There's a feeling that we've reached some kind of tipping point

[thucythucy]

and I wonder if this might be due--at least in part--to the pandemic.

Not Trump's criminally inept response to it--though that's a big part as well.

But to the fact that so many Americans stayed home in quarantine, and thus had so much more time to think about the state of the nation. We've been ejected out of our normal day to day, giving many of us time to watch the news, check out websites, and generally pay more attention to the degree to which this administration has trashed or tried to trash everything good, decent, stable, about this country.

Day after day seeing Trump on the tube making an ass of himself--not a quick recap on the eleven o'clock news, but an unmediated mainline of the stupid, the sociopathic, the self-absorption.

Day after day, week after week reading his ridiculous tweets.

Day after day watching him throw tantrums at the slightest provocation.

It feels like a huge part of the populace has been able, at last, to see what a degenerate pustule we have installed in the highest office in the land.

Those of us who live politics and pay attention have known all along. But it seems that to so many people, taking this enforced time-out, the true level of toxic flatulence generated by the Orange One has finally registered.

Just a thought, this lovely Monday evening.

[intrepidity]

1. I've been pondering the same

There's no doubt that many folks have finally had the time to poke their heads up and see what is happening.

[thucythucy]

2. Absolutely.

And thank you for saying so succinctly what I was trying to say!

Best wishes.

[Yavin4]

3. And very few distractions from sports, to new movies in the theaters, and new TV shows

It's as if the virus forced everyone to stay home and pay attention to the world.

[thucythucy]

4. Exactly.

And then his response to the protests added a giant exclamation point.

[underpants]

7. I saw Al Sharpton making the point about sports

Everyone was watching this weekend and nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.

[underpants]

5. I think the timing is everything.

When everyone was working people might have seen a headline or something but many were home watching TV. The virus pressers were a disaster. His real self was on full display with a lot of people watching. My family watched almost every day because we were concerned and because of the train wreck we knew was coming. I think the complete lack of empathy and compassion was too much for a lot of people.

I posted this earlier today

His problem is that people have had a chance to really get to know him and they don’t like him. Not just his performance but his personality. They don’t like you Trump.

Oh and a speech on this is the worst idea possible right now but these numbers are almost certainly force you to think you can fix it, talk your way out of it.

[stillcool]

6. yeah...perfect storm.

but damn did they answer the call. So many 'first time ever' these years.

[flying rabbit]

8. I'll buy this

I have been thinking along the same lines myself.

[Nevilledog]

9. Really insightful take on this.

[Brother Mythos]

10. It does feel like we've reached a tipping point.

After enduring over three (3) years of the lawlessness of the current administration, the "fix-is-in from the beginning" impeachment process, the botched national pandemic response, the beginning of our latest economic recession/depression, multiple cases of police incompetence and brutality, and the obvious incompetency of the mentally deficient and seriously mentally ill white-collar criminal occupying the White House, it's a wonder that it's taken this long to reach it.

[MustLoveBeagles]

11. I agree

So many crisis all at once and fewer distractions have made it possible.

[relayerbob]

12. Add to that, all his nutcase followers demanding servants to their beck and call at gunpoint

I think a large amount of the protests are about people being sick and tired of dickheads, whether Trump, cop or otherwise. Look at the reaction to the bow and arrow dude and the trucker and some others. They get the shit kicked out of them. It's clear these aren't "riots" the damage is being done in calculated ways to try to stir shit up, and it's backfiring, the protesters are, by and large refusing to participate.

And I agree, I think we are near a tipping point ... but it's likely to get worse before it gets better

[flibbitygiblets]

13. God I hope so. It does feel like we're through the looking glass.

The whole world has been almost on pause, giving us an unexpected chance to examine who and what we are, what we've been doing and to question how we feel about all of it.

And right when so many people have spent months unemployed, cooped up and feeling helpless, finally they found a common cause to channel our energy, to do something real and good.

The ironic bright side of this pandemic is that it might actually be the catalyst to bring about real, lasting change for the better. People are hungry for it. I hope that it continues.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. Not a huge part of populace bit enough to maybe win?

If only Biden would open up VP to the BEST person to help him win. If female, fine. If male, fine.

[patphil]

15. I fully agree with you.

As painful as it has been and still is for many of us, It has given all of us time for reflection.
Time to pierce the veils of illusion and see the truth regarding our so-called president and his cronies.
Time to stand up for America in this period of great need, where the future of the Republic hangs in the balance.

[generalbetrayus]

16. I've been thinking the same thing. I also have been thinking that the crowds out on the streets

protesting would not have been nearly as large if so many people weren't out of work because of the pandemic. The crowds seemed to be even bigger this past weekend, when people who still have a Monday-Friday job could come out to protest too. My only sadness is how many thousands and thousands of people have had to die prematurely to make people realize how horrible Orange Julius Caesar really is.

[OhNo-Really]

17. Fear of Death & Poverty - Covid19 & Tens of Millions of Jobs lost

Everyone, rich & poor, are at risk of losing life & property.

Now all people face fear of death just beyond their front door.

Perhaps this new fear helps everyone better understand the dangers black people face
e v e r y d a y For 400 years!

25 million or more are newly unemployed.

All hell has broken loose & it’s becoming obvious that Ship USA is without a Captain & his Officers are nucking futz & heading for the hugest Iceberg ever at full speed while shouting with glee “Lock Her Up”

No school, no jobs, no peace for Trump Et Al.

What’s to lose?

And the daylight murder of George Floyd added to a long list of Murders by Police.

The People are no longer apathetic!

Everyone’s life is on the line but being murdered by police in broad daylight is The Last Straw.

This must stop now!

No justice, no peace.

If you haven’t already. Stand or kneel for 9 minutes. It’s a long time!

Enough time to decide whether or not to take a life or spare a life. We witnessed a Contemplated, willful murder.

Keep protesting. Be the Change.

Black Lives Matter!

If we don’t fight until change happens m, no one will be safe from being murdered by the police

[calimary]

18. Could very well be. Hardly an hour goes by when some talking head on the news

doesn't use the phrase "inflection point." Google it and this is what comes up first:

in·flec·tion point
noun
noun: point of inflection; plural noun: points of inflection; noun: inflection point; plural noun: inflection points
1.
MATHEMATICS
a point of a curve at which a change in the direction of curvature occurs.
2.
US
(in business) a time of significant change in a situation; a turning point.

[Kablooie]

19. I don't feel it yet.

I feel we are tottering close to an edge but there's no real signs of toppling over.
Trump's support from the GOP will have to drop into the bottom 30's before that might happen.
Last I read it was still up in the 80's and 90's.
They put all their eggs in Trump's basket and they won't leave him unless he leaves them.

[TheBlackAdder]

20. My Trump (possibly former) voting neighbor said they were proud I let kids paint pro-BLM window sign

.

This guy voted Trump, his wife is a Bernie supporter. Must be fun dinner conversations.


They came up and said that they were proud that I met my kids paint the front bow window with:

No Justice
No Peace
❤️ BLM

They also put up a Bail Bond fundraising sign to help protesters get bail money, all kids and myself donated separately to them, without each knowing about it.


I told my neighbor that I never suppress my children's activism, as they need to develop their own voices.

.

[McKim]

21. Yes, They Had Time to Think!

Yes, they had time to think and learn and realize how very precarious their lives are, especially now with the pandemic and the economic crisis. They figured out that there is more to life than shopping, popular culture and sports. Without these distractions they could focus more on what really matters and the inequities and injustices and insanity in this country.

[brush]

22. Good thoughts. You're right. Millions haven't had to rush out...

of the house get to work to deal with the daily stress of the job to keep the wolf from the door. Then the commute home, pick up the kids, mail the bills, run errands on Saturday and maybe rest a little bit.

Most didn't have time to see the idiot for what he is and wouldn't start paying attention until October when the repugs will try to pull another one of their surprises.

His horribly bungled virus response and that daily shit show press conference with the so-called virus response team exposed his ineptitude to the whole nation.

[Miigwech]

23. Clearly true

[coti]

24. "Those of us who live politics..." Interesting point.

Maybe people who don't normally pay attention have started to. It's entirely possible.

[CanonRay]

25. Interesting take on all this

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

26. AND, it gave us a taste of coming together& doing things for the common good- the altruism motive is

a real thing, its in our genetic code. Its way past time to rediscover that....

[Tommymac]

27. We'll see if they show up at the Polls in November.

Until that happens I have a very skeptical attitude about the masses.

They have their bread now, as soon as the Circus (sports and new TV shows) starts up again I fear they will once again lose all interest.

We need to keep on with the grass roots get out the vote efforts with even greater intensity as the summer progresses.