I loved this very thoughtful piece. One your first point about repatriation. My grandmother's father was repatriated and both she, and my late great-grandmother shared their very clear memories of that with me. So I really appreciate your way of marking your Remembrance Day which translates to our Veteran's Day in the US. Not something I have ever given a ton of thought to, but it is a huge tradition and I loved reading about it and how it has evolved.
I also really appreciate your breakdown of the election. I think you have a good grasp of several things that did go wrong in the Democratic Party this time. What is even more interesting, is that our mainstream media is mostly just continuing to say that the only reason she lost was because most American's are racists or hate women. One outlet could not believe that she lost because so many famous people endorsed her. Another news channel went on to make sure everyone knew that "educated" people voted for her and "uneducated" people voted for Trump. Then, you have some of the Democratic Party members saying "hey, America is telling us the message didn't resonate and here are the probably reasons why" (many of which you listed above) and the media just will not accept that. I don't think that is a winning strategy to move forward with. Needless to say, it is a very interesting and historic time in this country. I am writing things down as I watch it unfold because it is just very very interesting.
That’s so kind, thank you, and I’m glad it had some resonance for an American audience (I write regularly for The Hill in DC but am always aware I’m an outsider, which can have its advantages). If I were a Democrat, I’d be very worried at the number of people who can’t seem to get beyond disbelief and anger, but then, it’s still very early days.
All politicians fail as does all politics. Trump is the jump in evolution. Maga is the new yesterday. Whether Trump survives or not who knows. Parties rise fall and vanish. Who are the Whigs? No one and nothing is immortal. Not people, ideas, planets, stars, galaxies or deities. Relax forget it. Adopt a cat. Or a dog. Volunteer at a charity. Help out at a soup kitchen. Plant a tree. Dig a pond. Feed the birds. Recycle more. Buy a jigsaw in a charity shop then when it's done take it to a different charity shop and buy another. Politics is temporary.
You can't change the world but you can change your world.
While Trump's victory in the Electoral College was "comfortable" due to the way most states assign their electoral votes, it was not so comfortable in the popular vote. Had 1.1% of voters switched from Trump to Harris, she would have won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, 270 Electoral College votes, and the Presidency, despite having slightly less popular votes than Trump.
Indeed so. As I said, the only crumb of comfort for the Democrats is that Trump did not have a runaway victory in terms of the popular vote. At the same time, of course, you have to play the game you’re engaged in, so it’s the Electoral College which is key.
I loved this very thoughtful piece. One your first point about repatriation. My grandmother's father was repatriated and both she, and my late great-grandmother shared their very clear memories of that with me. So I really appreciate your way of marking your Remembrance Day which translates to our Veteran's Day in the US. Not something I have ever given a ton of thought to, but it is a huge tradition and I loved reading about it and how it has evolved.
I also really appreciate your breakdown of the election. I think you have a good grasp of several things that did go wrong in the Democratic Party this time. What is even more interesting, is that our mainstream media is mostly just continuing to say that the only reason she lost was because most American's are racists or hate women. One outlet could not believe that she lost because so many famous people endorsed her. Another news channel went on to make sure everyone knew that "educated" people voted for her and "uneducated" people voted for Trump. Then, you have some of the Democratic Party members saying "hey, America is telling us the message didn't resonate and here are the probably reasons why" (many of which you listed above) and the media just will not accept that. I don't think that is a winning strategy to move forward with. Needless to say, it is a very interesting and historic time in this country. I am writing things down as I watch it unfold because it is just very very interesting.
Love reading your thoughtful writing!
That’s so kind, thank you, and I’m glad it had some resonance for an American audience (I write regularly for The Hill in DC but am always aware I’m an outsider, which can have its advantages). If I were a Democrat, I’d be very worried at the number of people who can’t seem to get beyond disbelief and anger, but then, it’s still very early days.
Early days it is!
All politicians fail as does all politics. Trump is the jump in evolution. Maga is the new yesterday. Whether Trump survives or not who knows. Parties rise fall and vanish. Who are the Whigs? No one and nothing is immortal. Not people, ideas, planets, stars, galaxies or deities. Relax forget it. Adopt a cat. Or a dog. Volunteer at a charity. Help out at a soup kitchen. Plant a tree. Dig a pond. Feed the birds. Recycle more. Buy a jigsaw in a charity shop then when it's done take it to a different charity shop and buy another. Politics is temporary.
You can't change the world but you can change your world.
While Trump's victory in the Electoral College was "comfortable" due to the way most states assign their electoral votes, it was not so comfortable in the popular vote. Had 1.1% of voters switched from Trump to Harris, she would have won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, 270 Electoral College votes, and the Presidency, despite having slightly less popular votes than Trump.
Indeed so. As I said, the only crumb of comfort for the Democrats is that Trump did not have a runaway victory in terms of the popular vote. At the same time, of course, you have to play the game you’re engaged in, so it’s the Electoral College which is key.