I certainly think things will be more fraught for minorities and women than they will for white straight cis men, even poor ones, but ultimately, as with Dubya, I don't see anyone, outside Trump's cronies and the very wealthy (and even their lives will most likely just continue as it has been, relatively insulated…

They'll find whatever scapegoat they can, as long as it deflects from the inadequacies of the British ruling class. Foreigners, particularly refugees, and Muslims in general, currently make handy scapegoats for the Daily Mail, Express, Sun and so on.

The creeps have power to upset and bully people, but ultimately it's worth remembering that most of them only act the way they do because they feel inadequate. If we confront them in numbers they seize to have any real power. And from a longterm POV we need to find ways to make people feel good about themselves in a …

I think we can continue to stand up to the creeps, although I do appreciate it's easier for me to say that as a white man. I'm more concerned about what a Republican Executive aided by GOP majorities in both Houses will unleash in terms of policy, and with respect to international relations and progress on climate…

I don't see politics as a zero-sum game (which is not to say you do), and a more progressive society in which African-Americans, Latinos, women and the LGBT community are respected and given equal rights, is beneficial for us all, straight, white cis men included. I don't see how depriving abortion rights for women,…

What worries me is that the British press will spin things so that it's never the Tories' fault, as they have done in the past. Look at how they praised Theresa May's first speech as PM, even though they'd excoriated Ed Miliband for saying almost precisely the same things not eighteen months earlier.

I agree about Kerry circa 2004, which is odd because I think he's actually been a solid and even charismatic Secretary of State, but perhaps he lacked the grit and passion the electorate tends to desire in their head-of-state.

I understand, and I don't deny that there's a huge social and cultural divide in the US and parts of Europe at present, but that's why I always think it makes most sense to focus on issues that unify many of us, like economic justice, whilst ensuring that the necessary social rights are safeguarded and advanced…

I sincerely hope you're right, but I can't, sadly, underestimate the power of the British right-wing press that has, sadly, called practically every national election and referendum its own way since 1979 onwards (Blair being a loyal lapdog to Murdoch and thus winning Labour its only electoral victories during the…

My personal life is always shitty, so good things happening in the world at large (i.e. a progressive candidate winning an election rather than a misogynist fascist pig) is what keeps my spirits up. Suffice to say, 2016 has not been great in that respect.

It's Christmas, Theo. It's the time of miracles. So be of good cheer.

Ain't that the truth. Even year post-21 is worse than the last. Still, I'm sure there's a point when you start celebrating every year you're still alive, somewhere around your seventies.

Really?

Now I'm convinced more than ever that Lee Harvey Oswald was framed.

Do you honestly believe that? Because if you're right, we really have lost all hope.

Well said!

I'm comfortable with blaming gamers for all that's wrong in politics at present. Beats blaming the working-class and unemployed.

The EU wants us out in 18 months. I don't blame them. If I were in their position I'd be saying good riddance to the UK too.

I don't recall ever telling any year prior to 2016 to go fuck itself. This year has been uncommonly shitty, starting with the deaths of Bowie and Rickman within a few days of one another in January.

And he had a serious health scare a few years back. I'm just hoping that's what keeps him alive longer. The fact that whatever was wrong appeared to have been averted.