Could the pearl-clutching nervous Nellies here just please find someplace to quietly wet

[Atticus]

themselves and stop trying to discourage people from going to DC for the Women's March?

OMG! Trump is firing the DC National Guard Commander as soon as he's sworn in!
OMG! Trump's brownshirts will probably attack protesters!
OMG! O'Keefe and his operatives are likely planning a false flag operation!
ETC, ETC, ETC-------

If this whining and hang-wringing is allowed to quash the righteous indignation that so many feel, the monster wins!

I'm going. If I get arrested, it will be inconvenient. If I get thumped, I'll probably heal. If they really punch my ticket, I hope someone gets video.

Trump? Never!!! THIS WILL NOT STAND!

[greytdemocrat]

1. Trump is an Alien!!!

I think I read that here too!!

[Cha]

33. He is!

[Kingofalldems]

2. #3 is absolutely true IMO.

There is no doubt Trump has people who will try to disrupt protests in a variety of ways.

[Cha]

34. Dem sting already busted james o'keefe for this or so I

read .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/counter-sting-catches-james-okeefe-network-attempting-to-sow-chaos-at-trumps-inauguration_us_5873e26fe4b043ad97e516f7

[cwydro]

3. Just remember to take your Hillary stickers off your car!

or you will be stalked, or attacked...or something.

And NEVER EVER help anyone in a crisis who is a Trump supporter...(somehow we magically know this lol).

Meantime: go to your local supermarket and turn those tabloids!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

54. You can park anywhere in Alexandria, Arlington, or DC, and you won't have any problems,

as long as you follow the instructions on the signs vis-a-vis parking regulations.

[cwydro]

57. Lol, I was joking.

But thanks for the tips!

[Warpy]

4. Personally, I think the shitstorm will be confined to the inaugural protests

The women's march will be just a little too large to disrupt effectively. In addition, most women are loath to be led into heaving rocks through store windows or do other vandalism.

If it's publicized at all, though, the publicity will consist of Trump tweeting about how all the women marching were dogs, maybe two out of ten, not worth bothering with. It's going to be very hard to find this on major media except with the tiniest of mentions.

I hope I'm wrong, but I remember the huge anti Iraq invasion protests that were invisible to the mass media.

[LeftInTX]

26. Yeah, I think Donald will send out a few lousy tweets

I think it will be a peaceful event.
I think it will probably be fun for those who attend.
I do hope it is covered by the media.

[snpsmom]

5. Just had this conversation with my 75-yr-old mom

we are going. We'll be prepared.

[bettyellen]

6. Would be awesome if intstead of mocking DUers you kindly reassured them?

Last edited Sat Jan 14, 2017, 01:05 AM - Edit history (1)

And you seem to have attracted the usual bunch of put down artists- well done.

[Atticus]

9. Reassure them? Two questions:

1. How would I do that? Hold their hand? Promise them that nothing bad will happen to them in a crowd of several hundred thousand people?

2. If they have decided they are too scared to oppose these fascists, why do they find it necessary to discourage ANY opposition by others?

I'm from the vertebrate wing of the Democratic party. Trump does scare me, but not as much as he pisses me off.

[bettyellen]

11. Awesome YOU have such a lovely spine. Not so awesome you think to mock others here

Who've yet to find theirs. But maybe you were born so fucking fabulous that you have no empathy or understanding that not all of us are like you. I used to be routinely obnoxious and dismissive too. It's a miserable thing. I grew out of it.

[cwydro]

10. "Kindly reassured them"?

Are we children here?

And just go back and proofread your post. "The usually bunch"?

I gotta think anyone who needs to be "kindly reassured" might not be up for the fight ahead of us.

[bettyellen]

13. Oh well, let's go insult all those weaklings, amirite? Because people don't posess

Different abilities and needs and if they do, fuck em.
Lovely.

[MFM008]

7. Those of us that can't go

Wish all that are going the best. You carry all of us with you.
Sock it to him!

[nolabear]

8. No one is discouraging anyone. We're being supportive.

You think this shit isn't all over the Internet? Any "Be careful out there" statements or exchanges of information are efforts at emotional support and advice that might help.

I'm glad you're going. I hope you report back.

[bettyellen]

15. I've noticed a lot of condescending advice from men regarding the march-

Including nonsense about how much better it would have been if they renamed it the Woman's march for Men and Women... because some jackholes imagine it's a "women only" event. And would have been so much bigger and better if it was genderless. Some people can't "do" support to save their own damn lives, can they?

[Crash2Parties]

23. That...almost sounds like appropriation. Sorta like when they say, "*ALL* lives matter"...

[Maru Kitteh]

75. Yes it does! nt

[Squinch]

38. I just saw this post after I commented on the obnoxious man-splaining. It's astonishing, isn't it?

[nolabear]

39. Ah well...remember this?

[mahina]

12. Word.

[TeamPooka]

14. Your condescension is noted. nt

[bettyellen]

16. I've seen more condescending crap like this than I have this "pearl clutching"

Crap. It's a fairly sexist choice of word to use to denigrate other liberals, ain't it? Women don't need the kind of "help" or advice given in this OP. Fuck that.

O Keefe HAS been planning stupid traps and it's those that need to prove they're macho that will fall for them. Meanwhile women been prepping for this crap, because we're used to the harassment.

[TeamPooka]

18. +100 :)

[Atticus]

42. Jeez! How many straw men are you gonna trot out? nt

[bettyellen]

44. Just calling it how I see it. Pointless condescending crap makes me go

hmmmmmm.

Seen lots on Twitter too. Lotta trolling this event.

[sheshe2]

62. Don't forget.

Do not pee your panties.

OMG

[herding cats]

17. How about try this approach? Because the approach you used sucks on many levels.

They're trying to scare us. Intimidate us into not expressing our civil rights by protesting this presidency. They're trying to get into our heads, and make us afraid of them. If we let them, they win, and we cannot let them win! Especially not by making us cower in a corner afraid to be who we are, afraid to express what we believe in public, loudly. As is our right as Americans!

They are bullies, and we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied By them. There's too much at stake here, we're fighting for our basic civil rights, for our future in OUR country! Many of us have been here before, we know the drill. If you show a bully fear they take your lunch, or worse. If you keep being fearful, you're the object of everyone's mocking and ridicule. Why? Because when we fear them we give them legitimacy, that's why. We make them seem stronger than they are when we let them make us afraid, not intentionally, it's not our fault, but it is the end takeaway of the spectators. It's what they want us to be, they want us afraid to be heard. They want us weak and too afraid to express our anger at their plans for OUR rights.

All we have is our voices now. Stand up to the bullies. You're all adults now, and you're strong and proud of your convictions, as you should be! We're not children anymore. We're empowered adults, working to make a change in our current system. Resist and be proud of your resistance! Be smart, be careful, follow your group leaders guidance, but stand up and be proud of who you are and what you believe in. Get out there and fight for your country!

I signed up to protest locally today.

FDT. to MrScorpio

[bettyellen]

19. Bravo!

[herding cats]

20. Thank you.

Every word is heartfelt, and delivered with raw passion. If somewhat poorly.

We are collectively all we have. We matter. Our voices, and our causes matter. We cannot be scared away from standing up for what we believe in. I'm willing to accept any blowback for my using my voice. It's my right, and my obligation.

[bettyellen]

22. Love your POV. Will not abide this snide condescending crap aimed at my peeps.

Not tolerating that nonsense.

Keep inspiring us!

[herding cats]

28. The OP was a distraction. I just tried to redirect them to what matters

It may work, but it's more likely it won't. Been there and done that, etc. It's easy to get distracted by our own personal biases, I've seen that from people my entire life. What I've never seen is anything good come from it, ever.

We either stand together, or we fall divided. That means your cause, my cause, and their cause needs to unite our voices so we have real, meaningful impact. If we can't, we all lose by being marginalized, which is what the GOP is expecting from us. They think we're such puritanical fools we're going to waste precious time tilting at windmills, while they destroy the very fabric of our democracy.

I don't want them (the GOP) to win, and I think I have a decent idea if what's at stake for all of us in the next 4 years. I refuse to go quietly into their goodnight, but I realistically can't influence enough people to make a difference by myself.

The truth is, my words here probably had no lasting impact on anyone, even though I felt compelled to share them. You're probably the only person who took the time to read me, and I deeply thank you for doing so, and understanding.

May our peeps live to see 2020, and may we have at least the core of our rights still at our disposal then.

[bettyellen]

40. I'm going to try and remember what you said because you're absolutely right....

Execept for one thing. More people read that than just me. I've been very surprised at how many people here read and remember what we say and yet never comment at the time. But they take something away, and that matters.

[McKim]

21. John Lewis Told Young People

Today John Lewis made more remarks than were repeated on the news. He said to young people that they need to get out there and be heard. This old lady will be out there with them! It is time to act or forever shut up. It is now or never to push for impeachment.

[idahoblue]

24. I will be there

[elmac]

25. I noticed that yesterday

like WTF, are they afraid of their own shadows? I'm ready for Fing war and will use any means, ANY means to fight fascism.

[gwheezie]

27. This ain't my 1st rodeo

Although it's been a long time. I've been harassed & arrested for protesting before. I'm old school. One of the tools of civil disobedience is to publically be attacked by the state & make sure the whole world is watching. I am committed to non violent protest but I won't avoid confrontation. I will prepare for it.

[quakerboy]

29. And when the news shows your protest, but

cuts the video so they can pretends ya'll are the supporting throng?

Thats gonna sting a bit. But it makes sense to me. We dont have much left, other than protest.

[randr]

31. Some of us remember Kent State

We will never think that "it can't happen here".

[HoneyBadger]

32. How about you consider the priority of those bringing kids or disabled

for whom an arrest or injury would be a serious issue. If you think that your kid might get hurt, going would be endangering the child

[bettyellen]

41. It's the height of privilege to expect everyone be able to survive a

Night in jail or injuries. Many are a paycheck or two away from being homeless. We all have times of strength and times of weakness. Does not make us one bit less important than anyone else.

[malaise]

35. Great post

I can't believe the fear

[cwydro]

72. Yes, but the scared ones will be in the supermarkets turning tabloids back to front.

Each to his or her own ability!

[malaise]

73. There is a role for everyone but we cannot afford

fear or paranoia

[cwydro]

74. I agree.

And I feel neither.

I'm a gay female with my Hillary sticker still on my little Hyundai.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

36. Thank you Atticus

Shake a fist for me

[Squinch]

37. I predict that there will be false flag induced violence. If that makes me a "pearl-clutcher"

so be it.

If I had said before the election that the Russians were staging a coup, you probably would have called me man-splaining names too.

That being said, the probability of it will not keep me from protesting. It makes me more determined to protest.

[suffragette]

43. There is history of women being attacked at marches. Also of women not giving up.

Same for civil rights and worker rights.

Best to be prepared for possible disruption while still working for participation in standing up for rights, whether at the march itself or supporting it from sidewalks.

I think it's good that people give thought to identifying and disempowering possible disrupters like O'Keefe. Stripping away their masks and bad intent strips them of their ability to disrupt effectively.

From the 1913 Suffrage March:

https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/aw01e/aw01e.html

The procession began late, but all went well for the first few blocks . Soon, however, the crowds, mostly men in town for the following day's inauguration of Woodrow Wilson, surged into the street making it almost impossible for the marchers to pass . Occasionally only a single file could move forward. Women were jeered, tripped, grabbed, shoved, and many heard “indecent epithets” and “barnyard conversation.”5 Instead of protecting the parade, the police “seemed to enjoy all the ribald jokes and laughter and part participated in them.”6 One policeman explained that they should stay at home where they belonged. The men in the procession heard shouts of “Henpecko” and “Where are your skirts?” As one witness explained, “There was a sort of spirit of levity connected with the crowd. They did not regard the affair very seriously.”7

But to the women, the event was very serious. Helen Keller “was so exhausted and unnerved by the experience in attempting to reach a grandstand . . . that she was unable to speak later at Continental hall .”8 Two ambulances “came and went constantly for six hours, always impeded and at times actually opposed, so that doctor and driver literally had to fight their way to give succor to the injured”9 . One hundred marchers were taken to the local Emergency Hospital. Before the afternoon was over, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, responding to a request from the chief of police, authorized the use of a troop of cavalry from nearby Fort Myer to help control the crowd.10

Remember the Canadian protest and how the police disguised themselves in order to undermine it? Key was that the people were prepared for that and didn't allow them to succeed.

https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/08/21/police_accused_of_using_provocateurs_at_summit.html

OTTAWA – Protesters are accusing police of using undercover agents to provoke violent confrontations at the North American leaders' summit in Montebello, Que.

Such accusations have been made before after similar demonstrations but this time the alleged "agents provocateurs" have been caught on camera.

A video, posted on YouTube, shows three young men, their faces masked by bandannas, mingling Monday with protesters in front of a line of police in riot gear. At least one of the masked men is holding a rock in his hand.

The three are confronted by protest organizer Dave Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. Coles makes it clear the masked men are not welcome among his group of protesters, whom he describes as mainly grandparents. He urges them to leave and find their own protest location.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2962268

[bettyellen]

45. Thanks- this "pear clutching" crap is blatantly sexist nonsense.

And fuck that.

[lunatica]

46. .

You can correct the spelling so it reads "pearl clutched".

[bettyellen]

47. Tks. This last phone update is doing some really stupid spellchecking all of a sudden....

Hates three syllable words, spells worse than I do!
Tks!

[suffragette]

48. Best to be aware, to prepare and to still protest or support protest.

Not everyone can go, but we can all support the effort.

And so important to be aware of history past and more current.

O'Keefe and his klan are likely feeling pretty puffed up right now given the connection to Breitbart and Trump. It is right in their playbook to attempt something. Best to be alert to that possibility so as to counter it.

That's not about discouraging participation. It's about supporting it.

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. I was astounded to see the OP here, very unnecessary crap, to say the least.

I am not going, but I love and support whoever is and you MUST be very careful.

Two sets of rules apply, those of law abiding decent people and the deplorables.

It is very dangerous, and if you are going then you are very courageous, know that we have your back.

And I dont believe in god but, god bless you.

[bettyellen]

52. Aww I'm not a believer but liked the blessing anyway! You know, people have different

Comfort levels and abilities, and I'm finding quite a few people being really rude about that and I gotta say I think they suck. The people I know in RL who have done this are always pretty damn snide about feminists- and have been only since Hillary started her run. It unveiled a really angry and intolerant side of them. I'm fed up with seeing wonderful people I know being put down for doing something. What's that expression - to each according to their abilities?


I don't enjoy big crowds at all myself. But I'll be there in NYC giving Trump Tower the finger and meeting some kind DUers after. Looking forward to it.

[Warren DeMontague]

56. if you're going to clutch fruit, oranges and apples work best.

Pears are way too mushy.

[bettyellen]

65. You my dear, have earned another raspberry.

[Warren DeMontague]

68. oh, man, those are even worse.

I have enough trouble just eating those things with a spoon!

[bettyellen]

69. LOL. I am having some serious spellcheck issues w last update....

Seems to oversimplify (removing letters?!) actual words that are correct. it's using the Trump's English, I fear.

[perdita9]

49. I'm going to

With an amoral fascist coming into office, I want to stand on the right side of history

[malchickiwick]

50. "Pearl-Clutching" was the derisive term used to bad mouth some here pre-election

How'd that work out??

That said, of course we need to get out there and resist. No Fear!!

[JSup]

53. You beat me to it...

"Will those people pearl-clutching stop whining about how Trump might win? It's not possible!"

I will forever hate "pearl-clutching" as the condescending phrase it is.

[malchickiwick]

58. Zactlee!! Thank you!! It was the favorite term of the smugly over-confident.

The kind of smugness that probably cost use MI/WI/PA ... there's NO ROOM for over-confidence when the Electoral College rules.

I hate it too

[JSup]

60. Next they'll be offering fainting couches...

Last edited Sun Jan 15, 2017, 12:13 AM - Edit history (1)

...for those of us who 'have the vapors' and don't see everything as rainbow and unicorns.

Edit: Oh look, someone brought a fainting couch.

[femmocrat]

55. Thank you, Atticus!

I ran into some posters who were "expressing their concerns" while imagining the worst. If anyone is afraid, please stay at home and watch it on TV or the internet.

I am going and I absolutely believe it will be peaceful. It looks extremely well-organized. The DC Police have issued prohibitions of items like signs on sticks, etc.

We are talking about women of all ages in attendance. I think it will be an experience of a lifetime and wouldn't miss it for the world.

[handmade34]

78. "wouldn't miss it for the world"

it is incredibly well organized, don't expect problems and I will be there making my voice heard no matter what happens...





https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-your-rights-are-violated-demonstration-or-protest

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

59. Some inspiration?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028476112

[Fearless]

61. Pearl clutching is still a homophobic slur FYI.

[pnwmom]

70. And a misogynistic slur. It's a twofer, and so is "Nervous Nelly."

[Fearless]

85. Agreed 100%

[DemocratSinceBirth]

63. I will be here on 1/20

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028475121

In L A the Deplorables are the ones to be concerned.

[Nitram]

64. I've been trying to calm their nerves and settle them on the fainting couch.

Like it's the first time the world has faced a crisis. Get a grip, people! this is a time to focus and act, not to scream and rant.

[wildeyed]

66. Really? That's pitiful and weak.

In all seriousness, there are worse things that can happen to you than being dead. Living in fear and servitude is one of them. If I am going to get thumped for peacefully exercising my first amendment rights, then bring it.

[JSup]

67. If people warning you about things that may happen...

...quash your 'righteous indignation', it wasn't very 'righteous'.

Is this a march or a parade? A parade is all waving (but not above the tiara!), while marchers march even though knowing something bad can happen.

tldr: if knowing the risks makes you scared then don't bother pretending to be a supporter.

[pnwmom]

71. Could you rethink your sexist and homophobic choice of slurs?

I can't get past a title like that to actually think about the content.

[cwydro]

81. I've seen "pearl-clutching" used on DU by both men and women.

I don't see it as homophobic or misogynistic. If anything, I've seen it used more by women here.

We all know what it means. Most of us are not wearing pearls - no matter our sexual orientation or gender.

I'm a gay woman. The OP has a great point.

But you can obfuscate his point by complaining about his language. That's pretty tried and true here as well.

[pnwmom]

82. Women are also capable of being sexists. I've heard women older than me

often talk about how "catty" women are.

And pearl-wearing is associated with women in a way it has never been associated with men. The terms "pearl clutching" and "nervous Nelly" are both sexist and homophobic, because gay men have always been mocked with sexist slurs.

[cwydro]

83. The OP was not being misogynistic.

We both know what "pearl-clutching" means here on DU, and it has nothing to do with women.

But I understand you don't like his message.

We'll just have to disagree on that one.

[pnwmom]

84. I don't have a problem with his message, just the sexist packaging.

I think language matters, and terms that associate women with overreaction and nervousness are sexist and unhelpful.

[BlueMTexpat]

76. I'll be there!

No matter what!

Period.

[Croney]

77. This old hetero couple is going to have a rainbow shield at the march.

My niece and her wife and all their friends are going to adorn us with festoons and parade us down the street at a snail' s pace as the crowd inches along. Sure, some bad stuff might happen, but this is a chance of a lifetime! You young people will (I hope) be able to march again in the future. We're beyond thrilled just to go, and be in the company of friends.

[Guilded Lilly]

79. Not supportive of the condescending labels but

Agree with the message of Strength to all sisters and brothers with decency (and more than a little anger) in their hearts who will be marching.
My daughter and I will be there. I, reluctantly on the close fringes due to a recent knee replacement that limits my mobility, she, in the healthy heart of the March with banner, more friends and pink pussy hat!

There is always a possible danger in fired up crowds and there is also massive safety and strength in like minded numbers.

It is the fight of our present history and in many ways, our very existence.

[CentralMass]

80. Bring a helmit, a night stick up side the head can smart.