Who woke up at 4:15 am, got up, started scrolling Twitter, had a cup of coffee, and then cleaned the bathroom at 6:30 am? Yours truly. Since I absolutely hate cleaning the bathroom, you have to know I was desperate to have something to do.
I went to bed despondent. But now I’m feeling hopeful. We don’t know the outcome of the Senate races yet as Georgia will have run-offs. And it looks like Biden is on track to win from what I’m seeing this morning.
Yes, we have a “two-bit dictator” (quote from Barack Obama) declaring victory and trying to stop the vote counting. Ultimately, that won’t happen.
What is upsetting and troubling and mind-boggling is that so many people voted for OM knowing what we know about him. 230,000 dead from COVID apparently doesn’t matter. All of his crimes apparently don’t matter. His racism. His xenophobia. His crimes. His grift. His misogyny. His treatment of immigrants. Children in cages. None of it matters to these people. It’s shocking, but maybe I shouldn’t be shocked.
We are a divided nation.
Anyway, I’m thinking of all of you, praying that the outcome is what I think it’s going to be. Wisconsin seems like it’s going for Biden. So does Michigan.
Let’s all take a deep breath. Ready? Breathe in, hold, breathe out.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Like you, I am deeply despairing over the fact the about half of the country is OK with the lying, cheating, racist, hateful non-tax paying billionaire. I can’t believe these are people that I’ve known and loved and respected. No matter the ultimate outcome, the fact that we are a nation split in half is a fact. I never expected the blue wave everyone talked about, but I did think that some people would recognize the way that they’ve been victimized. As long as I live, I will never understand. When I first saw your photo, I thought “how apt: the Titanic”. LOL. Except it’s not really funny. Thanks for all the work you and Don have done. There’s a group that I belong to which is mobilizing to help the Georgia run-off campaign. I’m going to turn my energies to that. If you’re interested, I can send you the info. The group is called ForwardCT and was founded by 2 local women right after the 2016 election. They’ve done all kinds of good work, education, sponsoring remarkable women candidates. If there’s a chance of making a difference in the Deep South, I’d like to be part of it. My dad’s whole family has been in NC for centuries and are Christian Republicans (an oxymoron in my view). I feel guilty for their history of slave holdings and now for that half of my DNA’s adherence to another toxic regime. At any rate, the work goes on. I don’t know when the healing will. Peace and love.
Thank you, Nora. I’m exhausted at the moment and can’t conceive of doing any more campaign work. That may change with time.
Stay safe!
Sending positive energy from the Southern Hemisphere
You described the US situation perfectly Claudia
How could anyone vote for OM knowing what we know
Really hoping Biden scores the states he needs
Siobhan
Me too. I thought you were back in England, Siobhan. You’re back in the Southern Hemisphere?
Stay safe!
Permanently in New South Wales now x
Ah!
Thanks for the “breathe in, hold, breathe out” sentiment. Necessary this morning for sure!
Many times, over and over and over.
Hang in there, Naomi!
Stay safe.
Right there with you Claudia. I didn’t sleep well but resisted the urge to get up and turn on the tv til about 8am. I too am more hopeful this morning.
Be good to yourself today.
You, too.
It’s such a stressful time – we have to have faith that Biden will win in the end.
Stay safe, Marilyn!
You’re right on every count. Even if Biden wins what should have been an easy victory, I feel like a stranger in my own country. I am shaken.
I do, too. I no longer recognize it.
Stay safe, Terri.
I’m breathing in, but it’s the breathing out that’s the challenge! Trying not to sit with the TV on the news or googling election results….
I know. Giving myself chores that kept me away from my phone helped.
Now I’m going to check on the status of everything.
Stay safe, Wendy.
I read your post. I said to Jim….”Claudia’s hopeful! That’s good enough for me!” I am hopeful….truly, not down yet. But, as you very eloquently said, how can so many people vote for him based on what we know about him?? That boggles my mind to no end!!! We are indeed a divided country.
We have mulch to spread today, storm doors to put in, and a few pots to clean out. It’s enough to keep me occupied, for a bit. Then we wait! Stay safe! ;)
You, too. I continued on my manic chore schedule, installing 3 more sets of mini blinds. Now, I’ve crashed.
Hang in there, Donna!
Not as hopeful as you are Claudia. But hoping for a positive outcome. Though I am happy that Texas practically almost turned blue. Maybe next cycle. Fingers crossed.
Good things in Texas. Since you wrote this it’s more and more likely that Biden will win.
Of course, OM is doing his best to muck things up but it won’t work.
Stay safe, Cindy.
The divide this country is experiencing is so terrifying, and so mystifying. How can people not see what is clearly in front of them? What is it about this lying, misogynistic sociopath that appeals to them?
I am trying hard to trust in the goodness of most people, but this is making it very very difficult.
It’s truly frightening to think that what I believe is the opposite of so many other people.
I don’t know. I don’t get it. They surely are the type that are drawn to cults, that’s for sure.
Half of our country is living in a bubble of falsehoods, thinking they’re truth.
Stay safe!
For a little while last night I watched election returns on CSpan. A woman from South Carolina called in, *extremely* excited to have cast her vote for OM, insisting that he’d kept us safe from coronavirus and had added jobs at an unprecedented rate. The only way I could get any sleep was to assure myself that ultimately Biden would win. That and extra melatonin :) This morning, I still think Biden will win. But knowing that so much of the country is delusional and okay with the cruelty, lunacy, and chaos of the last four years is just … disheartening. Once it warms up a bit, I’ll be taking a long walk in a nearby park I like to go to. I have a phone chat scheduled for later this afternoon with an old and dear friend. So, breathing.
How can anyone think he kept us safe from the coronavirus? The jobs that have been added are simply jobs that had stopped for a while during the pandemic. I’m not brilliant about this stuff, but geez, it’s as if they live on another planet.
Stay safe, Di.
Biden has to win! We can’t take another four years of the orange idiot! It is beyond sad and scary to me that so many in this country have voted for him. I just don’t understand how they could…
I don’t either. How about if we ship all those who support him off to an island where he will be in exile and they can all live together?
I sure don’t want them near me.
Stay safe, Lily.
It is so troubling. And it is also confounding. I am sad and angry with nowhere to go. I can’t leave my country because no one will take Americans. There is the Covid. At this point, I am so embarrassed to be an American. Where did our values go? Where is the integrity? Where are the principles we used to live by? How can half the nation be willing to give over their lives to a dictator? It is destroying relationships and family ties. I can’t bear it. Sob.
I am completely embarrassed. That so many people seem to be fine with a fascist dictator is appalling.
Stay safe, Ginny.
My husband and I were chatting last nite ( he was trying to keep me off the ledge…lol) and I told him how upset I felt that that many people still voted for him knowing what we know! It makes me sick. But there’s hope for a good outcome today. Take care! 😊
It feels like nearly half the country is living in some sort of time warp. And we have to face the fact that they seem to support white supremacy. It’s shameful.
Stay safe, Kit.
This situation is utterly incomprehensible to me as an Australian.
Ditto from NSW
Siobhan
It’s like we live on another planet.
And from Victoria.
As a colleague said yesterday (for non-Aussies, all our elections take place on Saturdays): first thing Sunday morning the outgoing lot pack up and move out, and the new lot move in. No fuss, no dummy-spitting (well, maybe a little bit…), just pragmatic getting on with it.
To an Aussie the whole US electoral process is bizarre. We have an independent electoral commission who ensures everyone votes as we have compulsory voting. Polling is taken to the people, including to remote Indigenous communities and those in aged care. Certainly in state or federal elections there is nothing like the “it’s fraudulent” claims we are hearing from the US.
Do you think it’s comprehensible to us as Americans? It’s shameful.
Stay safe.
We wish all the best. May the Biden presidency help bring healing and change to the US and may DJT be consigned to the dustbin of history. Or a jail cell – whatever comes first ✨
xo
hej, claudia … i hope you have an easy day today, sleep better tonight and especially that you get your wish!
i watched more of the election returns last night than i should have (yet will probably watch more after work tonight). my chocolate stash was gone when they said mcconnell would win his bid for re-election, but i did get one of my three projects done … and i am feeling a bit more hopeful about biden winning (too bad it’s so close and not an obvious landslide victory … nerve-wracking!!!).
when i read your posts and everyone’s comments yesterday and today, an image twice popped into my head … of box elder bugs congregating in the sunlight on an otherwise cold day. to be clear, i am not calling any of you bugs! :) i think that image, though, was a feeling i had and have – that i want you to know – about how good it feels to gather here with warm-hearted and like-minded people in this patch of sunshine you’ve created, claudia. thank you very much for that! also, it made me smile to read and think about such kind words from people in canada, australia, germany and elsewhere offering support to our country during this very tough time … thanks to you all for that. there are some serious and scary divisions, yes, but we are one world, one race … the human race … and we need each other. thanks and love and peace, safety to you all.
kathy in iowa
Thank you Kathy. Stay safe and hang in there.
Just breathe!! I keep telling myself that. Like you, I’m a bit more hopeful this morning than I was last night at bedtime. I am thankful that my state of Colorado voted for Biden, and to get rid of our horrible US Senator, Cory Gardner. But I am appalled at how close the national race is – like you, I can’t believe people would actually vote for this divisive, hateful con man. What will they do when they finally see behind the curtain and learn that he isn’t really the Wizard?!!
Yay for Colorado and I was so happy to see Cory Gardner voted out.
Stay safe, Jayne!
Up at 3:30 am, trash tv, Instagram, CNN, knitting, nervous and edgy. Breathe. Breathe. Keep busy.
Breathe, Debby! I just installed 3 mini blinds and Don fixed the handle on the toilet! Keeping busy.
Stay safe.
Doing my best to breathe.
Yes, I agree. I didn’t really “get it” four years ago, why people voted for him but I could “see” it in a way. He was different. But now they know. Which must mean that the differences then and all those since are fine with them. That, or they are so concerned with their 401Ks, abortion or guns that the rest of it doesn’t matter. I don’t know.
I’m trying to be hopeful. I don’t know that I’m succeeding all that well. But trying.
And when you point out that being pro-life is just exclusive to a fetus, they get pissed off. They’re hypocrites.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I understand your cleaning frenzy. Last night while trying not to be glued to the TV I cleaned both bathrooms, swept and moped all the floors! So at least the house is clean. I am sick. How can this country support that horrible man? All those horrible men? I am busy with work today and trying not to watch the news. I took a walk on my lunch hour – it is a beautiful day here in upstate NY.
I don’t understand it, but I guess there a lot of people who support and/or are racists.
It IS a beautiful day here. And warmer!
Stay safe, Pam.
Don’t give up on the great state of Arizona! I think we are going to turn BLUE!
‘
You did, right? I’ve been away from my phone, installing mini blinds.
Stay safe!
This should have been a landslide for Biden. I don’t understand why so many people went for the evil one. If Biden doesn’t pull this off, I’m at a loss of what to think about what our country stands for anymore.
He’ll pull it off. It’s looking increasingly more likely, especially since Trump wants a recount in WI.
He hates losing.
Stay safe, Jill.
Joining you in the breath in, breath out! I was so upset last night that so many voted for OM but I also realize just how divided our country is. That makes me extremely sad. I’m feeling more hopeful this morning about the results also. Georgia is still too close to call and its a victory in many ways as this is such a red state. I’m hoping this is the beginning of a change. So trying to be positive today and I know it may be a day or more before we know the final results but I am more hopeful then I have been in 4 years.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for Georgia, Linda. I also really want to see Jon Ossof win – has that been called yet?
I, too, am more hopeful. Both Don and I said that we felt our shoulders dropping for the first time in four years.
Stay safe, Linda.
I am just so very sad. All of his horrid beliefs, and the masses support him. What am I missing? I never believed there would be a Blue Wave, but I never expected the number of votes this revolting waste of skin has accumulated. I am proud WI has gone blue and very happy that the state govt will no longer have their veto-proof posse. Hopefully, Gov Evers will be able to govern here. But just knowing how many people support these Hitler-like beliefs is beyond frightening.
We shall breathe. We wait. And hoping we shall also overcome.
And yay for the state of my birth and first 30 years – Michigan! (And of course, New York, but we knew that would happen.)
Hang in there, Chris! I think we’re going to see President Biden.
Stay safe!
I live in Dallas. I’m proud that with 100% votes counted, we voted 65.1% for Biden & 33.4% for the orange worthless sack of sh**. And Dallas is full of wealthy people & George W Bush.
I do know 2 things I have heard over & over. Many people only care about the economy. They don’t want the country shut down, & they say Biden will do that. Many, including immigrants who live in the US, do not want a socialist country, since they moved here to escape one. This country is too populated with self entitled, every man for himself, ignorant, gullible, dumb people. Don’t even get me started on the Qanons & the far right armed to the teeth mafia all over the place, including in the WH & Congress now.
But he isn’t a socialist. And they’re confusing socialism with communism or worse. I don’t understand that rationale. They’d rather live under a fascist?
Yay for Dallas!
Stay safe, Mary.
HILLARY WAS RIGHT — DEPLORABLES!!!
I have tweeted that same phrase about 100 times in the past four years.
Stay safe, Chris.
Great minds think alike! 😀. Take care – the OM is going to make this next period of time frightening.
Yes, he is.
People in the south maintain the Dems are socialists. Not… I believe people voted against the Dem party again as they did in 2016. More so than for a man. That being said, he has a fan base also that is unbelievable. I have no idea what that says for this country. I have reconciled myself to peace…whatever happens. I voted…I prayed…
And yet they gladly take Medicare and Social Security, which are socialist programs. Their hypocrisy is clear.
Stay safe, Brenda.
Terri in her comment hit the nail squarely on the head for me…
” I feel like a stranger in my own country. I am shaken. ”
even if dear Mr. Biden wins I fear that the Senate will make it impossible for him.
they will be even more ruthless in their fighting back than they were for Mr. Obama.
and it appears they’ll still have a majority.
heaven help us.
but at least we’ll have an actual PRESIDENT hopefully.
Yes. And that in itself is all the victory we need.
Stay safe, Tammy.
Dear Claudia et al, Let’s look at the bright side. Both Biden and Harris have worked as senators. I am optimistic that they have some savvy when it comes to working with that crowd. As for recognizing our country, while I share the dismay and perhaps the naivete that we were further along than we are, I can not forget that in my lifetime the beaches of Fort Lauderdale were segregated, and that not so long ago the segregated black schools were I CLOSED for three months of the year so the children could work in the farm fields of south Florida, and that Joe Biden himself caused Anita Hill to squirm with humiliation and embarrassment in a Senate hearing. There has always been division within the USA. We love our country for so many reasons, but as a nation we still have a lot of growing to do. My son has a t-shirt that reads “I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.” Think of all that Ghandi and Dr, Martin Luther King jr. had to explain and endure in order to accomplish their achievements. As Jesse Jackson said so many years ago, “Keep hope alive.”