If Gail Collins can be polite to the guy after he sent her a letter saying she looks like a dog, the rest of us can suck it up, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I'm guessing he will bring his gold and black sharpies with him to the Oval Office and continue to send out those crazy letters whenever his feathers get ruffled - less time to do real damage.
Wonder if "attention span of a gnat" and "he has a long memory and we're keeping a list" are oxymoronic. Lists help folks with short memories...and short attention spans.
You're certainly right about "establish Justice" and a Rudi as AG--mutually exclusive, and Rudi is still eligible for "destruction of evidence at a mass-murder scene" treatment--that old "murder has no statute of limitations" thang.
You're certainly right about "establish Justice" and a Rudi as AG--mutually exclusive, and Rudi is still eligible for "destruction of evidence at a mass-murder scene" treatment--that old "murder has no statute of limitations" thang.
16
The question you forgot to answer is how do you deal with the feeling that anyone who consciously voted for Trump is a traitor
77
Three things worrying me. Man devised religion is killing the world. Only Planned Parenting will save humanity. Global change has occurred sometimes for millennia. The one that is going to kill the earth and all of you started with the steam engine and fossil coal. If you are too dumb to read Earth in Balance by Al Gore you are worthless. That's Trump and 99% of Congress. I'm old . I hate you because you are killing my little family.
47
Is anyone talking about the possibility of "rigged elections"? Ten years ago a documentary called "Hacking Democracy" exposed how voting machines, electronic and scanners, can be programmed to change votes. Has anyone suggested that it's more than strange that almost every poll was wrong? Watch the film on amazon; see a clip on youtube--Hacking Democracy, 7:58. You can also watch it at hackingdemocracy.com. Why isn't anyone asking this question? How have the votes been audited?
60
@Ryan Wei. o.k. agree with your premise but not the last line.
3
A typical elite NYT writer full of herself, and thinking that somehow that her "clever " checklist represents anything meaningful is precisely why the NYT is losing readership and is seen ( except for the Science Section ) as completely out of touch but for the diehard snobs on the coasts.
32
What a vacuous piece of tripe. Are you in denial, Gail? Please deign to have some respect for our intelligence here.
32
Well, Gail, it was interesting to see how you were able to include the word 'dog' in your column, and I was happy to see that there was no mention of Donald Trump tying you to the roof of the car.
26
Oh, one more question, Gail: Did he mention any particular breed?
9
NYT: "The Data Said Clinton Would Win. Why You Shouldn’t Have Believed It."
I didn't bother reading it but I did think it was hilarious. Words of wisdom from The New York Times. Ouch! Fire anybody at that place who doesn't admit 100% failure in doing its job.
I didn't bother reading it but I did think it was hilarious. Words of wisdom from The New York Times. Ouch! Fire anybody at that place who doesn't admit 100% failure in doing its job.
14
"We’ve got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan. A dimwitted, mean spirited spawn embodying the nation’s worst flaws, failings and nightmares."
2000 Redux!!
2000 Redux!!
35
Thanks for making my husband and me laugh!
19
You all need to stop harping on Gail about this column. She is trying her darmned best to find humour in a very un-funny times. I, for one appreciate her for her intelligent and funny (yes!) attempt to lighten things up a bit (what is she supposed to do? Stay in bed and cry herself to sleep?!)- I did that already, and it's not working. BTW, all her columns are about somehow finding humour in the ridiculous, the untenable, the impossible, the incredible and sometimes, the tragic. That said, it will be almost impossible to accept this racist, misogynist, fascist, bigoted buffoon as POTUS for many of us
104
Never should we adjust to man as despicable as trump...never we need not to adjust we need to keep fighting for justice and call him what he is a racist, homophobic, sexual predator, liar, pig who makes fun of woman minorities, handicapped elderly....never adjust to make normal....never
62
Thanks, Gail.
Did the 40 oz. beer on the train home last nite.
#2 on your list is going to be hard.
Did the 40 oz. beer on the train home last nite.
#2 on your list is going to be hard.
15
Kudos, Gail, for being the first to print Gingrich at State and Giuliani at Justice. Is there anybody who doesn't expect that to happen? (You forgot to mention Christie as Chief of Staff.)
10
From the title of this column, I thought I was going to feel better. I feel worse, if that is possible. It is not just on my mind, it is visceral. And, with all the reason we know Trump is not qualified to be President, he claims to be a winner. Well, he won. How disgusting a thought is that?
Perhaps in time I shall have the Clinton/Obama attitude of wishing Trump well... perhaps in time...right now just let me cry a bit...
Perhaps in time I shall have the Clinton/Obama attitude of wishing Trump well... perhaps in time...right now just let me cry a bit...
31
Yeah, yeah, yeah... But of course the main focus of the new Trump administration is going to be who to send flowers and candy to. Melania is the best, don't get me wrong - she's going to be the best first lady. I mean there has never been a first lady as great as Melania.
But really, if you can't send a card and flowers to Kate Upton as the new president-elect, what has this all been about anyway?
But really, if you can't send a card and flowers to Kate Upton as the new president-elect, what has this all been about anyway?
6
Gail. this article helps and many of us need help now. i will be making one slight adjustment however. step 1. uhm, yeah. i'm gonna need to dial up the number of nights of heavy drinking just a wee bit. i think i need at least a week to mourn and a few more loud, angry, drunken, sad rants. i should be good then. hopefully i'll be better and back to normal soon. this article really helps.
14
Proposed clause 4(a)
Nixon toyed with the idea of making adversaries believe he was crazy, prepared to use nuclear weapons irrationally. Trump doesn't have to pretend; adversaries know he IS crazy (and ignorant) when it comes to that topic.
Nixon toyed with the idea of making adversaries believe he was crazy, prepared to use nuclear weapons irrationally. Trump doesn't have to pretend; adversaries know he IS crazy (and ignorant) when it comes to that topic.
17
Thank you Gail, I needed the silver lining.
13
You forgot to mention, you know, Gail, that we're also going to have for sure the hottest First-Lady like, ever.
5
Irrelevant as ever, but OK.
Using your own in-factual belief's to console yourself is supposed to help how?
Using your own in-factual belief's to console yourself is supposed to help how?
1
Oh, I feel so much better, now. Thank you, Gail.
5
Gail, regarding step #10: But I'm from Cleveland Indians territory, so now what do I do? I hardly had time to recover from the Cubs win, then this double whammy came just eight days later...
11
Idiotic "cowboys" take over wildlife refuge in Oregon...armed. Penalty? None. "Oath keepers" go armed to Missouri to protest. Welcome! Cliven Bundy's brown shirts aim rifles at federal agents. No problem.
Question: If I carry an anti-Trump sign at a rally or (God forbid) wear an "I don't think Trump is a nice guy", T-shirt after inauguration day, will I ever be seen again? Will my family be OK? Just asking.
Question: If I carry an anti-Trump sign at a rally or (God forbid) wear an "I don't think Trump is a nice guy", T-shirt after inauguration day, will I ever be seen again? Will my family be OK? Just asking.
27
(11) The Trump Library. I'm giving that one to you to fill out, Gail.
14
Gail, you will need to go through the famous Twleve Steps before you're able to write the column we all need to read.
You and your far-lestists ilk are the ones who need adjusting. You've been stuck in Leftist Land for far too long.
Seek the Centrist Field and take a deep breath. Remember, we are no longer "your people." You need to be one of "our people." Get going....
You and your far-lestists ilk are the ones who need adjusting. You've been stuck in Leftist Land for far too long.
Seek the Centrist Field and take a deep breath. Remember, we are no longer "your people." You need to be one of "our people." Get going....
9
Positive move: focus on Louisiana?
3
Step 11 - Stop pretending You are a Christian. When you vote for a man that owned a casino, does not love his neighbor, divorced several times, likely committed adultery, and married to a woman who was photographed nude - then you prove that religion is a myth from the desert created to control humans.
25
There is always a "silver lining," Gail...but you won't find it at the bottom of a barrel of bilge.
Your forced-humor this morning is full of sour grapes. Stomp it, distill it, and keep up the heavy drinking until 2020 rolls around.
Your forced-humor this morning is full of sour grapes. Stomp it, distill it, and keep up the heavy drinking until 2020 rolls around.
8
Briefly on dealing with Pres. Trump: Psychological tact(I'm serious): Try giving him what he needs and wants more than anything else, which is a sense that we admire him, we accept his authority, we think he's competent and powerful,---- and importantly----pundits and media writers and talk show hosts---don't demean him or make him look foolish. Really. Why not try it. People like him respond positively to being recognized the way they want to be recognized.....
5
Do presidents have to release their taxes? Somebody better tell him, quick. He may not want the job...
19
Latinos for Trump, Gays for Trump, Blacks for Trump...in an attempt to get votes, the Clinton campaign sowed seeds of discord by broadly labeling Trump supporters as racists or prejudiced against others. This campaign rhetoric has been destructive and divisive. Groups like Latinos for Trump, Gays for Trump and Blacks for Trump deny the Clinton campaign patter and found they were sincerely welcomed by the Republicans. Sowing seeds of discord results in....discord. The election is over---it is time for our country to heal.
11
Look at it this way. He has earned a hell of a track record over the past 500 days: Trump defeated 17 opponents including Hillary (more than anyone in history); he survived non-stop attacks in the media and unparalleled attack ads, dirty illegal tricks (DNC-paid agitators at his rallies), rigged questions at the debates (CNN-DNC cheating), attacks on his family/wife (pictures), false accusations, and all with ZERO political experience, AND he spent one-half of what the dems spent. He deserves a chance.
12
Oh, what a laugh I get reading these anti-Trump lamentations. We won, you lost. Get over it! Most of the NYT readers are in shock while Trump supporters in middle American and the South are dancing in the streets. Gotta go now and put on my dancing shoes.
10
god bless you for trying, Gail, but it's too soon.
7
gail, this is about as snarky as i have ever seen you get. i infer that, like many of us, you are hurting today. perhaps in a future column, when the punch in the gut has somewhat subsided, you could try to explain why hilary clinton was ultimately unable to connect with so many the way she did with you and me.
3
Why does this election make me feel like I've gained IQ points?
2
Comey. Racism. Sexism. Change.
7
trump and his Three Stooges running the government, but you didn't find a place for chris.
4
Thanks for your wit and insights!
4
Also, let's stop reading the NYT. When you decided to throw all your blatant bias behind the wrong Democratic candidate and ridiculing the one who understood how it needed to be done, I quit my subscription. After buying into the Iraq War, this is your most shameful moment.
11
Thank you, Gail, for the first giggle I've had since Tuesday night.
2
Dukakis, Gore, Kerry, and now HRC. Way to go, DNC. Who's the next soul-less, uncharismatic hack whose "turn" it is to be the nominee in 2020?
Without Perot taking 19% of the vote in 1992 and without the charismatic Obama, we'd have a solid string of Repub presidents dating back to 1980.
Without Perot taking 19% of the vote in 1992 and without the charismatic Obama, we'd have a solid string of Repub presidents dating back to 1980.
4
A friend said she got through yesterday by reading the op-eds in the NYT, guess this wasn't one of them.
2
Thank you Gail. You always provide a needed dose of levity, while at the same time sharing you thoughts about things that we should all care about (Giuliani as AG!). Some of your readers don't seem to realize you write an opinion column. Having said that - I've decided to start crafting my own list. I'm going to list all the ways I can fight back against Trump's agenda and get involved so that in four years we get a president we can all be proud of.
9
Step 11. Let go of your superior attitudes and recognize millions of Americans feel differently than you about which candidate is better. That's democracy.
Step 12. Stop name calling and labeling everyone who disagrees with you as ignorant and racist.
Step 12. Stop name calling and labeling everyone who disagrees with you as ignorant and racist.
13
Where is Christine McMorrow?
2
Thank you Ms Collins. Between this and Garrison Keillor's OpEd in WaPo yesterday, we can go on from here.
5
You forgot to Mention that Chris Christie will be the new Secretary of Transportation -
21
Number 10.5 - ANY appointment short list that includes the name Sarah Palin.
5
A lighthearted piece of gallows humor...unfortunately what awaits us is too grim to laugh off.
7
#RealDonaldDrumf: See? I told you the election was rigged -- in my favor! Sad!
8
Trump supporters may well be equally in shock. What was a vote against Hillary/ the status quo ended up in Trump's being elected. Perhaps, if the polls hadn't shown her winning with a decent margin and BTW she did win the popular vote... Time to abolish the electoral college and make sure that every vote does count!!
Seeming joy may well turn to sadness.... because them jobs they be gone forever... and people still don't get it that the loss of transportation in rural America - maybe we can have google buses for them -- is a severe problem. People who cannot afford a car and gas or need a friend to drive are STUCK. 15$ an hour is a lot to pay for a driver.
We will have to tax the filthies to provide more for everyone else... and people should be proud to pay their taxes to the penny.
Seeming joy may well turn to sadness.... because them jobs they be gone forever... and people still don't get it that the loss of transportation in rural America - maybe we can have google buses for them -- is a severe problem. People who cannot afford a car and gas or need a friend to drive are STUCK. 15$ an hour is a lot to pay for a driver.
We will have to tax the filthies to provide more for everyone else... and people should be proud to pay their taxes to the penny.
3
Dear Gail, I can't seem to get past # 1.
4
Sorry Gail.....not helping. It might help, however, if you addressed a little problem that seems to be deliberately avoided in most articles about this abominable election. When I hear the words "The people have spoken..." followed by some drivel about supporting the winner I want to scream and throw things at the screen. The people have, indeed, spoken and they said "CLINTON" by about a quarter of a million votes! The Electoral College speaks, and awards the presidency to the LOSER! For the second time in sixteen years, the will of the majority has been thwarted, and the country subjected to a tyranny of the minority. How can we rid ourselves of this arcane, anti-democracy plague? That's a rhetorical question, people, I know how we do it. But this is a subject than should be emphasized and brought to the fore. Maybe if this is driven home to enough believers in democracy, the outrage will be sufficient to get us moving toward *real* change. In the meantime, when California secedes, can we come too?
14
I'm still working on step 1. Should be done in about 4 years ...
4
What are Cleveland Indians fans supposed to do on Thanksgiving??
3
Gail,I know you're trying to be funny, but it's way too soon for me to be laughing.
1
Thank you Gail, for making me laugh. The first time I have in a while.
Here is a one step program. Suck up like Americans have been doing for 240 years. Pick up your share of the load and help move our country, the country with borders and laws, forward.
3
Trump will turn all the heavy lifting over to old Republican hacks, and devote himself only to making appearances and getting applause. You know, exactly like a puppet.
15
While you're a master of comic discount, Ms Collins, it's too soon--too soon. Grieving takes time.
3
What needs to change is the vitriol and hate that comes with so many, not all, but SO MANY of Donald Trump's supporters.
9
Gail, I absolutely love how you write, you always make laugh. Today's piece you have written on Trump demonstrates exactly why he won. Take a few minutes away from your computer screen and ask your UPS driver about Trump. Ask the waitress that brings you lunch about Trump. Ask the guy standing out in the cold repairing a broken water line in the street about Trump. You might start the conversation by saying, "My name is Gail Collins and I would like to learn more about your world where hard physical labor is a necessity to keep a job." Ask those people about Trump.
8
Young people should leave.
4
Do you really think Hillary didn't have a list?
2
Thanks for the wonderfully smart humor Gail! We needed that. Now, can you do something over there at the NYT to prevent an Upshot forecast from ever appearing on the paper's front page again?? We could easily blame that for the upset. Okay. I'm overstating but just a bit.
3
And we thought the Bush-Cheney reign of terror was bad.
17
The cabinet - don't forget Dec Def Michael Flynn, chief of staff Chris Christy and Press Sec. Sean Hannity.
WWIII in the offing?
WWIII in the offing?
3
Way to go, Gail! What are your career plans, Gail, with a president Trump declaring war on the "liberal press?"
"Well, wow. We've got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan. A dimwitted, meanspirited spawn embodying the nantions's worst flaws, failings and nightmares.
But on the lighter side ..."
Gail, that is the lighter side.
But on the lighter side ..."
Gail, that is the lighter side.
7
Thank you Gail, as always a wise but hilarious voice in the gloom. Am starting your 10-step program now.
2
I prefer a 'Groper-In-Chief' to a 'Warmonger-in-Chief'.
4
Yeah. So.
You shouldn't be allowed to cover the news any more. Much less comment on it.
So much of this is the fault of the liberal media's delusion that it's not even funny. The NYTimes had a solid argument for being the best newspaper in America. Now you aren't actually worth a single word you say.
I didn't like your column before, but now I am nauseated.
Luckily you have a moderator who will delete this message before anyone (probably even you) sees it. Keep your blinders on.
You shouldn't be allowed to cover the news any more. Much less comment on it.
So much of this is the fault of the liberal media's delusion that it's not even funny. The NYTimes had a solid argument for being the best newspaper in America. Now you aren't actually worth a single word you say.
I didn't like your column before, but now I am nauseated.
Luckily you have a moderator who will delete this message before anyone (probably even you) sees it. Keep your blinders on.
3
Hello Gail? Uh, no.
2
Comity, like Comey, is an illusion.
The FBI is still investigating Clinton public corruption, aka "The Foundation." The statutes of limitations have not run on any of the Clinton crimes.
Trump can & must indict. Here's why:
1– This is not about politics. Democracy hangs by 1 frayed thread…that we are all equal before the law.
2– Not rendering equal justice to Clinton for her espionage crimes imperils our national security in perpetuity.
3– We The People & America are her victims. She robs us to give kickbacks to donors who give billions in bribes to the front-charity, an illicit holding cell for her flunkies during interregnum & illegal foreign funds for the run—that exploits catastrophes by giving cronies lucrative contracts that cheat the poor & devastated.
And who better than Rudy to drain the swamp? Crime families are his speciality.
"All 8 defendants in a dramatic 10-week racketeering trial were convicted yesterday of operating a 'commission' that ruled the Mafia thruout the US…'The verdict reached today has resulted in dismantling the ruling council of La Cosa Nostra,' the US Attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani, said in a statement issued by his office in Manhattan. Law-enforcement authorities said the verdicts would make it easier to fight racketeering….("U.S. JURY CONVICTS EIGHT AS MEMBERS OF MOB COMMISSION," NYT 11/20/86)
"There's no doubt I could successfully prosecute a case against Hillary Clinton," Rudy said recently; he then proceeded to lay out his brief.
The FBI is still investigating Clinton public corruption, aka "The Foundation." The statutes of limitations have not run on any of the Clinton crimes.
Trump can & must indict. Here's why:
1– This is not about politics. Democracy hangs by 1 frayed thread…that we are all equal before the law.
2– Not rendering equal justice to Clinton for her espionage crimes imperils our national security in perpetuity.
3– We The People & America are her victims. She robs us to give kickbacks to donors who give billions in bribes to the front-charity, an illicit holding cell for her flunkies during interregnum & illegal foreign funds for the run—that exploits catastrophes by giving cronies lucrative contracts that cheat the poor & devastated.
And who better than Rudy to drain the swamp? Crime families are his speciality.
"All 8 defendants in a dramatic 10-week racketeering trial were convicted yesterday of operating a 'commission' that ruled the Mafia thruout the US…'The verdict reached today has resulted in dismantling the ruling council of La Cosa Nostra,' the US Attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani, said in a statement issued by his office in Manhattan. Law-enforcement authorities said the verdicts would make it easier to fight racketeering….("U.S. JURY CONVICTS EIGHT AS MEMBERS OF MOB COMMISSION," NYT 11/20/86)
"There's no doubt I could successfully prosecute a case against Hillary Clinton," Rudy said recently; he then proceeded to lay out his brief.
2
Wait, I thought Sarah Palin was in line for State. She can see Russia from her back yard, you know. Gingrich lives in Georgia or someplace. What can you see from there?
6
I'm one in a demographic Trump and his ilk have demonized over the campaign. His post-election words on inclusion are meaningless. He needs to SINCERELY apologize to every non-white-male, disabled and ex-POW persons for his vile words and behavior during his campaign. And follow with leadership actions for the betterment of everyone. Until this miraculously happens he is not a leader of over half of our country men and women.
6
Whoever you elect, you are welcome in your sister-republic: Switzerland.
We haven't forgotten your old phone number: 39-45.
Gor Bless America!
Willy, Swiss citizen
We haven't forgotten your old phone number: 39-45.
Gor Bless America!
Willy, Swiss citizen
4
11. Look on the bright side. 59,594,262 people voted for Donald Trump thinking he would rid Washington of corrupt politicians. What they got was a Washington overloaded with corrupt politicians.
5
Good job normalizing the idea sweeping the nation that bigotry is ok, and maybe should even be applauded.
7
Thank you, Gail. I started feeling a little better this morning. Your column sort of helped. You made me smile and, also, feel hopeful And scared. There it is in a nutshell. I'll keep my fingers crossed that some good will come out of this election, and not too much bad.
1
There will be no Trump News. That's the good news. The bad is that Trump will be the news for the longest time. I pity presidential historians in 2116.
2
Gail- great list - though those of us in Cleveland need an alternate for #10.... maybe we can use the old standby: "there's always next year!" Actually, that works for the next election too!
THE FIRST STEP In the 10 Step Program is, Give it up to God. No go there. Trump did not end his first public address as President elect by saying, God Bless America. What I want to know is where is Anthony Weiner, his weiner, his wee wee and his Weiner Mobile. I wonder if Trump is going to have food truck stuff served as his inaugural ball with Tony there sitting atop his Weiner Mobile, flashing. Or would the Secret Service issue him a chastity belt and steel wool jockey shorts before permitting him to enter the White House? It's good to remember the advice that the crying clown in Pagliacci gives himself: Ridi pagliaccio. Laugh Clown! Then the singer bursts out crying. That didn't work. But opera is opera. Trump will only be grandiose without the singing. But costumes, yes. I mean look at the orange hair and facial makeup. I hope he lightens up before Inauguration Day. Otherwise he'll be the first President to be sworn in looking like the Big Pumpkin (and a big bumpkin for that matter). Trump shows symptoms of a degenerative brain disease, frontal lobe dementia. It may be necessary to invoke the 25th Amendment. Though I don't know how much that would help. With Trump incapable of governing, we'd get Pense who's not worth a plug nickel.
4
A total share, thank you Ms. Collins! The only thing that is certain, is we can be uncertain about what happens next. This is getting too heated too fast and people need to cool off.
So we will have to deal with the 3 stooges:
Giuliani, Christie and Gingrich
Giuliani, Christie and Gingrich
4
Ms. Collins had 10 great steps. Here's the 11th: Whatever you do, never, ever speak the words "profoundly corrupt Hillary" when trying to explain the election results. Way, way too close to reality for your comfort.
1
Articles like this do great work normalizing americans to the fact that they just elected a racist demagogue.
3
Step 0. Grow up. Every 4 years about half the country doesn't get its way. Take your turn like an adult.
4
" At Thanksgiving, if your family keeps trying to trade Trump insults, redirect the conversation to that great Chicago Cubs World Series win."
What if you're a liberal from Cleveland? What's my step 10?
What if you're a liberal from Cleveland? What's my step 10?
Thanks so much for your ten step program. It has really helped me the day after the day after. I may need more of your humor in the days ahead to get through this.
1
I want to thank Gail Collins for her 10 step program for adjusting to our new President-elect; please don't make me say his name out loud. I promise to go to meetings regularly and hope to get to the 10th step asap. One idea she has given me is to focus on national holidays. Today I am grateful for the service of our vast number of Veterans and G-d Bless You! Now I am going to concentrate on Native Americans and Pilgrims sharing turkey and corn on Thanksgiving Day. G-d Bless Us All from Tiny Herb (thanks Mr. Dickens).
1
I think it was H.L. Mencken who said:
"The American people know what they want and deserve to get it, good and hard."
"The American people know what they want and deserve to get it, good and hard."
6
In response to Stephanie Jaeger:
I have not been able to sleep or find any solace and Gail's words helped me at least sit back and know that I have an advocate. If you think for one nano-second that we are not giving this "earnest and thoughtful attention" please try to do something today that will help you feel connected again. No one is "smirking". I am trying to find something to hang on to here and Gail's column helped me see that I needed to take a walk this morning and breathe.
I have not been able to sleep or find any solace and Gail's words helped me at least sit back and know that I have an advocate. If you think for one nano-second that we are not giving this "earnest and thoughtful attention" please try to do something today that will help you feel connected again. No one is "smirking". I am trying to find something to hang on to here and Gail's column helped me see that I needed to take a walk this morning and breathe.
2
The only silver lining is four years from now.
5
This is Gail Collins at her best. Great piece.
2
Please post you hat size and color preference. They'll personalize yours.
Gail, you forgot to mention that every new president usually redecorates the White House according to his style and taste.
Once, 'The Donald' is through with it, the White House will look like a very, very expensive New Orleans brothel.
Once, 'The Donald' is through with it, the White House will look like a very, very expensive New Orleans brothel.
11
I appreciate the attempt to put this election in a larger historical context. But if you voted for "change" all wrapped up in a racist bow, then sorry, the shoe fits.
6
Thank you Gail. Scary to think about his vengeance “Mr. Trump has a long memory and we’re keeping a list.” Will he try to jail Clinton? Will he start mass deportations? How long before his voters become disenchanted with his inability to do the things he promised and he tries to prove his manhood? When he realizes the President does not have unlimited powers?
6
Garrison Keillor wrote yesterday, and I paraphrase, that the liberal elites that the Trump voters were trying to hurt or disenfranchise will be the ones least hurt by this president. Which leads me to the next quote: Stupid is as stupid does -Forrest Gump
10
This is not making me feel better.
2
Keep smoking whatever it is you are smoking Gail. To be perfectly blunt many insane people are perfectly 'nice'; and DJT is a manic sociopath plain and simple. At 70 years old his personality is baked in. Nothing will change about him or his parade of miscreant henchmen. Now with the spineless Republicans in control of congress you better be prepared for a social and economic revolution. It won't be pretty.
6
Besides the Trump U case, isnt there a rape trial awaiting the pres-elect's defense coming up shortly, too?
4
Regarding #10: it will also be entertaining to watch him grant himself a pardon if convicted.
1
Ms. Collins:
Nah, way too soon. The man is a clear and present danger, if only because of his erratic (to be kind) temperament. He promulgated the enormous, disgusting lie that Obama was illegitimate, even when he he knew it was a lie. What kind of monster does that? For my part, I will, yes, write a big check to Planned Parenthood. I will also boycott Home Depot, Pay Pal, Virgin America, Wynn hotels, and any other businesses whose leaders strongly supported this fascist.
Nah, way too soon. The man is a clear and present danger, if only because of his erratic (to be kind) temperament. He promulgated the enormous, disgusting lie that Obama was illegitimate, even when he he knew it was a lie. What kind of monster does that? For my part, I will, yes, write a big check to Planned Parenthood. I will also boycott Home Depot, Pay Pal, Virgin America, Wynn hotels, and any other businesses whose leaders strongly supported this fascist.
4
Some of use will be stuck at Step #1 for quite a while.
4
"Omarosa Manigault, Trump’s director of African-American outreach, who told a reporter on election night that when it came to enemies, 'Mr. Trump has a long memory and we’re keeping a list.'”
How can I make sure I'm on that list? I don't want to be left off.
How can I make sure I'm on that list? I don't want to be left off.
6
In response to: "Don’t let people tell you that the vote proves half the American population is racist."
The vote proves that half the American voters are willing to tolerate a racist if they like his other qualities. Don't let people tell you that's not a problem.
The vote proves that half the American voters are willing to tolerate a racist if they like his other qualities. Don't let people tell you that's not a problem.
7
I hear a lot of fairly sanguine comments out there by the media and by readers of the Times. "Let's work together", let's remember it's change versus continuity, etc. Sure, I get all that. But I cannot shake the feeling that this man needs to be accountable and take responsibility for the fear he has sewn among many immigrants, Americans of color and LGBT and probably others. Now we are just supposed to wait and see? Tell ourselves he didn't really mean it? Can't enact it? Excuse me for a little hyperbole here, but it's like a mom saying to her daughter, "Oh. My boyfriend often grabs your crotch? Well, he's about to be your step dad, so just move on, forget it and let's be a family, OK?" Maybe something else needs to happen first.
6
Those who are not finding this column humorous may not be tuned in to the idea of black humor -- joking about the terrifying instead of weeping.
1
So, its the day after the day after, and I think I'm still numb. I saw the names Giuliani, Gringrich and Christie at the top of an article about Trump in the NYT yesterday and wondered if Roger Ailes would be Press Secretary?
Well, I've lived through McCarthyism, 'duck and cover', Nixon, Reagan, the Bush v. Gore election debacle, and the Dubya Presidency.....I guess I thought we deserved some hope for progress.
But that was not to be. The sad thing is that the 'change' almost all of the Trump voters wanted (a return to the economic growth of the 50's and the social dominance of white males) isn't possible. Change is possible, but with Trump and a Republican Congress I imagine it will be: repeal of Obama Care, a more conservative Supreme Court, attacks on Social Security, an isolationist foreign policy.....and other scary stuff.
We spent yesterday trying to bolster the emotions of the two Democratic Field Organizers who have been living with us for the past three months......they were shattered. They leave us soon to return to their pre-campaign lives. I KNOW that the 50-60 years that lie ahead for them will bring about what they hoped for in this election. I must believe that.
Well, I've lived through McCarthyism, 'duck and cover', Nixon, Reagan, the Bush v. Gore election debacle, and the Dubya Presidency.....I guess I thought we deserved some hope for progress.
But that was not to be. The sad thing is that the 'change' almost all of the Trump voters wanted (a return to the economic growth of the 50's and the social dominance of white males) isn't possible. Change is possible, but with Trump and a Republican Congress I imagine it will be: repeal of Obama Care, a more conservative Supreme Court, attacks on Social Security, an isolationist foreign policy.....and other scary stuff.
We spent yesterday trying to bolster the emotions of the two Democratic Field Organizers who have been living with us for the past three months......they were shattered. They leave us soon to return to their pre-campaign lives. I KNOW that the 50-60 years that lie ahead for them will bring about what they hoped for in this election. I must believe that.
6
This is fantastic advise, with one exception. Clevelanders always get the short end of the stick. Number 10 just won't work for my family this Thanksgiving. We'll have to keep focused on the Cavaliers...
I wish I could find this funny. Instead, my heart grows heavier. And much of my ire is aimed at the media. You are complicit in creating this state of affairs. Many of you poked humor, when you should have been horrified. You went for the chuckle instead of vetting. And now we have as pres-elect, a man who should never been put on a ballot. A flawed vehicle was put on the showroom floor and purchased. And now it is barrreling down the highway.
9
Am I the only one who clicked on this column hoping to actually get helpful coping suggestions and not find them?
5
I think I will have to repeat the first step a few times until I am ready to tackle your list Gail. If he picks those horrid people, Rudy and Newt, to be anything we are doomed. Old white men of the rich world, line up because you are the only type he wants to have working with him. Maybe some pretty young white girls (must be at least a 9 and dont mind being groped) will have a chance. The whole thing is so scary. Most of the people I know are still walking around like zombies, waiting to wake up from this nightmare but knowing it is indeed a reality. God help us.
5
11) At Christmas, when you see the long line of hungry people at your church, please feed them, unless you are one of them - the deluded deplorable. No - it is not reality TV - it will be reality.
Step 1. Look around the Democratic party and find several NEW leaders, with new ideas, charisma (HRC's one big fault) and guts. Have them go around the country speaking to the future promoting sane logical ideas on how the country can move forward, work with other world leaders, rebuild our infrastructure, provide healthcare for all, etc., etc., etc.
Step 2. Repeat step 1 as needed until House and Senate shifts centrist and/or slightly left of center.
Step 3. Pick the best and brightest of these new leaders to head the party after 2018
Step 4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until DJT is history
Step 2. Repeat step 1 as needed until House and Senate shifts centrist and/or slightly left of center.
Step 3. Pick the best and brightest of these new leaders to head the party after 2018
Step 4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until DJT is history
8
Amazing times we live in;
Here it is November, and the Snowflakes are already melting.
Here it is November, and the Snowflakes are already melting.
It seems the Press is feeling very good and they told us Hillary would win. Now they are happy to tell us how to deal with a Monster they helped to create. No, I am not Happy.
7
Since when does Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani represent a government shake up. Republican establishment old boys as I see it.
7
Last week I joined the NAACP as a white man. Should have done it many years ago. Meanwhile I will watch to see the places of Giuliani, Gingrich, and Christie. I cannot help thinking of them as the 3 stooges. Looking at all the players at the beginning of this administration - Ryan, McConnell, Pence, the Trump kids, Bannon, Kellyanne - I can only think of the characters in the Batman stories.
2
Change is what is important here. Tiredness with the status quo that does not, emphatically not put Americans first.
1
It's been remarkably quiet on the fact Trump lost to Hillary in the popular vote by 234K. I know he is interested about 'rigged' elections. Perhaps he will get to work on that.
Now we will have to endure more lectures on why the Founders did it to prevent, you know, some type of extremist candidate from gaining the White House. ??
Now we will have to endure more lectures on why the Founders did it to prevent, you know, some type of extremist candidate from gaining the White House. ??
2
Gail Lets assume you are correct that Trump has the attention span of a knot. If so unless he hires gnats as advisors what difference does it make who he hires as an advisor(s)
Better to tie him to the roof of his rolls abd force him to focus at high speed
Better to tie him to the roof of his rolls abd force him to focus at high speed
I've stocked up on good bottles of wine and comedy DVDs. And I have placed a "How Not to Turn on Your TV" guidebook next to each set in my house.
1
I read this hoping for some solace but it just made me feel worse. I can't remember feeling this depressed since 9/11. And maybe a minority (Hillary did get the majority of the popular vote after all) just wanted change but to do so they were willing to elect a candidate who openly called Mexicans rapists and murderers, mocked a person with disabilities, disparaged women, threatened Muslims, incited people to violence at his rallies and called John McCain a "loser" for having been a prisoner of war- to name just a few of the offensive things he did and said. It's a dark day in the US.
4
We already have a frightening clue about "intelligent" choices in his selection of Climate denier, Myron Ebell, to lead EPA transition (Scientific American 9/2016). It's going to get very warm before this term is over!
2
As for Trump U., on January 20, 2017, he will give himself and every other crook involved, a generous pardon. Also, thinking about the damage he will create over the next 4 years, your 10-step program will not be enough.
Ah, Gail. The problem is we know exactly what Trump thinks about women, African-Americans, Hispanics, Muslims, the accomplishments of veterans, on and on. Already. Up front. And the man keeps an Enemies List, and talks about it. Out loud. In public. And threatens from it.
When he insulted you, then "was fine", I notice that you mention interesting jokes about what apparently matters to him, money. So, "was fine", does that mean he simply didn't deliver another insult because he was too busy self-aggrandizing? Eeek. Whatever bubbles up to the top of his consciousness is what comes out of his mouth?
Perhaps #9.5 should be that states like Massachusetts and California should become sanctuary states for those who do not fit into Trump's America. I'm hoping my state can safeguard our access to healthcare here, when Trump and Repubs repeal the Affordable Care Act and leave Americans in the lurch, falling back to the ACA precursor here, "RomneyCare". (I'd be willing to support a renaming to "SeamusCare".
And Gail...please have some compassion and write some columns with David Brooks. I think he needs to work through this, too.
When he insulted you, then "was fine", I notice that you mention interesting jokes about what apparently matters to him, money. So, "was fine", does that mean he simply didn't deliver another insult because he was too busy self-aggrandizing? Eeek. Whatever bubbles up to the top of his consciousness is what comes out of his mouth?
Perhaps #9.5 should be that states like Massachusetts and California should become sanctuary states for those who do not fit into Trump's America. I'm hoping my state can safeguard our access to healthcare here, when Trump and Repubs repeal the Affordable Care Act and leave Americans in the lurch, falling back to the ACA precursor here, "RomneyCare". (I'd be willing to support a renaming to "SeamusCare".
And Gail...please have some compassion and write some columns with David Brooks. I think he needs to work through this, too.
1
Step 11. New York Time columnists, read the US Constitution and the history of the electoral college. If Johnson had gotten a tiny fraction more Republican votes from Trump, in a few swing states, Clinton would now be the president elect. This strategy was obviously of highly significant relevance for months before election day, but not obvious to anyone relying on the New York Times coverage of the election.
I agree. Let's give Trump the same chance as Republicans gave Obama.
5
I have moved into acceptance mode myself. And the NYT should offer the readers some more tips on how to survive the next four years. For instance, tell all young men that you know to simply abstain from sex. That always works. Because if they get a young lady pregnant, they're on the hook for the next 18 years.
And tell them to brace for a smaller paycheck. Trumps' tax plan rewards only the top 1%
Finally, tell the Trump to supporters to just hold your breath and wait for those manufacturing jobs that Trump promised to break back to the country.
And tell them to brace for a smaller paycheck. Trumps' tax plan rewards only the top 1%
Finally, tell the Trump to supporters to just hold your breath and wait for those manufacturing jobs that Trump promised to break back to the country.
1
Thanks Gail! This is one of the best post-election articles I've read -- it's true that after the shock has passed we've got to try to approach the situation with an even keel and some humor.
I think it's true what you say about change/no change -- though it is awful when you really think about it that millions of Americans just gave him a pass on bigotry and sexism. He could never get a job in most of corporate America, but he can be President.
I think it's true what you say about change/no change -- though it is awful when you really think about it that millions of Americans just gave him a pass on bigotry and sexism. He could never get a job in most of corporate America, but he can be President.
2
Gail
You are being much too charitable in your somewhat amsuing commentary. DJT and many/most of his supporters are a threat to our constitutional values and norms of decency. Trivializing these facts only serves to normalize him - something the media has proven expert at in this election cycle.
You are being much too charitable in your somewhat amsuing commentary. DJT and many/most of his supporters are a threat to our constitutional values and norms of decency. Trivializing these facts only serves to normalize him - something the media has proven expert at in this election cycle.
6
I am an avid NY Times reader and agree generally with most of its editorials and its columnists and its readers' comments, but sometimes columnists like Gail express that exact same liberal sense of superiority that many people resent. Her line about Trump having the attention span of a gnat ... why such a level of ridicule? Trump has his faults but he has also pulled off an amazing feat. We progressives are not perfect nor should we be so arrogant to assume we have all the answers and that we know what's best.
3
Eventually, I hope to get past step one.
2
Trump already has an enemies list? No sense in waiting, like Nixon did, I guess. Revenge starts when -- January 20?
1
To everyone,
We need to help our children understand what happened so that they can carry the torch to a brighter future. Petition to get rid of the electoral college. Next election - spend time volunteering to get out the vote. Get some better marketing people for slogans on the Democratic side that actually motivate. Don't just agonize ...organize!
We need to help our children understand what happened so that they can carry the torch to a brighter future. Petition to get rid of the electoral college. Next election - spend time volunteering to get out the vote. Get some better marketing people for slogans on the Democratic side that actually motivate. Don't just agonize ...organize!
2
Many people were so exhausted with fear, worry and venom for 16 months that for about 24 hours after the result was in, they lost their voice. Some hope that Trump did not mean what he said. Some find him charming in person. (Clintons went to his wedding. Lie down with dogs you get fleas.)
Here is why he won: 50 to 60% of the people listening to Hillary think she is lying when she is telling the truth. And she was being truthful almost all the time. There is something about her projection, demeanor, body language that is the source of that. I gave money to her campaign but I don't like watching her talk. It's like this: people always said that, in person, Lady Bird Johnson was prettier than Jackie Kennedy. Not so in pictures. Many good people I know and many more that I don't know hate Hillary but can't tell you why.
On the other hand, 50+% of the people believe Trump is telling the truth when he is obviously lying. And he was lying most of the time. He lies about the number of stories in his own building: 68 vs 58. He lies about whether, "like a magnet", he goes up and kisses women on the lips, after bragging about doing exactly that. Lies about support for the Iraq invasion when there is more than one audio proving otherwise.
Bottom line is this: Trump had more credibility lying that Clinton had telling the truth.
I took a day off of hating DJT for all he is and all he's done for his entire life, but then I remembered that I also loath all the people around him.
Here is why he won: 50 to 60% of the people listening to Hillary think she is lying when she is telling the truth. And she was being truthful almost all the time. There is something about her projection, demeanor, body language that is the source of that. I gave money to her campaign but I don't like watching her talk. It's like this: people always said that, in person, Lady Bird Johnson was prettier than Jackie Kennedy. Not so in pictures. Many good people I know and many more that I don't know hate Hillary but can't tell you why.
On the other hand, 50+% of the people believe Trump is telling the truth when he is obviously lying. And he was lying most of the time. He lies about the number of stories in his own building: 68 vs 58. He lies about whether, "like a magnet", he goes up and kisses women on the lips, after bragging about doing exactly that. Lies about support for the Iraq invasion when there is more than one audio proving otherwise.
Bottom line is this: Trump had more credibility lying that Clinton had telling the truth.
I took a day off of hating DJT for all he is and all he's done for his entire life, but then I remembered that I also loath all the people around him.
4
Good column Gail, but I don't agree with you or a lot of the other pundits saying Americans voted for "change." Americans kept Republican majorities in the Senate and House, and still have a substantial majority (31 of 50, I think) of governorships and state legislatures. Not much change there.
Easy to say a majority of Americans are not racist, xenophobic, or sexist, but they sure don't mind electing a leader that is. If you vote for a racist to lead you, does that make you racist?
Easy to say a majority of Americans are not racist, xenophobic, or sexist, but they sure don't mind electing a leader that is. If you vote for a racist to lead you, does that make you racist?
4
Hillary is a tragedy, but not of her own making - by the people whom she was surrounded, people in love with her for all of the wrong reasons - many of which were selfish.
A Trump presidency? We need people like Elizabeth Warren more than ever now.
5
So we are replacing Class with Cash. The majority of the US likes that. Please respect reality.
1
I normally find Gail fairly humorous, but not now. No competent human beings will want any part of the Trump administration. We will be faced with Palin, Gingrich, Christie, Giuliani, and other deplorables filling those roles.
3
I remind myself it could have been worse. Two words: Ted Cruz.
2
Thank you Gail. Believe you are on of the few to have mentioned the Trump University fraud trial and the fact that the president-elect is scheduled to take the witness stand. A most interesting state of affairs.
4
Winning the popular vote in only 16 out of 50 states, Hillary Clinton lost this election fair and square.
This was a ridiculously long, bitter and expensive two year election (read: battle).
Most Americans were sick to death of this election months ago and should therefore be ready to accept the clear choice of the electorate and move on.
On the very day after the election, both HRC & Obama gave speeches, acknowledging Trump as the clear winner of this election and urging Americans to come together and to move forward together.
And Trump's victory speech was a promising, even magnanimous one. Although I know your subject is humour, Ms. Collins this column is sophomoric and sour grapes. May I suggest you and your liberal elite friends at the New York Times grow up.
Had the tables been turned, you would be writing about how the country should unite around President-elect Clinton. As usual, the hypocrisy is breathtaking.
The NYTimes should continue down this snarky, divisive, partisan, immature path at its own peril. If you step out of your ivory tower echo chamber Ms. Collins, we have a new President-elect. Mr. Khan may be able to hand you one of his pocket guides to the Constitution. You clearly need to study it.
This was a ridiculously long, bitter and expensive two year election (read: battle).
Most Americans were sick to death of this election months ago and should therefore be ready to accept the clear choice of the electorate and move on.
On the very day after the election, both HRC & Obama gave speeches, acknowledging Trump as the clear winner of this election and urging Americans to come together and to move forward together.
And Trump's victory speech was a promising, even magnanimous one. Although I know your subject is humour, Ms. Collins this column is sophomoric and sour grapes. May I suggest you and your liberal elite friends at the New York Times grow up.
Had the tables been turned, you would be writing about how the country should unite around President-elect Clinton. As usual, the hypocrisy is breathtaking.
The NYTimes should continue down this snarky, divisive, partisan, immature path at its own peril. If you step out of your ivory tower echo chamber Ms. Collins, we have a new President-elect. Mr. Khan may be able to hand you one of his pocket guides to the Constitution. You clearly need to study it.
1
Empty words. There is not silver lining. We are a shameful country.
4
Im excited if he lives up to his promise of tearing up everything. If he does, then lets see what a new American First actually will be, no NAFTA, Trans Pacific, more protection for our workers, less foreign aid.
Doubt he'll do any of that, but he's the first ever to offer more protections to our workers.
Doubt he'll do any of that, but he's the first ever to offer more protections to our workers.
The infantile embarrassment of a man aside what I fear is the policy damage this creep is likely to inflict on the nation and the world.
Will we be going to war with Iran after he scrapes the nuclear agreement?
Will it be all ahead full with coal after he scrapes the Paris accord?
Will Cliven Bundy be the next secretary of the interior?
Will NPR be defunded?
Will Planned Parenthood be put on the terrorist watch list?
Will healthcare once again be handed over to the actuaries, doctors and hospitals?
There is no limit to the destruction this bunch is capable of. Brace yourselves.
Will we be going to war with Iran after he scrapes the nuclear agreement?
Will it be all ahead full with coal after he scrapes the Paris accord?
Will Cliven Bundy be the next secretary of the interior?
Will NPR be defunded?
Will Planned Parenthood be put on the terrorist watch list?
Will healthcare once again be handed over to the actuaries, doctors and hospitals?
There is no limit to the destruction this bunch is capable of. Brace yourselves.
4
Tremendously funny. But if all the "tip offs" start falling in line like dominoes we won't be laughing. Here's to hoping he can curb his so-far lifelong instinct to always seek confrontation.
3
The Cubs winning the World Series has long been seen as a sign of the Apocalypse. I used to think that was funny, and found your column so, but then it ended, I was sober, and Trump is the President.
3
I was born four years after World War II. That means my parents lived through it. Then there was the Korean War. I remember hearing my father wanted to go, but for some reason. he couldn't. The Vietnam War hovered over my teen age years. I got a high number in the draft lottery. I only knew one person who got killed in the war… only three Vets with phychocal difficulty (one suicide and one self mutilation in that group). There were four assassinations (the Kennedy brothers, MLK, Malcom X}…nine if you count the four at Kent State and later, John Lennon. Then Kuwait, Iraq and Afganistan,to name just three. There have been several major disasters, but this list is confined to political type troubles
for my country. I started feeling vaguely sick to my stomach a couple of days ago and am experiencing a general underlying anxiety. I know the cause and am trying to remind myself of the song All Things Must Pass. I, obviously, have livedt hrough some major, shall we say, unsettling times in my life so far. One more,hopefully, won't kill me or anybody else.
for my country. I started feeling vaguely sick to my stomach a couple of days ago and am experiencing a general underlying anxiety. I know the cause and am trying to remind myself of the song All Things Must Pass. I, obviously, have livedt hrough some major, shall we say, unsettling times in my life so far. One more,hopefully, won't kill me or anybody else.
2
It's hard to laugh when one contemplates the future of the Supreme Court.
1
The angry white uneducated insecure males who voted for Trump should be prepared to see their hopes dashed by McConnell, Ryan, Gingrich, Giuliani, Christie, Corker and the like - the very career politicians that the Trump supporters abhorred. Good luck and I hope the media holds their feet to the fire to deliver on a number of outrageous proposals their have promised.
3
I can never respect Donald Trump. I simply cannot forget all the horrible things he's said and done. He's mean spirited and divisive. I believe he is a threat to our national security. There's lots of anxiety to go around in our country and throughout the world. Frankly, I not so sure DT truly wanted the job. He likes the fight, and to win, but loses interest. God knows who he'll appoint, but no doubt he'll be no more than a puppet, a hands off kind of guy. Isn't that the way he's managed his business affairs. He loves the spotlight, but I don't think he likes the "dirty work" of actually governing.
5
Imagine Trump's first State of the Union address. It'll be a speech every third grader can understand. Adjectives galore! All of them superlative! Tremendous! Wonderful! All my doing!
2
Sorry, but don't homogenize this disaster. Don't patronize us. This is ugly for our nation. Trump in the White House with Gingrich, Christy, Giuliani, and others of their ilk is horrifying. The House and Senate are Republican, and not simply Republican, right-wing Republican. The Supreme Court is about to be slanted far to the right. The press did an awful job all the way through this nightmare. I'm angry, and not apologizing for that anger.
6
Contemplate why the polls, the media, and everyone in America "got surprised". I have warned all of my liberal friends (I am a liberal republican) about a very large wave of despair coming starting back in 2002. Everyone's response was "Al that is just the midwest it doesn't matter".
I told them, when all you have is support for the military, the police, and religion, and then you have society as perpetuated by the media tell the story that they are backward, stupid, out-of-times, when all they want to do is have a family be in a community but there is no jobs and then Washington tacks on taxes (ACA is the lastest) and provide zero benefits. You check out.
The reports through the election and through the riots that are happening, will just enforce they are right. This is a common statement that will happen but not to your ears will it be heard. Wow must be nice to have the time to not work, multiple low paying jobs . Easy for someone to destroy what someone else builds
For a good part of a decade folks like me try to work through with them, and help tamp it down, but the unending stream from 24/7 media just overwhelm what few of us there are. Now you have what you have.
Women from rural area I know see Hillary as a weak woman who lets her man abuse and push her around, and they state why would they want that leading a country. Men see her as a easy pushover.
Be mad for those in the DNC, at the DNC for leaving you 100% blind to the pain of rural communities.
I told them, when all you have is support for the military, the police, and religion, and then you have society as perpetuated by the media tell the story that they are backward, stupid, out-of-times, when all they want to do is have a family be in a community but there is no jobs and then Washington tacks on taxes (ACA is the lastest) and provide zero benefits. You check out.
The reports through the election and through the riots that are happening, will just enforce they are right. This is a common statement that will happen but not to your ears will it be heard. Wow must be nice to have the time to not work, multiple low paying jobs . Easy for someone to destroy what someone else builds
For a good part of a decade folks like me try to work through with them, and help tamp it down, but the unending stream from 24/7 media just overwhelm what few of us there are. Now you have what you have.
Women from rural area I know see Hillary as a weak woman who lets her man abuse and push her around, and they state why would they want that leading a country. Men see her as a easy pushover.
Be mad for those in the DNC, at the DNC for leaving you 100% blind to the pain of rural communities.
1
I live in the great non-state of the District of Columbia where 93% voted against Trump. We have a woman as head of government. We're gonna build a wall.
3
Alcohol and Legalized Marijuana is probably not going to cut it anymore. Something tells me I'm gonna some of that dopey stuff Bill Cosby kept giving out. I'm going to need to blank for next 4 years (or god forbid, for the next 8 years). Or maybe cryogenic stasis to the rescue. Make America Amnesiac Again.
You and your colleagues have reminded us daily for a year of how terrible President-Elect Trump is and as they say: "How did that work out for you?" Could it possibly be that the sanctimonious and endlessly negative columns have failed to persuade those who would have tipped the electoral voting to Clinton? Perhaps it contributed to his election that now causes thousands of demonstrators to claim that he is illegitimate. Yes, they have the right to demonstrate, but surely unless they advocate anarchy, should respect the will of the voters.
Your newspaper would contribute to the well being of Americans if it informed readers of the possible legislative initiatives and policies rather than engage in personality assassination despite the easy targets. Only a couple of days ago the people now in line for the most important positions were widely regarded as absurdly unlikely to hold powerful positions in government again. Remain vigilant about their decisions, but do not assume that everything that a Trump administration does will hurt the majority of Americans including those demonstrating against him now or our country's ideals.
Maybe you will get your wish at the silver lining trial you mention at the end of your column. It will certainly help you drive revenue for the NYT.
Your newspaper would contribute to the well being of Americans if it informed readers of the possible legislative initiatives and policies rather than engage in personality assassination despite the easy targets. Only a couple of days ago the people now in line for the most important positions were widely regarded as absurdly unlikely to hold powerful positions in government again. Remain vigilant about their decisions, but do not assume that everything that a Trump administration does will hurt the majority of Americans including those demonstrating against him now or our country's ideals.
Maybe you will get your wish at the silver lining trial you mention at the end of your column. It will certainly help you drive revenue for the NYT.
1
I take solace in the fact that I know all we have to do is sit back watch him screw things up. He'll fail like one of his casinos, his university, his steak enterprise, or his condos and in four years a Democrat will have to come in and clean up the mess just like Obama had to clean up the mess left behind by the last Republican in the White house.
I for one, am channeling my anger, resentment, and despair into action to do exactly what the Republicans did. Redistrict voting districts and take control of the electoral collage. We have four years, so let's get to work.
Funny too how Republicans want Trump to "Drain the swamp" but the swamp has been controlled by republicans for the last 12 years (Senate, House, Supreme Court). We'll see how that goes.
I for one, am channeling my anger, resentment, and despair into action to do exactly what the Republicans did. Redistrict voting districts and take control of the electoral collage. We have four years, so let's get to work.
Funny too how Republicans want Trump to "Drain the swamp" but the swamp has been controlled by republicans for the last 12 years (Senate, House, Supreme Court). We'll see how that goes.
5
In my despair, I should have realized that Gail Collins could shine a bit of light into the darkness. Thank you. May we all hope together that the better angels of your vision take flight.
The scariest part of your brilliant column is the "we're keeping a list" quote. The one constant in Trump's narcissistic wanderings is a determination to crush his enemies, to extract revenge, to prove that he is the winner and you are the loser. That seems to occupy his attention longer than its usual 15-minute span. If he does that as President, if it is clear that if you oppose him you will be crushed -- and that people are clearly crushed -- then there is a real possibility of serious disaster. It conjures up not just political opposition, but also, say the police unions that backed him now having more power than the police chiefs and urban mayors who did not, as well as unleashing the alt-right and other disgusting elements of his supporters. If that vision comes true, then January 20, 2017 could be the United States' equivalent of January 30, 1933 in Germany. I am not often given to such hyperbole but I really think we must be on guard.
The scariest part of your brilliant column is the "we're keeping a list" quote. The one constant in Trump's narcissistic wanderings is a determination to crush his enemies, to extract revenge, to prove that he is the winner and you are the loser. That seems to occupy his attention longer than its usual 15-minute span. If he does that as President, if it is clear that if you oppose him you will be crushed -- and that people are clearly crushed -- then there is a real possibility of serious disaster. It conjures up not just political opposition, but also, say the police unions that backed him now having more power than the police chiefs and urban mayors who did not, as well as unleashing the alt-right and other disgusting elements of his supporters. If that vision comes true, then January 20, 2017 could be the United States' equivalent of January 30, 1933 in Germany. I am not often given to such hyperbole but I really think we must be on guard.
4
Heard yesterday of a friend's (reasonable, educated, Trump-shocked) Army officer son who after Tuesday decided to leave the Army. Having to salute President Trump, and possibly go to war for him, was more than he could bear. This worries me. When the Armed Forces have no respect for the Commander in Chief no good can come from this.
Note to the President-Elect; You probably don't know more than the generals.
Note to the President-Elect; You probably don't know more than the generals.
5
The Trump University fraud trial tapes are going to be the most popular U-Tube replays of all time.
3
The Russian intelligence services now have a mole sitting in the Oval Office. This is an existential threat to the national security of the United States. There is no way of adjusting to a man who publicly sides with the Russian dictator Little Putin. Let´s get Trump indicted on fraud (Trump University has not gone away) and impeach him ASAP before Little Putin moves in to the residential apartments at the White House.
3
I had 3 teenagers in 80's rather then feed them the pablum of there will always be jobs just get high school education. I worked 6-7 days a week to put all three through college . I co signed loans used my 401k and all my resources so my children would be prepared for future .
The trump followers , spent their time in bars, chasing women , not doing the parenting required . Not thinking and watching current events to realize their livelihoods would be gone and not available to their children . Like now they were too selfish only worried about themselves .
Now they think trump is going to bring back 1880's job's , coal miner , factory worker . They are as stupid now as they were in 1980's .
The trump followers , spent their time in bars, chasing women , not doing the parenting required . Not thinking and watching current events to realize their livelihoods would be gone and not available to their children . Like now they were too selfish only worried about themselves .
Now they think trump is going to bring back 1880's job's , coal miner , factory worker . They are as stupid now as they were in 1980's .
2
And keep Republicans and Trump supporters accountable for what this person does as a president. They got their wish, and even if they are one of those Republicans who did not support Trump, they were willing participants in the feeding of the beast that has spawned the Trump era. Every single misguided, mean and outright wrong thing this man will do, is on you, Republicans and supporters so next time an even stronger hurricane hits Florida thanks to the increase of climate change, do not even think about crying on t.v. asking for help from FEMA which very likely not be there. Time for blue states to let those red states enjoy the kind of "country" they have been yearning for so long .. third world.
4
For my mental health, I'm engaging in shunning. Hereafter, if I do no allow this madman into my consciousness, he does not exist.
5
I awoke this morning after a good night's sleep, with visions of a zoombie apocalypse, with a line of demented old white men, just out of a steaming swamp, lurching and lurking towards us. A sort of Cocoon redux, but with all the old rejected, failure, extremist politicians of yesteryear come back for revenge.
2
This looks more and more like the transition from Marcus Aurelius to Commodus, a gladiatorial entertainer who thought of himself as a re-incarnation of Hercules
1
Hillary is a tragedy, but not of her own making. She was loved and surrounded by a people who loved her, but far too many for their own selfish reasons. (Probably the reason behind Hillary's percieved paranoia.). Rather than this being a time for self reflection on their part, for going forward, the comments suggest they are doubling down. Ugh!
So now that he is president, we still don't get to see his taxes to show us what an amazing business man he is or that he cheated on his taxes therefore has committed a federal crime and should be impeached.
What about the trial regarding Trump University? Somehow these factors have drifted out of the media's limelight. Trump smartly waited attention to these matters out. Smart for a business man but not supposed to be a quality of our president?
So NYT's get on the stick and keep those areas in the media, that is what those of us who did not support him want to know.
What about the trial regarding Trump University? Somehow these factors have drifted out of the media's limelight. Trump smartly waited attention to these matters out. Smart for a business man but not supposed to be a quality of our president?
So NYT's get on the stick and keep those areas in the media, that is what those of us who did not support him want to know.
2
The quote from Faulkner's story "Short" is not "They killed us but they ain’t whooped us yet." It is ‘They Kilt Us but They Ain’t Whupped Us Yit’. It makes a big difference. We are just in an unfamiliar garb. Looking at what's happening around the nation, we are anything but dead. And there is more reason to be alive and awake. There is more reason to keep hope alive.
When the pendulum swings so far one way it is only natural that it swings just as far the other way. For a lot of the uneducated, white ,males a youngish, black president wasn't what they had envisioned especially when they weren't breaking any records for success themselves. They also resented having the Gays,etc. constantly in the news, on TV shows, everywhere seeming too have better, more interesting lives than they and their families. Strong powerful females (ie:oprah, ellen, Michelle etc.) with their own money--lots and lots of money--were and are an anathema to these weak, powerless males. Laws and social norms were changing too damn fast for these boys. Trump agreed with their unfair view of this new world, he used the ignorant ,racist, ungentlemanly language of these denizens of the uncouth, he-man group. All of this does not bode well for america. One can only hope the donald in chief isn't as bad as advertised.
1
How is it that virtually every newspaper in America endorsed Hillary but she didn't win? Electoral college aside, how is that possible? My theory is that what the media did was run the Benghazi and email story into the ground. Then with a convenient push from Comey, we now have Trump as Pres-elect. And think about this. Not one question on climate change the entire election on TV.
The news outlets of all stripes are failing us. When an orange man can triumph because he was guided by Bannon, Ailes, et al...what other conclusion can be reached? The media was great at undermining Clinton at every turn. It is quite disturbing.
And an administration with Christie, Gingrich, Guiliani, Bolton...well that is enough to make one completely despondent.
The news outlets of all stripes are failing us. When an orange man can triumph because he was guided by Bannon, Ailes, et al...what other conclusion can be reached? The media was great at undermining Clinton at every turn. It is quite disturbing.
And an administration with Christie, Gingrich, Guiliani, Bolton...well that is enough to make one completely despondent.
6
I have a plan for surviving the next four years:
1. Not my President. President-elect Grab Em will never be my President. No, this isn’t the same as the people who refused to accept Obama and said he was born in Kenya. Those people objected to how President Obama looked. My objection is to what the President-elect has said and done. OK, the President-elect does look like a Cheeto with a comb over, but that’s not the basis for my refusal to accept a racist, misogynist, xenophobic, Racketeering fraud, compulsive liar as my President.
2. Check Out: Sorry, NPR, but we’ll be BFFs again when it’s time for President Michelle in 2020. For now I’ve ordered my Susan Boyle and James Taylor CDs and I’m done with the news. When AG Christie, Sec. of Education Palin, Sec. of State Newt, Supreme Court Justice Ann Coulter, and HUDD Sec. David Duke are sworn in, I don’t want to know.
3. Citizenship. President Grab Em will do everything to destroy the environment because the people who elected them hate science or want to shoot spotted owls or whatever. I’m going to find a way to do more. I’m already a vegetarian, and I argued for recycling at Budget Town Hall Meetings in my City, but I am going to think of what more I can do personally. The people who voted for the President-elect have shattered my faith in my country, but not my desire to be a good citizen.
1. Not my President. President-elect Grab Em will never be my President. No, this isn’t the same as the people who refused to accept Obama and said he was born in Kenya. Those people objected to how President Obama looked. My objection is to what the President-elect has said and done. OK, the President-elect does look like a Cheeto with a comb over, but that’s not the basis for my refusal to accept a racist, misogynist, xenophobic, Racketeering fraud, compulsive liar as my President.
2. Check Out: Sorry, NPR, but we’ll be BFFs again when it’s time for President Michelle in 2020. For now I’ve ordered my Susan Boyle and James Taylor CDs and I’m done with the news. When AG Christie, Sec. of Education Palin, Sec. of State Newt, Supreme Court Justice Ann Coulter, and HUDD Sec. David Duke are sworn in, I don’t want to know.
3. Citizenship. President Grab Em will do everything to destroy the environment because the people who elected them hate science or want to shoot spotted owls or whatever. I’m going to find a way to do more. I’m already a vegetarian, and I argued for recycling at Budget Town Hall Meetings in my City, but I am going to think of what more I can do personally. The people who voted for the President-elect have shattered my faith in my country, but not my desire to be a good citizen.
10
I'm seeing lots of talk and lots of gatherings, but I really want to DO something. We need to strike down the discriminatory laws that keep people from voting in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and other states (not coincidentally, the states that swung for the Republicans). Marching is a great start, as is donating money to Planned Parenthood and other organizations, but what do we DO?
3
As crazy as this is gonna sound, I think the Trump administration is going to give rise to some of the best political satire and art in other mediums to come out of this still-young country of ours. And hey, this country survived the Civil War, two World Wars, and...you know all the other tests...he's just one guy. True, he'll have a team of supporters I'd rather not try to describe - though the "D" word is as good as any. But our side has some pretty good, smart, creative, and strong-willed people on it, too. This is not the time to sit around and whine. It's the time to get to work and push the pendulum back in the other direction - whether through politics or, in my preferred medium, dissident art. Progress isn't a straight path. Nobody said things were always gonna go our way. The campaign slogan of "We're Stronger Together" is still a possibility. It's time to regroup. New leaders will emerge. Let's get with them.
When I was a lot younger and maybe dumber than I am now, I used to box. Now, thirty-five years later, for at least part of every day I'm in pain from having been punched (and maybe in a strange karmic way from having punched other people - which I now regret). But in another way it was good to have felt that pain and realized that we can come back after we've been hurt. It's time to take a standing eight-count, wait until the room stops spinning, and get back out there.
When I was a lot younger and maybe dumber than I am now, I used to box. Now, thirty-five years later, for at least part of every day I'm in pain from having been punched (and maybe in a strange karmic way from having punched other people - which I now regret). But in another way it was good to have felt that pain and realized that we can come back after we've been hurt. It's time to take a standing eight-count, wait until the room stops spinning, and get back out there.
4
It will also be entertaining to hear his rationalization when he demands an OK from congress for a bail-out of his failing casinos.
1
Here in the suburbs and exurbs of H-Town, it's quiet, but you hear the whispers, you see the smug looks, the churches are full. These reticent Trump voters won't get in your face doing victory laps, they'll just go about their business. However, they are pleased. With Trump? Not necessarily. They're pleased because it's not yet time for
the "Browning of America". Soon, perhaps, but not now. So, they voted early pulling straight party levers and went back to work, or to watch their kids play soccer, or to a family meal at Chick Filet. Most are not worried about what comes now. They expect things to change. The voting lever they pulled confidently assured them of a new direction. So, they accept what ever it is that may come about. And they permanently subdued HRC.
the "Browning of America". Soon, perhaps, but not now. So, they voted early pulling straight party levers and went back to work, or to watch their kids play soccer, or to a family meal at Chick Filet. Most are not worried about what comes now. They expect things to change. The voting lever they pulled confidently assured them of a new direction. So, they accept what ever it is that may come about. And they permanently subdued HRC.
3
A tip Ms. Collins left out: Vote mid-term elections. The folks that came out to vote Trump in are the very same people who vote mid-term elections.
6
And gee, I was hoping to get some sleep the next four years. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time. One day at a time. One eye open at all times.
2
Gail, you have clarified with biting not really light-hearted words many of my thoughts and feelings that range from rage to sorrow to fear to despondency to disbelief....and because all those just contaminate my brain, onward to resolve...shaky resolve at this point because I don't know what's going to happen. Am I naive and idealistic in this resolve to do whatever little bit I can to show inclusiveness and hope? Nope. This country was built on inclusiveness, hope and resolve.President Obama and Hillary Clinton are modeling, however painful for them, what we need to do: adhere to established transfer of power, nice on the surface, working hard to block this dangerous soulless idiot in every possible way. And all his selfish narrow minded minions. They are not US!
1
I'm not as surprised by the election of Trump as I might have been, what with the fractured Democratic party vilifying HRC in the many months running up to the nomination. She was branded by her Democrat-come-lately opponent as untrustworthy, lacking judgment, and a puppet of the super rich.
For the first time I feel the Bern and it's coming from that devil soon to be the POTUS.
For the first time I feel the Bern and it's coming from that devil soon to be the POTUS.
Very funny. We are looking at 1933 Germany and the rise of an ignorant, self-referential, vindictive, bigoted blowhard with his finger on the button and the backing of atavistic nativists. Hitler seemed like a buffoon at first.... Now is the time for the highest degree of vigilance and political resistance. Hope is irrelevant. Humor is futile. Watch out, lest we be absorbed.
1
Thank you, Gail Collins. I had no plans to stop inhaling the stench of Tuesday night's election, taking family and friends down with me. Your piece has given us the practicality of accepting the things we cannot change and changing the things we can in 2020. One day at a time!
As long as we're in the age of bubbles and echo chambers or at the least those terms are in the colloquial lexicon, from my bubble to NYC, thanks for Trump.
Regarding Ms. Collins' point #2 how Trump is different in public than private.
I remember the story about Mike Mansfield when he ran for Senate from Montana and Joe McCarthy, then at the height of his powers, campaigned there for Mansfield opponent and calling Mansfield a communist sympathizer. After Mansfield was elected and was standing on the floor of the Senate, McCarthy came over to him like he was his closest friend, put his arm around Mansfield's shoulder and said "How are things in Montana, Mike."
These people who appeal to bigotry and hatred don't seem to have any idea of the destruction their words can cause and don't seem to believe they are to be taken seriously.
Oh, and Hitler was reported to be a wonderful guy in private gatherings.
I remember the story about Mike Mansfield when he ran for Senate from Montana and Joe McCarthy, then at the height of his powers, campaigned there for Mansfield opponent and calling Mansfield a communist sympathizer. After Mansfield was elected and was standing on the floor of the Senate, McCarthy came over to him like he was his closest friend, put his arm around Mansfield's shoulder and said "How are things in Montana, Mike."
These people who appeal to bigotry and hatred don't seem to have any idea of the destruction their words can cause and don't seem to believe they are to be taken seriously.
Oh, and Hitler was reported to be a wonderful guy in private gatherings.
Gail,
Thank you for the list. My mistake was skipping number 1. I was planning to celebrate the election of the first female president (something I dreamed of being when I was age 9) by drinking champagne.
And Julia Moskin has a great recipe for Macaroni and Cheese in the New York Times recipe section.
We can only hope that those who wished for the success of an orange cheeto have buyers remorse by November, 2020.
Best,
Marla
Thank you for the list. My mistake was skipping number 1. I was planning to celebrate the election of the first female president (something I dreamed of being when I was age 9) by drinking champagne.
And Julia Moskin has a great recipe for Macaroni and Cheese in the New York Times recipe section.
We can only hope that those who wished for the success of an orange cheeto have buyers remorse by November, 2020.
Best,
Marla
1
I'm gonna deal with a Trump presidency by blaming every single thing that goes wrong in my life - and the world in general - on Trump.
I'm gonna make jokes about how Donald Trump can't wait to help average struggling Americans by ending inheritance taxes for families worth over 10 million bucks.
I'm gonna be belligerent about Donald Trump's policies every chance I get and all but dare people to call me out.
I'm gonna remember every single person who had a Trump sign in their yard or Trump bumper sticker on their car or told me they planned to vote for Trump, and then excise them from my life to the greatest degree I can.
It's a lot to do, but I blame our new president for the need to do it. Thanks, Trump!
I'm gonna make jokes about how Donald Trump can't wait to help average struggling Americans by ending inheritance taxes for families worth over 10 million bucks.
I'm gonna be belligerent about Donald Trump's policies every chance I get and all but dare people to call me out.
I'm gonna remember every single person who had a Trump sign in their yard or Trump bumper sticker on their car or told me they planned to vote for Trump, and then excise them from my life to the greatest degree I can.
It's a lot to do, but I blame our new president for the need to do it. Thanks, Trump!
No second chances. Not my oresident. No silver lining.
1
Ah, if only it were true that keeping an enemies list had nothing to do with the presidency. Remember Nixon.
It's difficult to find any humor in this time. My eyes are swollen from crying. I keep remembering the quote from "Night", when a fellow Auschwitz inmate said to Eli Weisel that he no longer believed in God, but he believed in Adolph Hitler because God had broken all his promises, but Hitler had kept every one of his. I believe that Trump will keep every one of his promises and I am terrified.
Before the election results, it was easy and therapeutic to laugh. Now I don't find it funny at all .
Oh, Gail, I have real and actual mental health problems, so I did not find your humor today very comforting.
Except for that last line.
Except for that last line.
1
After a wooly week what a breath of fresh air-fist bumps dog face woman!
One BIG reason Trump won was a repudiation of whiny doofuses who need "safe spaces" when things don't go their way (like most of the commenters to this article). The groupthink of the urban, effete crowd is anathema to the gigantic blob of red covering the electoral map. That blob of red swept Trump into office.
1
I look at the sheer strength of will and Hillary's graciousness after losing and I have to shake my head out of the sadness and fear. If we give up we are surely lost.
The real battle now will be at the local level to overcome the hole the GOP has put our democracy in. Witness the gloating from Ryan and McConnell and you can understand the depths of their depravity as they team with Herr Trump to undermine Obama's accomplishments. Will 20 million US citizens lose their access to health care? Will Sarah Palin be on Trump's cabinet? How about twiddle dee and twiddle dumber?
We have a lot to look forward to as they bumble their way to infamy. Just hope someone can keep his finger off of the button.
Mid Terms are looming as critical juncture for saving our democracy.
The real battle now will be at the local level to overcome the hole the GOP has put our democracy in. Witness the gloating from Ryan and McConnell and you can understand the depths of their depravity as they team with Herr Trump to undermine Obama's accomplishments. Will 20 million US citizens lose their access to health care? Will Sarah Palin be on Trump's cabinet? How about twiddle dee and twiddle dumber?
We have a lot to look forward to as they bumble their way to infamy. Just hope someone can keep his finger off of the button.
Mid Terms are looming as critical juncture for saving our democracy.
2
Thank you Gail, Promise, promise promise you will keep at it for the next four years - we need you.
Gail ! Brilliant piece. Thanks.
But the last line - the suggestion that he might need to go to jail before he goes to the White House ..... while it sounds attractive, one must look at the possibility of President Pence. This social regressive actually believes what he says. A Pence presidency is way more frightening.
But the last line - the suggestion that he might need to go to jail before he goes to the White House ..... while it sounds attractive, one must look at the possibility of President Pence. This social regressive actually believes what he says. A Pence presidency is way more frightening.
Never adjust.
I guess it'll take more than the election of a little fascist to shake the NYT's belief that things are basically OK with American democracy ...
1
The worst thing about it is I can't stand looking at him.
4
Trump has provided the very best reason to eliminate the Electoral College.
1
Gail, as usual your piece takes on an arrogant, condescending tone that defines the NYT. So sad that this once great newspaper could not prevent its op ed positions from oozing onto the front pages, a place where I used to get real news. For the record I thought that the NYT daily projection of who was going to win the presidency was laughable. And the fact that the meter went from 90% chance Hillary to 90% Trump in a matter of a few hours simply tells the tale.
2
I've always appreciated your humor Ms. Collins, but here it seems misplaced. It is not just the person who won the Presidency (which in itself is bad enough - make no doubt about it, absolutely NOTHING he has promised his base of support will materialize and those well off will become more so), but when I see the names being floated for the next Cabinet, the despondence I am feeling doubles down.
11) Relocate to any other place outside the US.
2
The pundits were all quick to say,
That the 8th would be Hillary's day.
But home on the range,
People voted for change.
Now the deer and the country must pray.
That the 8th would be Hillary's day.
But home on the range,
People voted for change.
Now the deer and the country must pray.
11
I made it through the hell of the Bush-Cheney fiasco and I will make it through the next four years of the Groper-in-Chief. Now lets see how the Republicans will govern as they control the 3 branches of the Federal Government.
A few other suggests how to get through this mess that is working for me:
1) Stop reading news articles that analyze how and why Clinton lost.
2) Stop reading news articles from Republican hacks that praise Trump.
3) Stop watching the News channels on cable TV.
4) Mute the audio on local TV stations when they start talking about politics
5) Use your DVR to record as many old episodes of TV shows that you never watched before, but all of sudden sound much more interesting.
6) Listen to classical music (for relaxing) or Hard Rock (for releasing angry) in your car.
However, I must admit that I am having a hard time ridding my mind of having to deal with thought of seeing the sneering Troll, Rudy Giulliani, and the nasty Ogre, Newt Gingrich, occupying cabinet positions.
A few other suggests how to get through this mess that is working for me:
1) Stop reading news articles that analyze how and why Clinton lost.
2) Stop reading news articles from Republican hacks that praise Trump.
3) Stop watching the News channels on cable TV.
4) Mute the audio on local TV stations when they start talking about politics
5) Use your DVR to record as many old episodes of TV shows that you never watched before, but all of sudden sound much more interesting.
6) Listen to classical music (for relaxing) or Hard Rock (for releasing angry) in your car.
However, I must admit that I am having a hard time ridding my mind of having to deal with thought of seeing the sneering Troll, Rudy Giulliani, and the nasty Ogre, Newt Gingrich, occupying cabinet positions.
2
Another adjustment step threatened by the liberal elite - Move to Canada.
It is curious none of those diversity-loving liberals who threatened to move out of the USA never thought of moving to Mexico.
Scratch any liberal elite and chances are you will find a deplorable like the rest of us.
It is curious none of those diversity-loving liberals who threatened to move out of the USA never thought of moving to Mexico.
Scratch any liberal elite and chances are you will find a deplorable like the rest of us.
Add to the list the total destruction of the GOP. Yes, doesn't look good now, but, figure in a populace who loses their health insurance, experiences a recession, sees gas prices increase, has a son or daughter deployed in a new war in country Trump could not find on a map, and one of his cabinet members closes down O'Hare, LaGuardia, and LAX to teach some blue states a lesson. The Republicans just can't wait to strut their stuff, but that stuff has the potential to wake up a sleeping citizen giant.
1
11) We'll finally see Trump's tax returns. Or maybe not, because he doesn't keep promises. There are lots of people who took reduced payments for work because he wouldn't pay what they billed.
3
At least in Trump we have a lever we never had before in politics: we can pressure the brand at the retail level until he does what we want.
2
Ii suppose that injecting some humor into this HUGE mess is what we need to do in order to keep our sanity - because I keep having these 'insight' light bulbs going off above my head, like a cartoon character, each one representing a dire consequence of a Trump (dare I say it?) presidency. Then I start to shake and cry. But in all fairness, I'm still nursing a hangover from suggestion number 1.
2
Trump is not an ideologue. He is a blank slate that just wants to be rich and famous. However, most of his supporters are very dangerous. If people like the Breitbart bunch, or the alt-right people wind up with a lot of influence, we and the world are going to be in for a rough ride.
6
Without Bush/Satan, er, Cheney, we wouldn't have had Obama.
Who knows? With a one-term Trump, we might get, well, another Obama.
Remember though, we'd all have to work for her and make certain every one of us votes!
And please vote in every election. Every two years all of the House and one-third of the Senate is up for re-election. I could get excited about turning Congress from majority Republican to Democratic, in only two years.
Who knows? With a one-term Trump, we might get, well, another Obama.
Remember though, we'd all have to work for her and make certain every one of us votes!
And please vote in every election. Every two years all of the House and one-third of the Senate is up for re-election. I could get excited about turning Congress from majority Republican to Democratic, in only two years.
5
I am one of those who was neither excited about Hillary nor trump. Neutral. I have spend past 2 days: counseling people surrounding me, spouse, kids, neighbors, friends, their kids and relatives far far away. It kind of feels strange not to have any strong emotions at all. No anger no frustration or blame, no numbness or indifference, no agitation or grief...as I watch people around me react and rationalize and relapse...all I feel is equanimity. Contentment.
1
I do not disagree with this article - but the biggest hurdle I find I have is that he lied about so much so frequently, just outright lied, there is no other way to put it, and that did not prevent his being elected.
3
I for one believe these snarky attempts at political humor have run their course. It's time to get serious about our current predicament, so I hopoe The Times will quit wasting good opinion-editorial space on this mostly boring, far-removed ivory tower chatter.
1
When I was a Hippie, you knew who was a Republican by the way they dressed, especially if they had a crew cut. They knew who we were too, especially if they were Chicago cops. Nowadays, it’s not so easy. With so many people wearing black t-shirts, jeans, tattoos and multiple piercings, it’s hard to tell who are bikers, hipsters, wanna-be-cool teens, and especially, who are Republicans.
Before November 8, I thought there were about 20% of Americans I should avoid. After November 8, I saw how wrong I was. It’s almost half of American voters I should be wary of, because that’s how many voted for Donald Trump.
I need to develop a keen sense of detection to protect myself. I need this if I drive through Indiana (or any state), or I’m talking to someone I don’t know (or thought I knew). Lurking out there are 59,535,522 American who pledged allegiance to a person who encourages and embraces racism.
That’s a lot of people to avoid: I need some sort of tool, wand, litmus test, sensor, chip, or x-ray to tell who is who. I need a Re-Dar (like gay-dar) made to identify Republicans. As soon as I invent it, I should be able to sell it to the other half of America. Everyone who thought we were in this together would want one. Racism would make me rich, the way it has for so many others.
But I probably won’t find a strong market for my Re-Dar wand in the African-American community. I’ve heard they figured out who they can trust, and who they can’t, a long, long time ago.
Before November 8, I thought there were about 20% of Americans I should avoid. After November 8, I saw how wrong I was. It’s almost half of American voters I should be wary of, because that’s how many voted for Donald Trump.
I need to develop a keen sense of detection to protect myself. I need this if I drive through Indiana (or any state), or I’m talking to someone I don’t know (or thought I knew). Lurking out there are 59,535,522 American who pledged allegiance to a person who encourages and embraces racism.
That’s a lot of people to avoid: I need some sort of tool, wand, litmus test, sensor, chip, or x-ray to tell who is who. I need a Re-Dar (like gay-dar) made to identify Republicans. As soon as I invent it, I should be able to sell it to the other half of America. Everyone who thought we were in this together would want one. Racism would make me rich, the way it has for so many others.
But I probably won’t find a strong market for my Re-Dar wand in the African-American community. I’ve heard they figured out who they can trust, and who they can’t, a long, long time ago.
3
I am sorry. I have to take him at face value. A person's words are his coin. The fact that he can be nice at another time doesn't mean anything. I can just imagine the Capitol gutted and Trump taking over dictatorial powers. No matter what Dumb does the jobs are not coming back. The time to have changed that was forty years ago. One cannot change the fact that one no longer needs longshoremen but crane operators. My wife has a second passport and I will be looking for one.
2
People voted for "change" by electing the same people to Congress.
Oh. Ok.
Oh. Ok.
32
It's a different world since 11-9.
1
And step #11 is to stop reading the NY TImes/Tabloid/Enquirer and read more fact than fiction.
1
I'll bet this outcome makes you wish you hadn't trashed Romney so badly, huh, Gail?
1
How sad am I? So sad that even Gail Collins can't make me laugh...
2
This is just the medicine that I needed, and the first time that I've laughed out loud about a situation that is all kinds of wrong. Thank you, Gail Collins for spreading a little humor amongst the gloom.
Thank you for publishing this - while newspapers and anything not made up by Fox and Breitbart are still legal.
You forgot what to answer friends and family overseas when they ask if Americans (and that means you, too) are really that stupid. I've decided the only answer is that they are.
I'm not so sure about staying. This public knowingly voted for a sexual offender and his blame the victim sidekick who doesn't just want to defund planned parenthood, but shut them down, you know, along with denying insurance to 10's of thousands of people. I wouldn't opt to live in another country, e.g. in the middle east, where governments sanction abuse and subjugation of women, so why would I stay here?
You forgot what to answer friends and family overseas when they ask if Americans (and that means you, too) are really that stupid. I've decided the only answer is that they are.
I'm not so sure about staying. This public knowingly voted for a sexual offender and his blame the victim sidekick who doesn't just want to defund planned parenthood, but shut them down, you know, along with denying insurance to 10's of thousands of people. I wouldn't opt to live in another country, e.g. in the middle east, where governments sanction abuse and subjugation of women, so why would I stay here?
1
No more fluffy pieces on this serious subject, please. We need ideas for real action.
2
It is this kind of advise that got Trump elected. It is not OK. Not on any level. Don't try to minimize what this means.
2
While I am personally in wrecked condition, I was able to enjoy and appreciate your column today.
My eye is first on American society...the people who did not vote at all, those who wasted their precious vote on third party people, and most of all, on American citizens who turned away from Democratic campaign work of any kind and put their energy and time and money into something else.
Before the first GOP "debate" last year, I doubt I could've named Trump in a photo, but it was clear right off the bat that evening...his name was Demagogue, and not a bright one of that fearful breed, either. We will pay the price of our nightmare deal.
My eye is first on American society...the people who did not vote at all, those who wasted their precious vote on third party people, and most of all, on American citizens who turned away from Democratic campaign work of any kind and put their energy and time and money into something else.
Before the first GOP "debate" last year, I doubt I could've named Trump in a photo, but it was clear right off the bat that evening...his name was Demagogue, and not a bright one of that fearful breed, either. We will pay the price of our nightmare deal.
1
A few other leading indicators for the Trump Presidency: Will he put his name and gold trim on the White House. Will there be any product placement in the inaugural address? Will his family have staff positions ? Will he try to interfere when prosecutors indict Chris Christie? Will he sue the women who came forward with charges of sexual assault ? Will visiting foreign dignitaries be pressured to stay in his new DC hotel ? Will the Washington Post be allowed at press conferences ? Will there by a special prosecutor for Hilary? And on this last question, could he have come anywhere close to her grace and dignity if he had lost after winning the popular vote ?
4
What's going to prove "impossible" to get over is "backstabbing" aspect of this election, the idea that White folks, the vast-over-whelming majority of them reduced Trump's Klan and Nazi endorsements as irrelevant and meaningless, not important in the larger picture - which is to take back "their" country and make it as White as possible . . . Americans of color now truly do ponder if their White co-workers and neighbors honestly do want to go back to the golden era of "No Blacks/Mexicans/Jews or Asians allowed" and we'll just have to keep wondering because it's clear we can't trust much of anything that comes out of White America's mouth - "they reflect the branding of being racist/sexist/elitist/ or xenophobic, nonetheless they place the devil himself in the Oval Office
1
The first step I took was to decide not to watch cable news/TV news anymore. I started yesterday and it feels good--cleaner, you know.
All the false equivalencies they created for ratings, all the chatter that made a vain, sly, selfish bigot look like he was just 'shaking things up', just another normal 'outsider' candidate; and not an investigative reporter among them, each and every one too afraid to tell the truth. So now this.
All the false equivalencies they created for ratings, all the chatter that made a vain, sly, selfish bigot look like he was just 'shaking things up', just another normal 'outsider' candidate; and not an investigative reporter among them, each and every one too afraid to tell the truth. So now this.
5
Very good. Number one should be 'Own up to the fact that he is your President'. People might consider whether they are still ok with our system; there are bunches with cell phones who have begun to raise a ruckus. The law of karma has not been repealed. Some patience might allow us to arrive at human responses we will feel better about in the long run.
Amazing to see commenters on here making their strong predictions that "Trump will be a disaster". Newsflash - you have NO IDEA what will actually happen. Such much is outside control of the presidency that whovever the actual president is, probably doesn't even matter that much. Everyone just calm down, it will be alright.
We've had bad presidents before, and we survived. Trump will do what Trump is going to do, we need to focus on controlling our own thoughts and mental health.
We've had bad presidents before, and we survived. Trump will do what Trump is going to do, we need to focus on controlling our own thoughts and mental health.
2
Not much help at this point Gail. I felt my blood pressure going up as I read it. Trump is not fit to be President. What you describe as positive is what I see at a lack of core, lack of stability, lack of moral judgement. One partly good thing is that if we keep protesting and turning away from him, he might respond. We might train him in other words. I have no hope though. This is going to be a disaster for us. The Democrats are taking the blame to heart for this. But the Republicans will not. They will just get behind Trump and go with him or push him where they have wanted to go all along. A possible good thing is that whatever trouble Trump was going to cause if he lost, he cannot. He will be subdued by the fact of his office and wanting legitimacy.
2
Gail Collins, I love you.
7
Here are some silver linings.
a) There will not be a nuclear war with Russia. I was frightened by Mrs. Clinton's promise to go "toe to toe" with Putin. "Is she aware that he has 1900 nuclear weapons at the ready?" I thought.
b) We will not have a Supreme Court packed with liberals. It currently already has four liberals. Five would mean that the rest of the country has no representation. That is not good. The Supreme Court ought to be 3-3-3, liberal, conservative, independent.
c) There might be joint US-Russia action to push the Taliban back in Afghanistan and to defeat ISIS.
d) The US will finally give up its toxic friendship with Saudi Arabia, a country which does not want women to drive and which has contributed tens of millions to the Clinton foundation. When the future of Syria was going to be discussed, Mr. Obama insisted that Saudi Arabia be present. WHY? What business is it of Saudi Arabia what happens in Syria?
So several silver linings.
Have a nice day.
a) There will not be a nuclear war with Russia. I was frightened by Mrs. Clinton's promise to go "toe to toe" with Putin. "Is she aware that he has 1900 nuclear weapons at the ready?" I thought.
b) We will not have a Supreme Court packed with liberals. It currently already has four liberals. Five would mean that the rest of the country has no representation. That is not good. The Supreme Court ought to be 3-3-3, liberal, conservative, independent.
c) There might be joint US-Russia action to push the Taliban back in Afghanistan and to defeat ISIS.
d) The US will finally give up its toxic friendship with Saudi Arabia, a country which does not want women to drive and which has contributed tens of millions to the Clinton foundation. When the future of Syria was going to be discussed, Mr. Obama insisted that Saudi Arabia be present. WHY? What business is it of Saudi Arabia what happens in Syria?
So several silver linings.
Have a nice day.
1
Trump told us his VP would be handling Domestic policy.
Mike Pence.
Women especially should not expect anything good.
Mike Pence.
Women especially should not expect anything good.
1
I wonder how many of those who voted for Trump will learn from their mistake.
1
And if your kid is tired of having to choose healthy foods for lunch at school, Trump may pick Texas' own Sid Miller for Agriculture Chief, the guy who used state funds to fly to Oklahoma for something called a "jesus shot". You also may remember him as the guy whose first cause was that children weren't getting enough cupcakes in schools. Citing "freedom and liberty" he announced his first priority as Agriculture chief- lifting a ban on deep fat fried foods and soda machines in schools in a state where 16% of children are obese,
President Obama and Secretary Clinton are showing a lot of grace and class, for the sake of our democracy. But if I were in New York, I’d be adjusting by joining the First Amendment people in front of Trump Tower. (Note to Trump: The First Amendment, which comes before the Second Amendment, concerns freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, the right to peaceably assemble and to petition government for redress of grievances.)
And in my opinion, starting with this column, we are absolutely going to need Gail Collins now more than ever. Thank you, Ms. Collins.
And in my opinion, starting with this column, we are absolutely going to need Gail Collins now more than ever. Thank you, Ms. Collins.
1
I wonder if the Chief Justice Roberts could refuse to swear Trump in on the grounds of common sense.
3
Look on the bright side folks...the next four years (maybe eight) promise to be very "entertaining". And isn't that really what our founders meant by "the pursuit of happiness"?
"if he appoints reasonable and intelligent people to his cabinet"...really?... and what chance of that is there?...and what about the Supreme Court??
2
Looking on the bright side, when all my civil rights have been trampled by the SAME old and I mean OLD Republican white men who will now have all the power, I can move to a state where I can legally smoke a lot of pot and then kill my self.
1
Oh, Gail - You are a treasure. However, I must tell you that as I sit hear, I have tears streaming down my cheeks. God help us all.
With you, Mr. Stackhouse.
Who would have believed that the Administration that is going to spend the next four years swamped with lawsuits would be the Trump Administration? Probably, anyone who has followed Trump's career over the past forty years.
2
I've never prayed so hard that Check and Balances work in the US. That's what I cling to nowadays.
The only advisers Herr Trump will listen to are the nasties, the stupids, the fascists. So doesn't matter anyway - he never takes advice from anyone. Best practical advice: survival gear - he'll bring on nuclear war. With glee. (We really won't want to survive afterwards - so maybe cyanide tablets are the best thing to stock up on.) If he doesn't bring on nuclear war, he'll merely usurp the presidency for life - and the Republicans will give him the 'sieg heil' with the Trump salute.
1
He only won the white vote Gail. Sell #7 somewhere else. No one will ever look at white people or white evangelicals the same way.
What a witty,warm article to wake up to at o'dark-thirty. It was like being given a big hug by someone you love and stating,"It's going to be ok." Thank You.
1
What about some serious advice? Start with encrypt your correspondence. He will now control the the most powerful surveillance apparatus in the world and he has zero respect for civil rights. Use Whatsapp for texting (it's encrypted and free). Use thunderbird for your email (also free and encrypted). Use search engines that protect your data (duckduckgo). Use strong passwords. If you are a journalist or work for civil rights or disagree with this government and you are exposing your privacy, you are now at peril. This country has changed and you have a chance to react.
1
He is Agent Orange. Not Donald, nor Donald J. Trump, nor Mr. Trump, nor Mr. President. He's Agent Irange. And it makes me sick.
1
Where I live I see pickup trucks with the Rebel flag parked in yards of people with Trump Pence yard signs. Not racist?
One yard sign stands on its own. Professionally printed yet.
DIRTY COPS KILLER COPS KEEP OUT.
If not racist then completely nuts.
One yard sign stands on its own. Professionally printed yet.
DIRTY COPS KILLER COPS KEEP OUT.
If not racist then completely nuts.
1
The only silver lining is a knowledge of history that time and again, demonstrates human resilience. People actually survived the Fall of the Roman Empire, the French Revolution, the First and Second Word Wars in Europe, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and other such man-made disasters. Will Trump's regime cause such unrelieved suffering? Of course not, but my point is that people are tough, resourceful, persistent, and very, very resilient. Keep your wits about you, cherish you loved ones, try to remain calm, and remember that the ultimate aphorism of history is "this too shall pass." That has gotten a lot of people through much tougher territory than four years of Trump and his "brilliant and self-effacing" team.
Mitch McConnell's words about the current supreme court vacancy just came back to me. He clearly (if seditiously) said the American PEOPLE should decide who gets to pick the next nominee. And since Hillary is going to win the largest share of votes, shouldn’t she be picking that nominee? She could even choose Merritt Garland, a moderate and widely respected jurist, rather than Scalia’s polar opposite. It would be a fitting, if woefully inadequate, peace offering from the right after foisting Trump on America and the world. It also might, just might, restore some of McConnell’s tattered reputation and prevent massive protests in Washington.
Let's not forget the changes the first lady will bring...I hear the Oval office is getting gold walls, shag carpet and maybe a pole.
Must I be a part of something once known as the "Loyal Opposition"--??? Or can I just be part of the Opposition, Mitch McConnell style?
1
Gail Collins should go away with the Clintons. She was in the tank for the Democratic defeated candidate, who was a neo- Nixon character disliked and not trusted by most of America. Her lack of any objectivity and never seeking to enlighten with her columns render Collins a must to permanently depart the Op-ed pages of an esteemed newspaper.
1
Special Prosocuter!
1
"Forget about moving abroad. Of course it sounds tempting, but you’d be surprised how many countries are unenthusiastic about acquiring new former-American citizens."
Since they do not allow illegal immigration they must be racist.
Since they do not allow illegal immigration they must be racist.
1
I am going with the hope that during the Cabinet setting process, Trump falls into a coma, or decides he wants to go golfing, and they bring in a look-a-like stand-in who turns out to be an effective leader and great guy.
Or the Ghost of Christmas Past visits the oval office and shows him that the afterlife is Hell, filled with women who are 2s, angry contractors and investors he stiffed, and not a bit of gilt on anything unless he sets himself on the good path.
Or, an angel shows him the alternate reality of what the world looked like without him, and it was actually better.
But that is just me. It's morning in America, folks. But there ain't enough coffee to face it.
Or the Ghost of Christmas Past visits the oval office and shows him that the afterlife is Hell, filled with women who are 2s, angry contractors and investors he stiffed, and not a bit of gilt on anything unless he sets himself on the good path.
Or, an angel shows him the alternate reality of what the world looked like without him, and it was actually better.
But that is just me. It's morning in America, folks. But there ain't enough coffee to face it.
I'm tired of the New York Times' humor shtick on the op-ed pages. It's not funny anymore. Get some columnists with insight into America outside the elite media bubble and leave the comedy to the comedians. Get some serious analysis on these pages, instead of all the nonsense, faux conversations, stand-up routines, etc. Time to hit the restart button.
1
Here's another one for the list: Work to get rid of the Electoral College.
1
This is pablum.
The election of Donald Trump, along with a ready and galvanized Republican congress, is not a laughing matter.
Would it ding your career to write a serious analysis, based on your long experience as a journalist?
Because comedy just ain't cutting it today. The situation is not funny.
The election of Donald Trump, along with a ready and galvanized Republican congress, is not a laughing matter.
Would it ding your career to write a serious analysis, based on your long experience as a journalist?
Because comedy just ain't cutting it today. The situation is not funny.
1
Thanks for reminding me of Cubs win, now doubly depressed. Go Tribe!
1
So okay, they let the American people decide who should fill that Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Scalia. As it happens, by a slim margin the American people cast their votes for Hillary Clinton. That ain't what they got, but it's what they voted for.
you lost me at #7.Sorry, but the racism in Trump's campaign STARTED with his rhetoric and was solidified with his alt-right campaign manager. The deplorables at his rallies were the result of that. Anyone who chose to ignore these facts voted for regression in America's tragic history in race race relations. Maybe as white people you and I can feel comfortable confusing good intentions with disastrous actions. But please read the column by your colleague Charles Blow.
Wow. Ms. Collins appears unable to acknowledge the most obvious revelation of election night. That she, and the newspaper that she works for, are irrelevant. No one is listening. The great irony is that if Mrs. Clinton had displayed any of the warmth and humility of her concession speech during the campaign she would be president-elect today. Ms. Collins and the NYT would do well to learn from that.
"We’ve got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan. A dimwitted, meanspirited spawn embodying the nation’s worst flaws, failings and nightmares."
Well, here's the thing. A slightly modified version of these disgraceful, dispiriting words could have been used by the half of America who vehemently opposed Obama's election. Perhaps you can put yourself in their shoes now and have a bit of empathy for those who feel disenfranchised by an election. Because the fact that you believe you're on the side of right don't make your words better, and it don't make it so. Though the concept may be abhorrent to you, the truth is there's nothing intrinsically "better" about a black Harvard Law grad than a white NYT columnist than a white real estate developer than a brown trans uber driver, although you like to believe there is. They're just people, flawed in different ways, like every human and every president ever has been. Imagine the liberal backlash if your words had been written about Obama. The handwringing, the cries of racism, the demand for public apology and finally your likely termination. Because it's Trump it won't happen, but it should. Your words are a disgrace to the NYT
Well, here's the thing. A slightly modified version of these disgraceful, dispiriting words could have been used by the half of America who vehemently opposed Obama's election. Perhaps you can put yourself in their shoes now and have a bit of empathy for those who feel disenfranchised by an election. Because the fact that you believe you're on the side of right don't make your words better, and it don't make it so. Though the concept may be abhorrent to you, the truth is there's nothing intrinsically "better" about a black Harvard Law grad than a white NYT columnist than a white real estate developer than a brown trans uber driver, although you like to believe there is. They're just people, flawed in different ways, like every human and every president ever has been. Imagine the liberal backlash if your words had been written about Obama. The handwringing, the cries of racism, the demand for public apology and finally your likely termination. Because it's Trump it won't happen, but it should. Your words are a disgrace to the NYT
2
These ten ‘adjustments’ are two steps short.
Eleventh might savor that Trump-U torte,
Plus get your beer foamy
With FBI’s Comey
Who scored one for Trump in Electoral sport.
Eleventh might savor that Trump-U torte,
Plus get your beer foamy
With FBI’s Comey
Who scored one for Trump in Electoral sport.
All the mindbots should go on a retreat with no contact with the NYT, MSNBC, and social media for a week.
Joe Arpaio was defeated in Arizona. (Counting blessings.)
Trump won by treating the campaign as a game show where the way to win is say anything to get votes no matter how outrageous a lie. Doesn't matter whether you believe it; if it gets you votes, say it.
Then target groups gullible enough to believe you in states that aren't solidly blue and promise them anything, no matter how ridiculous and insulting.
Racists? Build a wall! Make America White Again!
Men who can't follow a woman? Lock her up! She's nasty.
HS Degree or less? Foreign trade is evil! They're taking our jobs! NAFTA's the worst deal in history! Obamacare is why you aren't a millionaire!
And now that he won the game show, that's over. Now he has to focus on what really can and should be done.
Cynical but practical. Dishonest, but it worked. And we're stuck with him, whether we like it or not.
Let's make the best of it.
Then target groups gullible enough to believe you in states that aren't solidly blue and promise them anything, no matter how ridiculous and insulting.
Racists? Build a wall! Make America White Again!
Men who can't follow a woman? Lock her up! She's nasty.
HS Degree or less? Foreign trade is evil! They're taking our jobs! NAFTA's the worst deal in history! Obamacare is why you aren't a millionaire!
And now that he won the game show, that's over. Now he has to focus on what really can and should be done.
Cynical but practical. Dishonest, but it worked. And we're stuck with him, whether we like it or not.
Let's make the best of it.
3
There is a very large chance he will quit after he realizes he can't just get his way. He will blame everyone else and say - to hell with you losers. He can't really hack the work. He wouldn't even deny that he might do this.
1
If your supporters need mental therapy of any sort to "adjust" to the fact that you lost an election, there's something dangerously wrong with your supporters.
Sadly, if you want a plethora of examples of Liberals Behaving Badly, read Malkin's "Unhinged" as it describes the run-up to and the aftermath of the 2004 re-election of George W. Bush. Liberals demonstrate repeatedly that if you do not agree with them, they turn into emotionally deranged and violent children. If only they'd all moved to Canada like they promised they would.
Sadly, if you want a plethora of examples of Liberals Behaving Badly, read Malkin's "Unhinged" as it describes the run-up to and the aftermath of the 2004 re-election of George W. Bush. Liberals demonstrate repeatedly that if you do not agree with them, they turn into emotionally deranged and violent children. If only they'd all moved to Canada like they promised they would.
2
Too soon.
He is crazy.
I don't even think he wanted the job. He has never worked for anyone but his father and himself.
He is crazy.
I don't even think he wanted the job. He has never worked for anyone but his father and himself.
1
the people who voted trump are not reading this article or the intelligent comments. They are listening to right wing media (RWM), and they are angry and going to get angrier.
We who read the NYT may think we are well informed. But we are not. We are being manipulated. Why? Because it is ignoring a key institution: the RWM. Imagine if NYT did not cover the supreme court, the arts, politics--we'd be pretty amazed by what's happening in America. Just as we are now by Trump being elected.
The closest analogy that I can think of for what is happening in America is Rwanda. how on earth did one tribe rise up one day and slaughter their neighbors of a different tribe? It was a conscious strategy, carried out using talk radio and religious institutions. does that sound familiar?
RWM is successfully dividing us into two tribes, and they are brilliant at manipulating their target audience. No wonder Trump says, "i love the uneducated." He can say anything he wants because he has a machine that turns it into whatever message is needed and the audience flows right along with him.
America is being sliced and diced and our great reporting media is being stupid and willful in not covering this massive movement in the USA. NYT/WAPO/NPR etc: you need to be reporting on what Limbaugh is saying, what his listeners are believing, and whose agenda is being served, as if it were the arts or the supreme court.
We who read the NYT may think we are well informed. But we are not. We are being manipulated. Why? Because it is ignoring a key institution: the RWM. Imagine if NYT did not cover the supreme court, the arts, politics--we'd be pretty amazed by what's happening in America. Just as we are now by Trump being elected.
The closest analogy that I can think of for what is happening in America is Rwanda. how on earth did one tribe rise up one day and slaughter their neighbors of a different tribe? It was a conscious strategy, carried out using talk radio and religious institutions. does that sound familiar?
RWM is successfully dividing us into two tribes, and they are brilliant at manipulating their target audience. No wonder Trump says, "i love the uneducated." He can say anything he wants because he has a machine that turns it into whatever message is needed and the audience flows right along with him.
America is being sliced and diced and our great reporting media is being stupid and willful in not covering this massive movement in the USA. NYT/WAPO/NPR etc: you need to be reporting on what Limbaugh is saying, what his listeners are believing, and whose agenda is being served, as if it were the arts or the supreme court.
2
I don't knows how you can take this so lightly. This is Germany 1932!!!
2
I know this has been said several times in this comment section, but I am compelled by this: last night, I saw Paul Ryan state that Donald Trump had received a "mandate" . Just how does someone who gets fewer popular votes than his opponent claim a mandate ? Maybe Ryan is thinking of another kind of man date.
Our only hope is that Trump said what he needed to in order to win an election, and that he will look at HealthCare, Free Trade, etc., and say, "Good ideas, but why are they hurting a lot of us?" and then realize it was the execution of these good ideas that failed -- so you give a good idea some good execution/reform, instead of executing the good idea into oblivion.
1
I have a four step program for adjusting to this presidency that I'd like to suggest for Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren: Impede (obstruct), Investigate, Impeach, Incarcerate. I call it the "IM IN" program.
For all of the Democrats who want to take the high road, I suggest that the high road has not been working out so well for us. It is time for Democrats to get in the gutter and fight the guerilla war we need to fight in order to preserve our country's progress.
The irony of this election's result is all the calls from Republicans to give this would-be dictator a chance. I say we give him the same chance to succeed that the Republicans (I'm talkin' to you, Mitch McConnell!) gave President Obama.
For all of the Democrats who want to take the high road, I suggest that the high road has not been working out so well for us. It is time for Democrats to get in the gutter and fight the guerilla war we need to fight in order to preserve our country's progress.
The irony of this election's result is all the calls from Republicans to give this would-be dictator a chance. I say we give him the same chance to succeed that the Republicans (I'm talkin' to you, Mitch McConnell!) gave President Obama.
1
Thanks for this. I need it. As I walked home from protests last night, I realized that I feel very afraid. Afraid for so many people I know and love.
And this is what terrorism looks like: a general sense of impending doom and death from a seemingly irrational actor.
And this is what terrorism looks like: a general sense of impending doom and death from a seemingly irrational actor.
And the effect on our children and grandchildren is extremely difficult to measure. Already our grandsons (4 & 7) are wondering how this man who "hates people" will affect the other kids in their schools. They live in a very diverse area and wonder what will happen to the other kids in their school that do not speak English as a first language (they are both learning another language). There is no way that I can "sweep this under the rug". Gail has often provided humor to get through tough times. But, unfortunately, this is one that will outlast my lifetime. Hopefully, it will be correctable in my grandkids' lifetime.
1
I was married to a Trump - like character for s very, very short time. I had a personal experience living with a disgusting human who was a crazy, angry man. He is now in a wheelchair but still spewing his vile and abusive opinions. When a second stroke hits him and refers him speechless his karmic fate will finally be complete.
I do not believe that there will be s national healing with Trump as President. Our wounds will become open sores throughout his only term. The crazy, angry people who elected him will be bleeding the most for having believed the stupid lies he fed them to get their vote. He is not their savior but rather their destroyer. He will never be my President.
I do not believe that there will be s national healing with Trump as President. Our wounds will become open sores throughout his only term. The crazy, angry people who elected him will be bleeding the most for having believed the stupid lies he fed them to get their vote. He is not their savior but rather their destroyer. He will never be my President.
1
What happen to the claim that Trump once raped a 13 year old girl? That law suit mysteriously disappeared from the public's attention. How much did Trump pay to have that rape claim settled out of court with the agreement not to disclose the amount of the settlement?
Another point not mentioned: Even the wishful thinking that Trump will surround himself with experienced, intelligent, educated (not the uneducated who voted for him), will he listen to their counseling instead of a bunch of a hole worshippers who tell him he has sound, intelligent decision making capability. Past behavior suggest otherwise.
Another point not mentioned: Even the wishful thinking that Trump will surround himself with experienced, intelligent, educated (not the uneducated who voted for him), will he listen to their counseling instead of a bunch of a hole worshippers who tell him he has sound, intelligent decision making capability. Past behavior suggest otherwise.
Trump wants to repeal and replace Obamacare. If a "new" program were to be proposed that includes the fundamental right to coverage despite a pre-existing condition (a right he wants to keep), and if that "new" program were to be called "Trumpcare," then much would seem to change while staying essentially the same. The man's ego is his weakness and a path forward for those who indulge it.
I would be convinced by #7 if Ted Cruz or some other Republican had won the primaries. Hell, they could have even gone for Bernie if change really was their main priority. My point is that they had non-racist choices. Instead, the picked the racist one.
1
I understand that simply submitting to this election result would be "easiest" right now. But to do so is to submit to a known liar, sexual abuser, racist, fraudulent businessman, and tax dodger.
How can any person with a minimum sense of morality stand by while a complete sociopath stands ready to assume the highest office in the land? It’s unconscionable. Surely Trump's law-breaking behavior - legitimized by courts yet or not - should be enough fodder to stop this dangerous trajectory the country is now on.
To submit, or to turn a blind eye now - to encourage people to just "give the guy a chance" - is tantamount to what all the members of the public in Europe did who were too scared to stand up to the Nazi regime while they knew Jews were systematically disappearing from their neighborhoods. They went along with it, too scared to contradict something they felt was bigger than them.
But we know this country does love to hand dangerous people loaded guns, don’t we?
Trump has not earned the privilege of being given a “chance”. After more than a year of proving himself psychologically and intellectually unfit for the highest office in the land, he still does not have the public's mandate, only the legitimization of an outdated electoral process that has no moral mechanism to expel an utter criminal from taking the oval office. But this is a democracy, and people have that moral mechanism. We need to use it to stop this disaster from proceeding.
How can any person with a minimum sense of morality stand by while a complete sociopath stands ready to assume the highest office in the land? It’s unconscionable. Surely Trump's law-breaking behavior - legitimized by courts yet or not - should be enough fodder to stop this dangerous trajectory the country is now on.
To submit, or to turn a blind eye now - to encourage people to just "give the guy a chance" - is tantamount to what all the members of the public in Europe did who were too scared to stand up to the Nazi regime while they knew Jews were systematically disappearing from their neighborhoods. They went along with it, too scared to contradict something they felt was bigger than them.
But we know this country does love to hand dangerous people loaded guns, don’t we?
Trump has not earned the privilege of being given a “chance”. After more than a year of proving himself psychologically and intellectually unfit for the highest office in the land, he still does not have the public's mandate, only the legitimization of an outdated electoral process that has no moral mechanism to expel an utter criminal from taking the oval office. But this is a democracy, and people have that moral mechanism. We need to use it to stop this disaster from proceeding.
1
Well-intended, for all its glibness. But does no one ever knowledge the irony, and inherent privilege, in such discussions, with facile mentions of moving to other countries, or "writing a check" to Planned Parenthood? This sort of survival guide is clearly directed at those least impacted by a Trump presidency, who can afford catastrophic illness and have disposable income to cover tossed-off checks. For many others, fearing loss of home, health, livelihood and even family members, getting drunk, considering a home in Canada, and sending funds to organizations aren't really options.
While I admit I was surprised Trump was elected president, given that Michael Moore was saying he would win and Michael Halperin was saying he had multiple paths to victory I wasn't shocked out of my shorts. I am shocked by the plethora of articles that describe masses of Clinton voters stricken and prostrate in a pool of tears. Elections are like trials, you never know for certain what the jury will do--and polls indicated this would be a close election. People are irrationally upset at the press for purportedly promising a pony for Christmas and then telling them the pony died. Tough.
I'm going to re-watch "The Music Man," about a fast-talking huckster who convinces the parents in a lily-white town to buy musical instruments and band uniforms for their children, none of whom know how to play, and then, once he's found out, somehow manages to make everyone happy, including the repressed librarian. The movie ends with a scene of mass self-hypnosis: the proud parents imagine that their children, who are bleating and banging away, are actually playing "Seventy-Six Trombones."
To add to the nightmare
11) Five supreme court nominations.
Pray for the continued long life and good health of the current crop.
12) The Supreme court with justice David Duke seated, rules the President may grant a pardon to himself.
11) Five supreme court nominations.
Pray for the continued long life and good health of the current crop.
12) The Supreme court with justice David Duke seated, rules the President may grant a pardon to himself.
I do not want to adjust. No one should. He is not our president. Everyone should go out and protest. I am in a state of shock. It is not going to get better. He just appointed a climate change denier to head EPA. What is next. It is going to be a police state headed. Perhaps not in an obvious way. Next wave of fascism will arrive with smiles.
It isn't really Trump who is my greatest concern, but rather the truly frightening man standing behind him, Governor Pence, and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats have been asleep for too long. Drink, indulge in some black humor, and then get to work.
1
On positive election results: My home state of NH has only four federal legislators: two Senators and two members of Congress. Three were on the ballot this year. Our entire delegation now consists of capable, inspiring, Democratic women!
4
Even after Hitler took power, and his ambitions and mental state were well known to the world, many prominent people in Europe and the U.S. were still saying, "Hey, what could go wrong?"
1
Step 11: Those of us who dislike and fear Trump need to stop congratulating ourselves on being inclusive and open-minded unless we are willing to try to open our minds and really listen to those with whom we disagree. Something is happening that causes large number of people to feel that it's OK to vote for this unqualified, uncouth man. We need to try to understand what it is - Internet propaganda? economics? I believe that it is unfair and foolhardy to dismiss, denigrate, and ridicule these fellow Americans.
Collins is right that the cabinet level appointments that Trump makes will be the best clue as to how he will govern. Yes, Rudy Giuliani as attorney general would be a frightening development since he has now become the modern equivalent of Cotton Mather (or maybe Torquemada is a better analogy?). Rudy is in a very vindictive mood. Aside from Clinton, I'm sure Kaine, Schumer, and Pelosi are on his 'hit' list. We'll see if Trump constrains him.
One thing to remember from the Reagan administration (way back when). When they came into power, they had a detailed list of appointments they wanted to make that were three or four administrative levels deep. They had learned from the Nixon administration that one needs to change the entire management of government agencies to take control. Keep an eye out on how detailed is their replacement list. My hunch is that it is not as few Republicans actually expected Trump to win. But, who knows?
One thing to remember from the Reagan administration (way back when). When they came into power, they had a detailed list of appointments they wanted to make that were three or four administrative levels deep. They had learned from the Nixon administration that one needs to change the entire management of government agencies to take control. Keep an eye out on how detailed is their replacement list. My hunch is that it is not as few Republicans actually expected Trump to win. But, who knows?
Twelve step programs help us to cope with tragic killer diseases such as alcoholism and drug addiction, that destroy not only the addict but harm all those in relationship with him or her. These diseases are physical, mental, and spiritual, and unless they are faced honestly, they will progress and result in a tragic waste. The rise of a demagogue like Trump is a consequence of a sizable proportion of people in our country who are delusional and in denial of what he represents, and is a consequence of our original besetting sin: racism. Today we grieve for our country. It did not have to be this way. Chaucer, a politician who suffered imprisonment, writes, "patience is the conquering virtue," and we will need much of it in the days ahead.
I’d much rather have Trump than Pence. Trump tries to see other side of questions more fairly, though Trump feels forced into corner on some issues. For instance Trump is forced by evangelicals to elevate Dr Carson though Dr. Carson is super biased and over religious about questions of education and health. The biggest problem in world is overpopulation. Africa is set to double its population by 2050. Indonesia’s population growth is causing it to burst at its seams. Trump is right to be question Muslim’s beliefs in modern world where their heads of family take multiple underage wives, have on average very large families, and won’t allow consent in all marriage and freedom of speech regarding Mohammed. A recent article in NYT concerned Pakistan deporting 1.5 million Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for as long as 20 years. One man about 43 years old being deported has 2 wives and 20 children, one as young as 6 months so maybe the father is not done procreating yet. If each of his 20 children have 20 children again that’s 400 times the population and maybe the grandfather would only be 65 years old.
The first step in a 12-step program such as AA, is to admit the nature of the problem. The problem here was the abysmal alternative on the ballot: Hillary Clinton. Ms. Clinton represented the things that much of the American populace didn't want and could no longer tolerate. She represented the past, continuity with policies that increasingly impoverish millions of Americans, a failing health-care system and Obamacare's giveaway to the insurance industry, the unending wars that keep creeping to more and more impoverished Third World countries to enrich the war industry, money and power devolving from the people to Wall Street bankers and other masters of the universe, dying public education including colleges, exploding intrusion into our lives by the security state, the fear and paranoia used to justify the erosion of privacy.
This is not an exhaustive index of the injustices perpetrated by the established powers who have no respect for the rest of us. Mr. Trump cynically played on the general understanding that these things made Ms. Clinton intolerable, and that alone made him irresistible for half of those who voted, in spite of his deep and repulsive flaws. The fact that someone as odious as Mr Trump could win this election shows emphatically how rejected was Ms. Clinton and the continuity she represented. Continuation of the same by the Democrats will continue their failure. Neither party has a future without facing these realities.
This is not an exhaustive index of the injustices perpetrated by the established powers who have no respect for the rest of us. Mr. Trump cynically played on the general understanding that these things made Ms. Clinton intolerable, and that alone made him irresistible for half of those who voted, in spite of his deep and repulsive flaws. The fact that someone as odious as Mr Trump could win this election shows emphatically how rejected was Ms. Clinton and the continuity she represented. Continuation of the same by the Democrats will continue their failure. Neither party has a future without facing these realities.
2
This was clever, but as a HRC voter Trump doesn't scare me. I was raised in IllInois on a steady diet of GOP in a family of GOP voters dating back to Lincoln. My parents' friends have been GOP mayors and representatives both state and federal. None of them are bad people. They hate all taxes and see government as a taker not a producer. While makes no sense to me as an educator, it does to them. I drive on roads; they didn't appear out of magic.
I live in TX now. Churches and taco stands on every corner are a reality here. I crossed party lines for the first time in my adult life during the primaries to vote for Joe Straus and John Kasich, good people, plus the added bonus of voting against Cruz and Trump. I told my born-again-Christian-GOP-It's-about-SCOTUS-voting brother to move here. It's everything he wants a 100% GOP run government.
The beliefs of the religious right my bother espouses every holiday are repugnant to me. When Obama was elected I listen to him cheer on his very young children as Christian soldiers as they chanted "No Bama" and "Obama thinks he's Jesus." This is what scares me about about his the alt-right world. Don't legislate your morals on the rest of us. We can think for ourselves.
Life continues on. I gleefully await the day when Trumpeters realize there is no wall, the immigrants are still here, no jobs came back, wages are still low, and the new infrastructure jobs created are too physically demanding for most spoiled Millennials and Americans.
I live in TX now. Churches and taco stands on every corner are a reality here. I crossed party lines for the first time in my adult life during the primaries to vote for Joe Straus and John Kasich, good people, plus the added bonus of voting against Cruz and Trump. I told my born-again-Christian-GOP-It's-about-SCOTUS-voting brother to move here. It's everything he wants a 100% GOP run government.
The beliefs of the religious right my bother espouses every holiday are repugnant to me. When Obama was elected I listen to him cheer on his very young children as Christian soldiers as they chanted "No Bama" and "Obama thinks he's Jesus." This is what scares me about about his the alt-right world. Don't legislate your morals on the rest of us. We can think for ourselves.
Life continues on. I gleefully await the day when Trumpeters realize there is no wall, the immigrants are still here, no jobs came back, wages are still low, and the new infrastructure jobs created are too physically demanding for most spoiled Millennials and Americans.
5
Judging by the names being floated as appointees, seems the #1 priority will have to do with divorce settlements, harassment complaints and prenup enforcement.
(PRECAUTION: You already know the "ignobleness oblige" due Trump as a TV Star, as President....)
(PRECAUTION: You already know the "ignobleness oblige" due Trump as a TV Star, as President....)
2
A young man I know and admire said he had spent the day talking liberals down off ledges and if he didn't know if he had anything left in the tank so he hoped I was okay? I keep, as you say, looking for the "silver lining." I just keep trying to trust the system. It's going to be interesting watching the pressure from populist supporters who think government isn't doing enough for them and the equal pressure from a Republican Congress that thinks government ought not to do much for anybody. To save Social Security, do you raise the cap or the age limit? Or let it limp on until there is no funding? What will he offer to those who have been upset about insurance premiums but find that while the AHCA was the best Obama could get, unless we have a Medicare for All or single payer system, health care costs and premiums are going to keep rising and they still have to choose between high premiums and taking their chances uninsured? What is he going to offer coal miners that will make coal cheap enough to compete with natural gas, because I'm sure thinking he's not going to impose more regulations on fracking? Interesting times, indeed. People just wanted a change. Wow. What if we lived our real lives like that, just gave up the boring job that paid the bills and had benefits to go to LA to become an actor or to New Zealand to raise hinds without having talent or knowing about the housing bubble. We follow the same sports teams for years, through wins and losses. Only in politics.
4
This is an utter catastrophe -- the death of the last remnants of a civil and rational society.
Sorry, Gail.
Sorry, Gail.
5
A ten-step program for Trump supporters won't be necessary. A lesson on how to goose-step while wearing a white sheet will suffice.
3
"We’ve got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan." ....and Hillary was worse.
3
Here's a 1-step program for those who despise Trump:
1. Leave your comfortable, insulating bubble and see the parts of the country that actually voted for him. See what most of the country has to deal with on a daily basis. Read George McGovern's piece on what government does to small business. Maybe the light will turn on. But, based on the numerous articles and op-ed pieces in the Times, I seriously doubt it.
1. Leave your comfortable, insulating bubble and see the parts of the country that actually voted for him. See what most of the country has to deal with on a daily basis. Read George McGovern's piece on what government does to small business. Maybe the light will turn on. But, based on the numerous articles and op-ed pieces in the Times, I seriously doubt it.
4
Gail, I would like to add a #11, Know that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote...which of course will take you back to execute #1, and then do it all over again, till you get to #11 !!! What? #1 ...again?
1
I don't think many women are laughing about the election results. The Trump-Pence ticket is like the Dubya-Cheney duo, except women, not WMD, are in their cross-hairs.
2
"We’ve got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan. A dimwitted, meanspirited spawn embodying the nation’s worst flaws, failings and nightmares."
Well, here's the thing. A slightly modified version of these disgraceful, dispiriting words could have been used by the half of America who vehemently opposed Obama's election. Perhaps you can put yourself in their shoes now and have a bit of empathy for those who feel disenfranchised by an election. Because the fact that you believe you're on the side of right don't make your words better, and it don't make it so. Though the concept may be abhorrent to you, the truth is there's nothing intrinsically "better" about a black Harvard Law grad than a white NYT columnist than a white real estate developer than a brown trans uber driver, although you like to believe there is. They're just people, flawed in different ways, like every human and every president ever has been. Imagine the liberal backlash if your words had been written about Obama. The handwringing, the cries of racism, the demand for public apology and finally your likely termination. Because it's Trump it won't happen, but it should. Your words are a disgrace to the NYT.
Well, here's the thing. A slightly modified version of these disgraceful, dispiriting words could have been used by the half of America who vehemently opposed Obama's election. Perhaps you can put yourself in their shoes now and have a bit of empathy for those who feel disenfranchised by an election. Because the fact that you believe you're on the side of right don't make your words better, and it don't make it so. Though the concept may be abhorrent to you, the truth is there's nothing intrinsically "better" about a black Harvard Law grad than a white NYT columnist than a white real estate developer than a brown trans uber driver, although you like to believe there is. They're just people, flawed in different ways, like every human and every president ever has been. Imagine the liberal backlash if your words had been written about Obama. The handwringing, the cries of racism, the demand for public apology and finally your likely termination. Because it's Trump it won't happen, but it should. Your words are a disgrace to the NYT.
I'm still working on #1.
I still have a sick nauseous feeling in my stomach. Daughter and I both donated to Planned Parenthood yesterday.
The key line for me in Gail's article?
"remember that until fairly recently, Trump was a rather liberal Manhattanite."
It's not much but it helps.
The key line for me in Gail's article?
"remember that until fairly recently, Trump was a rather liberal Manhattanite."
It's not much but it helps.
2
To all young people: it's a dog eat dog world. You need to globalize, diversify yourself by becoming valuable to another country. Strive for two Nationalities if not three. To all Rich People, diversify by buying a second home somewhere nice that comes with residency rights or even a passport. You cannot trust America any longer because the white trash, louts and know-nothing nuts are driving the ship of state. Young people will be sent to war (draft will return out of necessity) because no one will fight a stupid Trump war with Mexico or Syria). Young people and rich people have globalization options and should act soon.
1
Really, not to be paranoid now, but who actually believes that a President-elect Trump- trial will NOT be rigged in the biggest bully's favor? I hope that in four years it may not be possible to turn things around in the USA as thoroughly as it is happening right now in Turkey or Hungary, for example, who have their own deplorably self-centered authoritarian leaders, but it is still frightening - to countless people around the world - having to doubt fairness, equality, truth and tolerance as the honored and respected guiding principles of America, aka "leader of the free world"… what I hope for is that once Trump and his crew have wrecked it all, people will be ready to vote for change, again.
PS. I'm commenting from Austria, where it is more than very likely that we'll elect our own right-wing, populist demagogue in not too long...
PS. I'm commenting from Austria, where it is more than very likely that we'll elect our own right-wing, populist demagogue in not too long...
I afraid I can laugh at this. Start with "Let's accept he's not 'crazy'". What does crazy mean? If it means sociopathy or narcism then yes, a man who confessed to assaulting women is "crazy". And the unveiled threats of a revenge list? Are we supposed to think it's funny because it came from Omarosa and to that's goofy and weird? Because he was just elected president. Shall we guess who's on that list. Bet it starts with the media, especially Jewish reporters who opposed him and the Washington Post. A president should not enter office with a "revenge list" and his opposition in his sights. That smacks, more than a little, of authoritarianism, and that should scare us all.
19
How about a one-step program... Progressive liberal Marxist elitist "intellectual" idiot democrats realize that Obama's Marxist policies have, quite predictably, failed. America is sick and tired of being lied to...Grubered... By elitist ignorant democrats.
The USA is about individual liberty. If you understood that, you'd stop calling Trump and Republicans bigots. The Democratic Party has always been the party of racism and Marxism. America suffers from democratic policies.
So here's the one-step self-help guide:
If you want to stop suffering, put down that heavy bag of Marxist bricks.
Everything will just get better. Guaranteed.
The USA is about individual liberty. If you understood that, you'd stop calling Trump and Republicans bigots. The Democratic Party has always been the party of racism and Marxism. America suffers from democratic policies.
So here's the one-step self-help guide:
If you want to stop suffering, put down that heavy bag of Marxist bricks.
Everything will just get better. Guaranteed.
Love your work Gail. For a moment, I stopped work on my bunker and had a little laugh. Thanks from the other side of the world.
16
I wonder if all the Clintonites who bad-mouthed us who supported Bernie Sanders have begun to reconsider their animosity toward us? Bernie would have handed Trump his head on a platter.
4
We should NEVER adjust to the hate, racism, financial lunacy and science-denial that Trump trails in his wake. He is dangerous. Don't make the same mistake you've made over the last year and continue to minimize him. It's not exaggeration to remember that people minimized Hitler too.
Here's an alternate list:
1) Be mad. Stay mad. We should be mad.
2) Get out of your social media echo chamber!
3) Channel that emotional energy into action.
4) Find others, both locally and nationally, who believe in a similar way
5) Develop candidates whom you can support without cringing
6) If your party won't change, find or start another one
7) When the time comes, VOTE!
8) If you won't vote, be quiet. Your betters are trying to run a country.
9) Finally, never, never forget that millions of Americans (like me) have sacrificed, through public or military service, to give you a country where you can participate through peaceful and respectful dialog instead of violence. Don't throw that away.
Here's an alternate list:
1) Be mad. Stay mad. We should be mad.
2) Get out of your social media echo chamber!
3) Channel that emotional energy into action.
4) Find others, both locally and nationally, who believe in a similar way
5) Develop candidates whom you can support without cringing
6) If your party won't change, find or start another one
7) When the time comes, VOTE!
8) If you won't vote, be quiet. Your betters are trying to run a country.
9) Finally, never, never forget that millions of Americans (like me) have sacrificed, through public or military service, to give you a country where you can participate through peaceful and respectful dialog instead of violence. Don't throw that away.
18
Seems to me that I will stop to read NYT for next 4 years. Perhaps, nothing constructive is going to happen on its pages anytime soon. LOL
Seriously, instead of bashing Trump I would better reflect on following: 1)Why Dems nominated so seriously corrupted, flawed, liar and elitist candidate, who would obviously alienate a lot of voters? 2) Why hate toward political institution and liberal order is so strong among core Americans? May be there is a problem with values and establishment, not with the voters?
And finally want to give you some advice, my dear American liberals. Stop whining! Dot't pack your suitcases, don't ask for Canadian visa, don't panic and don't damn WASPs. America is great. America is stronger then Trump. It's country of real freedom and always will be.
Seriously, instead of bashing Trump I would better reflect on following: 1)Why Dems nominated so seriously corrupted, flawed, liar and elitist candidate, who would obviously alienate a lot of voters? 2) Why hate toward political institution and liberal order is so strong among core Americans? May be there is a problem with values and establishment, not with the voters?
And finally want to give you some advice, my dear American liberals. Stop whining! Dot't pack your suitcases, don't ask for Canadian visa, don't panic and don't damn WASPs. America is great. America is stronger then Trump. It's country of real freedom and always will be.
3
Hail to Gail Collins and her 10-step program for adjusting to President Trump. You'll understand more if you read each step sequentially, without skipping, and of course, be especially effective in actively following the piece's conclusion.
How absolutely rude.
Imagine a similar piece if Mrs. Clinton were elected and the outrage that would follow.
The columnists and editorialists of the NYT have vilified Mr. Trump and those voting for him for the past four years.
Your candidate lost! You were vociferously wrong. A majority of Americans have spoken in a dignified, democratic (not Democratic) way.
Imagine a similar piece if Mrs. Clinton were elected and the outrage that would follow.
The columnists and editorialists of the NYT have vilified Mr. Trump and those voting for him for the past four years.
Your candidate lost! You were vociferously wrong. A majority of Americans have spoken in a dignified, democratic (not Democratic) way.
2
The hatred by the elites toward normal Americans is perfectly on display in this "how to cope" section of the NYT. I expect non-stop insults aimed at Trump and his constituency for the next 4-8 years. Guess what, we don't care; elite opinion is meaningless; there was an election, we won, you lost, dig it.
2
There is absolutely no silver lining here, nor nothing to make light of. The fact that so many Americans -- although not a plurality, as Clinton did win the popular vote -- is appalling and saddening. Even if he doesn't believe half of what he says, which we don't really know to be case, we should be alarmed and embarrassed. Most disheartening, is the fact that so many can "overlook" and actually reward his bigotry, misogyny, religious bans, mockery of veterans and the disabled, and downright ignorance. I don't even know how to begin to view this country or my place in after this. This is a bad day for America.
13
"If I were to run I would run as a Republican. They are the dumbest group of voters in the country. I could lie and they would still eat it up, my numbers would be terrific! "
Donald Trump People Magazine 1998
Donald Trump People Magazine 1998
19
Disaffected white men are sitting at the bar celebrating their new president, soon to be applauding him when he destroys health care for 20 million Americans.
They think Trump is on their side. Who will they blame when they discover the truth?
They think Trump is on their side. Who will they blame when they discover the truth?
25
If he builds the wall, I urge my fellow citizens to blow it up.
3
Well...he DID do an OK job on the Wollman Rink back in the 1980s.
So there's hope?
So there's hope?
5
Some other suggestions: i've canelled both my NYT and cable subscriptions. Since ignorance is now clearly the standard , why pay to be enlightened. Clearly anyone who has a brain is the enemy. Next step, buy a gun. One bullet. When i cant take it anymore, i have a way out. For the first time, i'm truly grateful to have such easy access to this "constitutional " right. I have never been so embarrassed to be an american.
4
I actually wrote a big check to Planned Parenthood the day after the election.
Rural Pa., where I live, is real Trump country. Let's hope those who put him in office will quietly accept those of us who tried very hard to keep him out of that office.
Rural Pa., where I live, is real Trump country. Let's hope those who put him in office will quietly accept those of us who tried very hard to keep him out of that office.
3
We should ignore the facts that he didn't win the popular vote and the House is not elected by a majority of voters either?
What do these facts say about our government and its legitimacy?
What do these facts say about our government and its legitimacy?
4
And here we have the press talking down to us again. When will you learn? Just because a person has light pigmentation doe not mean they are a racist, just as dark pigmentation does not mean you can't be a racist. Your simplistic reporting sitting in your bar does not mean you know what you are talking about. Getting drunk just adds another person whose behavior is out of control.
You can do better.
You can do better.
1
Thank you, Gail. We'll done.
1
It's not funny any more.
If people in powerful media positions had done their damned jobs the past 15 months, instead of playing it for yucks and clicks and ratings, we wouldn't be facing this massive setback to democracy and civility.
If people in powerful media positions had done their damned jobs the past 15 months, instead of playing it for yucks and clicks and ratings, we wouldn't be facing this massive setback to democracy and civility.
10
I've been feeling this for some time now. And I just read a piece Michael Moore wrote about it. It's not time to be "shocked" and "stunned."
Does any of this sound familiar?
The election was "rigged", the media was "in on it", it was "illegitimate", with rampant "vote fraud", and "bad polls", and we shouldn't accept it-
Just as Trump kept repeating.
And strangely- he was right. Because all these things were true about him.
The media gave him free airtime, and then the media obligingly kept hammering Clinton about something about something to do with "emails", while shoals of Trump scandals and mini-scandals floated by every day. He never did the "normal" candidate things, like releasing your tax returns, etc.; and then there was the GOP, gleefully (and officially) "vote suppressing" in swing states, and there were the polls suggesting it was in the bag, encouraging protest votes, and then- voila!, the coup de grace, and coup d'etat, in one, the FBI director, again, obligingly to the Trump campaign, stage manages a completely meaningless three-act ballet of emails one week before the election, while early balloting is ongoing, and Giuliani walks back his boast about the NY branch of the FBI, and his statement two days before Comey's that "something big is coming out."
I voted for Obama. He won. Then Mitch McConnell told us that our votes didn't count.
So yeah. I happen to agree with Trump. I see no reason whatever to accept the legitimacy of this election.
Does any of this sound familiar?
The election was "rigged", the media was "in on it", it was "illegitimate", with rampant "vote fraud", and "bad polls", and we shouldn't accept it-
Just as Trump kept repeating.
And strangely- he was right. Because all these things were true about him.
The media gave him free airtime, and then the media obligingly kept hammering Clinton about something about something to do with "emails", while shoals of Trump scandals and mini-scandals floated by every day. He never did the "normal" candidate things, like releasing your tax returns, etc.; and then there was the GOP, gleefully (and officially) "vote suppressing" in swing states, and there were the polls suggesting it was in the bag, encouraging protest votes, and then- voila!, the coup de grace, and coup d'etat, in one, the FBI director, again, obligingly to the Trump campaign, stage manages a completely meaningless three-act ballet of emails one week before the election, while early balloting is ongoing, and Giuliani walks back his boast about the NY branch of the FBI, and his statement two days before Comey's that "something big is coming out."
I voted for Obama. He won. Then Mitch McConnell told us that our votes didn't count.
So yeah. I happen to agree with Trump. I see no reason whatever to accept the legitimacy of this election.
9
If our "President" doesn't pay taxes, why should we? Not paying taxes would help me adjust to Trump.
8
Poor losers.
3
I would also suggest the following:
1. set up your calendar to count number of days before mid-term election.
2.brainstorm ideas that can get Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and other retiring Democrats to develop ways to recruit, train and support the next generation of Democratic candidates and operatives running for office. It is time for the Boomers to pass the baton to the next generation.
3. SET UP a spreadsheet of all the "big" policy ideas that Trump and set up wagers on which policy actually get implemented first and to what degree.
4. ask around to see if some one would nominate you joint the " pansuit nation site".
1. set up your calendar to count number of days before mid-term election.
2.brainstorm ideas that can get Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and other retiring Democrats to develop ways to recruit, train and support the next generation of Democratic candidates and operatives running for office. It is time for the Boomers to pass the baton to the next generation.
3. SET UP a spreadsheet of all the "big" policy ideas that Trump and set up wagers on which policy actually get implemented first and to what degree.
4. ask around to see if some one would nominate you joint the " pansuit nation site".
5
I think your example actually proved that Trump is crazy. One minute you have a face like a dog, the next minute he's an affable raconteur.
The term you are looking for is sociopath. As in, will do whatever it takes to get whatever he wants - nothing else matters.
Too bad the Trump companies are not publicly held. You would have a huge guaranteed upside for the next four years. Huge.
Believe me.
The term you are looking for is sociopath. As in, will do whatever it takes to get whatever he wants - nothing else matters.
Too bad the Trump companies are not publicly held. You would have a huge guaranteed upside for the next four years. Huge.
Believe me.
4
Nobody really seems to get this, but the President doesn't really run the country. He does not write laws or vote on them. He does not make a budget or fund it. He does not appoint supreme court judges. He does not make trade deals or apply tarriffs. All of these things are done by the legislature, the US Congress. So I don't know if you should really fear Trump. But the Congress, oh yeah, I'd be very afraid and they're not going to go away for a very long time. The Republicans have almost an absolute power at the federal level and the havoc they can wreak can be massive. Just ask Bush II how things went for him. But rest at peace that President Trump will only be rubber stamping the work of others.
6
Please somebody tell me the military has a secret time machine for fixing historical blunders!
2
It won't be just adjusting to President-elect Trump, but to his henchmen/women who will be everywhere vying for the top spots in January. Was there ever a more disgraceful and unworthy rogues gallery than Chris Christie, Newt Gingrich, Rudolph Giuliani, Sarah Palin and God knows who else (Corey Lewandowski?) waiting and groveling in the wings to be lifted to high office.
FYI, living outside the US does not make the pain any less , and the shame is arguably worse.
FYI, living outside the US does not make the pain any less , and the shame is arguably worse.
6
-----
No matter how you look at, this can't end well.
The only thing worse than a Trump supporter is a Bernie supporter that did not vote for HRC.
No matter how you look at, this can't end well.
The only thing worse than a Trump supporter is a Bernie supporter that did not vote for HRC.
7
It's hard to be amused by any of this.
The GOP will attempt to destroy Social Security and Medicare. Nothing to laugh about.
The GOP will attempt to destroy Social Security and Medicare. Nothing to laugh about.
19
I wish I could laugh. Maybe in a month or so. One thing I do know however. We all need to suck it up and resist. Anyway and every way we can.
23
Thanks Gail for the humor. Everybody I know, mostly over educated Democrats living in the East Coast with subscriptions of NY Times and New Yorker, are fearful of Donald. Lighten up, I say.
I recall Donald’s responses to the causes that my over educated fellow Democrat brethren hold close to their hearts – gay marriage, climate change, contraceptive, gun control – that is, before he won the Republican nomination, and he struck me as the person who was generally indifferent. He wasn’t exactly a caricature of a Republican presidential candidate and I am comforted by that.
I hope he sticks to his campaign promise to bring back manufacturing in the United States. And maintain his indifference to the culture wars.
And I hope the NY Times goes back to normal programming and stop being a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. The incoming president is born and raised in New York for crying out loud NYT. He is one of your own. Support him.
I recall Donald’s responses to the causes that my over educated fellow Democrat brethren hold close to their hearts – gay marriage, climate change, contraceptive, gun control – that is, before he won the Republican nomination, and he struck me as the person who was generally indifferent. He wasn’t exactly a caricature of a Republican presidential candidate and I am comforted by that.
I hope he sticks to his campaign promise to bring back manufacturing in the United States. And maintain his indifference to the culture wars.
And I hope the NY Times goes back to normal programming and stop being a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. The incoming president is born and raised in New York for crying out loud NYT. He is one of your own. Support him.
5
I love the NY Times doing everything to normalize trump, "he's not so bad and there's a silver lining" see, just that simple, and Obama is playing nice now and, hell, isn't democracy wonderful. I can imagine the same words in the original 1932 German............the time to organize and act, to repudiate mainstream media, it's disastrous coverage, predictions, normalizing, is part of the problem, not the solution.
2
Trump's campaign manager woman says that it's OUR FAULT when we take
Trump "literally". We must not take him LITERALLY! What is the
alternative?!? Do we use a psychiatrist to translate his brain-blather
for us? What do we do?
Trump "literally". We must not take him LITERALLY! What is the
alternative?!? Do we use a psychiatrist to translate his brain-blather
for us? What do we do?
1
This is really does not help. The usual Gail Collins: jejune and shallow.
1
Looking on the bright side, the Sun will swell into a red giant engulfing the Earth in about 5 billion years, so ultimately none of this election will have mattered.
1
"Trump’s director of African-American outreach, who told a reporter on election night that when it came to enemies, “Mr. Trump has a long memory and we’re keeping a list"
Why worry? This will just be like New Jersey's bridge revenge scandal on steroids and extended to the entire country....
Why worry? This will just be like New Jersey's bridge revenge scandal on steroids and extended to the entire country....
17
This is Liberal nonsense--and I say this as a Liberal. We ought to take a leaf from the Republicans' playbook. When (not if, but when) he wants to pass legislation that is or appoint someone who is opposed to our viewpoint, do all we can to prevent him. This may be payback, but we should not give him a blank check. Our political interests matter.
3
So if our president elect is found guilty in the Trump University trail, we get Pence. That is a scary thing for anyone who isn't religious right, tea party wacko crazy. He is definitely someone that would make me want to vacate America for a sneer country.
2
US citizen currently living in Singapore--the early word on his Cabinet choices makes me want at least several more nights of heavy drinking. Did I say nights? I meant years.
6
Say good bye to the Constitution. So much for Americans understanding how their country is supposed to work!
4
Is there some point at which his personal finances will become public information? Don't elected officials have to disclose their holdings and their potential conflicts of interest?
Also, a minor point, when will he start flying the Confederate flag and add decals of it to his pickup truck? He has a pickup truck, right?
Also, a minor point, when will he start flying the Confederate flag and add decals of it to his pickup truck? He has a pickup truck, right?
2
Not to change the subject, but here is some news that hasn’t appeared on the internet yet, but is about to:
Roger Ailes will say he has never met a man who has
treated women better than Donald Trump.
The National Enquirer will publish a detailed report indicating that Trump is related to the Kardashians.
Drudge will soon report that Hillary owns an AK-47, favors cats over dogs and worships the devil.
Kellyanne Conway will say that Trump once wanted to be a priest, a rabbi or a minister.
Mike Pence will say that being around Trump has been a religious awakening for him, like being around Mother Teresa or Pope John.
Melania will say that her husband is a kind and gentle lover who brings her breakfast in bed.
Trump University will announce that it is awarding honorary doctorates to Trump in international law, political science and nuclear physics.
Gang leaders and drug kingpins from New York, Chicago and Kansas City will extend invitations to Trump to meet with them at their headquarters for “frank discussions” of his plans to institute random stop-and-frisk laws programs in their neighborhoods.
Breitbart will report that Hillary Clinton was planning to appoint Anthony Weiner and a Scientologist -- probably Tom Cruise -- to the Supreme Court.
The NY Times will publish reports indicating that games at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City “may have been fixed."
Mexico will announce that it will pay for the wall in exchange for Trump's agreeing to become a woman.
Roger Ailes will say he has never met a man who has
treated women better than Donald Trump.
The National Enquirer will publish a detailed report indicating that Trump is related to the Kardashians.
Drudge will soon report that Hillary owns an AK-47, favors cats over dogs and worships the devil.
Kellyanne Conway will say that Trump once wanted to be a priest, a rabbi or a minister.
Mike Pence will say that being around Trump has been a religious awakening for him, like being around Mother Teresa or Pope John.
Melania will say that her husband is a kind and gentle lover who brings her breakfast in bed.
Trump University will announce that it is awarding honorary doctorates to Trump in international law, political science and nuclear physics.
Gang leaders and drug kingpins from New York, Chicago and Kansas City will extend invitations to Trump to meet with them at their headquarters for “frank discussions” of his plans to institute random stop-and-frisk laws programs in their neighborhoods.
Breitbart will report that Hillary Clinton was planning to appoint Anthony Weiner and a Scientologist -- probably Tom Cruise -- to the Supreme Court.
The NY Times will publish reports indicating that games at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City “may have been fixed."
Mexico will announce that it will pay for the wall in exchange for Trump's agreeing to become a woman.
2
Private prison stock had a YUUUUGE increase today.
Building America, creating jobs.
Building America, creating jobs.
13
You are naive.
6
Gail, a very entertaining piece. I am laughing and crying at the same time.
3
Ahh, just keep your head down, go to your job and be thankful for it, eventually you'll get to the end and be done with it all.
You've captured the Donald pretty well here I think Gail. As a "Trump Supporter" (never to be confused with a "supporter of Trump") I really can't find much to argue with. I wonder if things would have turned out differently had the NYT saw DT for what he was (as you have nicely laid out) instead of the straw man they gleefully set fire to.
Thanks, but it didn't work. The New Zealand housing bubble scares us a lot less than the Donald. Also, New Zealand in not a great nuclear target.
Actively seeking NZ relocation.
Actively seeking NZ relocation.
Ahhhhhh ....
Moved to lovely Switzerland two months ago. Of course a huge disaster like this will affect everyone on this tired old planet, however the feeling of being removed from this fiasco is quite nice.
What I hear a lot is "Was ist mit Amerika los?" - indeed.
Moved to lovely Switzerland two months ago. Of course a huge disaster like this will affect everyone on this tired old planet, however the feeling of being removed from this fiasco is quite nice.
What I hear a lot is "Was ist mit Amerika los?" - indeed.
1
On what planet is trump not crazy? Or perhaps the question to Gail Collins should be, "How do you define "crazy" "?
1
I agree—
Why not enjoy the moment?
...Why not treat the next 4 years as one Gigantic Game Show…?
Call it, "National Survival."
--
There may a chance that things turn out to be fine-- And if they don’t? We, the people can say to Donald, “You’re FIRED!!” after only four, "short" years--
...That is, if it lasts that long...
--
Oh, come on! Things can't get THAT far out of hand--
...Didn't Peter Sellers teach those of us who are old enough, "How to LOVE the Bomb?" If I did? [Which I did.] You can too...
--
Political campaigns AND impeachments [are you listening?] are quite entertaining, AND educational— Even at my age, I remember learning a brand new definition of the word, “is”, as late as 1998. Wow!
--
And who needs all those boring Inaugural Addresses?
...Thanks to an abounding surplus of campaign rhetoric, our new President can thrill us in January with his own proprietary vision of an America where, "Might? truly IS right..."
--
And then, why not go ALL the way?
Why not set a precedent that previous Presidents presumed to be plenipotentiarily precipitous—leading to a plutocracy that progressively impoverishes even the well off?
...Led by America’s primary practitioner [guess who?] of, “Wealth for some? Well being for none...”
--
C'mon! It'll be fun--
Like kids playing with matches.
...Or grownups, playing with dynamite...
Why not enjoy the moment?
...Why not treat the next 4 years as one Gigantic Game Show…?
Call it, "National Survival."
--
There may a chance that things turn out to be fine-- And if they don’t? We, the people can say to Donald, “You’re FIRED!!” after only four, "short" years--
...That is, if it lasts that long...
--
Oh, come on! Things can't get THAT far out of hand--
...Didn't Peter Sellers teach those of us who are old enough, "How to LOVE the Bomb?" If I did? [Which I did.] You can too...
--
Political campaigns AND impeachments [are you listening?] are quite entertaining, AND educational— Even at my age, I remember learning a brand new definition of the word, “is”, as late as 1998. Wow!
--
And who needs all those boring Inaugural Addresses?
...Thanks to an abounding surplus of campaign rhetoric, our new President can thrill us in January with his own proprietary vision of an America where, "Might? truly IS right..."
--
And then, why not go ALL the way?
Why not set a precedent that previous Presidents presumed to be plenipotentiarily precipitous—leading to a plutocracy that progressively impoverishes even the well off?
...Led by America’s primary practitioner [guess who?] of, “Wealth for some? Well being for none...”
--
C'mon! It'll be fun--
Like kids playing with matches.
...Or grownups, playing with dynamite...
1
Gail, please, it is too soon for me to think about how this might turn out okay. I can't make light of it yet and I need some time. I know we will get through this, just...
At least I'm a Cubs fan.
At least I'm a Cubs fan.
2
I plan to excise cable news shows from my life for a few months, enjoy living in Manhattan, an island of sanity (Trump got 10% of our votes), and wait for the recriminations to begin-and they will!
3
I'll march. Will you? Stop with the coping. Stop with the handwringing. Start fighting back (peacefully). We can act and make a difference. Who is organizing the March on Washington to make perfectly clear to Trump and Ryan and the WORLD that there is no mandate for this Republican brand of hate, bigotry, and lies? We need to do this. Do not let them ignore 59,814,018 (48%) of the popular vote. It has to be done before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2017. Make it happen.
1
Dear Ms. Collins:
On the very day after the election, both HRC & Obama gave speeches, acknowledging Trump as the clear winner of this election and urging Americans to come together and to move forward together.
And Trump's victory speech was a promising, even magnanimous one. Although I know your subject is humour, this column is sophomoric and a little like sour grapes. I suggest you grow up.
Had the tables been turned, you would be writing about how the country should unite around President-elect Clinton.
The hypocrisy is breathtaking.
This was a ridiculously long, bitter and expensive two year election (read: battle).
Most people are sick to death of this election and ready to accept it and move on.
The NYTimes should continue down this snarky, divisive partisan, immature path at its own peril. If you step out of your ivory tower echo chamber Ms. Collins, we have a new President-elect.
On the very day after the election, both HRC & Obama gave speeches, acknowledging Trump as the clear winner of this election and urging Americans to come together and to move forward together.
And Trump's victory speech was a promising, even magnanimous one. Although I know your subject is humour, this column is sophomoric and a little like sour grapes. I suggest you grow up.
Had the tables been turned, you would be writing about how the country should unite around President-elect Clinton.
The hypocrisy is breathtaking.
This was a ridiculously long, bitter and expensive two year election (read: battle).
Most people are sick to death of this election and ready to accept it and move on.
The NYTimes should continue down this snarky, divisive partisan, immature path at its own peril. If you step out of your ivory tower echo chamber Ms. Collins, we have a new President-elect.
2
I'm trying to find some humor in all this from late night hosts and other political comics. Late night and other political comics haven't helped. Watching Seth Meyers hold back tears was especially poignant. I'm also trying for some historic perspective. But I keep remembering that Hitler was elected first, too.
2
Ms.Collins, I appreciate your list, and I have already given serious attention to #1. The problem with Trump is that, in addition to having no attention span, he prefers to surround himself with yes-men who flatter his ego (e.g., Giuliani and Gingrich). I am afraid we cannot depend on Step 3. I will try to concentrate on Step 9 and look for the Trump U lawsuit to help.
2
Gail said: "[B]ut if he appoints reasonable and intelligent people to his cabinet, the government could run O.K."
I hate to mention it since we all have plenty to worry about already, but that's what we said when we decided that GWB was too dumb to be president.
I hate to mention it since we all have plenty to worry about already, but that's what we said when we decided that GWB was too dumb to be president.
2
Trump has destroyed years of progress. We are going back to the dark ages.
3
Trump makes us really uncomfortable.
1
You are trying to tell me that things will be ok unless he appoints Gingrich and Guiliani? Well looks highly likely it will be that way
1
11. Stop reading Blow, Bruni, Krugman, Friedman, Cohn, Rosenthal, and most of all Socrates, on anything political.
12. Stop listening to Obama speeches.
13. Stop drinking, instead read the stripped-down free version of the New Yorker
You are welcome.
12. Stop listening to Obama speeches.
13. Stop drinking, instead read the stripped-down free version of the New Yorker
You are welcome.
2
Thank you, Gail, for a valiant and much appreciated effort to combine insight and humor in the face of where we stand today. I enjoyed reading your column, but your pain comes through, as I think it should.
1
Thank Gail; I am employing all your suggestions. But I'd like to add one or two to your list: A dart board with the all the usual Republican suspects' faces assigned points. And I suggest taking a calm moment to accept that it really is okay to have ill will toward a bunch of gangsters masquerading as right wing crusaders. After all, wishing them success would be to approve their agenda; I hope they fail miserably and soon.
3
I agree—
Why not enjoy the moment?
...Why not treat the next 4 years as one Gigantic Game Show…?
Call it, "National Survival."
--
There may a chance that things turn out to be fine! And if they don’t? We, the people can say to Donald, “You’re FIRED!!” after only four, "short" years--
...That is, if it lasts that long...
--
Oh come on! Things can't get THAT far out of hand--
...Didn't Peter Sellers teach those of us who are old enough, "How to LOVE the Bomb?" If I did it? [Which I did.] You can too...
--
Political campaigns AND impeachment trials [are you listening?] are quite entertaining, AND educational— Even at my age, I remember learning a brand new definition of the word, “is”, as late as 1998. Wow!
--
And who needs all those boring Inaugural Addresses?
...Thanks to an abounding surplus of campaign rhetoric, our new President can thrill us in January with his own proprietary vision of an America where, "Might? truly IS right..."
--
And then, why not go all the way?
Why not set a precedent that previous Presidents presumed to be plenipotentiarily precipitous—leading to a plutocracy that progressively impoverishes even the fairly well off?
...Led by America’s primary practitioner [guess who?] of, “Wealth for some? Well being for none...”
--
C'mon! It'll be fun--
Like kids playing with matches.
...Or grownups, playing with dynamite...
Why not enjoy the moment?
...Why not treat the next 4 years as one Gigantic Game Show…?
Call it, "National Survival."
--
There may a chance that things turn out to be fine! And if they don’t? We, the people can say to Donald, “You’re FIRED!!” after only four, "short" years--
...That is, if it lasts that long...
--
Oh come on! Things can't get THAT far out of hand--
...Didn't Peter Sellers teach those of us who are old enough, "How to LOVE the Bomb?" If I did it? [Which I did.] You can too...
--
Political campaigns AND impeachment trials [are you listening?] are quite entertaining, AND educational— Even at my age, I remember learning a brand new definition of the word, “is”, as late as 1998. Wow!
--
And who needs all those boring Inaugural Addresses?
...Thanks to an abounding surplus of campaign rhetoric, our new President can thrill us in January with his own proprietary vision of an America where, "Might? truly IS right..."
--
And then, why not go all the way?
Why not set a precedent that previous Presidents presumed to be plenipotentiarily precipitous—leading to a plutocracy that progressively impoverishes even the fairly well off?
...Led by America’s primary practitioner [guess who?] of, “Wealth for some? Well being for none...”
--
C'mon! It'll be fun--
Like kids playing with matches.
...Or grownups, playing with dynamite...
2
Gail Collins, I heart you. Thank you.
2
Thanks, Gail. Appreciate your valiant effort. Anything that eases the pain even a tad it welcome. Still hoping I wake up tomorrow and discover it was all a bad dream.
2
Re point 10: I'm a White Sox fan residing in Cleveland. I admit Trump's victory is a whole lot ( a really, really whole lot) worse than the Cubs win. But at least my family agrees on Trump. We might end up the emergency room Thanksgiving if the conversation changes to the Cubs!
1
Super nice try, Gail. Sorry your deadline was Wednesday!
As a Canadian who lived in the US from May until the end of October, watching the campaigns rev up into high gear, the thing that astonishes me only slightly less than Trump's win is that barely more than half of eligible voters showed up at the polls.
I'm not sanguine about Canada's performance, although we managed better than two out of three in 2015 when we threw out a government that was far too right-wing by our standards, though moderately centrist by yours.
You keep telling the world that America is a beacon of democracy, a light unto the nations. But if half of you can't be bothered to exercise the right that so many of your forebears died for, then American democracy is a busted flush.
I'm not sanguine about Canada's performance, although we managed better than two out of three in 2015 when we threw out a government that was far too right-wing by our standards, though moderately centrist by yours.
You keep telling the world that America is a beacon of democracy, a light unto the nations. But if half of you can't be bothered to exercise the right that so many of your forebears died for, then American democracy is a busted flush.
1
There is no silver lining for people who face losing their health insurance.
1
My daughter came into my room this morning very upset and fearful because Trump had won. She and her friends are scared to death about what will happen, and are imagining the coming apocalypse and the end of Life as we know it. I did my best to console her by telling her that it probably won't be as bad as we fear: We'll still go to war because that's what this country does, and since Trump and Putin are friends, maybe Russia will be on our side and if anybody needs an abortion or health care, they'd better get it now because Roe v. Wade and Obamacare are going to be things of the past. But the sun will still rise, the birds will still sing (I didn't mention that the birds will keep singing until pollution kills them all), and since she doesn't know any illegal immigrants, her friends won't be deported. She left my room comforted, but now, I'm really depressed.
25
Right now I am having a hard time getting past thinking of all the things I saw and heard with my own head that happened during the DJT campaign, and finding anything in it that bodes well. I find it difficult to accept the hatred that seemed to flow like a river along his path. Michael Sherman is probably right about looking inward to a sense of well being that I will need to provide for myself. So far I am still struggling with this, and the only positive I have come up with is that we probably won't have to watch his hair turn while from the burden of his responsibility.
2
I am just glad you will be here for us Gail, we are going to need you; it is going to be a very long four years.
1
Every time I hear someone say "We survived 8 years of ..." all I can think is that there are thousands of Americans, from 9/11, to the Iraq war, to Katrina, who did not survive the Bush administration, and millions more who lost their homes and livelihoods during the economic meltdown.
Having been through tough times does give you some perspective. Not to sound too pessimistic, but after the Bush years, the coming administration sounds even worse. Remember, the surveillance state will be in the tiny hands of man with a YUGE enemies list.
Get organized and be tenacious. Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center will need all our support.
Having been through tough times does give you some perspective. Not to sound too pessimistic, but after the Bush years, the coming administration sounds even worse. Remember, the surveillance state will be in the tiny hands of man with a YUGE enemies list.
Get organized and be tenacious. Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center will need all our support.
3
Only 12-Step Programs work. Everyone knows that.
11) Collect any Trump lawn signs and buttons you can hoard. Prominently display them when the Angel of Death disguised as a posse wearing pointy white hats passes through. You'll be protected.
12) If things get really really bad and you're captured you'll be asked for your papers. Show them a diploma from Trump University. Diploma downloads may be available at any number of conspiracy web sites.
Am I on a list now?
11) Collect any Trump lawn signs and buttons you can hoard. Prominently display them when the Angel of Death disguised as a posse wearing pointy white hats passes through. You'll be protected.
12) If things get really really bad and you're captured you'll be asked for your papers. Show them a diploma from Trump University. Diploma downloads may be available at any number of conspiracy web sites.
Am I on a list now?
3
A ten-step program to deal with a lowlife? NOT!
1
Beautiful, brilliant, classic and classy Gail Collins. Like Planned Parenthood and pot we are gonna need her to deal with the abomination called Prez Trump. So here is a corollary. This economic recovery is about to go kaput based upon time. Who gets the blame? The ones in charge at the time. In reality, Trump did HRC a favor. Only one party in charge. Only one party to place the blame on. It's binomial baby. D or R and R holds the reins. No more Bengazi. Time has come today for all men to go their way, Thanks Gail, I did it without a drink too.
2
Charlie Chaplin once said, "In the end, it's all a gag." If nothing else, tRump is proof of that.
1
So glad to see Gail Collins and the majority of the commenters are so open-minded. As expected from the crowd that supported the ACA shove-down.
And let's not forget how entertaining State of the Union speeches are going to be.
3
Here is a suggestion....How about we embrace our democracy and support the winner and wish for a smooth transition? If that is too much to ask...how about we hold off on the protesting at our college campuses at least until Trump starts his job in January? If all that is too much simply choose to say nothing.
You do realize that a man who has never run for office ( any office) just beat the most powerful political machine of modern time. He spent one tenth the money, he had one tenth the staff, he had a sitting very popular President, a sitting Vice President, and a sitting very popular FLOTUS all campaigning against him, You may want to hold off on the smug remarks because the whole Democratic business plan sure looks like they got outsmarted.
You do realize that a man who has never run for office ( any office) just beat the most powerful political machine of modern time. He spent one tenth the money, he had one tenth the staff, he had a sitting very popular President, a sitting Vice President, and a sitting very popular FLOTUS all campaigning against him, You may want to hold off on the smug remarks because the whole Democratic business plan sure looks like they got outsmarted.
1
4 branches of government. Remember the last time that happened? Buckle your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
1
The second-to-last paragraph is a winner.
1
Well if we had Eric Holder - former top racist black cop who let out the dogs, Giuliani as top cop to kick bad guy butts will be a welcome change. Your opinion means squat in this town, no one goes to the newsstand (what's that) anymore to buy a newspaper, they now have millions more choices that are better than you. I value my neighbor's opinion but most NYers ie: Manhattan don't know their neighbors so they buy a neighbor's opinion online to read you - is that all there is?
1
Maybe while talking about those Cubs, people can take a more serious look at what is going wrong in Chicago. Why is the murder rate so high in a city run by Obama's ex-chief of staff and his home away from DC? This might put a different context around the Trump repartee.
Silver linings? No more triumphalist articles by feminists listing the defects of 'men.'(This surely provoked a backlash).And no more listing the defects/failures of the Republicans without a little more introspection about the limits/weakness' of liberal Democrats. That said, a terrible result and one needs humour at least initially in accepting it.
He will never see one day in office
Kaine was wrong. Your side was thoroughly "whopped." Not only that, but you weren't smart enough to see it coming so you couldn't even duck. Best step you could take to adjust to the new reality would be to drop your penmanship job with the NYT and move to Scranton and get a job teaching English. Learn how the world works west of the Hudson.
1
New York Times, the blame lies solely with you, from Michael Kelly's sneering "St Hillary", to Maureen Dowd's disdain for both Clintons, to your "discovery" of her home-brew server and then your endless focus on it. Good on you: you have been hoist on your own petard.
Gail, dear, I stopped reading at "Let's get more practical." Au contraire, Ms. Collins, it would seem to me, as it would seem to at least 230,000 voters and counting, that practicality is a lesson of which YOU are in dire need of absorbing. Your whimsically quirky persona doesn't absolve you, Gail, of insinuating or outright stating, over the first half of 2016, that supporters of Bernie Sanders were somehow less than adult. People like you, Gail Collins, inflicted the nightmare of Trump on millions of Americans through your sheer arrogance and hubris. Isn't it time for you to knock it off with the comedy routine? A routine that has fallen dangerously flat.
The biggest issue is not Donald. It is the "republican house and senate" which will certainly cut taxes at the top, repeal the affordable care act and replace Scalia with Scalia on steroids. Democrats need to learn to fight if they want to stay relevent. Hilary chose Tim Kaine as running mate. Nice guy but why not Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Antonio Gonzalez? The answer is playing not to lose rather than winning. Maybe Chuck Shumer will be better than Harry Reid. Nancy Pelosi needs to step down. Finally, President Obama should have protected his own legacy. Politics is a dirty sport and he let the FBI take a major unbalanced role in the election. He also let a Republican Senate deny his supreme court nomination. Why did he not take them on in court immediately. If democrats do not learn how to fight the millenials will keep staying home in elections and New Zealand will look a whole lot better.
3
I love you, Gail. Even if you have the face of a dog. Kidding!!!
But you saved my week, as you have saved many, proving that the highest art is humor.
But you saved my week, as you have saved many, proving that the highest art is humor.
6
Gail, keep writing. I'm going to need you for the next four years to help me maintain my sanity. Today was a good first step.
4
I am in a deep state of mourning. The last time a know-nothing President had control of all three branches was 2001. We all know how well that went...2 unfunded, unjustified wars in the Middle East, $1.5 trillion in tax cuts and of course Justice John Roberts instrumental in Citizens United (unlimited campaign self-funding) and overturning Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (the former Confederacy states collectively shut down over 800 polling places in minority districts).
It is 2016. The nightmare begins in 2017 and we do not even have the economic buffer of the Clinton years to cushion the very hard landing.
And for all the Bernie and busters / 3rd party voters / white women. This election result is all on you. When your fellow Americans are systematically stripped of their rights you should stand up and take the credit for it. You failed to learn from recent history, and you helped to elect a Ku Klux Klan approved candidate whose entire agenda will set all our rights back at least 50 years.
It is 2016. The nightmare begins in 2017 and we do not even have the economic buffer of the Clinton years to cushion the very hard landing.
And for all the Bernie and busters / 3rd party voters / white women. This election result is all on you. When your fellow Americans are systematically stripped of their rights you should stand up and take the credit for it. You failed to learn from recent history, and you helped to elect a Ku Klux Klan approved candidate whose entire agenda will set all our rights back at least 50 years.
3
Why should we give Donald Trump a "second chance"? The Republicans didn't even give Barack Obama a "first chance'!
66
I suggest another practical step that I recommended to my American friend.
Buy a large and cuddly teddy bear. You will need all the comfort you can get!
Buy a large and cuddly teddy bear. You will need all the comfort you can get!
1
Thanks for making me laugh out loud today--that was very welcome. I really enjoy your writing style and gift for comedy.
3
Thanks for the effort Gail, but I cannot view this with humor. Tonight men in a white truck drove into the Wellesley campus waving a Trump flag and then targeted the African American student union, harassing female students.
3
Well said...but I am not sure how anyone but a racist could vote for him. For example, how else can one explain how women voted for a sexist misogynist?
1
If Rudy becomes the AG, he then can appoint his old pal Alphonse D'Mato as drug czar or head of HUD, and the three can go into the inner cities and show them how to live!
2
Gail, thank you for this column; I got a real kick out of it. And some of the comments are hilarious and spot on...
2
Strategists for the recently rebuked Clinton campaign should find the nearest mirror, stare into it and report back on what they see. In 20 years or so, pundits will look back on the Clinton campaign and marvel at its hubris, its incompetence and how it turned a sure thing into a disaster. It certainly doesn't say much for the high paid hacks who thought they knew it all when in fact, they knew next to nothing. They must live with themselves as must Hillary for bringing the country to one of the lowest points in its 240 year history.
2
Let's face it. This election result was a disgrace pure and simple and, yes, his supporters were and are deplorable.
7
Well, Trump is so ill prepared, dangerous and insulting that it hurts too much to laugh. But as they say "You can't spell funeral without fun." RIP USA
2
In the words of Andrew Mellon, "Liquidate! Liquidate! Liquidate!"
I did not find this 10-step program either comforting or re-assuring
4
oh - another silver lining, Trump's win has been super inspiring for habitual date rapists who thought they could never grow up to be president.
3
Thank you -- first time I've laughed for awhile...
3
Our duty as members of the elite (that means people who went to college, apparently) is to tell the world at every opportunity that we did not vote for Trump and we are sorry. If you travel, get a descrete cover for your passport that has an Australian or New Zealand crest.
5
This cracked me up:
The only thing I can imagine is a multitrillion-dollar Donald Trump Historic Biggest Ever Infrastructure and 50-State Golf Course Building Program.
And it's my first real laugh since this nightmare started. Thank you so much Gail. You're the best. We need you...
The only thing I can imagine is a multitrillion-dollar Donald Trump Historic Biggest Ever Infrastructure and 50-State Golf Course Building Program.
And it's my first real laugh since this nightmare started. Thank you so much Gail. You're the best. We need you...
3
Dear Gail,
I will bookmark this and read it in a week or two. Too soon, it's just too soon...for the bright or humorous side. I did not wake to NPR this morning, I did not open a computer until late afternoon and then went straight to the work I had to do.
At 62, I have been through a few elections with disappointing outcomes, nothing like this. This feeling isn't one of disappointment. I would have been disappointed if Jeb Bush won the election. This has changed me in ways that will take a while to reverse. The most painful change is the way I view my fellow Americans and I don't want to live with that.
Anyway, Gail, like someone trying to cheer you after a death in the family or some other great loss, too soon....
I will bookmark this and read it in a week or two. Too soon, it's just too soon...for the bright or humorous side. I did not wake to NPR this morning, I did not open a computer until late afternoon and then went straight to the work I had to do.
At 62, I have been through a few elections with disappointing outcomes, nothing like this. This feeling isn't one of disappointment. I would have been disappointed if Jeb Bush won the election. This has changed me in ways that will take a while to reverse. The most painful change is the way I view my fellow Americans and I don't want to live with that.
Anyway, Gail, like someone trying to cheer you after a death in the family or some other great loss, too soon....
15
#WARRENin2020.
4
Trump will definitely go into withdrawal from not having huge audiences of people chanting his name. The presidency is the opposite of a campaign -- it doesn't have crowds, or rallies, or baseball caps embroidered with your very own slogan. In fact, presidents don't get out much. It's an incredibly isolating job, and you're forced to pay attention to all sorts of stuff a narcissist doesn't care about, like meetings, and policy briefs, and more meetings. So many meetings! And the women -- well, they're a disaster. Not a lot of 10s, let me tell you. Maybe there's the occasional intern, but Hillary can tell you how that works out. Poor Donald. He's like a bride who is super into everything about the wedding -- the dress, the ring, the big fancy party -- and then realizes the moment the reception is over that her freedom is gone and she's got to live with this now...
14
Rural Americans don't realize what they've done. He's lid to you so he can gain his position to enrich himself. He's surrounded himself with fellow thugs, Gingrich, Giuliani and Christie. Are you proud of yourselves? I won't suffer financially. I have money I live in Manhattan. I voted for your interests my entire life, strict Democrat, benefits for people who are struggling, aid to farmers, pro union. Your vote has betrayed people like myself who cared about the average uninformed citizen. You want Trump, have him. He duped you. You'll have no help, no jobs, no insurance, no legal recourse. But you'll have guns and bibles. Hope they save you. I've given up on helping you. You've chosen a con man over people who have fought for you. Fools.
33
The mantra since last night is "give him a chance"
Hitler was a powerful and spellbinding speaker who attracted a wide following of Germans desperate for change. He promised the disenchanted a better life and a new and glorious Germany. The Nazis appealed especially to the unemployed, young people, and members of the lower middle class (small store owners, office employees, craftsmen, and farmers).
The party's rise to power was rapid. Before the economic depression struck, the Nazis were practically unknown, winning only 3 percent of the vote to the Reichstag (German parliament) in elections in 1924. In the 1932 elections, the Nazis won 33 percent of the votes, more than any other party. In January 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor, the head of the German government, and many Germans believed that they had found a savior for their nation.
He too was given a chance
Hitler was a powerful and spellbinding speaker who attracted a wide following of Germans desperate for change. He promised the disenchanted a better life and a new and glorious Germany. The Nazis appealed especially to the unemployed, young people, and members of the lower middle class (small store owners, office employees, craftsmen, and farmers).
The party's rise to power was rapid. Before the economic depression struck, the Nazis were practically unknown, winning only 3 percent of the vote to the Reichstag (German parliament) in elections in 1924. In the 1932 elections, the Nazis won 33 percent of the votes, more than any other party. In January 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor, the head of the German government, and many Germans believed that they had found a savior for their nation.
He too was given a chance
23
So how does that court appointment for a president-elect work? Does he work from jail? Just call me curious.
5
Orange is the New Barack...
17
Try as I might, I just can't seem to get past step 1.
112
No time for humor. Time for California to become its own country. If civil war is necessary. Bring it on.
67
11) Live in denial about Trump's victory by arguing that Hillary won more popular votes.
12) Close your eyes, and imagine Ted Cruz in the White Hose instead. Feel better ?
13) Start a birther movement on Melania, claiming that a First Lady must be US born, according to "constitutional experts".
12) Close your eyes, and imagine Ted Cruz in the White Hose instead. Feel better ?
13) Start a birther movement on Melania, claiming that a First Lady must be US born, according to "constitutional experts".
6
Still at Step Zero, I can't think straight, and when I close my eyes all I hear is sillly Bugs Bunny music playing while seeing visions of Ted Cruz being sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice. Is this real life? Then Mike Watt calling, "Thurston? Thurston? You gotta lay off the mota because you’re losing your mind.”
1
Gail Gail Gail.. we need you every day for the next four years.
3
I find no humor in this. I understand that I should lighten my mood but, although fascinated, I see nothing amusing. Sorry, Gail.
2
Now we know how the American experiment with democracy ends, with hate, ignorance and longing for authoritarianism. Sad to say 30 years of right wing slander of Hillary Clinton, plus the FBI’s 11th hour attempt to criminalize her after voting had already started had taken a terrrible toll.
Even though Hillary Clinton still garnered a majority of the votes in spite of wide spread voter suppression the fact is that she lost this election because millions of people voted against “crooked Hillary” and because of a fake scandal which Trump promised was “worse than Watergate,” calculated to “turn this thing around” in the words of Rudy Gullianni days before Cromey dropped his bomb. Her defeat (in the Electoral College) was not, I repeat not, because of preference for Trump’s or a conservative agend for which the Republicans not claim as voter mandate which Speaker Ryan will ram down our throats.
To add Gail Collin’s the list (#11) start organizing a new more liberal Democratic party around Elizabeth Warren and Berney Sandersans thank our lucky stars the Republicans do not have 60 votes in the Senate and the Democrats have to learn to use the filibuster for damage conrol until 2018.
Even though Hillary Clinton still garnered a majority of the votes in spite of wide spread voter suppression the fact is that she lost this election because millions of people voted against “crooked Hillary” and because of a fake scandal which Trump promised was “worse than Watergate,” calculated to “turn this thing around” in the words of Rudy Gullianni days before Cromey dropped his bomb. Her defeat (in the Electoral College) was not, I repeat not, because of preference for Trump’s or a conservative agend for which the Republicans not claim as voter mandate which Speaker Ryan will ram down our throats.
To add Gail Collin’s the list (#11) start organizing a new more liberal Democratic party around Elizabeth Warren and Berney Sandersans thank our lucky stars the Republicans do not have 60 votes in the Senate and the Democrats have to learn to use the filibuster for damage conrol until 2018.
5
Sadly this is neither funny nor comforting. In fairness though, at this moment nothing could be.
3
I think he was shocked that he won. He seemed to be stunned by it all, like - uh-oh... and now he knows he is out of his depth... I don't think he ever expected to win. Not him. Not the rest of the world. On NPR I heard that Putin and his circle popped champagne. Apparently he once said that if he ran, he would run as a Republican because the Republican voters will believe anything. So he's not a Republican (and was pretty much abandoned by them), he's not religious, despite Pence, his kids' guns kind of scare him - so he's not particularly pro gun, he could care less if a woman got an abortion - and would probably insist if Baron knocked someone up (when he gets older) - or if Melania got pregnant again - though she's probably fixed. He's a tax cheat - for sure. And super litigious. He loves debt, and doesn't pay his bills. And he's a narcissist. He knows little (or nothing) about law or how government actually works. Forget foreign policy. He is only used to telling people what to do, and only in regard to buildings and golf courses. He loves his daughter Ivanka - and she is a democrat, by the looks of things - and she has his ear. Christie, Guliani and Newt are an issue. And the Supreme Court. But I think the Republicans will all be fighting among themselves - And now Cruz is lining his sights on 2020. And that would be a disaster. So we need to bite the bullet - get through it - and get someone who can beat Cruz in 2020.
4
I disagree. I think we are in big big trouble.
Where will the anger of the under or uneducated white men go when those promised jobs do not arrive; when the Mexicans and Muslims are still here; when they realize they have NO HEALTHCARE? What happens when their Social Security Disability payments are eliminated and Donald and his friends get richer and richer?
So even if the worst of the worst does not happen, there are no mass deportations etc. We are still left with a large number of undereducated people who do not understand the macro and micro forces that limit their lives. Where will that anger go? I am terrified about that.
I grew up in working class Brooklyn. Every day after school lots of kids hung out in the "candy store" or pizza place. I walked right on by and spent the afternoon at the library studying. I knew that the other kids laughed at me. I then earned a full-tuition scholarship to a private college.
At college I was that nerd that spent most nights (even Friday night) in the library. I worked at sometimes gross (food service) part time jobs to pay for books. You can see where this is going. Now I am a tenured Full Professor with a secure job and great benefits. I am facebook friends with some of those who laughed at me in high school. They are worried about money and voted for Trump. I am financially secure and voted for Hillary. If only they had taken the great education were given seriously.
Is it even possible to educate them now?
Where will the anger of the under or uneducated white men go when those promised jobs do not arrive; when the Mexicans and Muslims are still here; when they realize they have NO HEALTHCARE? What happens when their Social Security Disability payments are eliminated and Donald and his friends get richer and richer?
So even if the worst of the worst does not happen, there are no mass deportations etc. We are still left with a large number of undereducated people who do not understand the macro and micro forces that limit their lives. Where will that anger go? I am terrified about that.
I grew up in working class Brooklyn. Every day after school lots of kids hung out in the "candy store" or pizza place. I walked right on by and spent the afternoon at the library studying. I knew that the other kids laughed at me. I then earned a full-tuition scholarship to a private college.
At college I was that nerd that spent most nights (even Friday night) in the library. I worked at sometimes gross (food service) part time jobs to pay for books. You can see where this is going. Now I am a tenured Full Professor with a secure job and great benefits. I am facebook friends with some of those who laughed at me in high school. They are worried about money and voted for Trump. I am financially secure and voted for Hillary. If only they had taken the great education were given seriously.
Is it even possible to educate them now?
10
I have few other suggestions for Trump's cabinet/top positions:
Chris Christie, Secretory of Obstruction
Sarah Palin, Secretary of Sexual Affairs
Marco Rubio, Secretory of Little Affairs
Newt Gingrich, Secretory of Affairs
Ben Carson, MD, Secretory of Energy (or lack of it)
Rudy Giuliani, Religious affairs , ... not
Carly Fiorina, Secretory of Miss Universe (after few reconstructive surgery)
Chris Christie, Secretory of Obstruction
Sarah Palin, Secretary of Sexual Affairs
Marco Rubio, Secretory of Little Affairs
Newt Gingrich, Secretory of Affairs
Ben Carson, MD, Secretory of Energy (or lack of it)
Rudy Giuliani, Religious affairs , ... not
Carly Fiorina, Secretory of Miss Universe (after few reconstructive surgery)
Oh please, when President Obama was elected most of the country mocked him for month/ years he turned out fine, he grew in his job. I remember a cartoon and a blogger comment. Barak and Michelle were visiting the queen and king of England and the caption was Oh dear, Ollie make sure you check the silverware draw after they leave. Very funny then not funny today . I didn't vote for Obama but he did a great job considering what he was deal.
Colorado voters passed a "Death with Dignity" measure and voted for Sec. Clinton (or AGAINST Trump, whatever). It may seem maudlin to the rest of you, but I'm taking solace in the fact that getting a terminal cancer diagnosis in the next 4 years will mean I can take drugs to peacefully check out permanently. And I won't even have to buy a gun.
74
Yes, he's got some legal problems ahead. Maybe he'll be impeached! And we'll get Mike Pence! This does not make me feel better.
123
Dear Ms Collins,
Should I take the Our Revolution bumper sticker off my car or do you think that I am safe since others may think it indicates the redneck revolution and give me some guns?
Should I take the Our Revolution bumper sticker off my car or do you think that I am safe since others may think it indicates the redneck revolution and give me some guns?
Don't forget #11... Canada! We have plenty of basements that can easily be converted to apartments. Yes its cold, but so is Alaska, so is Buffalo for that matter, just think of us as being Alaska, for the next four years, without the Palins, so you got that!
Hang in there America, Friday is coming, so is 2020.
Hang in there America, Friday is coming, so is 2020.
1
Step #11:
Think twice before labeling someone racist, sexist, bigoted, or a Nazi. First of all, they're probably really not any of those anyway.
But more importantly, if they fear that they'll be belittled, demeaned, or socially punished for having a perspective that's not politically correct, they simply won't share their opinions. Then you'll lose the opportunity to speak openly with them and discuss or even change their point of view.
Think twice before labeling someone racist, sexist, bigoted, or a Nazi. First of all, they're probably really not any of those anyway.
But more importantly, if they fear that they'll be belittled, demeaned, or socially punished for having a perspective that's not politically correct, they simply won't share their opinions. Then you'll lose the opportunity to speak openly with them and discuss or even change their point of view.
2
Struggling to understand how America did this to itself? Simply consider why a dog goes out and eats grass. It feels something dangerous lurks in its gut and must be gotten rid of before it can do mortal harm. It knows grass when it sees it and seldom has use for grass except when taking care of, um, business, man. But instincts tell it putting business man in the White House will help in the long term, and, um, yeah. Ok, I collapsed like Hillary at the end there. lol
Here in rural California, people voted for Trump, but obviously were outgunned by the large metropolitan centers.
In our house, Obamacare was the deciding factor. We work hard, pay huge premiums for substandard benefits.
Obama has changed the bankruptcy laws forever with the bailout of GM and Chrysler, Obamacare to the insurance industry, and for the most part been an ineffective President in all other areas.
I said it when Obama came into office, I'll say it again.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR !!!
In our house, Obamacare was the deciding factor. We work hard, pay huge premiums for substandard benefits.
Obama has changed the bankruptcy laws forever with the bailout of GM and Chrysler, Obamacare to the insurance industry, and for the most part been an ineffective President in all other areas.
I said it when Obama came into office, I'll say it again.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR !!!
Get back to me Gail when he grabs you inappropriately. I look forward to a glib report.
You forgot a big one for #9, Gail. Maricopa County, Arizona ousted Sheriff Joe Arapaio after 6 terms. Hooray!
4
This whole article smacks of the "bargaining" phase of grief. I, for one, have no stomach for bargaining with bigots.
3
"We’ve got a president-elect who a great many Americans regard as the spawn of Satan."
A true statement regardless of who won the election.
A true statement regardless of who won the election.
30
But Gail, the progressive state laws on marijuana are finished once Trump assumes power. Attorney General Christie or Rudy Giuliani will make sure of that when they come down and enforce the federal law.
Thanks Gail, keep on writing. And thanks to Socrates and Gemli who always have something worthwhile to say.
I have to say that I have never before been so ashamed of my country as I am now. For much of the past year I felt a heavy sense of doom.
Hilary fought a good fight against the unjustified hatred spread by the GOP, faux News and many stupid ignorant Americans.
We will certainly miss the elegance of Barack and Michelle Obama.
a retired Librarian
I have to say that I have never before been so ashamed of my country as I am now. For much of the past year I felt a heavy sense of doom.
Hilary fought a good fight against the unjustified hatred spread by the GOP, faux News and many stupid ignorant Americans.
We will certainly miss the elegance of Barack and Michelle Obama.
a retired Librarian
2
Oh, and the most scary thing ,I found myself reading up on the care of women with septic abortions.
Okay here's the thing. The Republican's would much rather have had Pence at the top of the ticket. Or anyone other than Trump. Trumpism is as much, if not more, a rejection of the Republican establishment as the national political establishment.
And there's more than enough on Trump's record already to support an impeachment.
I will not be surprised if, within 6 months, a Republican congress brings impeachment proceedings. Unless, of course, he follows the lead of his friend Sarah Palin.
Given Mr. Pence's record, however, I'm not sure that I wouldn't prefer the Donald.
And there's more than enough on Trump's record already to support an impeachment.
I will not be surprised if, within 6 months, a Republican congress brings impeachment proceedings. Unless, of course, he follows the lead of his friend Sarah Palin.
Given Mr. Pence's record, however, I'm not sure that I wouldn't prefer the Donald.
1
For good or bad-he is our President. Not happy about it, don't like him, don't think he can do the job, etc., Yet, he is our President. The world will not come to an end, the sky is not falling and he is not going to blow everyone up. He knows how to make money and he knows how to lose it. He does not know how to run a government but many other Presidents did not know how to either. We will know in short order if he has the ability to run this country. The odds are he will dig a big hole that we will have to dig ourselves out of in 4 years. However, we said-the Times said, he had only a 13% chance of winning-how wrong we all were. So, maybe and against all odds he really can do the job. I will tell you this he will try to do it and he will try very hard to make it work. So, if we non believers have anything going for us is that Trump is not lazy and has a great work ethic. If he says he only sleeps 4 hours a night I am sure he can get use to sleeping only 2 hours a night. The question is will his hair turn gray or stay blond over the next 4 years
1
You say the choice was between someone who wanted to continues Obama's legacy and change...
But wait... wasn't Obama's legacy SUPPOSED to be change? To be specific, from more Republican to more liberal?
Guantanamo? Still open. Torturers? Never held accountable. Banker thieves? Never held accountable and more crooks keep popping up. Drone strikes? More of them. Afghanistan? Still there. Iraq? Still there and heading back. Libya? Oh, that's new. Hooray!
His new ideas weren't much better. As Obama said, 20 years earlier he'd have been a moderate Republican.
Evidence? Freezing federal workers pay in a recession to "build solidarity" when he should have been injecting more cash into the economy. Cutting contributions to the Social Security trust fund. Later he offered to cut Social Security benefits themselves for his "grand bargain" to cut the deficit in the early stages of a recovery... one of the most ridiculous ideas ever conceived.
Sure Obama gave us the ACA. And yes, I'm grateful for that Heritage Foundation born, Romney tested health care plan, but really, it was a giveaway to the insurance companies just like Bush's Medicare expansion was a giveaway to the pharmaceutical companies.
And during all that time, the middle class kept shrinking and hollowing out and the rich got richer.
So- want more of the same?
No thanks.
I think I'll just hit myself in the face with a piece of orange plywood for four years.
How much worse could it be?
Too bad about Bernie...
But wait... wasn't Obama's legacy SUPPOSED to be change? To be specific, from more Republican to more liberal?
Guantanamo? Still open. Torturers? Never held accountable. Banker thieves? Never held accountable and more crooks keep popping up. Drone strikes? More of them. Afghanistan? Still there. Iraq? Still there and heading back. Libya? Oh, that's new. Hooray!
His new ideas weren't much better. As Obama said, 20 years earlier he'd have been a moderate Republican.
Evidence? Freezing federal workers pay in a recession to "build solidarity" when he should have been injecting more cash into the economy. Cutting contributions to the Social Security trust fund. Later he offered to cut Social Security benefits themselves for his "grand bargain" to cut the deficit in the early stages of a recovery... one of the most ridiculous ideas ever conceived.
Sure Obama gave us the ACA. And yes, I'm grateful for that Heritage Foundation born, Romney tested health care plan, but really, it was a giveaway to the insurance companies just like Bush's Medicare expansion was a giveaway to the pharmaceutical companies.
And during all that time, the middle class kept shrinking and hollowing out and the rich got richer.
So- want more of the same?
No thanks.
I think I'll just hit myself in the face with a piece of orange plywood for four years.
How much worse could it be?
Too bad about Bernie...
2
Dear Gail and Liberalsl: Get over it. Deal with it. Grow up. You have only yourself and The Times and Dean Baquet to blame. Look in the mirror. For over a year now, every issue of The Times has been vociferously anti-Trump. Every day, every opinion piece, every front page featured never-ending, repetitive anti-Trump diatribes. Yet, you failed to sway the electorate. Like the politicians in Washington, you exist in a fantasy world. You have been beaten not by Trump but by your own condescension. When's the last time you scanned your own groceries at a self-service checkout? When's the last time you repainted that peeling trim around your roof? When's the last time you drove a car with 100,000 miles on it? There's an entire real world out here that doesn't vacation in the Hamptons and doesn't live in a high rise with a door man. A world of good, honest, hard-working people whom you deign inferior for their lack of education and their skin color. How dare they have a voice, you say. Deep down you despise democracy and anyone who doesn't worship at the altar of political correctness. You were only preaching to your own liberal choir. It's time to stop the tantrums and protests and act like adults. If you fail to learn your lesson this go around, I'm afraid you'll find yourself even more irrelevant. So do the soul-searching, the therapy, whatever it takes for you to come to terms with reality. Your continued hatred will only end up hurting you in the end,
I may be a "Deplorable"
but
I am a victorious
Deplorable.
but
I am a victorious
Deplorable.
16
Our First Lady Elect did erotic photo layouts. Are people aware of this? It is just absolutely weird and unfathomable. Whatever Trump and his wife are; they are not "conservatives".
68
Hilary won the popular vote!
4
We're going to need 12 steps, not ten.
1
Oh Gail, there you go again. Really, your piece is a little humorous, minus the cheap shot at deplorables rattling around the basket. I believe you know that the Clinton's are the keepers of the longest enemies hit list in politics, so Trump's could fit on a post card. You are right, however, about the use of the "racist" card that blubbering idiots on the various "news" shows like to use. It's not about race or gender its about change and a middle finger by the uncool, non-hollywood, assumed poorly educated types to all the self-appointed liberal media elites living in their carefully crafted bubbles of Washington, DC, Los Angeles and NYC. Speaking of not getting out of the house, do you ever get to see the real America that has been left behind? As to voter initiates, we now have more drugs (weed) and a new tax on soda. That's so progressive and meaningful.
Yes, the Trumpeter has said many a nasty thing over the years and definitely comes across as the wealthy, blue collar guy that the country club Republicans despise and the very sensitive Democrats can't quite figure out. Hillary has left the stage, with the cloud of the "America's Political Crime Family" hanging over her legacy and the fact that 53% of those college educated women voted for The Hair. Feckless students are bearing their teeth and marching in circles because they didn't win and the world didn't acknowledge that there is no true safe space and not everyone gets a trophy. Reality bites and it will be fun!
Yes, the Trumpeter has said many a nasty thing over the years and definitely comes across as the wealthy, blue collar guy that the country club Republicans despise and the very sensitive Democrats can't quite figure out. Hillary has left the stage, with the cloud of the "America's Political Crime Family" hanging over her legacy and the fact that 53% of those college educated women voted for The Hair. Feckless students are bearing their teeth and marching in circles because they didn't win and the world didn't acknowledge that there is no true safe space and not everyone gets a trophy. Reality bites and it will be fun!
1
I loved this! First time I've been able to laugh about this debacle1 Thank you!
Gail, the best news actually is that he will bring back those lost manufacturing jobs. His already angry white supporters are going to be even more angry and disappointed when reality sets in.
I can't wait for him to fire all the generals who don't agree with him and hire ones who do.
This is a narcissistic man who doesn't like to be told what to do.
I have a brother like this, I speak from experience, is makes family negotiations very unpleasant.
My only consolation with a Trump in the whitehouse, finally Washington republicans will get what they deserve.
I can't wait for him to fire all the generals who don't agree with him and hire ones who do.
This is a narcissistic man who doesn't like to be told what to do.
I have a brother like this, I speak from experience, is makes family negotiations very unpleasant.
My only consolation with a Trump in the whitehouse, finally Washington republicans will get what they deserve.
15
President-elect Trump is, in spirit, neither Republican or Democrat (he has been both). He is an egotisticrat (new word-like it?). He is not interested in following any party ideology. He is not a party hack. But he is interested in acclaim, lots of it. So there is a chance that, with his overwhelming personality, he may make the country, especially the rust belt, great again. Just think of the applause.
5
Like Gail, I hope that a different Donald will appear when it comes to his role as President of the USA. As I Canadian, I am saddened by the election results.
I can't help but think of the the family in Scotland that refused to sell their family farm to Donald for his golf course. The contractors cut off the water line to their farm and they are now carrying water from a well, (for a couple of years). Donald and his staff have been unresponsive to their plight. It's hard to believe that that he will care about clean water for his fellow Americans. Unfortuanately, I think Amarosa is right when it comes to Donald having a long memory for those who don't give him what he wants.
I can't help but think of the the family in Scotland that refused to sell their family farm to Donald for his golf course. The contractors cut off the water line to their farm and they are now carrying water from a well, (for a couple of years). Donald and his staff have been unresponsive to their plight. It's hard to believe that that he will care about clean water for his fellow Americans. Unfortuanately, I think Amarosa is right when it comes to Donald having a long memory for those who don't give him what he wants.
23
Gail very helpful and timely suggestions . However, please recall that what helped propel someone like Trump into office the most was anger. Yes, we know that being reasonable and setting attainable goals is almost always helpful in life in general but in politics ,as the GOP has recently and successfully demonstrated, sometimes being willing to acknowledge and use that anger to highlight your objectives for change can be very effective. So, please after licking our wounds and reassessing our objectives as inheritors of the progressive 'Dream' (as defined by MLK, as defined by JFK, as defined by RFK and yes as defined by Bernie Sanders and Bill and Hillary Clinton), lets give ourselves permission to use that righteous anger and disappointment to begin to rebuild an effective coalition of individuals and groups who can effectively stymie and turn back the current reactionary efforts to return to a less open, bountiful and inclusive society.
7
It is a shocking and sad time in American history. Never before have we (well, almost half of voters) elected a demagogue for President, a proto-Fascist who has all the hallmarks of a dictator-in-waiting, especially since he'll have the full weight of Congress to enable him to reach for absolute power and become an autocratic ruler. Our first clues will be to see what he does in his first few months in office. Once the abuse of power begins, watch out!
Too bad the majority of people who voted for him don't seem to understand history, and the full implications of what they've done.
All Hail the Groper in Chief!
Too bad the majority of people who voted for him don't seem to understand history, and the full implications of what they've done.
All Hail the Groper in Chief!
30
If Trump will be giving any fireside chats, I won't be tuning in. I can't recall a President so incapable of giving an honest, straight-forward speech.
8
The column was slim comfirt, but there were some comments that helped. A woman saying this would head south by 2017 wrote "brace for impact." Another commenter reminded people that midterm elections were two years away, telling people to think strategically.
My plan is to follow that advice. Also, to not watch tv news for two, possibly four years. I'll be counting on print journalism to let me know what's going on, without actually having to see and hear this mendacious mediocrity and his merry band of newts and gnats spreading their hateful bombast across the nation.
My plan is to follow that advice. Also, to not watch tv news for two, possibly four years. I'll be counting on print journalism to let me know what's going on, without actually having to see and hear this mendacious mediocrity and his merry band of newts and gnats spreading their hateful bombast across the nation.
15
So I'm going through the five stages of grief. I guess part of the bargaining stage would be to ask, "Could we get him impeached even before he takes office if he's found guilty in the Trump University trial?"
18
The most worrisome line in the column is the one about Trump having "the attention span of of a gnat." Well, no, it is we about whose attention span we should worry.
Either we weren't paying attention to the bulk of Trump actually said during his campaign or we like it enough to earn our votes. Neither option is cause for much comfort.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Either we weren't paying attention to the bulk of Trump actually said during his campaign or we like it enough to earn our votes. Neither option is cause for much comfort.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
7
I never wish time away until now. In 2 years the Presidential campaign starts again. 2018 cannot come soon enough. Senate-Congress firewall build.
My sense of humor may return.
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My sense of humor may return.
Read more watch less share
9
Humor is the politeness of despair (Boris Vian). Thanks for the politeness, who has been so missing, and the humor always. We will be needing plenty of both
7
The only problem with your last remark is that if President Elect Trump were to be convicted in the Trump University fraud trial, we would be stuck with, gasp, President Elect Pence. I used to have a button with Spiro Agnew's face on it with the slogan "Keep Nixon alive".
207
Please allow me to observe that the past year of the US presidential campaign has been comparable to being stirred into a boiling cauldron of cockroaches and snot. I only say this because Hunter Thompson and Louis Ferdinand Celine aren't around to describe what we just went through.
3
I agree that we have to try to move on and be prepared to fight should we need to. However, when you vote for a man that says the things that Trump says you are validating him and his ideals. You are validating the sexism and the racism and the xenophobia. You are telling him that he need not change to have the love of his supporters. He won the election by alienated and insulting half of the American populous.
In every election people are disappointed with the outcome, but with this election people are actually scared because there is so much uncertainty about the days and years to come.
While we shouldn't throw in the towel and move away I don't necessarily Trump deserves a second chance and the support of those he has alienated without first coming out and acknowledging that his comments were wrong. I highly doubt that will happen and for that reason I can't bring myself to respect the man or support him in any way. I won't go out of my way to try to make his job difficult, but I will stand up and fight when and if he makes good on some of his threats.
In every election people are disappointed with the outcome, but with this election people are actually scared because there is so much uncertainty about the days and years to come.
While we shouldn't throw in the towel and move away I don't necessarily Trump deserves a second chance and the support of those he has alienated without first coming out and acknowledging that his comments were wrong. I highly doubt that will happen and for that reason I can't bring myself to respect the man or support him in any way. I won't go out of my way to try to make his job difficult, but I will stand up and fight when and if he makes good on some of his threats.
1
You missed one item on your list: write your thoughts on what just happened. It's therapeutic and less painful than pinching yourself to remind yourself it's all real. And it'll make a great historical record (and alibi), so that when future generations pass judgement you can just point and say: "look here, this is what happened..." Believe me, being German I can tell you that this is important.
Here's my list, in no particular order:
(1) I hope this is not an omen, but it is of biblical proportions. Unfortunately Trump can't stop global warming if he doesn't believe it's real, and it's real and might be serious, along with a bunch of other global problems.
(2) At least Trump seems to know what (where) Aleppo is.
(3) I feel sorry for the Clintons. They have a charity which, no matter how they fund it (and who really cares) does work in some of the poorest corners of Latin America.
(4) Clinton's concession speech was what she should have sounded like the last month of the campaign, rather than smug and condescending.
(5) Hillary should have claimed the election was rigged, just for the smiles.
(6) I wish I'd gambled in favor of Trump on the predictions market.
(7) I commend Gingrich, Chris Christie and Giuliani for sticking to their horse. They all ended up covered in manure but came out the other end winning. On the other hand, Ted Cruz is covered in manure and like most of us still doesn't know what happened.
Here's my list, in no particular order:
(1) I hope this is not an omen, but it is of biblical proportions. Unfortunately Trump can't stop global warming if he doesn't believe it's real, and it's real and might be serious, along with a bunch of other global problems.
(2) At least Trump seems to know what (where) Aleppo is.
(3) I feel sorry for the Clintons. They have a charity which, no matter how they fund it (and who really cares) does work in some of the poorest corners of Latin America.
(4) Clinton's concession speech was what she should have sounded like the last month of the campaign, rather than smug and condescending.
(5) Hillary should have claimed the election was rigged, just for the smiles.
(6) I wish I'd gambled in favor of Trump on the predictions market.
(7) I commend Gingrich, Chris Christie and Giuliani for sticking to their horse. They all ended up covered in manure but came out the other end winning. On the other hand, Ted Cruz is covered in manure and like most of us still doesn't know what happened.
3
I have lived through Nixon and Reagan. I think Trump will be a lot like Reagan. basically uninvolved, handing things off to the minions. And you remember Edwin Meese, the AG whose claim to fame is he did not do anything indictable. What complicates Trump is the control of both houses of Congress, and minions such as Christie, Giuliani, and Gingrich. And the forthcoming trials (Trump University, rape of a young girl). And Mike Pense (ughh!) sitting in the wings. And those campaign promises! The take away here is the Democrats, if they are to exist as a political party, need to rethink their primaries. No more caucuses, etc. And a rotation where all states get a chance to go first. No more flukes like Obama; no more pre-anointed like Hilary. And, maybe, no more unelectables, like Bernie. But a real candidate that the base can support and get elected.
6
What I learned from Trump's win is just how great a salesman he is. Reading the articles about how great he has been at getting people to trust him with their money did not prepare for his amazing skill.
So for me the main question is to see what he manages to sell as he takes on this new project. Of course the buyers are victims, and they will continue to be victims. Of course the Republican elites are not going to go away, but they have just bought a bridge.
I, for one, am prepared to be surprised.
So for me the main question is to see what he manages to sell as he takes on this new project. Of course the buyers are victims, and they will continue to be victims. Of course the Republican elites are not going to go away, but they have just bought a bridge.
I, for one, am prepared to be surprised.
3
Great advice. Especially for those of us who are progressive and live in rural areas that run a deep red. My family and I plan to take your advice and look forward to 2020!
2
You reported on the charity fraud and tax evading of the Trumps but you were alone in the MSM. Where was the reporting on the Republican values? The fascism in congress? The sexism in the MSM? The economic unjustice created by the Republicans? The blantant, with the assistance of the supreme court, denial of voting rights? Will the press report on this? Is it sensational enough?