Charles M. Blow: The Anti-Inauguration

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/opinion/the-anti-inauguration.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

The Anti-Inauguration
Charles M. Blow
JAN. 5, 2017


The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States is just two weeks away, so now is the time to begin making plans to send him the strongest possible signal that your opposition to the presidency he has foreshadowed will not be pouting and passive, but active and animated.

Now is the time to begin making your plans for the anti-inauguration.

Exclaiming your resistance, while necessary, is insufficient. Resistance is a negative position. While negativity in the face of this menace is justified and admirable, negativity alone is a fractional response. As with most things in a fully articulated life, balance is required. You need to augment your outrage with actions that are affirming, behaviors that reinforce principles and values.

When politics seem out of your control, remember that community and culture are very much in your control. We help shape the world we inhabit every day. A life is a collection of thousands of decisions, large and small, made every day. Make those decisions with purpose and conviction, especially for Jan. 20.

The point is not necessarily to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, but rather to deprive it of oxygen and eyeballs; to plant a flag of resistance firmly at the opening gate. This doesn’t mean that people won’t attend or watch. They will. But every station that carries it, as many will, should feel the impact of your absence.

Just because succession of power in our fragile democracy isn’t denied by dictator or compelled by coup does not mean that the majority of Americans who voted for someone other than Trump, and view his ascension as an offense, should feel any pressure or compunction to bear witness to the pomp and pageantry surrounding the installation of a demi-fascist and full-blown demagogue as president.

This ceremony is part of a governmental apparatus meant to project a picture of seamless continuity and normalcy to Americans and the world.

But making Trump appear normal is contingent on public cooperation, which must be denied.

Here are some ways to make your opposition felt and bring forth some light on the impending Day of Darkness.

Protest.

Protests are being organized all over the country, including in the capital itself. Join in. One group, under the banner “Not My President,” is even planning a silent protest at the U.S. Capitol. Then of course there will be the Women’s March on Washington the day after the inauguration. With more than 100,000 people saying they will attend on Facebook, and organizers estimating that they could get 200,000, this could be the largest anti-Trump rally yet.

snip//

You have the power to make anti-inauguration day an enormously effective first step on the path forward through an arduous four years, which promise to be difficult to navigate. Affirmative actions must be as much your guide and solace as resistance is your fuel and fire.

Remember your pre-Trump ideals and make sure that they survive into a post-Trump world.

[longship]

1. R&K for visibility. nt

[Raster]

2. Another KICK for visibility! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST!

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. K & R

[oasis]

4. Seeing Trump limp into his single term with a semi-deflated ego would

be a boost to the national psyche.

[keithbvadu2]

5. Putin up front?

"Organizers have announced that Donald Trump will attend two inaugural balls during his first week in office.
One in Washington, D.C. and then, of course, the real one in Moscow."

---Seth Meyers

[Hekate]

6. KnR

[handmade34]

7. active resistance

we all must do what we can



thank you Charles Blow

[66 dmhlt]

8. R-E-S-I-S-T ...

[Nitram]

9. THIS!

[Wounded Bear]

10. K & R ......for visibility..nt

[Paladin]

11. K&R. Find ways to resist. (nt)

[Fast Walker 52]

12. yes!!!