"We are the Hollow Men..."

These past two weeks have been extraordinarily painful for Americans and America. For thinking people, it has challenged basic concepts in governance and civil society. It has forced a harsh spotlight on the most private of personal actions, gender vulnerabilities, and triggered long-long-overdue examinations into the constant of Sexual Assault as an unreported crime.

There is no better analogy for what has happened to our country, to millions of women and of this moment than a comment I read the other day:

With this in mind, Your Obedient Servant attended the #CancelKavanaugh protest in DC, marching  from the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse to the steps of the Supreme Court.

Of the 2000 or so attendees, baking in the uber-hot and humid air, I can only guess how many were Survivors. But I sense they were in the large majority of attendees. Their passion helped fuel the enthusiasm and energy felt throughout the crowd. One could feel the waves of emotion pass through the columns.

The shouts and the chants never ceased along the way. At one point, I was walking along with a trio of accomplished a capella singers as they sang "Come this November, we will remember" and other slogans in three-party harmony. It was lovely and moving.

Standing in front of the Supreme Court building, we listened to other Survivors from across the nation. We were asked if Kavanaugh was the best this Clown College could offer up, and if so, what were the alternatives like? As more speakers continued, it reminded how absolutely toxic this man is, and how his presence will contaminate, like a chunk of high-grade radioactive crud, the entire Court. Kavanaugh will be a weaponized political Justice. His forced confirmation is the result of an amoral Patriarchy in action, desperate to hang onto power while the winds of change begin to blow.

When the speakers had concluded, we were urged to head over to the Hart Senate Building for "direct action". So about half of the crowd headed over, as did I. Here are some pictures and a basic rundown of what happened:

https://www.bustle.com/p/these-cancel-kavanaugh-march-photos-show-thousands-came-out-to-protest-the-scotus-nominee-12165290

While waiting to clear the metal detectors to get inside, I spoke with a few fellow protestors. "If you get inside, be prepared to get arrested." The protest was going to ramp up into the realm of Civil Disobedience. Your Humble Reporter chickened out as several Republican Party Reptile staffers walked past, giving cynical glances and chuckling to each other.

I did manage to put myself in the way of a rapidly-departing Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, getting in his face and shouting "PLEASE VOTE NO!!" It slowed him down enough that others realized who he was. And it was off to the races! Corker went into Power Walk mode while a group of Survivors ran after him, giving him their Bumper Sticker versions of what had happened to them. "Please vote No for the future of our country!" I heard one say. They walked back, crying. I couldn't think of a damn thing to say except, "Well Done". It was, but it wasn't enough.

Here is what I missed inside; I wish I had the nerve to have followed through:

https://twitter.com/AyannaPressley/status/1047945508705259525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1047945508705259525&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bustle.com%2Fp%2Fthese-cancel-kavanaugh-march-photos-show-thousands-came-out-to-protest-the-scotus-nominee-12165290

Nearly 300 arrested. The Atrium and walkways were filled with hundreds more spirited and determined protesters who No Longer Have A Fuck To Give.

The following Hart Senate Building moment is a perfect encapsulation of how odious the GOP really is. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah is on the Judiciary Committee. In fact, he is the Senate's President Pro Tempore, THE FOURTH IN LINE OF SUCCESSION TO SUCCEED THE PRESIDENT.  Here is a video clip of a protester describing what happened when she attempted to ask Sen. Hatch a question as he walked by. Watch her video, it's sickening.

He waves her off and then snarks on about meeting her "when she grows up". Which enrages everyone there. As they press towards the open elevator, his staff bark out "we'll have you arrested!" And as the doors close, there is a grinning, mocking Senator Hatch waving Bye-Bye to them. What a complete and utter putz.

The great Sarah Kendzior brings forth the intro to T.S. Eliot's iconic poem, "The Hollow Men", with a fine relevant pictorial format to provide Poetic Commentary on this colossal fustercluck:

https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/1047313401553276928

What she doesn't have room for: "Between the idea/And the reality/Falls the Shadow... This is the way the world ends/Not with a bang but a whimper."

Speaking of Hollow Men, our Leader was having a fine old time at a political rally the night before. Yes, he is an awful person. They are out there among us - you may know a few. What continues to appall, though, is how many (white) women think he is so good and kind and is God's imperfect vessel and laugh at his slanderous jokes and GRRR during his Two-Minute Hate and fall in line with the GOP-driven protocols of Patriarchy. I know that Tribalism is strong, but this is ridiculous.

Let it not be forgotten that he is our Sexual Assaulter-In-Chief:

https://www.businessinsider.com/women-accused-trump-sexual-misconduct-list-2017-12

I really wanted to dive deeply into the GOP/Conservative mindset that abide by this avalanche of awfulness. But I've broken down a couple of times already writing this. All I can say is that, in general, things are going to get a lot worse. But the worse it gets, the better it will become. And it will. Until then, we all need to persevere.

One way to hang on is through music. I know it works for me. Let's see if it can work for you! Try this one on for size: The New Pornographers, the wildly under-rated World Class band from Canada, perform "It's Only Divine Right." Turn it up to 11. And let yourself dance like no one is watching!!