Yes, you can cause a lot of ruckus with a little Bluetooth speaker and a (big) box of chocolates. We put on our party outfits, drove through Boulder and stopped at some friend’s houses. Of course we kept a safe distance and stayed outside. There were no hugs. But we danced in front yards, got rid of our chocolates and had a ton of fun. Time was flying by. Now, I know how busy Santa is when it’s sleigh time.
It was a great evening but I still hope it was a once in a lifetime experience. This only worked because of the pandemic. Everyone but us naughty people stayed safely at home. The city was very, very quiet.
We keep wearing our masks, keep getting tested and make sure to keep everyone around us safe. Two of our friends are already vaccinated (medical workers). We will wait until it is our turn. And then, sometime in 2021, we can all dance a little closer again :)
Not all PCR tests are equal. I had nasal swabs that barely touched my nose hair but this white angel Brunhilde at the testing center in Boulder went straight for my brain.
This rather felt like an IQ test. This was not a pass/fail exam.
I was contemplating to floor it and drive away when she switched to my other nostril or rather other side of my brain. But I am sure she would have held on to the car.
But then, we need some adult trauma to get over the childhood stuff, right?
I am still grateful that we have the ability to get tested. Knowing feels much better than guessing or assuming when it comes to Coronavirus.
I don’t feel sorry for Republican politicians too often. Georgia’s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger is an exception. Imagine you had to take that call from #45 on Saturday and listen to all his BS and threats. All knowing that you actually voted for him. You wouldn’t need any mushrooms to feel in a slightly altered state.
And you thought you had a bad weekend because your favorite restaurant is take-out only right now ;)
Maybe someone could explain to Mr. Trump that this is not a Netflix show where he needs to go out with the biggest possible bang or a monster season-ending cliff-hanger. Arnie would be qualified to make that call.
Weird stuff could still happen in next 17 days. This is all unprecedented. Hopefully we can learn our lessons and just move on. And make sure “this” never happens again. Much easier said than done but we must try.
Heck, maybe it is all a big show and the Joker gets eradicated in the final scene. I could live with that.
To say “Mr. Trump should be held accountable for this” would be quite the understatement.
The guy has been acting without any regard for laws and rules his entire life. The American people made him president. So yes, storming the Capitol is simply the culmination of all the seeds that have been planted.
This is not the time to be shocked or in utter disbelief. This is the time to demand action.
We have to understand how vulnerable our democracy is and work towards systematic and fundamental change. That process needs to start immediately.
We have one party that has been using gerrymandering and voter suppression excessively to stay in power without solid majorities. These dirty power grabs have to stop.
Being in power means that you were elected to serve, not betray.
Term limits, less political judges, system changes…even changing the constitution. I think it all needs to be on the table.
We can do better.
If we don’t do our homework then the US as we know it are done. You might as well find yourself another country to move to.
My feelings towards Mr. Trump are well known. I don’t even want to honor him with my rage and anger any longer.
Millions of people are running around in full support of this lunatic. Many elected official are still standing behind this man.
We have to pick up this fight and win it decisively. Anything else and we are screwed.
I really don’t want to hear from or about him any longer. Arrested. Sentenced. Locked up. That’s all I need to know.
I’d never want such joker in a leadership role again. We’ve had bad apples before but this one…OMG!
America is full of people that can do better.
No, we are not a “banana republic”. Even 4 years of Trump haven’t gotten us there.
We are actually being watched by other democracies around the world as well as wanna-be and true dictatorships. How we react to this episode will send a strong message around the globe.
Other movements are watching us to see how much you can actually get away with. If we let this slide by we encourage others around the globe to flex their muscles.
If we push back strongly we show that a democracy can recover and reform itself and overcome its weaknesses. That would be rather encouraging to the rest of the free world out there.
The right reaction would be to REMOVE Trump IMMEDIATELY – either by impeachment or using the 25th amendment. He should not have another day in office.
We’ll see if it happens. People are talking.
Can we dust ourselves off and get up or are we stuck?
The Republican party is very divided on “Trumpism” at this time. Some of their leaders are in the process of jumping ship. This is certainly triggered by today’s events in Washington and the senate races in Georgia.
We could very much use a strong sign of standing united, from all Democrats and as many Republicans as possible. Yes, they have to fully denounce Trumpism and risk primary challenges. There is some momentum right now that ought to be used.
Overcoming Trumpism won’t happen overnight. It will be a lengthy and painful exercise. But that is the swamp we have to drain. How it’s done successfully is what we could teach anyone else around the globe.
It’s about time we put a stop to Russian and Chinese leaders chuckling each time they look at us.
We need our opinion leaders (news show hosts…) to stop spreading unsubstantiated fear about the new administration. If they can’t do that they must be taken off the air or screen. There is too much at stake. What we were hearing tonight about Antifa being behind today’s riot is unacceptable. Hannity and everyone else in that camp should be fired right away. It’s all part of enough is enough.
Let’s not busy ourselves too much with our outgoing president. Let’s get him out of office NOW and let the justice system deal with him. We ought to look at the much bigger challenge and (potential) prize.
Democracy, civil rights, human rights…it’s all on the table. We’re at a crossroads and our choices will determine our legacy.
We can get bent out of shape about these conspiracy-theorists carrying a confederate flag through the capitol or look a little beyond that. Times of crises also present opportunities. We’d better grab it with all we’ve got.
Let’s clean house and put solid reforms in place that prevent us to ever reach the brink of dictatorship again. Let’s show the world that we’ve got this. Better very late than never.
How can “this guy” still be in office? 24 hours later? I keep rubbing my eyes and scratching my head.
The fact the he’s not washed away yet tells you everything that’s wrong with the Republican Party today.
Pence doesn’t want to pursue the 25th. Is he at least in favor of impeachment then?
Maybe he’s afraid to be #46?
Ok, let Pelosi handle it. She is certainly up to the task.
Graham doesn’t think that it’s the right time. Dude, the time is NOW!
Republican congress members: don’t make us hit the refresh button for 13 more days. Show us that you have a tiny bit of decency left. Get rid of that scum.
Just do it!
Long article. Full of truth and perspective.
Be aware: It might keep you on rather high alert.
Updated Jan 10, 2021 12:34:52pm
If Mr. McConnell is on board then Democrats should be able to find 67 votes in the Senate and the impeachment would go through both chambers.
Of course, no one can predict how Trump will react to this. Reading that guys’ mind is as easy as flying a F18 through the Grand Canyon blindfolded.
Would Pence still give him a pardon if he were to step down?
And Rudy?
Who ever knew that the remake of The Downfall would play in Washington?
The next few days will continue to be interesting.
Push notifications or the refresh button…life is full of choices.
Impeach Indict Convict Imprison
We still have a very long way to go. Let’s hope that the Senate gets it right this time. Then let the judiciary do its job. Conviction and imprisonment can only happen if there is a water tight case absolutely beyond reasonable doubt.
If we’d arrest everyone just for being a prick, ahole, bully, schmuck or any other dislikable character we’d need a prison the size of Texas. That’s not how we roll.
Many of us want our cake today but no, we have to be patient. One person is not worth giving up our values and principles. “This guy” very most certainly definitely is not worth that at all. He would like for us to fall into that trap. Let’s not. No martyrdom for him.
One can still be hopeful though. This man could become a permanent resident of Colorado. We have some fine housing for the most special characters in our judicial system ;)
People, how about you use a picture of a raccoon or a hamster every time you post about Cruz, Boebert or the likes? I can’t look at these faces any longer. And I can’t go to the Apple store seven days a week and tell them that I punched my screen again.
Ok fine, cat videos it is…I’ll deal with it.
The Coronavirus has killed over 2 million people globally now. Almost 400k in the US alone.
This is not the Spanish flu. I don’t think we’ll reach those numbers but this is a very significant toll on our communities.
Then there are all the people with what’s called “long Covid” aka the strange visitor in your body that just won’t go away.
Our best chance to overcome this crisis is to get vaccinated.
The rates of people in Europe saying YES vary between 86% (Denmark) and 50% (France).
The latest number I’ve seen for the US that 63% agree to get vaccinated. Hopefully this will go up.
Some of us are primarily concerned with when they can get a vaccine. That’s understandable but the bigger picture is much more important.
Going back to our normal lives depends on how fast we can reach overall vaccination rates to make a difference.
Yes, there are still many unknowns about how long vaccinations work, what happens with mutations etc.
None of that should keep us from supporting the efforts to overcome the pandemic.
Some of us might not care much for the mask and covid deniers (“let them get sick”). We must understand that it is OUR healthcare system that they are pounding on.
Everyone wants this to be over. Let’s all make the right choices and not delay this any more than necessary. If you talk to any sceptics and can convince them to get in line then do it.
Being in the candy store might be a good time to ignore strong science. This is not the time or place to do so.
Now here as an interesting position to fill…
Village idiot…not everyone has what it takes.
Updated Jan 15, 2021 1:48:21pm
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/eric-lander-white-house-science-cabinet/index.html
Yeah! Science!
Updated Jan 16, 2021 8:01:44pm
In case you feel like spicing up your neighborhood just a little…here is an idea ;)
Updated Jan 18, 2021 8:57:48am
As a leader I’d want someone that represents most of my core values, not someone diametrically opposed to them.
That’s always been my biggest quarrel with the outgoing president. I have publicly spoken out against him for decades. Long before he even became a reality TV someone.
I broke ties with people that behave like mini-trumps in the early social media days and called them like that.
In 48 hours and 50 minutes we’ll have a new president. He won’t be perfect. He won’t do everything I’d want him to do. He can’t, because he is all our president, not just mine. I’ll gladly suck it up here and then. We now have a benchmark that will make any possible Biden failure look like a fly on someone’s head.
Oh, wait…that fly was actually a real big deal. Make it a ladybug then ;)
Updated Jan 18, 2021 9:12:40am
Timeline photos
How to honor MLK day in the midst of our pandemic? Here is some advice I find rather sound.
How to honor MLK day in the midst of our pandemic?
Here is some advice I find rather sound.
Beware! I’m in a dangerously good mood today.
Does it have to do with the fact that something is happening tomorrow that I couldn’t wait for since late 2016? Something that feels better than Xmas, 5-Points Jazz Festival, summer and winter parties, lottery wins combined?
Maybe ;)
24 hours and 55 minutes at the time of typing…
Wow. The Voldemort is gone. Tomorrow we’ll wake up to a world of significantly increased reliability and stability. Here’s to all of us sleeping a little better.
And hey Paris Climate Agreement: will you please take us back?We’ve been behaving terribly but will do better in the future.
Please note:
Initially my post read the “witch is gone”. I was doing terrible injustice to all the witches around. Voldemort is much more like it. Make it Sauron if you so prefer…
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/amanda-gorman-poet.html
Amanda Gorman and Lady Gaga can come back for more. Those two ladies were the clear highlights of the inauguration IMHO.
Updated Jan 20, 2021 12:21:25pm
Some of you might wonder about the absence of Jimmy Carter today. Most probably he was working for Habitat for Humanity and didn’t want to take any time off. Understandable.
That guy…
Timeline photos
Mobile Presidential Ball – Well, we had to dress up, take the show on the road again and made a few stops in Boulder tonight. We had music and champagne with us and drank to being back in the WHO and all kind of other things. I had prepared a special playlist. With Peter and Laurie we sang “She’s gone” from Hall and Oates and even neighbors across the fence cheered us on. Yes Melania, that one was for you. Sorry party pooper virus: yes we take you very seriously but you are not taking all our fun away. As for the guy from the apprentice….he’s got nothing on us any longer. Nada. So yes, we are having a ball…together with the rest of the world.
Mobile Presidential Ball – Well, we had to dress up, take the show on the road again and made a few stops in Boulder tonight. We had music and champagne with us and drank to being back in the WHO and all kind of other things.
I had prepared a special playlist. With Peter and Laurie we sang “She’s gone” from Hall and Oates and even neighbors across the fence cheered us on. Yes Melania, that one was for you.
Sorry party pooper virus: yes we take you very seriously but you are not taking all our fun away.
As for the guy from the apprentice….he’s got nothing on us any longer. Nada. So yes, we are having a ball…together with the rest of the world.
It’s only been 6 days but I do notice some differences:
1. Gasping for air when scrolling through my newsfeed has significantly declined.
2. Same goes with being all bent out of shape. That is strictly reserved for yoga now.
3. Fewer sentences start with “can you believe”…
4. The constant energy drain that comes with “what if…” is also gone.
Life might be a little less dramatic but in a very good way. It feels healthier overall, more sane. I take it.
I even skied for three days last weekend and never felt like checking if the world has come to an end just yet.
Are you also wondering what they are talking about? Who’s you vote for? Covid much? Did you leave us any fish? Boebert said what? A sequel to Pulp Fiction, for reals?
We don’t know and we might never find out.