I have the trump flu. I’m mildly depressed and trying to force myself to keep moving forward every day in a positive direction.
On top of him being “elected,” — with a million fewer votes than his opponent — which shakes my faith in my countrymen (doesn’t his temperament and record of past behavior mean anything?), I now mistrust the national press.
You may say “Of course you should mistrust the media.” But dear Reader, there’s a difference between viewing media skeptically (I do) and not trusting them to know if the sun comes up in the east.
How could they be so inaccurate? How could they not do their job as the 4th Estate? All the smugly certain reports about the likely outcome of the election–one hundred percent wrong. How do I believe anything they say now? (The death of objective, smart, incisive Gwen Ifill is a sad metaphor.)
So, where does that leave us? If we can’t count on the press to serve as watchdogs on the three other branches of government, who will do the job? Who will watch and report?
Do you think I’d be a bad person to spend the next four years puttering in my garden? What about you? How are you coping?
I’m not commenting on your post but just want to let you know that I just finished Dakota Blues. What a wonderful book. It’s full of honesty and inspiration. I love the friendship between the two women and the sense that this is real life – warts and all! It’s so satisfying to read books about grown-ups! Thanks for a lovely read!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Pam! Thanks for letting me know.
Lynne,
I adore you, and your explanation of how some of us are feeling out here (after we have come far in the last 40 decades with civil rights, women’s rights, environmental rights) as “Trump flu” — well it is perfect. My husband and I are a bit worried, but we survived the Nixon administration and others so…..maybe?
I was in DC the week after the election — exploring all the monuments, museums and memorials one last time — before gold glitter is poured on everything “Donald” style — history be damned. The Trump hotel in DC was being picketed heavily every day. The locals were shocked, sad, and ordering comfort food in restaurants like crazy. The owner of the B&B we stayed at used to be a “non-partisan” White House Correspondent (http://www.donaldsmith.net/) and he was full of interesting stories. He is retired now and writing historical fiction books which you would like (i.e., “The Constable’s Tale”).
Let’s keep our heads up and hearts wide!
CNN has a lot to answer for. Their panels of surrogates who championed Trump for months were such liars, and no one took them to task. Turns out there were many writers and news hosts who were dishonest.To top it off, we have just learned that several on-line writers fabricated stories and posted them on FaceBook and Twitter. This helped Trump, and discredited Clinton. So it’s hard to trust anyone in media right now. In Canada, we have a national channel (CBC) that has a good reputation, and is still trustworthy. So I’m limiting myself to CBC and some print media for now.
I hate the “news” shows (in this at least we can be non-partisan: they’re all horrible) that simply feature surrogates hurling party lines at each other. There are some names that seem credible, who speak as if they have thought about an issue and give opinions as if based on that. However, to see people who are either paid to blather a certain dogma, or have a financial interest in propounding one view or another (e.g. book sales, lobbying job, paid representative, media empire) set against others of the same ilk, opposite pole, is pure Kabuki, pure professional wrestling. We need to somehow tell the shit shovelers that we’re on to them and aren’t going to consume it anymore. (Do you hear me, Wolf?)
The only thing that has made us feel better has been to open up our checkbook and give as big as we can to our local public broadcasting station, Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and environmental organizations. Oh, and we now subscribe to the NY Times.
That’s a good idea. Sadly, I fear they’re going to need it.
I’m coping by reading your book, Key Largo Blues. I’m in the middle and it’s wonderful!
Aww, thanks, Mary!
Share the same flu. And also was sick two days. The only positive thing I can come up with is that sometimes the worse has to be highlighted for us to see what has been hidden. The spotlight is shining brightly now on everyone in Washington, especially the White House. I just am unsure what happens next. I’ve written a blog about our emotions if you’d like to read it. http://ow.ly/t4O3U
Thanks for the link, Libby. I’m eager to go read it. But I think we are all unsure, and waiting to see if anything good comes out of this. One thing that I have heard is that many people voted for Mr. T out of fear for the future in terms of jobs for their kids. I fear that, too, but I fear him more. But anyway, with no pesky Democrats to interfere, the Republicans will now be able to effect all those brilliant changes that will make life so much better for everyone. Or so one hopes!
Yup, trump flu. Unlike real flu, I’ve been binging on comfort food after the initial loss of appetite…
I suspect I wasn’t the only one yelling at the TV . When did the news become a revenue source vs a vehicle for facts? Why were moderators handling the candidates with kid gloves rather than making them answer the question? My fantasy was to be a moderator with an air horn – you don’t answer, you get a blast and lose your turn. The upside is there has been a big jump in subscriptions to newspapers, still historically the source of hard news. I’m hoping there will be a similar rise in applicants to journalism school by people who see the need to uphold the 1st Amendment. Maybe there are future Woodwards or Bernsteins, or Edward R. Murrows getting ready to enter the fray. We need them.
Oh I love your idea about the air horns! That would be so much fun. And I have heard that national public radio has experienced a huge jump in donations and viewers, and they attributed it to disgust with the circus media.
In addition to having Trump flu ( I love this diagnosis!) I also came down with a virulent stomach flu, so I’ve been depressed and edgy and just having a really bad day since the election. I am disappointed and honestly quite surprised that my fellow Americans appear to be tolerant of the rampant line of doo-doo that man whom I shall not name spews forth. And I am very, very surprised that journalists (who have always been my heroes) let Mr. Doo-Doo get away with this. I kept thinking that this would end…that they would call him out…investigate his dealings…investigate accusations against him…and at the very least, not allow him to call in to shows so they could get ratings. I read the Washington Post and my local newspaper. I read bits & pieces on the NYT. I listen to PBS and NPR and CBS Evening News. I have turned off all cable news.
I am greatly saddened at the loss of Gwen Ifill. I respected, admired, and trusted her.
Peggy Browning
The only thing that keeps me from feeling totally sad about my fellow Americans is the fact that I believe they meant well. He’ll be expected to deliver. The more horrible stuff, well, that will depend on our countrymen, and I am crossing my fingers:(
In this national post-election period, a non-profit corporation where I have invested so! much time and effort is dealing with similar election issues. The most personal issue for me right now is the recovery of my significant other from kidney transplant. Everything else takes a backseat, and with time things will even out.
Ginger, we have some family challenges going on right now, too, and it may be that my sadness is partly due to the cumulative effect. Very best wishes for your significant other’s recovery, and a speedy return to good health.
Wow, Lynne, “Trump flu” nails it. I feel the same and am trying to work my way through it all. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that outrageous, vile behavior was overlooked and that this man is in the White House. I’m blogging about it on Monday. It’s so important that we share our voices.
It feels like flu. Loss of energy, etc. Very weird.
And surreal. To think she’s still racking up votes, increasing her majority over him. To quote the Tweetmaster himself: #SAD
Good characterization: Trump flu. I’ve got it, too. I’m still regaining my equilibrium post-election and not sure how I’ll cope going forward except to be vigilant, speak out to my local/state legislators, support organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, and vote in the midterm elections. And be as kind and inclusive as I possibly can be. Like you, I’ve become very skeptical our so-called news media and find myself just tuning out/turning it off. It’s a strange new landscape we’re navigating, isn’t it?
Yes, it is strange. I from habit I turn on the news, I suddenly remember and pull back. All news media has lost my trust, except PBS/NPR.