I was told something yesterday that is kind of chilling and inspirational at the same time.

[LuckyCharms]

I'm 66, spouse is 64.

She said "Fingers crossed, but there's an non-zero chance that we could croak within in the next four years, and I'm sure as hell not going to spend those years giving that fucking asshole one thought."

Now, of course we can all die at any minute, no matter our age. But as we age, the reality comes ever slowly closer.

We all know who "that fucking asshole" is.

So...my plan is not to think about him too much. As little as possible.

We all know what we are up against. And we also know that we can fight, somehow, in our own ways. But I think this is more of a "ride it out" situation", rather than a "change it" situation. The hardest part will be how to avoid the RWNJs.

So fight as you can, but more importantly, take care of yourselves. Be good to yourself. Be clever enough to avoid as much shit flinging as possible.

Project 2025 is going to devastate a lot of people, including everyone on DU. But I'm hoping that the public backlash is so severe, that it will at least slow its effects down a little. And I'm hoping that the ugly consequences of it make themselves visible very quickly. I'm hoping for them, it's a fuck around and find out situation that can't be denied.

We all know what happened. Let's not hurt ourselves by stressing so much that we are unable to help others. Because that's what we need to do now. That's a form of "fighting".

Try to counteract unpleasantness with pleasantness, even if it is disguised sarcasm. Do what you have to do.

Worry about things as they come, and they will come.

Fight when you can, and when the shock wears off, we will figure out HOW we can. For me anyway, right now, it's difficult to figure out exactly how. But I will figure it out. And OUR like-minds will figure it out.

Take care of YOURSELF.

OF YOU AND YOURS.

OF EACH OTHER.

We know what's coming. Our eyes are wide open.

Don't let "that fucking asshole" steal your soul.

[Ocelot II]

1. Good advice. I don't want that SOB living rent-free in my head any longer.

Keep calm and carry on, as the saying goes. And be ready to say "I told you so" to a lot of people at some not too distant time.

[johnnyfins]

12. This is a very good point

Do not say it on this forum unless you are telling a story about saying it to a MAGAT.

Very important to let them know how they flushed our country down the shitter.

Remember, this is not revenge or sour grapes. It is placing blame where it should be. Elections have real consequences. It's not a football game.

[Glaisne]

34. Absolutely

It will be very important to make sure we expressly place the blame on the MAGATs when things go to shit while saying we told you so. We are going to say we told you so a lot eventually. People just have to learn the hard way.

[Envirogal]

54. Conecomics is going to implode on itself

I came to the conclusion that ever since the Birchers, supply-siders, Moral Majority, and the Fox/AM blowhards have been fantasizing of dismantling of our federal government and all the programs, regulations, bureaucrats, and secular protections that goes with it. It’s time for their hypothesis to come to fruition and the Molotov cocktail that is going to explode in their hands once the American people see what hath brought on thee. Spoiler alert: they aren’t going to like it.

Then the Dems will once again be brought in to clean up the mess…only to have the American people give it all back again to the arsonists. The Democratic enabling will bail them out again and the GOP will never be held accountable and gains a little more power and traction each time. Thus, the full con hypotheses will not be tested so the GOP cranks can still keep filling people’s head with reasonable sounding policy ideas that you can fit on a bar napkin.

I am resigned that this is finally going to have to be tested or we will never be fully rid of them. The dog caught the bus. They are not going to know what to do with it since they don’t know how to govern.

I’m not talking about giving up here but this is inevitable. In fact, we need to go back to the basics and go win back rural America and the local and state elections that we lost during the Obama administration. Look at what just happened to Wisconsin once they took out the conservative state Supreme Court. We need the states back for our side, if we ever have a real chance on slaying the right wing cabal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Very well said, my dear LuckyCharms . . .

This is a great list of how to survive the next few years without losing our minds or our health.

Thank you so much!

[Irish_Dem]

3. I have had the same thoughts.

It is certain that some of us will die from Trump polices which reflect his hatred and disinterest in
the common good and American public. Especially those who are older and vulnerable.
The billionaires see us as worthless eaters.

So we might as well enjoy what time we have left and be thankful for what we have now.
Appreciate and enjoy the goodness around us.

[yardwork]

4. My son said the same.

He told me he's going to focus on our community - where he and his wife have meaningful jobs trying to make a difference in people's lives - and ignore Trump.

He's not going to pay attention to the inevitable White House drama, follow the latest outrageous thing Trump says or does, or track Jack Smith's efforts to convict him. It's all going in the "things I have no control over and won't waste energy watching" bucket.

[johnnyfins]

14. This!! Absolutely!!

I would add for EVERYONE to STOP consuming mainstream media. Go further if you like with boycotts, but at a minimum starve them of their viewership.

[Bluethroughu]

16. Midastouch network will fill you in on everything.

[NJCher]

64. Totally with this

Last edited Mon Nov 11, 2024, 09:17 AM - Edit history (1)

Legal AF says they will not get far. Listen to the latest one for why: the repukes set us up with a nice set of rules to delay, obfuscate, etc. Chevron. They did this because they wanted an easier way to stop US. Instead they just screwed themselves—as usual.

Be very careful about saying they are going to get anywhere with Project 25. That which you think becomes your reality.

Already McConnell is setting it up for a Senate president who is not a MAGAT. Indications are for some fairly brutal infighting.

Two nights ago I listened to nearly 5 hours of how the left is going to fight back. I actually was in awe. There is a very deep infrastructure there.

On edit: the title of the above Legal AF podcast is Trump Faces a
Lawsuit Tsunami to Stop Agenda.

[yardwork]

27. The Washington Post is unreadable since the election.

I was going to keep my subscription for the sake of their staff but I changed my mind. I don't want to read it.

[thinkingagain]

30. Wish all the decent staff of all the newspapers

That have become unreadable would band together and create a newspaper that is more center,( but a little bit left leaning because that’s what we are.😊
Maybe They even could form after the white rose in Germany.
“White Rose independant”?

[bdamomma]

49. FOX and other

right wing sites need to be focused on, also on social media which has been feeding propaganda, misinformation and disinformation to Gen Z. Get off Elon's X.

Your last comment I agree with.

[slightlv]

53. IMO, you have a very wise son!

I'm basically coming to the same conclusion. I'm 68; hubby is 72. There's enough right here in this house that needs to be taken care of... things I either can do, or ask someone to help with. The country? Not so much.

I feel bad, tho. I gave it my all through the years. Voted and supported Democrats; marched and chanted for women and minority rights since I was 16. Protested against stupid wars and fake wars, both national and global, during all that. Tried to make a place of peace where everyone could be just who they are. No expectations; no demands. Just enjoy someone for who they are inside and out. I was one of the Flower Children, with stars in my eyes and rose-colored glasses who thought we could actually make a difference in the world if we worked at it. And boy, did we work at it. Well, the rose-colored glasses are stored in a "memory box", the stars are fallen from my eyes, and my memory darkens and at this point, I'm not so sure that's not a good thing.

I leave it to my generation's descendents to carry on the fight. They're the ones who are going to have to live with the consequences the longest. I'll stand ready to recount how we did what we did, but remembering to tell them, look where it got us. You will have to change your tactics.

I've already decided to just chill as much as possible for as long as possible. I absolutely don't know if there will be a tomorrow for me to worry about. I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia. My back is to die for -- literally. I could kick off with a stroke or a heart attack, or from sheer worry over DH and grandson. There are no guarantees. I'll budget to try to meet the bills to hang on to a roof over our head, for as long as I can. I'll gather my catkids in close and make sure they always have enough to eat, and enough love to know they're loved. And I'll begin to laugh at the strange connections my DH's brain makes these days... like bringing home Wonder Bagels instead of Wonder Buns.

But that evil POS will only own any piece of me when I can't control it... as in nightmares and night terrors. And, as broken as my sleep is anymore, I can always stay away more than sleep, and that'll take care of that. I will grieve for what has been lost; I will no doubt rage at what is taken away. But it will all be done knowing there is nothing I can do about changing a damn thing. My only hope there actually is a life after death... and I can apologize to that wise Chinese philosopher who blessed us with the words, "May you live in interesting times."

[yardwork]

57. You are tired, and it's a good time to rest.

May you live many years in better times ahead.

[Easterncedar]

5. Good advice

I am trying to create a still center to hold to while I look for action. A UU church service I just attended (pretty much for the first time) gave me a good perspective. John Lewis’s final essay from 2020 was read. I hope to find a way to make good trouble.

[OnionPatch]

32. I just attended my first UU service today, too.

👋 They talked about Mandela. I’m betting the UU church is going to get a bump in membership. It’s a great place to be active.

[Easterncedar]

35. Yes, no both siderism needed

I couldn’t have taken that. My former congregational church pastor, personally liberal, still had to walk a line during Covid times not to alienate the folks on the right. The UU service today talked a lot about how we could hope to stand together against the evil. Nothing ambiguous, and the people were all in.

[mamacita75]

41. UU

I think this is the Unitarian church. Am I correct?
This is the second time I have heard a recommendation.

[Easterncedar]

42. Unitarian Universalist

Some congregations are somewhat Christian-aligned and some are not at all, but the general tenor is to take what is good and true from anywhere, any religion and no religion. Some are deists, some are not.

[OnionPatch]

56. I've watched their sermons online

But today was the first time I attended. They are very open-minded and liberal. You can be of any religion or have no religion to be part of their community. Here are their principles:

1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

[llmart]

6. I had already come to that same conclusion for my life.

My two sisters and I have said this very same thing. We are 84, 79, and I'm 75. I consider myself lucky that I have no friends that are Republicans and all of my family and two grown children are Democrats. We're retired so have no coworkers. I volunteer in an organization where almost everyone is liberal by nature of that organization. I do know that there are neighbors that are not like-minded and I have little to no contact with them for that very reason. I am more of an introvert than extrovert though I am a basically friendly person. I live alone and I have a very contented life.

I don't have enough years left to waste any of them. They're not worth my mental and physical health.

[NoSheep]

60. The time I have left is too important to me. I will try to survive and stay sane and help my friends and neighbors.

I’m already a wreck inside from cortisol.

[LoisB]

7. Wise.

[Hotler]

8. Party at LuckyCharms, what can I bring?

[Elessar Zappa]

9. Your wife is correct.

[Prairie_Seagull]

10. Spody Odie at Lucky Charms.

I will bring the trash can. haha.

[Qutzupalotl]

11. Yes. Fascists want the population afraid, confused, fearful.

We don't have to give them any of that.

A Stoic philosopher put it this way: “The one who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary.” In other words, pre-crisis anxiety is useless and even counterproductive.

We should reach out to friends and neighbors, form or join like-minded groups, and resist when and where we can. But until such crises are upon us, worry and anxiety do not help. Calm and clear thinking about what is happening will show us what we need to do in the moment. Rational planning for eventualities is helpful, but keep in mind that not all their plans will begin, and even fewer will succeed.

[Easterncedar]

36. I would rec this a hundred times.

Well said!

[OldBaldy1701E]

63. "...pre-crisis anxiety is useless and even counterproductive."

Yes, it is. Unfortunately, some of us have a mental condition that makes us super anxious regardless of logic or reason. We don't like it, but it is there. And, it can take control which, again, is regardless of whether or not we want it to.

I wonder what we are supposed to do? Because I can feel my chest already starting to hurt beyond the occasional twinge.

And, I don't have a problem with this. Because at least the anxiety and pain will be finally gone.

[Qutzupalotl]

70. Stay with us and keep resisting and strategizing.

We need you and all of us together, now more than ever. If you have chronic anxiety, it will be harder, but yet not impossible. Acknowledge your fears, but do the work anyway — that shows courage, and will inspire those around you. Take care of yourself and set realistic goals for what you can do. Getting started will overcome inertia and procrastination.

One DUer pointed to this resource (https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/). I don't agree with all the author's strategies, especially a tax strike — but he has many other good suggestions for what to do now. Experts on authoritarianism such as Timothy Snyder have compiled a list of strategies that worked to topple strongmen in the past, which the link cites.

I admit it is easy for someone without chronic anxiety to say, “Don't be afraid.” But take heart in the examples of others, and know you are not alone. If you can meet with like-minded people in any setting, any group, any size, it will feel more solid than pixels on a screen. There is no substitute for real human interaction.

[mountain grammy]

13. I'll be 77 this month

in January 2017, back when you were still a kid, I marched with a million people in Washington DC.. now I limp around the block.

I have avoided the news and been re watching The Stand, even if it is a lousy adaptation of King's work (in my opinion) it's the classic battle of good vs evil

Ain't nobody stealing my soul, especially the rotten darkman.

[Evolve Dammit]

22. lotsa parallels to "The Stand." Stay away from Walking Dude and Trashcan Man..

[joanbarnes]

15. Well Said. Same thoughts here.......

Mr. Barnes and I are 70. I just retired after working 'til 70. Heartbroken that our retirement years will not be the promised peace and joy we all deserve.

[Evolve Dammit]

23. That's where I'm at too. I am genuinely "concerned" that he wants to collapse our economy. He stated it publicly.

[FakeNoose]

17. President Jimmy Carter is a good example for all of us

He's still fighting and he reached 100 this year! None of us know how long we have, but Carter never gave up the good fight. I hope he's still with us for the next election. But even after he's gone to his greater reward, I know he'll be looking down from heaven and giving us the encouragement we need. The next 4 years won't be easy, so let's help each other get through it.

[Bluethroughu]

18. Husband and I, 50 years old.

Two kids both doing well in their profession and fields of work. Caring, loving humans are prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.

History will write itself...my hope is for a peaceful transfer of power in 4 years from and epotient administration.

[Bumbles]

19. My son said something similar to me.

He mentioned that when the devastating results came in, one of the first things he thought about was me, now 82, and his father and his father's wife, both in their eighties. He felt sad that we might have to live the remainder of our lives with the omni presence of this horrible person dominating so much. I looked at it as inspirational. I intend to outlive his reign in the White House and see the Dems once again saving our country, our economy and our democracy from Republicans.

[keepthemhonestO]

20. Love

The last line, don't let that asshole steal your soul.

[NNadir]

21. I posted along these lines over in the history forum, thinking of John Waldron.

Today, I find myself reflecting on the death of John Waldron as a comfort.

I also do not expect to live much longer; I'm older than you.

I believe that after I'm dead, this tragedy will end.

[malaise]

24. Was speaking with one of my neighbors this morning

She says she cannot tolerate the sight or sound of him.
She is distraught.

[multigraincracker]

25. I'm right at my "use by date". My only goal now is

To live one day longer than my younger wife. She’s an RN and has saved my life 3 times.

[Clouds Passing]

26. Don't give that Dump name or face any clicks.

Build like-minded family and community.
Keep up your hobbies, exercise programs, diet, etc.
Love and respect like your life depends on it because it does.
Honor your ancestors.
Live by the higher values; compassion, empathy, sympathy, wisdom, truth, peace, generosity, patience, tolerance, love.

[rubbersole]

28. Enjoy "the good old days" while we're still kicking.

[soldierant]

29. I'm 79 and mobility challenged.

My closest blood relative are a first cousin and three second cousins. None of then is physically close to - we are several states away. Two of them have children and grandchildren, none of whom I have met. My husband of 40 years (who is 81) is incarcerated on in indefinite sentence. He is eligible for parole, but between TBI whan he was 21 andthe intervening years having led to benogn dementia, there is zero chance of his convincing a parole board that he should get parole. He is also mobility challenged and there is no way that I could give him the kind of care he is getting where he is, and he could not help me care for myself either. So there's not a whole lot I can do in te resistance anyway.

But I thnk I shold be able to, for instance, follow the massive lawsuits that Democrativ governors and attorneys general as promising to bring every time he tries anythng funny. And in other ways I can support people who are doing things that matter, even if the support may not be financial. It's very little. But I would not be taking care of myself if I weren't thinkingof others. I'm just not made that way. Probably no one here is made that way, and those of you who have real live people in your life to care about and for , by all means go for that.

I've never been one for the MSM - at least not since Dan Rather was framed. There are a couple of hosts on MSNBC I trust, but even those I only watch sparingly. I get most of my news now from Sobstack - Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Reich, Joyce Vance, Mary Trump, RObert Hubbell, WOnkette, Talking Points Memo, Margaret Atwood (when she writes, which is getting more seldom.) It may not always be pretty, but at least it's factual. And, yes, I come here. And will continue to do so, and also to be selective.

I don't think he cankill me in four years, but it really isn't the four years I', worried about. It's how long after that he will have put is in hock for.

[Linda ladeewolf]

31. I am

As terrified as the rest of you of project 2025. I have a feeling though, that it can’t be done in one day. There will be such incredible backlash for much of what they plan to do, that I think the perpetrators of it will finally be scared themselves. They may batter away at us with some new bullshit everyday, but in the end even trumpers are going to explode, and you know how violent they can be. They may turn on their oppressors with far greater violence than we can imagine, if that happens just get out of their way. Maybe they’ll do each other in. At least I hope that’s what happens, anyway, I’m still setting up a chicken house and a small garden. It’s the best I can do. I’m not going to be giving trump much thought either, other than to be pissed off.

Oh and for the moment anyway, I am crocheting, teeny tiny motifs about a half inch in size to make a vest from. A vest of many colors. Thinking about Dollie Parton a lot. I have 600 made, only 1400 to go, yes they are that small and I want a lose vest.

[4catsmom]

33. it won't matter what the backlash is

I don't believe Trump has any intention of stepping down no matter what the votes, if allowed at all, are.

[Beacool]

37. My coping nechanism is to mute the news when they show him.

I did that when he was in office the last time. I can't stand to hear his voice, the lying POS.

[DownriverDem]

38. What to do about

my nervous stomach? Any help would be appreciated.

[LuckyCharms]

45. When I used to take my own advice, I would exercize to the point of exhaustion to calm myself.

Now, I don't take my own advice.

[dickthegrouch]

69. I always resort to steamed vegetables

It’s just about the only thing I can keep down when I’m really nervous.
I also listen to hours of my favorite music which happens to be J S Bach choral works, and Baroque and Renaissance harp or guitar pieces. They are so intricate that I can listen to the exact same piece many times and hear a different piece every time. I can get ‘lost’ in those for hours and then finally calm enough to eat again.

[FirstLight]

39. I've stopped watching ALL political shows for my own sanity

even the Meidas Touch network...I just cant hear that asshole's NAME again, much less his voiice or the hand wringing over "what's gonna happen and when"

I'm 54, disabled, and just survived a huge DV trauma (a week before the election my spouse almost killed me)...the trauma response to the election was visceral on many levels. I thinkk I cried and slept for the better part of 48 hrs...


Then I woke up with a righteous RAGE - a fire in my belly to live my best life possible before the "other shoe drops."

I am lucky enough to feel "safer" in CA. But that isn;t guaranteed.
So I'm gonna keep striving, stay in my ASU college program, and work on my backup plan.

If I gotta live in the backwoods in a trailer with a shotgun till I'm dead, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it...(we= my trans kid and their trans partner, my son and his family).

But I agree, I'll do what I can. While working on myself...I have a LOT of therapy and deep shit to dig through, so I can claim my real inner strenght and survive this bastard's "reign" just like I survived Domestic Vilence!
I'll survive out of SPITE!

[mamacita75]

40. Yes, it is both

chilling and inspirational. Thank you for sharing.

I am staying positive. What we give out to the world we get back in some way.

Especially remembering who is living in your thoughts. Very excellent reminder!

Community will get lots of people through these 4 years.

[Schlocko]

43. I'm Rude By Nature, But . .

. . since Tuesday, I’ve noticed myself becoming more polite to people: waving them through four-way stops; thanking grocery store employees profusely for just doing their jobs; checking to see if my boss is okay; not letting anti-abortion protesters bait me. It’s not part of any plan. At some subconscious level I realized there was enough shitty energy in this world, I did not have to contribute more. It’s an adjustment, but I’m surviving so far.

[LuckyCharms]

44. Good way to be, Schlocko. Welcome to DU!

[Schlocko]

52. Happy to be here!

But heck, the way my country is going, I’m happy to be anywhere!

[iemanja]

46. There is a higher chance Trump will die.

Not that it would make anything better. JD Vance would execute Project 25 as told.

[ironman99]

47. That F***in A*****e

My plan is to ignore him and his idiotic rubes for as long as possible.

[Saoirse9]

48. Well said, I feel the same

I am 64 my husband, a recent cancer survivor, is 13 years older than I am. His cancer will come back I think, though I haven't said so to him.

His type of cancer has less than 10% five year survival rate, though his tests and scans in September looked really good. It won't last.

I'm not going to spend the rest of his life and mine paying attention to the orange shit stain. I deserve to be happy.

[Lulu KC]

50. The soul

It's a secret hiding place. No one can connect with us there without our permission. Thanks for the reminder.

I remember when my mother started her dementia process. I was so much younger than I am now and it came as a huge shock. I talked to a very wise woman. I was saying, "She's not my mom anymore. My mom is gone." The wise person said, "Her soul is still there, and the two of you are still connected by that." I have turned to that advice in a lot of different situations and it has proven to be gold.

It doesn't mean that the other parts of us can't remain active, engaged, angry, scared, and everything else we are as people. It's just that tiny little place that is off limits.

[c-rational]

51. Thank you LuckyCharms for your post.

[Docreed2003]

55. Wish I could rec this more than once!

Excellent post LuckyCharms! We have to take care of our own in our own worlds and fight the battles that we can as they come.

[peacebuzzard]

58. I just don't see how Dump can live much longer;

he is in bad shape, has a terrible diet is negative in every way.
how does that slimeball still exist? It's got to be a nightmare that will be over soon...
.

[johnnyfins]

59. I know I posted this once already

I am now asking any and every small business that I visit if their owner supports TSF. If I get a yes, I'm out. If I get a hesitation followed by: "We dont support anyone", I'm out. The yes answers will come whole heartedly because they are that stupid and full of themselves.

You will know who supported who by the immediate reaction.

I'm done with these people. They knew what he was about and STILL voted for him. There is no question of their mindset.

Buh Bye. I will spend my slave wages elsewhere.

[paulkienitz]

61. that's my partner's plan: keep our heads down and get through it

we're also in our sixties. My mom is in her nineties, so there ain't no moving to Canada.

[MarvinGardens]

62. I really appreciate this post.

I'm 50. I told my wife, I'm not going to let this make me miserable for the next four years. She's on board. We're going to live our best lives in this unfortunate situation.

[Emile]

65. Pretty much what I been thinking. Not much we can do

about it.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

66. kick

[Dog Walkers Rock]

67. Excellent advice

Thanks for sharing.

[marble falls]

71. How has this advice helped you?

[CrispyQ]

68. Good advice.

I canceled my news streaming account when the J6 hearings were over. Turned it on again when Joe stepped down & canceled it again last week. I'm not going to spend the next four years like I did his last term, glued to the TV listening to every mean, stupid thing that POS did.