My apologies in advance for this rambling post, but I want to get some of this off my chest and this seems like a good place to do it. I think many of us are scared and worried and trying to protect ourselves. I do not think it is productive to conclude that anyone not doing what you, yourself, think should be done, is because of malice …
My apologies in advance for this rambling post, but I want to get some of this off my chest and this seems like a good place to do it. I think many of us are scared and worried and trying to protect ourselves. I do not think it is productive to conclude that anyone not doing what you, yourself, think should be done, is because of malice or arrogance or cynicism when there is not a lot of evidence to conclude that (or maybe even if there is). If an elected official, on background, says they are 'resigned to a Trump presidency', that does not have to be chalked up to cynicism or glee. It could be (and in my opinion, is more likely to be) a sign of being beaten down, demoralized, exhausted, which, let's not forget is part of the authoritarian playbook. It could be a way to protect a very battered psyche, like it is for me (and I also think for JVL, who, let's not forget, more or less told us a year or so ago that Trump was inevitable and we should all start mourning and coming to terms with that together, which is fine. I do not begrudge JVL for any of his opinions--he appears to me to be a very smart guy and an eloquent and thoughtful writer).
Biden is most likely to be the nominee, but even with that, this does not have to mean this is lost. I may be of the opinion myself that Biden should step aside, but even with polling data (which I do not deny), it is not clear to me that that is the right answer. I know that people like to think that all of this can be predicted if we just have all the right information. Some are saying they know what is going to happen. Many are saying they 'know they are right' even if they 'hope they are wrong'. And, it seems, most at this point, are looking for who to blame and that blame is falling on Biden and the Democrats (recency bias?). Some are downright giddy in this moment and self-congratulatory (listen to Ross Douthat on a recent Matters of Opinion podcast, which I think it a pretty shitty podcast, if I am being honest. It is palpable how excited Ross is to moralize and consider himself vindicated and so darn righteous in his upcoming vote for Trump (or maybe he is going to write in a dead person, I don't know, but it's the same thing). The debate was a shock, but the idea that that is so much more disqualifying for Biden than ALL the things Trump has said and done---well, that is what is demoralizing to me. The mocking and belittling of the many people who disagree that Biden should step aside--and indeed, the belittling of even those who say they are unsure and don't know the right thing to do or that it is not inevitable that Biden will lose-- is also demoralizing.
At this point, we need to deal with the reality we are in and recognize that none of us has a crystal ball or perfect data (this is not a Math proof) and redouble our efforts, individually and collectively, to do what we think is right while never losing our humanity, and not succumbing to hubris by refusing to reflect or think critically. We must recognize our biases that none of us are immune to no matter how smart or right we all think we are. The bottom line is we are human and humans are not really all that good at this shit. Peace and love to you all.
“ The debate was a shock, but the idea that that is so much more disqualifying for Biden than ALL the things Trump has said and done---well, that is what is demoralizing to me.”
my hope, perhaps belief, is that this will be where many who are not MAGA diehards election day. i think i was saying it before i encountered simon rosenberg’s calling attention to it, but voting is a very different thing from answering a pollster’s questions.
but, as a friend mine is constantly saying, god help us.
My apologies in advance for this rambling post, but I want to get some of this off my chest and this seems like a good place to do it. I think many of us are scared and worried and trying to protect ourselves. I do not think it is productive to conclude that anyone not doing what you, yourself, think should be done, is because of malice or arrogance or cynicism when there is not a lot of evidence to conclude that (or maybe even if there is). If an elected official, on background, says they are 'resigned to a Trump presidency', that does not have to be chalked up to cynicism or glee. It could be (and in my opinion, is more likely to be) a sign of being beaten down, demoralized, exhausted, which, let's not forget is part of the authoritarian playbook. It could be a way to protect a very battered psyche, like it is for me (and I also think for JVL, who, let's not forget, more or less told us a year or so ago that Trump was inevitable and we should all start mourning and coming to terms with that together, which is fine. I do not begrudge JVL for any of his opinions--he appears to me to be a very smart guy and an eloquent and thoughtful writer).
Biden is most likely to be the nominee, but even with that, this does not have to mean this is lost. I may be of the opinion myself that Biden should step aside, but even with polling data (which I do not deny), it is not clear to me that that is the right answer. I know that people like to think that all of this can be predicted if we just have all the right information. Some are saying they know what is going to happen. Many are saying they 'know they are right' even if they 'hope they are wrong'. And, it seems, most at this point, are looking for who to blame and that blame is falling on Biden and the Democrats (recency bias?). Some are downright giddy in this moment and self-congratulatory (listen to Ross Douthat on a recent Matters of Opinion podcast, which I think it a pretty shitty podcast, if I am being honest. It is palpable how excited Ross is to moralize and consider himself vindicated and so darn righteous in his upcoming vote for Trump (or maybe he is going to write in a dead person, I don't know, but it's the same thing). The debate was a shock, but the idea that that is so much more disqualifying for Biden than ALL the things Trump has said and done---well, that is what is demoralizing to me. The mocking and belittling of the many people who disagree that Biden should step aside--and indeed, the belittling of even those who say they are unsure and don't know the right thing to do or that it is not inevitable that Biden will lose-- is also demoralizing.
At this point, we need to deal with the reality we are in and recognize that none of us has a crystal ball or perfect data (this is not a Math proof) and redouble our efforts, individually and collectively, to do what we think is right while never losing our humanity, and not succumbing to hubris by refusing to reflect or think critically. We must recognize our biases that none of us are immune to no matter how smart or right we all think we are. The bottom line is we are human and humans are not really all that good at this shit. Peace and love to you all.
If I could upvote this a 100 times I would...you are not alone with this view if that helps
“ The debate was a shock, but the idea that that is so much more disqualifying for Biden than ALL the things Trump has said and done---well, that is what is demoralizing to me.”
my hope, perhaps belief, is that this will be where many who are not MAGA diehards election day. i think i was saying it before i encountered simon rosenberg’s calling attention to it, but voting is a very different thing from answering a pollster’s questions.
but, as a friend mine is constantly saying, god help us.
Simon Rosenberg is one of the good guys and the evidence I see is that he is working his butt off, too.
Absolutely perfect.
Thank you for Bonnie for your beautiful letter. You are heard. You are part of the solution. May we all be comforted and inspired by your brave words.