I think it’s often interesting to look back on our musings to see what we have learned or what has changed. Below is an essay I wrote on the day of the 2020 election. One of the candidates is different this time and thankfully, the pandemic is over, but my thoughts remain largely unchanged…perhaps I’m just hopelessly and foolishly optimistic about the United States. Even so, I’m in Pittsburgh (ground zero of this election, it seems) and will be watching returns closely this evening. Whoever the winner is, I will be in Washington, DC for the inauguration in January; the smooth transition of power (hopefully far smoother this time…) is a hallmark of American strength and stability. -Matthew
This story ran on November 3, 2020–the last presidential election in the USA.
It’s Election Day in the United States. As early as tonight we may know who the president will be for the next four years. And whoever that man is, I offer a travel promise today.
Election Day Travel Promise: Whoever Wins, I’ll Be There In January*…
For months, I’ve read–sometimes with interest, other times with amusement, sometimes with sadness–the political sniping that has taken place in the comments section of Live and Let’s Fly. Thousands of exchanges have demonstrated that we are a deeply divided nation and disagree on just about everything.
I’m not going to preach a superficial message of national unity or argue that we have so much in common (though we actually do). I am also not going to say that national healing is just hours away. While I hope this election will not make the 2000 election look civil, even if there is a clear winner by late this evening the open wounds of division will take years to heal, are prone to infection, and may scar in a very unseemly way. Or they may never heal…
My usual pep talk on an Election Day is that travel unifies us and that we should look to travel to bring us together. Not so this year, with much of the world closed to American travelers and the virus one of the hottest political issues of the day.
So I’ll simply say this. Holding to a tradition I have followed the last three administrations, I plan to be in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021 for the inauguration ceremony. Whoever the winner is, I will support and pray for. And while I have strong opinions on a number of issues, just like we all do, I will not forget that this nation is stronger and wiser than its chief executive. May we embrace the truth that this nation is not a man or an ideology, but an unfinished experiment toward a more perfect union.
*virus permitting…I realize there may not be a public inauguration ceremony this year, which would be very sad.
CONCLUSION
I’m reminded of the Declaration of Independence:
…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…
May we choose wisely.
@ Matthew – The only way there is a public inauguration is if Agent Orange is re-elected. So, be careful what you wish for.
I’m hopeful there will be one for either man, with distancing.
Camel-a would not be able to locate the place of the inauguration . As she may be Camel-a-lexic , she likely would go in the opposite direction .
Good for you Matthew. We all must learn to agree to disagree, and soon to travel more!
Anyone have friends in Australia or japan?
Since they are 16 hours ahead of us they must already know who won the US elections.
Can someone ask them?
Well, from here in Australia it looks like the ghastly horror is going to be re-elected. It simply defies belief that it could happen. But if he’s the guy Americans want, who are we foreigners to argue with it. But it’s sad…
Matthew – well said.
However, “political sniping” is one thing (expected), but you have a distinct white nationalist / racist / anti-LGBTQ group of commenters festering on your site. I suggest you have a conversation w/Ben/Tiffany to see how they have handled similar posters (i.e., they aren’t on OMAAT anymore).
Indeed, “we” happily took our clicks, ad revenue and referral revenue off that site, whose admins blatantly censor those who do not agree with the author’s POV, while leaving vile replies complementary of it. Which of course is the author’s right, as is “our” right to cut off his income stream.
I use quotes around “we” because from what I’ve seen of your posts, you’ll label anyone who disagrees with you as “white nationalist / racist / anti-LGBTQ” – just depends on the point being discussed.
I actually started reading this blog as an alternative to OMAAT…while I definitely don’t agree with Mr. Klint’s viewpoints, by and large he strikes me as a person who attempts to see the other side’s viewpoint. This travel promise helps that perception…I definitely respect anyone who has attended President Trump’s inauguration and Justice Ginsburg’s wake.
Matthew, if you wouldn’t mind taking a suggestion – please do not dignify your posters who are disrespectful on a personal level, even to politicians. For example, I would have avoided replying to the one mentioning “Agent Orange” even if you agree with his sentiments. As much as I’ve disagreed with many politicians I would never think to name-call them like a 5th grader. And if someone takes a personal attack at me and the comment is not deleted, I will leave this blog just like OMAAT.
Looks like you’ve showed your true colors – OMAAT doesn’t have a policy of just deleting pro-Trump comments…they just delete the racist, LGBTQ-hating, white nationalist, hoaxer ones. If you’re cool with that, guess OMAAT isn’t the site for you.
I would love nothing more than for this site to go back to travel once Biden wins…we shall see. But I will continue to call out the racists & hoaxers as I see them – love me some threaded comments!
UA-TDS thinks the connection between being a fatty and having increased risk for negative COVID-19 outcomes is a hoax. Is UA-TDS a fatty? Lucky is clearly a leftist and was censoring his comments section akin to the way the tech giants have been doing to enforce the “scientific” orthodoxy surrounding the pandemic. Censorship is a favorite tactic of illiberal goons. When you are certain of the righteousness of your cause, no means are beyond the pale in achieving your utopian goals.
Not a hoax jacka$$, just not the be-all, end-all that you basically suggest drives all the Covid deaths. And as a former college athlete, pretty sure I could stomp a troll like you in just about any physical activity.
Lucky has banned the racists and white nationalists and the hoaxers. I applaud him.
BTW you must be having a bad couple days! Trump about to do down in flames. Boo hoo. What will you do with all that Trump Sycophant anger after that? Oh yeah, you keep claiming you *didn’t vote for him*…sure sure lol.
Oh get f*cked you pathetic bottom feeding dickwad loser. If Trump wins I’m going to piss on what’s left of your sanity.
Let’s be clear, it’s OK to disagree on things. The world would be such a boring place if everyone and everything was homogenous. It’s *how* we disagree on things that speaks to the state of our society.
Well-said.
Your fear has come true. No inauguration this year. Next year, though!
Biden is still favored to win because Trump has to win both MI and WI, two states where he was ahead until mailed votes started to be counted. The only long shot is if mailed votes from NV carry him over. The path for a Biden win is easier.
Both men lied. Biden said on late election night that he was where he wanted to be. Fat lie. He wanted a landslide. If he only won Florida, he would be the declared winner. Trump’s lies are always highlighted on CNN so no need to repeat these reports.
Kanye West did poorly in the states that he was on the ballot.
Despite what the press says, we’re all Americans and very much the same. Not too much will be change with Biden in office, except window dressing, like no tweets or snappy comments. Biden better watch his soup if Kamala is in the room. She is a back stabber. Just see her debates with him.
The pandemic is NOT over. People are still dying and people are still getting long Covid. Most people foolishly act like there is no pandemic.
^ LOSER