Getting Darker All the Time

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a very optimistic, positive person.  I was considered a sickeningly happy child.  I have maintained my "Pollyanna" core for much of my life, but recently I feel it's dimming.  I am feeling dark thoughts about the world more than I have ever felt.  It's causing me concern for my very soul.  Yes, I am a Democrat.  Yes, I lean Left. BUT, mostly I have always thought I was compassionate and sensible in all decisions and points of view.  I am able to hear an opposing view, think about it, and re-assess.  I am an equal opportunity critic.  My achilles heel is injustice and hypocrisy.  I am always able to admit it if I'm wrong. I am always able to apologize.   I never thought those were such special abilities, but clearly, they are.  

In our current climate, which started far before this current President, partisanship is extreme.  From my point of view, the people on the Right never criticize their own, until most recently.  While people on the Left, overly criticize their own.  From a person who sees things sensibly, I don't get it.  AND I really don't get it now.  In this current climate where there are so many unanswered questions, I do not understand how all the people in America aren't passionately crazy to know the truth about the President and Russian ties.  That is the very crux of our Democracy if foreign governments are trying to influence our Country.  That's it!  How is it even a Partisan issue at all?  How can anyone not want the truth on this?  I truly don't get it.  There should have been outrage and concern from the get go as opposed to getting the "win!"  If that doesn't shake your confidence in our Democracy, what will?  

We are not fighting over policy.  We are uncertain of the influence from outside our Country.  Why doesn't that make all Americans up in arms?  This isn't some movie; this is our Country, our Democracy.  This isn't healthcare or gun reform, this is investigating the evidence and the trail from Russia to the US government.  This shocks me that this is partisan at all.  Seriously, if the investigation is completed and the determination is there was zero collusion with the Tr**p campaign, so be it.  Then, it's our problem to re-align our thinking. BUT, what if they find that there was/is collusion, wouldn't we all want to know so we can protect our Democracy for the future?  I don't understand the partisanship when there is so much at stake.  My head feels like a bobblehead from all the head shaking.  Anyone out there want to tell me how anyone doesn't want the answers?

Congress acts like they just want to go on as if everything is normal.  

Until Comey testified in Congress this week, they did their best, though now they are covered in slime and still trying to move forward with their agendas.  How can you when the bread crumbs are looking seriously moldy?  This corruption possibility should be bipartisan all the way.  This should not be Republicans vs. Democrats.  This is a possible Constitutional crisis.  All of us need to know the truth, whichever way it may fall.  

I find myself wishing dark and ugly thoughts on people.  When the new wish list budget was announced, all I could think of was a pox on all their houses.  Let the First Family drink the water from Flint.  Let them get new and horrifying diseases that couldn't be identified because the budget for the National Institute of Health was slashed.  I want the First Family, his administration, and Congress to all have TrumpCare.  See how long they survive. I don't like these feelings, but they are creeping in more frequently. I have tried to decrease my reading and watching but it's hard.  Statements and accusations are firing rapidly throughout the White House.  Alternative Facts have become the norm and I don't understand how all Americans aren't more concerned or questioning the White House.  What's going on isn't normal.  This should not be Left vs. Right, Coasts vs. Fly Over, Rich vs. Poor, White vs. All Colors, Men vs. Women, Straight vs. Gay, this should worry ALL Americans.  Anyone know why it isn't?  The terrain here is new and scary.  We are in unchartered waters that are dark and deep.  I hate feeling so dark all the time.  I want a happy ending but don't expect to get it.  This is no Disney movie, but I will take truth and facts.  Let the chips fall where they may. 

                                                                         ____________

Sidebars:  Rachel Maddow got punked and, in turn, punked us.  I felt let down by her overhyped Tr**p taxes show which revealed nothing, but, and I can't say this enough, Rachel Maddow has been doing outstanding work on her show.  She has one misstep and everyone wants to erase all the other good work.  No, we can't do that.  We have to stay vigilant and keep listening and reading.  There's a lot to be answered.  So, one crappy show doth not make a total career. -- The Voice is always enjoyable but I am quite tired of Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's love match.  Maybe they can't be on the show together anymore. It's tiresome banter. -- Tom Bergeron and Neil Gorsuch separated at birth? -- March Madness began last week and there is just too much talking during the games by the on air talent and too many long referee reviews.  Still too many game-changing calls made. I know the refs are human but it's hard when we all can see on the 85th replay that they called it wrong.  Here's to the Sweet 16 Thursday! -- NBA season is almost done with the regular season. Then the longest playoffs season begins. -- MLB begins in two weeks. Oh, joy! Go Giants!! -- Is there a reason that tax payers had to pay for the FBI investigation into where Tom Brady's Super Bowl jerseys went?  What an annoying waste. -- Speaking about tax dollars, I will keep shouting it and writing it; the First Family is costing the taxpayers far too much money on travel and security. Where's the outrage?!!? Three million dollars every Mar-a-Lago weekend. $300,000 a day to protect Melania and Barron in NYC. Saw a photo of the original spawn family on a skiing weekend in Aspen with their families.  How much did that cost? If they stopped wasting all that money, we wouldn't have to slash the NEA, Meals on Wheels, NIH, Education, after school programs, etc.  Seriously, where is the effin' outrage?!

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@DianaPodolsky

Head's About to Explode

I feel that I've said this before, but I am totally overwhelmed and getting paralyzed with the current and despicable political climate.  I feel assaulted from all sides on social media.  The Alt-Right and POTUS blow my mind every minute since Inauguration Day.  I can't believe what they are trying to do to our Country.  I can't believe how many elected officials are choosing Party over Country.  All the people on the Left are posting actions to call, protest, send postcards. Some seem repetitive postings and I have to figure out if I signed before or not.  I was trying to flush out the noise and try to filter the important things "to do," but so far that hasn't worked.  There are so many things on both sides flying around and it's gotten so challenging to know where to begin.  I read one post that we should focus on two important issues and place all your concentration there.  Sounds good and yet, still not easy to do.  

The whole #DeleteUber didn't feel right to me.  I do not use Uber but it felt very quick to judge and condemn, which is no better than many on the Far Right. Do I think they did something underhanded and sneaky?  I really don't know.  I was trying to think how I'd feel if I had flown in to JFK and stuck without a ride home or to a hotel.  Maybe inconveniencing travellers is all part of the protest, but I don't think that helps the issue of unfair immigration Executive orders.  Uber has often stood up in terrible times to give rides to people in need.  I'm just not sure they did anything really wrong.  Again, I don't use Uber, so I am not standing in defense of them, but I know so many are quick for a boycott and condemnation on all sides.  That's why we haven't seen Billy Bush or Dr. Nancy Snyderman and so many more.  Gone, banished.  I just want the protesting to be fairly focussed and not destructive.  I don't know the answer, though I've read both sides.  Look, it's easy to delete when there are many other car services out there, but it's not true throughout the Country.  It's a balancing act and the outrage needs to be directed squarely at the feet of the new Administration and the elected officials.

I am beginning to feel hopeless and helpless.  I don't like that feeling.  I will keep reading articles and postings. I will try to make the calls, send the letters, and protest where I can, but it all feels so big.  Why aren't there more Senators and Representatives standing up for Country over Party?  Maybe we should take away all the lifelong packages of salaries and healthcare and the job wouldn't be as cushy to keep.  Maybe we incentivize politicians to do the right thing and not worry about the next election. Again, always goes back to the money and public campaign finance.  At this point, that's gone way down the list.  Now, we are fighting for equal rights, the environment, and survival.  Yes, to all you Tr**p voters, many of us feel our mere survival is at stake as both a Nation and a world.  How do you Tr**p supporters feel?  Happy with your decision?  I don't get it.  Even the Pope is standing up for what's right.  The Pope!!  

One more very important point to me.  The media, other than Fox because that would be too much to hope for, need to call things as they are.  No more Obamacare!  It's the Affordable Care Act.  If the media hadn't called it Obamacare, maybe we wouldn't be where we are today.  Even Obama started calling it Obamacare.  The Republican marketing machine is stellar, so the media needs to be the ones to keep things clear and honest.  We are depending on your integrity during these unchartered waters.  Let's call things by their correct names and labels.  Call out untruths and lies.  This is really your chance to rise and shine.

Sidebars:  Watched the SAG Awards on TNT.  Quite fun but far too many commercials.  Always great to see actors supporting each other.  On a personal note, was grateful and thrilled, that my dear John McMartin was honored in the In Memoriam section.  The Emmys didn't and should be ashamed.  ** So sad about the passing of Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Hale, and John Hurt. Turned on the MTM marathon on Sundance and it was the episode "Mary Needs a Lawyer."  The lawyer was none other than John McMartin.  A beautiful and sad way to start Sunday morning.  **  Saw Arrival and not my cup of tea.  Saw Lion and thought it was so moving and compelling.  Definitely worth seeing.  **  Super Bowl Sunday coming up.  Oh, how I hope the Atlanta Falcons upset the Patriots.  That would make it a great game.  Not sure about Lady Gaga, but we shall see, won't we?  

Snowing here a bit. Stay warm and dry wherever you may be.  See you when I see you.

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@DianaPodolsky

The Globes, With Love

The 2016 Golden Globes are over.  I await them every year, though they are a far cry from their earlier under produced years.  Still the best night.  The Hollywood Foreign  Press always makes surprising picks.  None greater to me than an FX series I never heard of until I studied the nominations, Atlanta, and Best Actress in a Drama, Isabelle Huppert for Elle.  Overall, it was a good show.  Jimmy Fallon did a great opening number with his LalaLand take off, but he also disappeared halfway through.  Thinking they had to cut his bits because so many speeches went long.  Maybe they gave him the boot, I don't know, but everyone was overshadowed by the incredibly moving speech by Meryl Streep.  

Ms. Streep was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award and she took the opportunity to speak volumes and move hearts.  Of course, on my Facebook feed everyone gave it kudos.  She spoke from the heart about our PEOTUS without mentioning his name.  She spoke of the importance of the Arts and that we, as Americans and Global citizens, need to be vigilant about Freedom of the Press.  She spoke eloquently and with grace and dignity.  You could hear a pin drop in the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  I saw one person in the distance moving. Everyone was spellbound and hanging on every word.  It was a wonderful television moment.  It's one of those moments that only happens on the Golden Globes. 

Of course, PEOTUS had to tweet because he is a petulant child and say she's an overrated actress, among other things. His reaction was so predictably immature, but I always hope that he will rise and deal with the important issues in our Country.  He seems completely incapable.  Again, that's why "we" can't get over it.

But I digress, the Awards season is off.  LalaLand broke Globe records with the most wins ever.  I am very surprised by that, though I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be inventive filmmaking.  There have been so many magnificent movies over the past half century.  Anyway, no big faux pas made other than some of the men went the same color as PEOTUS.  There were a few that were on the orange-ier hue.  Unfortunate.  The women looked beautiful.  I love Goldie Hawn, but am sorry she has had so much work done.  Thrilled that Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston won for The Night Manager.  Loved Claire Foy and The Crown winning, too.  I wish that Hidden Figures got more recognition because it's a wonderful film, great acting, and needs to be seen.  So happy that "my" Dear, Evan Hansen guys, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, won for LaLaLand for Best Song! 

That's my very basic overview.  I am happy to have these distractions in the coming weeks.  I need some good Hollywood glamour and meaningless Awards!

Sidebars:  The Bachelor began last week opposite The Celebrity Apprentice and kicked its butt!  Apprentice will probably get killed tonight opposite the NCAA Football Championship Game. :-) -- If you haven't been watching The Crown on Netflix, it's well worth the 10 hours.  I love Peter Morgan, the writer.  I loved The Queen on film, The Audience on Broadway, and Frost/Nixon on TV.  He's a very thoughtful writer. -- Jenna Bush Hager got so much hate for saying Hidden Fences by mistake instead of Hidden Figures on the Red Carpet, but Michael Keaton said it on air during the show and crickets. Hmmm -- If you aren't a lover of our PEOTUS, turn your television on during the Inauguration to a non-Inauguration station: History Channel, Comedy Central, HBO, anything that's not that.  Keep it on, even if you're not home.  If you don't have the television on, it won't have the same resounding ratings result.  Something to think about.  Low ratings will create a tweet storm! -- NFL is down to 8 teams on the road to the Super Bowl.  Hope we get surprise teams. A girl can hope can't she? -- Hope the people effected by the massive rains are safe and dry.  Careful out there.  

Happy frigid Monday only to be in the 50's later in the week in NYC.

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@DianaPodolsky

The Lower the Lows

2016 has been an unbelievably shitty year.  I'm sure that at this time we always think that we've lost an enormous amount of famous and non famous people, but this year....It's not that I don't understand the life cycle, but these past 12 months have been peppered with too many gone too soon.  My closest and dearest of all, John McMartin, was chronologically not too soon, but his spirit was always young at heart.  I knew that I would lose him at some point, but still wasn't prepared for the deep personal loss.  (Read my blog Too Many Mornings, July 7, 2016). And then there were all the celebrities. Too numerous to even count, but so many too young: David Bowie, George Michael, Glenn Frey, Gary Shandling, and the gut punch was losing Carrie Fisher and then her Mom, Debbie Reynolds.  The In Memorium's on all the Awards shows could last an hour this season.  There were far more losses than I ever remember before.  It has felt like a sucker punch everyday.  

On top of that, the non-stop rancor and discord of our Country has taken it's emotional toll.  The far too long Presidential campaign and all the sordid ins and outs...it's worn away a part of me.  I don't think I can ever express or forget the feeling I had on Tuesday night, November 8, 2016.  I've never felt so sickened and disillusioned about anything like that before.  The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach still hasn't gone away.  I never saw this coming and, that night, hope faded to misery.  I know people who said get over it, but I can't and many can't.  Easy for white Christian males to say that. This PEOTUS is unlike any we've seen.  We may have had ideological differences with President-Elects before, but nothing like this.  The lessons we've taught our children is unfathomable.  Seriously, if PEOTUS was a 6 year old in school, he would've been expelled for his behavior, but now he will be the leader of the most divided Country since the 60's.  I don't think that he is up to the challenge.  I am absolutely willing to be proven wrong.  I'd be thrilled if all my fears and terrors aren't realized, but I've seen no sign of a grownup in the room.  

I have always been an upbeat, happy-go-lucky person, but this year has knocked me over repeatedly.  I know that I am not alone, but it doesn't mean I don't feel alone.  I don't want to be or even feel comfortable being Debbie Downer, because I've always been an optimist, but I don't see the bright future I used to see.  Our Millennial generation deserves so much more and I hope they fight for their future.  I have been using a word in the past few months that never even passed my lips or written before, but have used repeatedly now...bereft.  An old English word that has felt the most befitting.  

I am deeply disappointed with President Obama in his waning weeks.  I don't understand his motivations on so many issues, primarily the UN and Israel. Not going to argue about it here. It's a complex, layered issue. My only certainty is the UN always votes against Israel.  There's a great video trending about the Middle East conflict by Dennis Prager, Jewish conservative,  which is worth watching. Really wanted Obama to go out on a high note, but now....

Words matter. Feelings matter. Think twice in 2017 before knocking someone or mocking someone.  One stone, one brick at a time.  The schmaltzy "act of kindness" just may be the ticket, though with a PEOTUS tweeting all the time, it's hard to feel hopeful. We are treading in unchartered waters. We need to stand up. We need to keep raising our voices.  We need to write letters. We need to remember who we really are.  

People I am really trying, but I don't want to write all sad and depressed so my words may be fewer and farther apart. May we all make 2017 what we want it to be.  Stay strong. Stay loud.

Sidebars:  Things to look forward to in 2017...Awards season. Golden Globes are up first.  I definitely need them.  Distractions, talent, laughs, tears, and black ties.  Football season is winding down, thankfully. Four months until the first pitch.  Basketball season is heating up. Bruno Mars is going on tour.  New Broadway shows, television,  and movies.  My 40th high school reunion!!!  Go Vikings!!!!!  You can let me know what you're looking forward to in 2017, maybe we can buoy each other.  Health and love in 2017.  Hold on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

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@DianaPodolsky

Not Getting Over It

I have definitely taken a huge soulful hit from the election results.  Something I knew was a possibility but not a probability.  It's been difficult to focus and accept.  I have found little comfort on the news, in the papers or online, but I finally felt the urge to vent a bit so here it goes....

I am sick and tired of people that are Tr**p supporters and voters telling me to move on, get over it.  That doesn't help and if you don't understand that, keep your words to yourself.  Of all the Republican candidates that I disagreed with, it was based on policy differences.  POLICY.  Our President-Elect is all over the place, but first and foremost, he has lit a fire under the asses of neo-nazis, KKK, misogynists, xenophobes, homophobes, and all the other hate mongers.  That is something far different than a person elected to lead the United States of America and disagree on policies.  I read today that Drumpf has to take a look at the difference between his campaign and other candidates to see why he may have fired up hate.  Seriously?  You have spewed so much hate throughout your campaign and never denounced any hate speech, acts, or violence.  You have encouraged it at every rally with words and dog whistles.  Who are you, Drumpf?  

The supporters that don't understand the fear that many of us feel for the safety of ourselves and our children must be white male Christians.  You are safe.  No one is going to rock your worlds.  What bothers me the most, in this post election fog, is that you don't get it?  I haven't heard one Tr**p supporter denounce the swastikas written on buildings, walls, and playgrounds.  I haven't heard one voter scream out after violent acts on college campuses to Muslims or African-Americans.  Nothing.  Nada. Riente. Rien. Crickets.  

Our future President has only fanned flamed the flames with his choices for cabinet positions.  The choice of Steve Bannon does nothing to comfort any minority group in this Country.  The choice of Mike Flynn does nothing to make people feel heard.  The choices go on and on.  All are extremists.  All are scary to any group that isn't white.  The popular vote went to Hillary Clinton and not to the President Elect by nearly 2 million votes.  He is ignoring that and dividing this country even more.  

The fear is real.  I really don't understand Republican voters don't get the sickness and apprehension so many of us feel. Tr**p isn't the same as Romney or McCain or G.W. Bush or George H.W. Bush or any other Republican President or nominee.  He is a wild card.  His rhetoric has been divisive from the day he came down that damn elevator and insulted Mexicans.  He has thrown the playbook out. He has not been held to the same scrutiny as any other nominee.  The people, the media, the journalists, the RNC let him slide on everything.  He is like none other.  The Democratic leaders have also been too quiet with one exception, Senator Elizabeth Warren.  I hope that she can light a fire under other elected officials, but I think there are a lot of cowards. 

So, Tr**p voters, before you tell a heartsick American to get over it or move on, try to imagine the terror that so many are living with now.  Many of us feel very nervous about our future.  The silence from the "many" is feeding the fear.  Don't tell me to calm down.  Don't tell me that Clinton would've been worse and she's a crook and she should go to jail and so on.  She wouldn't have struck terror in people's hearts.  She wouldn't have been your choice, but you'd be safe.  

We, the many, the majority, are scared.  No one is doing anything to ease the fear. No one, so we have to be vigilant. We have to be alert, loud, and strong.  We march shoulder to shoulder.  We will not be silenced!

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@DianaPodolsky

I Figured It Out

Do you remember that I have often ruminated why the hate for Hillary Clinton is so deep? Well, I think it's far more simple than I ever imagined.  She's a woman.  That's it.  Watching the elevation and blatant misogyny has been extraordinary.  It's always been there, but the choruses have gotten louder and louder. We are a society who likes people in their predictable place.  It's why many white people went crazy that a black man became President.  It threatened their whole world view.  Now, a woman climbing the political ladder is hard to accept.  When Hillary commented that she didn't want to stay home and make cookies years ago, she took so much heat from women.  Wow, such an insult.  When she was first lady of Arkansas and fighting for women and children, a Republican opponent said she should be home with her daughter. I actually agree with Madelyn Allbright that women should vote for Hillary.  We should back the most prepared, intelligent woman or person that has ever run for the Presidency.  All the shit she has taken for years and she still stands.  Look at all the men that Drumpf took down and most of them haven't been heard from since the Republican debates and primary.  They crawled back in their holes.  

Maybe it's difficult to relate to a woman who keeps getting back up with every single punch.  We, and I use we meaning many Americans, can't figure out a woman President.  When Shirley Chisholm ran decades ago, no one took her seriously as a candidate and, on top of it, she was an African American.  When Geraldine Ferraro was chosen to run as Vice President, they dug and dug into her background and when they couldn't find something on her, they went to her husband to dig up dirt.  Doesn't that say everything?  None of these women crawled back. They continued on with their careers and their visions. 

There is terror in change and the unknown.  People don't understand what they've never experienced.  If Clinton wins the election, Congress will do what they did to Obama.  They will continue to obstruct and try to take her down, unless we pick up Senate seats.  Members of Congress have already declared their intent not to cooperate to get anything done.  Mitch McConnell had said that immediately upon the election of Obama and they did stop so many bills that could've helped the Country and middle class, because it came from Obama.  

So Ladies, I think that a vote against Clinton is a vote against ourselves.  We need a woman in the White House and we need this woman in the White House.  It takes a very strong and determined woman to survive the rough and tumble of politics and a campaign.  I am not settling.  I have been pro Hillary Clinton for much of her public life. She's a fighter.  To keep getting knocked around and coming back is an incredible character trait.  Not many women would have the stomach for what she's been put through by men her entire life.  Just think about that for a minute.  For all the hearings, investigations, slights, comments, derisions, and misogyny, she is still upright and strong.  I honestly don't know how, but that is even more reason for us to support her.  I have said repeatedly, I am not settling, I am for Hillary Clinton being our next President.  I am honored to be here and alive to witness another historic event.  I am proud that this is my children's first Presidential election. It's extraordinary.  

Sidebar:  Check your polling location, many have changed since your last election.  Mark out time in your day.  There could be long lines.  Take a breath and appreciate the historical moment.  Wanting a resounding, decisive election. Clarity.  One day more and remember, history has its eyes on us.

V-O-T-E

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@DianaPodolsky

Teflon Don 2.0

I remember so distinctly when I moved to New York City in 1981 that organized crime families were still flourishing.  The Dapper Don, John Gotti, became the Teflon Don.  The Government couldn't nail him for crime after crime and he became the Teflon Don.  They finally got him and he went to jail.  The "glory" days of the mob were over and there was an opening.

Lo and behold, many years later, we now have the new Teflon Don 2.0.  I never could've imagined that from the very first descent on the Tr**p Tower escalator and he proposed the "wall" to keep out the Mexican drug dealers and rapists that his popularity would soar.  TR**p has insulted everyone.  He has taken a swipe at African-Americans, Hispanics, Veterans, Gold Star families, women, physically challenged, reporters, everyone.  His base loves him.  His popularity grows.  He has allowed anti-semitic slurs be chanted at his rally.  He has not disavowed racist, homophobic, xenophibic voices or quieted any reprehensible speech from anyone.  He has firmly proven time and again that he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and his base wouldn't care, to be true. They don't care. 

But what say you?  The people that have been life long Republicans?  How do you come to terms with all the rhetoric?  I can't believe that the email "scandal" is worse than a man who has defrauded people out of hard earned money for his Drumpf University.  That he has been accused of assaulting at least 12 women who have come forward after his deplorable Access Hollywood tape came to public view and he called it locker room talk.  There is a trial on the horizon that he allegedly raped a 13 year old girl???!!!!!!  That he is the first President in my lifetime not to release his taxes and he just gets away with it.  His questionable relationship with Russia and Putin is troubling and yet doesn't resonate. There could be so many conflicts of interest and we just don't know and won't know. And yet, the email scandal is what's hanging people up and freaking people out? And did I say, he may have raped a 13 year old girl????!!!!!

If we get a President Drumpf because people are so sick of everything and stay home or hate Clinton too much to check the box or pull the lever,...we have changed the Country irreparably.  He wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no sign of a plan to cover those of us who need health insurance, but just dump it.  He wants to appoint judges that will overturn Roe V. Wade and take away hard fought women's reproductive rights. I presume he will take away the Equal Marriage Act.  He doesn't believe in Global Climate Change. He thinks it's a hoax started by China. Say goodbye to the EPA.  Many economic scholars think his economic "proposals" will be terrible for America.  

There are so many wrongs with TR**p. I can't even list them all.  I won't even be able to say the name of our President, God forbid he wins. If Clinton, with all her baggage gets elected, it's the status quo. Nothing earth shattering to take us down.  If she turns out to be a great leader, then our Country will continue to move forward and evolve.  For all you people that say, "well, you're a diehard Democrat, of course you back your candidate as we back ours," but it isn't equivalent.  Look, if Romney or McCain would've won, I would've dealt with it. I wouldn't have been happy, but it wouldn't have been terrifying or calamitous.  This feels awful.  I have a pit in my stomach all the time.  You can feel the nervous energy in the air.  Tr**p and his Breitbart cabal are scary.  Their values aren't most of the Country's values.  They are a truly terrifying segment of our population. We need to stop them.  A vote for Clinton speaks volumes and we need a landslide so they can all crawl back in their holes and be gone.  No recounts. No close elections.  We need a large popular and electoral win.  We need to win back the Senate so we won't have to sit through hearing after hearing after hearing.  Stand up and make your V-O-T-E heard.  

Sidebars:  Carve out time in your day to vote.  It's one week from today, November 8, 2016.  Look at your calendar and block out time.  It's too important.  Clinton is the most vetted, investigated, and interrogated person ever in the history of our Country for a candidate and she still is standing.  Drumpf has gotten away with "murder."  -- Onto a little lighter topic...the World Series!  It's been great so far.  Killing in the ratings,  Cleveland Indians lead 3-2 against the Chicago Cubs.  Game 6 tonight in Cleveland.  -- There are some programs to help distract from the insanity still...The Voice always good and fun.  This Is Us is definitely worth watching, DVRing, catching OnDemand.  Samantha Bee was great again this week and did a great sit-down with President Obama.  Bill Maher finally was granted an interview with Obama after much begging and petitioning, which airs Friday night on HBO.  -- I am definitely trying to curtail my news influx to a minimal amount.  It is hard to do, but for the sake of my GI system and palpitating heart, it's a must. -- Halloween is over and November is already here.  It's already begun to look like Christmas, but Thanksgiving happens first.  Hopefully, we will have a lot to be grateful for this year.... 

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@DianaPodolsky