Five Stages of Grief?

[Denver]

I think it' really interesting to watch the 5 stages of grief played out by the republican party:

* Denial (This isn't happening.)
* Anger (This can't happen!)
* Bargaining (Lets have a do-over. We promise we'll do better.)
* Depression (We're doomed.)
* Acceptance (Ok, let's get on with life.)

Those who still can't accept that McCain/Palin has no chance, along with more of republican Congress, are still in Denial. For those people to get back to a productive life, I am hoping they can move quickly through Anger, to Acceptance, over the next couple months.

But, milestones I expect to see:

Anger/Bargaining: Trying to undo, or recount, after Nov 5. Filing lawsuits about the whole birth certificate thing. Race tensions increasing.

Depression: Obama and Congress being incorporated directly into right-wing evangelists sermons on the end times, with rising membership, donations, and tv presence. More organizations popping up to promote gold purchases, creating membership barter service.

Acceptance: I'm not sure what this will look like. Maybe it will just be a lack of protests.

 

[Upchurch]

While I think there are certainly parallels, I think there is one critical difference: Obama's win won't be permanent. As such, there is no need to indefinitely accept it. For that matter, no one would have to even temporarily accept it.

For example, take reactions to Bush winning. There are still people who haven't accepted it (at least, in the sense that you mean here).

 

[Denver]

I guess you can define these different stages in different ways - and it is often said that everyone moves through them to the beat of their own drum.

But, perhaps it is that fact that a presidential term is not permanent, that will most help them move into the Acceptance stage. In that, they will accept it in order to better focus on 2012.

 

[jj]

I think after anger in this case you need to add "Violence", because, based on the reports from Oh, WV, etc, it sounds like they are doing willful violence to the law and the constitution.

 

[gtc]

Violence. Oh my.