45 Comments

Excellent post, Nancy.

Paul and I experienced these steps of grief in 2016 when Trump was first elected president. In retrospect, I'm glad we didn't rush to do anything too drastic, even though we were tempted to do just that. But that year, the seed of moving to another country was fully planted in our minds. By 2020, we felt we were well prepared to make the move and in 2021, we obtained our D7 visas and moved to Portugal. We don't regret our decision and feel somewhat relieved that we don't have to live in the U.S. right now or try to navigate the waters of moving to another country in panic mode, even though we sometimes feel guilty for leaving family and friends. And living here doesn't mean we're not apprehensive and concerned about our loved ones who remain there.

For some people, remaining in the U.S. is the only option they have and I understand that. Everyone is different with different priorities and obligations. For others, they may be on the fence as to what to do. But I do think, this time around, the Trump administration will be more forceful and demanding at the expense of many of America's citizens. That frightens me the most.

For my part, I will continue to be as well-informed as possible, and will be here as a resource and sounding board for those who may need to vent or to ask questions. I always enjoy your perspective and thank you for writing this honest post. - CW

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I started planning our Portugal move during the first Trump administration, telling my husband I could not remain in the US if he were reelected. I didn’t think it could happen, but here we are. I am glad we have our visas and will finally be moving soon. But my heart is heavy.

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Good work Alison, my wife and I travel the Eu 2x s a year. It has been so nice breaking away from the mess America has inherited these past 20 yrs plus Best of luck in your relocation!

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Thank you for this reminder to take time to grieve. This has been a long week with so much disappointment. We wonder what life will look like for our grandchildren growing up in the US during these next several years....However, immigrating anywhere is amazingly stressful and the bureaucracy is exhausting to say the least.

We have a lovely peaceful life here in central Portugal that we feel privileged to call home but recently we been very frustrated with our inability to renew our Portugal residency cards. Which when you have already made travel plans to travel outside of Portugal you realize what a costly mistake it is to assume that the residency renewal system would actually work....this was a very costly assumption on our part and it is part of a much larger problem with the immigration system that we did not fully appreciate.

I am certain this type of problem is part of the very difficult reality of immigrating anywhere....we are beholden to the current government to decide if immigrants are welcomed or not.......

But Portugal with all of its warts and flaws is still a far better alternative than returning to the US and living with the results of this MAGA craziness.

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Thx Nanc , as a US citizen for 71+ years , my wife and I had planned to be in the Eu ( somewhere) for this past election. And we are. Now with the stale news of last Tues nite/ Wed morning we make our way home. Nothings forever in predictions. While we were praying for a Trump exodus, we were also aware of the fiery gatherings in case he did not win. After long debates these past 5 days, our next Hope is safety for all of America and a rebuild at mid terms.

To run and hide is not the answer , so back to the USA we go to watch the shxx show that is about to start in a couple months. Hang on for the ride, we will be ok, we hope for the best, May God bless

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Nov 11Liked by Nancy Whiteman

Welcome to Europe, even though some parts of Europe have same crazy leadership, as US will have the next 4 years. But - as Nancy says - there are so many other good places in the world, where you don’t think the country is lead by a 🤡 and his blind followers.

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Nov 12Liked by Nancy Whiteman

Thanks for your voice of wisdom and calm.

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author

I was calmer before I received some of the hate filled emails I got yesterday.

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I'm sorry for that...

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Nov 11Liked by Nancy Whiteman

Thank you, Nancy. Good post.

I feel like many of us have gone in and out of the stages of grief this week. Having left the States after Dubya’s election and returning 10 years later, I learned that the place that is home for me is inside me. I am staying put this time - future reactions and emotions to be determined.

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We all miss the Bush's now...

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Thank you. My sentiments are similar. I share in my post this week a personal family story related to how this election has impacted me.

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I can only hope that the damage his policies are sure to do on both climate change and international order, especially European security will be limited.

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Both of these are top of mind for me.

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And some of us voted for Trump. This newsletter is highly presumptuous of you. Wow.

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author

I fully realize that some of my readers voted for the President-Elect. Most have left me by now...but a few remain.

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"This newsletter is highly presumptuous of you." 🤣🤣 It's HER newsletter! That you are reading for free! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ She can presume whatever the hell she wants to!

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Perhaps reading a newsletter like this, one that is filled with honesty and concern for one's fellow human beings, will help you to make better choices in the future. For now, settle down and allow us to grieve peacefully.

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Ah, the entitlement. Go write your own newsletter.

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Wow is right‼️🤦🏻‍♂️

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Any happiness for the majority of working class and young Americans who got the future they wanted? How long do you think you'll be weeping for the investor class? The majority of Americans don't have a portfolio to adjust or idealogical fantasies to keep their mind off reality. Those who voted for Trump are a multicultural coalition who are tired of being called racist and sexist for voting for the ability to feed their kids, jobs/fair wages that don't compete with illegal immigrants, the end of woke-police censorship... oh and world peace too. Look inward, please, to see maybe where you've failed. And stop the incessant blaming and whining. The majority of Americans (and the world) are sick of it.

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I agree that the President Elect won the popular vote and that his support represents a broad cross section of American citizens. I don’t agree with much else. Feel free to unsubscribe to remain in your preferred information silo. Btw we ALL have them.

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Your suggestion for me to unsubscribe says that you, in fact, prefer to stay in your information silo, rather than hear opposing views in your comments section. Thanks but I enjoy discourse with varying viewpoints. For you, I'll suggest the analysis of Glenn Greenwald, a lifelong old school liberal like me: https://rumble.com/v5mlcdh-system-update-show-363.html

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Nov 12·edited Nov 12Author

I have always sought news from a variety of sources (network TV, PBS/NPR, Portuguese TV, NY Times, and until recently W Post). I also listen to a bunch of podcasts. I have always been clear that I am fully aware of the confirmation bias we all seek to reinforce. In my humble opinion, the US has entered a very dangerous time for how we receive our news. The fact that a person repeats a lie hundreds of times does not make it true. Mr. Trump, e.g. did not bring down the cost of insulin or do what the majority of the American people and courts wanted (take abortion back to the States).. The fact that the richest man in the world can amplify such misinformation on his platform, perhaps hold a significant role in the government that funds his projects, and speaks with foreign enemies without the consent of the current government is beyond disturbing. Drug prices will not go down. Women will die. And hopefully there will be a democratic and Democratic election in the future that will restore the US economy.

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Your "variety of sources" is stunningly lacking in any diversity of thought, and I'm sorry they're telling you that your future is dark. I hope you will feel better as the multiracial working class regains a foothold, crime goes down, and kids stop dying in for-profit forever wars over the next few years. Cheers!

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You have insulted more than half your readership and America - I am unsubscribing and I hope the rest of you do, too, regardless of who you voted for. Nancy, you are what is wrong with our country. Have a great life in Portugal, because the U.S. doesn’t want you back.

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Nov 11·edited Nov 11Author

Yes, many have unsubscribed but many more have subscribed. Unfortunately, too many of us remain in our own information silos. But I understand…tchau, beijinhos

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Nancy, you're on my "recommend" list.

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I certainly wish you had felt you could stay, Nancy, and I value your thoughtful and analyzed responses as well as your newsletters.

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These traditional news stations have whipped everybody into a frenzy on both sides of the political spectrum, there is a lot more to unite us than to divide us. I am currently on the hunt for more balanced news sources that don't have big corporate interests as sponsors of their programs.

So far I have been recommended, https://www.thefp.com/ (started by an ex-journalist from the NYT, Bari Weiss). If there are more old-school journalists out there that provide information without the hype, vitriol, and division, let me know what you find.

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Agreed Fox and MSNBC are commentary shows not news. I also have always supported PBS

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Agree we have more to unite us than to divide us. Try Glenn Greenwald, Lee Fang, Seymour Hersh, Matt Taibbi, Sabrina Salvati, Abigail Shrier, Free Press, Public, ScheerPost/Chris Hedges. Sabrina is a bit hypey but mostly spot-on with facts and analysis.

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It's good to see democracy, honesty and fairness in the American electoral process. The people spoke and we have chosen our champion. Unlike the Deep State and their puppet Joe Biden that blatantly stole the 2020 Election, Trump and the voters used fairness, courage and tenacity to elect a warrior to the Presidency. Not since John F. Kennedy have we been blessed with such a courageous leader in office. The only people that will be leaving the country are the illegal aliens that are pouring into America and ravaging it of it's dignity and it essence. The stock market gains since the election should alert anyone that America is back and it's a good place to invest and will be a better place to live in the near future. So, there's no need to be afraid of a Donald Trump presidency as he had overwhelming support of the voters and it was a near land-slide. Without Illegal Aliens and dead people voting for the criminal Kamal Harris, it would have been a greater land-slide than the one in 2016. In addition his first election is proof that he is a capable leader. However, the people who should be worried are Big Pharma, Big Agra, The Military Industrial Complex, and all those that seek to see a great nation fall to its knees. Imaging having the entire establishment against you, obstructing you, smearing you and trying to kill you, but overcoming all that and emerging victorious. That, is a testament to the American spirit. That, is Donald Trump.

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Nov 12·edited Nov 12Author

Isn't it interesting that the election system is honest and fair when your preferred candidate wins...the same person that incited a riot that injured 140+ police officers, 4 of which died? He also said that the US election system was crap and rigged. I can't find one sentence in your paragraph that I agree with...but I will always defend your right to voice it.

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I had a similar exchange with a high school classmate...

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I am quietly excited about the

Election

I hope all will go very well

Women don’t vote for women

If the dems want to win. They have to have strong candidates

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Please remember to also consider one’s support structure (family, friends, doctor, dentist, vet, dog sitter, etc.) that is left behind when one relocates. It can be extremely important to a lot of people.

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Nov 12·edited Nov 12Author

Agreed...I spoke to an older couple (even older than me) recently who were thinking about moving abroad. When I asked about children, they proudly announced "11 children and 22 grandchildren"...it suddenly dawned on them what they would be leaving behind. Moving is not for everyone!

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