WHAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR WHEN JOE BIDEN WINS

It’s Sunday. The Sunday before the Tuesday election. The election that may well determine the future of the planet and whether or not it will be hospitable for human life. The latter will be challenging whoever wins but with a Biden win, at least there’s an acknowledgement that we face a climate crisis and must act. Biden’s history shows that incrementalism is his comfort zone. It will be up to us, the American people who are honest enough to admit there’s a crisis (and there are 10s of millions of us), to make the new administration understand that it’s too late for incrementalism. And the good news is that Biden can be moved to do what’s right.

If we’d started phasing out fossil fuels 40 years ago when the fossil fuel industry was told by their scientists that what they were burning was warming up the atmosphere, the transition could have been incremental. But the industry lied and planted false stories. As a result, the time remaining to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% –what the scientists are telling us is essential if we are to avoid the tipping point—is growing smaller fast.

I wonder how many of my blog followers will stop reading now. I hope not many. I hope you’ll hang in here cause it’s important if you care anything about saving this precious, complex, perhaps unique, interconnected web of life.

The good news is that many of the steps needed to solve the economic crisis that the covid pandemic has wrought can, if implemented with this intention, move us forward on the path to a green, sustainable future.

I’m scared. I have to confess. And what I do when I feel like this, besides meditate and workout, is I think about the Green New Deal. I learned to do this from Abigail Leedy, an 18-year-old working class climate activist from Philadelphia where people have died because of the heat, gotten sick because of the pollution spewed from the oil refineries next to her house.

Last fall at a Fire Drill Friday, Abigail told the crowd that when she and her friends are feeling the burden of the climate crisis, they raise their spirits by thinking how their world will be under a green new deal. “Under a green new deal maybe kids won’t be poor,” she said. “Under a green new deal all the public schools have air conditioning and we’ll turn gas stations into parks.”
It’s moving to me that we have this 14-page resolution laying out a vision for a 10-year mobilization to save the planet that brings hope to our young people and is, in essence, a major jobs program.
Yet look what a job Republicans (and some Democrats) have already done on the GND, convincing many people that it’s socialism, that it costs too much, will wreck the economy, and can’t be done.

Of course, they conveniently don’t factor in the costs of not doing anything. Get this: Over the last three years, the total cost of extreme billion-dollar weather events exceeded $450 billion!
But the main reason they hate the GND is because it requires a strong government and an economy that actually works for all people. The oligarchs try to sell us a bill of goods about the free market system because they hate regulations that prevent them from running roughshod over workers and the environment in order to maximize their profits. Trump has rolled back over 100 environmental regulations!
And listen to this: The above is the same reason the Trump administration has refused to mount an appropriate federal response to the covid pandemic. They don’t want us to see the government as an institution that actually helps people. They’ve made ‘Big Government’ a bad word but the size of the government isn’t what’s important, it’s who the government works for, right?
Hasn’t covid taught us the importance of a functional federal government? We are right now experiencing the catastrophic impacts of a weakened government that refuses to protect public health and support people in the midst of a global emergency.
Please keep reading. It’s important for us all to understand what the Green New Deal is…and understand that it’s not socialism.

Like the original New Deal in the 1930s under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, it proposes that the government funds many thousands of good-paying jobs, retrofitting and upgrading buildings for maximum energy efficiency, updating our water delivery infrastructure to improve waste quality and conservation, remediating toxic oil wells and waste dumps, and generally increasing this nation’s resiliency, safety, and affordability.

Unlike that original New Deal, the Green New Deal (GND) explicitly calls out and centers the need for these investments to be guided by justice and equity – racial justice, economic justice, gender justice, and environmental justice.
The GND calls for training people in skills that would be in demand in the new economy created by the transition off of fossil fuels and guaranteeing the right of all workers to organize, unionize and collectively bargain. The overseas transfer of jobs and pollution would be stopped. 
It calls for guaranteeing family-sustaining wages for workers, good healthcare and retirement benefits. It calls for ensuring workers affected by the transition off fossil fuels will have the resources and skills to succeed in a new economy.
The work would be local, and local communities would be the ones that benefit from these changes. See we need to stop having to move things like water and food and energy to and from faraway places. When you’re relying on sun and wind, communities can own, control and store their own energy.

While polluting industries are being phased out, other, sustainable industries will replace them, spurring economic development. Investing in affordable, high-quality healthcare, housing, education, and social services will ensure all of us can thrive.
And the GND isn’t just about urban centers. It calls for supports for family farming, investments in sustainable land use practices, restoring the natural ecosystems through proven low-tech solutions known as restorative agriculture. This would result in our food being far healthier and more nutritious and without the manipulation of big agribusiness.
The genius of the GND is its inclusiveness. It doesn’t just focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Vulnerable communities including indigenous peoples, communities of color, poor and low-income workers, and people who live in rural communities are the primary victims of pollution and resource extraction.
Under the GND they would be the beneficiaries along with workers affected by the transition off fossil fuels.
When Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey first introduced the GND Resolution, I have to admit that I was one of those who thought, “Oh Lord, why not just focus on climate? Why include equality and justice issues?

But I have come to understand that environmental bills that didn’t have justice at their center have invariably failed in Congress, not just because conservative Republicans opposed them, but because they didn’t get support from the working families, unions, young people, and communities of color whose support is vital to getting things done in Washington.
And it’s not just about politics. We truly can’t address the climate crisis separately from the other issues we face like economic inequality and racism. Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities bare the largest burden of pollution.
Millions of people are unemployed or working 2 or 3 jobs just to get by.
One thing that was so game-changing about last year’s enormous, global uprisings by student climate activists was that the youth get it, they understand the need for inclusivity and justice. They get that that’s how we will build a movement big enough to win and ensure we leave no one behind.
They’re right: To make the Green New Deal a reality, we need the broadest possible cross section of Americans to understand that they would benefit from what will be true systemic change.
We all need to understand that what science calls for, cutting carbon emissions in half by 2030 and then weaning entirely off fossil fuels by 2050, is the greatest challenge humankind has ever faced and the opposition is powerful which is one reason why this Tuesday’s election is so critical.
Let’s vote for a government that’s willing to mobilize trillions of dollars, putting people back to work in good union jobs, building a resilient, green economy, protecting peoples’ right to energy-efficient, safe housing and healthy water.
And let’s not fall for the lies of the climate deniers, climate delayers and people who only care about their own wealth.

Thanks to all who read this to the end.

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61 Comments
  1. 😊

    • You know what’s great? That you have done all that you have and that you are such an inspiration to young and old and I think you have always and continue to make a difference in the world. You know what’s not great? I really wish you could have run for President, (not saying you would have) But you have the mental and emotional make up of what this country needs. You have the ability to be inclusive you are a very good speaker, you write brilliantly and you actually research and look at a problem and accept input. You engage other’s opinions to raise the level of an idea and you don’t seem to care about “pride of ownership”. Well, regardless, you are truly a National Treasure. 🙂

  2. Jane, thank you for being an inspiration, especially for your young followers. I hope that the people of the USA will make the best choice in this election so that it does not end up like we do here in Brazil, where we have a president who does not care about our people and does not give a damn about important issues like climate change.

    • oh, Jane, a friend of mine asked you to send me “happy birthday” the other day and you did it very kindly. Thank you so much, it means a lot to me!

      • Hi Luiza!
        My best friend’s birthday is coming up and she would be so incredibly happy if she received a message from Jane. I was wondering how your friend was able to get Jane to wish you a happy birthday!

  3. Jane,
    You’re right. This is scary. Thank you for being a person who realizes that we are in a crisis and that it needs to be dealt with now, and that us “power-hungry dems” aren’t overreacting.

    I’m sixteen and I live in an area of the U.S. that is an agricultural area but has giant factories and CAFOs that poison our air and water (and I’m one of the lucky ones, there are so many people suffering so much more than I am, which is why I am so motivated to fight for this issue) Lately, my hopes have been very low for our future (but volunteering with FDF and Greenpeace, meditating, and exercising has definitely helped!). I’m obviously already feeling the pre-election and the post-election stress, just like everyone else, so I figured after reading this blog that I would give you some words of encouragement, just because 🙂

    One thing that you are known for saying is that as a celebrity, you are a repeater. You help lift up the voices that can’t quite get over the mountain by themselves. You do this every day of your life, you have for years, even when it put your reputation and your safety on the line. So many amazing, powerful women have done just the same and I hold you and all of those leaders in a special place in my heart.

    I was raised in a very old-fashioned home (still am). You know the usual “women should be submissive” and “children should be seen not heard” I never really learned to have my own opinions about issues, let alone fight for what is right. Then about a year ago, I came across On Fire by Naomi Klein. And when I tell you I was f l o o r e d. I was so angry! I had so many questions and I was so confused. I was always taught that America was the greatest, un-corrupt, fair, happy. But now all I see is corruption, hate, and misery.

    This is why it is so powerful when I see women like you, women who don’t have to do this but do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Women who have seen and been through really hard times. When I see that, I think “I want to be what they are to me someday” if that makes any sense. I really wish I could get a chance to talk to everyone who has inspired me on my activism journey, just to tell them how they have helped, letting them know that they are making a difference.

    I know this may just seem like rambling, but it is always great to have some appreciation sent your way every once in a while. So I’ll leave you with this.

    Just whenever you begin to lose hope or motivation, just remember. I am one of the lucky ones, sure my air and water are unhealthy and disgusting, but at least I’m not in a life-threatening situation like so many other people from my generation are right now, especially people of color. Now multiply my gratitude and inspiration towards you, times all of everyone who is following and being uplifted by this movement. You mean so much to so many people and you inspire people to fight for what they believe in! You are apart of an army of powerful women that are changing the world! You’ve been apart of films and television series that have made a huge impact on people. You were willing to camp out in the middle of D.C. for Christ’s sake! If that doesn’t show commitment, then I don’t know what does!

    No matter who wins the election, I know I’m going to fight for the GND and I know you are too. Thank you so much for being one of my biggest inspirations and helping me find something that I’m really passionate about. I am honored, along with many other young people, to have you as someone to look up to.

    Just remember, when things get tough, us women, we’re strong, and we’re going to fight like hell for justice and peace together!

    xo Kennedy

    • Thanks, Kennedy. Stay strong. I will do everything in my power to help rural america heal from the poisons of industrial farming. xx

  4. I don’t even want to think what would happen if Trump remains in office. We have so little time and we’d be inevitably losing another four!
    So I ask- How do you remain optimistic for a future if he’s re-elected?

    On a much lighter note I read we texted 340,000 voters ( as of 6:30pm ) last night!!!! Probably more after that!! But that was ONE day!

  5. Jane, your words are allways so clear. I will be staying up to watch the count from here in the UK. Thank you x

  6. Hi Jane, I’m not American . I don’t live in the USA either so I can’t vote in your elections, but I really wish I could. I know exactly how my vote would go. (Biden/Harris) . I hope for the sake of the environment and other causes , that they get elected. I hope they continue to have strong relations with Canada (my country).

    Out of curiosity and because I’m such a huge fan of his, do you know how Ted Turner is doing? I just read his grandson got married. Since his diagnosis, I haven’t seen/heard much about him. Are you still able to communicate with him?

    • His grandson, John R Seydel was married yesterday. I watched online. Ted suffers from Louis’s body disease (what Robin Williams had but he was misdiagnosed). It can;’t be cured but Ted’s is being carefully managed. So sad.

      • Unfortunately, this type of dementia was diagnosed too late for Robin. Because I am fascinated by everything it happens in our brain I’ve read many scientific litterature and it seems that Lewy Body Dementia is the second cause of death after Alheimzer (neurological causes). And everything is messed up by an abnormal deposit of a certain protein.
        😒😢 It makes you think how little we still know about our brain’s functioning.

    • Jane,
      Thank you so much for this. You know I have listened to you or your guests on FDF explain the GND plenty of times, but just didn’t understand until you explained it here in your blog. I read the whole thing and will probably read it again and jot stuff down. You are so great. Thank you! Can I ask a question? What can I look for tomorrow for any hope. Like how do you know what states have what numbers. They keep saying election coverage. I have never been this involved in an election ever so I hope this isn’t a dumb question. The only thing I know is that we won’t know the results tomorrow.
      Love always,
      Stacey

      • Stacey, We probably won’t know the elections results tonight but it’s not impossible. If Biden wins Florida or Texas, it’s pretty much decided. The key states to watch for are Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Florida, Georgia. Trump may declare victory tonight but don’t be fooled. We re demanding, millions will demand, that all votes must be counted. Trump declaring victiry tonight is like eating uncooked dough and calling it bread!

        • Jane,
          Thank you for replying. My day just got 100% better.The key states are the swing states right? I’m learning! I was a mess this morning as probably were a lot of people. On the way home from work I ran to McDonald’s and as I pulled out of the driveway I ran over the curb and my whole side bumper came off! Ugg I just stopped and cried, when I got home I sat took some breathes and read your blog again. I’m ok now. I went to theGP teachings for what to expect at a protest and I signed up for an event for tomorrow.so I’m ready! Thank you so much! let’s try to stay positive we got this! The thing that keeps me going is knowing I’m not alone. We are all on this together.
          Love always,
          Stacey

  7. Read all way thru yes .
    I was shocked to watch a CNN report in which a Trump follower was adamant that God speaks thru him!
    The reporter could not believe her ears.
    We are dealing with an increase in covid cases in Dumfries&Galloway this area was not hit so hard first time round ,not so this time .
    US politics has been interesting to say the least .The world is desperate for a Biden win .He at least acknowledges there is a climate emergency.
    Iam crossing everything in the hope Americans will do the right thing on tuesday.

    On a different note looking forward to 7th and last season of G&F.S1-6 had been binged on since I got netflix in march .
    Martin Sheen is a hard guy to contact on a par with Kenny Loggins !
    Love to all
    Stay safe

  8. Dear Jane, thank you very much. Love your blog as always. Fingers cross all goes well on Tuesday. Please stay safe and healthy. Wx

  9. Jane, I don’t think you have to worry about your followers and fans not reading what you have to say fully. We are here for you, with you and forever. That’s what I find great about Fire Drill Fridays – that I believe it’s going to be continuous. After I’m gone, after your gone, it will still be fighting for the rights of the people and the planet.

    “Pugnabit enim terra!” (Latin for “Fight for the Earth!”

    Love Lesley, Love from Newfoundland, Canada

  10. Jane, thank you very much for the explanation, it would be wonderful if this were done in all countries, I have not finished your book, I dedicate my free time to sending text messages every day, then I will read it calmly, thank you very much for open my eyes to this reality that can no longer be hidden or postponed.

    • Hola Jane,me ha gustado mucho esta última publicación,su opinión me parece muy realista respecto a que los ciudadanos tienen que seguir luchando después de elegir quien gobierna su país, para que lo prometido se cumpla.A través de su blog y los comentarios que puedo leer gracias al traductor puedo imaginar lo distinto que es su país de lo que pensamos muchos que vivimos lejos, yo sabía que la vida no era fácil para los ciudadanos no blancos,veía las noticias pero nunca hubiera imaginado tanta injusticia social,contaminación que enferma y es causada por las grandes empresas.Pensaba que aunque muchas veces su gobierno haya sido causante de conflictos internacionales sin justificación, en el siglo XXI siguen teniendo ciudadanos que sus vidas valen muy poco.Les deseo mucha suerte en esta nueva etapa.Un abrazo de Isabel

  11. Hi, Jane!
    I’ve just finished reading your post, and American elections will have a huge impact on the entire planet indeed.
    You’ve wrote that ” the size of the government isn’t what’s important, it’s who the government works for, right?” You are right, and I admire you for believing in something that should be a fact in every country. Unfortunately, in practice, things are so different in many countries, and many governments do not work for the people anymore.
    As you already have lived through several American governments, you do have an advantage on annalizing this issue. But I want to ask you something, and you are free to asnwer if you feel confortable enough with the questions. Do you strongly believe that although Biden believes in incrementalism he can be “pushed” to ACT beyond his personal beliefs or you simply HOPE that this will happen? You are somehow scared that things may not happen as they should or you do not consider this option at all? I’m asking you because I believe in your good intentions for the well-being of people, and because I’m also worried about our future.
    sending my love,
    XXX

    • Nicoleta, I DO believe that Biden can be pushed. I believe we’ll win th senate an keep the house. So, with all the 10s of 1000s of climate activists ready to move, I do believe he can be pushed. Some of it may take time but we will make him do it.

      • At least Biden will listen with both ears. Can you imagine the tweets that would come out of the White House in the middle of the night if Jane Fonda asked for Trump to listen? “Socialist” “Communist” “tank sitter” ” Vet murderer” etc. It wouldn’t be just Trump either. An avalanche of hate would come out of every Republican able to talk. LOL. You should feel gratified that you can still ruffle their feathers and be such a thorn in their side. Think about it – 50 years later and they won’t forgive or forget. Not that you did anything wrong except point out what a mistake that war was. It also shows them for what they really are – vindictive, petty and willing to rain hate down on a woman who only exercised her right to free speech. I guess free speech only applies to them when they want to talk. They repulse me and I can’t look at people like Mitch McConnell and feel anything but contempt.

      • Thanks a lot, Jane, for answering!❤
        I DO believe in your inner power to move mountains and be a part of this process as long as you can. I HOPE that something good will come out for the entire planet, and especially for those small countries as mine where activists are not so many and so vocal.
        stay healthy,
        XXX❤

  12. Thank you for doing what you do. None of this is easy. And right now with the political and social climate weighing heavy on us all, I hope that we will go deep within ourselves as a whole to figure out what is best for us ALL and learn to work with each other to find some middle ground in the least. This is so draining. I envy you. I wished I had the energy to push through it all. After everything else, it is daunting and it is harrowing to witness. To be a part of. I admire you greatly. I pray you continued strength and energy while I try to regain mine 🙏💖✌

  13. Hi Jane! Again, I thank you for all your hard work. Not only for our climate, but this historical election! I have family and friends that have voted this time that have not voted in years! I hope to be on-line come Friday for Fire Drill Friday. My back surgery is tomorrow, but hope to be home by Friday! Keep up the good fight!!
    With much love and admiration
    Elaine

  14. I made it to the end of the article, Jane. I am so fed up with the bullshit that comes out of Trump’s mouth that I don’t think I can watch the news tomorrow, election day. I mailed my ballet a week ago and I don’t even want to leave the house tomorrow. Here in Los Angeles many businesses are boarding up in preparation for tomorrow. I have been depressed for weeks and nothing seems to shake it out of me. If I have to see one more f—–in Trump supporter go on about “fake news” I will scream! Cant these people see what he is all about? I think our government did this and it didn’t just happen when Trump stepped into power. All the administrations before him ignored them and finally someone paid ATTENTION TO THEM and as a result Trump has their loyalty. I know people who think all the stories about the prostitutes and porn stars AND PRETTY MUCH ALL OF IT was made up by the “fake media.” (incidently the same media that gave Trump front and center stage during debates and made all the attention on him. None of the others had a chance.) Now they want to destroy him. Well, I am hoping for a landslide tomorrow and he has his gang of terrorists will get ran out of town. That includes all his enablers. One can only wish. But this clown will drag it on if he loses and unleash his forces on the bigger cities and I am afraid it will be the summer of 1968 all over again!

  15. Hi Jane,

    Thank you for this insightful blog post. I wish I could get so many of the people I encounter everyday to read it. So many people have little to no understanding of the GND. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been called a socialist or communist when texting for GP.

    I was elated yesterday evening when we learned that we had surpassed or doubled goal of reaching 4 million voters! We have such an incredible team and it was the news I needed to give me a boost of encouragement as we head into one of the most anxiety ridden days in our nation’s history. There were so many people texting through the Spoke app that that the system could not process all of the texts we were sending in real time so we are going to have a lot of replies to answer later this morning when texting begins. There are so many good people in this fight so I continue to have hope! Thank you for inspiring us daily.

    I want nothing more than to take back our country today!

    Stay safe and well!

    Jenny xoxo

  16. Hi Jane!

    First of all: what true words you speak.
    Secondly: if I remember correctly, you acted in „walk on the wild side“ with LGBTQ icon Barbara Stanwyck, do you have any fond memories of that filming?

    Lots of love!

    • Yes, I think I wrote them in my memoir but can’t write them now. Too much happening. x

  17. Hi girl,
    Oh my God, rooting for you and the planet today. Our news is totally focused on the elections. I will only sleep when I know the result, although I know it will not be definitive yet. I am sending a lot of energy of light and love to this Being, so that he accepts to lose himself, because if he does not accept it, he can be a bad example for all democracies, including ours, that we are struggling to keep what remains. Good luck to all of us.
    Love You

  18. Wow Jane, 50 years since your famous photo when you were arrested in Cleveland, and you continue fighing for your ideals, what a pride to be with you and to be your friend.🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

  19. Jane, it’s almost 2 at night in Warsaw now, but I’m watching CNN and keeping my fingers crossed. We’re with you!

  20. Jane,
    Trump came out and said he won. He keeps saying we can’t catch him. With all his followers without masks. Said he is winning Michigan nope and Wisconsin nope
    They aren’t going to be able to count all the votes in Michigan or Wisconsin till later so stop saying that. I’m sorry but he is lying about all this!He said as far as I’m concerned we already won. This is ridiculous! I’m sorry to retire this to you but this is so frustrating!
    Love always,
    Stacey

  21. Hi Jane !
    I really hope Biden will win ! I am also looking forward to the results

    to talk about ecology i think you saw the movie Erin Brockovich with Julia Roberts that came out in 2000 in France. I really liked this film and it is current!
    In France things are also bad between the covid and the attacks, it is very worrying

    Like you, I do meditation and yoga, also walking to free yourself from tension!…and then I do watercolors which also relaxes.
    let’s keep our fingers crossed to make things calm
    Take good care of yourself xxxx

  22. All too true. Nice ref to FDR too. But why have people stopped factoring in Overpopulation as a serious problem in all this? Up to the 1970s, Overpopulation was regularly on the agenda. In the ’80s it was dismissed as if we had solved the problem, as if the answer was to double the population and forget about it.

  23. Dear Jane, I have been thinking a lot about you and your fellow Americans. It must be a nerve-racking time for you all. (Hope you manage some decent sleep at night.) I am following live updates of the election by the minute and I sincerely hope the right candidates (president, senators and house of representatives) will get through. You are a superb leader and please continue to guide us through climate and other social issues. Afterall, we only have just-this-one planet to share and to protect collectively. Please stay safe and healthy. Wx

  24. Jane, thank you for you thoughts and strong determination to making this world a better place. I am from Alberta, which I know is a contentious area of discussion. I am not directly involved in the old/gas/fossil fuel industry but I suppose that my existence makes me involved. I remember that you created quite an uproar when you were down here protesting the pipelines, and I thank you for that. I am against it in terms of our planet and I am very glad that you are able to rabble the rousers. Thank you for your persistence in wanting our world to be better.
    I just wanted, as a side note, to share a short story about how you have personally affected the relationship between my grandmother and I.
    I remember being woken by what seemed like a march underneath my bed. I was irritated by this, and soon found that it was the result of my grandmother (who raised me since the age of 10, approximately the time of these stampedes). I went downstairs to find my grandmother, approximately 50 years of age, doing your Beginners Workout. What could I say in my sleepiness? “Grandma, how dare you take care of your body and health?”. Hah, hardly. What ensued was her and I disturbing the household from then on, in tandem,at 7 am and I LOVED IT! It gave me a goal to work towards, a guide telling me to “feel those buns burning” and the basis of my want to provide a healthy lifestyle for my grams and I. We did that for about 5 years together and she has tapered off, but I swear the only workout she wants to do is any portion of the one we shared. We both had your smiling face and intense workouts. I admire her for sticking with you for so long!!
    I still encourage her to work out with the hour long walk videos that you have generously provided, and one day I may actually be able to finish that same Beginners Workout/Advanced workout without swearing at you. You have created something unknowingly, and that is a beautiful gift for my grandmother and I. Thank you <3

    • Sorry, I cannot believe that I actually forgot to mention that I am very sad to hear about Grace and Frankie ending after 7 seasons, but I am have currently re-watched the entirety of the show and I am 10 minutes from ending the last episode. I almost cannot bare to do it, but I do know that one more season is coming. Thank you and Lily from the bottom of my heart for being a part of something that is wonderful for not only women, but has been able to create a whole new dialogue for older men and women in a delightful yet realistic way. I love you both so much, and the rest of the cast/creators/writers for all of this. Thank you

    • I LOVE that story, Sarah. Thanks!! Jane

  25. Jane it is a fact that you won congrats!!!!! the eyes of the world are on the United States, God allow the peaceful transition and you can become a better country, all countries are trying to do it in different ways but trying, take care of yourself, I love you💕💕💕

  26. Hi baby,
    Ohhh my God, oh my God !!! I am very happy! Congratulations for the victory. Now he just needs to fulfill what he promised in relation to the Amazon. Success for FDF and GND.
    I love you

  27. Dearest Jane,
    So, it happened, Biden did it! Congratulations! Never did one, single word carry so much meaning and emotion – joy, relief, pride and hope. This election restored my faith in the American nation, even though I am a bit disappointed it was not a landslide victory for Joe. The map of winning and losing states looks very interesting and kinda predictable. Power to the people o California and NY – the best there is in terms of the intellect.

    Anyway, the wacko is out and the last few days clearly showed what a sociopath he really is. Well, Goodbye to Donald, Ivanka, Melania and her stand-ins. (Although I feel sorry for all her lookie-likies who lost career and income opportunities…)

    Time will show what happens next, but even if things don’t improve we all should be glad that this power-hungry, alpha male egomaniac, who is also an irresponsible, lying, dumb, rude fraudster is out of the political picture.

    Lots of love, hugs and kisses, chin chin!
    Bob

  28. I’ve read this twice, maybe three times. I’ve lived the last seven days between CNN and PBS, going back and forth, trying to digest the facts, the energy, the spectacle of people in the streets. I’ve alternated between holding my breath, trying to breathe, shedding a few tears of relief on one hand with Biden & Kamala looking at fireworks yet with a sad horror at the near equal division of this country.
    It’s not done quite yet. I’m waiting to see how Georgia will shake down on senate seats. Of the 14 million who didn’t vote for Trump, we need to also recognize that in that number were many Republicans who crossed over to vote against Trump, but who also voted for a Republican Senate and House. A thank you needs to go to them for making that choice for change.
    I’ve read Klein’s book, I’ve read your book. I’m 100% for the GND. I get the urgency and the time frame and the justice and morality. I’m also pragmatic. We didn’t win the Senate. At this point we are so stuck, I’m ready to call the above tenants by any name that can get them to pass legislation. A rose is a rose as long as it is still a rose. Name it whatever they want. I’m ready to send every Senator a bottle of MiraLAX, including Pelosi. I want to see movement, no matter if it is exactly getting everything on my wish list. Biden will have to have the freedom to be able to break the damn loose. That means, yes, we have to push him and support some of his compromise at the same time. This is scary because so much is at stake. And there is such a huge range of needs. No one wants their needs cut. We have to keep trust with each other that nothing is going to be dropped. We have to keep our eyes on the big goals while maybe temporarily letting some things be the second tier of push. Tier One; get back in sync with the world on saving the planet. Tier Two; ?. Tier 3. ? Yes, we have to do more than walk and chew gum at the same time. Biden will delegate.
    As for Trump, he will continue to be toxic. I hope Biden can help by being a anti-serum against his residual toxicity.
    P.S. I loved FDF this time too. I didn’t know of Rebecca Solnit, so that was a wonderful discovery. Rev William Barber, I love listening to his ideas, words, thoughts even if I’m not religious. But the best was having Joan Baez sing. I choked up too. The song was hopeful, strengthening, beautiful. It was the best Birthday ribbon on my birthday wish for Biden as President.

  29. Jane, you are very right, climate change is a priority and really life or death, in my state we are having unprecedented floods, the worst since I live, more than 7000 victims in case it does not rain again it seems that stop but the water takes days to go down, God willing it does not happen anymore, the situation is very sad.

    • Jane, I was wrong more than 100,000 people affected, and I hope it does not increase.

    • I think one small step towards the push to accelerate the switch to fully going green & using clean energy is any new or replacement government/public/emergent service vehicles should be electric, or at least hybrid. We MUST transition from using gas & fossil fuels.
      A bigger step is switching government buildings to solar energy. Installing solar panels to all these large offices would be so beneficial in highlighting renewable energy & it being attainable & practicable. Climate change is so prevalent and visible, government needs to take action and promote electric cars, solar energy, etc.

      All officials need to be advocates for renewable, clean energy to empower the country to effectively make a difference!

  30. Jane ,
    Now that things have calmed down I want to say I am so sorry for those crazy post I wrote on your blog. You did not need to know all that info. Tuesday was rough for me. And I’m sure for many Americans. I don’t even know what I was thinking? You had just wrote that “ trump declaring victory was like eating uncooked dough and calling it bread”. I knew that in my head, but when it happened in that moment I was so upset and annoyed. I was dealing with zero sleep and anxiety. So I’m sorry for the craziness. I hope you accept my apology. On a happier note I’m so happy the people have spoken!! One more thing I watched Lily on Ellen the other day and they played this game and she ended up holding up a book that was titled I think you need to talk to someone. I was like well played Lily! Thank you. So I ordered it. Hope all is well
    Love always,
    Stacey

  31. Jane this is very sad, you are right, the climate crisis is the most important is this moment: https://www.treehugger.com/climate-change-undo-progress-child-malnutrition-5097013

  32. Hello Jane!

    I don’t live in the US, but in a peripheral Western country, that is Greece. Our current government is going at the exact opposite direction of a new green deal, opting for setting up resource extractions all across the country,up the mountains and deep into the sea. In fact we are talking about areas that had been characterized as areas of nature preservation! Should they proceed with their plans, the damage caused will not be contained within Greece’s borders;nature does not give a damn about people-made borders. Neither do environmental catastrophes.

    At the same time the government is failing with dealing with the covid pandemic on every possible level. So things are not so different from the US even if we are kilometers – or miles – apart.

    If anyone is wondering what is the thread that is connecting all those phenomena that you have described in our post, as well as those that I referred to in my reply, well I would say that this goes beyond specific miserable governments and towards the largest capitalistic structures we live in. It is in that sense that the New Green Deal, with which I am totally on board of course, can never be put into motion unless we fought for deeper and wider structural changes. So, I really wish that the fight for the GND actually comes hand in hand with the fight for Socialism, i.e. an socio-economic system that work for all of us.Otherwise, I honestly don’t see no future for any of us.
    Thank you for taking the time to read my reply and thank you for the awareness you are raising over the most important issues of our time!

  33. Jane, I think this article is sad but is the reality: https://www.treehugger.com/most-important-question-tackling-climate-crisis-5105104

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