I am not often at a loss for words, but I have run out of explanations and justifications with which

[Atticus]

to respond to a very good liberal friend who has basically given up on ever restoring our democracy. This person meets every impassioned plea for patience with "We've lost our country".

This person---like many---waited for the Mueller report to provide the basis for impeachment and, like me, saw the 2018 " blue wave" as confirmation that the Democrats would evict Trump from the White House and right the ship of state. As days and weeks turned into months that saw near-daily Trump outrages but no real progress toward impeachment or indictment, this person began to wonder aloud what "good" it had done to bust our asses to elect Democrats in our deep red district.

There is now just despondency and guilt about the world we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. There is no enthusiasm about 2020 and our chances to defeat the Trump regime because they are convinced that Trump will again use Russian interference to win reelection. "Nothing has been done to stop Putin from hacking our election again. We are stuck with him---period!" is their consistent attitude and Trump's jokes about a third term are taken very seriously. "Why shouldn't we believe he will refuse to leave?" I am asked. "What immoral, outrageous, unconstitutional or criminal act by him has he been called to account for? What price has he yet had to pay for ANYTHING?"

Your turn---persuade my friend that hope is justified.

[jberryhill]

1. .

[empedocles]

7. Terrific line by Belushi

[Upthevibe]

20. I'd forgotten that scene

LOL! Good one

[nocoincidences]

2. Persuade me, too.

I'm having a bit of a low day, today.

[dchill]

4. Ditto. I'm thinking that Putin is the de facto President.

Is there a good fact that proves me wrong?

[Golden Raisin]

9. The Russians finally won the Cold War, all without firing a single bullet.

Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, etal. all chortling, chuckling from that great dacha in the sky while downing vodka shots. We have a compromat puppet installed in the Oval Office, malignant and destructive 24/7 chaos and daily deconstruction of our Constitution, Laws, Elections and Norms.

[hlthe2b]

3. Find examples of those who have survived the worst imaginable yet gone on to surmount & thrive

This story from this morning certainly runs along those lines:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212454862

Find one every day for your friend to read. We learn from the survival of others and need not follow the example of those who "give up."

[Moostache]

5. Hand out the Kool-Aid...

Time to gulp it down and shuffle off this mortal coil....

OR...

We could simply brow beat people and DRAG THEM TO THE POLLS by any means necessary next November...

We could nominate an actual progressive who would be willing to stand toe-to-toe with the shit-gibbon and give it right back to him on the TV machine - "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY PERSONAL SPACE YOU INSIPID TOOL OF THE RUSSIANS!" would make for some damn fine TV if I do say so my damn self...

We could also manage to remind young people to show up for their free Apple air-pods fitting and raffle at the polling place...you only need to submit a ballot and you're entered in the drawing for a brand new set of I-Phone accessories, including a chance at the newest I-phone XI++ mega uber great...

We could also try to convince elderly people and baby boomers about to become elderly people that without changes to strengthen their SS and Medicare benefits, they may very well be the first ones to test Republican health care ideals - "Hurry up and Die fast!"

We could get the minorities in Texas, Florida and parts of North Carolina and Wisconsin (*large Somali population I understand in some areas) to give a fuck about the future more than fear or intimidation from goons wrapping themselves in the flag and hating on the IDEA of America...

Or, we could roll over, play dead and wait for Trump to end humanity in a fit of pique over the smaller second inaugural crowd that looks like a third of his already tiny first one...

The proverbial fork in the road?

[Harker]

6. He's generating a tremendous amount

of poor karma.

[Donkees]

15. Mud and blossom are one

[Harker]

16. Why does Karl Rove

come to mind?

[Donkees]

17. :)

[CrispyQ]

8. I was unrealistically expecting a KO punch from Mueller, too.

Or at least a more dramatic result, & we'll never know how much referee Barr interfered & interferes. But since we didn't get a KO, timing is now critical. We want next year's summer vacation reading to be all the shit Trump has done for the past decades.

[mopinko]

10. take that person out to knock doors.

nothing quite as good for the electoral blues.

[secondwind]

11. Tell your friend to speak to a Jewish friend or two. Or a Tabbi.

They surely know that anything can be overcome.

[Skittles]

12. we need new leadership

DESPERATELY

[ancianita]

18. Jill Lepore has your words. Give your friend this little book, with the reminder that America is

the oldest democracy in human history because enough Americans remember that democracy is The Long Game; Americans know that giving it up is the un-adult lack of commitment to the their children's future freedoms.

People often give up because it's easier than struggle. Give your friend the idea that people in the long struggle know they have to take breaks, occasionally; then they return to the "front" to see what good's been done without them in the meantime. "Hopelessness" is exactly what Putin wants your friend to feel.

Don't give up, yourself. You will be your friend's example.

[mahina]

19. That's the exact mindset that got us in this mess and it's no coincidence.

First I’d point out that that is the exact attitude that got this asshole in the White House, precisely.

He has to know that there are a lot of folks getting paid to hustle that jive.

If we give up there’s absolutely no chance. If we keep hope alive in those moments that we can it’s a shitty situation but it must and will change.

If we never do anything well…Hey let’s not choose that future.

Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and we elected this stain? Would they give up, does he think?

Think football or soccer or baseball or anything if that helps.