Here's a little bit of a funny, the only toilet paper available for early April delivery on Amazon is either bamboo paper from China OR ones with The Orange nightmare's face on them! ? ? ?
@deetoo I hesitate to post a link because the last time I did all hell broke loose. I can tell you it was on a site called CLASSROOM and it says:
The U.S. Constitution does not grant the president the authority to set or change election dates. Article 1, Section 4 and Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution place that authority in the hands of the the individual states and the U.S. Congress. Since 1854, election day in the United States has been set as the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Any change to that date would need to be approved by Congress.
The issue of the president's authority to postpone elections in the event of an emergency has been discussed at length during recent election cycles. In 2004, there was concern that a terrorist attack could present a need to postpone the elections. The question was raised again in 2012 as Hurricane Sandy threatened to disrupt elections. A July 14, 2004 Congressional Research Service report concluded that the executive branch does not have the authority to unilaterally change election dates. Any changes made to election dates would need to begin in Congress and be approved by the individual states.
from me: I'm sure he's thought of it and wants to do it.
Here's a little bit of a funny, the only toilet paper available for early April delivery on Amazon is either bamboo paper from China OR ones with The Orange nightmare's face on them! ? ? ?
I just remembered my mother gave my husband some of that nightmare TP for Christmas 2018, I think. My husband put it in the back of his closet, where it remains to this day. Looks like that bad boy is finally gonna get used!
@enkasongwriter A bunch of us have seen disruption in the results. We saw this last November and it is documented in the predictions we did. At the time we didn't know about the pandemic, but we saw disruption in voting or in seeing results. But it seemed to resolve well though hard to tell. It is all in the predictions, although I realize there are a lot of them and it's a lot to go through. I'm not assuming the worst about it. Just saying that some of us did see disruption.
@jeanne-mayell Well none of that surprises me even without a pandemic. That election promises to be hell with you know who not conceding should he lose and demanding recounts, and people screaming voter suppression, hacking. Won't be pleasant. Add the pandemic on top of it - wow.
I agree that there will be voter disruption. We are already seen it for years with the Republicans systematically blocking large segments of our population. And now we are seeing it across the board with the coronavirus.
Yet I see this as a good thing.
For so long, this country has been divided. For the last few weeks, there has been anxiety over the coronavirus, the death toll, and the economy.
And yet I see a silver lining. What has been missing the last few weeks?
Ah, yes! THE TRUMP RALLIES!
For the foreseeable future, we will not see Trump make remarks inspired to drive up hatred and violence against those who are not Trump and his loyal supporters. No remarks of shooting immigrants at the borders. No veiled threats to perceived liberals. There is Twitter, of course, but it is not the same as having Trump surrounded by his supporters and egging them on to form a revolution (aka-a massacre) in case they don't win in 2020.
Will there be trouble with the coronavirus? Absolutely. I don't doubt that Trump and his allies will try to hack the voting total to change the results in key areas or at least try to start a fear campaign to do so (make voters doubt the results). However, now the playing field has been leveled. Trump's voters now face the same problem that we do. How to get voters to vote if they are afraid of being infected? Remember, Trump voters, on adverage, are at more risk for the coronavirus than others. They tend to be older and come from rural areas, which will not have the resources necessary to deal with a large outbreak and will see many deaths as a result if the coronavirus is not contained. They will need to have other voting options as well. However, it will be all but impossible for Trump and the Republicans to ensure that their voters will get the options they need to vote without also giving those options to the rest of us. After all, they can't offer mail voting for one person and not give the same option to his neighbor down the road!
While the coronavirus is a terrible thing, I must admit it has had the affect of finally, FINALLY waking the Trump voters up. This is not a crisis that they can use to "own the libs" or "stop big government." Anything that they do to try to circumvent the recommendations and measures that us "liberals" are implementing will only result in our mutual suffering. They are in the same boat as the rest of us. And they will finally wake up the realization that we are all needed to get through this difficult time. Only by supporting one another do we have a shot of beating this thing (or at least minimizing the damage).
This country will indeed be dark for a while as we come through this crisis. But I actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. When all of this is over, we as a nation will be stronger, kinder, and more dedicated to implementing changes that will address the people as a whole and not just to benefit individual billionaires. Think about it. A new world where pundits from Fox and proponents for Brexit are ignored as the hate-mongers that they are as the world sits down and starts addressing issues to combat climate change and income inequality. There will be bumps in the road, but the prospect of a change in the collective's attitude gives me the courage to see this coronavirus epidemic through so I can give whatever I can give to future generations so they can help address the problems that has plagued us. And we will get through this!
Sending light and love to everyone here! Stay safe!
While I agree with you about Trump and the lesser of two evils, I don't believe that it will go that far. Remember that useful phrase "it is the economy, stupid!" By the time November comes around, the people will be angry and resentful of the government. Ads will play about Trump saying that the coronavirus was a "hoax" and how he had the best economy ever. Experts are already projecting that we will take a hit because of this. Even if things return to normal by November, the fear and anxiety will be fresh in the voters' minds. They will not suffer having Trump around for more years if the economy is tanking. They will want change, and to deny them that change (even with the legitimate risk of the coronavirus) will be too much to handle. Most Democratic and Independent voters will see the attempt for what it is; a power grab. And Republicans, who pride themselves on being "patriotic voters" and who have been brainwashed to distrusting the big, bad Federal government? Some will follow Trump because he is Trump. But others....
I also suspect that Democrats are waiting quietly, just bidding their time. They will continue to deal with this coronavirus by taking the initiative and giving voters a glimpse as to the difference between what they do and what Mitch McConnell does. After all, what has Pelosi been doing? Working on a bill with Trump to provide relief for the nation. What has McConnell been doing? Cramming more judicial nominees in and sitting on his tail doing nothing. Expect some stories to come out in April or May, when the public starts to suffer "coronavirus fatigue" and will be desperate for a new stories. Scandals about Trump will come out, dealing with his past wrongdoings and with his behind-the-scenes dealings with the coronavirus. Trump, being Trump, will feel more and more depressed about being deprived of his beloved rallies and the continued anxiety over the coronavirus. He will do even more bizarre things, and it will hurt him. I recall there was a prediction on this site that Trump's approval rating will drop to 25% at some point. Based on his behavior over the last few weeks and the fact that the worst is yet to come, I have a feeling that Trump will create his own scandal that will render him powerless.
In short, I would not worry about the fear that Trump will succeed if he tries to delay the election. The mixture of a bad economy, his bungling of this crisis, and his many scandals will play a role. But the biggest factor will be of the Republicans' own making. For decades, they and Fox News have told their followers that Big Government cannot be trusted. That one day Big Government would systematically take away their rights. Can you imagine what would happen if Trump, who derided the coronavirus as a "big hoax," used the coronavirus as an excuse to stop the election? The right to vote?
Republicans, Big Bad Government is taking away your right to vote! Your guns are next!
As a resident from a red state where people pride themselves on voting, I can't imagine any scenario where Trump takes away election day where he would not tick off a large part of his base in the process. So lets wait and see if he manages to make it to November or not (I predict he might resign.)
A couple of years ago, it was predicted here that Trump would fly away. A different type of intuitive is now seeing the same thing. Check out Mr. Peters’s video at 8 minutes, and if you could, send him a link to the prediction, since I have no idea how to even begin looking for it. It would be interesting for everyone involved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrzkj9ZPC-E&t=308s
edited to add: I was just thinking that the nurses in that prediction, if I remember correctly they were tending to him, could be representative of the nurses working so hard to help those afflicted by Covid-19.
Oregon and Washington have mail in ballots. Also, here in Oregon the "Motor Voter" bill passed which automatically registers people to vote when they get their driver's licence.
It's a great system and it's easy-peasy to vote. You can also track your ballot online and via test to make sure it got where it was supposed to.
It's a system that I think would be great for every state to adopt.
So last night (it was my birthday but this is not about that) I got calls and texts from family and friends wishing me a happy birthday. One was my husband's cousin. Her story is very sad, she is in a wheel chair and very disabled due to a misdiagnosis of Lyme disease and co infections over 10 years ago when she was only in her 30s. She is a wonderful, loving cousin and her husband is a really great guy who takes good care of her. Here's the problem/question I have. She and her husband are HUGE (pun intended) Trump supporters. To the point that I NEVER bring up politics around them because it would mean one conversation and we'd probably never speak again. Since she is in a wheelchair she does nothing but read/watch Fox TV and research things from that perspective. She is highly well read about many things and wanted to point out to me that much our heart medication is made in China last night.
Instead of a friendly conversation about how are you etc. last night she right away started extolling Trump and how wonderful he is and how he is there to help us all....blah blah blah. My blood pressure was reaching high levels (literally) and I was trying to finish making dinner and was hungry. I told her point blank that she had to stop telling me about how MSNBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS were all fake news and Trump was like Christ himself. I told her listen, it's my birthday and this is a Trump free zone conversation and if she wanted to continue the supposed happy birthday call, there had to be no talk of Politics/Trump because I told her he has been taking Russian money for years and he's a traitor so we're never going to agree on any of it so lets not talk about it please. (I had to get one point in for feelings and that was it, and I think she was surprised I don't share her views).
The whole thing actually caused my sleep to be difficult at best last night.
My question is how do you handle these extreme T supporters in one's family? I felt cornered and unhappy, trying my best to be nice but was very angry at the whole exchange. Perhaps I'm just needing to vent here, and that's why I'm writing this, but I thought someone might have a great way to verbally react if they were in my shoes. ? ❤️❓
I have extreme Trump supporters in my husband's family. I refuse to speak politics with them. I will get up and leave the room if it starts. Or, I'll pick up my phone and play a game or scroll social media and literally ignore them. If it's a phone conversation, I get off the phone. I think of it as similar to training a dog. Now, they know better.
If you have to, hang up on her - later you can cite phone issues. "Golly gee, I just don't know what's happening with my phone service! If this keeps up, I'm calling [cell phone provider] and giving them a piece of my mind!" ? ? ?
My very Christian sister and brother in law are staunch IQ45 supporters so I decided to NEVER talk to them about politics. If she says anything at all about IQ45 I just don’t respond, I stay totally silent and then talk about something totally different. When the village idiot was first elected she would carry on about how great he was, so I just ignored her by putting the phone down and waited til she stopped talking. I also unfollowed both of them on FB. So today when she calls we only talk about family and friends. She got the message. No point in wasting my breath and time trying to change her mind. I only feel sad that they have so little awareness of what life is really about.
My sister was valedictorian of her class.
Happy Birthday! I know how frustrating it is. My in-laws are Fox News watchers. They just sound like weak followers. Programmed lemmings unable to logically think for themselves.
Thank you!
I tried to do some of those things, for all these years I have never brought up politics with them, or left the room etc. this was one of those "cornered" moments. Part of me just doesn't even want to deal with them at all, and that's not right either, ...it's just very frustrating, but happy I can write about it to you all here - appreciate it :)
@triciact, I'm sorry you experienced that, especially on your birthday. Plus it's a very stressful time now, and we're all on edge and fear the unknown. We're still getting our bearings, trying to navigate this new world we're in. You are such a measured, thoughtful person, and it's entirely possible you would have responded differently, had you not been feeling the emotions of your birthday and where we are as a country.
Did your cousin text you, or call? If it was a text, I would just ignore it. If she called, I would want to say "I don't want to discuss Trump or politics with you, so let's agree that we will never talk about it. If you choose to disrespect my wishes and still bring it up, just know that I will cut the conversation short and get off the phone. I love you, and want to spend this precious time with you sharing about ourselves."
I immediately sensed a lot of fear in your cousin, which is why I believe she felt the need to extol T and his minions' virtues. It's extremely sad that she is disabled and watches so much of that garbage TV. She is among the brainwashed, so don't waste your precious life energy challenging her thinking. She's not thinking; it's raw emotion driving her. If you can, maybe pull back, see how afraid she is, and surround her in healing light.
@TriciaCT I understand your pain. I have close relatives who are at risk who are still chafing at taking the current situation seriously. They are avid Fox News viewers who praise the Cheetolini. I either tell them it will be a very short conversation if they keep talking about politics, make a snotty comment or give them pointed silence depending on the day. They know where I stand and I know where they stand. The thing that bothers me the most is that it makes me not want to keep in as close contact with them because I know there is always the possibility that things will turn contentious. Just take it one conversation at a time and do your best without making yourself feel bad for their lack of character.
Happy belated birthday to you and I hope that you can make up for the lost sleep tonight!
Did your cousin text you, or call? If it was a text, I would just ignore it. If she called, I would want to say "I don't want to discuss Trump or politics with you, so let's agree that we will never talk about it. If you choose to disrespect my wishes and still bring it up, just know that I will cut the conversation short and get off the phone. I love you, and want to spend this precious time with you sharing about ourselves."
I immediately sensed a lot of fear in your cousin, which is why I believe she felt the need to extol T and his minions' virtues. It's extremely sad that she is confined to a wheelchair, and watches so much of that garbage TV. She is among the brainwashed, so don't waste your precious life energy challenging her thinking. She's not thinking; it's raw emotion driving her. If you can, maybe pull back, see how afraid she is, and surround her in healing light.
Thank you Dee! You may be right about her fears. She called me to wish me a happy birthday, but right away started on about the whole politics discussion. I was quiet until I said something like "Look, this is MY birthday and I don't want to talk about Trump etc. You and I are never going to agree on this subject so lets stop it now". OH and one thing that really bugged ME, was she told ME to get out of MY bubble and listen to real news (Fox news!). I think that is when I told her I loved her and had to hang up. ?
I should have been better prepared, according to my husband I was fine. I guess I just let it bother me more than I should have. :)
@triciact, her "bubble" comment was clearly a projection.
I understand completely how you felt. And I'd be pissed too, especially if it was my birthday.
I've actually been there with friends and relatives, which is why I said in my post what "I would want to say ...". It's a lot easier when I'm giving advice; not so easy when I'm in the middle of it! Plus you were hungry -- I get really cranky and my blood sugar tanks when I'm hungry. ?
I agree with @baba -- it makes me not want to keep in as close contact with them because I know there is always the possibility that things will turn contentious. I think that's the really sad part about some of these relationships.
Yes I agree with @baba too, and yes I was hungry (have low blood sugar too!) and tired. Two nights of only 5 hrs sleep because I can't seem to shut my brain off at night. With everything going on in the collective I feel jittery instead of calm. We empathic types feel everyone's pain and fear and are trying to deal with our own fears at the same time, yet try to remain in the light.
On top of it, my late friend Sue (who was also a healer) told me that when we are in our birthday time we are somewhat more susceptible to being tired, weaker etc. I remember she always told me to make sure you get extra rest around your bday. ?