Blame

November 23, 2016

As we trudge into day 15, I wonder if someday we might view these early Trump times as the good-old-days. Right now, all we can do is speculate about the shit-storm to come. We have clues, but as our failed polls have proved, the Donald defies mathematical predictability.

We can, on the other hand, glean something about direction by looking at the people he will be bringing along for the ride. Given the Trump posse of relics from a by gone era, alt-right wackadoodles and conflict of interest family members things don’t look good.

But for now, all we can do is guess. Well, and blame.

There’s plenty of blame to go around. In some circles, it’s popular to blame low African American voter turnout. But, frankly, overall turnout was low so let’s blame the average American non-voter. Or maybe, blame the rural voter. Though rural voter would claim credit rather than blame – cause Trump’s their guy. (I wonder, will he still be their guy after he takes away their water and leaves their meaningless guns. But, there I go, speculating again.)

Our, now all yellow, media have been handing out blame to baby-boomers and millennials. The target age groups are being assault with logic like:

The boomers, those angry old white guys and their Stepford wives, voted for Trump because – taxes, coloreds, get off my lawn!

The millennials, those damn kids didn’t get out and vote; they were too busy playing pokemon go and sipping pumpkin lattes at Starbucks to bother!

While these two cartoonish assertions offer comedic images, they also share a flaw. Neither group is one thing.

Hell, I’m a boomer and don’t care if you walk on my lawn. (Though I suggest you take care to step around the dog shit.) While I may be living in a libtard bubble I don’t know any boomer men who voted for the Donald and I don’t know any boomer women who would vote for someone because their husband told them to. None.

Regard millennials, once again general voter turnout was down. So, it is reasonable to expect that turnout will also be down in the various voting blocks – including millennials. But, it’s always an easy to blame the youth.  Until they overwhelm you.

But, none of this makes any difference. There’s no blame to be shared. No reason to act like good losers. Because we didn’t lose. Beyond the moral “won the popular, but not the electoral” victory, there is another narrative.

Complaints of voting irregulates have begun to surface. Exit polling doesn’t (statistically) match up with reported counts. Something, other than the outcome, smells bad in this election.

I suggest this time we not act like good little losers. Instead, challenge the legitimacy of the election at every turn. While we may not block him from assuming the office, we don’t have to recognize his right to be there.

Perhaps we should have paid closer attention when Trump told us the election was rigged. After all, any really good con is based on truth.

That’s all I got today. Take care of yourselves and each other,
osv