Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

They spent the last eight months firing professionals and replacing them with ideologues.

Reality always gets a vote in the end.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

All hail the time of the bunny!

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

They want us to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Focus. Resist. Oppose.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

Stop using mental illness to avoid talking about armed white supremacy.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

This is dead girl, live boy, a goat, two wetsuits and a dildo territory.  oh, and pink furry handcuffs.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

You are here: Home / 2024 Activism / The Fight Never Ends

The Fight Never Ends

by | 94 Comments

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Same thing I said to my kids 8 years ago:
We are engaged in a fight to make our communities, our country, and our world better.
The fight was never ours to win and damn sure never ours to surrender. We fight. Over and over, and over again to the end of our days, and our children and grandchildren after us.
So take the day to mourn and weep without shame if you need to. It’s human.
But you get ONE day. Because the fight doesn’t ever stop, and we need you back in the line.

 

Oh, and literally EVERY WORD John said here: https://balloon-juice.com/2024/11/06/some-post-loss-decorum/

Reader Interactions

94Comments

  6. 6.

    Soonergrunt

    @Yarrow: Natural to feel that way, and completely understandable.

    But you have strength you don’t know. You’ll have it when you’re ready.

  10. 10.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    Nice to have you back for a cameo!

    You’ve just characterized how the base of the Democratic Party, black women, will react and respond over the next four years.

    Others on the left side of the political spectrum need to take their lead from the base.

  13. 13.

    Yarrow

    @Soonergrunt:  No. I’ve been through too much over the last several years. It has been upending in ways I cannot describe. I am exhausted beyond measure. I am done. I truly have nothing left.

  14. 14.

    nickdag

    Truly, the fight never ends.

    I lived abroad for several years, with one of the reasons of this voluntary experience to see how other cultures could be different and do it better than my own.

    At the 1 year mark, I found myself despondent. I found all the same failures and vices that I had found in my own American people, and this awareness made me profoundly sad. There was no magical trait, no silver bullet to a better human nature.

    It was only at the 2 year mark when I began to accept and actually find some strange peace, hope, and even a sort of happiness in the realization that this is the purpose of life. It is to wake every day and push forward with whatever energy and focus you can.

    In a very odd sense, why not rejoice in the nature of life’s work, beset by constant setbacks but an astonishing evolution over time?

    With that said, I’m certainly not feeling very zen today or doing any rejoicing. This. This is hard. We had a dream of jumping and finally making it across the chasm of our culture’s past, and instead we find ourselves hanging on by our fingernails and falling into the shadows of the abyss. Postponing that dream and realizing it won’t be tomorrow is deeply painful, but I believe letting go of — for now — is the first step to move on today.

  16. 16.

    J. Arthur Crank

    Good to “see” you again.    I have three classes on Wednesdays, so I have some distraction for a while.   I will be comparatively well off, but I have to be strong for those around me to are not as well off.

  21. 21.

    Soonergrunt

    @Rose Judson: don’t know yet. I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire and I gotta keep ’em turning evenly, but I also have a lot to yell into the void right now.

  23. 23.

    storm777

    @nickdag: Thanks for this. The fight never ends. I got an email this afternoon from Democracy Forward. I donated to them some weeks (months?) ago at the suggestion of someone here. They are already planning their next steps — to file court cases over little and big thing by the next administration. This is one action we can take — support the lawyers who will object to flagrant abuses. I plan to continue helping them.

    Thanks, Soonergrunt. Happy to see you here.

  24. 24.

    Ph64n

    Ah, the wars they will be fought again

    The holy dove, she will be caught again

    Bought and sold, and bought again

    The dove is never free

    — Leonard Cohen, Anthem

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    A lot of us will be surprised at the strength we still have left.  Take the time you need.  We have to be in this for the long haul.  The will be stuff to do when you are ready again.

  30. 30.

    Glyph2112

    So 20 million voters stayed home because Joe Biden fixed the economy and was boring, so didn’t feel the urge to keep Trump from a second term.  I guess they only care when it ACTUALLY affects them.

    Probably be back in 2028 after he destroys America.

  32. 32.

    geg6

    @schrodingers_cat:

    I wish I could join but I just can’t.  It’s all too much right now.  I have one sister hospitalized for the 16th (literally) time since August and a brother, brain damaged from a fall in July and in a rehab center, whose cancer has come back and whose doctor has called to say we need to bring in hospice.  And I currently have a backhoe in my front yard to dig up our collapsed sewer line.  We’ll be peeing and pooping in a camping toilet and washing with wipes the next few days.  Then this election on top of it all.  And I desperately want to cry but can’t.

  35. 35.

    artem1s

    for those who can – time to think about how you can talk with your pocketbook. Withhold your discretionary dollars. cancel those streaming subscriptions. put off vacations. stop eating out (at least at chains and fast food). never, ever order from Amazon – go directly to the source. Stop streaming any Amazon content. Home improvement – delay them – supply chains are going to drive construction materials thru the roof anyway. Delete every social media account you have. Don’t give their advertisers any views. Access your local library for entertainment content. Ad block liberally. Contribute time to Wikipedia. Move your money into FDIC secured savings accounts or fixed income bonds and dividend producing stocks. Withhold, withhold, withhold, withhold.
    If the poorest among us have to make due without healthcare, a living wage, and housing, I can do without certain conveniences too. I spent the four orange annus horribilis years and most of COVID pinching every penny and paying down every debt. When the GOP crashes the economy next time – I’ll be free and clear of debt. I’ll spend the next four withholding every cent I can from this economy. I done with having my life derailed by these assholes twice a decade. Fuck their experience economy. I can experience life without the hassle of their hatred and bullshit. They want my eyes, money and time – they can pay me premiums and then I’ll still tell them to fuck off when the free trial is over.

  36. 36.

    Ruckus

    @nickdag:

    See, many think this is American humanity.

    But it isn’t.

    This is humanity. Some sides think they should be in charge and the only one’s on the planet. However if that came to be they would find in very short time that they depend, in a modern world, on all the people they hate and want to see gone, for things like food and and actually much of modern life. The people that do the work that doesn’t use a pen/paper or a computer all day. A lot of it is back breaking, getting one’s hands dirty, not suit and dress work. I used to make tools that others used to make a lot of the things they use every day. Milk/juice bottles for example. Other things that you use around the house every day, Things for your car, or computer stuff like that, like current day phone cases or on and on and…..

    I am of course not the only person to do that a lot of people work to make the modern world a better, more livable place in many, many ways. Likely some of the people that think they are better than anyone else and voted for shitforbrains – again. I hope this country gets through this – again.

    I have no clues or ideas on who, what, why, how, when. Survive and go from there is all I’ve got. But expect shit. In massive truck loads.

  37. 37.

    Eolirin

    @kalakal: Omnes Omnibus:

    I don’t expect to survive too long if I stay here.

    It’s more a when then an if they start rounding us up.

    But the way the rest of the world is going, I don’t think I’ll be safe anywhere else for all that long either.

  38. 38.

    cain

    Looks like those Jan 6th people are going to get their pardon after all, eh? I hope he doesn’t.

  39. 39.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Ph64n: ​
     

    Ah, the wars they will be fought again
    The holy dove, she will be caught again
    Bought and sold, and bought again
    The dove is never free
    — Leonard Cohen, Anthem

    It’s times like these when Leonard Cohen is essential. Thanks for sharing.

  40. 40.

    Glyph2112

    @cain: And there won’t be one news story about how Trump is anti law and order.  I really hope Biden pardons Hunter on his way out the door, sure magats will have a fit over that.

  42. 42.

    Quinerly

    @cain: I think those pardons are a given. After all, he told the voters that and 51% of voters voted for it.

    It’s the voters’ decision.

  44. 44.

    Eolirin

    @Quinerly: I think if there’s anyone competent pulling the strings, they’ll be pushing for pardons.

    Can’t get the violent mob to show up when you need it to if you don’t keep the violent mob protected.

  45. 45.

    cain

    @Glyph2112: He should do it.

    In any case, a lot of crimes are gonna get forgiven.

    That’s unfortunate. Because those people are going to come back into the populace and they are going to be really angry.

  46. 46.

    bbleh

    Ain’t a lot can be done right at the moment anyway.  Chill out, repair yourselves, tend to your family and your friends, be nice to your neighbors and the people you encounter during the day.  There are a LOT of us, we’re not going away, and all is DEFINITELY not lost!  (Reproductive rights voter initiatives, several Senate and Governor races and … mmmaybe the House?)  Courage.  

  48. 48.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    A lot of us will be surprised at the strength we still have left. Take the time you need. We have to be in this for the long haul. The will be stuff to do when you are ready again.

    Yeah, some of us will need more than a day.  In the wise words of Arthur Dent:

    “Who said anything about panicking? This is still just the culture shock.  You wait till I’ve settled down into the situation and found my bearings. Then I’ll start panicking!”

    ;-)

  50. 50.

    frosty

    @bbleh: ​… be nice to your neighbors

    Ha! Not a fucken chance. They’re the reason I can’t put out a yard sign for the candidates I’m supporting.

  51. 51.

    Quinerly

    @Eolirin: those pardons truly were a campaign promise…..with musical accompaniment. (J 6 Choir).

    I think they will be pardoned on day 1.

    The shit smearing violent insurrection has been memory holed. Now that Afghanistan withdrawal plan, drawn up under Trump, and tied to Biden….that is an entirely different issue.

  55. 55.

    Quinerly

    53% of all voters view Trump unfavorably.

    9% of that 53% voted for him

    Exit polling. MSNBC

    The country wanted Trump.

  57. 57.

    Geminid

    @Quinerly: The two Republicans I interact with voted for Trump even though they don’t like him. They were persuded that Democrats would wreck the country, and voted for Trump as the lesser of two evils. That was negative partisanship at work.

  58. 58.

    Elizabelle

    @Quinerly:  THEY wanted Trump.  This is no refection on WE at all.  Have been thinking about the fracturing of polarized America.  We did the best we could, supporting good policy as well.

    I do wonder about the concept of us as a country.  This is the biggest self-own since Brexit.

    Not arguing with you.  It’s just, we are America too.  And we did not do this.  We have to live with its aftermath, though.

  59. 59.

    geg6

    Thanks all.  You are what made the dam burst and I’ve finally had a good cry, sitting on my porch by myself (can’t let my John see it because, with his cognitive issues, he will get too upset), smoking both a joint and a cigarette.  I have fallen off the no nicotine wagon because I’m too overwhelmed and anxious.  I’ll try quitting again when I can settle down.  Might be a while.

  60. 60.

    Soonergrunt

    @geg6: That cheesy old saying “it’s OK to not be OK” comes to mind.
    You’ve got a LOT on your plate.
    How you deal is how you deal, and nobody’s judgement matters.

  65. 65.

    catclub

    @Glyph2112: ​
     yep.

    this is how I put it: I would say that apparently a quarter of the voters who voted for Biden in 2020 were simply pissed at Covid and Trump for Trump not fixing it. But they cared nothing for Biden or the Democrats.

    Now they are pissed about the price of eggs.

  66. 66.

    Soonergrunt

    @John Cole: I’m going to try to be around here a bit more.  I deleted Twitter. I’m done over there, and I went there from here.
    But you know me. The attention-span of a concussed hummingbird.

  67. 67.

    Yarrow

    @geg6:  I’m so sorry. I feel everything you say so hard. My 2016 was somewhat like you’re describing. Different terrible circumstances. Same sense of awfulness and crap that just kept coming. I wish I could say it got better. It didn’t. Sending good thoughts that your situation improves somehow. Do whatever you need to do to get through.

    @Suzanne: Also, I don’t have to exist. Also an option.

  69. 69.

    Ohio Mom

    @Yarrow: “Also, I don’t have to exist. Also an option.”

    Huh? No, speeding up the date of your non-existence is not an acceptable option.

  70. 70.

    banditqueen

    @geg6: I will be thinking of you and yours–I am so sorry and if I were closer to you I’d step in to provide at least some physical relief.  People need support and right now all we have is ourselves. Just love yourself fiercely… (N. Shange)

  72. 72.

    Ohio Mom

    @Yarrow: Because your survivors get emotionally destroyed. It’s a horrible thing to do to your loved ones. They never get over it in a much deeper way than a natural death.

  78. 78.

    Lyrebird

    Yay, Soonergrunt!

    Sorry this is why you’re stopping by to post, but so glad you are here.

    @Baud: THANK YOU for the gracious way you put things two days or two lifetimes  ago, something about remembering not to start pointing fingers of blame towards this or that subgroup.  I don’t remember exactly how you put it, but remembering the gist has helped me get through today.

  79. 79.

    Lyrebird

    @Yarrow: I don’t know one tenth of your struggle, but I do encourage you to text “home” to 741741 if you are open to chatting with someone who might have more clues, even though they don’t know you.

    I value your presence here, fwiw, and you are worthwhile no matter if you’re not up for more fighting.

  83. 83.

    Nelle

     

    @Yarrow:I offer you the phrase, “that you are aware of” at this point in time.  You may matter to someone of whom you are not aware.  I also offer you the word, “yet.”  We see the future so dimly.  We don’t know what is just around the corner.  So I try to add that on to definitive statements.  No one, yet.

    That’s why I like to walk the Chartres labyrinth.  As I walk it, it looks like I’m at a dead end, but then there is a turn.  I think I’m way out on the edge, far from the center where I rest.  But sometimes, it is only a turn or two that brings me right to the center.  I used to keep a painting of the labyrinth in my office and if a student was particularly discouraged during a conference, I’d encourage them to trace the labyrinth with a finger.  Turning and turning, one never knows when a turn will bring a new thing, person, thought, or experience that illuminates and refreshes.

    All that said, I know deep discouragement.  I wish you grace in stepping, step by step, to better moments, hours, days.    For me, hearing the owls in the nearby woods nearly always lifts me out of myself, even if just for a short bit.  I hope you can find your joys soon.

  84. 84.

    Aziz, light!

    @artem1s: You can wear a hair shirt if it suits you, but I’ll pass. I don’t like being lectured about how to manage my finances or whether I should travel, especially now in retirement after 46 years of working. By the way, Amazon makes over 60 percent of its income from Amazon Web Services and only 25 from e-commerce. I make frequent use of the latter because it serves my needs. I cancelled my WaPo sub months ago, but could note that Bezos bought that paper with couch change.

    I’d like to see us return one day to Eisenhower’s top marginal tax rate, but piecemeal attacks on the flow of goods and services seems wrongheaded.

  85. 85.

    Ohio Mom

    @Yarrow: I am sorry to hear that. No wonder you said what you said.

    As pains-in-the-necks as other people can be, we need to be connected to others. It’s how we are built. And life is just too hard to go it alone.

    Circumstances change (oh boy, did we just get a national lesson on that), maybe yours will change too. Sending you good wishes.

  86. 86.

    banditqueen

    @Yarrow: You have so much to say on topics I care about–your voice makes these areas real and substantive to me. I love listening and you’re great at communicating–thank you!

  88. 88.

    mvr

    @geg6: Any one of those is a lot. Wish I could say something helpful and constructive but all I can do is say that it is a lot to deal with.

  92. 92.

    Gloria DryGarden

    @Yarrow: your nym is the name of a sacred plant, medicinally used for cleansing the blood, tough in a drier garden, and a favorite for some butterflies. The sticks of yarrow are used sometimes, for casting the I Ching. ( it’s complicated, so I used Pennies). I grow this plant.

    I’m writing because i just saw your  comments here, and I strongly want to recommend against this exit strategy. if there’s any way you can negotiate with yourself to stay, please stay. The cost to you, is too high.
    i studied suicide. I was suicidal two times in my life. When I was 10, I asked myself did I want to have to come back and repeat the last ten years. It’s like I knew, as a young self, that it wasn’t a good short-cut out of misery, but rather might make more problems. I knew.

    in my 30s it went on for around a year. And I studied it, negotiated with myself to bear it another hour, sometimes for 5 minutes, or one minute at a time. I am no stranger to internal anguish, and seemingly endless external challenges, and running out of fight, running out of will. And this national news feels crushing and terrifying.  I offer this image:

    It’s as if there are threads, lines of connection between us all, and we’re all in a vast dream catcher, surrounded by the grandmothers. The lines are knotted together at each junction, one person to another, on and on, invisible interconnections. I saw, in that time, that if I took myself out, unknotted myself from the webbing of all the people I knew, and who they knew, that my single death would ripple out in widening circles of unraveling. That it would tear and harm the fabric of human hearts, out past three degrees of separation.
    It matters. I hope you can find a way to stay.

    I’ve read your comments. A bunch of people above say they appreciate you here, you matter to them.

    I’m late to this thread, if I am on when you’re on again, I’ll copy paste this.

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