Going from unparalleled joy to complete and utter fear

[Squidly]

I was sad to see Joe bow out. He has been my favorite president just behind President Carter, even more so than President Obama and I absolutely LOVED President Obama.

But when Kamala got the nod and after she gave that first speech I was ecstatic! Her personality, her smile, her LAUGH just sent such a wave of joy and hope over me that is so incredibly hard to explain.

I felt we now have the candidate we as a nation can get behind and eradicate and cleanse our country of the vileness and evil that is MAGA. Seeing the fundraising and endorsements flood in made me even more convinced we will prevail in November by such a margin that MAGA will crawl under a slimy, muddy, stinky rock never to be heard from again.

But over the weekend I have seen, heard and read so much hate and violent rhetoric that I am very VERY scared for not only this great nation but for myself, my family and my friends. Her candidacy has ignited something I have never seen in my lifetime (born in late 69).

The outright lies. The openly racist and misogynistic vitriol that is being spewed has turned my joy and hope into nightmarish fear. I couldn't even sleep last night pretty much crying the whole time.

Saturday night really set me off. My band was playing a gig in a small town when we kicked off a set with the Beatles Revolution. I didn't expect the reaction but a number of people in the crowd started to yell "Fk you you liberal pieces of s#@t!" and started to leave. Then about halfway through we did CCR's Fortune Son and I heard one guy say he was going to go get his gun and shoot up the band.

Now, the crowd policed the situation and 90% or more were enjoying the show, but it was those few, obviously triggered MAGAs that sent a chill down my spine. If they reacted THAT way to a couple of SONGS played by a no-name bar band, what the heck are they going to do when they are confronted with their false reality being destroyed in November??

All the reports about election deniers in positions of power in swing states, the late night memes from some family members and people I no longer consider friends (I am trying to distance myself from anyone who has been showing their true colors lately) and public posts on social media by the cult and unhinged people has taken its toll on my mental wellbeing.

I am truly convinced that we are in for a rough ride as a nation and I really dont know how we are going to get through this without living through some very VERY dark days and nights. I'm going to do my part and try to keep my fears from destroying me, but I am really finding it hard to do so right now.

[Bettie]

1. There are more of us (decent humans) than

them (whatever magas are)....we're just not as loud.

We're going to win this thing.

[recovering_democrat]

53. Agreed. Yes it is somewhat scary

Read this with a sad feeling, knowing that your post represented some feelings on my part about my current relationships with a significant number of my friends who are dealing with discomfort about the upcoming election. Two reasons and if you are experiencing them, talk carefully to your friends too.

1. Some very intelligent and usually consistent opinions of political topics shared between me and friends: some of them are (a) terrified with the very harsh and actual dishonest comments of their contacts and a perspective that the kind of last minute election miscommunications on part of various political persons are either (a) running rapidly away from political situations, or (b) mad as genuine "hell" with the negativism in the political and personal craziness among comments of politicians, determined "hell no" only my candidate is acceptable and we have to take over the world if the bad guys win.
2. I usually watch all varied news media to get ideas of what each group of opinionated differences among supporters and they get more and more ridiculous as time goes by.
If you are sharing this kind of concern among people who are not political fanatics but are genuine friends and family and nice folks you know, let's try to get some reason and rationale with them to reduce this craziness. Hoping it gets better.

[Think. Again.]

2. Buckle up....

...rightwingers are crappy people, the stronger Harris gets, the more they're going to (pathetically) lash out.

[EYESORE 9001]

4. I have a vision

of a grubby old man clenching his fists in impotent rage

[Gaytano70]

3. I agree

But LOVE wins!

[Maru Kitteh]

40. Unless rage breaks into your house and shoots you in your bed.

Some of us in red states have legitimate concerns for our safety. It won't stop me, but I understand, on a deeply uncomfortable level, what the OP speaks of.

[Lulu KC]

5. That sounds like a terrible experience

I am sorry it happened. I don't blame you for being worried.

I avoid crossing paths with MAGAs and their communication for my mental and physical health, but you should be able to go perform some classic rock'n'roll without tripping a wire. Glad you came out of it okay.

[kimbutgar]

6. Between now and Election Day the convicted felon will go off the script more and admit his true

Motives and admit to project 2025. Between that and his cognitive impairment he could lose more of his voters.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. Nice to hear the report from you. I'm sorry that you and the band have to deal w/ idiots like this, and suppress the

rest of us, from basically just living our normal lives and then do this garbage like you described during your gig. How pathetic that they interrupted the band, the members and the audience to display their bigotry and hate so openly. It's a shame, a true shame. Now of course we don't know if these idiots were drunk or what, but please don't let them win, don't let them bother you. You're doing a great job bringing music to the masses and yeah, sure some people are idiots, ignore them and go on.

Take care, hang in there, and thanks again for your reporting.

[CrispyQ]

8. There are more of us than there are of them, as your story proves.

Most of them are bullies & will back down in the face of people standing up to them. They are going to create chaos & try to intimidate but trust me, people are sick of Trump & his moronic cult. It's been 10 long years & it's time to take out the fucking trash.

Let's get to work!

[democratsruletheday]

39. Well said 'Crispy'....EFF the maga(t)s and their ilk...

they're far too fragile to last. At some point, most of their cult will wilt. Find it hard to believe that the OP had to put up with those knuckle draggers this weekend and now I see Musk (might be worse than Trump cuz he's smarter) is predicting a 'civil war'. My hate for his assholery knows no bounds. Might hate him as much as Trump.

[Kaleva]

9. You don't have much faith in Kamala and our other leaders

[Squidly]

28. I have plenty of faith

But I'm not sure what kind of control they will have over the crazies.

[Kaleva]

38. I have faith that Kamala and Co can handle them

[Think. Again.]

10. Maybe you need to find a better crowd?

...any chance you could book a little background music gig for a local drag show?

[Walleye]

11. I was born in 1949 so unfortunately, I do remember a time that was this bad. We just hoped it was in the past.

What’s the expression reared its ugly head? much like Godzilla, the sleeping racism in this country. The south never admitted they lost the war now it is spread to some of the northern states. When I grew up in the 50s in Delaware, our schools were segregated by law until the Brown vs Board decision. Fortunately, we didn’t have any riots at my school, but it wasn’t true everywhere. I have often said that while the Supreme Court ordered the integration, it was the children that had to pull it off. It makes me more than sad to go through this again, especially after what we went through for women’s rights. we must outnumber them greatly. They’ve never been in the majority. And Roosevelt’s quote of “the only thing we have to.is fear itself”, takes on new meaning. we have to remember that our unity is our power. That being said, I am also scared.

[Sogo]

12. Way to talk to the liberals----all emotion.

You learned well.

[Squidly]

18. Explain what you mean by that...

[get the red out]

13. Those are classics (and I would like your band)

Those people are running around looking for stuff to be angry about. And I have been worrying too. I live in a big college town, which is pretty liberal itself, but red surrounds us. I won't put a political bumper sticker on my car since MAGAs are definitely here, and I sometimes stray outside the borders of the city. I just had my 60th B-day and it feels so strange, STILL, to have to think like that. I grew up with neighbors having different political views and it being no big deal. Now people are triggered by songs from decades ago.

[magicarpet]

14. They were so convinced they were going to crush Biden

......of late with Kamala's popularity through the roof - they are going to be some disappointed when/if they lose this election.

It is contingent upon trDUMP and his Fascist minions how much violence is encouraged to boil over in the hopes they can bring the system to a grinding halt.

Then enact Coup d'etat 2.0 with the Tangerine Menace as the Supreme Fascist generalissimo/dictator for life.

[Squidly]

17. Thats just it

They thought they had this in the bag but now they cant handle what's coming their way.

[Sky Jewels]

20. If that happens we cannot just roll over like we did in 2000.

If they steal it the WE need to bring the country to a grinding halt and amass in DC by the millions until we get justice and not fascism.

[bigtree]

21. this is fantasy

...Kamala Harris said she was the underdog.

Said this just last week.

This op and response is a sad projection of the weakness you feel. Has nothing to do with the actual campaign, no matter how you now perceive it.

Weijia Jiang @weijia
NEW @CBSNews Poll key points: -Harris IS AHEAD of Trump by one point nationally—an edge that Biden never had. When he left the race, he was 5 points down from Trump.

-Harris and Trump are TIED in the battleground states. -Black and women voters overwhelmingly say her policies would help them over Trump’s.

[cutroot]

15. Entertaining is a social pretzel 🥨 when half of the audience is a little crazy and a little drunk at the same time

As musicians we hope that everyone dances. It makes us look and feel good. Most of the public gigs that we do are in the community at large. Any song can be misinterpreted. magats are jingoistic. They don’t really read or understand the words to songs. Fortunate Son is an anti elite song. Which they claim to be, While supporting a demagogue, want-to-be, elite slob.
We have a just zip-it policy in my band. It’s a lose / lose situation. Remove yourself from the equation. Play some funky 🎶

[Squidly]

22. Great points

Being the baby in the band, mid 50s, I just dont think the other guys care what we play, political or not. We are made up of Libs and Cons (no MAGA..lol) but we all get along like brothers and do not openly express our views on or off the stage...its just good music. It was a reaction I guess I was probably naive not to expect especially after playing them for years.

[Zambero]

16. Dimwits don't even know how to interpret song lyrics

"Revolution" advises revolutionaries to exercise caution before going all-in to change the world. And "Fortunate Son" depicts the silver-spoon elites of the world, hardly a model for the everyday person who sees the deck as having been stacked against them.

[Squidly]

23. Yea...

Like when they wanted to Co-OP Born in the USA...lmao....

[raccoon]

50. well, they think "Born in the USA" is a patriotic song.

[bigtree]

19. life is mostly about managing the highs and lows

...my resolve deepens when the opposition looks challenging.

[Mz Pip]

24. It didn't work against Obama

and it won’t work now.

Trump can’t win with just his base and this certainly isn’t pulling anyone else in. If anything it’s energizing sane people.

[Squidly]

31. I dont think you are getting what im saying here..

We WILL and ARE going to win this thing.

My fears come from the fringe elements that are most assuredly going to cause bad things to happen. It will only take a few of them to cause mass chaos. This isnt 2008 or 2012....

[haele]

47. I understand. It will be sputters and spatters.

I expect there to be problems from late October through the week of the certification; especially in localized areas.
After that depending on the results, we either go full Fascie or there will be onesie-twosie situations, especially when it becomes obvious that despite personal politics of law enforcement, the system will not allow riots and violence against civilian infrastructure.

Remember, to most of the market forces (no matter how delusional billionaire tech bros and christian nationalist MLM and fund managers think), the most important human color is green.

$$$$$$

Money for most businesses requires civil security.

Haele

[biophile]

54. I fear me greatly that is true

It only takes a few (the 3% by their own admission) to cause chaos. It could be over quickly if they do and they are caught and arrested, but it could also drag on for months. And in the meantime, many will be hurt or killed. That’s really what they want - some of them do want to kill the “libtards.”

[MorbidButterflyTat]

25. You've never seen such racism or misogyny?

Did you miss the 2008, 2012, and 2016 elections? You are so terrified of a couple of supposed MAGAts at your band gig that you can't sleep and fear for our country?

My suggestion to you would be to NOT expect the crowd to "police" a probably drunken psycho who threatens to "...go get his gun and shoot up the band," and instead call the actual police. Maybe hire some body guards. Or give up the band or taking gigs where the audience is expected to control psychos in the crowd.

[Squidly]

32. Im speaking of the violence

Of the 50s to late 60s. Or were you not alive then either? I dont recall bloody protests in the streets or roving bands of racist thugs lynching people left and right during President Obama's tenure.

[H2O Man]

26. Please let me know

the name of your band and where you played, and a description of the individual you heard threatening to get a gun and shot the band. I will gladly pass that information on to the proper authorities. Failing to turn him in would pose a failure to protect society.

[Squidly]

33. I would rather not

Too many MAGA lurkers and operatives here.
I would rather keep the anonymity.

[H2O Man]

34. I'd use my name.

If what you are saying is true, you are putting the general public at risk if you refuse to speak up.

[Squidly]

36. Sorry

If you dont think there are bad actors here looking for that kind of information, you really need to wake up and pull your head out of the sand.

How about YOU post YOUR name, your city, your employer here first and see how well that works out for you.

[H2O Man]

37. Sure.

I don't feel thatt stick. In fact, as I already made clear, I'd use my name and identifying information. You would be kept 100% out of it. If what you said is true -- and I haven't even asked if you were attempting Revolution 1,2, or 9 -- then it is essential that person who made the threat be broughty to the authorities attention.

[Squidly]

42. If you cant respect my need to remain anonymous

Then maybe you dont need to be replying to my post.

What exact reason would I have to lie about something like this? Because that's what you are implying....

As far as WHICH Revolution we do? As far as I'm concerned theres only 1 that you play live, and its NOT the doo-wop version

[H2O Man]

49. I don't need

your name, as I have made abundantly clear. If what your saying is accurate, there is a delusional person, who connects at least one Beatles song, with VP Harris's campaign .... and has made threats to respond with a gun. In the worst case scenario, he could be a potential mass-shooter. That scares you. I fear no human being. So if you were to send me the information I requested -- not your name -- I have resources that would, at very least, add the guy to the list.

There have been, for a variety of reasons, delusional people who believe Lennon in particular was sending messages to them. Most are harmless. Others have been dangerous. A p-erson who says anything about getting a gun sounds like either an asshole who is fear mongering .... deliberately arousing public anxiety and fear ...... or a potential delusional mass shooter.

If he was serious, and you refuse to allow me the option of reporting him -- without a hint of your identity, as it is not required when 90% of the audience did not assume that "Revolution" has any connection to VP Harris. .... and he does shoot innocent people, how will you feel?

[Turbineguy]

27. Trump will get worse until he figures out

that he will be much better off losing the election than winning it.

[flying_wahini]

29. I think it will die down as Kamala gets more Republicans to endorse her.

They are fed crap from Russian trolls and Trump. (Same thing, I know)

[Bundbuster]

30. Murca - it's all they've got

[Irish_Dem]

35. It is going to get uglier and more brutal.

We must have courage and fortitude.

I believe we will prevail, but it is going to get worse before it gets better.

Hang in there.

[pwb]

41. Does fear add to your life?

We are angry here. Not fearful.

[Squidly]

44. To be honest

Nothing much really scares me in this world. I've seen and been through more than what anyone should, but this whole situation has been building for so long. Trust me, I'm mad as hell like most of us here but this just seems and feels so much more different.

[chowder66]

43. Think about all the comedians that roll through these small towns.

They get this shit all the time and yet they keep going or they skip that town on the next tour.

Is this a regular problem? If so does it always get handled? I mean there are almost always a drunk or two in the crowd that loses their cool.
It used to be hecklers with rude remarks, now it's MAGA shit. I've known a lot of bands in my day and they have all faced some kind of threat in some small town. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

They were probably just wasted and angry and it didn't actually matter what was played or who was on stage. They were just being belligerent.

If you have concerns, ask the management at the establishment what their policies are and what can they do about your security.

[Squidly]

45. Nope, not a regular problem at all

We are just a local bar band...2 or 3 gigs a month tops. In rural America it's pretty much if you want to play you dont get much choice of venue. We do it for the love of it...it really is an expensive hobby.

[chowder66]

48. It's good to be cautious.

The climate is different but not much. Some of the bands that I knew got assaulted with beer bottles and fists just because they were there.
It's usually some drunk guy or gal pissed off at someone he or she knows but takes it out on the world.

I hope it doesn't become a regular thing. Thanks for providing music and entertainment to the masses!

[Squidly]

46. No, not a regular issue at all

We are just a local bar band...2 or 3 gigs a month tops. In rural America it's pretty much if you want to play you dont get much choice of venue. We do it for the love of it...it really is an expensive hobby.

[Joinfortmill]

51. I hear you. It's gonna get worse before it gets better. Stay safe.

[Tweedy]

52. Don't borrow trouble that may never come

from an uncertain future

Live in the joy you felt when it became clear the VP was going to be our nominee.

The main strength (maybe the only one?) of kleptocratic types is their ability to provoke fear even when all they truly have is a lot of noise

As FDR said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

The orange weirdo couldn’t get angry protestors out in NYC where he had gobs (millions) of 2020 voters for his trial. He asked, he pleaded and begged. A handful of people showed.

His schtick wears thin.

Most of those doing the threatening are couch potato warriors who drink way too much.

Our joy will defeat this kleptocratic push.
Unadulterated joy is wildly attractive. People will be crawling all over themselves to join us in simply being happy for a wonderfully needed change.

Our felonious former president does not have a sense of humor. He cannot do joy. He doesn’t understand it. Probably thinks joy is an emotion for suckers. Poor pathetic weirdo!
Bring joy and watch folks like him recoil with incomprehension.

Imho the inability to experience joy is the reason maga’s attack the VP’s laugh. Her laugh is infectious. It is a wonderful thing to hear.

Laugh out loud for good measure yourself and see how much better you feel. The neighbors might even peek out their windows smiling to see somebody happily laughing !

[Metaphorical]

55. A few key points to remember

These people DO NOT VOTE. They never have, they never will.

They are American brownshirts, looking for an excuse to beat up others physically and emotionally. They usually have no girlfriends or wives, or if they do, they are abusive to them. Most of their actual sexual encounters involve jerking off to porn on the Internet, but they talk like they they have nightly "conquests". They like Trump because they project him on themselves in their sexual fantasies: richer, more handsome, giving the finger to everyone with impunity, crude, surrounded by supermodels, slapping around uppity women.

Curiously, for all their racist tendencies, most of these brownshirts aren't viruntly xenophobic, though they will are inclined to see others who aren't as tough as they perceive themselves to be as victims they can intimidate (especially if they are black). They are very misogynistic, however. Sadly, a lot of these people used to end up in law enforcement, though police departments are getting better at screening out the obvious antisocial personality types, as these tend to end up being disciplinary problems down the road.

Kamala Harris hits every single trigger in their book - a powerful no-nonsense black woman. They won't vote, but they will attempt to intimidate anyone who does. The one thing to keep in mind is that, like most bullies, they don't like an audience, especially if it's law enforcement. If you have any cops as friends, you might want to put a word in their ear that you've been getting these kinds of threats. A few cops, even if technically off duty, can go a long way towards keeping these people in check.