None of us really do, or could have, that are up to the task of properly responding to and comprehending this great national tragedy. It’s almost pointless to even try, although many will, and some will probably succeed, at least in part. But to call this a sea change is to miss the point.
This is way, way, way beyond that. This is a whole new thing, and none of us can know what comes next. We can guess, but we just don’t know. He’s not the first person with a tyrannical bent we’ve elected as president, but the first one of this sort. He makes Nixon seem level-headed and prudent. He makes Bush II seem statesmanlike. Hell, he makes freaking Cheney seem moderate and wise.
America has voted to shoot itself in the head tonight, and the consequences, whatever they are, will be vast, deep and long-lasting. People will suffer. People will suffer mass dislocation. People will die. That is a given.
My only hope is that we find a way to survive this, and that he doesn’t so badly damage the country and reconfigure its laws and democratic processes that we will be unable to ever take the country back no matter how hard we try.
Tonight, America died. Long live America, whatever becomes of it.
Peace.
P.S. Please, I ask everyone to try your best to refrain from attacking each other, no matter how much you might disagree with what someone says. This is a time for mourning and venting and coming to terms with what just happened and is about to happen, and everyone—EVERYONE—has a right to do that as they best see fit. Disagree vigorously, certainly, but civilly, at least right now, as no one here is going to be in their right mind for some time. Also, keep the flagging to a minimum, other than truly vile comments. It’s important that we heal and come together, and we all have our own way of doing that.