CORY BOOKER'S MESSAGE

I just want all of you here at That’s Another Fine Mess to know that - despite how much realism I am going to push at you in looking at the events we are about to experience - that these words by Senator Cory Booker are the best words I’ve come across to say what I really think we all need to do in these times:

“Like many of you in this moment, I think I have felt the full range of emotion — shock, hurt, anger, fear, pain — and I’ve done my share of introspection. it’s hard to work through the consequences of this election, from Project 2025 to Trump threatening retribution and even prosecution against people who stood against him. So yeah — it’s hard now, and there are tough times ahead. Things are not okay. We should feel grief — but never despair. We should be angry, but not bitter. Sad, but not cynical. This is a defeat, but we are not defeated. I promise you: there is something in all of us that is unconquerable. Take instruction and inspiration from those who came before us. Our ancestors in our nation’s long history. What they had to take on, the setbacks they faced — and how, despite tragedy, wretched oppression, unimaginable loss and grief, they kept working to overcome, and move our nation forward. Our ancestors’ legacy to us is a masters class in invincible spirit, to never giving up, to unconquerable love.

“I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. We have to be ready, though, to stand up and do the work. I know we may lose some of the fights ahead. But if we fight, we will win some, too.

“In this time, we should make extra effort to care for one another. To find, create, and deepen community. We are here for a purpose. now, more than ever, other people — this country, and even this world — need us to do a lot of good. As much as we can.”

“Donald Trump is president, and Republicans will control the Senate — but we are not powerless. We can still love one another. We can still help people. We can still protect people. We can still put our arms around folks — and to someone today, we can be a ray of light in a dark, tough time. We can — we will — do good. because no righteous word, no noble act, no kind deed, is ever in vain. We are our ancestors’ dreams — and the only hope for a better tomorrow. Let’s be hope, not look for it. and let’s start now.”

And I completely agree with the great Vaclav Havel: “There is only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive in a good cause.”

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