I walked through Chinatown in Chicago today.

[LuvLoogie]

Met my daughter for lunch. Had Dim Sum. Walked among immigrants and people of color.

Today I am at peace. I am going to take care of myself. Get plenty of rest, exercise and good, healthy meals. I'm not going to doom scroll. Going to spend time with my like-minded family and avoid my MAGA family during the Holidays.

January 16th will be the one year anniversary of my quadruple bypass. I am looking forward to my continued recovery.

We have two daughters 16 and 19. I was pretty heartbroken for them. But now I've got to get it together--for them. America showed it's ass--again. It is what it is. Clear as day.

I have no delusions about its core values. And that is empowering. Stop scurrying about in panicked doom. Walk forward with purpose, chin up and chest out. Make plans. Stay alert. No more bullshit.

[Silver Gaia]

1. I hear you, and while I am in California and you are in Illinois, I am with you in

spirit and heart. This is who WE are, and must BE.

[LuvLoogie]

2. Yes

[mopinko]

3. never been so glad i live in chi.

and have a dem gov.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

4. .

Same here. What the Republicans that cry "soft on crime" fail to remember, is that a repub Governor here (Ryan) eliminated the death penalty. Of course that was before he spent about 6 years in the slammer.

[mopinko]

6. also after ppl died cuz of his corruption.

i will NEVER give him credit for that.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

8. Right

[LuvLoogie]

15. Yes

[dsp3000]

5. 100%. We need to regroup, reorganize, reframe our messaging and get ready for the next election, whether we believe it

whether we believe elections will be cancelled or not. we need to prepare!

[LuvLoogie]

20. I think if that is how many can maintain their energy and focus.

People will choose different ways to move forward. Don't be discouraged if people are slow to focus on politics. The next election is not tangible to me right now. We had good messaging and a lot of money.

They hold all the cards right now. We have to see what hand they play and adjust accordingly.

The younger leaders need to step up. Our older ones are spent and pointing fingers. The people are regrouping to their families.

Give them some time. They'll be back.

[Emile]

7. I always enjoyed going to Old Town in Chicago when I was younger.

Loved the street vendors and art. Back in the early 70's it's where all us hippies liked to gather.

Love China Town too.

[Ysabel]

18. me too I've been to Chicago so many times visiting relatives...

it's almost like a second home to me...

Last time on the train coming into Chicago I was reading a book and looked up thinking about how everything was so familiar and kept on reading for a few more seconds then shut my book because I was excited and thought to myself "I know this place like the back of my hand it's all so familiar it's like family" and I wanted to take it all in and savor it...

[ananda]

9. I hear you, and I want to add...

Not that many people will come out of this admin OK.

Many people in this nation do not have the luxury to
tough it out and get on with life as a thumbs up to
fascism. They will be its victims.

What's coming down the piple will be very disturbing,
both to watch and endure... and many will suffer and
many vulnerable people will not survive it. Many others
will be imprisoned and deported.

Climate change will impact people with no ability to
recover and no help from the federal government. States
will be way over stressed trying to deal with it and many
will fail.

Horrible and nightmarish will not even be adequate enough
to describe it.

[LuvLoogie]

10. What's coming is coming. Self-reliance and self-care is key

in preparing oneself to be available to help those that will be in need.

I am a second generation Mexican American man with obvious indigenous traits. I am suspect in a few ways because I look "Latino." I could be illegal, therefore a criminal rapist. I could be a betrayer to my people, to women, to African Americans who voted for Kamala. I feel this energy in the world right now despite my living in Chicago.

My hair is long. I tie it back when I leave the house for work. I take the Metra, the EL, the bus. From now on I am going to keep my hair down and loose while I commute and on my own time. I'll tie it back as I approach my work sites. My hair will be my blue bracelet. I hope people get it. I don't have the energy to spend my time defending my right to be in this country.

I am emotionally exhausted from arguing with the MAGA go-along-to-get-along "White" Mexicans in my family. Since Reagan they have been that way. And they're racist, though they'll deny it. So I am considering going no-contact/limited contact with them until, God willing, we come out the other side of this. This is difficult. I love them, and they love me. But their choices cause me pain and they enable people like trump and Stephen Miller.

Chicago has it's racist problems. As a recent example, an actual Nazi running for congress on the Republican ticket, won a district a few elections ago. And you see all the red in rural Illinois.

We're not going to save the planet until we save ourselves. And if we can't. I will grieve for my daughters, for I will have made a choice to bring them into this fucked up world. Of that I am guilty.

So I have to survive, and provide hope and confidence, despite the despair that wants to arise in me. I am empowered by knowing I am on the right side of this, live or die. I cannot sacrifice my daughters to the planet's woe. I have to build them up.

[ananda]

11. Good ideas, thanks. We all have to do our best...

resist the best way we can, help those in need, etc.

If we can.

[bdamomma]

12. Fast forward

to November 2025, it will be very different and we won't like it.

[travelingthrulife]

16. I am reminded of a visit to a dentist about a decade ago for a second opinion.

He was rambling on and on about illegals invading the EDs and using up all our services. How he had just seen it himself in an ED. I had dental tools in my mouth at the time, but when I could speak again I asked how he knew that they were illegal. I worked in case management and planned for patient care. You really don't know this information unless it somehow impacts patient care directly.

When I asked him how he knew they were illegal, he said it was because they were speaking to each other in Spanish. I live in southern California, formerly Mexico. Most hispanic families speak Spanish in their homes and personal lives.
They may not be deported but they will be hassled.

[LuvLoogie]

14. I'm an omnivore.

I still eat animal fats and proteins, but less. I will eat vegan fare, though. Thanks for the heads up. I will look it up and try it.

[GP6971]

19. Well, Hi Sunshine!! How are things?

Enjoy your stay!!!

[Ysabel]

17. If my husband dies before me I think I might...

move back to Illinois. It's more BLUE (safer) than Wisconsin is. Also the laws concerning oh what is it...ummm...drivers licences (I think) are better too and the cost of living is less as well...

- the only thing that's worse in Illinois is the humidity but here we have the worst scary storms we've got some killer storms here...

Additional considerations: there is a lot less crime here so I don't know maybe but I have to be more careful and watchful now since I'm older and more vulnerable...