I think for me personally, at my stage in life, the biggest challenge will be to resist the temptation to fall into disengagement and apathy and a state of feeling small but definitely not mighty. I wish I could talk to my mom, who endured many dark times as a widow raising two kids, while running the local newspaper for thirty years. I will instead look to the motto that not only guided almost every editorial decision she made and appeared at the top of every issue but also was embodied in the way she lived her life: “For the wrongs that need resistance, for the cause that lacks assistance, for the future in the distance and the good that we can do.”
And recalling the people in my life, still taken aback by his victory, looking to that speech and wanting to believe that the weighty realization of his win might have finally sobered him up a bit. Then the Trump presidency happened and the eight years since that speech disavowed most people of the belief that Donald Trump ever wanted to "bind the wounds of division." Fool me once...
Yeah, this. I remember listening in 2016 and being hopeful that he would actually be a president for all Americans. Well I never quite got that sense during his presidency and definitely not from this campaign. Honestly I was kind of surprised that he even spoke that way in this years victory speech. I wish I could believe him.
Every time DJT talks about the enemy he is referring to me and my family. We didn’t vote for him. His divisive words and hate have convinced part of my family that democrats are enemies as well. What am I supposed to do with that?
This is me as well. If you figure out what to do with it, let me know. I have never referred to those people in my family as enemies, nor have I thought of them as such. (Why would I??)
I think that when they say "Democrats are the enemy" they are referring to the elected Dems that are running things right now and not necessarily those of us who are supporting them. I don't think they actually care about us regular folks. 🫠
I appreciate this optimistic outlook, but I only wish his supporters (including my loved ones) thought this way as well. If I'm being honest, I'm a little exhausted with the "that's not what he/they meant" explanation.
I have to agree with this sentiment. Additionally, he shouldn't be making statements like that about elected Democrats (or anyone for that matter), either.
Unfortunately. They don't see the conflict with publicly saying on social media that anyone who leans further left is "the enemy" then saying to my face, "oh, but I don't mean YOU." But I see this all the time on both sides, sigh.
Here’s the problem with that assumption, which I am sure comes from a good place, it’s that you have to assume anything in the first place. The safer course of action is to take them at their word when they call us their enemy. We stay safer if we’re prepared for their hate. We stay safer when we realize that over half this country is can’t wait see every person who has immigrated (that isn’t white enough for them) deported. We stay safer when we prepare for more school shootings because as they have said, we need to “get over it”. We stay safer when we are clear on where we stand with them and their supporters for whom hatred of every marginalized group wasn’t a deal breaker. We stay safer when we take them at their word.
Reading these remarks only makes me feel more disheartened. We had a chance as a country to choose someone who truly cares about this country and the people in it and we chose a person who cares about ultimate power. I am heartbroken for the people Trumps victory will affect. How can you unite a country when you have demeaned and debased so many groups of people from all Democrats to specific Republicans that he called out by name, to immigrants, Haitians, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans. And my heart breaks for Ukraine and all our allies. Right now, I have to disengage because I am truly so sad and so discouraged. I want to fight for a better future for our country but I don't even know where to begin.
Yesterday I was reminded of two ancient stories: one of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup; hey other of people begging the prophet Samuel for a king, even though they were warned against it.
To me, the election reflects human nature, stoked by algorithm-fed grievance propaganda. My hope is that we would awaken quickly and that small and mighty heroes would emerge to lead us to a brighter future.
Personally, I’m committing to building bridges with those who see the world differently than I do, however painful that may be.
I think about that story from Samuel often. Small and mighty heroes are those bridge builders and educators. Progress has never come from the power-hungry.
Same here. I attended the post election zoom with Braver Angels last night and am feeling inspired and really looking forward to doing more work with them.
I am scared (okay ... terrified) of Trump as president again, but I am mostly devastated, profoundly sad, and incredulous that over half of our country voted for a man with no moral fabric - in fact, the opposite. What does that say about us as a nation?
The United States has less oil reserves than Saudi Arabia and Russia. At current development pace, Saudi has 79 years of reserves and Russia has 22. We have 10. There is very little white space for oil and gas exploration in US territory and it is unlikely a technological advance will come along that materially unlocks reserves in US basins the way the shale revolution did in the 2010s.
I know there are more important themes in this article but it is frustrating to me that even in the area he claimed to be overseeing himself he got the basic facts completely wrong. Thoughtful energy policies don’t begin this way.
Here's my question/concern - what is to stop Trump from working for his own self-interest rather than in the best interest of the country? At this point he has nothing to lose, he can't be re-elected, and the Supreme Court has given him immunity to do pretty much whatever he wants with no repercussions. He also currently has no one to stop him, Congress won't, the SC won't and he is surrounding himself with yes-men who won't say no or push back on him like last time. He's also proven to have a low moral compass. So what's to prevent him from doing things that will benefit him personally even if it ultimately hurts the country? That's my fear.
We watched her speech through tears. I am so proud of her— proud that she is an American woman, proud of her poise, moral fabric, and leadership through a loss. It is incredibly difficult to face the reality that this is what the majority of Americans want. I have been able to deny this with Biden winning the last election, but now there is no mud in the water.
I agree with much that everyone points out and especially find it interesting that all talk of voter fraud has dried up. Interesting that, when the election is won by DJT that the voting was done accurately, but when DJT loses it is because of voter fraud. As a poll worker, I know how difficult it is to commit voter fraud. The fact that we've had to listen to complaints for the past 4 years is annoying (to say the least). I'm hoping that going forward we can agree that the states know how to run their elections.
In addition to everything that has been said, my heart breaks for the 15 million less democrats that voted in 2024 vs 2020. 15 million could t be bothered to mail in an envelope. I guess we get the country we deserve. 20 years of reality TV and internet disinformation has resulted in a country full of spiteful people who will kick the next person on the totem pole down even further to gain a little more crumbs. I pray for my childrens’ futures.
They're still counting votes, I wouldn't fixate on that 15mil number. California and Washington are only like half counted last I checked. I do think turnout was lower than last time, probably back to levels we saw before 2020 when the pandemic encouraged a lot more people into voting.
How can we believe DJT wants to unite our country when he still talks about almost half of Americans as an enemy within? If he is such a good Christian, he’ll need to implement Christ’s teaching “love your enemies. Do good to those who spitefully use you.” I’m praying for him.
When I read Trump's "every citizen, I will fight for you" I can't help but think "unless you're lgbtq+, a woman, an immigrant, a POC, a non-christian, etc." 🫠
I’m really worried about our national security.. also shocked by how many voted for him after his increasing mental instability and threats against our own people. I’m worried about firing squads. My heart hurts
I know that the Preamble and Sharon's endeavor is about democracy and decency. I really struggle, however, with any piece that places them side by side, and in doing so, creates false parity. It's an accurate and academic approach, as what they have in common is that they were both candidates for president. However, one candidate represents an incredible divergence from democratic norms. No? On that basis, they cannot be compared. Right? I am truly asking. I want this to make sense, and I am really struggling. I think decency can include accurate and appropriate critiques.
As a follow up, is it fair that voters have said there are more important things than democracy, as he has said that he won’t leave office and rejected the outcome of the 2020 election? Or have we always been at this place but the veneer was better?
I think for me personally, at my stage in life, the biggest challenge will be to resist the temptation to fall into disengagement and apathy and a state of feeling small but definitely not mighty. I wish I could talk to my mom, who endured many dark times as a widow raising two kids, while running the local newspaper for thirty years. I will instead look to the motto that not only guided almost every editorial decision she made and appeared at the top of every issue but also was embodied in the way she lived her life: “For the wrongs that need resistance, for the cause that lacks assistance, for the future in the distance and the good that we can do.”
My struggle this morning is recalling that Trump's 2016 speech was remarkably similar: https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/politics/donald-trump-victory-speech/index.html
And recalling the people in my life, still taken aback by his victory, looking to that speech and wanting to believe that the weighty realization of his win might have finally sobered him up a bit. Then the Trump presidency happened and the eight years since that speech disavowed most people of the belief that Donald Trump ever wanted to "bind the wounds of division." Fool me once...
Yeah, this. I remember listening in 2016 and being hopeful that he would actually be a president for all Americans. Well I never quite got that sense during his presidency and definitely not from this campaign. Honestly I was kind of surprised that he even spoke that way in this years victory speech. I wish I could believe him.
God help us.
Exactly! Both of his speeches are total lies. It will be worse than 2016 and we have to fight even harder this time around.
Remember all the times we heard, “he’s finally acting like President”
Every time DJT talks about the enemy he is referring to me and my family. We didn’t vote for him. His divisive words and hate have convinced part of my family that democrats are enemies as well. What am I supposed to do with that?
I have no words of comfort for you; just know I am holding a space for you in my heart.
This is me as well. If you figure out what to do with it, let me know. I have never referred to those people in my family as enemies, nor have I thought of them as such. (Why would I??)
I think that when they say "Democrats are the enemy" they are referring to the elected Dems that are running things right now and not necessarily those of us who are supporting them. I don't think they actually care about us regular folks. 🫠
I appreciate this optimistic outlook, but I only wish his supporters (including my loved ones) thought this way as well. If I'm being honest, I'm a little exhausted with the "that's not what he/they meant" explanation.
I have to agree with this sentiment. Additionally, he shouldn't be making statements like that about elected Democrats (or anyone for that matter), either.
Do your loved ones see you and others who voted democrat as the enemy?
Unfortunately. They don't see the conflict with publicly saying on social media that anyone who leans further left is "the enemy" then saying to my face, "oh, but I don't mean YOU." But I see this all the time on both sides, sigh.
Here’s the problem with that assumption, which I am sure comes from a good place, it’s that you have to assume anything in the first place. The safer course of action is to take them at their word when they call us their enemy. We stay safer if we’re prepared for their hate. We stay safer when we realize that over half this country is can’t wait see every person who has immigrated (that isn’t white enough for them) deported. We stay safer when we prepare for more school shootings because as they have said, we need to “get over it”. We stay safer when we are clear on where we stand with them and their supporters for whom hatred of every marginalized group wasn’t a deal breaker. We stay safer when we take them at their word.
Reading these remarks only makes me feel more disheartened. We had a chance as a country to choose someone who truly cares about this country and the people in it and we chose a person who cares about ultimate power. I am heartbroken for the people Trumps victory will affect. How can you unite a country when you have demeaned and debased so many groups of people from all Democrats to specific Republicans that he called out by name, to immigrants, Haitians, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans. And my heart breaks for Ukraine and all our allies. Right now, I have to disengage because I am truly so sad and so discouraged. I want to fight for a better future for our country but I don't even know where to begin.
You could Begin by feeling what you feel and grieving. That’s what i am trying to do
Yesterday I was reminded of two ancient stories: one of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup; hey other of people begging the prophet Samuel for a king, even though they were warned against it.
To me, the election reflects human nature, stoked by algorithm-fed grievance propaganda. My hope is that we would awaken quickly and that small and mighty heroes would emerge to lead us to a brighter future.
Personally, I’m committing to building bridges with those who see the world differently than I do, however painful that may be.
Oh and I also deactivated most of my social media accounts. I am so tired of being manipulated by the algorithms.
I think about that story from Samuel often. Small and mighty heroes are those bridge builders and educators. Progress has never come from the power-hungry.
Same here. I attended the post election zoom with Braver Angels last night and am feeling inspired and really looking forward to doing more work with them.
I would like to know more about Braver Angels.
https://braverangels.org/
I am scared (okay ... terrified) of Trump as president again, but I am mostly devastated, profoundly sad, and incredulous that over half of our country voted for a man with no moral fabric - in fact, the opposite. What does that say about us as a nation?
Hi Nice Karen! I don’t align with them either, but we do belong here! This is so difficult to hear all over again.
The United States has less oil reserves than Saudi Arabia and Russia. At current development pace, Saudi has 79 years of reserves and Russia has 22. We have 10. There is very little white space for oil and gas exploration in US territory and it is unlikely a technological advance will come along that materially unlocks reserves in US basins the way the shale revolution did in the 2010s.
I know there are more important themes in this article but it is frustrating to me that even in the area he claimed to be overseeing himself he got the basic facts completely wrong. Thoughtful energy policies don’t begin this way.
Exactly as I expected; more lies.
Here's my question/concern - what is to stop Trump from working for his own self-interest rather than in the best interest of the country? At this point he has nothing to lose, he can't be re-elected, and the Supreme Court has given him immunity to do pretty much whatever he wants with no repercussions. He also currently has no one to stop him, Congress won't, the SC won't and he is surrounding himself with yes-men who won't say no or push back on him like last time. He's also proven to have a low moral compass. So what's to prevent him from doing things that will benefit him personally even if it ultimately hurts the country? That's my fear.
We watched her speech through tears. I am so proud of her— proud that she is an American woman, proud of her poise, moral fabric, and leadership through a loss. It is incredibly difficult to face the reality that this is what the majority of Americans want. I have been able to deny this with Biden winning the last election, but now there is no mud in the water.
I agree with much that everyone points out and especially find it interesting that all talk of voter fraud has dried up. Interesting that, when the election is won by DJT that the voting was done accurately, but when DJT loses it is because of voter fraud. As a poll worker, I know how difficult it is to commit voter fraud. The fact that we've had to listen to complaints for the past 4 years is annoying (to say the least). I'm hoping that going forward we can agree that the states know how to run their elections.
If he had lost we would for sure be hearing about it. He can’t accept the idea that he could lose fair and square.
In addition to everything that has been said, my heart breaks for the 15 million less democrats that voted in 2024 vs 2020. 15 million could t be bothered to mail in an envelope. I guess we get the country we deserve. 20 years of reality TV and internet disinformation has resulted in a country full of spiteful people who will kick the next person on the totem pole down even further to gain a little more crumbs. I pray for my childrens’ futures.
They're still counting votes, I wouldn't fixate on that 15mil number. California and Washington are only like half counted last I checked. I do think turnout was lower than last time, probably back to levels we saw before 2020 when the pandemic encouraged a lot more people into voting.
How can we believe DJT wants to unite our country when he still talks about almost half of Americans as an enemy within? If he is such a good Christian, he’ll need to implement Christ’s teaching “love your enemies. Do good to those who spitefully use you.” I’m praying for him.
When I read Trump's "every citizen, I will fight for you" I can't help but think "unless you're lgbtq+, a woman, an immigrant, a POC, a non-christian, etc." 🫠
I’m really worried about our national security.. also shocked by how many voted for him after his increasing mental instability and threats against our own people. I’m worried about firing squads. My heart hurts
It’s difficult to not be discouraged by the things Trump has said that will directly impact you in a very negative way.
I know that the Preamble and Sharon's endeavor is about democracy and decency. I really struggle, however, with any piece that places them side by side, and in doing so, creates false parity. It's an accurate and academic approach, as what they have in common is that they were both candidates for president. However, one candidate represents an incredible divergence from democratic norms. No? On that basis, they cannot be compared. Right? I am truly asking. I want this to make sense, and I am really struggling. I think decency can include accurate and appropriate critiques.
As a follow up, is it fair that voters have said there are more important things than democracy, as he has said that he won’t leave office and rejected the outcome of the 2020 election? Or have we always been at this place but the veneer was better?