Drinking the Green Kool Aid

Posted on by Claremary P. Sweeney

I was eleven years old when John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected to be the first Catholic President. In 2008, I cast my vote for Barack Obama, the first Black President of our country. But no election has had such a powerful effect on me as this one. We could have our first woman president tomorrow, and this is monumental.

img_0784This morning Charley and  I went to the poles to vote. It made me feel awesome to be a woman voting for another woman to break that ultimate glass ceiling – the Presidency of the United States of America.

For those bloggers from other countries, you probably do not realize how hard and long American women have had to fight for the same rights given to men over the years in this “democratic” country. I totally agree with anyone and everyone who are crying out for change. And I firmly believe women will bring about the change needed along with the men who respect,  support and love them.

Yes, I’m a feminist and today I’m publicly thanking Donald Trump for bringing women together unlike any time I can remember in my 67 years. His disrespect, his insults, his disgusting behavior toward women who do not fit his vision of “attractive”  inflamed something inside all of us. He created an awesome monster and this “Nasty Women Coalition” will not be going back to the laboratory any time soon.

I’m thanking the buffoon for making the citizens of this country aware of how important it is to pay attention. Attention to primaries, to national debates, to the need of getting out to vote. I watched on television today, as young people walked out of their high schools to go into neighborhoods in Phoenix, Arizona and knock on doors to get people to the polls. In this Republican stronghold, they shouted out against Trump and against the local sheriff running for office (a Trump supporter) as they walked along the sidewalks.  These young people, many who are Hispanic, will be voting in the next Presidential election. The demographics are changing. In the words of Bob Dylan, “The times, they are a changin’ “.  And it’s about time in this country.

As you can imagine, we are glued to the television tonight watching the returns. Even Roxie is listening closely to every word. We are all concerned about the path our country will be taking after these election results are in.

Roxie listening to the election returns
Roxie listening to the election returns

What I believe we can take from all we are seeing and hearing is that this is a divided country in the middle of a “peaceful” revolution. Parts of our country are extremely angry because our leaders have not paid attention  to their needs. They are angry with the elitists whom they feel are really in charge.

They are not wrong. They want change. All of us who are not part of this elitist Corporatocracy want change. Unfortunately, Trump’s followers have chosen to get behind one of those elitists they hate so much, thinking he will make a change for the better. They are listening to his rhetoric. He knows exactly what they want to hear. He’s a businessman who knows how to market a product and he will say anything to make people think he empathizes with them.  But his actions have shown he can’t be trusted. He will turn on the people who followed and trusted in his words. Like the cult followers of Jim Jones, they are being led to drink the green kool aid.

And so, it’s midnight. It’s been an incredibly close election and at this late hour we don’t know who will be our leader for the next four years.  I’m feeling terribly disappointed because I was positive we had finally evolved into a country in which a competent, experienced, hard-working woman could become President. Obviously, it’s still a man’s world and we have a long way to go to bring this nation together.

Just maybe our country has to fall apart before it can be pieced, bit by bit, back together again? Time will tell.

 

 

 

90 thoughts on “Drinking the Green Kool Aid”

  1. It’s 6am here in the UK and I’ve just woken to the news that Trump is forecast to win enough of the 8 states still to declare for overall victory. If this happens, I will share in the horror felt by all who agree with your words here. Our referendum produced a surprise result, which left the country divided, and I fear the US has gone the same way. Major repairs will be needed!

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      3. I hope you’re wrong too! But a phrase I was taught by one of my MBA tutors is still with me after all these years: behaviour breeds behaviour. With his track record, it won’t end well.

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  3. Oh, Clare, what happened? My husband brought me coffee in bed and handed me a print out from the Guardian online saying he knew I wouldn’t believe him unless I read it with my own eyes. I suspect he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. I’m so, so sorry.
    I understand the anger of people who feel totally ignored by those in power and who desperately want change but can’t understand why they would put their faith and trust in this man to improve things.

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    1. In the end, Mary, it was that anger and the gender issue. We live in a terribly misogynistic country. I’ll write about my own experiences with this some day, but right now I just want to bury my head in the sand for the next four years. Clare

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      1. People scoff when you talk about gender issues but they are still there. For every successful woman there are a dozen equally qualified women who can’t break in. I worked for an insurance company 80% female but the 20% were the top layer. Company almost went down the tubes until the state stepped in and canned the execs. Now woman are running the company and it’s a whole lot more successful. And no one leaves to play golf on Tuesdays.

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      2. Kate, there are so many stories from women who have gone through similar situations.
        Our most successful Presidents had amazing wives. I still think Hillary’s albatross was always Bill.
        I’m going to write a post about the gender issues existing here in the US some day. But right now I’m turning off the TV and pretending I live in a town that is totally independent from the rest of the country.

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      5. I haf hope that Hillary would win… I think it is sad that Trump won after all what he said about women, muslims, latinos… But the world is becoming odd, and twisting towards the right wing… and that´s a fact in many countries in Europe too (same here in Argentina).

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      6. Yes, there does seem to be a pattern of unrest throughout the world. Perhaps we are looking at a return to Isolationism? That would present many problems in this modern day world of interconnectiveness. I really don’t know where we are all headed at this point.

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  4. What I love about you is your strength and belief. ” Things will come right” sort of stuff. Okay, the result is out….
    I was up early ( 3.30am our time) to see what was happening. Someone said…” he is a businessman and a developer” and he will treat America like a business and develop it ( ie Detroit?) Personally he is odious but I am thinking that maybe they are right, maybe he will develop America and maybe things will emerge from it. This is now a time to hold your course. You are strong Clare, you will see the positives in this … I know you will!

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    1. I stayed up all night on the couch watching the newscasters following this disaster in total disbelief. I have always said the US was heading toward another Revolution. I could see it coming for years. But this is not the guy I saw leading it. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I need to read up on that phoenix myth right now. It is definitely applicable to this whole situation. Enjoy Prague and I wish I was there with you right now. Clare

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  7. Oh, Clare, your message was one of such wonderful hope. And pride that we would be electing a president who would be president of ALL the people in our country—the minorities, the marginalized, the women, the disabled, the voiceless … and that she would be a woman at long last. And here we are, having elected the worst possible individual. I am speechless with sadness and disappointment, and even shame. My deepest hope now is that enough of will be mobilized to stand up for what’s right and fair and just—even though it will be harder than before. Something good has to come of this….

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  8. I have remained silent in casting my views about the election here. I feel that as a guest in the country it is not my place to voice my feelings. It is true that whatever the result had been there would be many sad and angry people today. I am sorry that you are amongst those (as is the painter who is working on my house – also a Rhode Islander) many and seemingly more of those that actually voted because yet again the numbers cast for each candidate don’t reflect the winner. Coming from a country where electoral reform is long overdue I hope that this, being the fourth time it has happened here, I am told, will at least result in a reform of your electoral method so that the most popular candidate is declared victor next time. Hugs to you from one woman to another 🤗 😐

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  10. Dear Clare, I would like to cheer you up somehow and support. It seems your country faces a very big challenge, there should be a reason for it. I know It’s hard now, but perhaps it will help your country to change through fight for the better. We know it well. All the best! Don’t give up and believe in the better. You are a powerful nation!

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  11. So well said, as usual, Claire. I admit to being sad and scared…since he and the GOP have control of everything…including at least one Supreme Court judge. I fear this will be America like after Lincoln’s death, just divided in different ways, and the world like right before World War II. I am scared to death, but I have to believe if we try we can put things back together. Too many people who believe in inclusiveness and goodness did not vote that way. Too many young people voted for 3rd parties…several states would have gone to Hillary if they hadn’t. Too many minorities did not vote, including here in NC. Somehow we have to work to empower them to do that in four years. And sadly, there wasn’t enough attention to working people hurt by the recession (of Bush’s making and a Congress who thwarted Obama) but not enough programs to help them. But we still need to try to get politicians to help, to encourage others to hear our voices, and not stop speaking in the senselessness that surrounds this time. Jo

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    1. Jo, You’ve summarized it so well. I’m sure this has happened for a reason and we’ll certainly find out in the next year or so. My greatest fear is that the hatred he’s unleashed will be turned against him. An assassination would cause this somewhat “peaceful revolution” into a bloody one quite fast. But he’s angered and alienated so many and he’ll never come through with his promises for the poor whites who have placed their trust in an unethical man. He has an invisible target on his chest. And I wonder what will happen in December when the court case of the 13 year old girl he raped becomes headline news? On a lighter note- I’ve recorded all of the Hallmark made for Christmas movies. There have to be about twenty so far and there are more to come. I’m going to spend November and December watching them instead of the news. I think I’ll feel better by New Years.💙

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      1. And he could be guilty of fraud on the Trump University, too , or income tax stuff. So many things. You’re right could get ugly then. Perhaps the GOP will finally admit trickle down never reached these angry, hurting folks. Good idea about the movies. I am just trying to focus in Doug’s retirement this Sunday and packing for the move to our new house!

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  13. I’m still feeling numb. I feel bushwhacked, even though I live down in Texas, the reddest of states. How does a guy “unfit to be president”, become president?

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    1. We are still living in a system where old, rich white men are in charge. To think they’d let a competent woman take the highest office in this country without a fight, was to underestimate them. I’m not anti-male, by any means. There are wonderful men who want to be on an equal footing with women. But they are not the ones who won on Tuesday. A message was sent out loud and clear to women who do not fall under the category of worthy to be their trophy wives. You heard the disrespect for us throughout the campaign – the hatred and the insults. They were aimed at all of us who are not 10’s. We are not yet valued in this country as we should be and the disenfranchised men and women who helped these men gain more power over us were their enablers. The next four years is going to be a difficult time for the “unprotected and vulnerable”. They were angry and they wanted to believe the lies, so they did. And we’ll all suffer in the end and it will cause us to band together stronger than ever to pick up this country from the ashes they’ll create. I’m discouraged, too, but I believe things happen for a reason and it will become clear probably sooner than later. Take care and have hope. Your friend, Clare

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  15. I thought it was a shame that Hillary didn’t pick Elizabeth Warren as her running mate, Clare, and imagine that may have swayed more women to vote for her. Still, 50 months of chaos and the U.S. citizenry may decide it likes dynasties after all – Michelle will be there, and it’ll be (big) business as usual? In the meantime, bang goes the environment and a balanced High Court – and those effects will far outlast Trump, of course.

    Leaving aside the gender issue, as you’ve covered it so very well already, then it’s the Democrats own stupid fault, in my view. They should’ve chosen Bernie. Or Elizabeth Warren (as I said, at least as VP). Or the public should do what 60% of them say they want, and vote for a 3rd. party. [I know Joan (above) disagrees.] All those tactical votes for Hillary were too clever by half, so it transpired. If they’d gone with Stein instead then the Green’s may have gotten to 5% and received the funding it absolutely must have to stand a chance. And ranked voting needs to come in, as well as the money needing to go out. Until then it’s the same 2-party mess anyway.

    This isn’t such a shock outside the U.S., Clare. The pollsters have, in various degrees, gotten it very wrong in the last 2 years: the Israeli election, the Scottish referendum, the Tories taking a majority here in the U.K., Brexit, and now this mess. Their modelling methods are wrong, obviously. Why? Because they can only get single digit levels of respondents. In the thirties it was 90%. Now it’s 9% (Pew Research, Gallup and others). 56% of poor U.S. households have no landline service, and well over 40% of all households have no landline. Pollsters can’t legally autodial cell phones, and it’s too expensive and time-consuming to contact their owners by other means. So, the biasing models for non-responders has to be pretty watertight. And the media treated the aftermath of ‘08 like it was as small a problem for everyone as it was for those of their privilege. Too many were fed all this misinformation and accordingly decided not to vote, thinking the polls were right and Hillary was in.

    The only good news is Hillary won’t be having her Syrian no-fly zone.

    I despair.

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    1. You’ve given me more ideas to ponder and I concur with most of them. The one I think is overly optimistic, though. I think if Hilary picked Warren, she would have done even worse. There is truly a terribly insidious, misogynistic temperament long espoused, not only by men in this country, but also by some women. I’ve been a victim of it and will write a post at some future time giving you a more personal view into what I’ve just asserted. Gender bias is even worse than racial prejudice at times, I fear. Consider that men of color were given the vote before women. Men of any color receive, on average, 30% more for doing the exact same jobs. Obama was chosen over Hillary in 2008 and she really was the more qualified. (I voted for him and was terribly biased myself against her at the time.) A very large problem in this election is that young women chose to stay home. They didn’t understand the historical significance of finally having a capable woman as president. they weren’t the ones who had to work to get to this point. They are the entitled. The irony lies in the fact that they will have to live with this choice and the consequences just as young people will in Great Britain as a result of the Brexit vote. Young people stayed home and chose not to cast a vote. And it was their future being determined. One other underlying cause for the buffoon’s popularity is that in many sectors of the US, education/intelligence is not valued – just the opposite. We have become a dumbed-down society, with our reality television shows that are not reality at all.
      I’m dealing with this fiasco by not watching the news and escaping to the Berkshires to live with Charley in my own little fantasy world this weekend.
      I have to add that your have been a very good sport with the ribbing Jackie and I have been dealing out. Little did I think that suggesting a writing group would open a Pandora’s Box of topics having nothing to do with that topic. But I digress… (I’m thinking about my digression.) Have a peaceful weekend, my friend. And thank you for your always helpful insights. Clare

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      1. Clare, I must immediately acknowledge your deeper, more reflective analysis over my rashly presumptive suggestion that Hillary and Warren would’ve been a more attractive ticket to female voters. I suppose Clinton’s people thought they had to have a male as VP for the very reasons you suggest. There seem to be so many perspectives on the causes of this catastrophe that it’s probably a mix of so many factors, wouldn’t you think?

        The Guardian yesterday came out with what seemed to me (in my ignorance) a surprising article (for a socially liberal paper), suggesting that white women were the fundamental cause of Trump’s victory. But then perhaps it’s not so extraordinary for a paper that tends to fixate on identity politics, even at the expense of wider analyses? But the stats are there, and could (or do?) appear to endorse your assertion, at least in part – the racial prejudice seems starkly revealed, and unequivocal.

        https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/10/white-women-donald-trump-victory

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      2. Hariod, I’ve just finished my post on this topic and will read the article before publishing. Your words are never “rash or presumptuous” to me . They only cause me to think more deeply and sometimes that is even a good thing. Thanks again, my friend. Clare

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  16. When I first blogged here on WordPress.com I had a blogging friend who educated me about the terrible treatment black people still experience in the USA – much of what he blogged about being his own experiences of it as a black American – and I remember at the time being so shocked because I’d thought that things had changed. From your post and the comments here it looks like things for women are pretty similar in the USA still. That’s shameful. And the new president is not going to help that one little bit.

    Well, I’m in the UK so I’m really only ‘looking over your shoulder’ so to speak, but my thoughts since I heard the news are that we have to hope that the rest of your government can reign him in a bit (as they seemed to have done with Obama over his period of presidency, like it or not).

    Other than that… and if that doesn’t happen.. What a bloody nightmare!

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    1. Yes, we have not been the model of Democracy we seem to be expecting from the nations. I’ve long thought we would end up in another Revolution and it appears I am right. Although this election was a type of peaceful revolution, I’m not sure where it will all lead. He is better suited to lead a n uprising rather than a country. I am slowly coming to terms with our situation and trying to find something positive. I hope and believe the uniting of women will continue and grow. We have many supportive men who have and will help us to attain equality. It is just such a very long time coming. I’ll certainly write a blog post about my own experiences and perspective at a future date. Now, I am in dire need of levity. It’s nice to hear from you, Val and you know I’ll return the visit soon. Your old WordPress 101 friend, Clare

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  17. I too am beyond sad by the results of this election. I’m on the downward slope to retirement, and had hoped I wouldn’t have to see another recession anytime soon. I’m sorry so many people feel disenfranchised, but I busted my butt to go back to school in my 40’s and get my bachelor’s degree to secure a better life for my family. I didn’t sit around and whine about my situation, I changed it. No one helped me get anything in this life, except for me., People need to stop being such pansies and grow the hell up! Love your blog.

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    1. I admire the fact that you fully understood the dire consequences of a Trump win. That couldn’t have been easy being a Democrat surrounded by a Republican family. (I’m glad your son has decided to let you live another day. The one good thing that could have come out of this election.) Yes, the checks and balances are no longer going to check and balance and then shall see who will come to the fore. My bet is on the women!

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      1. I sure hope so. Our son is a very talented artist. She showed me a picture he drew of Trump which said “Stump for Trump”, trying to get a rise out of me. I said “what’s your point? You are 17, you have no idea of what is ahead for you, I do, now shut the f*%k up!” (ok, I didn’t tell him the last part, but I did tell him to run along) LOL!

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  18. Damn I drank the green kool-aid but nothing happened until about an hour later when I had to pee. Did I use the wrong mix?
    That was a tough day out here in the west when they found all those bodies since most of the people where from the Bay Area.
    Read today that a group is starting to sign up people to march on January 20th in Washington. What a mad house that city is going to be on that day. When that man talks about making America great again I’m guessing he is talking about before Honest Abe was president????????

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    1. Yes, it was a horrible time. The knowledge that people allowed one man to brainwash them into betraying their own children by making them drink poison was chilling to me. I believe we should protect our children. This week the people in this country betrayed their children once again – particularly the little girls. I just might get myself down to DC and join the crowd on January 20th. No one in his following seemed to realize that the person he was making it great for was him,

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      1. My youngest (18) daughter and I have talked a little bit about going to the rally but with her school and the chance that my little car might not make it if there is a lot of snow has been holding us down. She is so devastated by the whole thing knowing that at her age she will be in danger for many years to come after that man leaves office since he will destroy the rights of women, LGBT people, people of color and immigrants. Tuesday could have been the worse day in American history!!!

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  20. Hiya Clare > I wont talk about you know what as its driving me nuts already especially having just come off of Face Book AAAAGH > and I live in China. Lord only knows what it must be like where you are. Anyway > I just thought I’d pop by with a giant YOOOOOOHOOOOO and say hello. Back from the trip across China (only 14,000km shhhhhh dont tell anyone but I cut my trip by a few days and came back to Beijing early as I was sooooo tired) anyway. I hope you’re keeping well and still stargazing. Your buddy in China – Andy 🙂

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    1. Andy – Hey! I’m glad you’re back safe, old man. (that’s my take on the sooooo tired thing!)
      Yeah, I’m pretty disgusted right now. (just read my last few posts to get an idea of my feelings about the state of this country)
      We’re in the Berkshires doing some business regarding the ZuZu series. The mystery is in the hands of Beta readers and will be out next spring, I hope. I missed you.Thanks for checking in. I will stop by to visit your blog very soon. Clare

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      2. Andy, A beta reader is someone you trust to give honest feedback on your first draft. (although I actually edited quite a few drafts before turning it over to them) Some of the readers will concentrate on spelling, grammar, etc. Others are looking for consistency and fact checking. Others look deeper into the story itself and comment on character development, plot believability, etc. I looked for people who like to read the same kind of mysteries as I do and with whom I had interesting conversations about mystery books. I’ll be meeting them separately and then with al of them as a group to critique the draft. It’s nice to have other eyes on the book. No matter how careful I am, I always overlook mistakes I should have seen.
        We just got back to our room at a B&B in the Berkshires. We went to a murder mystery dinner. Of course I guessed the killer and motive because that’s what I do! It will make a fun blog post, I think. I need to lighten up a bit! Thanks for checking in and once again, I’m glad you’re home safe. Clare

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      4. It’s really good to have someone look over your writing and discuss it with you. So many things get cleared up before the book gets anywhere near being printed.Any type of book benefits from the process. A mystery is a bit different because you have to keep timelines and clues and red herrings and motives and possible suspects in check throughout. It has to be tighter than other genres, I think. I’ll try a novel someday and compare the process to what I’ve been through with Last Train to Kingston. If we ever get together, we could have quite a long conversation about this topic.

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      5. I think I have a huge amount of work ahead of me. To be honest I think it will take years and the biggest project in my life, but that’s what its all about right? Thanks for your input > that was really interesting to read mate

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      6. Andy, I would be glad to help you if you’re in need of a Beta Reader once you’ve finished your final edits. I don’t have the knowledge to fact check a book about China, but I’m sure there are people you know who could do that. I would be more help in the consistency and grammar department.Clare

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      7. Great Clare > It will be an adult fictional book set in the UK. It wont be for at least a year. I will write short pieces to get the hang of writing fiction first. Each piece will be an exploration of the characters of the book to follow. Any help you can give would be amazing

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  21. I’m sorry it turned out this way, Claremary. At times like this, I remember Martin Luther King:

    “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

    Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.’

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      2. And now he’s gathering the troops of like-minded men who will try to turn the country into the far-right regime they think will make America great again. They underestimate the power of women because they surround themselves with women who wouldn’t think of questioning their “man”. Old men with trophy wives. Boys and their toys! There is comfort in the fact that many women are coming together to voice their disgust and there are good men right by their sides. I have hope that once we get through this awful time and reason wins out, we’ll be a better country in the end. The next four years will tell us who we really are as a country.

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