Let's be clear: Biden was WAY up in the polls. Trump TOLD his supporters NOT to vote by mail (even though he did). And even if he hadn't, more D's believe in science than R's do, so even if Dems didn't traditionally vote more by mail (hence Trump trying to dismantle the USPS)..
..there were going to be more D mail-in votes this year. There was always talk of a "Red Mirage" (with R's going early and in person) and then a "Blue Shift" (as all the ballots were counted. This is not a surprise. I'm sure the shock of many on the right comes more from..
..their believe that because they'd disenfranchised so many, injured the USPS's ability to deliver, & made it so difficult to vote in certain urban areas, etc, they had it in the bag. More people voted - which is a great thing - than ever before. People were energized. BUT..
More voters is not evidence of "fraud." It's evidence of civic engagement (a good thing DJT has inspired). I suspect that over time (though I'm sure they've covered their tracks), we'll see *actual* systemic fraud.. and it ain't gonna be where it's being claimed it is right now.
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BISHOP MARIANN BUDDE: "The President just used a Bible - the most sacred text of the JudeoChristian tradition, and one of the churches of my diocese - without permission - as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus & everything that our churches stand for.
"And to do so... he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard. I am outraged. The president did not pray when he came to St Johns, nor... did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now, and in particular that of the people..
"..of color in our nation who wonder if anyone in public power will acknowledge their scared worth, and who are rightfully demanding an end to systemic racism and white supremacy in our country. And I just want the world to know that we in the diocese of Washington, following..
I keep trying to find good news & can't. So here are a few of my own personal silver linings: 1. I now realize most meetings I travel to are a waste of time. 2. I like seeing into the background of people's homes. 3. Air quality! Companies should adopt more days of teleworking.
4. I'm enjoying hanging out w family at home and just.. talking. 5. Less stressful choosing a movie in the evening. 6. I like having an excuse to *not* go to stuff. 7. Realizing there's folks I've been taking for granted. 8. Realizing there's folks I don't really need in my life.
9. Looking forward to appreciating the little things again; small kindnesses of strangers, for instance. 10. I realize I've been eating out too much in general. 11. I like when people are united over something. 12. I have upgraded my ideas of what good governing means to me.
This may be controversial, but I think the belief that one must be "passionate" about what they're writing screws up more people than it helps. First of all, it's difficult to maintain. And it sets an unrealistic expectation. Try CURIOSITY. That will take you farther.
Being *curious* (as opposed to feeling you need to be "passionate") will lead to something deeper: like intimacy, even love for what you're writing. PLUS, when you feel like you have to be "passionate" all the time, it puts you in a mindset that makes you miss the little wisps...
..and more often than not, the "little wisps" are where the magic is. But when you think everything needs to be super-charged, you can miss the subtle things. (& don't even get me started on the idea of "inspiration" being crucial.)(Spoiler: I think - like "passion" - it's not.)
When I’m around people who are wealthy &/or famous &/or successful I like to ask “When was the happiest time of your life?” And I invariably get one of two answers. Either in childhood before responsibility, or in adulthood, but before they became rich/successful/famous.
Not *one* person has attributed their happiness to their success.
Additionally (and this is anecdotal), but around my own friends/peers I’d say to the extent there is *any* correlation between wealth/fame/success I’d say it’s a negative one.
In fact, as I look at my friends/colleagues/peers, I’d say - in general (and there are definitely exceptions) - that the more successful/rich/famous they are, the less happy they are.
Again, a generality. But overall true, at least in my own observations.
At the cafe where I'm writing the people next to me were disagreeing about the origins of Men in Black & I said "If you'd like, I could clear that up for you" & one responded: "I'm sorry, we do not need an old white male's mansplanation." So I apologized and that was that.
(And by the way - it's not like that was the first thing that was said; we'd actually exchanged small talk about various things over the course of their meal and my work.)
Okay, on the way out of the bathroom as they were leaving her friend apologized & said I just got them on a bad day for that, & I said no worries, no need to apologize & she said "Well regardless she shouldn't've used the word 'old' like that" & I literally laughed out loud
The same way you don’t stress when you write a simple tweet like the one you sent me. In other words, when you’re not thinking of it as “Writing” (capital W) it’s easier to convey what you’re thinking.
Here’s a tip: text your thoughts/ideas to yourself. In a few - or many - texts. No stress. Just as if it’s casual notes you don’t wanna forget. Next: do it as an email. A little longer. But with the same notion: super casual; just recording some brain droppings. Nothing big.
You can even do it as a letter to yourself. Then expand on that further. Write out a document - on Pages or on Word or anything. On a yellow pad. But always the same directive to yourself: Just jotting down thoughts as they happen for possible reference later.