Hi Ben. I love this writing. I am totally struck by how some of my friends are 'grieving'. So much so that they talk about what stage of the grief process they are in (most don't know that Kubler Ross changed her mind about her stages later in her life!). I wish theses same friends would talk about grieving with me over the loss of my son to the trans ideology. They don't understand my grief, but say...what can you do he's a adult, yet expect that I will listen to the ruination of their lives because their candidate couldn't get elected! Me too....can't wait for your book!
if your reaction to friends and family who voted for trump is to disassociate from, disown and cancel them, you do not belong to a political party, you belong to a cult.
So 'anti-cult' would be you letting Guatemalan's just come over the border to live in your home? Or would 'anti-cult' be living in cave because separation from nature is bad? Or perhaps you'd like to 'unite' with the Black Plague or typhus rather than 'separate' from them?
I’ve had the same reactions to Trump’s nominees. It’s bewildering for me, but after the last 8 years, I don’t have any faith in the “qualified candidates” on the left, nor the media’s assessment of anybody.
Is Matt Gaetz laughably unqualified and probably a scummy guy? Sure seems like it. But it’s not like Democrats were running the government with reason and truth, or something.
Matt Gaetz - not my choice. "Rachel" Levine, a pervert and trannie, assistant secretary of Health. He tried to get the age limit of trans surgeries completely removed. Don't hear the Dems talking about the perverts and groomers in the Dem Biden Admin.
I had the same concerns 8 years ago about Trump- but he is wiser now. And say what you will about him, the man is literally risking his life to be President and I don’t think it is all (or mostly) about his ego.
I believe him when he says he wants to drain the swamp, which will in turn help every American citizen. With that in mind, I now put more faith and trust in his nominees.
RFK Sr was appointed United States attorney general at the age of 35, one of the youngest cabinet members in American history. He hadn’t even tried a case prior to his appointment.
Hoping Matt Gaetz keeps his eye on the ball and is an honest broker if he is approved.
Hey, an openly gay pastor here. Very thoughtful piece, thank you for this. (Though I disagree with the concept of sitting this one out. This was not one to sit out imho - I hope you at least voted for Congress). But you are right: for an allegedly secular party, the Democrats had a number of dogmas that you had to subscribe to or be persecuted with religious like zeal. And it ended up in some very internal incoherent positions (Queers for Gaza), that actual religions look on with amazement, that had to be subscribed to or be put under the ban/excommunication/fatwa. I was personally very disheartened when no one spoke for Salman Rushdie for fear of condemning the fanatic "would feed into islamophobia". I hope now after this electoral carnage more moderates like Seth Moulton speak out and the party moves to the middle as classic liberals/conservatives like myself feel pretty homeless. Thank you for the piece.
Why the assumption that the new administration will be any more chaotic that the last 4 years? Have you forgotten Covid hysteria, school lock downs, forced vaccination with an experimental product, blowout federal spending with little to show for it but severe inflation? The shrill insistence that there is no objective reality, that some men are women all black peoples are victims of racism ( including Oprah the billionaire and the Obama?) The bizarre rituals of mostly peaceful riots? The demonization of any one who disagrees with the use of lawfare against political opponents?
Please work to get beyond the catastrophic thinking that has been promoted by the legacy media and those in the government/industrial complex that are going to be challenged to demonstrate what value they provide to the country in exchange for access to the public purse. A rebalance and re examination of many dysfunctional institutions is occurring. This should be a cause of optimism for all citizens.
Did you forget that Covid lockdowns and vaccinations (which I am grateful for) started before Joe took office? I am not one to defend Joe, but at least get your timeline right!
First vaccine was available In December 2020, but was not made mandatory until September 2021 by the Biden administration. The forced nature of the vaccination for many people is the area of dispute. In particular since it was apparent by that time that the mRNA vaccines did not prevent transmission of the virus.
Lock downs did start in March 2020 ( initially planned as “15 days to stop the spread “) and very quickly proved to have minimal impact. Most were lifted by early June. School lockdowns were the most problematic, in some areas extending to 18 months, again despite solid evidence that this mitigation tactic had no significant effect on the course of the pandemic as demonstrated in the Swedish decision to forgo mandatory closures. The decision for US schools to remain closed to in person education was promoted strongly by the Biden administration in conjunction with teachers unions.
So yes, the Biden /Harris administration owns these policies and there consequences given that it ignored all emerging evidence to push it’s preferred solutions.
Which objective facts are you referring to? What/ whose “Trumpist “ feelings are you imagining? Please explain how your comment contributes to any understanding of this discussion.
I completely agree with everything you say. If there is any small redeeming quality to Trump‘s win, it might be the demise of woke. But of course, I don’t think that’s counterbalanced by the four disastrous chaotic years that are to come.
There has been zero accountability from the mainstream media. The hunter biden laptop was not a Russian operation, Covid most likely started in a Wuhan lab, and Trump is not a sleeper agent of Russia. But never mind there are no apologies. Let’s just keep going on with the lies like sex is ‘assigned at birth’.
Pretty interesting. I used to agree. Now, I simply have gone along with Trump. I ran for state senate in 2012 as a Dem. In 2023, I changed my registration to R. I was a "never Trumper" until September or so. Now I voted for Trump. I'm glad I did. Although I am not enthused about some of the early picks by Trump and will probably not be happy in the future, I am generally pleased with the results of Nov 5
I agree with your general pov Ben, but I have to say that appointments like Matt Gaetz and Robert Kennedy worry me that we’re going into the never-never land of conspiracy theorists and crazy incompetency. I’m hoping the Senate may rouse itself from its doormat complacency to just say no to those two. As for the legacy media, you are only partially correct. As many « wokists » as the NY Times has on staff, you can also read very sensible opinions such as David Brooks in today’s paper (on identity politics), or Pamela Paul in yesterday’s edition (on gender politics). There is some balance there. Balance that I’m hoping the Republicans can still muster in opposing Trump’s excesses, but I’m doubtful about that.
After the election the Democratic Party (my party) must rethink many of its policies as it ponders its future.
To be entrusted with power again Democrats must start listening to the concerns of the working class for a change. As a lifelong moderate Democrat I share their disdain for many of the insane positions advocated by my party.
Democrat politicians defy biology by believing that men can actually become women and belong in women’s sports, rest rooms, locker rooms and prisons and that children should be mutilated in pursuit of the impossible.
They believe borders should be open to millions of illegals which undermines workers’ wages and the affordability of housing when we can’t house our own citizens.
They discriminate against whites, Asians and men in a vain effort to counter past discrimination against others and undermine our economy by abandoning merit selection of students and employees.
Democratic mayors allow homelessness to destroy our beautiful cities because they won't say no to destructive behavior. No you can’t camp in this city. No you can’t shit in our streets No you can’t shoot up and leave your used needles everywhere. Many of our prosecutors will not take action against shoplifting unless a $1000 of goods are stolen leading to gangs destroying retail stores. They release criminals without bond to rob and murder again.
The average voter knows this is happening and outright reject our party. Enough.
I can't give these "decent well-meaning liberals" a pass for going along with the absolute travesty of gender ideology, sorry. I was a die-hard Dem, I was busy, my Dad died, there was COVID, we were busy trying to buy a house, I worked full-time ....and yet somehow my brain still worked enough to understand that men aren't women and we shouldn't give cross-sex hormones to teenagers. I spoke up in my personal life and the avalanche of condescending bullshit from "well-meaning liberals" who had been my friends for years, was unreal. So no, I'm not giving anyone a pass for falling for this, with the exception of parents of trans children who were heavily heavily emotionally blackmailed by the medical community into thinking it was the only way to keep their children alive. I have some thoughts about what might have helped them hold the line and protect their kids, but it's only a hunch.
Human decency and human strength is what is needed for those who want it right now. Most of my life, we made fun of each other for being on this side or that, poked fun, and made somewhat offensive jokes. Everyone laughed. At themselves. I feel sorry for people who are afraid to say what they think no matter what side they are on. Just say it. You won't lose anyone you needed.
Hi Ben. I love this writing. I am totally struck by how some of my friends are 'grieving'. So much so that they talk about what stage of the grief process they are in (most don't know that Kubler Ross changed her mind about her stages later in her life!). I wish theses same friends would talk about grieving with me over the loss of my son to the trans ideology. They don't understand my grief, but say...what can you do he's a adult, yet expect that I will listen to the ruination of their lives because their candidate couldn't get elected! Me too....can't wait for your book!
🫂❤️
if your reaction to friends and family who voted for trump is to disassociate from, disown and cancel them, you do not belong to a political party, you belong to a cult.
I couldn't disagree more. Separation is the best solution.
right. thats what i said. youre a member of a cult.
So 'anti-cult' would be you letting Guatemalan's just come over the border to live in your home? Or would 'anti-cult' be living in cave because separation from nature is bad? Or perhaps you'd like to 'unite' with the Black Plague or typhus rather than 'separate' from them?
I’ve had the same reactions to Trump’s nominees. It’s bewildering for me, but after the last 8 years, I don’t have any faith in the “qualified candidates” on the left, nor the media’s assessment of anybody.
Is Matt Gaetz laughably unqualified and probably a scummy guy? Sure seems like it. But it’s not like Democrats were running the government with reason and truth, or something.
What a wild moment in time.
Matt Gaetz - not my choice. "Rachel" Levine, a pervert and trannie, assistant secretary of Health. He tried to get the age limit of trans surgeries completely removed. Don't hear the Dems talking about the perverts and groomers in the Dem Biden Admin.
I had the same concerns 8 years ago about Trump- but he is wiser now. And say what you will about him, the man is literally risking his life to be President and I don’t think it is all (or mostly) about his ego.
I believe him when he says he wants to drain the swamp, which will in turn help every American citizen. With that in mind, I now put more faith and trust in his nominees.
RFK Sr was appointed United States attorney general at the age of 35, one of the youngest cabinet members in American history. He hadn’t even tried a case prior to his appointment.
Hoping Matt Gaetz keeps his eye on the ball and is an honest broker if he is approved.
Hey, an openly gay pastor here. Very thoughtful piece, thank you for this. (Though I disagree with the concept of sitting this one out. This was not one to sit out imho - I hope you at least voted for Congress). But you are right: for an allegedly secular party, the Democrats had a number of dogmas that you had to subscribe to or be persecuted with religious like zeal. And it ended up in some very internal incoherent positions (Queers for Gaza), that actual religions look on with amazement, that had to be subscribed to or be put under the ban/excommunication/fatwa. I was personally very disheartened when no one spoke for Salman Rushdie for fear of condemning the fanatic "would feed into islamophobia". I hope now after this electoral carnage more moderates like Seth Moulton speak out and the party moves to the middle as classic liberals/conservatives like myself feel pretty homeless. Thank you for the piece.
Why the assumption that the new administration will be any more chaotic that the last 4 years? Have you forgotten Covid hysteria, school lock downs, forced vaccination with an experimental product, blowout federal spending with little to show for it but severe inflation? The shrill insistence that there is no objective reality, that some men are women all black peoples are victims of racism ( including Oprah the billionaire and the Obama?) The bizarre rituals of mostly peaceful riots? The demonization of any one who disagrees with the use of lawfare against political opponents?
Please work to get beyond the catastrophic thinking that has been promoted by the legacy media and those in the government/industrial complex that are going to be challenged to demonstrate what value they provide to the country in exchange for access to the public purse. A rebalance and re examination of many dysfunctional institutions is occurring. This should be a cause of optimism for all citizens.
Did you forget that Covid lockdowns and vaccinations (which I am grateful for) started before Joe took office? I am not one to defend Joe, but at least get your timeline right!
First vaccine was available In December 2020, but was not made mandatory until September 2021 by the Biden administration. The forced nature of the vaccination for many people is the area of dispute. In particular since it was apparent by that time that the mRNA vaccines did not prevent transmission of the virus.
Lock downs did start in March 2020 ( initially planned as “15 days to stop the spread “) and very quickly proved to have minimal impact. Most were lifted by early June. School lockdowns were the most problematic, in some areas extending to 18 months, again despite solid evidence that this mitigation tactic had no significant effect on the course of the pandemic as demonstrated in the Swedish decision to forgo mandatory closures. The decision for US schools to remain closed to in person education was promoted strongly by the Biden administration in conjunction with teachers unions.
So yes, the Biden /Harris administration owns these policies and there consequences given that it ignored all emerging evidence to push it’s preferred solutions.
Citing objective facts to contradict Trumpist feelings is “elitist” don’t you know.
Which objective facts are you referring to? What/ whose “Trumpist “ feelings are you imagining? Please explain how your comment contributes to any understanding of this discussion.
Amen!🙏🏼
I completely agree with everything you say. If there is any small redeeming quality to Trump‘s win, it might be the demise of woke. But of course, I don’t think that’s counterbalanced by the four disastrous chaotic years that are to come.
And your book- waiting to read it!
Thank you. As soon as I have a pub date you guys will be the first to know.
Yup. I suspect that, before much longer, we'll all be wishing that DEI programs were the worst problem facing this nation.
There has been zero accountability from the mainstream media. The hunter biden laptop was not a Russian operation, Covid most likely started in a Wuhan lab, and Trump is not a sleeper agent of Russia. But never mind there are no apologies. Let’s just keep going on with the lies like sex is ‘assigned at birth’.
Just discovered your substack. A breath of fresh air.
Pretty interesting. I used to agree. Now, I simply have gone along with Trump. I ran for state senate in 2012 as a Dem. In 2023, I changed my registration to R. I was a "never Trumper" until September or so. Now I voted for Trump. I'm glad I did. Although I am not enthused about some of the early picks by Trump and will probably not be happy in the future, I am generally pleased with the results of Nov 5
What an absolutely insane time to be a leftist, pro-woman, pro-gay, anti-authoritarian liberal voter.
I agree with your general pov Ben, but I have to say that appointments like Matt Gaetz and Robert Kennedy worry me that we’re going into the never-never land of conspiracy theorists and crazy incompetency. I’m hoping the Senate may rouse itself from its doormat complacency to just say no to those two. As for the legacy media, you are only partially correct. As many « wokists » as the NY Times has on staff, you can also read very sensible opinions such as David Brooks in today’s paper (on identity politics), or Pamela Paul in yesterday’s edition (on gender politics). There is some balance there. Balance that I’m hoping the Republicans can still muster in opposing Trump’s excesses, but I’m doubtful about that.
I also chose not to vote:
After the election the Democratic Party (my party) must rethink many of its policies as it ponders its future.
To be entrusted with power again Democrats must start listening to the concerns of the working class for a change. As a lifelong moderate Democrat I share their disdain for many of the insane positions advocated by my party.
Democrat politicians defy biology by believing that men can actually become women and belong in women’s sports, rest rooms, locker rooms and prisons and that children should be mutilated in pursuit of the impossible.
They believe borders should be open to millions of illegals which undermines workers’ wages and the affordability of housing when we can’t house our own citizens.
They discriminate against whites, Asians and men in a vain effort to counter past discrimination against others and undermine our economy by abandoning merit selection of students and employees.
Democratic mayors allow homelessness to destroy our beautiful cities because they won't say no to destructive behavior. No you can’t camp in this city. No you can’t shit in our streets No you can’t shoot up and leave your used needles everywhere. Many of our prosecutors will not take action against shoplifting unless a $1000 of goods are stolen leading to gangs destroying retail stores. They release criminals without bond to rob and murder again.
The average voter knows this is happening and outright reject our party. Enough.
XXX
I can't give these "decent well-meaning liberals" a pass for going along with the absolute travesty of gender ideology, sorry. I was a die-hard Dem, I was busy, my Dad died, there was COVID, we were busy trying to buy a house, I worked full-time ....and yet somehow my brain still worked enough to understand that men aren't women and we shouldn't give cross-sex hormones to teenagers. I spoke up in my personal life and the avalanche of condescending bullshit from "well-meaning liberals" who had been my friends for years, was unreal. So no, I'm not giving anyone a pass for falling for this, with the exception of parents of trans children who were heavily heavily emotionally blackmailed by the medical community into thinking it was the only way to keep their children alive. I have some thoughts about what might have helped them hold the line and protect their kids, but it's only a hunch.
Democrats are the moral busybodies that C.S. Lewis warned us about: https://open.substack.com/pub/lizlasorte/p/democratic-governors-vow-to-fight?r=76q58&utm_medium=ios
Very well said! I’m bookmarking this article for anyone who asks me how Trump could possibly have won!
Human decency and human strength is what is needed for those who want it right now. Most of my life, we made fun of each other for being on this side or that, poked fun, and made somewhat offensive jokes. Everyone laughed. At themselves. I feel sorry for people who are afraid to say what they think no matter what side they are on. Just say it. You won't lose anyone you needed.