This is perfect advice for this, the possibly “longest,” and most likely, the most chaotic election of our lifetimes! I absolutely choose OPTION 2…and will turn to my trusted sources, with you, Jack, being one of them, along Jim Acosta, some of those on MS NOW and the NY Times…lots of deep breathing over the next 6 weeks, and fingers crossed!!
Happy I will be incommunicado for much of tomorrow as I will be checking voter IDs. Will keep you posted on any shenanigans, but thinking we are too small potatoes in our little town. FINGERS CROSSED. #HoldingFast
I'm not stressed. I've checked myself, and anything above normal everyday stress isn't there. I know I've done what I can in my little corner of the planet, and I will do the one thing I have complete power over. I will vote. 6:00 AM. I will be there. Everything else is out of my hands.
What Janie said...except I dropped my ballot off already a few days ago and received confirmation that it has been received and counted, so I will continue periodically monitoring my trustworthy sources of information while I carry on with the business of taking care of what I CAN control in my little corner of the planet too.
Well, I predicted I would be breaking Rule #1: Stop reading the news all the damned time!, but instead I'm breaking Rule #3. :) I need to stay focused on this one.
Thank you for being the steady beacon and the reminder that it will be six weeks until most of this is settled. Everyone I ask is very uneasy right now and it's affecting all of us. I use your deep breathing technique now to ground myself. That, and spending time with our cats, dog, and horses will keep me sane.
I may ignore the whole thing. I've delivered my ballot and CA Secretary of State has confirmed it was received and will be counted. My political donations are the max for my budget and are on autopilot. That's all I can do. There's no sense fretting about problems I can't do anything else about.
I already know the basics -- there will be chaos. Mr. Orange will create mass uncertainty. But I have a major Red Cross exercise to deliver this Saturday and then my nervous breakdown is scheduled for Sunday. Maybe Monday I'll surface. You'll be the first source I check.
Perspectives: Jack Hopkins, Chris Armitage and Rxan Smith
Factual Analysis: Ballotpedia
Number 5 is the most important in my opinion. Screaming from either side of the axial will be distorted so my three amigos will give me a perspective I can work with. I will them analyze the information and post my conclusions.
Thanks Jack, good advice. I have my sources set. Settling in for the long haul on this midterm election. This community helps us all stay focused and sane! #HOLDFAST Friends!
Excellent list! I have one small modification to Rule #5. My housemate checks into our local NextDoor each evening. Over the past 6 weeks there has been a ton of misinformation being passed around. He decided to counter it politely with facts and reliable source citations. He got maybe 3 or 4 responses when he started. He’s now averaging 100-150. 90+% are positive as in “thank you for the information” or something similar. There is the occasional MAGAt who name-calls and blusters but he ignores those. If someone disagrees, he indicates that he is open to looking at something different and invites the person to provide the information with the source material. That’s usually where it ends. He probably spends 60-90 minutes a day doing this (that’s a lot) but he’s doing it as what he believes is his civic duty. If one or two people start thinking instead of just reacting, he considers that a victory.
I guess my point is that if you have time, inclination, and the skill set (including a thick hide) don’t shy away from presenting verifiable facts when you hear BS. Not everyone will listen but you might get a few. Better than nothing. If you don’t have the above pre-requisites (and that’s OK) then do as Jack suggests and move on rather than waste time and energy suffering fools.
Jack…
This is perfect advice for this, the possibly “longest,” and most likely, the most chaotic election of our lifetimes! I absolutely choose OPTION 2…and will turn to my trusted sources, with you, Jack, being one of them, along Jim Acosta, some of those on MS NOW and the NY Times…lots of deep breathing over the next 6 weeks, and fingers crossed!!
Thank you as always!
Christie
Happy I will be incommunicado for much of tomorrow as I will be checking voter IDs. Will keep you posted on any shenanigans, but thinking we are too small potatoes in our little town. FINGERS CROSSED. #HoldingFast
I’m going to be following you, jack!
Great advice! Sent article to friends. Many thanks.
I'm not stressed. I've checked myself, and anything above normal everyday stress isn't there. I know I've done what I can in my little corner of the planet, and I will do the one thing I have complete power over. I will vote. 6:00 AM. I will be there. Everything else is out of my hands.
You have helped in a big way, Jack. Thank you.
What Janie said...except I dropped my ballot off already a few days ago and received confirmation that it has been received and counted, so I will continue periodically monitoring my trustworthy sources of information while I carry on with the business of taking care of what I CAN control in my little corner of the planet too.
I don't plan on watching the election returns all afternoon and evening. I'll start reading the next morning instead.
Well, I predicted I would be breaking Rule #1: Stop reading the news all the damned time!, but instead I'm breaking Rule #3. :) I need to stay focused on this one.
Option 2, yes sir. For me - also, I add that my sources are ones that I can READ… not a talking head. You are my daily go to. Thanks, Jack. 👍🏻
Great advice Thank you Jack
Thank you for being the steady beacon and the reminder that it will be six weeks until most of this is settled. Everyone I ask is very uneasy right now and it's affecting all of us. I use your deep breathing technique now to ground myself. That, and spending time with our cats, dog, and horses will keep me sane.
#2 it is! Thanks, Jack! 👍
I may ignore the whole thing. I've delivered my ballot and CA Secretary of State has confirmed it was received and will be counted. My political donations are the max for my budget and are on autopilot. That's all I can do. There's no sense fretting about problems I can't do anything else about.
I already know the basics -- there will be chaos. Mr. Orange will create mass uncertainty. But I have a major Red Cross exercise to deliver this Saturday and then my nervous breakdown is scheduled for Sunday. Maybe Monday I'll surface. You'll be the first source I check.
Thank you, Jack. Great advice which I fully intend to follow!! I'll be following you!!
My plan:
Updates - MSNow
Perspectives: Jack Hopkins, Chris Armitage and Rxan Smith
Factual Analysis: Ballotpedia
Number 5 is the most important in my opinion. Screaming from either side of the axial will be distorted so my three amigos will give me a perspective I can work with. I will them analyze the information and post my conclusions.
Thanks Jack, good advice. I have my sources set. Settling in for the long haul on this midterm election. This community helps us all stay focused and sane! #HOLDFAST Friends!
Excellent list! I have one small modification to Rule #5. My housemate checks into our local NextDoor each evening. Over the past 6 weeks there has been a ton of misinformation being passed around. He decided to counter it politely with facts and reliable source citations. He got maybe 3 or 4 responses when he started. He’s now averaging 100-150. 90+% are positive as in “thank you for the information” or something similar. There is the occasional MAGAt who name-calls and blusters but he ignores those. If someone disagrees, he indicates that he is open to looking at something different and invites the person to provide the information with the source material. That’s usually where it ends. He probably spends 60-90 minutes a day doing this (that’s a lot) but he’s doing it as what he believes is his civic duty. If one or two people start thinking instead of just reacting, he considers that a victory.
I guess my point is that if you have time, inclination, and the skill set (including a thick hide) don’t shy away from presenting verifiable facts when you hear BS. Not everyone will listen but you might get a few. Better than nothing. If you don’t have the above pre-requisites (and that’s OK) then do as Jack suggests and move on rather than waste time and energy suffering fools.