Political Drama and a Pandemic

January 14, 2021

The House of Representatives made history yesterday when they impeached Donald Trump for the 2nd time exactly one week after the Capitol insurrection. The Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, did an admirable job of efficiently following the law laid down by the Constitution. Ten GOP members chose principle over politics and supported the effort. No matter what happens in the Senate - 17 Republicans would have to show integrity - Trump has been disgraced and diminished. It's going to be interesting to see what happens to the Republican Party from here on. 

When I emigrated to the US I experienced for the first time a free society where I was able to enter spaces closed to me in apartheid South Africa. I flourished intellectually and personally. Now the country's character has changed. The world has changed. We've been gradually shifting toward divisiveness and the Trump era has fueled right wing fringe movements. Their nationalistic fervor, their disdain for democratic norms, and their eager embrace of violence have shaken the foundational principles of this nation. Is this expression of extremism a corollary of Trumpism? Will it ebb in the next years? Will millennials become more prominent and steer us toward a healthier society? Or is what we're witnessing only the beginning? An overpopulated planet, a technological revolution, social media platforms - have these doomed us to a dystopian future?

In 6 days Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated. Can't wait to begin this new chapter. But Trump's base is out there. They were deceived by a shockingly large number of Republican leaders and this unsophisticated segment of the population, easily influenced by conspiracy outlets, truly believe that the election was rigged.

Then there's the pandemic. The darkest days are here. California, the UK, Germany and South Africa continue to record heart stopping numbers of new daily cases. The UK and South African Variants of Concern have spread to a large number of countries. Now there's news of a new Brazil variant of concern. The good news is that there are plans to ramp up vaccinations here in our county and state. Just a few more months of this ...

January 15

Unnervingly hot today - in the 80's. A warm spell and dry weather, though enjoyable in midwinter, fills us with apprehension, especially when a red flag warning is issued. But there's hope of rain next weekend, thankfully. Also thankful that Joe Biden has taken the spotlight. Yesterday in a nationally broadcast address he proposed a $1.9 billion rescue package to address the pandemic and the economic fall out. Congress will have to get to work at once. We are starved for leadership. Can't wait. 

January 19

Trump's last full day in office. We're thrilled. But we are anxious too. We're worried. We're miserable. Normal life is still a dream. The pandemic rages on all over the globe. But it seems like the darkest days are behind us. New daily Covid infections appear to be on a decline in the state and country. Below 200,00 daily new cases in the US and around 35,000 in California. Today we reached a total of 400,000 deaths. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will attend an event in DC this evening to honor the dead. I'm heartened to see South Africa's numbers going down too - from over 20,000 daily new infections to just under 10,000 yesterday. Experts warn that the new variants emerging could impact the situation here, so safety measures may tighten. Vaccine hurdles have hampered progress too. Today California had to stop administering Moderna vaccines due to a cluster of adverse reactions. My heart sinks lower and lower as disappointing news keeps coming.

Tomorrow Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. Due to the pandemic there won't be a crowd in the mall to participate in celebrations. Instead rows of flags have been arranged to represent the missing crowd. Also, due to the Jan 6 insurrection, the site of the ceremony is surrounded by 25,000 National Guard soldiers who have been vetted by the FBI. What a sad situation. The most patriotic, quintessential American event has to be protected from domestic citizens. The inevitable effects of Trump's incendiary words and actions. Tomorrow, a new chapter begins.