Fascists

I feel completely deflated. This election cycle, in my view, provided in the most stark terms possible the difference between an accomplished, articulate, professional, & intelligent candidate against an aged, vindictive, childishly immature con artist. In spite of all we have seen and witnessed in the last 10 years, I still had faith that enough Americans could distinguish between right and wrong. Good and bad. Could understand that putting a mad man in charge would come with disastrous outcomes. 

I could not have been more wrong. Last night was strangely reminiscent of the 2016 election. We watched helplessly as things unraveled and we witnessed our countrymen turning on themselves. 

I was up most of the night, watching in horror as more and more people piled onto the despotism bandwagon. I would turn off my computer to lie down, only to pick it up again 20 minutes later to see if perhaps some miracle had materialized. It did not.

It was rainy and grey this morning when the dog and I made our way up the street, past the school where I had cast my vote 24 hours ago, and then to the cemetery behind the church.

Truly heartbreaking. If I had enough money I would leave this country for good — just returning a few times a year to visit mom. I feel like a stranger here. That is not new. I’ve felt that way for decades. But it was tolerable for the most part. Now it is painful to know I am surrounded by people who are so ignorant, or selfish and greedy, or both, that they would enable this lunatic for a 2nd time. 

The first time I was overseas was when I was in the navy. My ship pulled into port in Naples when I was 21. I took time off and traveled Spain, France and Italy. I knew within a few days I had been born in the wrong country. Everything about the southern European lifestyle and sensibilities made sense to me. The place I had never been felt like home.

I was disappointed many years ago (but less surprised) when we re-elected George Bush to a 2nd term, after having a lot of time to witness his poor decision-making and corrupt alliances with big business and military complex. We paid a heavy price for that election but it will be nothing compared to what we are likely to see in the next 4 years. 

I felt I had to apologize to my overseas friends for our election of Bush. Then the first election of Trump. Now here we are again. This is unforgivable. If the world were smart, they would cut ties with US. Pretend as if we are not here. Re-align trade agreements and defense alliances and leave us to fester and rot on our own. If we are ignorant enough as a nation to make these choices time and again, then we deserve to witness the pain of our accelerated decline as a world superpower. It was always inevitable, but it is surreal to see it playing out so rapidly in my lifetime. 

Alas, I am stuck here due to circumstances. Of course my life will not be nearly as impacted as that of immigrants or people of color or women, but I’ve always had an unhealthy sensitivity to plight of others and have a hard time separating myself from their situations. 

But with a few moments to reflect and recover here is what I know. Remaining silent and surrendering to despair is exactly what fascists want us to do. So we will not. 

Quick turnaround on posts but I knew this moment was going to be too much to not comment on. We were destined to make history — just whether or not it was on the wrong side or the right side.

Humbly Submitted.
Robert Myres – Flanker, Portneuf Valley Rugby Football Club (ret.)