@zleap Here's my take. The more significant event is that the Nov. election failed to repudiate Trump, although Trump lost his race. A number of senate races that Democrats could have won, Republicans won, and Rep's picked up seats in the House. This, after a shambolic 4 years and a pandemic. There is still much to do. Had Trump been convicted, it would mean he couldn't run again in 2024 (if he's healthy enough then) but it wouldn't stop his influence.

I've come to think that, due to growing inequality and monopolism, the bipartisan neoliberal middle cannot hold, and we will either move towards progressivism or oligarchy (via Trump or Trumpism), one pole or the other. Democrats have 2 years to make a big impact and take oxygen away from Trump, otherwise he'll gain power again.

@JimG Very worrying state of affairs, and I really do fear trump getting back in, I am British The USA needs to be a leader for democracy around the world.

@zleap Yes it is indeed very worrying, we (esp. Americans) should all be working our butts off for a better world for everyone because we're on the edge. I'm just not sure the person of Trump is really the specific thing to worry about.

@JimG Do you think it is possible that people have become desensitized to certain things. so it is seen as normal.?

There must have been a time when mass shootings, for example, were very rare, compared to the last say 10 years.

I think, here in the UK, in 2019 over 100 people were stabbed to death in London, alone, mostly young people, carrying knives or other young people carrying knives in fear of others, so it is a vicious circle, it becomes almost as if now it is normal and accepted.

Granted 2020 may have seen a drop but as we start coming out of lock downs, it may creep up again, the current Mental Health impact of Covid could make the toll higher.

Just a thought

@zleap There's a question of whether Trump the person is critical for Trumpism. On the one hand he's a genius for playing a crowd. On the other hand, he's an inept politician. A shrewd president would have managed Covid even half-competently and would have been loved for it, and would have sailed to re-election. Trump managed to lose.

What if we get someone half as good at stirring people up, but twice as good at politics? Such a person would be our doom. Are these qualities mutually exclusive? Perhaps we were lucky to get Trump.

So, maybe having Trump be still viable is a good thing, otherwise that Trumpist energy might alight on someone still more dangerous. But if he's irreplaceable, it's unfortunate he's still viable. But either way, we have to deal with Trumpism.

@JimG Yes I think people look for politicians who are leaders not people who mumble, and talks nonsense. .

Trump knows what he wants, know what he wants to say and says it, confidently loudly gives his supporters someone to support. I guess. .