We aren't giving up! (Part II)

November 6, 2024

On Wednesday morning, it is clear that Trump has won and that Democrats have lost control of the Senate. Control of the House remains open.

Democrats and people who love America are grieving. That is understandable. Everyone will need time to express feelings of shock, anger, and fear. Respect those who need to talk about what happened and those who don’t want to talk about it. Everyone will need to process the results in their own way.

It will take time to digest what happened and why it happened. Both are necessary inquiries. But there is no rational explanation for America’s election of a felon, adjudicated sexual abuser, incessant liar, narcissist, and aspiring dictator. None. So, think about it as much as you need to, but don’t waste emotional energy seeking answers where there are none.

Trump is an avatar of anger for millions who see their world slipping away. There is additional nuance about racism, misogyny, and white nationalism, but it’s not more complicated than that.

We must invest all our energy in the process of recovery and the continued defense of democracy.

Before the election, many commentators warned about the end of democracy if Trump won. That isn’t going to happen—not on our watch. America is bigger than Trump and his extremism. Democracy will end only if we give up. I am not going to give up. You aren’t going to give up, either. It won’t be easy. It may get worse before it gets better. But it will get better if we refuse to give up the fight.

For those of you who have the ability to do so, providing leadership, comfort, and hope today will be a blessing to those who feel shattered. No false optimism, just genuine determination. The same strength and determination John Lewis felt when he dragged himself from a hospital bed with a cracked skull to complete his march from Selma to Montgomery two weeks after Blood Sunday.

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz ran a superb campaign. They deserve our respect and thanks. They spoke for and to millions of Americans who aren’t going back.

I understand that many will find it difficult to engage with the news. That is why this newsletter started in November 2016. My family could not stand the sight and sound of Trump's crass behavior after his first victory in 2016. I will continue to write about the news each day but I understand that many may want to take a break from this newsletter. Come back when you are ready. This community will still be here and will welcome you with open arms.

We have a lot of work to do. I am devoting my life to making a better America for my daughters and grandchildren—and yours, too. I hope you will continue to be by my side in this endeavor. It will be the greatest, most meaningful work of our lives.

The Comment section is open to all on Wednesday morning. Express yourself but be considerate of how others are feeling.

Jill and I will be traveling back to Los Angeles from North Carolina, so I may not be able to read Comments and emails throughout the day. But know that I am with you in spirit. Today, we need to put one foot in front of the other as we begin our long journey back. It is an honor to be on that journey with you.

Be kind to yourself today, and take care of others! Stay strong!

Daily Dose of Perspective

The Triangulum Galaxy is 2.3 million light-years from Earth. The light in the photo reached my backyard in Los Angeles before long before humans walked the face of the Earth.