And still, we wait. But not really, because the outcome of the 2020 election for the American presidency is clear. The Democratic ticket, headed by former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris, is ahead in the key states of Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. Biden does not need the electoral votes of all of them to put him over the 270 electoral votes he needs to win. It appears mathematically impossible for Trump suddenly to retake control of those states.
As Dr. Richardson says in today's letter, "... it actually seems that the primary difference between the two camps is between those who are living in a fictional world, created by generations of right-wing media, and those who are living in the real world, the so-called “reality-based community.” In life, who we listen to is profoundly important. Our society really has to address the big business of media misinformation and lies put forward as truth. It is antithetical to democracy, not only because it obfuscates facts and choices, but because it makes consensus building and fruitful communication impossible.
Without doubt, every day between now and mid-January, 2021, will present significant challenges. None should be minimized.
I would, however, like to maximize the importance of two!
On January 5, 2021, there will be two run-off election contests that will take place for the TWO U.S. Senate seats in Georgia.
One contest juxtaposes Republican incumbent David Perdue with progressive Democratic Party challenger Jon Ossoff.
The other contest juxtaposes Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler with progressive Democratic Party challenger Raphael Warnock.
Both Democratic Party progressives have strong records and deserve big support!
How important are these two January 5 contests?
Currently, it appears that the Republican Party hold 50 seats in the U.S. Senate, while the Democratic Party holds 48. Given this configuration, Senate Majority Leader will be able to throttle all progressive legislation promoted by a Biden administration in the same way that McConnell strangled most progressive legislation proposed by the Obama administration.
Alternatively, if the two Democratic Party Senatorial candidates in Georgia win, the power balance in the U.S. Senate could dramatically and progressively shift. Each party would hold fifty seats. But when the two parties deadlock at 50 votes each, who settles that deadlock???
Spoiler alert: Vice President Kamala Harris!!!
Critical Involvement For All of Us between now and Jan. 5: Work for the victories of Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock!!!
It will be impossible to even begin to unify the nation when so many are actively, and effectively, working against that end. Besides the talk radio/disinformation industrial
complex, Congressional Republicans have no intention of acknowledging the will of the majority of voters. Their primary goal, as with Obama, will be to make Biden fail. To me, that is the very definition of treason, and that is the very definition of Mitch McConnell.
The people who most toss around the term “patriot” are the least worthy to wear it.
Morning, all!! kim @kimflum on Twitter commented: "I was so disappointed Tuesday night that it was not a landslide. And then I realized: If you took out all the voter suppression, disinformation, breaking the Postal Service, and other miscellaneous villainy and cheating, it is a landslide."
While the relevance of DT is receding in my mind, it is being replaced with relief that JB is starting to fill the void of leadership after four very long years. Even so, the question now becomes will we become a united country again when we see the Democrats beginning to break into the progressive far left versus the moderates and when we see the Republicans being stoked by the right wing promoting the conspiracy theory that the election is illegitimate. Both Parties now must now decide who they are. For the moment, my focus will be on the two Georgia Senate run-off elections and supporting Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock. The goal is to get the other dangerous authoritarian, Senator McConnell, out of the role of Majority Leader.
Heather thanks for the summation. As we all wait for the gavel to come down on Trumps Presidency, I am curious as to why this election has not been called. My take is, as the votes continue to be counted on Bidens side, they are building the case for Trump to resolve to the fact he lost and close the book on this to prevent him from more frivolous lawsuits. Are they really just catering to a frail ego of an old man? I feel this process of sheltering him from the truth is doing no one any favors. The blazing irony of not wanting to hurt the feelings of the man who endorsed separating children from families, constant disrespect of the military and lack of action in a free fall pandemic is rich. Will he freak out and become, if its even possible, more irrational, ofcourse he will. He needs to be removed now, not wait for January. We need to just rip the God damn bandaid off. I want so badly to be able to tell him to his face, buckle up buttercup, you lost, move on . This Nation needs to heal, starting today.
"Tonight, with Harris beside him, Biden spoke to the nation. He acknowledged it is frustrating not to have a declared winner in the election, but urged people to be patient as election workers count every ballot: a process at the center of our democracy." HCR
For the first time in 4 years, I heard the voice of reason, sanity, maturity, and leadership tonight. Biden's words spoke to me, reassured me, and gave me hope. That he and Kamala are already deeply involved in what should be done about Covid and other pressing issues revealed a trait of leadership which we have lacked in this administration.
Amid the fears and trepidations of 45's threats, may the Force be with us, with Biden and Harris, with our beloved country and every beautifully singular and diverse citizen.
Tonight I'll raise a glass to you all for the mutual community spirit, enrichment and support given to us all in the last month. A particular toast will be on our lips to Heather and her indispensable clarity and lucidity making a way through the fog guided by the light that she has always seen and to which she has guided us all.
Crowd at Black Lives Matter Plaza is growing exponentially with happy people. It is so loud they are drowning out the reporters trying to report the news of the new President-Elect Biden! Estimated size is 700 people right at Lafayette Square, but folks keep streaming in from every corner.
“It’s time for Donald Trump to pack his bags and go home. I honest-to-God believe that the vast majority of Americans are done with the chaos, the corruption, the failure, the irresponsibility, the indifference to American lives, the indifference to America’s dignity.” - Joe Biden
Early this afternoon I was sitting on the front lawn of my son’s home in West Philly, enjoying time with my 2 grandchildren. I learned the Pennsylvania had been called for Biden in typical West Philly fashion — by the cars with Biden/Harris campaign signs driving through the neighborhood honking their horns. No TV newscast, no radio broadcast, no internet post, not even a “we interrupt this broadcast with the following breaking news.” Instantly and wordlessly, everyone in West Philly knew that Pennsylvania had been called for Joe Biden.
Has anyone else noticed, but finally, in Joe Biden, America has our sorely needed ‘Functional Adult’.
At his visionary speech last night, he basically stated, ‘While we may disagree, we do not need to be enemies’. To state this, he has lived this.
I feel that at long last, America has a true ‘elder’ to lead us. A man who has long grieved and long loved, who sees in every one of his own reflection (his deep sou). We finally have a politician who understands the pain America faces, and deals with his own pain and loss. Well, imho, I see many elders in black America, born through the mere struggle of existence in this society. So many leaders in the civil rights struggle, epitomized by the recently departed Lowry, Vivian and Lewis.
Truly, can you think of another white American male, in public life, who the entire nation can see as the father and grandfather that we all wished for? Yes, Anthony Fauci. Who else?
I know America is divided, but this man, Joe Biden, gets it. He sees our division, and knows there is much more in life than our political differences. He has lived through decades of differences, and has many deep friendships with his ‘adversaries.’ I think of his relationship with the late John McCain as an example.
This man, Joe Biden, is the perfect person for this time in America, and in the world. imho, the father and grandfather that we all hoped for.
That trump is struggling to believe he lost reflects the significance of his malignant narcissism. It drives his every impulse. It’s why he is potentially dangerous, and will remain as such until Biden/Harris are sworn in as president/vice president.
I wonder if he will remain active in politics once his term ends. NY AG Letitia James might figure into his plans in a meaningful fashion.
May you live in interesting times—a Chinese curse. 4 years of the cursed 🤡 is hopefully over in January. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing adult behavior from people who are serious about public service.
As Dr. Richardson says in today's letter, "... it actually seems that the primary difference between the two camps is between those who are living in a fictional world, created by generations of right-wing media, and those who are living in the real world, the so-called “reality-based community.” In life, who we listen to is profoundly important. Our society really has to address the big business of media misinformation and lies put forward as truth. It is antithetical to democracy, not only because it obfuscates facts and choices, but because it makes consensus building and fruitful communication impossible.
Heather,
Great column!
Without doubt, every day between now and mid-January, 2021, will present significant challenges. None should be minimized.
I would, however, like to maximize the importance of two!
On January 5, 2021, there will be two run-off election contests that will take place for the TWO U.S. Senate seats in Georgia.
One contest juxtaposes Republican incumbent David Perdue with progressive Democratic Party challenger Jon Ossoff.
The other contest juxtaposes Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler with progressive Democratic Party challenger Raphael Warnock.
Both Democratic Party progressives have strong records and deserve big support!
How important are these two January 5 contests?
Currently, it appears that the Republican Party hold 50 seats in the U.S. Senate, while the Democratic Party holds 48. Given this configuration, Senate Majority Leader will be able to throttle all progressive legislation promoted by a Biden administration in the same way that McConnell strangled most progressive legislation proposed by the Obama administration.
Alternatively, if the two Democratic Party Senatorial candidates in Georgia win, the power balance in the U.S. Senate could dramatically and progressively shift. Each party would hold fifty seats. But when the two parties deadlock at 50 votes each, who settles that deadlock???
Spoiler alert: Vice President Kamala Harris!!!
Critical Involvement For All of Us between now and Jan. 5: Work for the victories of Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock!!!
It will be impossible to even begin to unify the nation when so many are actively, and effectively, working against that end. Besides the talk radio/disinformation industrial
complex, Congressional Republicans have no intention of acknowledging the will of the majority of voters. Their primary goal, as with Obama, will be to make Biden fail. To me, that is the very definition of treason, and that is the very definition of Mitch McConnell.
The people who most toss around the term “patriot” are the least worthy to wear it.
Morning, all!! kim @kimflum on Twitter commented: "I was so disappointed Tuesday night that it was not a landslide. And then I realized: If you took out all the voter suppression, disinformation, breaking the Postal Service, and other miscellaneous villainy and cheating, it is a landslide."
While the relevance of DT is receding in my mind, it is being replaced with relief that JB is starting to fill the void of leadership after four very long years. Even so, the question now becomes will we become a united country again when we see the Democrats beginning to break into the progressive far left versus the moderates and when we see the Republicans being stoked by the right wing promoting the conspiracy theory that the election is illegitimate. Both Parties now must now decide who they are. For the moment, my focus will be on the two Georgia Senate run-off elections and supporting Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock. The goal is to get the other dangerous authoritarian, Senator McConnell, out of the role of Majority Leader.
Heather thanks for the summation. As we all wait for the gavel to come down on Trumps Presidency, I am curious as to why this election has not been called. My take is, as the votes continue to be counted on Bidens side, they are building the case for Trump to resolve to the fact he lost and close the book on this to prevent him from more frivolous lawsuits. Are they really just catering to a frail ego of an old man? I feel this process of sheltering him from the truth is doing no one any favors. The blazing irony of not wanting to hurt the feelings of the man who endorsed separating children from families, constant disrespect of the military and lack of action in a free fall pandemic is rich. Will he freak out and become, if its even possible, more irrational, ofcourse he will. He needs to be removed now, not wait for January. We need to just rip the God damn bandaid off. I want so badly to be able to tell him to his face, buckle up buttercup, you lost, move on . This Nation needs to heal, starting today.
"Tonight, with Harris beside him, Biden spoke to the nation. He acknowledged it is frustrating not to have a declared winner in the election, but urged people to be patient as election workers count every ballot: a process at the center of our democracy." HCR
For the first time in 4 years, I heard the voice of reason, sanity, maturity, and leadership tonight. Biden's words spoke to me, reassured me, and gave me hope. That he and Kamala are already deeply involved in what should be done about Covid and other pressing issues revealed a trait of leadership which we have lacked in this administration.
Amid the fears and trepidations of 45's threats, may the Force be with us, with Biden and Harris, with our beloved country and every beautifully singular and diverse citizen.
CNN JUST PROJECTED BIDEN TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!...with winning PENN.....AT LAST...I CAN"T WAIT till TRUMP IS GONE!!!!!
Tonight I'll raise a glass to you all for the mutual community spirit, enrichment and support given to us all in the last month. A particular toast will be on our lips to Heather and her indispensable clarity and lucidity making a way through the fog guided by the light that she has always seen and to which she has guided us all.
I shall miss Kimberly G, who made the only truthful statement at the Republican National Convention, "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!"
Crowd at Black Lives Matter Plaza is growing exponentially with happy people. It is so loud they are drowning out the reporters trying to report the news of the new President-Elect Biden! Estimated size is 700 people right at Lafayette Square, but folks keep streaming in from every corner.
“It’s time for Donald Trump to pack his bags and go home. I honest-to-God believe that the vast majority of Americans are done with the chaos, the corruption, the failure, the irresponsibility, the indifference to American lives, the indifference to America’s dignity.” - Joe Biden
Early this afternoon I was sitting on the front lawn of my son’s home in West Philly, enjoying time with my 2 grandchildren. I learned the Pennsylvania had been called for Biden in typical West Philly fashion — by the cars with Biden/Harris campaign signs driving through the neighborhood honking their horns. No TV newscast, no radio broadcast, no internet post, not even a “we interrupt this broadcast with the following breaking news.” Instantly and wordlessly, everyone in West Philly knew that Pennsylvania had been called for Joe Biden.
Has anyone else noticed, but finally, in Joe Biden, America has our sorely needed ‘Functional Adult’.
At his visionary speech last night, he basically stated, ‘While we may disagree, we do not need to be enemies’. To state this, he has lived this.
I feel that at long last, America has a true ‘elder’ to lead us. A man who has long grieved and long loved, who sees in every one of his own reflection (his deep sou). We finally have a politician who understands the pain America faces, and deals with his own pain and loss. Well, imho, I see many elders in black America, born through the mere struggle of existence in this society. So many leaders in the civil rights struggle, epitomized by the recently departed Lowry, Vivian and Lewis.
Truly, can you think of another white American male, in public life, who the entire nation can see as the father and grandfather that we all wished for? Yes, Anthony Fauci. Who else?
I know America is divided, but this man, Joe Biden, gets it. He sees our division, and knows there is much more in life than our political differences. He has lived through decades of differences, and has many deep friendships with his ‘adversaries.’ I think of his relationship with the late John McCain as an example.
This man, Joe Biden, is the perfect person for this time in America, and in the world. imho, the father and grandfather that we all hoped for.
That trump is struggling to believe he lost reflects the significance of his malignant narcissism. It drives his every impulse. It’s why he is potentially dangerous, and will remain as such until Biden/Harris are sworn in as president/vice president.
I wonder if he will remain active in politics once his term ends. NY AG Letitia James might figure into his plans in a meaningful fashion.
May you live in interesting times—a Chinese curse. 4 years of the cursed 🤡 is hopefully over in January. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing adult behavior from people who are serious about public service.