As Good As It Gets

As we all wait together for the resolution of this presidential election, the situation is provoking conversations between people of all ages. Since I am blessed in that I have a very large family distributed across a wide range of generations, I'm struck by how different everyone's perceptions can be simply based on age.

The very young children seem intrigued by a contest that seems to resemble a sports game, perhaps one that has gone into overtime. They also, if they play sports, are familiar with the concepts of a sore loser and a gracious winner. With remarkable clarity, they see adult behavior through that lens.

My 20-somethings are still relatively new to the pressures of adulthood, and as much as they care about the election, it seems clear they are more worried about the pandemic and how it affects their chances for employment. They and their friends contemplate their options and may choose graduate school as a wiser option right now than trying to enter a job market that appears especially challenging for them.

My 40-somethings are clearly more worried about how the pandemic is affecting their kids' educations than the outcome of the election, and are particularly critical of the role of the media in this whole drama. I fear that my profession -- journalism -- is losing its appeal to more and more of those younger than me, not because of the actual work journalists do, but the way that work is packaged by media overlords seeking ratings over elucidation.

People in my age range often recall 1968, the Chicago riots, the assassinations and the trauma that era had on those of us politically active in our youth. They also reference Watergate and in general recognize the role investigative reporters have in uncovering the stories that do not conveniently fit into the dominant narratives. They have a healthy cynicism but have not lost hope.

Overall, we are frustrated. We need to know who won. It is apparent that the kinds of deep social cleavages that afflict this society will not be closed by the election result, but perhaps in its aftermath.

I fear we face rough days ahead. But I pray that healing can begin soon after that stretch.

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* Romney: Trump’s election fraud claim wrong, ‘reckless’ -- Trump “is wrong to say the election was rigged, corrupt and stolen,″ Romney said on Twitter. Trump’s claim “damages the cause of freedom here and around the world ... and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions." (AP)

* The refrain from state officials is consistent: The Trump campaign’s fraud claims are unfounded (WashPo)

* Protesters crying foul over vote counts stir safety concerns (AP)

* GOP leaders press Trump team to detail fraud charges as they cautiously navigate the President (CNN)

* Trump’s path to electoral victory is disappearing. So are his legal avenues. (WashPo)

* Biden Poised to Move Quickly On Transition If He's Declared Winner (CNN)

* It’s Happening Again, Some Grocers Now Limiting Toilet Paper And Disinfecting Wipe Purchases (CBS)

* After U.S. tops 116,000 coronavirus cases in one day, officials worry people are ‘giving up’ (WashPo)

* Pittsburgh Police In Riot Gear Arrive At ‘Stop The Steal’ Rally Where An Anti-Trump Group Has Also Gathered (CBS)

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In the waiting room of his shrink's office, Jack Nicholson's character speaks:

• Melvin Udall : [to a group of depressed psychiatric patients]  What if this is as good as it gets?

  
  

  (1997)

  
  

  -30-