Dinner with Dexter: Good Stuff to Follow

It is what we make of it. It is what we give from ourselves. The standards we set, and show. How we walk our walk, with grace, kindness and strength. Although what my title refers to is that my next pieces will be better than this one. But someday you guys (D+O) will need to be reminded of these days, this one in particular when our country answered its still conservative nature with the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President.

Something about Trump, Schwarzeneggar, Jesse Ventura, even George Bush Jr; All were underestimated- a joke at several points but all won their elections. Not so funny now. There is meaning here- not a coincidence this appeal, and if I don't personally understand what that appeal is, it's time that I learn.

It's important to remember that while Trump did polarize the Presidential election by placing himself against an opponent that he successfully labeled "crooked" (disregarding his actual transgresses, or how Hillary whose husband regarded affectionately as a fun loving man, she became punished from Bill's endeavors- it was within his own party Trump successfully won his party's nomination. My point being that neither Hillary or the Democrats had much to do with that part of his success. Trump won battling the majority of his party that didn't want him, and yet he still won the Republican nomination. In the general election, it seems to me that our country is not ready for any woman to be President. This is a country that celebrates violence, less love (see our TV shows), and while in reality both love making and killing is done on the sly, in relative privacy- you can turn on a show and see people artfully bludgeoned and shot, but doors and fade to commercial when bodies collapse into each other. We did successfully elect Barack Obama but at the apparent cost that many millions took it upon themselves to separate how they view themselves as part our the unified thread. The term is called, "white lash". We are really going to turn back these last eight years.

How can a lifetime of public service generally seeking to act on behalf of helping others be viewed so negatively? Certainly over 40 years of this with the opportunities along the way to generate income can bring some questionable choices but genuinely acting on behalf of the common good, not solely self serving, Clinton was allowed to be portrayed as the selfish, and crooked one. The Democrats chose a woman to represent us. The fact that she was the most qualified person in terms of experience, knowledge of all the working parts with the most socially liberal party platform of any major U.S. party was somehow viewed negatively. Lifetime of public service= career politician. Too much too soon. 240 years. It has to be at least 250. If ever America is in line to elect an Asian American or Chicano-Latina candidate it has to come after at least two terms of an old white man. Let this lesson be learned.

Even by the standard of not releasing his tax forms, this should have been enough to invalidate anyone's vote for Trump but there is a current in our nation's stream of consciousness that Trump is (unfortunately) the point person against all the experts, the media, the government- that somehow the most selfish and dishonest candidate is the best, valid candidate. He stands against the fortunate, the ones who went to good schools, the people that read books, and study policy, the artists ("the elite"). What is our self worth, if we feel this way? That even with vast differences with Bush, Reagan and others, but at heart, they had a decency about them. Some little bit of humbleness of the honor and responsibility of their calling, of public service. That Trump lacks this, is concerning.

I hope there are men and women who years from now will be able to answer their daughters and sons questions when given the opportunity to, did they vote for the first woman who should have been the first female President of this country, and that they honestly can say, "Yes, I did."
Here's a couple of smart Samantha Bee pieces:
Samantha Bee, Emails
LetHillaryBeHillary

The Donald might now refer to Hillary as the "loser" and evidently, he has a factual basis to construct this but Hillary Clinton is neither crooked or selfish. She is a good, thoughtful human being who for years has suffered by the acts and accusations of others, mostly men but has never sought our pity or wallowed in sorrow. She is strong, and I stand with her.

While I am discouraged by how our country tends to move in cycles (this opportunity to build on many of the good things President Obama has brought us), whether ever 8-20 years, we move to the right or left (will it always be so?), this would seem to suggest that more or less, everything stays the same but in truth in these cycles irrevocable events do occur in the cause and effect of what we do. The environment may not recover from these next years, and there is an unsettling in our social policies and place in the world. A new Nationalism (defined as an extreme form of this, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries).

It's important to live our own lives seeking hope and finding reasons to be inclusive and the want to participate. Without this it is too easy to dismiss, to close to saddle with hate, embrace despair and worst of all, to not care. We must have meaning to our actions for others are watching, learning; our children, peers.
I look at our 49'ers Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick who struck a meaningful stance by not standing for the national anthem; meaningful in that it did open an important discussion that is larger than any one person. Yesterday however he disclosed that he decided to note vote on anything; not only not voting on the Presidency (evil choices), but on any ballot issues. Not one. This informs me that he is too apathetic to take the time to read the initiative. his world view too negative to care. If we see this nation as half (or worse) empty, as shit- we won't care. We won't participate, or vote (which is the greatest symbol of national participation), or act. Ultimately, Colin Kaepernick discloses himself as a mere poseur, serving his needs. And also a mediocre quarterback at best.

(update: Kaepernick has never registered to vote. He says there are other ways to contribute and to make a difference. This is true but I guess the way the common man and woman can make a difference is not good enough for Kaep)

I have to like this tweet from pop star Katy Perry, a big Clinton supporter who must feel crushed but like Hillary rises up, does not wallow:

"Do not sit still. Do not weep. MOVE. We are not a nation that will let HATE lead us."

I am so proud at how proud Dexter was to vote and to participate. This gives me hope. We go on.