Note to Anti-Trump Protesters: Stop Whining

Stop it. I’m tired of turning on the news or picking up a newspaper and seeing your pouty faces, screaming for what you think you are due. I’m sick of reading your ill-informed signs adorned with swastikas and promising to beat back fascism. Makes one wonder if you’ve ever studied the real evils of history.

Especially odious are your signs that read, “Trump: Not My President!”

Yes, he is.

Or he will be, come inauguration day. Whether you voted for Hillary Clinton or wrote in someone else’s name – it doesn’t matter. The contest is over. Donald Trump won fair and square under rules that have been in place for more than two centuries. Stop acting like the outcome should change just because your favorite didn’t win.

This isn’t one of those modern-day sporting events where everybody gets a trophy no matter who won. This isn’t a game to be played in one of those university “safe spaces” where no one is allowed to do or say something that might upset another person. This isn’t your pampered workplace where everyone gets an equal say in how the business works. No. This is real-life and based on an historic system called the Electoral College that was designed to give every state an equal, per-population, say-so on who is elected president.

For those of you who have been stomping your feet and screaming with spittle flying into the wind about doing away with the Electoral College, take heart. Maybe, just maybe, that will become a reality in your lifetime. But it is not the system we have in place today.

Retiring Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Ca, is the latest in a line of lawmakers to introduce a bill to expel the Electoral College via a constitutional amendment. Not an easy task.

First, the issue is unlikely to be brought up during this lame duck session. If by some miracle Congress did pass Boxer’s legislation nothing would change until three-fourths of the states ratified the idea over a seven-year period.

Want to Change the Electoral College System? Stop Whining, Start Working

Want to Change the Electoral College System? Stop Whining, Start Working

To protesters who really want to do more than march in the street you might want to work for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact project. The NPVIC has been enlisting states that agree to pledge all their Electoral College electors to the candidate that wins the popular vote. So far 10 states and the District of Columbia have signed on in support, representing just 165 electoral votes, far below the 270 needed to win a presidential election.

But note: experts who study this stuff think even if the NPVIC could get enough states to sign on to the compact court challenges would be inevitable. The U.S. Constitution forbids states from entering into any agreement with another state without the express consent of Congress.

So, see? The Electoral College system won’t be easy to just “abolish” as so many of you demand. It has long endured, not because the system is rigged but because it was carefully crafted and meticulously re-crafted when necessary.

I can’t help but wonder. If your candidate had won would you still be so vociferous in your demands to scrap the Electoral College system? I doubt it.

For those who believe endless street protests are the answer to your unhappiness here’s another reality check. Voters soundly rejected the Democrat’s tiresome drumbeat that America must bow to a myriad of individual and special interest groups’ needs and set aside what is best for the country. Take a moment to check post-election maps that lay out the state-by-state 2016 election results. The color red permeates.

In 2016, the Electoral Map Turned Decidedly Red

In 2016, the Electoral Map Turned Decidedly Red – Nationwide

Red, denoting the republican lead in governorships (33 to 15), in U.S. House races (238 to 193), U.S. Senate races (52 to 48) and, of course, a republican won the White House.

No, your team didn’t win. Sorry about that. While I respect every American’s right to peacefully demonstrate it is time to move on. Time to figure out a way to work within the system for the change you want. Time to reflect on protests that decry candidate Trump’s name calling while holding signs calling him evil, a racist, a misogynist, a dictator-in-waiting and other vile names.

Yes, if Hillary Clinton had been elected we would have undoubtedly had a smoother transition period.

But if Clinton had won, let’s be honest, conservatives have never been known to hit the bricks in rowdy, confrontational and sometimes violent street protests. The old Tea Party demonstrations of 2009-10 looked like bible revivals compared to what’s happening today.

And, finally, ask yourselves — what have the anti-Trump protests accomplished? Like a spoiled child who throws him or herself on the ground for lack of more playground time, very little. Except in one regard. The continued demonstrations have had one very real consequence: to denigrate our political system and malign the office of the presidency. It is a lousy message to send the rest of the world.

And be careful, because the office you diminish today will, undoubtedly, be occupied by a democrat in the future.

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68 Comments

  1. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    Reader Pat Mallory writes:

    I just finished reading your article Note to Dems: Stop Your Whining in the Albuquerque Journal and I must applaud you for writing this. I agree with everything you said and wish more articles like yours would appear. I also feel showing all of this “rioting” on the daily TV news just encourages people to join in the protests and could care less about the election.
    Thank you…pat

  2. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Reader Diana Tapia writes:

    Dear Diane,
    Your article in today’s paper crystallizes my view that not only are you a shallow thinker with the depth of a mosquito, but also your ability to write ranks in the lower third of a high school writing class. Yes, I am a former high school English teacher.
    As for your I.Q., I rank you as simply dumb.
    Sincerely yours,
    Diana Tapia

  3. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Kim Jew writes:

    Dear Diane,

    Your column today is pure genius! You are a great great writer.

    You articulated everything I ‘be been wanting to say to all these whiners (who include some of my relatives) out there.

    I am so proud to have graduated from Highland (High School) with you.

    I would love to re-post your article on my Facebook page If that would be ok with you.

    Thank you for your incredible insights!

    Kim Jew
    Class of 70

  4. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Reader MaryEllen Capek writes:

    With all due respect, my response to friends and journalists upset by the protests:
    Trump does not have a mandate, Hillary won the pop vote by a substantial margin.
    Talk to any of your friends and neighbors who have Holocaust survivors in their families or check in with your LGBT neighbors, or friends or neighbors who have refugees or immigrants in their families: ask how we’re feeling. White people, this is what our friends and neighbors of color have lived with for generations. I for one haven’t slept the night through since Tuesday. And I am THRILLED there are spontaneous protests erupting all across the country.
    This is the first election since Chief Justice Roberts gutted the Voting Rights Act. This is the first election that voter suppression swung the electoral college, first election the FBI put its thumb on the scales of justice, first election another country blatantly intervened, first election with epic media fail due to systemic misogyny and false equivalence, first election the “president-elect” faces court hearings for corruption and fraud a month after the election. Really??
    I’m hoping for protests every day for at least two years until we can take back the Senate. I hope there will be more people marching in DC with the Million Women March on Inauguration Day than there will be attending the Inauguration. I hope everyone marching and protesting writes checks to the ACLU and other nonprofits working to protect our rights.
    In spite of a lot of theorizing and opining, none of us has sufficient data or demographics to understand the fine print about why this election went so far off the rails. But as that emerges, we need to do everything we can to come up with smart strategies for moving forward.

  5. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    Reader Doug Mattson writes:

    Very nice Electoral College history lesson, Ms. Dimond. That’s all the information protesters should need to quell their animosity toward Trump and skewed sense of “crime and justice.” At least that’s the connection you attempt to make, without mentioning James Comey, the FBI, or Russia — you know, things that would challenge your “fair and square” assertion and probably interest most “crime and justice” writers, some of whom endeavor to cover powerful men who defraud little people ($25 million for Trump University) or sexually assault women (tapes and testimony!) or deride scientific evidence for their own greed (Chinese hoax!). “Fair and square” was one of your umpteen cliches, by the way — a clear sign of laziness and poor wordsmithing. You also misunderstand irony, or else you would have pointed out that Trump himself has viciously maligned the office of the presidency. But you’re right. Now that Trump is taking over, he and the office deserve respect. I just hope he appreciates the four-year pass a “crime and justice” writer gave him.

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      NOTE TO READERS:

      As I post the comments that come into my mailbox, Facebook page, Twitter, etc. I hope readers are noticing what I have noticed.

      First, all those who did not agree with this column ASSUME I voted for Donald Trump – not realizing, apparently, that I have been a life long registered independent voter. This column isn’t about who anyone voted for, per se, its about the post-election reaction and the lasting damage it can do to our nation.

      Second, I notice the snarky personal attacks and vitriol expressed by those who didn’t like the outcome of the election. Calling me lazy or dumb accomplishes about as much as all the street protests. As Hillary Clinton said when she conceded the election – Let’s look toward the future. ~ DD

  6. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Alan Schwartz writes,

    In your op-ed which appeared today in the Albuquerque Journal you state “. . . the Electoral College . . . was designed to give every state an equal, per-population, say-so. . .” This is not exactly true. Each state, regardless of population, gets two “Senator” votes. In 1790 the most populous state, Virginia, was 12 times larger than the smallest, Delaware. Today, the most populous state, California, is 67 times larger than the smallest, Wyoming. My understanding is that the Electoral College was designed to protect small population states from being dominated by larger states, as is done in the U S Senate. (Why don’t we hear calls to restructure the Senate?)

    Given that all but two states currently award Electoral College votes on a winner take all basis, I’m not sure how the Interstate Compact system changes the results but only exacerbates the current targeted campaigning. As I’m sure you are aware, candidate Clinton never appeared in New Mexico since the state was a foregone conclusion. I think awarding votes by Congressional district, as two states do, might be a doable first step but in this day and age it’s really time to design a direct vote process.

    As to Sen. Boxer, she needs to heed the advice of Mr. Kahn. Read the Constitution!. Republicans now control almost 2/3s of state legislatures whereas Democrats would need 3/4 to approve a change, even assuming you could get it through Congress.

    Alan Schwartz
    Albuquerque

  7. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Emmy Browning writes:

    Dear Diane,
    I read your article every week in our Albuquerque Journal. Loved the one today about the “Note to Dems: Stop whining”. I’m stunned by the reaction to our newly elected Donald Trump. As you said, conservatives would not react this way if the liberals had won. Also liked your comments about the Electoral College. We need to start teaching a good Civics class to our students so they understand the process.
    Keep up the good work with your commentaries.

    Emmy Browning
    Albuquerque, NM

  8. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Phylkane writes:

    Re “Stop the Whining.” Trump is not George Bush. Trump is a liar, a hoax and just plain dangerous. You would have fit in well with your attitude when Hitler came into power. Sometimes it is important to demonstrate.

  9. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Reader Mary K Smith writes:

    Dear Diane,

    Thank you for writing what I want to shout to everyone everywhere. You made my day here in Albuquerque as you always do.

    Keep up the good work you do, which will help our new president tremendously.

    God bless you and him.

    ——
    Mary K Smith

  10. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Reader Michael Rozdilsky writes:

    Dear Diane Dimond,

    No fear, the Russians are now in favor of Trump. They are rallying in the streets of Obninsk. Michael Flynn has appeared on the Kremlin TV with Putin. ” Makes one wonder if you’ve ever studied the real evils of history” your quote.

    Russian words of wisdom — doveryai, no proveryai !!

    Like to see income tax records sooner rather the later. NOW please!!

    In the words often repeated at every meeting with the Russians by one of our histories best Presidents Ronald Reagan.

    ” Trust but verify”

    Michael Rozdilsky
    An American

  11. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Reader Peter Lawton writes:

    Don’t read you anymore. Not after this column. You used to be a voice for those without the ability to speak for themselves and I admired and looked up to you. Now it looks like you jumped on the caboose of the right wing hate train. My disappointment isn’t so much with Trump, but with those who bought into his false promises and inconsistencies. Do you realize (you probably do) he is the only (future) world leader who doesn’t, or so he says, believe in climate change. Just one of his many charming qualities.

  12. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Reader Terry Wilmont writes:

    The statement link below clearly stipulates the concerns of many in this country and correctly portrays a number of issues surrounding the election of Mr. Trump. In my mind this is not “whining”. Not that there aren’t whiners, but not everyone protesting an abominable man being elected are whiners… some are terribly concerned what his ignorance may lead to in terms of shredding sacrosanct American values and beliefs which he apparently has absolutely no understanding of nor appreciation for.

    Christian Theology Professors Issue Statement on Trump’s Election
    by Susanne Scholz, Ph.D.
    November 16, 2016

    http://susanne-scholz.com/statement/

  13. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Dan Valdez writes:

    I am 55 just retired from civil service job last month, life long Democrat who leans toward Sen. Sanders, and knew Trump would win in late October I slept in today and am having my biel of pineapple and saw your article promoted on the front page of the Albuquerque journal .
    I read with amusement your column and I’ve heard your argument that the protesters are whiney ill informed children ( my interpretation )
    Part of the political process involves making your voice heard, getting involved in starting the next process towards the next election. if you don’t like what you see , turn away, change the channel, you have a job to do writing inflammatory articles that cause people to sing your praises or condemn you to atheist he’ll.
    I stopped watching cable news channels when the election was called, I don’t read articles on the editorial page if the election is mentioned in first article . This election was shameful in the manner in which it was conducted , When Obama was elected I don’t recall any marches , but I don’t recall any Republicans falling over themselves to help him . As a minority who’s family goes back to when Spain ruled the southwest , I am lumped in with the 14 million allegedly illegal immigrants. Such is life, i am not a sheep meekly accepting the results,
    As a child I saw the 60s protests and people forget how violent they were, I hope history will not repeat it’s self, but I will not join the protesters till Trump takes office.
    Lastly I’m doing this on my phone so I apologize for the structure , but my last boss was a popular hard core conservative radio host who was forced into retirement at 65, the governor was a republican and gave him a job, which changed when the Democratic governor came in. they found him a job and we discussed politics very intense buy respectfully. he told me to not be swayed by talk radio, conservative pundits , and columnist. the same 10 to 20 callers call in, the same people watch the news, and the columnists stick to the same theme . so I don’t take it personally anymore because it’s a job. I take policy personality but elections have consequences , rereading you column, who is really whining?

    Vive le Resistance
    Dan Valdez
    Albuquerque , NM

  14. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Reader Jamie Woodley writes:

    Your opinion is that by whining and protesting denigrates our political system and maligns the office of the presidency. Actually, the media, Donald Trump and the FBI director already took care of that for us.

  15. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Kelita Smith writes:

    So, are you pleased to have a groping con-man with no integrity as president elect? You are no better than he is to criticize protesters who wish the pig were dead. With him in office, I hope women as a group dump men because they are parasites with a long history of abusing women.
    You are sick.
    Shut up!

  16. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Reader Harold Melnick writes:

    Just read your column that starts with “Stop it.” You said everything I’ve been saying, right down to the “spoiled child” analogy. I’ve been saying the protesters are spoiled children throwing temper tantrums because they didn’t get what they want. And I’ve asked, would you be calling for ending the electoral college system, the way presidents have been chosen for 240 years, if Hillary had won and Trump had a slight lead in the popular vote?

    I didn’t vote for him, I thought him an appalling prospect for president. But he won, fair and square. He will be our president, he will be my president. Like Obama, I want him to succeed because I want the country to succeed.

    Are we related? Certainly we are kindred spirits.

    Harold Melnick
    Santa Fe, NM

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      Mr. Melnick,

      Don’t think we are related! 🙂 But I do agree with you completely when you write:

      “I want him to succeed because I want the country to succeed.”

      Thanks for the kind words! ~ DD

  17. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Maria Lupita Dorada writes:

    HaHa! You lost, bite me!

  18. Tammy on November 21, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    Amen Diane! So well said. Thank you for this! xoxo

  19. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Alex Baca writes:

    I agree with Diane. There is too much whining going on. But you know what’s exponentially worse than a whiner? Someone that whines about other people whining.

    Also, the Electoral College is not “designed to to give every state an equal, per-population, say-so on who is elected president.” Small States have a much larger say-so compared to large States. Do the math. In fact, if it wasn’t in the Constitution, it would have been declared unconstitutional a long time ago.

  20. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Marc Calderwood writes:

    Are you fricking kidding… “to denigrate our political system and malign the office of the presidency. It is a lousy message to send the rest of the world.” …. You dumb-asses built this Frankenstein … live with it like grownups. 8 years of crapping on a man many of you hate because he’s black (didn’t loose yer guns, gas is at 20 year low, food 20 year low…) and now you vote for a man who is butt-buddies with the Russian Communist Oligarchy and you want it to be okay … NOT ON YOUR LIFE! You have brought Fascism to this country … shame on all of you …. And don’t tell me what the bad ol’Dem’s did to screw things up … YOU gave us a Big Fascist Baby who can’t even deal with SNL or the stage … and will look for ways to shut disention down.
    Shame on you all….
    And I ain’t whining … I’m pissed. Two relatives killed in WWII and you bring it home. Damn you all!

  21. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Adam Smith writes:

    Amazing. Eight years of hearing Republicans cry about how Obama isn’t their president. Calling him, his wife and his children “apes”. Signs with the hammer and sicle. Burning and hanging him in effigy. And now. When Trump sneaks into office, losing the popular vote Republicans are all like “Lets come together” and “Get over it”. I didn’t like Clinton at all. But Trump and his supporters are just as pathetic.

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:21 pm

      ABQ Journal Reader Jerry Little replies:

      “Pathetic” you say! Is that any worst than all of the little snowflakes running around and shouting “not my President!” That monumental ignorance (or stupidity if they took Civics 101 in eighth grade) is nothing more than fear of losing free stuff masquerading as indignance. Funny how quickly people forget but wasn’t obama that said; “elections have consequences”… but hey, I get it, this is the first time any democrat under 30 lost a Presidential election…and still didn’t get a trophy.

      • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:22 pm

        Adam Smith replies:

        Jerry Little Wow! Thats a lot Jerry! Let’s not race the Democrats to the bottom, as far as maturity. Especially with Donald Trump calling for safe places for his VP 🙂 . I didnt like either one, but I got a feeling this time next year you will be hating Trump a lot more than I will…Watch for him to continue caving to the Democrats, maybe even be challenged by Rubio, Cruz or Ryan in 2020. Especially if the trend of the President losing congressional seats at mid-terms continue.

        • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:23 pm

          Jerry Little replies:

          Adam Smith Yes, it is a lot. However I would characterize it as a race to the bottom because I don’t think there is room for the moderates there. And to your point regarding being disappointed, I would say the chances are low. I appreciate compromise. It is good governance. That said, the chances are low because the Supreme Court is my biggest concern and return of this country to its Constitutional roots. Trump is likely to maintain the balance. I say “likely” because I’m not going to project what will happen, much like what the SJW are doing…

  22. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Scott Kiefer writes:

    Latest vote totals: Clinton–63,541,056 Trump–61,864,015

    If anyone is diminishing the office, it’s the kakistocrat-elect.

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:24 pm

      Yes. But as well all know – the popular vote is not how we elect our presidents. ~ DD

  23. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Mark Rozman writes:

    More reality and truth from the right and more crying and denial from the left….///

    Keep crying, it may alleviate the coming drought. If the DNC had not skewed in Clinton’s direction, maybe Bernie would have won….not. Because the arrogant, elitist, coastal liberals were ssssooooo out of touch with mainstream America, they lost. Amazingly though, they still fail to recognize the reasons why they lost !! Since Obama circumvented Congress so many times, Trump can simply rescind all of Obama’s unilateral executive actions. Watch and learn. If the voters were suddenly all racists, then who do you think voted for Obama before ?? The problem is staring back at you in the mirror. Happy hunting.

  24. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Reader Jeff Frame from Stittsville, Ontario writes:

    If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. Desmond Tutu

    It is never time to “move on” if you do not agree with a result. Protesting brought the end of the Vietnam War, started the end of discrimination, and helped make it possible for the disenfranchised to vote. Protest is a powerful and potent weapon as it exposes the wrongs done by administrations determined to make the country in their image. Can you even image a country in trump’s and pence’s image?

    A lot of what trump and his ilk want to implement is morally wrong. To decline to protest you are saying you accept his evil intent. He will line the pockets of his family and the rich like him at the middle classes expense, he wants to privatize Obamacare and leaving sick American with the prospect of bankruptcy while enriching the insurance companies, he wants to do nothing to help the needy leaving them nothing but a bleak future, and he is a racist (proven), a bigot (proven) with the worldliness of a 6 year old. He is not well read and avidly follows lunatics like Alex Jones. In short order he will make friends with America’s enemy Russia while he makes enemies of all America’s friends including Canada (a 200 year friendship.) This man is brave enough to risk subjecting US military personnel to arrest and prosecution for war crimes in International Courts, but he was a coward and hid behind deferments himself.

    To Summarize, he will destroy America as you now know it, throw the world into a recession, destroy every relationship you have and put families against each other. He is a poisonous dwarf who corrupts everything he touches.

    Protest every day and it every way you can. Continue to donate to Planned Parenthood in Pence’s name. If they attend a public event protest and boo them until they are forced to leave. Call your House and Senate reps (even if they are GOP) every time trump lies, attacks or mis-represents a fact.

    If you are Canadian, Mexican, and European, donate to the Trump campaign and drive them nuts with having to return all those illegal donations. If you don’t get you money back file a legal complaint.

    Look up and study the civil rights marches, the protests against the war in Vietnam and recognize that had your parents or grandparents “moved on” neither the war not the civil rights mess would have ever been brought forward and dealt with. Look up the race riots and recognize that that is the path you are now on.

    In Europe, North America, South America, Australia, the Far East, the Middle East let your government representatives know there will be serious consequences if they invite trump and his gang to visit. No visits by the trump team, the GOP members who support him; let them stay home and deal with increasingly angry trumpsters.

    No, do not “move on.” That is exactly what he wants you to do, nothing……………….

  25. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Laura Campbell writes:

    If “whining” means holding Trump accountable for following the law and standing up for people who are in his cross-hairs for discrimination, then count me in as a major whiner.

  26. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Ooty Cat writes:

    Trump, November 13, 2016, 60 Minutes
    “ I would rather see it, where you went with simple votes. You know, you get 100 million votes, and somebody else gets 90 million votes, and you win. There’s a reason for doing this. Because it brings all the states into play.”

    In 2012, the night Mitt Romney lost, Donald Trump tweeted.
    “The phoney electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. . . . The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.”

    A survey of New Mexico voters showed 76% overall support for a national popular vote for President.

  27. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Jim Baca writes:

    She truly doesn’t understand the anger does she? She calls it whining.

  28. Alan Fountain on November 21, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    I voted Democrat this time but wholeheartedly agree with you on this. I have been wanting to send him congratulatory gifts and ask, how can I contribute or help you as we move forward. He won according to our system and the process of democracy. I would like to see a positive movement expending energy to manifest through positive intentions a direction for our Country. I believe in the power of intention and also believing you can get further with honey and Diplomacy at this point than standing in opposition. I respect all points of view bu,t in this case we are feeding the lower frequency vibrations in our society that fuels weaker metaphysical principles for opportunities leading to change. As an individual can manifest positive intention so can a group consciousness. Time to inspire Diplomacy and use the incredible might of the meditative mind to create unity among our citizens. We need to revisit the boundaries of Respect and rise above fear and manifest true individual power. Love to all. Alan Fountain .

  29. JEFF JAYSON on November 21, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Love this article….brilliantly stated.

  30. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Facebook Friend Amber Briscoe writes:

    Amber Briscoe Most of us protesting are doing so peacefully AND do not believe we are going to block the inauguration. These are large scale disruptions meant to send the message that the people will not allow bigotry to be normalized. If the president elect governs from that place, he will have huge numbers of voters who resist him, in fact as we are seeing, it will be a majority of us. We are sending a message of solidarity to the targeted groups that are frightened. I know you have a warm heart Diane. I’ve seen Muslim children in my community in tears thinking their parents will be arrested. Doing nothing sends a message that we are passive and willing to accept whatever comes next.

  31. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    Facebook Friend Eddie Emmons writes:

    It’s really nauseating when she and others call on the rest of us to “respect” the office when Trump himself disrespected the office by his outrageous claim that Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. and therefore was an illegitimate PRESIDENT….she has an agenda and is either Republican or leans that way…..

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:09 pm

      Eddie – I have no agenda, Eddie. I am a registered independent voter – have been my whole life. Don’t suspect you know what my politics are. But now you know what my attitude is post-election about those who refuse to accept the outcome.
      And so what if I was a republican – or a green party member or something you’re not? See, in my America everyone gets to have their own opinions and I respect their right to that. Sad that you seem to think everyone must think just like you. ~DD

  32. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    Facebook Friend Lori Johns Lafferty writes:

    Amen Diane!

  33. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    Facebook Friend Fred Bunch writes:

    It isn’t us who are demeaning the office, Diane. Get a grip on reality. Donnie appointing openly racist cabinet members is demeaning the office. He’s bringing the dregs of the ConRightwingednutted party back on to the government sugar tit and you and I are paying their salaries. That is disgusting.

  34. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    Facebook Friend Donna Pendergast writes:

    AMEN Diane.

  35. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Facebook Friend Phil Brodsky writes:

    Unfortunately it is the truth!

  36. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Facebook Friend Christopher Dukas writes:

    Bottom line .. if he succeeds — we all succeed.

  37. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Twitter pal BlimfarkleJLee@Blimfarkle writes:

    @DiDimond Trump maligned himself! Disgusting! So now you’re a Press Secretary wannabe?

    • Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Not on your life, JLee. I’m a lifelong registered Indy. I just don’t like the post-elex posturing. He’s the president. Period

  38. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Twitter pal bob_burtisBob Burtis@bob_burtis

    @DiDimond When is someone going to connect the dots between Soros and the organizations he uses to pay the professional protestors?

  39. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    Twitter pal rajaloweJanet Lowe@rajalowe writes:

    @DiDimond No, not way I see it. Protests keep the matter in the attention of all ppl. It is nonviolent and is informative.

  40. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    Twitter pal jessileazNeedy Latina@jessileaz writes:

    @DiDimond The smug certainty of the left that they’d win made Trump’s victory all the more gratifying for me.

  41. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:31 pm

    Facebook Friend Maureen Langan writes:

    Maureen Langan Respectfully, this isn’t about whining. This is about being appalled that a man who said the things he did could hold the highest office in the country and world. It is about deep philosophical differences, it is about surrounding oneself with mostly men who want impose laws and rules that can hurt many. If he succeeds in doing some of the things he says he’d like to do (Roe V Wade reverting back to states, admitting women would have to cross state lines), he would hugely impact women and reproductive freedom). To stand up for one’s self is not whining, it is American. Sadly, many protestors didn’t even vote. I wish more conservatives would find what he stands for appalling. They did until he got elected (Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz etc). I will stop whining now. (and you know I love DD).

  42. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    Facebook Friend Nancy Spieker Robel writes:

    I respect the people that voted and the outcome. I am prepared to support the choice unless he proves to be a threat to our nation’s safety and/or interests. In the meantime, we should all get up and go to work, lead by example, appreciate the freedoms and blessings we have living here in America and give Trump a chance. Thanks DD for reminding people that life doesn’t always spoon feed us what we think we want.

  43. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    Facebook Friend Sandi Chaykin Teller writes:

    Diane Dimond While I believe everyone is entitled to their thoughts and I have followed you forever …… I think your comment: conservatives have never been known to hit the bricks in rowdy, confrontational and sometimes violent street protests is true because most are to rich to care . However the majority of people who voted for Trump are not in that class or category and were the fuel on the Trump fire of hate . We saw it thru out his campaign and now it is seen everywhere as they now feel they have a license to breed racism. While I was working the voting polls in the primaries I was spit on for not wanting a Trump sticker put on my car . Yesterday I witnessed two young men squirt ketchup on two little African American girls and they said laughing you little monkey N __gers need to go back to Africa and take Obama with you . We were in a McDonalds in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods! I have lived in south Florida most of my 60 year life , I left for many years after college and lived in San Francisco,Texas, Hawaii and Washington DC and never experienced this discrimination and I lived through school segregation. We are protesting in groups because we are angry , sad , horrified that the people in our country voted for hate . That’s what Trump among other things like disrespecting woman promoted and nurtured in his campaign. We are people who are passionate and kind and will never sit back and watch the hate parade march thru our towns. To say “Yes He Is Your President ” is wrong when your Now elected President Trump himself said Obama was not his president! Wasn’t American . You stop for one second and get down from your soap box and remember people have a right to their emotions and while destroying anything or violence is never ok freedom of speech is . I wish you had used your glorious platform to ask the racist , white supremacist, homophobic, nationalist to stop their treatment of others because they are different .

  44. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    Facebook Friend Daniel Thomas Moran writes:

    A grown-up just entered the room! I posted a quote which says it well. Living with anger and resentment over a thing like this is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

  45. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    Facebook Friend Teresa Moffett writes:

    Respect the voters and respect the process as Donald J. Trump moves on to governing. Sure you can protest a decision if he makes one as President for which you disagree but just whining about the election and what you THINK may happen is just silly. Move up and onward.

  46. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    Facebook Friend Timothy Hurley writes:

    The man has no character. There’s nothing about him that’s admirable – at all. And as a person who did my homework and researched and studied his history – I know he ripped people off. I know for a fact he took advantage of average people. He did. It’s a fact. He’s not my president. He’s a mistake. Every one of us will come too realize that soon enough. It’s not personal. He really is just a sub-quality person none would want children to grow up to be. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama tower over him as American leaders.

  47. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    Facebook Friend Ellen Gee writes:

    Diane Diamond I respect you as a person and as a writer, but I disagree with you when you stated conservatives have never been known to throw bricks or be rowdy like you are claiming the liberals are doing. What were you looking at during the time the Duck was running for office. Those folks were calling the Clinton people all kind of names, shoving them, threatening them and doing all kind if hateful things just like the Duck. So for those who voted for him, which from what you wrote I can only assume you voted for the racist, sexist Duck as well, you folks are in for a rude wake up call. You folks let your racism and hate red overtake your head. Unfortunately the country will have to suffer for your hatered.

  48. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    Facebook Friend Michael De Lazzer writes:

    The Electoral College is never going away. The system was set up to force candidates to campaign in the entire country, instead of only in the population centers. To repeal the College would require a 2/3 majority vote in BOTH houses, or a Constitutional Convention, which has never been done. No senator or representative is going to vote to disenfranchise their own constituency.

    The College forces candidates to campaign to farmers, steel mill workers, truck drivers, coal miners with the same voracity as they would a CEO, a Wall Street trader, a Hollywood celebrity, or a computer designer.

    The Electoral College gives voice to parts of the country that would go unheard if the popular vote ruled. The rust belt issued a cry for help in this election. This election was not about social issues, LGBTQ rights, hate speech, Access Hollywood tapes, the Supreme Court, or white pride.

    This election was about hope.

    I’m a numbers person– when the result came out so different from the polling, I didn’t get mad, I started asking questions.

    Four states that were traditional blue states– went for Trump. We all have friends and family in Michigan (we think), Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, I started reaching out.

    In these states reside the entire election result.

    What we witnessed on Election Day was revolution. Red states will always go red. These are not red states. We know these people. They are rational and hard-working. I questioned: Why would rational people choose Donald Trump– with all his flaws and Access Hollywood tapes and hate speech– over Hillary– who’s grossly overqualified for the job? The reason must be very good.

    I’ve visited the midwest a lot in the past few months and years. I’ve been to Cleveland, Detroit, Knoxville, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Milwaukee, and I’ve driven through nearly the entire state of Kentucky. These are proud rational people with good and kind hearts. They love baseball and high school football and they pull together as a community when there’s trouble.

    What I found was desolation and despair. Incomes are down. Health care prices are skyrocketing. Home values are down. Crop prices are down. Factories have closed. Industry has evaporated. In Detroit and Cleveland– there are entire high rises that have been abandoned. In Flint, Michigan, you can’t even drink the water. There are blocks and blocks of abandoned houses. The auto industry has relocated to Mexico. The steel industry has moved to Japan. Coal production is down. People who worked their whole lives in manufacturing today support their families by working at Wal-Mart and selling Amway.

    The median income in Pittsburgh is $36,000. In Cleveland the median is $26,000. In Detroit? $25,000. This means HALF the population is BELOW this number. A home in Detroit will cost you $8000.

    Roger & Me came out in 1989, and things have only gotten worse in the rust belt. Think about that. Put yourself in someone’s shoes for a moment and look at the lives they live. Imagine yourself not being able to drink your own water. Think about being a skilled worker with nowhere to work. Think about medical bills piling up with no way to pay them. The recovery never made it to these states.

    This entire section of the country has been largely ignored since 1980, when the mills and plants started closing. President Obama spent $10 trillion dollars on recovery packages– racking up the most debt of any US President– and didn’t produce new jobs for this area. He spent money on solar power. The jobs went east and west– skipping the middle of the country. Hillary didn’t even bother to make one campaign stop in 2 years in the entire state of Wisconsin. Her team believed the polling and thought they were safe. But the polling was off.

    Donald Trump came in and promised he would bring the jobs back. He promised to kill TPP and throw out NAFTA, which he suggested was strangling industry in the area. He promised to impose a 35% tariff on any car made in Mexico. He promised to rebuild infrastructure using U.S. produced steel. He promised to repeal Obamacare which has sent health care costs skyrocketing. He came in and promised these people he would work for them. He offered them hope.

    When faced with the choice of Hillary– who ignored them and offered 4 more years of the same– and Trump, a pig offering hope– the choice was easy and overwhelming. They chose the pig. Hillary asked the electorate– Do we really want to set the country back 30 years? If you are living in the rust belt the answer is hell-the-eff-yes.

    This election result was a cry for help by people who desperately need it. The sooner the Democrats realize this and start acting on it– the sooner they will get elected back into office. The vote was a middle finger extended toward the coasts. There isn’t a Democrat who can win the White House without these states. Ignore them in the future at your own peril.

    Without the Electoral College, the people in these states would not have been heard.

    As for the protesters? Think hard about the message being sent. Your protests are upsetting the very people you need to court in 2020. The election was fair. You will get much further by holding a caucus to discuss emergency relief to the rust belt over complaining about how you wish you’d won.

  49. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    Facebook Friend Michael Lange writes:

    Wait a second! The Republicans have been whining for eight years abou Obama and still are even though he’s only going to be in office another couple of months. The “anti-establishment” Trump won the presidency only by the oldest establishment white man method in the U.S., the electoral college, admittedly it’s in the constitution, but don’t you find that ironic? The popular vote was pretty clearly won by Hillary. And then there’s the first amendment, the right to whine about our government whenever we want to. So YOU guys stop whining about other people whining. By the way, calling it whining diminishes what it really is, good old American protest.

  50. Diane Dimond on November 21, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Facebook Friend Chad Perry Tate writes:

    I agree with this Diane. We have seen so much hate and violence from Hillary supporters since the election. They say its because of this reason or that reason but they are lying.. The truth is they are being crybabies because their choice of candidate did not win. Plain and simple. They are calling for the abolition of the electoral college but they were fine with it before Trump won. And they refuse to stop their hate and violence. The way they have acted since the election changes nothing. Go to the polls and vote for change. And if things don’t go your way don’t be a cry baby and riot in the streets because you didn’t get your way. I have seen several Hillary supporters say they will not work together with the rest of us to put things back on track.. They are wanting this violence and hate to continue. They are hypocrites of what they preach. What happened to the “Love trumps hate” slogan that they were using during Hillary’s campaign?? They are just hypocrites. And if they aren’t willing to put their feelings aside and work together for the good of the rest of their fellow citizens then they should get shipped out with the rest of these illegals who are here. If you want to continue being a crybaby then fine but get out the rest of our way because we are with our President-Elect. The fact that the liberal crybabies are so raging mad tells me America made the right choice. And that the electoral college served the purpose it was suppose too. I am more even confident that I cast my vote for the right person.

  51. jonna spilbor on November 22, 2016 at 3:03 am

    Spot on. Powerfully written. Well done.

  52. Diane Dimond on November 22, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Reader Franklin Andazola writes:

    Dear Diane:
    Thank you so much for your “Stop Whining” column. I find these protesters far, far more intolerant than most conservatives. It makes you wonder who are the real fascists. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
    Sincerely yours,
    Franklin

  53. Lisa on November 23, 2016 at 1:52 am

    Problem with popular vote, states like Ca and Tx could always determine who wins.

    • Diane Dimond on December 5, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      I think if what I’m reading is correct Mrs. Clinton’s 2 million voter lead came primarily from voters in and around two cities: New York and Los Angeles. If we want to allow the ‘coasts’ to elect our president then we should eliminate the electoral college. If we want voters in ALL states to get a say, I think we stick with what we’ve got.~DD

  54. Diane Dimond on January 1, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    ABQ Journal reader Bob Whalesby writes:

    Today the front page had a snippet eye catcher “Note to Dems: Stop whining”. I decided read it and am happy to say I agree with everything. Not that my opinion matters, but I imagine as people usually don’t take the time to respond unless they disagree and you mostly get negative feedback, I wanted to help balance that out. Good article – Thanks.

  55. Diane Dimond on January 1, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader JoAnn Papich writes:

    I read you “Note to Dems: Stop Whining” column in the Albuquerque Journal on Saturday, November 19, 2016. I take issue with your comment, “I can’t help but wonder. If your candidate had won would you still be so vociferous in you demands to scrap the Electoral College system? I doubt it.” I am writing to tell you that I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but if Mr. Trump had won the popular vote, it would be easy for me to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best. I’m doing that anyway because I have to, but it is not easy. He did not win the majority of the vote of the people of the “United” States, and I feel disenfranchised. I live in a Blue State, New Mexico, and I live in San Juan County in the northwest corner of New Mexico, and this county is very, very red. There were people who voted blue in the red state of Iowa, my home state. There were people who voted red in the blue states, too. When this happened in 2000, I felt it was a fluke and not likely to happen ever again for a very long time. But it has happened again. It has happened in 2 out of the last 5 elections. I feel we need to do something about a flawed system so every vote counts, as it does in all our other elections. City councilors in Farmington, in past years, have won by 1 vote and another time by 3 votes. Voting for President of the United States is the most important vote of all, and my vote has been thrown away twice now. I am not whining. I am not demonstrating. I am upset, and I have a right to be. I am supporting getting rid of the electoral college so that every vote will count. I feel that in close elections, this is very likely to happen again. And, due to the demographics of the country, if there is another close election, the outcome will most likely be the same, in favor of the losing Republican. All I want is for my vote to count – my vote is all I have!!! I know it won’t be easy to get rid of the electoral college, but it has to happen. We got rid of slavery and women got the right to vote. It will happen some day, I am sure, because it would be a fair system that way. I want my vote to count.

  56. Diane Dimond on January 1, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    ABQ Journal Reader Betsy Ralsten writes:

    Diane, I just passed through New Mexico this past week, on a long hike across the country. I picked up the Albuquerque Journal at the Super 8 on Saturday morning, just in time to read your editorial on Dems to Stop Whining. Thank you so much for this editorial. Whining never gets us anywhere, only makes us look worse in the eyes of the world. I hope this editorial had an impact on a few readers, but I suspect you only heard more whining. Have a good week. Betsy

  57. Diane Dimond on January 1, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    Reader Katherine Morrison writes:

    In regard to your “Knock it off” column I believe that peaceful protests of Trump’s actions and appointments are completely legitimate. I would not be protesting the electoral process but rather the racist, misogynistic, abusive things he has said and done and will no doubt continue in the future. He has no mandate, having significantly lost the popular vote, and should listen to those who didn’t support him. And how is that to be achieved except by protest when he surrounds himself only with family and like-minded sycophants? You can count on me, and millions of others, to raise objections to every bigoted, repressive, self-serving action he takes. Loud and clear.

  58. Queenie on January 21, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    love the rich irony of those who whine about whining…

    your own candidate said there would be riots if he was not nominated…

    • Diane Dimond on January 22, 2017 at 8:56 pm

      Certainly not my candidate, Queenie.

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