FWIS3

Wow. I can't believe it, but I'm already breaking down about the inauguration tomorrow. I am so disgusted at the thought of Unpresident Meatsquatter. (family joke. the meatsquatter nickname came from Rooster.) I figured tomorrow would be a bad day, and totally plan on staying away from any media that would be covering it, or any social media discussing it. I think I'm going to have to do it today, or else I won't be able to get any work done. I'm already crying, already bombarded with discussion about it. I talked to my mom this morning; she and my sister and two friends are going to the march in DC Saturday. A coworker just invited me to go with her to the one in MN. That's just not my type of thing, so I'll show my support in a different way.

Tomorrow is going to be a dark, dark day. I have to find a way to be productive. So signing off now, good luck everyone in staying strong. Peace be with you. So say we all.

It's not going to be a good day for many people.

Has there ever been a mass protest at an inauguration?

Yes, there's a long history of protests at inaugurations- I remember it happening w GWB in recent history (some kids went down from college to protest the reelection), but there was also famously one during Wilson's inauguration to protest women getting the right to vote. However, this one may well end up being the biggest.

My sister is going to the Washington DC one as they live across the river, and planning to take my niece so they've been practicing walks with the baby Bjorne (ie on her chest, non stroller). Apparently the march is going to have lactation tents too, so certainly not a typical protest! I look forward to hearing the family reaction to that...

There is a march of course one in Toronto too, but honestly not sure I'm going to go because I question the exact point of what such a thing achieves in another country at this stage of the game. I can see the merit of doing it in the USA, where people want to remind their politicians that they do not have a mandate, but doubt anyone cares what the Canadians think, you know? More useful to spend my time getting ready for the bf arriving that evening.

It's a strange time. I feel really upset about things, but keep logging off and throwing myself into my work when that happens. Which always makes me wonder a little if years down the line when my kids ask me what I did and I answer "I was working on my thesis" if that'll be a cop out, head buried in the sand kind of answer... ok, time to up those donations, I guess that's my answer.

Rommie wrote:There is a march of course one in Toronto too, but honestly not sure I'm going to go because I question the exact point of what such a thing achieves in another country at this stage of the game. I can see the merit of doing it in the USA, where people want to remind their politicians that they do not have a mandate, but doubt anyone cares what the Canadians think, you know? More useful to spend my time getting ready for the bf arriving that evening.

I don't see much point in either to be honest though protests in another country really highlight the obvious to me, which is protesting against a democratically elected official taking office is complaining that the person you wanted to win, didn't. Same thing in the country. All it does is state the obvious that not everyone voted for the person. That's my 2 cents anyway.

Rommie wrote:It's a strange time. I feel really upset about things, but keep logging off and throwing myself into my work when that happens. Which always makes me wonder a little if years down the line when my kids ask me what I did and I answer "I was working on my thesis" if that'll be a cop out, head buried in the sand kind of answer... ok, time to up those donations, I guess that's my answer.

Just remember, there's not anything you can do that wouldn't conflict with the core principle of democracy given that he was elected in a democratic election. IOW, it's a token gesture or a feel good measure for people or even a venting process. If you don't feel the need for those things then just don't.
If I had kids I'd tell them what I did was planned for the future rather than cry over the past or the present.

I know this isn't the most creative thing to say, but in my head, I'm thinking of tomorrow as "D Day."

So say we all.

It's T day

Personally, I have the best way to avoid the Inauguration.... Fisher and I will be on a plane to Riverside CA... our last military ball is Saturday night.... I'm heart broken, doncha know, that I will miss seeing the train wreck on TV (Actually, I will miss marching in Sacramento, even more, on Saturday....)

I'm even more amazed he's letting Melania attend....

vendic wrote:I don't see much point in either to be honest though protests in another country really highlight the obvious to me, which is protesting against a democratically elected official taking office is complaining that the person you wanted to win, didn't. Same thing in the country. All it does is state the obvious that not everyone voted for the person. That's my 2 cents anyway.

Just remember, there's not anything you can do that wouldn't conflict with the core principle of democracy given that he was elected in a democratic election. IOW, it's a token gesture or a feel good measure for people or even a venting process. If you don't feel the need for those things then just don't.
If I had kids I'd tell them what I did was planned for the future rather than cry over the past or the present.

I used to go to protests in college. Even led a few. I had better results writing legislation and sending it to the Governor. The point of protests can be to vent and to let those in power realize how much the people are dissatisfied - both in number and in vehemence. Another point for protests is to force those in office to abuse their power and speak or act badly in response, because it can cause others to stand up against them. That last one is sometimes less about the First Amendment and more about obtaining justification for escalating to the Second.

I would consider going to a protest, if I wasn't busy dealing with a different cancer threatening to destroy people I hold dear.

Tarragon wrote:
I would consider going to a protest, if I wasn't busy dealing with a different cancer threatening to destroy people I hold dear.

Sorry to hear that. I just went through breast cancer, with my mother, last year, and it's no fun at all. I hope things work out positively for you and yours.

I wish the best for your loved ones Tarragon.

Yeah, supposedly a group of women will be protesting Trump's election at Queen's Park (Ontario's Legislature), either today or tomorrow.

Bush 43's re-election, some protests were held at York U (Toronto's other university) on Inauguration Day. Result, some police arrests and some students' exams being disrupted to the point of them having to be re-scheduled, due to the noise of the protesters, many of whom weren't students at York.

My sister says that's misleading, it's more a bunch of anarchists (who go every year, but def more this year), and tomorrow is the big protest.

Speaking of, I feel bad for her because she's stuck at home w a two month old, and can't even get out of the house much to distract herself because the greater DC area is clogged. At least when I realize after the first post or two being on FB isn't constructive I can get out of the house and do something- thank goodness for small mercies.

Held hostage by Facebook. The horror.

I think it's more my understanding is when you're nursing and it's cold out a lot of watching TV ensues, and guess what's on TV right now on every channel...

That would suck. There's always Netflix and such.

That's what the big box of VHS tapes is for!

Actually I remember 9\11\2001. I just couldn't stand to be at work anymore so I headed home. There was Mrs. T and The Kid, oblivious. Smoking buildings were on most every channel, but not the ones they were watching, if they were watching at all. And I got an extra pang of sadness as I broke it to her and watched the last seconds of a "Pre 9/11" world slip from her face.

SciFi Chick wrote:Sorry to hear that. I just went through breast cancer, with my mother, last year, and it's no fun at all. I hope things work out positively for you and yours.

vendic wrote:I wish the best for your loved ones Tarragon.

Thanks, of course it had to happen over the holidays and my birthday and right after the election when I was already in shock. It never felt like Christmas - still doesn't. It's like after the election Fate said to us, you're really not gonna want to see what happens next. Of course, it makes my thoughts on the election more circumspect too. Some may want to resist, but some may want to consider how, like in other martial arts, the opponents own movements and mass can be used against them.

So yeah, I ended up tuning in the speech, and wow what an awful speech unless you're already a Trump supporter. Seriously divisive, basically insulting everyone on the stage, describing an America I don't recognize.

I found all the space references kinda ironic too given that they're already planning to slash basic physics research at the Department of Energy.

Now there are the professional idiots raising hell in the streets of Washington. One thing for peaceful protests, but the idiots that hijack these events take away from any legitimate protests. Some of it doesn't help, as apparently, some media are already blaming Trump for what's going on in the streets. How about blaming those idiots who think it's okay to set trash bins on fire, vandalise cars, break windows of businesses, etc. Carry signs, shout your slogans, but don't hide behind masks and carry out the violent crap.

Parrothead wrote:How about blaming those idiots who think it's okay to set trash bins on fire, vandalise cars, break windows of businesses, etc.

Yeah, this isn't a college campus celebrating a big football victory (or loss) for goodness sakes.

Idiots

vendic wrote:Idiots

USEFUL Idiots, as Lenin used to say.

Thumper wrote:And I got an extra pang of sadness as I broke it to her and watched the last seconds of a "Pre 9/11" world slip from her face.

That's profoundly sad.