Impeachment 2.0

Thanks to everyone who has sent me funny shit and responded with laughter and/or “I am with you” to my recent posts.

If you didn’t watch the impeachment hearings today, you missed something. They’ve recessed for dinner until 6:15, and I am so grateful for this reprieve, because I am sick to my stomach and shaking with rage. Literally, I am both. I have stress-finished an entire embroidery piece, and I have opened a bottle of wine. I have ignored my kids for four hours because I am riveted. I managed to clean up cat puke while watching Swalwell close. It is worth finding his and Stacey Plaskett’s speeches today, all of which were brilliant and powerful. The new footage and information shared is as horrific as all you’ve already seen and read, but when put into timeline order and explained over hours, nothing by any sentient, fact-based human can be known or understood but that trump is guilty 100 times over, must be impeached and banned from ever holding office again, and he, his enablers, and all the insurrectionists must be punished to the greatest extent possible.

We should all give repeated thanks that the January 6 insurrection wasn’t worse than it was. We should thank the enormously brave members of Capitol Police and DC MPD that did their jobs. And we should all wish to hold accountable all who planned, supported, and perpetrated malicious intent and are to blame for loss of life, destruction of property, and violence.

Lastly, if you still wonder why Black Lives Matter matters (and if you do, I don’t like or respect you; sorry, truth), watch/listen to this.

Two of the best things I've seen in 2021

On the light side, this video of a lawyer who inadvertently placed a cat filter on himself while on Zoom with a judge. I nearly peed in my pants watching, not least when he says, “I’m here live, I’m not a cat.”

On the powerful side, my Congressman, Rep Raskin in closing for the Dems today as the impeachment trial commenced. This is unbelievably powerful, right, moving, and unforgettable. It’s a must-watch.

A new era dawns: Biden/Harris

Oh, boy, what is this lightness? A good and decent human is president and he is supported and surrounded by good and decent others. Biden’s speech today was perfect, and Harris’s constant smile was such a joy. A young poet shared a stunning poem she wrote for today. If you missed it, watch Amanda Gorman’s radiant genius here.

Mom, Dad, the boys and I watched for hours. A horrible gray day of “American Carnage” was replaced by a happy, sunny day of hope, diversity, inclusion, and sincere calls for unity, though not without accountability. Amen!

Yesterday, Mom got her first dose of the Covid vaccine, and today America got a shot of hope. So many truly bad people have left town, my city, my home. A home I love but that has been so tense and tough for four long years. Despite my disgust at McConnell and McCarthy carrying on today about unity and welcome, at Cruz sitting like a smug member at the inauguration, at lunatic Boebert’s empty seat, today marks the dawn of a new era. I hope it does at least. If American democracy slips so close to the precipice again, I’m not sure we’ll make it back. So, I am looking forward, with my fingers crossed, ready to work. And I am thrilled AF about all the incredible women Biden has put into tremendous positions of power and influence. It’s about damn time. Thank you, Joe!

I am smiling, and I feel satisfied. At my first Women’s March, I vowed to work for this country so that when we got another chance at a future, I wouldn’t be able to say anything except that I truly gave it my all. And I did. I did my part. So many did. And that is the real lesson today. Democracy requires active, fact-based participation. It takes daily effort, constant toil. We all must continue doing our part, in big ways and small. The 2022 midterms are closer than they feel. They are crucial. Find a candidate or two that you believe in, and go volunteer on their behalf. If you have great representation, as I do in Maryland, look beyond state lines. I’ve already joined Team Fetterman (current Lt Gov of PA, John Fetterman; he’s probably going to run for Senate) and will work my tail off for him. Local and state legislatures and positions are critical, too, so find a place that meets your needs and jump in.

I hope to never hear or even really speak about Cheeto Satan again, unless it’s to find out he’s going to jail or receiving some other very deserved consequence, but for now I leave you with just a few delicious bits of Goodbye, Satan humor.

Be well, all. Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Here’s to 2021!