What Next?

Howard Zinn: 

An optimist isn't necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. 

If we remember those times and places - and there are so many - where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory. 

While I do not agree with Howard Zinn on everything, I agree with him on the above. And while we are angry (and I do understand the anger), I think we should save it. Mete it out carefully. We may need that energy for the future. Right now, we must be true to ourselves and our beliefs. We should not back away from them. In fact, we should "hold these truths to be self evident". But now is not the time for our emotions to bubble over. Keep a lid on it. 

I sent yesterday's column from Heather Cox Richardson to another blogger friend, one who I know has grave reservations about what is going on. Like me, he harbors a fear that our democracy will not survive what is coming. It all looks so bleak, doesn't it? 

He responded this morning with a link of his own:

I read the articles contained in the link. These articles are from moderate republicans who are no less horrified at what they see than democrats.  These articles acknowledge that the plans are already being put in place to institute Project 2025, which has been renamed "America First". These articles acknowledge the dangerous place that our voters have put us in. 

So, it is happening, a call for bipartisan, organized pushback against what is happening. States themselves are rallying to protect themselves from governmental intrusion and over reach. 

We can take heart in that, I think. It's early days, people, but folks do rightfully see this presidency as an actual threat. Not just the rank and file folk like me and you, but the government too, republican and democrat alike. (I commented to my friend: 'Would it not be ironic if tRUMP was the thing that united this country?' - because it really could happen...some of the poorest counties are his strongest supporters. They will be the first to feel the effects of Elon Musk's plans.)

So what will happen? I really can't say. But neither can you. We need to watch what is happening carefully, and with a clear assessing eye and firm intentions.  Avoid willy-nilly fear and hopelessness. Avoid rage and threats. Avoid paranoia. I remind you, we are NOT them. 

For instance, someone recommended that it was no longer safe to talk on facebook, that there is a 'safe' channel we all need to subscribe to so that we can plan our plots and vent our spleens. Respectfully, that is bullshit, friends. Tell that to the intercepted terrorist communications. Tell that to the Russian communications. Local militia groups. There are no 'safe' internet 'channels'. Allowing ourselves to be whipped into a paranoid fervor makes us no less foolish than the right wing republicans who believe every single conspiracy theories that every wingnut comes up with. Nope. I will say what I have to say and I will say it without hiding. I don't give a rat's butt who's listening and taking notes. And for the record, I don't believe that it is happening.

Let's all take a deep breath. No matter what the news is, let's tuck our children into bed and leave the room, calling out 'sweet dreams' as we shut the door behind us. They don't need to be anxious. Not yet.

I suggest that we all live mindfully and carefully, tending to the important stuff of life. Our children, our relationships, our communities, the work that we need to be doing. 

I think that if we can all keep our wits about us and take care of each other during the next four years, we have a chance at getting through this.  

If it comes down to it, we may have to fight. Literally. But not just yet. In the link above, one of the articles begins with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do and how to do it."

That sounds reasonable to me.