Link Love

Something amazing– I’ve been watching talk show interviews and reading articles and for the first time in my memory, the Democrats from Pelosi to Bernie are all providing a unified message.  Maybe Biden’s unity speech was really pointed at the big tent of the Democratic party…  It’s also a really good message that I think truly Patriotic Americans can agree with.  Quick impeachment in the Senate because we can’t let future presidents think it’s ok to incite insurrection, but we don’t have time to drag it out.  Focus on Covid/jobs/climate change/shoring up Democracy/equality of opportunity/justice/healthcare/etc. (it’s a somewhat lengthy list, but they all have it), reach out to Republicans but only for so long– if they don’t respond go straight to reconciliation.  No we probably won’t reach radical seditionists who don’t believe in democracy or white supremacists, but there are a lot of people who were duped by Trump who have needs that we will try to meet.

Also… it is crazy how I’m not the only one who has been literally clenching her teeth for four years.  And how weird it feels to literally not be doing that anymore.  And how everything just seems brighter.  There’s a long road ahead, but we don’t have to worry about the president signing an executive order to destroy yet another entire minority group’s way of life every few days.  We can focus on repairing and rebuilding.

Hi-tech Masks to look out for in the near future.

I agree with this 100%.  Biden should go big, fast, and simple.  Usually I prefer the Obama approach of doing evidence-based policy even if the politics aren’t optimal, but there’s so much that needs to get undone in 2 years that we need to do as much as possible as quickly as possible at a speed that doesn’t allow the media to focus on it.  And media, I think you should focus on Trump now– four leisurely years to focus on all the big news stories that got buried as we no doubt find out more of his corruption and wrongdoing.  I want to see those Trump headlines now, but slowly and with speculation about jailtime!  And if jailtime is not on the table, media, I think you should push congress to enact laws that will put it on the table in the future.  No more of this norms and the court of public opinion and trust article 25 stuff.

Captain Awkward talking about what she’s going to do going forward.

Here’s Amanda Gorman full poem 🖤👸🏽pic.twitter.com/EI7ShidX6A

— BlackCultureEntertainment🗣 (@4TheCulture____) January 20, 2021

Elle has a really nice story on Amanda Gorman.  (Also I’m not the only person for whom her poem finally let out all the tears that had been held in.)

Somehow we weathered and witnessed
A nation that isn't broken
but simply unfinished
There is always light
if only we're brave enough to see it
if only we're brave enough to be it.

— Amanda Gorman

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 20, 2021

Let’s be the light, guys.  We can’t stop now– we have to help rebuild.  That may mean looking at reforms at the state and local level.  It may mean donating to causes.  It may mean thanking your members of congress every time they do the right thing or telling them again and again that they need to start.  It may be organizing new groups and assisting and aiding groups already on the ground.  It may be postcards and letters to voters.  It may be helping people register.  You probably have ideas of your own. We have to keep pushing forward for a better tomorrow.