Not so random 5 for November 8 – Election, surprises, TV, procedures, answers

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I didn’t think it would ever end! – Finally our election has been decided. It’s been a nail biter all week. I expect a few months of chaos from the losing side but then I envision a level of honesty and kindness returning. People will have to tuck their prejudices back in the attic and make nice. I couldn’t be happier.

There were some disappointments – It was surprising the current guy got as many votes as he did. He is an open racist and misogynist. He doesn’t hide it. I have gays in the family and a friend has a family member who is trans. They are all lovely people who deserve the same basic human rights and opportunities as everyone else. I would expect anyone with a religious leaning would be appalled by his lack of decency and ethics but apparently not.

Embracing the news again? – Maybe. The political commercials on TV were so bad and the news coverage insane so we banned TV except for taped or streaming programming. We went for ten days without news. It wasn’t all bad although I was pleased to hear the normal stuff — drive-by shootings and used car commercials when we watched yesterday. I have a different perspective now.

What took so long? – I am in THAT state that took the winner over the required numbers and produced a winner. This is the first year that we could do mail-in balloting. In prior years we would stand in insanely long lines outside a polling place in rain and cold weather. Most polling places are church vestibules that are too small to hold more than six to eight people. With mail-in (or you could drop off at a specified place) many people chose that option. The voting was overwhelming. People who were unwilling or unable to stand in long lines voted. Our governor and the majority state legislature are of opposing parties. The short story is that the legislature refused to pass a bill put forth by the gov to start processing (but not the actual counting) mail-in votes earlier than election day because, well, because they could. According to the officials in charge of the election who are independent of either party, it could have been decided on Election Day with the same results.

Gus: Wait! What? You took my jewels?

My solution to politics – There seems to be a lot of hubris and ego in politics. Way too much testosterone. My solution is to neuter all politicians. It works well on cats. I haven’t had a male cat that needed to spray their territory for control.

So how was your week?

 

64 thoughts on “Not so random 5 for November 8 – Election, surprises, TV, procedures, answers”

  1. I like your solution going forward Kate. I thought the campaign would never end, then the aftermath and waiting around was just crazy. I was happy to hear the news on Saturday afternoon and watched the acceptance speeches and fireworks extravaganza while fireworks were going on in my ‘hood simultaneously. Thank goodness for this outcome and in 72 days, if not well before then, we’ll usher in a calmer attitude for everyone.

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  2. Love your cat solution for politicians – and even better it might discourage those who are only init for self interest to jut sling off to other careers?
    (It’s over? We still are not turning on the TV and staying off new websites – just too much still…there’s still wrangling over the certified counts, fraud – yes a couple in jail here for ballot harvesting or falsifying ID – and then the Electoral College which hopefully will be smooth sailing. Until then, nope, no TV )
    Voting in churches? How did you guys get alway with that? It would have been “separation of church and state” here. For as long as I can remember, polling places here have been in the closest elementary school, but with covid the schools didn’t want people in their buildings or administration buildings. So county and city meeting areas were used…as well drive-in parking lots, sports stadiums (lots of room0 and all sorts of weird places. Probably better than schools in any case.
    Sadly I don;’t think attitudes and behavior will change much as once again 50% of the country is once again unhappy…and the last 4 years may be seen as the pattern for showing disapproval. I hope not, but as you’ve said, solitude common sense and willingness to get along with people who are different in any way. Where are the adults I the room? Sad times.
    We also have gay couples in our family. Believe it or not Trump supporters. Their explanation was “He wouldn’t toss them off the roof like they did in the Middle East”
    Weird times indeed., But the sun still comes up and the moon at night, so lets hope the rest gets back to routine, too.

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    • States are so different. Church vestibules are pretty standard here. One year we were at a small volunteer fire company. That was a total disaster and it caused me to write to the head of voting locally to express my disapproval. There were 4 parking places i front (none marked for handicapped) and the volunteers (who would be there all day) took them all. It was cold and raining hard (it always seems to rain here although this past one was good). I saw older people with walkers and canes trying to walk up the street (no pavements) to get to the voting place. Stupid, stupid, stupid. The next year we were back at a church. It’s no wonder that people jumped at the chance to opt for mail in. We decided after all the postal nonsense going on to drop it off. Unfortunately we came just as the sheriffs were emptying out the drop-off box so we had to wait a half hour (seriously does it take that long to unload what was essentially a repurposed mail box). BTW he may not throw them off the roof but he may ban marriage and healthcare benefits (which should be uncoupled with employment anyway). Thanks for dropping one in the box! 🙂

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      • An hour? Drop off boxes are a great solution I think. In the future finger print may be required ( like they couldn’t already check for finger prints HAHA CSI is real, right?…oh darn that “chain of custody” thing…someone’s alway going to find a way to complain. I give up.)
        Our oldest couple are small business men (they will never retire – they have too much fun with their antique business and fall trips to locate “finds”. Horse trading does run in the family HAHA) They will probably be like buy grandmother who at 95 was still living independently and traveling – came home after a trip and went to sleep one night. They both being right at 90 yrs, know the problems of managed health care from the Obama era, and medical decisions outcome based…another words “You’re so old, and con’t have many years left so it is not cost effective to allow treatment” We had to fight like crazy to avoid ice flows. What concerned them most are recent statements by the main architect (Dr Emmanuel) of Obama care and advisor to Biden. He often states that “75 yrs is long enough to live”…which is weird considering Biden’s age. Sadly he appears not to realize some families have good genes and live quite clear headed until 100 or older. I think that fear of denial of medical access is their main concern…That and taxes HAHA
        We have a wide range of voters in the family – always congenial even this year. Some not so lucky.
        And as you say regions vary to much.
        But hopefully things will temper now and the younger 20-30 somethings on both sides can learn to apply peaceful discourse and ” you catch more flies with honey” than baseball bats and flame throwers.
        (But I’m still not turning on the TV …maybe never – so much more gets done HAHA)

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        • No TV isn’t a bad idea except the NCIS shows are starting this week. I’m addicted! My brothers are 92 and 90 and I’m always amazed at the incredible healthcare they get. My sis-in-law got a shoulder replacement at 88. Recovery took long but there were no Medicare hassles. We were expecting the “she’s too old to bother” routine but didn’t get it. My biggest grip is with drug prices. Insane. I’m fortunate that (right now) I don’t need any $$ ones.

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          • That’s encouraging. About 5 years ago one of my cousins walked into her dad’s hospital room (preventative for bronchitis getting worse – at 95 he still was perfectly capable of driving) to find a social worker and hospital admin. trying to get him to refuse treatment and stop eating…to save the family…quality of life…” She tossed them and basically had to make sure one of the family was with him to enforce a ban in his room on those people. Different hospital systems have different “views” on treatment – UGH.
            Years and years ago one of the couples had to fight the “You cannot go into his room because you are not family and that marriage doesn’t count” Now everyone is armed with legal documents – so many self righteous people around.
            Funny thing. There’s a family generational divide. The older gay couple just wants to be seen as worthy individuals like anyone else – and be left alone. The Youngers wants the special population labels and smirks about special treatment with labels. Thanksgiving will be dull without family dinner this year.
            (Please everyone wear the masks – and wear them properly tightly against the face and over the nose – or it’s just a silly accessory. And wash hands. And everyone focus on positive thinking that next year we’ll al sit down for dinner safely and peacefully)
            (Sorry for the length …boring waiting rooms. Consultations done and treatments started. So far so good)

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            • Wishing the best for your family member. I am always astounded at differences across the country. If that happened here there would be a letter to the editor (do they still do that?), negative yelp and quite possibly picketing outside the hospital. I am honored that you spent your down time commenting here. We are all more alike than different. Still thinking about T-day. It’s never big. Too many living outside of state. We’ve been having some health crap (technical term) going on here too. Makes you want to sleep through the holidays. Would everyone be happy with a balongie sandwich?

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              • The difference may be the large hospital systems compared to the smaller independent ones. Access maybe to more /more breakthrough treatments, but less humanity. A big city, but the vast numbers mean it is also an underserved medical area – not enough medical help to go around.
                You have to watch for the hospital decision making committee: a social worker, a hospital administrator, some unknown doctor ( who isn’t yours – and they do not tell your doc they are visiting his/her patient), medicare/Medicaid “counselor” who want to “discuss patient options” My dad was livid when one bunch talked an aunt into not getting hydration or nutrition via veins. She was always thin, a people pleaser, and sort of dingy at 88 but loved to play bingo – and only had bronchitis. He said they starved her to death. Her oldest daughter moved back to watch over her dad after that.
                Some of it is the insurance companies – younger doctors we know are frustrated and angered at the current situations – they are constantly fighting for best care for their older patients who are in generally good health but have one fixable issue then they get back home. ( younger ones have no problems like this) One doc many do not like tends to see an older/middle aged patient and checks their insurance coverage then orders every darn test in the universe – and sometimes procedures that are really borderline necessity and most will not improve quality of life – and do have possible negative results. Patients need a advocate Hip replacements and such are being approved/done quickly as they bring in money for hospitals – and lock down may happen again as people cluster together indoor. here. Docs are now choosing to treating conditions without surgery if possible ( in our case, surgery is not preferred treatment this time anyway – even at younger age.) So far so good. Hey – we have to stay in and isolated this winter anyway, right?
                Everyone says – stay out of the hospitals – too much possibility of COVID.
                Hope your brother and SIL are still doing well. Ours on both coasts and mt. dwellers are all settling in to stay in. Zoom is Ok, but it ain’t as much fun as building train tracks on the floor.( but on the other hand less tiring and easier to get up from HA HA)
                It’s a weird year, but I scored a turkey and intend to cook it. Half the block still has Halloween/Fall decorations out and a couple have gone right into Christmas…they choices both are making the dog stare …just not going to give canine approval.
                Know you are busy ( and probably writing post or entertaining cats…the better option) so don’t feel you have to respond
                Give the rest of your staff our best and carry on – no baloney!

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  3. I agree. Places didn’t allow mail-in votes to be counted early as a tactic. Republicans don’t care about Covid and would vote in person. Trump wanted all in-person votes counted first so he could declare himself the winner and stop all mail-ins from being counted. Republican-held places wouldn’t let mail-ins get counted early for that reason. And that’s exactly what he did. He declared himself the winner and tried to stop mail-ins from being counted. I was aghast at how close the race was. I don’t get it. Someone who openly promotes violence, racism, and greed? Who openly flaunts the law? Openly says he slowed down the post office so he could win the election and no one batted an eye??? What exactly do they see in him? He’s completely unlike any other republican I’ve ever seen. I mean Paris rang bells and London shot fireworks when he was declared the loser. What does that tell you? God, I hope democrats win the senate seats in Ga. or they will render Biden useless in office. Then they will say in four years, well, Biden was useless! Sorry, my human took over. She’s been so disappointed in people lately, she couldn’t help herself. She just shakes her head, “What happened to America?”

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    • You are not alone. It’s not so much party affiliation although I would have a hard time voting for any republican after this debacle, but about ethics or lack of them. I hear that McConnell is already vowing to derail any Biden initiatives. Working together? Nope. The irony is that he is supported by the Christian conservatives and there isn’t anything Christian about who he is or how he acts. ‘Splain that Lucy!

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  7. Our state has yet to start counting mail in and early ballots. They aren’t even going to get into them until 11/10. It doesn’t matter so much for the presidential race – we only have 3 electoral votes – but we have some state level nail biters going. Looking forward to all this nonsense being over and done with, at least for a while!

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    • I wish they would get better systems. Last year we had to vote in person. We had to complete a long ballot out in the open, no privacy. Then we gave it to a poll worker, again no privacy. She put it through a machine to read. It was like key punch without privacy so this year was a lot better than that. Prior to that we had electronic machines. They were great except you had to vote in person. I have a non-blogging friend in Texas and she had to go 60 miles to turn in her ballot. She lives in a metropolitan area too. She is convinced there was voter suppression.

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  12. Since I got my computer all set up, I haven’t been nervous. (Even though I watch lots of news and care a lot, the computer frustration was closer at hand.) I was sorely disappointed on day-one that so many Americans voted for someone with no ethics or love, people who didn’t seem to care if we went from democracy to autocracy. But I got over that, especially when it started looking like Biden was going to win. I guess you have to accept the world the way it is.

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  13. Wow, Kate, that was an epic election experience. I only turn the TV to binge on Netflix. But I lived in FB election. Now I am suffering from PTDS and withdrawal.

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  14. It was exhausting going through all the “MESS” of the elections this time around. Riots, protests – the kind of thing I can remember through the years happening in OTHER countries but not ours. I think all the pent up emotion over Covid and isolation sent people into some kind of orbit. All I know is I’m glad it’s over with. Well – mostly over anyway. I think your solution for politicians is absolutely perfection. I’d vote for that!

    Hugs, Pam

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  15. I can finally breathe full fresh breaths after four years of short anxious breaths. I don’t think I realized how much the last four years of political anxiety messed with my health. It was refreshing to see them all last night smiling and looking happy as opposed to all the anger that always accompanied the “current guy.” Now lets see some progress with eliminating the pandemic.

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    • Me too. I came to hate the news because I’d be in a good mood until I saw the latest stupid thing that came out of his mouth! I feel a lot lighter. I hadn’t realized how much the negativity bothered me.

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  19. Your solution has a lot of merit! Yeah, I hope the adults in both parties is able to convince the politically entitled to play a whole nice nicer. After all that, posturing and political positioning got in the way of actually governing and solving issues-let’s hope sanity and decency returns to the obstructors. 🤞🏼

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  25. I’m so glad the election is finally over, and so happy with the results. But it is surprising how many folks favor the incumbent…we have lots of work to do, all of us. Still, the world feels like a lighter place today. Happy to be a part of the state where the final votes made the difference. And phooey on the legislators who made the counting of the ballots a so much more extended process than it had to be.

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