I just listened to Trump's speech on BBC Overnight.

He claimed a big victory tonight, including victory in states that are still undecided. To preserve that victory from Democrats who "are trying to steal the election," he said that all voting must stop now. He did not call it vote counting, which is what it is. He called it "continued voting" and said he will go to court to make it stop.

BBC commentators are not mincing words. They are calling it shocking, undemocratic, like nothing ever done in the US before. Not even 2000 was this bad. They are saying that the world reaction will be alarm at what is happening inside the US and that the US is no longer a model for democracy in the world.

They are emphasizing that the counting of votes in the days following an election is perfectly normal and legal but that Trump is twisting facts to manipulate his followers for his own political gain instead of supporting free elections.

For all you nail biters, check out the Huffpost map showing projected winners and which way others are leaning for the polls that have closed. There are charts showing the percentages of the leads in each state AND the percentages of votes counted in each state. Some showing a Trump lead have not counted all their votes yet and do not yet have a count on the mail ins.

From what I saw, FL is lost to us, but we might get PA, NC, and OH when mail ins are counted. In PA, and some other states, those results will not be in until Friday.

Remember, we were told that Trump might look good in the beginning, but to wait until the mail ins are counted.

My biggest disappointment so far is McConnell's win. If we take the Senate, that won't matter.

EDIT: The numbers and their direction will change off and on in some places and do not as yet include mail-in counts, which will trickle in from the various states in the next few days, depending on state laws about when and how to count them.

Hang in there.

how the voting is going there today and whether Erie will flip back to Democrats.

BBC now saying that Trump has tweeted that his and Melania's tests both came back positive.

She was working closely with Trump leading up to the debate and his rallies after it. She was on the plane with him. Trump says he and Melania have been tested and are in quarantine, but who knows what he means by quarantine?

Moral dilemma for those who are praying people - which outcome to pray for?

You tube has a good video of Helen Reddy singing I Am Woman on stage in 1971. I could not get a link that would work. If anyone else can, please add it to this thread.

That song gave me inspiration and courage at a time in my life when I badly needed it. Just watching the video and hearing those meaningful words today brought tears to my eyes, remembering how much it meant to me then and how much my life has changed since then.

R.I.P Ms. Reddy. And thank you.

What are your personal memories and experiences?

I remember job listings in the newspaper in separate columns labelled: Jobs for Men and Jobs for Women. The men's column listed openings for engineers, hospital staff doctors, accountants, department managers, retail managers, skilled trade jobs. The women's column listed office clerical positions, hairdressers, nurses.

I have a copy of Life Magazine from 1968 with an article about a "women's lib" call to eliminate gender divisions in job listings. The article ridicules the idea and says it is highly unlikely that such a radical idea would ever come to pass.

When I left my husband and filed for divorce, my father went with me to help choose a used car. I was steadily employed throughout my marriage and paid most of our bills because my ex could not hold a job for long. The car dealer said I could not get a bank loan in my name so my father co-signed. The next day, I took out a personal loan from my employer's credit union, with the car as collateral, and paid off the bank to get the car and the loan in my name

I divorced my husband because he was violent. A co-worker asked me, "Well, is it serious? Or does he just slap you around a little?"

So what do DUers here remember about the old gender attitudes and laws?

Not for herself, but for me.

It happened occasionally when my cat was younger. She's 4 years old now and it happens quite often.

When I get in the shower, kitty grabs her comfort toy (a feathery wind-up chicken) and walks around meowing in her high pitched anxiety tone. I have to call her name several times and say, "It's all right. I'm right here." Or poke my head around from the shower curtain to let her see that I'm ok. She stops the anxious meowing then, but stares at me, chickie in her mouth, looking very concerned, until I come out to dry off.

She likes to watch water go down the drain in the kitchen sink, and if there are suds in it, she tries to hold them back with her paw. When they disappear, she puts her whole face into the drain, looking for where they went. But she does not like to get INTO water.

Is she projecting her own anxiety about water onto me? Never before had a cat do something like this. Anyone else have a cat that acts anxious when they shower?

Watching videos of protesters, especially in Portland, it occurs to me that they could be livened up with some music. Patriotic tunes would counter the Trump BS message that protesters are anti-American. Combine patriotic tunes with songs about equality to emphasize that anti racism and equality for POC are patriotic.

For patriotic songs, there are old stand-bys that everyone can join in singing together in solidarity, like My Country 'Tis of Thee. Add some fifes and drums for a little extra spirit.

There's also an old Woody Guthrie song from the 1930's, (or early '40s?) called All You Fascists Bound to Lose. Catchy tune with 2 short verses. I can't post a link from my phone, but it's on You Tube. Just Google the title.

Another Woody Guthrie song, much better known and performed by people like Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul, and Mary, is This Land is Your Land.

Since I am white, I think it's more appropriate for POC to suggest and choose songs about anti racism and equality.

We could send a message of patriotism and unity against racism through music, alternating with readings (with a megaphone). I can think of many people worth quoting, like MLK, John Lewis, Frederick Douglass, some Native American people like Chief Joseph (Nez Perce tribe) on freedom, Black Elk (Oglala Sioux) on peace. There's a good quote from Robert Kennedy on justice and compassion for people who suffer.

Music and quotes can send strong messages sbout the meaning and goals of protests. Not to mention debunkingTrump's claim that protesters are anarchists.

So what songs would be good at protests? What quotes, and by whom?

right now? I am posting from my bathroom on the 5th floor of an apartment building. No access to basement so it's the next best place.

Severe thunderstorm warnings with rotation activity and possible tornados. The weather service mentioned several small towns around me. Took kitty with me to the bathroom when my town was added to the list. Plus battery radio and flashlight just in case.

So far, a lot of clouds but not even any rain. Kitty is in her carrier in case we need to leave and is not happy about the confinement. I am bribing her with treats.