Respect and gratitude

Let me get this straight: After all the voting, after all the counting, after all the state certifications, after all the vicious and violent threats to both “R” and “D” state and county election officials, after the electoral college’s certification, even after Mitch McConnell’s reluctant admission that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the “newly and duly” elected president and vice president of the United States, and after over 22,000-plus lies from the guy who actually did lose the election; after all that, some still believe the 22,000-plus-lies guy. Not only that, but he continues to play the victim and beg for money from his “base” for his fruitless lawsuits, otherwise known as a “con-job” or “scam.” Sending money to a presidential “paskudnyak” is “meshugge.” Oy vey!

In the meantime, most of us can congratulate the incoming president and vice president-elect and the refreshingly qualified team they are assembling to serve in their administration, and the courageous election officials and volunteers who — during a pandemic — risked so much to enable and protect our nation’s crown jewel, the vote. We can offer a shout-out, too, to New York Attorney General Letitia James for the justice that is to come.

But our deepest respect and gratitude should be reserved for the over 81 million Americans who voted to preserve our nation’s character, our human compassion, our shared values, our democracy, our standing among nations and, most of all, the planet we all call home.

Peace, love, joy, good health, prosperity and normalcy to all.

LINDA FARRELL

Bella Vista