The Mood In The Country Feels Odd To Me. Am I Imagining Things?.

[TheMastersNemesis]

I live in Colorado and when I am out and about the atmosphere feels odd to me in some way. Nothing really factual or obvious but just a feeling. It is the kind of feeling when I was in Vietnam when things felt weird but everything looked normal. It was usually before the "s" hit the fan so to speak. Then again I could b paranoid.

[In_The_Wind]

1. You aren't imagining things.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028518544

[GliderGuider]

2. Yes, it is. The country is being subjected to 4th Generation Warfare techniques

Including very heavy psy-ops, shock techniques, and the creation of what amount to "false realities" through psychologically targeted propaganda. This is what a 21st century war feels like.

Your instincts are correct. The shit is about to hit the fan. Stay alert!

[pangaia]

4. keep posting..... whenever you can,,

you're the one who convinced me my feeling was right.
and have the evidence to prove it...
......

[GliderGuider]

11. Oh, I don't intend to shut up now!

Even if it's not my Republic, I'd rather not see it go up in flames right next door. This is about all I can do from up here, so I'll keep going.

Thanks!

[2naSalit]

9. I've seen this before, several times.

I saw it the day after a tornado took out the two towns to the west of my town; I saw it after 9/11: but I will never forget the first time I saw it... I was a child starting school in Key West, FL during the Cuban missile crisis, this feels like that.

What ever happens by this July, will define how life will be lived from now on... that's the feeling I'm getting.

[GliderGuider]

13. It's what happens when the world shifts on its axis

When the reality you were accustomed to takes a heavy blow and changes suddenly to a new one, a sense of shock and foreboding creeps over you. It can take a lot of time to make sense of the new reality. It takes even longer if you are being fed psychologically targeted "alternative facts".

[2naSalit]

17. True.

I was trying to restart my world with a ten year effort at career change back in 2001... didn't turn out well and took a long period of time for me to regain my sanity while trying to survive in the rubble.

Things were actually starting to look up for me until November and the selection day. Now I am scrambling trying to figure out how to pay my bills in the near future. None of this feels like reality, like that falling sensation in a dream... not looking forward to the part where we collectively jolt awake. But then, we seem to not be interested in proactive measures as much as reactive, so I guess that's how the pain will be inflicted.

[GliderGuider]

22. I'm having a very hard time figuring out what proactive measures would look like.

The enemy has seized the high ground and is showering us with fire. We haven't even figured out who the enemy up there really is yet, let alone instituted effective countermeasures.

This war is going very badly for us so far.

I wish you all possible success in getting something sorted out. I'm in a similar situation financially, and I know just how panicky it feels.

[whathehell]

44. Interesting that you mentioned the Cuban Missile crisis..

I was a 11 year old when it happened and I was very afraid that I wouldn't even live to finish 6th grade.... It's recently occurred to me that I've not even afraid like that until now...Seriously.

[2naSalit]

49. Yup...

first time since then have I felt like this, not that other major horrors haven't made me feel like I was knocked off a tree, but this is like the end of the world is in view and we have little ability to do anything about it. I wasn't very old but my dad followed those missile to Cuba so I guess I may have known more at the time than most kids my age. All the military kids I knew were aware to some degree, my parents shielded us from nothing. I had nightmares for years.

Now, I don't sleep well and I don't have a good feeling in the pit of my stomach regarding our future. I'll probably be disappeared.

[whathehell]

57. If I actually thought I'd be "disappeared,", I'd

get out of Dodge, aka leave the country....My huz and I plan to do that if this idiot isn't out of office e within a few months.

[2naSalit]

58. Not sure where I'd go

or how I'd get there. Not that I haven't thought about it.

[whathehell]

61. I don't know what your circumstances are..

but Canada and Mexico are close and there are a number of places in central and Southern America where one can support a middle class lifestyle on less money than one needs here
If you are really interested, google a site called "International Living" which provides much information on living abroad.

[Tatiana]

60. I will second the previous reply. Keep posting.

And we should be preparing ourselves for another (disastrous) invasion.

[hamsterjill]

3. You are spot on in my mind.

I can't put my finger on it, but there is definitely something.

I live in Texas, and I ran an errand at lunch today. I find myself being much more suspicious of people who I see in the stores, in parking lots, etc. As a Democrat, I certainly know that I'm in the minority down here, but there's a sense of impending doom and danger. Like if the people standing next to me in the checkout line found out I didn't vote for Trump, that they'd all gang up on me and start throwing punches or something.

There are certainly concrete, reasonable facts that give cause for concern in America today. I CAN put my finger on those. I see my democracy being eroded and not everyone sees it happening. To me, it is obvious and anyone not aware is either a complete a idiot or else not paying attention.

That said, I don't intend to stop doing what I need to do, going where I need to go, etc. But as suggested on this thread, I am staying alert.

[kacekwl]

5. Fascism coming round the corner

[winetourdriver01]

30. Yes it is.

As I've said in other posts- This is a war of fascism against liberalism, and we've already lost the first battle with the election of Twitler.

[The River]

6. A Bit

I am also a Vet (100% P&T) and I facilitate a support group for Veterans w/PTSD .
Making things seem worse than they are is called "awfulizing". We do it a LOT.
I notice you do it in a lot of your posts. It all depends on your circumstance. If you
are vulnerable then some of it may be warranted. If not, no.
I am not spending $ when I normally might. I keep more canned goods in stock than normal.
I'm also going to renew my passport just in case. Otherwise, I'm living what's left of my life as usual.
The stress produced by recent events is harmful to our health. Do what you can but don't harm yourself.

We have survived a lot worse.

[TheMastersNemesis]

7. I Am Ok. Served With 1st Cav In 1967-68.

Am amazed our country has gotten to the point of being deluded. To reward the very politicians who have tortured you and screwed you over the last 50 years is mind boggling.

[The River]

16. It is Mind Boggling & So Unnecessary

It makes me feel like my service and subsequent sacrifice was a waste of time.
We did everything society asked of us and we did it honorably.
They can't take that away.

[hack89]

18. So did my dad

he was a Chinook mechanic.

[logosoco]

8. I think there is something.

It is hard to say, but something is off.
I live in a semi-rural area that went trump (but did go once for Obama) and I would think there would be some sort of good feeling. But it is not there. Maybe they just wanted things to be bad and are resigned? I don't know.
I try to look at them like little kids who wanted to get a cookie and climbed up on the counter to reach it and now they can't get down without risk of being hurt and they don't know what to do.

[Cracklin Charlie]

10. There's a kind of hush...

These people are scary.

[TrekLuver]

12. It's so anti Trashpot here in NYC that I guess I'm in the bubble.

[kstewart33]

14. Paranoid? Heck, we're all feeling paranoid!

Things will only get worse. So hang on and stay strong!

[lunatica]

15. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop but in perpetuity

We simply don't know what's coming now, but we're very sure whatever it is, it is coming.

[2naSalit]

19. That's easy...

just think of the worst you can imagine and that's what's coming next, unless it's worse than you can imagine.

[bettyellen]

42. My old company was like that- irrational leaders making rash decisions and changing course, soldiers

Under them changing their tune almost daily to suit whatever new bullshit came down the pike, anyone who had experience or didn't kiss the right ass and CYA for all the bullshit marked for dismissal. People literally threatened for dismissal on a regular basis for years!
And this is a well known international company with a decent reputation. And it's corrupt from the managers up, the whole place devolved because they put a CEO in charge who didn't know or pretend to like the industry. Everything is theater for shareholders and golden parachutes. They once ousted all the VPs and brought in all new people from GB, several never even moved to America- but they all knew each other from dog shows and tennis matches over there.

[lunatica]

43. Ugh!

The only thing which has helped us keep our jobs at my work is the union. We could have been long gone by now if it weren't for our union. Teamsters.

[bettyellen]

45. I was receiving crazy drunken emails from my boss on weekends...

Late at night, the words were so luridly accusatory and made no sense. And then when she sobered up, she'd try and paper it over as no big deal. Finally went to HR who basically did nothing and just waited to get rid of me with next big layoffs. She did disappear for a week after I reported it, came back looking a total wreck. After that she just tried to get other people to start trouble with me and muttered shit under her breath.
You know why she hated me? Because I warned her not to make a big mistake and she did it anyway. When the resukts of her fuck up became apparent? She issued a fact finding report that blamed customers for not knowing what to buy... and everyone went along with it.
That shit was crazy town. And they've blackballed me in the industry. Which should be an honor because they're circling the drain.

[lunatica]

51. I hope you're the last woman standing!

[LisaM]

53. Yes! that's exactly what I feel like.

I was saying to my SO that there are two different management styles (well, obviously there are more than two, but for purposes of this argument I'll streamline it). There are managers who want everyone to function as a group and all have a shared goal, and there are managers who want everyone who works in the company to live in constant fear. Obviously DT's managing style is the latter, and I think it's bad enough for a company but out of the question for a country.

[TheMastersNemesis]

20. It Is Like The Assembling Before Battle. As I Have Said The GOP Monster Is Not Yet Totally Revealed

[bathroommonkey76]

21. I live under the flight pattern for a major Army base.

The past few weeks there has been an uptick of training runs for C130s and helicopters-- These soldiers are training for something major-- And don't be surprised if it is sooner than you think.

[Smickey]

23. I am not gererally alarmist in nature but

like you I "feel" something is off just.....off. (hard to describe)

I too live in a mostly red rural area. I have noticed that folks are waving less when I drive by them. Also seem to be tense behind the wheel. I admit this may just be me and heightened awareness but I dont think so.

I too hope it's not the calm before the storm.

[Raine1967]

24. You aren't Paranoid.

I live in a deep blue city outside of DC -- everyone has that feeling.

[0rganism]

25. day2day things won't change radically overnight, remaining normalness will take time to fade

it's like we're sort of free-falling right now, we can see the impact zone as we're on the way down but we haven't hit yet

or like being on a train 20 cars back and seeing the engine derail, your car is still on the tracks but it won't be for long

seems like the "normal" we're getting right now is a hollowed shell of itself, just pushing along under its own momentum, ready to fall apart the second it has to bear any load

[Hekate]

62. When I stop trying to bouy up my friend L's feelings, I get the same feeling

Free fall.

[louis-t]

26. Even the repug assholes in my office are acting weird.

They have these crazed smiles plastered on their faces. They talk really fast and are making up new stories every day.

[lapfog_1]

27. Havana cuba in december 1958

[MindPilot]

28. Agreed. Things seem kind of dark and slow.

Like people are just going about their day-to-day lives almost robotically. There is definitely an undercurrent of foreboding. I think is is straight up shock; this is such a deep and fundamental disruption to our lives, blow after blow fracturing our institutional and cultural sub-structure but most people are still badly shaken from the first impact of the election itself.

Personally, Red Don's new authoritarian regime coupled with the fact that we may very well be well past the point of no return on global warming make something that is really too big to grasp at an individual level. I want to just check out.

[MountCleaners]

29. Hard for me to tell...

I live in a majority black area in Chicago, and most people hate him. But it's nice living somewhere where you don't feel alone.

However, I've noticed that the Trumpies are behaving differently since the inauguration - they don't post as much. I think they were really emotionally invested in this election and are being exposed to the other side and the criticism more than ever. The protests stunned them. There are actually people out there who don't understand why anyone would protest anything. That's nuts where I live.

[SDJay]

31. The False Belief That

"these nuts will ever actually be in control" has been obliterated. I don't think anyone had those thoughts here, but out and about you see the 'soft middle' so to speak and that's where the shock of what just happened is starting to hit home. Many of my neighbors belong in that category. Good people, but not generally engaged in politics and not all that informed. During the Obama years - which I already look at longingly after not even two weeks - these folks thought the nuts who now run things were just screamers and the fringe that shouldn't be worried about.

I mean, Dump can't ACTUALLY win the election, right? No way... that's impossible.

Now they seem to realize that they were wrong and that we're fucked as a result.

I think that's the 'change' or the new 'mood' I'm seeing and I'm wondering if that's what you're noticing as well.

Hopefully, if our country and humanity survives, these folks will have learned a valuable lesson and get off their asses and not allow the nuts to have the bullhorn anymore.

[Phoenix61]

39. And even if he does win, how bad could it be?

We have all these agencies and laws so nothing will really change. Now they see he is out to dismantle those agencies and change or ignore the laws he doesn't like. They didn't think it would change their day-to-day life but now state legislatures are going in the same direction. Things they took for granted like peaceful protest are in danger of being criminalized. In other words, it's getting personal and they just didn't see that coming.

[liberalmuse]

32. You aren't imagining things.

Unless I am, too. Yes, the shit is going to hit the fan.

[Charles Bukowski]

34. I was going to post something to this effect.

We all know that a MASSIVE shitstorm is headed our way, but we don't know when. It's coming soon though and the general feeling of unease is palpable.

These first two weeks? Merely a prelude to the nightmare to come.

[whathehell]

33. Nope..It's nationwide -- I haven't felt "right" since the election..

I'm anxious, testy & basically just unable to relax since this dangerous "joke" was elected. Just waiting every day for his removal.

[Freedomofspeech]

35. Just how I feel...

Sick to my stomach and anxious ALL the time.

[whathehell]

36. Mr. Hell & I are making contingency plans.to

Leae the country if things don't get better, e.g. he leaves, within a few months, but we're all retirement -- I know everyone can't do that

[whathehell]

41. I see you:re from PA, freedom. So am I

Philly is my home address town, how 'bout you?.

[Freedomofspeech]

63. Southwestern PA

Hillbilly hell...south of Pittsburgh. A pure nightmare here.

[whathehell]

64. Oh Gawd..

I don't know what it is about Pennsylvania. -- Philly native Chris Matthews likes to say ,"There's Philly and Pittsburgh and the rest is Alabama"

Amy hope at some point, of mov IMG closer to Pittsburgh or Philly?

I know I couldn't stand living in a very red area.

[Freedomofspeech]

65. The problem is that we have a lot of good friends here who are fellow travelers.

It is hard when you are older to start all over again. We have deep sixed a few acquaintances who voted for trump and I don't feel bad at all. My husband and I wear peace pins on our coats and have a sign on our door that says "I didn't vote for trump. A friend gave me a magnet that says "Our dog bites republicans". We have hunkered down and have really changed our lifestyle.

[whathehell]

66. Sounds like you've got a good situation, then..

You've got good, like-minded friends and you feel safe enough to be open about your beliefs. Good for you!

[Freedomofspeech]

67. The problem is we are all feeling the same anxiety. .

but at least we can hang together.

[whathehell]

68. Is it possible

for all.of you Togo t o Canada?

[Freedomofspeech]

71. No families and businesses keep us here.

My husband and I are retired but one son in Maine, the other in Ohio. We will stay but we will RESIST!

[realist_philus]

37. Similar feeling here

It's a sort of "activation" feeling. The idea that war is coming, and everything else that comes with it. A war of values, along with a physical war.

Trump has given General Mattis 30 days to come up with a plan to eliminate ISIS, and it's been some time now. I have a suspicion that this might include several thousand combat troops in Iraq, and Syria. It has the potential to be a Ramadi part II. Nothing short of door to door will accomplish total "elimination".

The question is where the administration points the sword next; Trump has made it very clear he wants to "take the oil". And Bannon believes he is part of a holy war. With trade war, and a push towards nationalism, the world is following too. Borders in every sense. Like a prison yard where everyone associates with their own kind.

[jmg257]

38. Half the people are bat-shit happy, the other half are up in arms miserable.

(Well - 1/3 of the country could probably care less.)

Big divide that ain't closing anytime soon.

Actually don't think anything sinister will happen (on a shit-hit-the-fan scale), but too many people are restless about 'sheesh - Now what?'

FWIW - most people around here seem fine.

[roamer65]

46. We are the Czarist Russia of 1914.

The next World War will see us dissolve into civil war.

[NewDealProgressive]

40. I wrote an email to myself on December 5th with predictions.

So far, it's all on target. When the worst comes, and I have no doubt that it will, I will reveal it.

This country has undergone a coup.

[lunatica]

50. Did you include impeachment in your note?

[NewDealProgressive]

55. No. I don't see that happening.

The Republicans are too craven. I see a dictatorship. A real one.

[roamer65]

47. The winds of war are blowing.

Maximum 1 year before all hell breaks loose on current trajectory. Enjoy the final days of relative peace.

Can we stop the war? Yes. We know what has to be done.

[JDC]

48. You're not wrong. The energy is off everywhere

[blm]

52. Not imagining - friends from different parts of the country have said they are having trouble

sleeping because their thoughts always tend to gravitate towards whatever fresh hell Trump has perpetrated upon this nation that day.

[Hoyt]

54. I've had that feeling since the early results came in from Kentucky on November 8th.

[k8conant]

56. I wish it was the calm before the storm...

but the tornado's already here!

I think we're in the eye of the hurricane.

[Hekate]

59. Yeah. Eye of the storm.

[mountain grammy]

69. I'm so glad to see this..

I marched with a million people on Jan. 21st, and I've never felt so alone and sad.

As I lose hope, posts like yours let me know I'm not alone.. Thank goodness for this place.

[dembotoz]

70. some of it is we always warned what the gop would do if they had the chance....well they do

and they are

and folks are saying damn....they actually did this and they actually did that

[Cosmocat]

72. This didn't start November 8th

It's been like the invasion of the body snatchers in the country for well over a year, just stronger over time.

It would be just as bad had Hillary won, except we very likely would have armed rebellion, and people were going to get killed if she had a d senate and tried to seat a sc justice.

This country is lost...

[butdiduvote]

73. I sense it but figure it's just me projecting my feelings onto others.

When I'm out and about, I definitely feel that vibe that is in the air after a major tragedy happens, where everyone is going about their days normally pretending not to notice the elephant in the room. However, I mostly supsect it isn't the case that everyone around me truly feels like that because I don't think the vast majority of people cared nearly as much about the election as I did. I viewed Nov 8th as a sort of life or death decision. Everyone else viewed it as, yes a bit crazier of an election than usual, but ultimately still an election where someone would win and someone would lose, and then life would go on. It's kind of like when someone close to you dies, and you're walking around in a daze while everyone around you is going about life as usual. Because you feel so shellshocked, everyone else may seem a bit more somber than usual, but logically you know they don't feel even a fraction of what you're feeling.

Complicating things for me is that my feelings aren't just about tRump winning. I also really, really wanted Hillary as my president. She is calming and gives me a sense of personal strength and capability. But she's gone now and will hardly speak to "us." I don't feel as motivated to be my best self without her around. I guess I miss that ambitious part of myself she brought out more than I miss her. It really is like someone died.

I need to get over it. It's not healthy, and I suspect part of why I felt so strongly about the election is I'm in my 20s and therefore simply haven't lived through that many political seasons. I didn't think we could go back to this place. I really thought society was on a progressive projectory for good. But man...4 years is so long. I don't know how to get over something with such a long-term impact.

[orangecrush]

74. Thanks, man

We are here for you.