Welcome to the Misadventures of Widowhood blog!

Welcome to my World---Woman, widow, senior citizen seeking to live out my days with a sense of whimsy as I search for inner peace and friendships. Jeez, that sounds like a profile on a dating app and I have zero interest in them, having lost my soul mate of 42 years. Life was good until it wasn't when my husband had a massive stroke and I spent the next 12 1/2 years as his caregiver. This blog has documented the pain and heartache of loss, my dark humor, my sweetest memories and, yes, even my pity parties and finally, moving past it all. And now I’m ready for a new start, in a new location---a continuum care campus in West Michigan, U.S.A. Some people say I have a quirky sense of humor that shows up from time to time in this blog. Others say I make some keen observations about life and growing older. Stick around, read a while. I'm sure we'll have things in common. Your comments are welcome and encouraged. Jean

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Paranoid Me and Politics


I just set one of my posts to revert back to a draft because it was annoying me every time it appeared in my side bar as one of the most read posts last week or last month. If it had been a topic someone would find in a Google search on a widowhood issue, I’d understand its popularity. But this blog post was a review of the movie, The Post. For a long time I thought maybe someone bookmarked that post as their way into my blog but doing the math on how many views it gets beyond the norm that would mean one person would have to be coming here to read six times a day. Finally, I dug a little deeper and figured out that most of its 3,357 views were coming from Russia. And paranoid me got the idea that maybe that post is being used somehow to teach Russian disinformation specialists something about the American mindset, of how some of us ordinary citizens feel about our freedom of the press. The movie, if you’ll remember was about The Post Newspaper winning a Supreme Court ruling when they exposed a three decades long cover-up commonly known as the Pentagon Papers. The next two paragraphs are from the blog post that I removed from public viewing:

“Near the end of the movie they quoted Justice Hugo Black’s argument for ruling in favor of the two newspaper’s right to publish the then-classified Pentagon Papers and against Nixon’s attempt to control the press and I was able to google his words. They’re important words, words that matter today every bit as much as they did in 1971 when the court ruled 6 to 3. Black wrote, ‘In the First Amendment the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people.’ 

“And that’s why Trump’s attempt to erode the credibility of the press is so dangerous. It’s why we need to remain vigilant against his corrosive, dictatorship-inspired tactic of calling any news he doesn’t like ‘fake’ news. It’s why we all need to put on our dissidents hats and stand up for this basic building block of our democracy.” 

Well, what do you think? Why would so many Russians be interesting in reading that blog post? And why are so many Americans so willing to be complacent to Trump’s attempts to destroy our freedom of the press? Some of my in-law relatives are like little parrots, repeating Trump's hate-filled tweets on Facebook and raging about “fake” news this and “fake” news. They love him to his rotten core. The fake news has been out to get him from the start! they say. Maybe so. We've never had a more corrupt and dishonest person in the White House. What is the Press supposed to do, look the other way when he metaphorically wipes his nose on the White House drapery? Poor mistreated Trump!

I honestly feel numb right now to the impeachment inquiry going on. When are the good people in the House and Senate going to start supporting the rule of law that keeps our democracy solvent? They have a legal duty to investigate and hear any evidence that may point to wrong-doing and decide if it’s valid or not. Trying to obstruct people from testifying before Congress is taking a page right out of Nixon’s play book but there were enough Republicans, back then, who left their partisan hats in the cloakroom and placed the country first. I don’t know if we can count on the current crop of lawmakers to do that. 

I’ve heard it said that they are afraid of Trump, that he can destroy their careers with one nasty tweet. What have we come to if that could possibility be true? Does Mr. Trump really have that much power over the voters (or donators) in any given district? Maybe he does. Trump-the-sociopath seems to have a way of dealing out corruption and cronyism, and de-constructing American values in plain sight that makes his fans believe that it isn’t corrupt or illegal or immoral at all. In their heads, it’s all just the press and the democrats trying to make mountains out of mole hills.

Some people think we should put all our energy into getting Trump voted out of office and not bother trying to censure him though the impeachment process, but what message does that send out to the world, not to mention the next president to come along? And with an administration that isn’t bothering to beef up our cyber security to protect our next election from outside interference does it even matter if we vote our brains out in 2020? With a little help from his Russian friends, he could still ‘win’ even if he actually losses. Trump has even found a way to mess with our Federal Election Commission's ability to operate in a meaningful way by not filling empty seats. And why not? That tactic has worked well with the EPA. ©

Note from the management of this blog. Polly Anna will be back next week.

55 comments:

  1. "They love him to his rotten core." Yes they do. He confirms what they've believed all along that ignoring the rules/laws, getting away with things, not studying in school are the ways to get rich and have power. I don't like those people and their beliefs, being a law-abiding, process-oriented, egghead who can think.

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    1. I have tried so hard to understand why people I know personally---most of whom I really like otherwise---can be so fooled by this man. How they can overlook so many faults they wouldn't accept in a grandchild? What you are saying probably applies to half of my in-laws who are high school drops and never picked up a book since.

      Every single Trump supporter I know personally is also strong Right-to-Lifers and hardcore NRA supporters and they are happy he and Pence are doing their bidding on those issues. They turn a blind eye to how many lives he puts in harm's way as long he makes it harder for women to get an abortion and easier to buy guns. It's interesting watching them justify the inhumane treatment of immigrant children. He's managed to dehumanize them in his fan's eyes.

      I hope I live long enough to see the country get back on firm footing again. I'm with you...law-abiding, process-oriented makes for a better world.

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    2. The brainwashing and dehumanizing have indeed been effective with his Base and he's attracted those who are very aligned with his Belief System as well. I notice common threads... and yes, the ones that surprise me most are folks whom I really like otherwise as well and thought to have intelligence and discernment... but are staunch 45er's and can excuse anything he says or does.

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  2. Agree with every word! And how do you see who sees every individual blog post? I really don't know how to dive deep. I see Russia always showing up in my viewers too. It's weird, huh?

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    1. I was diving very deep one night but not sure I could find my way back again. Russia has bots that troll for certain words/topics as probably other countries do too. Not all are trolling for politics, many want to dump spam and are looking for references to sex. No humans involved. But that post was different. It was getting trolled WAY more than normal. In a month or so I might try bringing it back and watch what happens because I don't have enough to do, she types with gusto.

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  3. Jean, people today are jut stupid and the GOP's are sheep. Unless things change, the United States that I know off will disappear and Trump will be just like Putin and the rest. I have an election in Canada in a few days and the Conservative leader Scheer is Canadian and has an American passport. He could become our Prime Minister. Can you believe it that our leader could be an American. This world is going nuts. See ya my friend.

    Cruisin Paul

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    1. That surprises me, Paul, that Canada doesn't have a law about being a citizen to be a Prime Minister. I take it he has dual citizenship?

      It's easy to write people off as 'stupid' and 'sheep' but to me that just adds to the problem that is breaking our country apart. We NEED to understand each other, to interact and find common ground and not become tribal. Tribalism is what is getting us and the entire world in trouble. It plays right into the hands of people like Trump.

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    2. Alas Tribalism is alive and well... and many vilify anyone not of their 'Tribe' of thinking and doing... or dehumanize them... and not listening. Sometimes it's hard to listen, but I've tried to understand what appeal there is in 45's staunch supporters? My conclusion thus far is their Fear has been activated and they're terrified of Liberal Leadership, so some would rather have a bat shit crazy demagogue Leading them than a sane Liberal. That's what concerns me about the most popular Dem lineup. Being a non-partisan Moderate, I know I'd HAVE to Vote for anyone NOT Trump... but I sure would like some not so extreme leanings Right or Left options for Candidates, you know?

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  4. All his supporters are single-issue voters or individuals who have That One Thing that drives them. It might be racism, it might be immigration, it might be Roe v. Wade, it might be guns, it might be anti-government sentiment. No matter what it is, he is their guy. There are GM workers on strike right now wearing their MAGA hats on the picket line. How do you even begin to talk sense to people like that?

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    1. You nailed it on his supporters.

      I'll bet those MAGA hats on the picket line ticks off a bunch of other union members. I know they do here at monthly meetings.

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  5. It does boggle the mind how people I know and love can still think he is the berries. I guess they only hear what they want to hear.
    Interesting about Russia. They use to love me but now days it is Indonesia that is wildly driving up my hits. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

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    1. They do only hear what they want to hear.

      I have a high number of views from Indonesia too. I think they are the ones dumping the spam about escort services, etc.

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  6. Its very easy to understand why Trump is so popular and beloved. Look at his competition. Not one of those Democrats are worth their weight in shit. Especially the Clintons.
    How could you be so blind and not see this?
    Trump is a success because of his competition. America is sick of the Democrats, liberalism, socialism, abortion rights, undocumented illegal rights and all the other vomit that pops out of their mouths. The Democrats have done NOTHING since Trump got elected except try to get him out of office. The more they try the more the American people, love, love, love Trump.
    And if Americans are now considered stupid, its because of all that liberal democratic crap to teach the kids. How's that working out for them?
    There will be a civil war in this country. The faster we get people like you outta here, the better.

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    1. I don't mind publishing comments that disagree with me, but have the guts to sign your name. I'll let your hate stand for itself without rebuttal from me except to remind you that liberals and Democrats are every bid as AMERICAN as you are, so if you want to start a civil war to get "people like you (me) out of here" have at it. You'll be shooting across dinner tables all over America. Is that really preferable than learning how to compromise on topics we ALL care about? Compromise is a cornerstone in any democracy. Are you willing to throw our democracy under the bus in support of a dictatorship because 'compromise' has become a dirty word?

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    2. Well written Jean, Anonymity is for Cowards!

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    3. Anonymous, that entire post said nothing. You claim Joe Biden has done "nothing" with no examples. "Liberal democratic crap" being taught to kids is actually critical thinking. Sorry you missed out. And people like her out of here? What does that mean? Because it sounds like "I'm angry and ignorant and have no ground to stand on." Sad.

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  7. Well written Jean. We are living in scary, baffling times.

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  8. Agree with you completely. I have family members who support him, too, and I'm guessing it's about abortion and gay rights. They'd follow the devil down the street if he made the right promises. Ironic.

    I've been pleasantly surprised by the position of Justin Amash. I haven't ever voted for him because I disagree with him on pretty much everything, but at least he has a backbone. Hard to come by in the GOP these days. They're sure afraid of Trump, and you have to admire someone who is more interested in truth than power.

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    1. I have gotten Justin Amash's voting record updates by email since the beginning and I while I don't often agree with him, he votes his convictions which have a solid, Libertarian leaning. I have come to appreciate him for that. None of his votes are self-serving as far as I can tell.

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  9. You give away your power and you give away your soul. And I've seen a lot of soul-lessness in the past three years, both from some I know and many I don't. And you're right about NRA and abortion as deciding factors.

    And yes, I'd love to see your post on the Post again. Just a note at the top that it's a repost and if you want to know why see (link to this!)

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    1. The heart of that post was recopied here. Nothing in it that I thought deserved so many views. Just couldn't/can't understand it's popularity. I kind of like looking at the 'stats' on blogs. Like today of the 147 views on this post, 23 have been from Russia.

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  10. I have no interest in your political ranting. So, I will be blocking you from my news feed. At least with Trump we have better economy, a bigger and better military, less unemployment, the veterans are being treated better, and we hope to become a country like what was founded... not what the stupid democrats want.

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    1. We also have bullying, disrespecting, environmental problems, health regulations being stomped on, people kept in horrible conditions and income inequality that means your "better economy" (which started under the previous administration) is benefitting the rich. The founders created a Constitution that the president is flouting so I'm pretty sure if you're looking "to become a country like what was founded," looking to this president isn't going to get you what you want. I am, btw, a registered Republican who never vote for Trump. I want a president that I would be proud of and would want my grandchildren to emulate.

      Sheila

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    2. By every metric, the economy is better under Biden. Unemployment is at a 5 year low. And Republicans have blocked every bill to help veterans. All of this is easily verifiable. Just because something makes you feel better doesn't make it true.

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  11. Oh, and please take me off your blog list! Thanks.

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  12. Here's a totally unrelated note -- you probably tried again to see the full schedule for the train, but even after I told you I'd corrected it, I'd done it wrong. I'm blaming it on left-over sedation. I had dental surgery yesterday, which went fine, but I'd not been gently but firmly knocked out with anesthesia, and who knows? Maybe my poor brain still is fuzzy! I'll say this -- dentistry has improved markedly over the years, and so has pain medication. Now that I think of it, maybe that's my problem! But I dont' have any pain, that's for sure!

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    1. Oh, I need the laugh I got from your comment, Linda. I'll try that link again. I'm glad you've got your oral surgery in the rear view mirror.

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  13. Jean R - after reading some of the comments above, I had to respond. At this stage, after all the orange pumpkin's antics, hate rallies etc, if people refuse to see the treachery and reason in open sight.... Like many others, I used to wonder how Hitler - small man, toothbrush moustache, etc - could rise in power. I wonder now no more.

    I get what you (and others) say that we all have to talk across the divide. I cannot. Its my failing. So be it! ~ Libby

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    1. It's really hard to "talk across the divide." I'm not good at it either, Libby. But I do think we need to try before its too late (history is our best teachers) thus the occasional political post for me. In person, I might not bring Trump up first if someone else does I no longer stay silence. When Trump supporters list what THEY think he's doing well I say that there are a lot of good people who could do the same for our country without the daily drama. So far, no one has had a comeback for that while in a face to face conversation. It's what I should have replied up above to the anonymous commenter. He/she probably would just repeat that no one else is "worth their weigh in shit." Such a quaint term which just exemplifies how much his fans blindly worship him.

      Thanks for chiming in from Down Under.

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  14. My best friend for over 40 yrs thinks Trump is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I treasure his friendship so I make my visits very short. The real trouble is not that Trump is POTUS but the fact we have to live in a country that would elect him. I will get off my soapbox now. At 71, I seem to spend a lot more time up there, lol.

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    1. I have the same situation with a friendship I really value and would be lost without. It's hard to ignore the elephant in the room when we're together but sometimes you just have to that.

      You are right about the real problem being that so many people seem to have lowed their standards of what is morally and ethically acceptable in our public figures.

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    2. I agree with squire... it is more troubling than 45 himself... he is who he just is... the fact he got elected and still has a solid Base of rabid Fans who can condone almost anything illegal or immoral is astounding!

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  15. Reading all these comments and the polarization they reflect tell me only one thing! This unqualified man who managed to capture the presidency is bad for this country.

    I am 72 and in all my years I have never experienced such extreme opinions and such passionate feelings. It is a sign that this leader is a bad leader. He makes no effort to pull together the country he is leading. He thrives on ill will, lies and mis-direction. Notice I make no mention of his political bent or his policies. It is all about what he does to the relationships between people and nations. Sadly, he is like a cancer.

    Really, I can think of NO OTHER PRESIDENT in our history that has done that.

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    1. You are so right. I'm older than you and have closely followed politics all my life and there has never been a man in the White House who has deliberately tried to divide people like he does. He and deliberately tries to turn other countries against us who has been our friends. He is a cancer, good description.

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  16. I got 9800 hits on my blog yesterday from Russia but can't tell what posts are being accessed, every once in a while either Russia or Romania has thousands of hits.

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    1. That's just crazy. Given your blog is about strokes---the medical emergency---I can understand why the bots and crawlers hit on your blog, thinking it's a sexual stroke.

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  17. I agree with all you said. I am not, however, someone who would respond to trolls as you did. Their purpose is to agitate. They are not looking to understand or compromise.
    And to respond to your comments, sadly, I think this has been a long time coming. For too long our society has encouraged anti-intellectual behavior and educating the masses has not been a priority (you only need to look at teachers salaries across the country to know that we do not value education.). I don’t even want to get into the rabbit hole of the priority of entertainment over education (you only have to look at newspaper headlines to see the hollywoodization of our nation.)
    Enough ranting!
    Best regards,
    Leze

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    1. To me, a troll is a person who agitates and really doesn't care which side of an issue he/she is agitating on. I used to spend a lot of time on a political website that was full of trolls. I think the anonymous commenter above truly believes what he/she is saying which puts him in another category that I won't name.

      You are right, though, about things not starting with Trump even thought and how devaluing our education/teachers has played into to all this. I saw the anti-intellectual push back to Obama in the same family members who voted for Trump.

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  18. Yes Trump makes my skin crawl although I do give him some credit for his handling of the economy, and I don't fault him for what is really a crisis at the border. But given the choice of voting for him or a socialist (or near socialist) I am not sure what I would do. It would be a lose/lose situation. Who would do more harm to our country? As an Independent, I just hope Democrats come through with a decent candidate because I know there are many others who feel as I do.

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    1. I just hope the REPUBLICANS come through with a decent candidate to challenge Trump for the primaries. Why leave it up to the Democrats? I love to vote when I know in my heart that no matter which candidate wins, the country is going to be safe and respected around the world with a thoughtful leader, even if I don't agree with him/her 100% of the time. Trump treats our government like a one-man reality show.

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    2. We already seem to have some socialist policies (Medicare, social security) so I always wonder why socialism (as in democratic socialism) is so repugnant to people. When I look at those happiest countries in the world, it seems like the Scandinavian countries who practice democratic socialism are healthier, more educated and have fewer social problems. Is it just the American temperament? Why is democratic socialism such a dirty word in the U.S.?

      Sheila

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    3. All true, Shelia. Democracy Socialism is only a dirty term because Trump is telling them it is and because they think it's going to take money away from them to care for others.

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    4. Medicare and social security are not socialism... neither is universal health care which I am very much in favor of. Some people like to equate high taxes and generous government services popular in the Scandinavian countries with socialism. This is a mistake. Those country are free trade capitalist countries. You may call it Democratic Socialism if you like, but it is still capitalism. So when people say they are democratic Socialist and opposed to capitalism, I'm not sure how they are defining democratic socialists. At the moment Sanders is the only one who seems clearly against private ownership of the means of production... more in line with true socialism But I worry a little about Warren although I like some of her policies and she says she is a capitalist. You and I probably have more in common than you think and believe me I am not influenced by the likes of Donald Trump. But this kind of conversation is always difficult.

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    5. In the future, anonymous commenters need to sign their first names to their comments or they don't get published. I still allow them because some people can't or don't want to sign up for a Google ID and I get that. At the same time I really value some of my anonymous commenters like Abby, Shelia, Leze and others who frequently share their thoughts. Comments what aren't signed have me scratching my head, trying to figure out if it's someone new or not. Especially if there are two or three anonymous people in the same thread of comments who aren't identifying themselves.

      As for the meaning of democratic socialism I don't care what we call ourselves. Labels aren't going to change anything as long as we have a representative form of government. Democratic socialism also can and does co-exist with capitalism in many places so it's not an either or choice. I, too, don't want Sanders. He never should have been allowed to run as a democrat in the first place. Pete Buttigieg has my attention at the moment but I just don't think a gay guy can win in the general election and that is a really important aspect to weigh for me.

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    6. Sorry.. never thought how confusing the anonymous thing would be. I am a regular reader but probably have not commented here before. But I enjoy your posts a lot.
      Judy

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  19. Jean R. - I have to chime in again re Sanders. I heartily dislike him and don't understand why he was allowed to run as a Democrat, when he's an Independent. He spoilt Hillary's chances, too. ~ Libby

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    1. Agreed and he's also a one trick pony in my opinion. Well, maybe two with his free Medicare and free college for all.

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  20. I'm in complete agreement with your assessment of the situation. If a Russian bot tried to get into my Mindset that would be hilarious given how off the wall I am *winks*, but, I do know that they are watching and taking Note of how the People respond to what is going on, that is what concerns me more than 45 himself, since I always knew what he was all about. But the People, so many of them, that can excuse, support and even Love such a Leader is mind blowing to me and quite a revelation as to the condition of our Society and Nation in these turbulent times. Those who adore 45 cannot be reasoned with, they truly seem brainwashed or easily manipulated... or perhaps they just are LIKE him, we have to consider that possible Reality that there are more Hate and Anger filled Citizens than we may have ever realized? Scary stuff... even Globally, what is being allowed to play out.

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    1. The possibility that people we thought we knew to be moral and ethical people could be just like Trump on the inside but just hid it until he came along is such a depression idea. But I do believe there is far more than a grain of truth there. That shakes our/my sense of being able to judge others. It reminds me a couple my husband and I thought we really knew and believed had a model, happy marriage announcing on their 20th anniversary that they were getting a divorce. Shakes you to be so wrong in your assessment of others.

      I also think Obama's election shook up a lot of old white people who looked at that as a signal that other "races were taken over." Then Trump came along to take their underlying hate and fear to a new level.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. If you are using ANONYMOUS please identify yourself by your first name as you might not be the only one. Comments containing links from spammers will not be published. All comments are moderated which means I might not see yours right away to publish through for public viewing as I don't sit at my computer 24/7.