Andy Borowitz not being funny about it

[barbtries]

https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/about-last-night?r=33s8c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Dear reader,

I have plenty to say about last night’s dumpster fire but today I want to take a break from jokes. Many of you are in pain and I don’t want to make light of that.

You shouldn’t misinterpret my pause, however, as acquiescence or resignation. We all deserve a moment to curl up in the fetal position. But when that moment is over, I want to do what I can to make life better for my children and grandchildren (not to mention people I don’t happen to be related to). I hope you’ll feel that way, too.

Remaining silent and surrendering to despair is exactly what fascists want us to do. So let’s not.

Thanks, as always, for supporting my work. You’re why I do what I do—and why I’ll continue doing it.

Stay tuned.

All my love,

Andy

I thought this was worth sharing as I am spending today figuratively curled up in a fetal position.

hugs to everyone on DU and all across the country and the world feeling this same pain.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

1. Thanks for this.

The Republican Cheaters is their new moniker. They cheat to get the courts to overturn established law. Hell! They cheat to get on the courts. They cheat by lying every damn day. And if their basic fear is of the other, they have no claim to Patriotism.

Task one: rethink the Pledge of Allegiance.

[ananda]

8. That they can cheat means that our system of checks and balances...

is completely broken.

Without this, we have nothing but chaos, death, harm,
and destruction.

People with the worst instincts and sociopathic behavior
patterns have taken over because there was nothing in
place to stop them.

I imagine it's a product of the us vs them mentality, where
one side thinks they're better or different from the other

I suppose this mentality will always lead to this because
it is designed to separate us as winner or loser, whereas
we are all in this together.

Maybe competition should be replaced with cooperation
and shared thinking.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

11. that cooperation is what Harris was all about.

I'm terrified of Fascist America and mourning what we could be.

I'm praying that there was massive cheating and rigging going on. It helps in thinking we didn't willingly sleepwalk into Fascism.

[ananda]

12. I know. She was so inclusive, and they wanted none of it.

Wrong on so many levels.

[brakester]

15. Kamala

just conceded.

Bummer!

[wnylib]

13. Or, rededicate ourselves to the line that says,

"And to the REPUBLIC"

[Captain Zero]

26. One nation under LAW, is how I say it.

nt

[wnylib]

30. Agree.

[barbtries]

20. Task 2: clarify the First Amendment.

propaganda killed us.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

25. without the Senate we have to find a way to reach those who voted for a dictator.

It all seems so daunting. We are going to try though. I'm so disheartened by the billionaires who made their fortunes but don't care about the democracy which afforded them the ability to achieve their status. Maybe there's no air up there... Or are they just cowards?

[Ysabel]

2. {{{hugs}}} too...

- in bed all day and eating chocolate cake...

[barbtries]

4. i just baked and ate

chocolate chip cookies.

i also took a klonopin last night and another klonopin today. Slightly loopy and soon to be sleeping soundly. Worked15 hours at the polls yesterday.

[brakester]

16. Thank you

for working at the polls.

I've canvassed 3x a week, wrote articles to the paper AND donated. I just wish there was a way I could have been more effective.

I live in a purple state that has been gerrymandered to within an inch of its life.

[barbtries]

19. so do i

NC. you?

[erronis]

3. Yes - thank you for posting Andy's heart-felt note.

We do need to protect ourselves and our emotions and our loved ones. But then we'll need to get busy protecting this country that we (speaking of this group) all love.

[oasis]

5. Thanks Andy.

[Joinfortmill]

6. I'm doing it literally

[ShazzieB]

7. Very nice, thanks!

[FakeNoose]

9. Andy gets it

[Wounded Bear]

10. Yeah, well, I'm not feeling up to laughing at many jokes anyway...

[Evolve Dammit]

14. Thanks Barb. Hope you get some rest. 🙏

[surfered]

17. He's right. They want us to be quiet.

[SoCalDavidS]

27. They Don't Care What We Do, So Long As We Obey

If we don't, there will be consequences for us.

And if we show our feelings, they'll laugh in our faces. It's who they are.

[barbtries]

31. It's interesting that you would say that.

within a week i'll be with my oldest brother, a racist foxbot who may try to laugh in my face. I'm fantasizing, or preparing if you prefer, my response. I did tell my son yesterday that I won't be quiet anymore. I won't start it but if he does, it's on.

So anyhow. My fantasy, or plan if you will, is to shame him. "Why do you feel the need to kick me when I'm down? What pleasure do you gain by being cruel? You know as well as I do that we do not agree that the election outcome is a victory for anyone. Who are you trying to convince that it is? Because it isn't me, bro, it is not me."

Something like that. No screaming, no name calling, but shame. "What happened to your humanity, empathy, sympathy, respect, and compassion? You can see I'm suffering, why does that make you happy? What is funny about any of this?"

for context we'll be meeting in Idaho to visit our sister, who is declining from Alzheimer's disease. It's very likely that this will be the last time that all 4 of us are together in one place and all alive. We need to keep her needs front and center and leave all this other shit behind, and I like I said, I will. I'm not sure he will be able to do it. I refuse to remain silent any more. In the past I gave him 2 chances before I jumped in his shit. He literally said one absurd racist thing to my future DIL and I held my tongue, and he did not do it again. This time, nah. One episode will get a response. I'm thinking shame is the one thing that stands a chance of penetrating his crotchety old man foxbot veneer.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. Thank you for posting this

[wendyb-NC]

21. Thanks for posting that message from Andy Borowitz

Great message, made me smile, and very true. I won't give in to despair.

[tenderfoot]

22. I like Borowitz but there's nothing funny about anything he jokes about

Same with Jeff Teidrich. Their snark has done nothing to stop anything.

[Jack Valentino]

24. He helps us laugh for a minute. It may not stop anything, but it is 'doing something' for all of us.

He's like a national morale officer.

[barbtries]

32. I disagree.

These people express the frustration or add humor to a dark time. It's important work. I would hate even more a world without laughter. There must be laughter.

[jfz9580m]

34. I agree

It is not as if it is a substitute for protest or policy positions , but Rex Huppke, Borowitz etc do bring some cheer to one.
Memes and jokes are not a substitute for graver analyses or serious strategy obviously. But they have their role and cheer those of us dealing with these dark times.

[hydrolastic]

28. Thank you

I have already signed up with indivisible.... Again

[calimary]

29. We love you, Andy!

“Remaining silent and surrendering to despair is exactly what fascists want us to do. So let’s not.”

I LIKE this.

I LIKE this A LOT!

In fact, I LOVE this!!!

[sheshe2]

33. Thank you for Andy's message.