you. Dealing with some tough feelings in the family. This was nice.
Interesting footnote to history: Anne Arundel (Maryland) County Board of Education District election result: Robert A. Silkworth - 23,244 (100%) of the vote. Apparently, John Grasso (write-in) didn't even walk in and vote for himself.'
One has to wonder if there is a Mrs. Grasso or if this is the one election in the country where the ghost of Hugo Chavez managed to hack the voting machines.
Sorry. Anne Arundel (Maryland) County Board of Education District 2
Trans folks can do whatever they want.
Being a Delawarean is the only thing keeping me upright today. I was the person ranting about how amazing Sarah was in the comments months ago, and I'm thrilled for her. But I'm also terrified for her now that she's going to walk proudly chin up and headfirst into a snake pit.
Fellow Delawarean ( in Sussex County; sheesh!), right with you on this. She will be among the worst, most vile bigots.
.
Thank you for this, Cee Dee -- it's much needed and welcome
.
Deep breaths, serenity prayer on a loop (for as long as it takes), namaste my tribe.
.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the jeans I cannot change, Tide pods to wash them and apples to eat, and the wisdom to know the difference
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Thank you for this nice times.
Near as I can tell, the entire GOP transgender message had everything to do with "Boys in girls' locker rooms!" yet nothing to do with "Girls in boys' locker rooms?!?"
I love the video, it’s fucking amazing to genuine laugh right now. Ta, Crip Dyke!
This is a happy story, thanks Crip Dyke. Tangentially connected, I just got an email from The National Democratic Training Committee asking for a donation to help fund recounts in 32 house races that are currently too close to call. Can any of you lovely Wonks tell me if this is a legitimate organization that will actually use the money for recounts?
I'm sorry. I don't care about the story above. I can't care. I don't know how. My depression has destroyed all the good I could feel. It's ten after four AM here in Japan. This liberal to the marrow of my bones Boomer expat can't sleep, can't feel warm. I'm shaking because my country has died. I don't know what to do. I'm all alone here. I have nobody to turn to. I don't know what to do. 'Keeping it together' has never been a part of my life. Depression doesn't allow that. 50 years with this demon in my head. Decades of useless drugs and therapies leave me with not knowing what to do. Japan sucks in mental health care. The prefecture I live in is useless. Almost 40 years in Japan but I'm more American than those mindless buttsmears that killed my homeland. But right now I don't know what to do or where to turn. Fuck that miserable, fucking orange pustule and the creature with him. A pox upon the houses of all Redumlicans.
Expat here, too, and I feel your pain of helplessly watching our homeland sinking into the abyss of Christofascism. When I left the States, we were still in Obama's first term and it looked like everything was going to be all right. The last time I was "home" was less than a month into trump's presidency in 2017 and I could literally FEEL the change in the country—it was meaner, with a lot of gloating by people still sporting their treason flags on their massive pickups and an almost palpable sense of "politeness is for losers." It didn't feel like "home" anymore. I imagine if I'd gone back in the past four years, it would have felt the same despite the nicest guy in the world being president. Now I'm afraid of it getting to even more of a bully state—where "fuck your feelings" may as well be the new national motto. I used to feel that, should England not work out for me or (god forbid) anything happened to my husband, I could always go back to the States; that feeling is gone, it disappeared when my parents and two of my three kids decided to support that orange menace. Instead of being a voluntary expat, sometimes I feel like I've been forced into exile.
I hope you—and I, and millions of other *real* Americans—can find some sort of acceptance or understanding of this but it's hard. I can't sit here and just shrug and say, "Oh well, at least I don't have to live over in that mess" because, like you, I'm American to the core and seeing what has happened felt like being stabbed in the heart. I CAN'T understand how so many people could think, after more than a decade of chaos caused by this peice of slime, he's a better choice than a smart, capable mixed-race woman who actually knows what she's doing, while just nodding and saying, "Sounds good to me!" when learning what's behind Project 25 or hearing the nastiness spill from his mouth.
It took a world war to put an end to Nazi Germany; lord knows what it will take to end Trump's Amerikka. I just hope it isn't irretrievable.
Yep. I came to Japan in '85 during the Reagan Regime. Even though I live on the other side of the world, this was a gut punch to me. I just can't get my head around how many lizard brain morons could vote for this despicable cretin, totally ignoring their own self-interests. I'm convinced that buyers' remorse is not long in coming, and those self-satisfied idiots with what passes for their brains is in their stupid red hats are in for a reckoning they never expected. They just took out their guns and shot themselves in both feet.
Even though you and I and all other intelligent people who are expatriates, we are true patriots. My ties to my country couldn't be stronger, yet right now I feel stateless. I'm fortunate to be in a peaceful country, but I don't really feel any great attachment to it. At 73, my bones or ashes will remain here.
What you wrote touched me greatly and is exactly how I feel. If you would like to keep in touch with another grieving expat, find me at sodesuyo1985(at)gmail(dot)com. If you do write to me, I can send you a .pdf file of an article by Paul Krugman that exactly sets out what our poor countryfolk, AND THE IDIOTS WHO VOTED STUPIDLY, can look forward, or should I say backward, to. It's entitled "Why Trump’s Supporters Should Also Be Wary if (now Since) He Returns to Power", my parentheses.
Try to keep it together, Dina. My decades long depression is making the task nigh impossible. Yours in disbelief, Crossroads, who can't believe how applicable my user name has become.
💙
Feeling "stateless" is a great way to describe it.
I've saved your email address, thank you. I may need you sometime soon...
My e-door is always open, so don't hesitate to write. I have no-one here with whom I can talk to about this. I still feel shattered, trying to find what pieces I can to try and glue them back together.
Hey bud, don't worry - we'll make sure that no matter how hard they try to destroy our country, they'll fail.
But will there be anything left in the end? How many women must die from lack of life-saving health care? How much longer will the air be breathable, the water drinkable? The future god king of the poorly educated cares nothing about these things, nor do his loyal know-nothing toadies. Project 2025 is more like Project 1984. You got a plan?
All we can do is all we can do. PAB didn’t destroy us the first time, he won’t this time either.
I could’ve written this word for word, except I’m in the states. I’m sorry for yours and all our various kinds of suffering. It seems like some peoples’ ability to be and feel Ok is not dependent upon their larger world also being Ok. They can compartmentalize the horror going on beyond their immediate worlds and still feel like things are going to be alright or better or whatever. I can’t do that, at least not yet.
People who’ve lived under corrupt, fascistic, authoritarian governments were somehow able to function and even thrive nonetheless. That seems to be our challenge now, too. I don’t know how else to proceed.
Anyway, my thoughts are with you, from New England.
I'm glad there is a place for you to let it all out here.
Do you have a lot of friends & family still stateside?
I've lost track of almost everyone, family and friends, in the States. Writing just requires more mental energy than I can summon. It pains me deeply but I feel powerless to do anything about it.
You don't need to do anything about it. We'll handle it, promise! Just give us a few months, maybe a year.
So far, I've donated to an organization that assists migrants, an organization that helps women in red states with reproductive care, and the MMRF. The days not over, and all my extra money will be given away before it is, to places that will need all the help they can get, once the new regime takes power.
I can't do anything else. I can only rage silently, and throw whatever little extra I have, at wherever I think needs it the most.
Then, I'm going to stock up on paper products, soap, and hand sanitizer, so if I'm still here, when Bobby Jr. lets loose with the plagues, I'm prepared. I hope I'm not, but better safe...
Once upon a time, I started giving to Planned Parenthood saying "it's all about health." After Trump, Round Uno, I started giving straight to the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund. No hiding behind just "health" assistance of a vague variety anymore. YOU get an abortion! YOU get an abortion! Anyone who needs or wants one should have access to an abortion!
Today I gave to Yellowhammer, and I don't think they're hiding what they do, but they do more than just assist where they can, with abortion.
I have to get cleaned up for a doctor's appointment in a couple of hours. I'll try to make myself look nice but I'm afraid I don't feel very nice at the moment.
I just ran into a friend while dressed in the same clothes I voted in yesterday. At least I didn't sleep in them. Oh wait.
Love and peace to you.
I'm really grateful for all the people keeping it together. Because that isn't me today. Not being snarky, y'all are doing something important.
We've seen this act before. It looks scary, but it turns out to be a clusterfuck.
It's gonna be way worse this time. Revenge, dementia and sycophants are a really bad mix.
donold's brain looks like my c. 1993 plate at the shakey's pizza buffet: chocolate pudding, cottage cheese, & a biscuit mushed into a heap.
Clusterfucks are pretty scary from a macro point of view. Trump's last 2 years of the last fiasco were interrupted by COVID... I doubt we will be that lucky this time.
Isreal/Palestinian/Iranian (North Korean) conflict, Russia/Ukraine, China/Taiwan... all are a tinderbox and Clusterfuck is the spark. Hopefully, he's going to get the best people on it. 🦨💨