Sunday, November 13, 2016

Star Spangled Banner


You can't cry into it. It's too big. And these days it's very hard for me to see clearly.

I keep thinking of the clip below. 19 year old me was there, although I can't say I remember it very clearly. Some of the feelings about my country are the same today as 47 years ago.


As mentioned, I'll be documenting the anti-Trump rally downtown this afternoon. There has been some interesting commentary on these demonstrations. Trump won the election lawfully, although only because of our bizarre Electoral College system that allowed Clinton to win the popular vote and lose the race. Is it helpful or appropriate for the losers just to blow off rage? I don't think so, unless it makes some people feel better for a while. As Stephen Colbert said on Wednesday, being an American citizen is like family: you're in it whether you like it or not.

On the other hand, it begins the process of common struggle and resistance that some of us feel is necessary. For example, if the party in power tries to dismantle Social Security (a subject I know a lot about) or permits environmental degradation, I hope masses of people take to the streets. I'd be with them.              

8 comments:

s.c said...

Lets hope its not coming that way.

biebkriebels said...

The spirit of the sixties is still in our generation, keep going.

Bill said...

I agree with you!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I agree with Marianne, I haven't seen such vigorous protests since the Vietnam war. I must admit I'm hoping for a miracle still, you never can tell, obviously, what's around the corner. Stay safe Bob.

Sharon said...

I agree wholeheartedly. I don't think now is the time to demonstrate. What we need to do now is be alert and make sure we understand exactly what is going on and what laws are being passed and what presidential orders are either being dismantled or erected.

William Kendall said...

It is best right now to be watchful, to make them know they're being watched carefully. He's very quickly going to show how unfit and inept he is.

It's the people who gleefully voted for him who are, in the end, going to be worse off because of him. And when they realize it, they'll be pissed at him. And of course they're the ones with lots of guns.

papa g said...

it's time to be a staunch citizen...
still

Norma said...

This is why I decided to take my Social Security at 63. Getting back as much as I paid into it for as long as I can. We just never know what kind of idiot we'll end up with in the White House.