The outside ambient temperature was 54 degrees Fahrenheit as I drove to the county seat for provisions. That was exceedingly warm for mid-January. Because of King’s Birthday on Monday, my Social Security check came early and I had money to buy groceries. I’m still not used to being tied to a monthly pension payment. It is better than the alternatives.
The incoming administration moved Monday’s inaugural ceremony indoors because of a D.C. forecast of ambient temperatures in the 20s. I am quick with snarky comments like “How is the administration that can’t stand the cold going to take over Canada or Greenland?” While some Canadians I follow were rolling on the floor laughing about this, I think something else is at work.
If Trump is anything, he is a master of messaging and communications. Holding his swearing in and speech indoors provides a kind of messaging control that if it were outdoors, would be less possible. The guest list will be smaller inside the capitol. I can imagine the countless media comments about the size of the inaugural crowd if held outdoors. While crabby people wearing MAGA hats have already been in video clips on social media, saying they could have just stayed home and watched on T.V., you’ll have that and Trump must know it. In any case, I don’t plan to watch the speech live, although I will likely read the text next week. I don’t know many people excited about the prospect of another four years of him.
The good news about the first week of the legislature is both my House and Senate representatives issued a newsletter. Hard to say how often they will publish, but it is something positive. I don’t expect a lot of positive things from the legislature this session. The Republicans have super-majorities, and are in a position to pass anything they want. I expect they will. The challenge is to find things I can support and encourage my elected officials to support them. A sense of doom hangs over our district.
I can’t help but think of the excitement and hope that surrounded Barack Obama’s inauguration 16 years ago. There is a clear sense that the gains we made as a society since FDR are coming to an end. We worked to elect a better person as president and we lost the election. What else can we do but go on living?
Journey Home 
You must be logged in to post a comment.