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Nan Tepper's avatar

Every time I read something you've written, whether it's a post, a comment or a Note, I fall more deeply in love with your writing, your moxie, your sense of humor, and your commitment to honesty! I'm converting my subscription to paid right now. You're a keeper, missy. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Eileen. Women, it's time to get angry as fuck, and take over the world. It's long past obvious that the majority of men suck at running things.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

SQUEEEE!!!! This message made my day. I’m such a fan girl (NANGIRL!) for your work as well. Mutual admiration and respect is so satisfying. Let us unleash our true selves and ask not who is going to let us rule the world, but who is going to stop us. 💥 💣💥❤️

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Kari Bentley-Quinn's avatar

I’m so fucking pissed and then that note about Thanksgiving I wrote blew up and it’s probably been memed all over the internet but I stand by it. I’m done.

As a fellow child of a narcissist I’m just trying to remember that I’m a grown ass adult. A woman who can handle herself. And I am FURIOUS on every level and I’m gonna do something about this shit or die trying. Holy shit. What a mess.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Kari, your FUCK MAGA THANKSGIVING post was the shot heard around the world. I think you inspired a lot of people to boycott the bullshit. Your fury gives others the courage to say NOPE 👎🏻

Thank god I found my own version of 4B awhile back. I can’t imagine navigating dating as a 20 something with all this “I ❤️ rape” insanity going on.

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Kari Bentley-Quinn's avatar

God I hope you’re right. That was stressful.

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Beth's avatar

WELL SAID.

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A CRONE WITH A BOTTLE. Or two.'s avatar

Reading your posts and those of other feeling and thinking human beings is the only thing that keeps me sane adjacent right now (also, watching birds and other creatures doing their thing...blissfully ignorant of the idiocracy that surrounds them).

So much in your essay resonates: people forget, people don’t care, people are egotistical shitbags.

I second your action plan, especially the last point. The battle lines are drawn, and this old peacenik’s blood is boiling. How could they, those fuckers? They have it coming. As someone else said: I’d tell a lot of people to go fuck themselves right now, but then I remember they already did.

Please keep writing.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Birds are a good way to chill out. Our neighbor has a bird feeder, sometimes I just watch their little universe.

I won’t stop writing if you won’t stop being pissed. Thanks for the boost 🙌🏼❤️🙏❤️

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A CRONE WITH A BOTTLE. Or two.'s avatar

I'll NEVER stop being pissed.

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Michael B Stuber's avatar

Your comment on People … may be my new mantra

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Carrie's avatar

Staying sane is an effort that changes day to day depending on what combination of despair/rage/disbelief I feel.

Currently I’m very much enjoying the general sentiment of “Fuck that shit!” you mentioned. People wholesale saying nope, no, not again. A decade we spent placating, trying to understand, trying to reason with, pushing down our feelings to joke over dinner with emotionally stunted toddlers who instead of getting therapy, blamed the most vulnerable for their own failures and insecurities. Falling for the same old authoritarian playbook.

So the ignore and block has been quite enjoyable. Denying them the attention they crave, forcing them to enjoy the discomfort of the hate and fear filled existence they’ve bought into. Yes, I too am entering my petty af era.

On the topic of brain surgery, curious to hear what procedure you’ll be having. My dad was part of a gene therapy trial that involved brain surgery nearly a decade ago. I highly recommend getting a “I had brain surgery and all I got was this stupid tshirt” tshirt for the day.

I’ve been involved in Parkinson’s research for about 20 years through 23and me via my dad’s diagnosis. I learned I carry the same gene he does.

Sorry for the tangent! Back to blocking and tackling the shitheads, it does make me feel a little better.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Fuck This Shit is some truly evergreen material. And yes, the mansplaining has been a real fun exercise in NO ONE WAS TALKING TO YOU 👋🏻 👋🏻 bye 👋🏻 block 👋🏻bye

I’ve started the process of testing for DBS. I have Parkinson’s and I’m a strong candidate. DM me if you want to chat about it sometime.

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NILE BUTTA's avatar

I think this man nails it for me. My sick feeling to the core and so on....https://www.tiktok.com/@sweeper698?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I was able to see it on my computer. NAILED IT.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I will be sharing this as he really says everything that needs to be said.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I’ll have to have someone with TikTok show me what’s up here….

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Heidi Risse's avatar

Yes! I saw that the other day and he's absolutely right in every way. That's what sickens me the most about all of this.

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Jen's avatar

Would love to see a checklist of random acts of petty misconduct and retribution that I could follow to the tee. Thank you for writing! ❤️

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Some may have to stay secret, but I will share as they occur! Thank you for reading.

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Holly Winfree's avatar

Just found you! My favorite bookstore is in Hamilton, Montana (Bitterroot Valley near Missoula) Women owned indie. It has thrived since the early 1970’s in small town Montana.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

RESIDENTS NEAR MISSOULA! Get thee to the bookstore. Thank you, Holly!

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Ally Hamilton's avatar

I loved this, Eileen. I felt so knocked down last week, but I am starting to emerge from the fog of grief and enter my scorched earth era. My don’t fuck with me fucker, era. My, those chicken nuggets have poisoned your brain era. I can’t tell you what I’m doing to remain sane or sane adjacent just yet. I have been getting on my mat but I always do. I have been meditating but I always do that too. I have been writing so my head doesn’t explode, and I have been reading. I am meeting a close friend to go for a walk. It’s the first walk without my dog. Just writing that makes me cry. Anyway I don’t feel especially sane or sane adjacent, but I’m here and I’m not going anywhere and getting ready to fight like hell. And I love you. And somehow we will be okay.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

One day at a time, lovely Ally. Your writing is so heartfelt and impactful. Keep writing and reading and walking and meditating and doing those sun salutations. Treat yourself like the gem that you are, your shine is undeniably bright even in this darkness. We will be ok and I love you tons. xoxo

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Paula Taub's avatar

Your intelligence is so welcome and refreshing right now. Thank you for a being a beacon of light in the darkness of our latest political era descending. It is going to take much longer to elevate out of this toxic masculinity than I ever imagined. Maybe a great shattering must happen to bring in the light? These latest developments make me think so.

I never imagined America had such a low bottom….. but here we are.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I assumed that any sort of revolution would be the poor rising up against the rich....pretty lame that the rich duped the dumb into thinking they needed some sort of asshole monarch. Crazy making to say the least.

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Ann Spragens's avatar

I am going to laugh at every one of those massive “emotional support trucks” driven by MAGAs.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Laughter is the best medicine and sometimes the best revenge.

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Solemna's avatar

I like how you think

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Broadwaybabyto's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful and timely article - and I love the way you look at the early darkness! I need to change my way of thinking to “hey this is a great opportunity to rest AS MUCH AS I NEED.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Yay rest! When people tell me they hate this time of year, I suggest they buy new pajamas.

Thanks for sharing this piece. You’re such a force here 😘

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Broadwaybabyto's avatar

I love that! I don’t wear PJs because I sleep in Roots sweats (if you’re not familiar with Roots - they’re my favourite Canadian company). October/November is a great time to stock up!

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Love Roots. I grew up in Seattle so I spent lots of time in Vancouver as a babe. Let’s be cozy while we plot to make good things happen. ❤️

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Broadwaybabyto's avatar

Yay!!! I should really post a few of my Roots photos - I won a few competitions for most Canadian cozy photo back in the day!

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DJ Spastic's avatar

Please keep writing! Your portrait of America as a bunch of disassociated twerps is so vivid.

I am also not going to apologize for believing in the goodness in America even if my heart is now broken.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Don’t stop believing! I’m with you ❤️

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Kip's avatar

Thank you for your well chosen words once again. I wish I had the ability to express my feelings so well. I too have noticed the ramping up of the enabled bullies in our world and it makes me feel sick and sad. I had hoped that we had put this shit behind us.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

It does feel like all the mean rich kids get to cheat their way to victory….ugh. Hugs to you, C, and Georgy ❤️

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Mark Hayes's avatar

This is the best line I've read or heard all day: "I will also be using my older lady invisibility power to commit random acts of petty misconduct and retribution."

Please do so, now wondering if I've got enough grey in my hair to get away with doing the same damned thing...

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

You're welcome to drive the getaway car.

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