It’s been a terrible week for decent people everywhere. I’m still reeling from having my worst fears confirmed: The Fuck You Nation is stronger than ever. In old movie terms, there are more people like John Wayne in The Searchers than Alan Ladd in Shane. Bigotry and intolerance are in the saddle and the cavalry is nowhere to be found. Where is John Ford when you need him?
I’m OTT cranky right now and you know what that means: Vexatious venting about irksome things.
I’m irked that I was so wrong about the election. This sucks harder than past losses because Kamala is such a fine person. She lost because of race and gender, not policy. Donald Trump has policies? Who knew that an Insult Comedian with a dead nutria pelt atop his head had policies? Threats and blatant assholery are not policies.
I’m irked that the voters are sending the Insult Comedian to the White House instead of assisted living. He went King George III level bonkers at the end of the campaign saying shit that was bizarre even by his low standards.
Jamie O got there first but I’m irked that the Kaiser of Chaos and his followers claim they won in an unprecedented landslide. Say what? It was a three point swing in the vote: 1964, 1972, and 1984 were landslides, 2024 was not.
Unfortunately, some Democrats are enabling this false narrative with some post-election bedwetting. I’ll have more on that in the next segment:
I’m irked that my fellow Democrats are falling into the trap set by the oligarchs, tech bros, and Russian trolls by forming a circular firing squad.
I’m particularly disappointed in Nancy Pelosi who should know better. I’ve always been a fan, never criticized her, but she’s playing into MAGA’s hands. I wish Nancy Smash would aim her barbs at those who deserve it: Team Trump and the morons who put him back in office.
I’m irked that Muskville aka X aka Twitter has become intolerable. I’m gradually X-ing out that platform for anything but sharing my writing and that of my First Draft colleagues. I’m migrating to BlueSky. You can find me at @adrastosno.bsky.social.
Twitter/X is more like a burning house of hate, but the X pun was irresistible.
I’m irked that the MAGA movement has adopted Putin’s Russia as its model for America. An autocratic oligarchy is their goal with Apartheid fan Elon Musk in the vanguard. I’m glad that Ethel Kennedy isn’t around to see her son take a jackhammer to the Kennedy family legacy.
Finally, I’m irked by the impending sell-out of Ukraine at the hands of President-elect Pennywise and that fucking donut JD Vance. The Ukrainians have fought bravely against Russian aggression. Their reward is to be betrayed by MAGA Republicans. It’s one of many reasons the presidential election was a catastrophe.
I hate to end on such a dire note, but these are tough times for those of us who believe in democracy. Let’s temper things with a bit of musical positivity from John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer:
You have written better. The fact that JB didn’t proclaim, before the Bible had cooled down from the heat of his hand, that he was the ‘pallate cleanser’ President and then brought Ms. Harris in at once as his next-in-line was a tactical blunder. And, the Democrats postured themselves behind a barrage of ‘we’re begging, just three dollars’. What should have been their message was, ‘here’s what we’re up against and here’s what we are going to do for the country and to do it we need to be elected and to do that we need this: ‘. I am not impressed by a Commander-in-Chief-to-be begging (their word) for anything.
My Party disappointed me deeply.