People had ideas about my Halloween costume, a newspaper, a magazine, a book. While the ideas varied slightly, all my costume interpretations all fell under a common agreement of “something you read.” Society works when there are common agreements. We all agree to call streets by certain names. That’s how we find things. There is time. Sure, people have their own interpretation of what on time means, but, overall, there is that common agreement. Hence, my Halloween costume and this week’s post theme is “subject to interpretation.”
With the sharp political divide in the US preceding the presidential election this week, there are thoughts and opinions on the possibility of a civil war. Wikipedia defines civil war as …a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies. Subject to my interpretation, with the extremism and rhetoric used by the GOP, we’re already there. The real question is not the possibility of civil war, but, how do we move forward as a country? Harris believes in the right to disagree, Trump believes in a punitive enemies list.
Subject to interpretation, the 78 year old European American, Trump, is a racist. He has said on camera, referring to President Obama, do you want the white president or the black president. He called for the execution of the now exonerated Central Park 5 and has never apologized. The Trump campaign continues to display ads (for my pillow) that show 14.88. For the uninitiated, 14 means the “14 Words” of a white supremacist slogan “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The 8 means the 8th letter of the alphabet which is H; 88 is , Hiel Hitler. Please, please, don’t try to sane wash this, we know price points are 99 and not 88. This is a signal and a strong one at that. This is white supremacy and racist. He has said countless things to degenerate black and brown people. Those that support Trump, support white supremacy and racism.
Subject to interpretation, the 78 year old European American, Trump, is misogynistic. He has constantly said and done things to demean women. Trump said this week: “The wives and husbands, I don’t think that’s the way they deal,” Trump said. “I mean, can you imagine a wife not telling a husband who she’s voting for? Did you ever hear anything like that? Even if you had a horrible — if you had a bad relationship, you’re gonna tell your husband.” This is a very real issue, a frequently asked question by women is, can my husband tell who I voted for. Poll workers have to stop husbands from going into voting booth with their wives, except for in North Carolina, where it is legal. On Liz Cheney, this week, Trump said “I don’t blame [Dick Cheney] for sticking with his daughter, but his daughter is a very dumb individual, very dumb. She is a radical war hawk. Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.” There is so. much, please take a listen to the entirety of the Access Hollywood conversation. Trump has been convicted of sexual assault, constantly demeans women, and has been photographed surrounded by topless young girls in photographs with Jeffrey Epstein so when he said “whether the women like it or not, I’m going to protect them” at a Wisconsin rally this week, women collectively reacted with repulsion and ick. Trump is is misogynistic and those that support him, both men and women are the same. These supporters are ok with a system where women don’t have the same respect and rights as men.
The US is a country of over 340 million people. The president has to be for all the people. So you don’t agree with everything Harris has to propose and most likely you don’t. That’s not what’s at stake. Just this week, Trump continued with profanity laden speeches, simulated a sex act with a microphone, said the press being shot isn’t a bad thing, at this point, there is no interpreting his actions as anything other than annihilation. A annihilation of democracy, free speech, women’s right and so on.
Four years ago, I posted Moving is not an Option; Somebody is Going to be Mad. This week, if you have done so, vote. Your future rights depend on it. Then, consider how we move forward as a country with dignity, grace and justice for all.
Balancing on Unstable Surfaces 