Hope

So, the last few entries I seem to have written here were in the months before the debacle that was Election Day 2016. It's still impossible to believe that Donald Fucking Trump is the most powerful man in the world, has the nuclear codes and everything else that goes along with being President. I am not going to re-litigate how legitimate of a President he is, only to say that the mere suggestion REALLY, CLEARLY bothers Trump, so even he suspects he's a fraud.

Or, he knows he is. He's just about the most insecure man I've ever seen in public and it's a daily embarrassment to realize he represents my country.

But ... then there was today. I flew out of the country yesterday, not because of the Inauguration, but it surely was a happy coincidence. I actually flew to Australia for work, and because of that, I took the redeye out so I actually DID see some of the pathetic display in D.C., most especially how nobody showed up, relatively speaking.

This is the parade route, and ... that's not a lot of people.  And just in case you think this photo is from way before Trump and Pence walked the route ... there's this. Note that they AVOIDED the truly sparse areas, and yet this was part of their route. Look behind the bleachers - THAT'S THE WHITE HOUSE. Is there a more prime spot to see the parade? Maybe, but this is good seating and nobody wanted to be there. Because so few people like Trump its historic.

And really, the only reason I give even half of a shit is that Trump REALLY cares about this.So much that he and his Press Secretary openly and brazenly lied about it - and the press called them on it.

So, I have some hope there.

But where I also have hope is what happened today. Again, I'm about as far away from home today as is possible - but I logged into Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and almost every single post was of a friend or family member at a rally somewhere - Washington D.C., Oakland, Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere - and ALL of them were absolutely packed. Literally millions of people around the world.

You've seen the photos - hell, you may have been at one of the rallies - and despite what the right is trying to suggest, they were extremely peaceful, positive and absolutely hellbent on making sure the White House knows we're not going to lie down like dogs (like most everyone did during GWB's terms, something so horrible then and yet so much better than this joke).

The White House's response to this INCREDIBLE display of freedom? Utter silence.

Remember the lie that the Republicans told about Obama going on an apology tour? Well, I'm in Australia for business but you can bet I'll be apologizing for our President many times while I'm here. I'll  never apologize for the display today - I'll brag about it. And when I get home, I'm going to hug, high-five and praise all those who participated today. This is what makes America great, and no geriatric, racist misogynist with an inferiority complex is going to change that.