Well. Wednesday. I woke to happy news about the election in Georgia. I felt such hope! Here are the tweets I shared on Instagram in celebration:
By the end of the day, hope had been replaced with anger as I watched the attempted coup at the Capitol. Here are the tweets I shared on Instagram in anger and frustration:
I woke up this morning to another wave of anger. I learned the domestic terrorism caused both destruction and death. One report says one woman was killed. Another report says there were 4 deaths. I’m still trying to find a good source to confirm. I also learned more about the Mormons (I’m also LDS too) who took part and supported the insurrection — it added another layer of fury. I shared more tweets to vent:
I don’t have much commentary today. I’m recalling the recent essay I wrote, wondering Conservatives, What Do You Want? It is clear they don’t have an answer. I’m also thinking about Forgiveness & Reconciliation and what we should expect of each other.
What about you? Where are your thoughts today? Have you talked with your kids about what happened? How are your anger levels?
{I tried to reply to your reply to me, but it appears that the reply button isn’t working on the forward-facing part of your site. So if you want to edit this part out and attach my reply to that mini-thread, go for it (not that you need my permission).}
Sadly, several days later, I’m not seeing many people in the GOP who appear to have the spine to do what’s right.
Elected officials are claiming that to impeach or remove will make things worse, even though every good parent knows that giving in once makes things far harder in the long run.
Cabinet members claim that they’re so appalled that they must resign (uh – I call bullshit – stay and DO YOUR JOB, which includes invoking the 25th as needed).
To paraphrase Aaron Sorkin, they’re so busy keeping their jobs, they’re forgetting to do their jobs (or in the case of Cabinet members and political appointees, so busy preserving the possibility of future jobs).
I’m hopeful that in the absence of Pence convening The Cabinet and invoking the 25th (HA) or Trump resigning (HAHA), Congress will take up the mantle of Impeachment. The Senate confirmed a Supreme Court Justice in thirty days, so I don’t want to hear that it’s impossible. Even if there aren’t enough votes to remove, getting senators on the record could prove helpful in the future. Unfortunately, getting Sens-Elect Ossoff and Warnock sworn in will take time – GA counties have until 1/15 to finalize their counts and Sec of State Raffensperger has until the 22nd to certify the election. Barring an acceleration of that process, Sen McConnell will remain the majority leader until after Trump leaves office. Despite the fact that it would be bucking all sorts of norms, McConnell could ignore articles of impeachment and just let the clock run out on Trump’s presidency and save his caucus’ members the need to go on the record.
On a slightly different note, I can’t tell you how many of the other comments I wanted to click the “Like” button on! This post has a treasure trove of insightful and funny comments!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!
Gabrielle Blair didn’t come to play with the bullshit – on her own site no less! And I’m here for it.
Thank you for providing this space. I’m grateful for you while mourning and angry.
I have been a reader for at least 10 years, but until this day never commented. However, this is the day that I read your response to Aaron and there is no way that I could not thank you for that. I would sign on to each and every individual point, but I also very much appreciated the well-crafted cussing. It is clear that you are force to be reckoned with in (and out of) the church pew.
My daughter told me to start following you a few months ago. And boy I’m glad I did. I live in area (not Utah) with flags saying, “TRUMP-Stop the bullshit”. Though Trump supporters believe this means he will stop the bullshit, I read it differently. I didn’t vote for him. He is an arrogant, poor delusional man. I saw it. Many of my friends and family still see him as their great leader. My mind just doesn’t understand. I too woke up yesterday excited for Georgia, for Stacey Abrams and the many who worked with her. And then that joy was taken away by the Trump cult followers. My heart sank for every every person that believes the lies he fed them. And for Christians who believe he is the answer to save our country and was sent by God. As a Christian, I find that frightening.
I’m a new follower here, and this is the first time I’ve read ALL of the blog comments (I’ve loved following you on IG, but am newish to the blog). WOW– I am blown away by all the responses to this post- especially your’s, Gabby. WELL DONE. Thank you for speaking your heart and blessing me in the process in what is a heartbreaking and awful time for our country. I appreciate you!
That image of the man with the confederate flag. What will historians make of this? White supremacist terrorists aided and abetted by the police. What will the prevailing historical narrative be?
As I write this Trump has been permanently barred from Twitter. Is it too late for America? I can feel his rage erupting and can only wonder what is next.
I’m observing this from afar (Australia) but it is close to home too. Our Prime Minister has spoken no words of condemnation. Nor has he censured the ultra right wing members of his own party who have openly supported Trump and the actions of the past week. That’s our shame. And our future terror.
I screenshot your entire takedown of Aaron. It was that good. I hope he feels the scorch of that burn for years. You are a QUEEN.
Nothing surprises or shocks me anymore. I am of course completely disgusted with what happened but think that most who were complicit will walk away with no consequences.
The closest thing to accountability so far has been Trump being banned from his social media platforms, which should have happened years ago. Not having to listen to his constant whining after about 1,500 days straight of it is heaven.
@Anna – tried to reply to your comment – how’s about Dec 37, 2020 :-)
Thank you Gabby for articulating what I cannot. I was away from TV on Jan 6th and slightly puzzled when a bestie from Australia sent me a condolence message. When I had access to a TV on Jan 7th, I almost passed out at the sight of coup recaps. And at the sheer radio silence of Trumper friends and family.
Everyone who breached the Capitol must be held accountable. Everyone who allowed the breach to happen must be held accountable. I applaud Apple for giving Parler a time limit to change or else denying them a platform. Telegram and Discord should do the same.
Gabby, thank you for being the voice of reason and sanity when sanity and reason are in short supply.
I have felt shaken for months since reading the article you posted about how these right wing white supremacists were recruiting from police and military. They are broken in the same way, insular and used to violence as a way to solve problems. Today I am not surprised by their actions but will be livid if they are not imprisoned for terrorists attempts at the Capitol. Heavily armed, angry rioting mobs cannot just walk away… We surveil our people like crazy so this should not be a problem. They are wolves in wolves clothing! And impeach Trump already! Geez so many trolls out there.
Thank you as always Gabby. You are truly amazing.
More POWER to you, Gabby! Most White people don’t even understand white privilege. As an Asian American I have been knowingly experiencing racism since age 5 or 6. Fortunately, my parents had the wisdom and courage to raise their 4 children to go to college, graduate school and do something useful for society. Not to back down in times of trouble and to fight for rights that EVERYONE in this country should have – EVERY Person regardless of skin color, country of origin, faith, sex, or sexual orientation.
Once during my training, one elderly gentleman asked me if I was “going back to The Old Country” once I completed residency. I looked at him and smiled and said “Yes,” in fact , I’m heading back to the “Old Dominion” -Virginia- when I finish training, Sir. You can’t make this stuff up….
Tell them to “Bring IT,” Gabby. I will back you up any day, any time, any where. I truly appreciate what you do and your willingness and bravery to “walk the walk.”
I tried to reply to Liz (but could not for some reason, I tried in a few different browsers), who commented on the header image (confederate flag), as CNN has identified the paintings in the image:
“Photographers captured a man carrying it past the portraits of abolitionist Charles Sumner and slaveholder John Calhoun.”
Gabby, You have brought joy to my very heavy heart. I seriously can’t come out of my despair about Wednesday. But, your responses to these idiots just made my day. Thank you for your brilliance.
Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard at your bag of dick’s comment. I am so happy to see someone not “be nice” to people who don’t deserve it. Love you Gabby!
I stumbled on your old Twitter thread about abortion this summer (it just blew my mind- I shared it with so many friends). I am so, so thankful to have found your voice. You are spot on with all of your political takes. And the design is a super fun bonus. (Your instastory photos of France during Christmas season were a really great escape). Thank you again!
I am so deeply concerned about the millions of radicalized Americans of all walks of life who are willing to storm the Capitol when their Dear Leader tells them to. Even when Trump is not the President anymore, and maybe ever after he’s dead, this homegrown terrorist group will evolve and continue to menace society and the institutions that provide stability and security to our country. We’ve been under the false assumption for two decades now that we can keep out the bad guys with restrictive immigration policy, but now it’s clearer than ever that the radical terrorist could be your own cousin or your kid’s teacher or your next door neighbor.
And as a Georgian, I’m miffed that what should have been a great day of the whole country falling on their knees in gratitude for our runoff election results was totally overshadowed. Jon Ossoff’s victory was literally called by the press at the exact same time the Capitol was being stormed. However, at least having a Democratic majority in the Senate can be enjoyed and appreciated for the next two years.
I’m so angry these idiots prevented a proper celebration for Georgia. And I’m so angry about the millions of radicalized Americans. I am holding out hope that if they see real consequences for embracing radicalization, that maybe it will shake people out of it? Probably it’s a long shot. To my mind, accountability and consequences are key to any future changes of heart.
I read that a hacker downloaded a file of every Parler message, including location information, before the site was taken down. Between that and cell phone data from 1/6 at the Capitol, it seems like every person involved could be identified and made to face consequences. A lot of people who participated assumed their whiteness would protect them from consequences (because it so often does in America!). If potential future participants see there are real consequences, I would imagine a good number of them will feel far less bold about plans for sedition.