But it did!
I am not OK.
My country is not OK.
Our hearts are broken.
Healing starts today.
Because it must.
Laughing through the changes and accepting what life has for me after retirement. My elevator might be going down, but I plan to get off on every floor, even if it's just for plumbing supplies.
From the other side of the world I watched in horror as the Inciter In Chief and his team of enablers have directed your country to this.
ReplyDeleteI really, really hope that the healing can begin.
We appreciate your support, Sue. I don’t know where we go from here. All the signs were there that this may happen; he said it out loud, but security was no where to be found. There were just a small contingency of police that were overwhelmed.
DeleteArleen, I do hope the healing can start. It is 6.30 in the morning here (8th). We are not up to date with what happened so will watch news shortly. We know the Capitol was invaded but no more. I do hope this was the act that gets things sorted over there. Love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteSue, most of us are frightened about what is next. Between the virus that is getting worse by the day and our government doing the same, our anxiety is off the wall. The consequences will reverberate for years to come.
DeleteThank you for your always kind words.
This started in the spring with businesses burning down and stores being looted and police cars being trashed. Yesterday was only an extension of that but for some reason folks act like it started yesterday. Same sh*t, different day. It will all go away.... when people start acting like adults. I think we've got some waiting to do. ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis started four years ago. This coup was planned and put in place by people in our government who have been creating an army of citizens and spewing hate and division. It is not that hate and division did not exist before, it has been there always. We have got to do better and show kindness and respect to each other even if we don’t agree or we can’t move forward.
DeleteThere are simply no words. Since we can't reverse it all we can do is try to make things better beginning now.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct, Emma. There are people from both parties that are in agreement today about what happened yesterday. Maybe we can talk, maybe we can heal.
DeleteI could not agree with you more Arleen. Yesterday was heart breaking. Yes the healing must begin but it won't be easy with him still in power. I believe they have every reason to evoke the 25th Amendment for the safety of our country. I am thankful we only have 13 more days. Please take care my friend.
ReplyDeleteI watched with tears in my eyes and was both horrified and frightened at the scenes that were on the TV. I hope that Congress does something about him and his cohorts immediately. We need him gone so we can figure this out so we can how to fix this divide that he inflamed.
DeleteI had the TV on yesterday to see if Jon Ossoff had won the senate seat and then was glued to the screen watching the events in DC. After 4 years of coddling white supremacists and lying and whining constantly what happened yesterday is not surprising. It was strange though to see how little the police reacted to these white terrorists compared to the mostly black and brown crowd of protesters last June in DC – it was a huge difference, and for the world to see. What a humiliation for a country declaring to be for law and order. What a disgraceful moment in US history. This president will be remembered as a losing candidate enticing his fanatic base to attempt a desperate coup to change the results of a lawful election. This looked more like what happens in banana republics. It will take a long time for the US to regain the world’s respect.
ReplyDeleteI believe in miracles. I believe that we can heal, I believe we are a nation of good people. I believe it is up to us to treat people with respect and kindness. I believe there is help on the way. I believe that Trump should be in jail for high crimes and treason.
DeleteDear Arleen, I too must believe in miracles because I believe in you.
DeleteWhat a sweet thing to say, Geo. You made my day so much brighter with your kindness.
DeleteThere is only one talking point in the UK today. When you think about it, everything that happened over the last four years has led to this point. When I saw Trump being interviewed for the first time, I remember thinking, "Something's not right here..." I hope the healing can start very soon but the bright beacon of American democracy does not burn so bright as it once did.
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s abnormally antic Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Barry, he is a very bad man, yet, for some people, he is God-like. I saw a flag draped over a truck at the Capital and it said, "Jesus 2020." I don't understand their loyalty to him after all the cruelty he has shown to others. He is devoid of empathy, lies about everything, and will destroy anyone who questions him.
DeleteHe cares about no one and as we break records in Covid cases and deaths, he plays golf.
I also was shocked that the US Capitol wasn't more prepared for the vicious attack yesterday. Though Trump clearly provoked members of his cult-like following to commit these monstrosities, thus far, his only punishment is being banned from social media. This is the equivalent of a spoiled child being sent to bed without TV. Thank goodness President-Elect Biden will do everything he can to restore our Democracy as well as, our faith in mankind.
ReplyDeleteJulie
First of all Julie, I love your new picture. You are a beautiful lady.
DeleteI am sure much more will come out in the next week about the lack of security on that day. I kept yelling at the TV about where are the police, where are the swat teams, where is the National Guard? Trump did not do this alone. I will be so relieved when a decent man, who loves his country above himself, gets sworn in on January 20th
Thank you so much, but the photo is from 2018. Recently, a friend told me in all seriousness, "You look really good in a mask."
DeleteI agree that President Elect Biden is a wonderful person, who will do everything in his power to put the pieces of our country back together. In the meantime, since the cabinet is too spineless to invoke the 25th Amendment, I hope they're able to distract Trump by drowning him in fast food and phony compliments.
With Trump severed from his base, as his is for the moment, I wonder if he will suffer from the viper he created when he next attempts to rejoin it. Probably not.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many to be held accountable...
I don’t understand why the people who broke into the Capital were allowed to walk out and go home. Many were there for hours afterwards and only 50 people were arrested, most for breaking curfew. It doesn’t make sense to me.
DeleteThe whole world is horrified, whilst he goes to Twitter to establish his innocence. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing that he won’t do to promote himself. He warned us before his election in 2016 that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it. Well, he did that Wednesday, only it wasn’t in NYC, but the Capital. Five people are dead and many are injured. If he gets away with this, like he has done with everything else in his life, there is no justice.
DeleteI just keep praying let this be it. Let this be the pinnacle of how bad it can be. Please let us get through the next two weeks...
ReplyDeleteThis is what we are all doing, Liza. He is Covid in human form and the vaccine should be justice.
DeleteGoodness and decency will ultimately prevail, but in the meantime it's SO hard to watch.
ReplyDeleteWe all hope so and listening to Biden and seeing his picks on his cabinet, I am encouraged. I do wish, though, that the TV would not keep showing the pictures of these people who stormed the Capital, because, like most other horrible criminals, they want the publicity.
DeleteWe still have choices. Sending love from Alberta, Canada. cat.
ReplyDeleteFor now.
DeleteHi, Arleen!
ReplyDeleteI have regained my composure enough to resume blogging, dear friend. My first order of business this morning was to reply to comments on my own blog including your compelling remarks. I will spend the rest of the day on the blog circuit catching up on the posts of friends. Your blog is my first stop, Arleen, because I am eager to join you and other readers in reacting to the raid on the Capitol. As a friend who is closer to my age than most, I know you can relate to what I have been going through these last three days. What we witnessed on our TV screens triggered memories and emotions that trace back to events that took place decades ago, long before the 9-11 terror attacks. Unlike my younger friends, you lived through the assassinations of Jack, Bobby and Martin in the 60s. This week I felt much the same as I did in the wake of those terrible events. Back then, as now, I was not okay. I had the agonizing feeling that something was fundamentally wrong in America, that evil seemed hell bent on defeating good and that good people were sitting on the sidelines and allowing it to happen.
Like you I went to a very dark place Wednesday after witnessing the otherworldly events at the Capitol. As you expressed, the scene was like something out of a movie. The spectacle reminded me of the zombie apocalypse in a George A. Romero film. The ugly, deadly siege executed by a hooligan horde composed of delusional extremists from all over the country, whipped into a frenzy and called into action by their superhero, our illustrious president, amounted to Charles Manson and his Family on a national scale. It surprises no one that Trump has not accepted responsibility for the carnage, the desecration and defiling of our sacred Capitol, not to mention the loss of life that resulted. As Trump's army stormed the building, he reportedly sat watching his TV in amusement and glee at the havoc he wrought. Ironically, on Tuesday, the eve of this disgraceful episode in U.S. history, Mrs. Shady and I watched a documentary about a serial rapist. His M.O. was not only to ravage the bodies of his victims, but to make sure he left them with indelible emotional scars and a permanent sense of insecurity. He did this by going through their refrigerators and helping himself to their food, leaving uneaten portions strewn around the floors. He took trophies, specifically personal items like jewelry, pictures, driver's licenses, all with the aim of leaving his victims feeling totally violated and unsafe in their homes, everywhere they looked painful reminders of their terrifying ordeal. I saw the same thing happen Wednesday as thugs busted into the Capitol, ransacking offices, hugging statues, propping feet on desks, and taking trophies and souvenirs to prove to their friends back home they had made it to the inner sanctum. Those rioters raped and violated our Capitol and, by extension, they raped all of us, the American people who still care about our democracy.
(continued)
I was mystified by one young woman crying and rubbing her eyes as she left the Capitol grounds. A reporter asked her what had happened and she sobbed that she was there for the revolution and that she had been rudely pepper sprayed upon entering the building. It dawned on me that the poor woman and perhaps many others fully expected to be welcomed with open arms by Trump, Hawley, Cruz and other friends, including Rudy, as they came through the doors of the Capitol to begin their revolution - slash - costume party - slash - football tailgate party. (I assume you saw the pictures of the Q-Viking.) I honestly believe it is all the same to them - a chance to raise hell, feel powerful and show everybody who's boss, who's #1. Heaven help us if these people continue to live in this delusional fantasy world of secret codes and conspiracies. This is America. Not a video game!
ReplyDeleteOnly a few days remain before the inauguration but they will surely seem like months because of the tense uncertainty we are all experiencing as we wait for the other shoe to drop, not knowing what Trump or his army of zealots have up their sleeves. I feel the way I did when we were sweating out the Cuban Missile Crisis. I hope we are not on the eve of destruction. Perhaps a new day is dawning and millions of reasonable Americans who voted for and tolerated the antics of this rogue president, will withdraw their support from him and any others like him. We can only hope they come to their senses in time.
Forgive me for rambling on and on, Arleen, but you are the friend I feel most comfortable coming to at a time like this and sharing my feelings. Men cry, and I am not ashamed to admit that over the last three days I have spontaneously burst into tears more times than I can count. Let us hope for better, brighter days ahead, dear friend Arleen.
Thank you for writing this Shady; you echo my own fears and the fears of others who have been through previous turbulent times. This time is different, though, this is not one man with a gun; this is one cruel, very powerful man with a very large following and who are bent on destroying our Constitution. What I find odd is that in all probability probably none of them have ever read the Constitution, including their leader. They only know about the second amendment. What keeps me up at night is that it was so easy to storm the Capital with little interference and afterwards they hung around outside and only 14 to 50 people were arrested. Something had to be put in place for them to know that there would be little resistance and minimum security. Back up took very long to get there. Maybe I am missing something, but as I watched them stroll thru the Capital, I never saw “the Calvary” coming to help. It was like the Alamo. Now one of those brave policemen is dead and many are hurt. Those involved in this coup, including those behind the scenes, should be arrested for murder. This was a very planned attack and I don’t see how our Intelligence (supposedly, the best in the world) and Security missed it. We all heard about it on the news programs and social media.
DeleteI agree it certainly seems like the fix was on, Arleen. Someone ordered sparse security in and around the Capitol and hindered the response of reinforcements when the attack got underway. Many of the rioters milled around at their leisure. It's a wonder they weren't served refreshments and offered a guided tour of the facility. This assault was discussed on social media weeks in advance. Why didn't our intelligence sources know about it and take steps to thwart it? Seems like everybody in authority was ordered to stand back and stand down. I smell a big fat rat and I hope the truth comes out during the investigation.
DeleteI have never watched another country's news as closely as I have since before your election. My heart bleeds for all rational, responsible Americans who see their country turn in to a banana republic. I have lived in your country and one thing that struck me was the disparity in educational resources. A long term solution, I feel, would be to significantly increase the educational budget. I know Obama had a pilot project which showed amazing results. I suggest this because the rioters seem so ignorant and incapable of critical thinking, or any thinking at all for that matter. You, and all people of goodwill are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it would be easy to say that those people who stormed the Capital were uneducated as some who have been arrested have been CEOs, teachers, policemen and politicians and some with degrees from Yale and Harvard. They come from all walks of life but what they have in common is their radicalization and unwavering loyalty to a demagogue and “alternative facts.”.History has given us many of these characters and it always ends in the destruction of truth.
DeleteSo depressing. What on earth motivates people to take the dark path. Certainly we have seen it throughout history. I was watching a documentary on the early days of Hitler before he became leader. He was a master of propaganda and fake news. Are the rest of us too passive? Should we be having large rallies and swamping social media with our views or does it only lead to more confrontation? I think the thing that worries me most is I don't know what do.
DeleteTo every person who voted for him, made excuses for him, did the "what about ___? (fill in the blank), or believed the lies and propaganda on his chosen TV network, I say: "those rioters are you-and you are them." We knew he was a snake when we picked him up. He won in 2016 because some identified with his crassness and vulgarity, OR he was the 'lesser of 2 evils' OR that they could not stand to vote for Hillary Clinton (lock her up...for what?) People get the government they deserve. But a warning: Democracy is fragile and is not guaranteed.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence, Eileen, says it all. From a “joke” candidate to a leader of a movement to tear down democracy, our president has taken us to anarchy. It all seems to have happened so quickly, but it didn’t. I remember that the FBI director said that the greatest domestic threat to terrorism are white supremacists.
DeleteThese are challenging times for our nation. I, too, was angered and saddened at the events of Jan. 6h, but they were somewhat predictable given ou Lame Duck President's words and actions from the time he was a candidate for the office over four years ago. Certainly hasn't helped that one particular political parties leaders have chosen to enable him. I want all to be accountable now and/or in future elections. Our freedoms and democratic republic are at stake.
ReplyDeleteJoared, as more information is received and many of our worst fears are given credence, we know that we are truly living in a time when the great experiment that we call America is at a precipice and we can only hope that the landing will be soft and we will recover.
DeleteI am hoping the only way is up, with people making wise decisions, accepting that other people have their own opinions. This is not the America where I grew up back in 1950s.This one is distorted and confused.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a very bad place now, Susan. People used to be able to disagree on things and still be friends, but that is no more. I have never been more frightened for myself, my family, and my country.
DeleteWhat happened last Wednesday is disheartening and disturbing...it should never have occurred. I think we all live in fear what could happen next week.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope everything goes smoothly without any disruption or violence...and that everyone remains safe.
Everything went off well at the inauguration and it was beautiful. We go forward with a lot of home mixed with fear.
DeleteI'm sorry for your country...I'm sorry for those who have suffered because of that terrible situation and can only hope that very soon, the USA will heal. xx
ReplyDeleteWe know that we are not the only country going through tough times, but the past few weeks has shown us how vulnerable we are. However, it the end, democracy lived on.
DeleteThinking of you as things ramp up for the Inauguration. I pray that things don't get worse for you before the get better. It is bad enough watching it all unfold from the other side of the world I don't know how you cope when you are in the midst of it. LOVE AND HUGS.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts, Sue. The inauguration was beautiful and it gave us hope.
DeleteI cannot help but be hopeful as I watch the change happen. 45 has left the White House for the last time. We have two people entering the White House who seem to be able to speak compassionately in full sentences. Yesterday I heard Mitch McConnell says words that I never thought I'd hear him say. I cannot help but feel hopeful.
ReplyDeleteYesterday was a wonderful day. I was so impressed with how perfect everything was, despite it being a very different inauguration. It was beautifully done and I admit I had tears in my eyes often. As you, Debby, I can’t help feel hopeful.
DeleteDear Arleen, after glue-ing myself to the television yesterday--watching PBS all day from 10AM to 9PM, I am feeling hopeful. And in the hope is the trust that perhaps you are too. Peace.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dee, I slept well last night. I put my faith and hope in this administration and I believe the days of lies are over. I have an appointment for my first Covid shot tomorrow and am looking ahead to a more normal life in the future.
DeleteDear Arleen, is the Covid shot the vaccine? I hope so. Peace.
DeleteYes, I received it Friday. The question is whether there will be vaccine for my second.
DeleteI am sorry that I did not respond quickly, but I have been having major computer problems. Most have been fixed, but I continue having my comments not published. I hope to find an answer to this but it is very frustrating.
Dear Arleen, I too have recently experienced computer problems --different from prior ones-- disconnecting me from the internet, leaving only intermittent connection --as demonstrated in my "Trainride" post earlier this evening. I've been blogging for a long time and never been silenced by windstorms before. This is different. Ideas?
DeleteMy frustration with technology has reached an all time high. We recently installed a new security program. We always had it but it was from our provider. Last month we got notice that they would be providing their own program and if we wanted the previous one, we would have to purchase it on our own. After talking to my IT son, we decided to purchase a new version of of the program that we used before and was considered the gold standard of security.. Since then when I write comments and publish, I get a notice telling me, “Whoops, try again.” I try again and continue to get that message. There are also blogs that I have been reading for years but now I can’t access, and one was flagged as being dangerous. I made a complaint and they looked into it and changed the status of that one. All these problems, Geo, have made me consider closing the book on Blogger and go into retirement.
DeleteDarling Arleen,
ReplyDeleteWe watched the inauguration ceremony from beginning to end. Such a joyful occasion filled with hope for the future.
The young poet was truly amazing. 22 and a star in the making without any doubt.
America has always been a country of dream makers..... wishes will come true!
Keep on blogging! We all need your words of wisdom and beauty.
Yes, the inauguration was a beautiful event and although it could only be carried on with a a lot of security, it turned out so well. My heart was full and I had lots of tears while watching it.
DeleteReading your post and the accompanying comments took me right back there to the 6th. It was horrifying to watch the devastation unfold that day, and the things we've learned since then are equally horrifying. I pray there are enough republicans willing to support impeachment this time, but I dunno if they will, because for too many of them, acknowledging T's guilt could equate to acknowledging their own, as well. But the thought of T ever being able to hold office again... or for us paying that piece of doo doo a healthy pension for the rest of his life, along with all of his other presidential "perks", makes my blood boil.
ReplyDeleteBUT... there are adults in charge now! People who genuinely know what they're doing, who care about the country, who care about things like truth, equity, and the welfare of ALL citizens. I have hope. Lots and lots of hope. With each executive order our new president signs, and with each foolish ill-conceived policy he overturns and each T toady he fires, my hope soars and another dark shadow of fear falls away from my heart. We have a long way to go, but the journey has begun, and I truly believe good will conquer evil, and truth will conquer the lies. It'd be ideal if all of the wackos and enablers remaining in Congress will somehow be held accountable, too. They're like a bunch of nasty weeds in our government's garden. They've gotta go!
Take care, sweet lady. And be safe. (I'm sooooo glad you were able to get your first shot. No luck here, yet.)
You said that beautifully, dear Susan.
DeleteTruth has never been a part of politics on any side, but I hope because of the previous administration history of lies, truth and honesty will be be more the norm. The American people need to trust and be proud of their government.
After the trial, I never want to hear the former president’s name again.
I agree. We NEED truth and honesty to be our guiding principles.
DeleteGood luck with that one. I don't think his name is going to go away any time soon, and unfortunately, I don't think he will, either. He's too much of an attention junkie. But... we can hope.
Stop the virus first thing will improv thougoout the efconomy. The the racist hate group must be confronted.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We have come to a moment in time where our country could go either way. I never really thought I would say that. I pray that truth will prevail and I have a lot of faith in the new administration.
DeleteDear Arleen, your response to Ray/Troutbirder reflects my feelings exactly. Thank you for a post that reflects the shock many--most?--of us are feeling. Peace.
ReplyDeleteBom dia gostaria de agradecer a Deus nosso senhor Jesus Cristo por me abençoada junto com as virgens Maria eu peço oração para mim minha família é irmãs é irmãos amigos é vizinhos peço oração para aqueles que tenham me ajudando é aqueles que precisam também
ReplyDeleteWeighing in late on this issue...
ReplyDeleteI just can't wrap my head around what makes people do the things they do. In fact, this is something I don't want to and won't wrap my head around. All I can say is that this was something I never dreamed would happen. Not in this country! Look how wrong I am for feeling that way.
The lives lost and the people hurt on that day are forgotten about, just like the children who were murdered at schools. To many, the only one who matters is Trump. These are the same people who screamed Benghazi for five years.
DeleteYour few words speak volumes. It's been a very very long 4+ years. I can't wrap my brain around people still supporting him. I read an account of one of terrorist that happens to be from my state. A young woman, who feel what happened wasn't her fault. She was one who made inside and helped the violence escalate; and her defense now that she's been arrested is that it wasn't her fault. She didn't mean for any of this to happen. Pictures of her show her armed to the teeth, wearing protective gear. It makes me want to scream from the rooftops. And follow up the insurrection with the horrible things happening at CPAC with a gold Idol no less. Sickens me. Hope you're staying safe from the Covid and that you're able to get your shots soon, if you're not already been successful at doing so.
ReplyDeleteI will never understand how people can overlook his madness and treat him like a God.
DeleteArlene, I am truly without words. I watch and listen in horror and disbelief. My heart aches for my country; I don't know if we can ever heal after the last four years. The last four years have weighed so heavily I haven't been able to move on. I keep hoping things will now get better. I hope this finds you well. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteIf he had only gone away like Nixon did.
ReplyDeleteHopefully time of healing, fixing and togetherness will prevail for the country, today and always. Warm greetings to you.
ReplyDeleteHope you're okay, keep safe always!
ReplyDelete