I am now in the Resistance

On this Veteran's Day 2016, I am remembering my Dad's and his brothers' service in WWII in the Navy fighting fascism and pondering our 2016 election to the Presidency of the United States of America -- a fascist. Ponder that. * * * * * * * * * * Russia seems happier with this election than do Americans. ********** In doing my own autopsy on the election, I have several theories as to why Hillary Clinton lost. I can't help but think the third party vanity candidate Gary Johnson helped elect Trump; I can't help think the FBI's announcement re. new emails found in Anthony Weiner's computer helped elect Trump in a "tipping point" fashion that did not show up in the polls until election night. And systematic voter suppression of minority voters and gerry-mandering of Congressional districts succeeded. Beyond those, I can't help but think the Democratic National Committee's perceived manipulation in the Clinton v. Sanders primaries helped elect Trump. It was also Donald Trump fanning the flames of inchoate anger in segments of the population who are racist and sexist. It was a sustained vilification campaign against Hillary Clinton for decades by Republicans, it was the news media's tendency to "normalize" Trump's behavior that all helped elect Trump. Another aspect is the Big Lie. If you tell a Big Lie over and over again it become accepted truth. In the case of Donald Trump, he lied about everything, not just one thing. Over and over and over and the news media, with the exception of a few fact checkers rolled over. For example, moderators of debates decline to do fact checking. It's no longer the Big Lie --- it is Ubiquitous Lying all the time about everything.....I can only hope the news media holds a President Trump to a higher standard than they did for candidate Trump.......* * * * * * * * * * President Trump may find that it is far easier to be a demagogue than a President. * * * * * * * * * He will, of course, claim a mandate despite losing the popular vote. The man who claimed the entire election was "rigged" is ascending to the same office once held by Abraham Lincoln after coming in second. * * * * * * * * * **I'm watching videos of young people protesting across the country and can't help but wonder what if the election outcome had been different: I suspect we'd be watching protestors from the KKK and various militias armed with AK-47s and people would be dead. * * * * * * * * Hillary Clinton gave a moving and gracious concession speech. Do I think Donald Trump would have done the same had he lost? Not for one second. * * * * * * * * * * I tried to reassure a Muslim student of mine today that she had friends who would look after her........and that most Americans are decent people. She was worried. The same is true of LGBTQs, minorities, the disabled, and others, as well. * * * * * * * * * To Melania Trump: Dear Melania - Now that you will be the First Lady, go back to college and get your degree. Surely there are community colleges in DC and suburbs. Set an example. Sincerely, Bud Cassiday * * * * * * * * * * There is no bright side to any of this that I can see. Women's rights to control their own bodies are at risk, people's health care is at risk, equal rights for minorities and LGBTQs are at risk, economic growth is at risk, religious freedom is at risk, freedom of the press is at risk, clean air and water are at risk, our very planet is at risk. It might be a generation before the damage headed our way can be undone........if even then. Martin Luther King said the arc of history bends toward justice; I hope so.