Douche Canoes, Poignant Reminders, and Breathing

Something not-so-unexpected happened in the aftermath of the election. New slogans are gaining traction in the douche canoe quadrant of America. If you don't know what a douche canoe is, you can look it up.

This particularly witless gem is attributed to proud White Nationalist Nicholas J. Fuentes as seen in a tweet

This is the actual tweet that appeared on X, posted at 6:19 AM on November 6th. That means it was posted after the race was pretty much but officially called. It was an incredible message sent to women, especially young women who are facing a time with fewer rights to self-determination than their mothers and grandmothers had. How the hell do we explain that to Little Miss? Frankly, I don't have a clue. 

Websites are popping up selling merch with the phrase. Hats, t-shirts, hoodies...that's one hoodie I'm not gonna own. One website, Grishko.com, [Russian?] hails this as a "bold and powerful statement," proclaiming:

Step into the spotlight with the Nick Fuentes Your Body My Choice Hat, a bold and unapologetic accessory that demands attention. This striking cap, featuring crisp white lettering, is designed to provoke thought and spark conversation. Whether you’re making a political statement or simply embracing your unique style, this hat is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd.

Nick Fuentes Your Body My Choice Hat 
– Make a Statement with Every Step

This hat is perfect for individuals who aren’t afraid to express their opinions and stand up for what they believe in. Whether you’re attending rallies, protests, or just want to make a statement in your everyday life, this hat is for you. It’s ideal for those who appreciate bold fashion choices that reflect their personal beliefs and values. If you’re someone who enjoys sparking conversations or challenging societal norms, this hat will be a great addition to your collection.

But wait! Another one is even better:

Your body my choice women’s right shirt is a powerful statement that resonates deeply with the ongoing fight for women’s reproductive rights. It proclaims the fundamental principle that women have the autonomous right to make decisions about their own bodies, including the choice to terminate a pregnancy.

This shirt serves as a poignant reminder of the tireless efforts of women’s rights advocates throughout history who have fought against societal norms and systemic oppression. It represents the collective voice of women who demand autonomy over their reproductive decisions, regardless of personal beliefs or political ideologies.

By adorning this shirt, individuals not only express their support for women’s rights but also contribute to raising awareness about the importance of reproductive freedom. It sparks conversations, challenges misconceptions, and empowers women to reclaim control over their own bodies.

REALLY? Poignant reminder? Raising awareness about reproductive freedom? How stupid do they think we are? Wait. Don't answer that. My guess is no one actually speaks English over at Premiumucstore T-shirt Fashion Store despite their LA mailing address. As the Sage of Baltimore, H.L. Mencken once said, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

I'm telling you....you can't make this batshit crazy stuff up.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, there is a lot to dissect, discuss, and decompose when it comes to the events of the last week. Since every person who even thinks about politics is posing as an armchair quarterback while pontificating on why the election turned out the way it did, I'm not gonna. Yeah, I have theories about what went awry, but y'know, it doesn't change a thing and frankly, I don't wanna waste my keystrokes talking about it. It's done. 

There are a few other things happening around the world that may or may not be as a result of this election, but that doesn't matter either. Let's just take a moment to set the stage:

In a nutshell, We, the People, elected a guy who is a convicted felon, a self-admitted sexual predator, and a snake oil salesman based on this trail of failed business, not the least exciting of which was NFT trading cards. You gotta admit, that was one helluva racket he had going there. But as I said, none of that matters. We, the People elected him, and We, the People will slog our way through the next four years. The only positive thing I can say about that is....if he does not suspend the Constitution, he cannot run for another term; we will be spared watching him do that accordion thing on the podium. That alone gives me a glimmer of hope for the future.

Do not think for one New York minute that the world is not watching. They are. They notice the hats. And there were more misogynistic language and threats heard in school hallways. "We don't need your permission," was one of them. Permission to do what? The New Republic article, MAGA’s Violent Threats Spike as Little Girls Threatened With Rape, cited the situation in Hopkins:

But the language has seemingly spilled from the digital ecosphere into daily life, as well, with parents reporting that young boys were caught leveraging the overtly objectifying language against girls in school. 

School officials Minnesota issued a notice to parents on Friday that they were aware of “misogynistic… transphobic, and homophobic memes and messages” directed toward students in nearby school districts, including the phrase “your body, my choice.”

“Our country is facing a period of significant division, and the recent election has stirred a range of emotions. Although Hopkins Public Schools is nonpartisan, we recognize that the outcome of the election has and will continue to spark instances of racism, homophobia, and sexism in school communities across the nation and state, including here in Hopkins,” wrote Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of the Hopkins Public Schools system, in a letter that encouraged parents to reach out to local authorities if their children received such messages.

And the world certainly noticed the cotton-picking texts sent to Black kids and adults alike telling them they'll be rounded up for slave labor at a plantation. This wasn't exactly abstract here in Minnesota when adults and kids in Hopkins and, in fact, all over the state got those texts. Racism is not simply alive and thriving in Minnesota as well as the rest of the county.....it's flourishing.

I have no expectation that the incoming administration will  respond in a useful or appropriate way to racism or the sexualization and objectification of young girls. It's just not their style. 

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

The election is over. 

Focus your energy on surviving the next four years

with tariffs, higher prices, and gutted FDA inspections.

Cook more from scratch.

Use less over-processed food.

Walk outside when you can.

And breathe. 

Don't forget to breathe.