Tuesday, November 29, 2016

It's My Country, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Welcome to "The Gods Are Bored," where we prize sanity, not vanity. I'm Anne Johnson, and sometimes things make me cry.

On the morning after Election Day, my school district had a teachers' meeting scheduled. It's a good thing, because so many of us were in tears that I can't imagine how we could have taught anything in the classroom. The most grief-stricken of my colleagues? The history teachers.

You can therefore imagine my dismay and disappointment when one of my friends -- and a good one, a true one, someone I considered "bosom" -- posted on Facebook that all the crying people "ought to go live in China, or Cuba, or Iran, if you really want to cry about something." This post came from an intelligent man.

I've seen quite a few less intelligent individuals expressing the same sentiments. Don't like the fact that an incompetent, fractious, conceited blowhard has been elected to head the Ship of State? Move to China!

There is so much I could say about this, but I'll try to be brief.

First of all, if your candidate won, and you are happy about it, why does it bother you that people -- particularly women -- are crying? Oh! I can answer that! You are just a little bit uncomfortable about this election yourself. You feel in your bones that this won't turn out well. But hey, you are celebrating anyway! And how dare anyone fling a little reality at your glee?

Secondly, do you mind if I ask how you would be responding right now if the polls had been correct, and Mrs. Clinton won? Don't answer that. I know. You'd be out on the range, shooting your AK at human-shaped targets. You'd be standing by your man, who would be DEMANDING a RECOUNT and CRYING FRAUD. Don't tell me you would have bowed to the will of the people, stone-faced and stoic. I'm not buying it.

Thirdly (please give me extra credit for these thoughtful transition words), why move to China, Cuba, or Iran when it's going to be just like China, Cuba, and Iran right here? I don't have the money for a plane ticket. And let's see: Where would I be going if I did have that ticket? To a country ruled by a handful of above-the-law elites who oppress their citizens with low wages, curbs on free speech, and narrow, abusive religious practices codified into law. Why fly, when I can get all those perks right here? It's only a matter of time.

And now, to all of you "Stop Crying and Move to China" white males, I will say this:

Okay, I'll go. Now, here's where you need to go.

You need to hop inside the covers of a Charles Dickens novel. Yes, propel yourself back to Victorian England, where a handful of above-the-law elites oppressed citizens with low wages, curbs on free speech, and narrow, abusive religious practices codified into law! I understand there's a partnership opening at Scrooge and Marley. You're perfect for the job.

26 comments:

Davoh said...

Anne, of course you are welcome in Australia (at least 95% of the population actually vote).

Um, that was a generic sentence, however, if you do turn up on Aussie shores via QANTAS (there are some dodgy tourist options in Indonesia - not recommended)and find yourself in SYDNEY .... let me know - but be aware that the relatively 'independent' State of South Australia is sort of different, and quite often in conflict with "Federal" parliament in Canberra.

Davoh said...

Um, am not sure what Mediterranean "gods" exist here in the antipodes (apart from the one carried in a book by Captain Cook and governor Arthur Phillip .. Heh).

.... but there seems to be some sort of consensus among the underclass that "Gaia" might have a relevance ...

Davoh said...

... and the other 'peculiar' aspect of Australian 'politics' is that we CAN - turf out the "Prime Minister" if we think him obnoxious.

greekwitch said...

I would invite you to Greece but our political landscape is hopeless. This is the actual sentiment. There is not anyone born here that can actually stand against the great capitalists crippling our county into poverty.
The worst thing is elections are around the corner cause I can smell the bullshit and the right wing is going to govern again. We are doomed. So many of my friends(I am 32) had to leave the country. What are we going to do if not crying? I have been weeping (i feel that i misspelled here) for years.

greekwitch said...

Oooh! I think after the comments above I want to live in Australia!

Davoh said...

Um, greenwitch .. beware. Even Australian politicians are trending toward the "right wing". Migration policy is harsh.

('tis easier for us - we have a moat, No 'land borders'),

But there are some who welcome active intelligentsia --- who's only wish is to contribute ... and not kill.

Marie Smith said...

It will be a challenging four years from the look of it!

Bob said...

Brava! First time reader here, visiting from She Who Seeks.
This is what I, too, have been since "that" day:
"First of all, if your candidate won, and you are happy about it, why does it bother you that people -- particularly women -- are crying? Oh! I can answer that! You are just a little bit uncomfortable about this election yourself."

Davoh said...

OK, Bob Slatten - as a Southern hemisphere sort of person will always have to ask - when was America great? --
Seriously, from a long term, historical dispassionate point of view.

World war one? Nah, hung about,sold armaments to both sides = only decided to get involved when the the out come was decided - and they could walk in and claim "victory". World war two? Same..
Not involved? Bullshit. Sat and made billions selling armaments until Pearl Harbour. OOOOPS War is REAL!!!

But you still sat and made profit while the REAL troops were fighting a REAL war ...

Don't give me the shits by claiming American 'generosity'.

Davoh said...

Seriously laddie my father died in 1945 - but still have anecdotes of how incompetent the American troops were ... and still are --- DO NOT BELIEVE AMERICAN MOVIES!

Davoh said...

You wonder why American women weep - from my point of view - you have just elected a bigger fuckwit than George W. Bush. And guess who began this whole "middle east" debacle.

Fearsome Beard said...

Sent by She Who Seeks. From what I see She makes good recommendations. I just may be popping by from time to time.

Davoh said...

um, apologies Anne .. lost my sense of humour.

Leanna said...

I just started reading your blog again, thank goodness.
When that moron won the electoral vote I died inside. Trump is going to throw us all back to the stone age and it scares me to death. I keep thinking of the book 1984. It's really scary to think about a dismal future.

Lynn said...

I cried all day, that Wednesday after the election - and I seldom cry. And then someone I respected posted a YouTube video on Twitter of "liberal women crying" - she was laughing about it. So I unfollowed her - there's been a lot of that. I see no need for anyone to rub it in.

Davoh said...

Um, Anne was thinking about sending you a Sulphur crested Cockatoo (vale Decibel) but under the circumstances - rethinks .. how about a blue Budgie ?

Susan said...

Actually, no one won with this election. There is just a mass of people (not the majority, thank goD) who haven't yet realized this. They will.

Miss Val's Creations said...

It is sad that our country is at a point of such disparity. If only we could get rid of the titles of democrat and republican and simply have candidates, things would be different. Besides the antiquated electoral college, it has always bothered me that the independent and green parties are not part of the debates (of course this time around the choices there were not fabulous either). Luckily we have comedic outlets like Bill Maher, John Oliver and Chelsey Handler! Anyway, great blog. I am stopping by via She Who Seeks.

mshatch said...

Came over via She who Seeks. Great post. And I suspect that if Hilary had won we'd be seeing a lot worse than crying going on.

Janie Junebug said...

What an excellent post. I have cried long, hard, and often since the election. I cry because I love my country. Debra sent me, so blame her if you think I'm a weird stalker.

Love,
Janie Junebug

Janie Junebug said...

Um, how do I follow your blog?

Love again,
Janie Junebug

Anne Johnson said...

Janie, I used to have a "follow" button on my sidebar, but it threw everything else off. So I really don't know. I write about twice a week, if that helps. Lots of Debra's readers here today, and what a swell crowd! I'll make some cookies ... and Anzac biscuits for Davoh.

Martha said...

I think I'm going to love your blog very much! And I thank Debra (She Who Seeks) for pointing me in this direction :)

yellowdoggranny said...

I didn't cry after the election..I was in such shock that I just sat in my recliner watching Dexter lick his ass..which was the highlight of my day..then? I got angry..I had decided that I wasn't going to do any more political memes..that lasted a week..I'm still so angry my teeth hurt..so I'm back with a vengeance.Except for the post of the gg's..

Davoh said...

Um, Anne (and all who weep) have to remind you that this Planet is Bigger than anything that your petty American politicians can destroy.

trees will still grow, plankton will adjust, whales will sing ... LIFE will continue.
(and green budgies will continue to proliferate - however dry it becomes in Australia .. heh)

Anonymous said...

Anne,
Your comment "...uncomfortable about this election yourself" is, IMO, spot on.
I noticed that Trump stickers vanished from cars right after the election.Have seen narry a one.
See you have been fired up for some unexplained reason --ha ha.
Good luck
kayak