No, Nielsen ratings are still the standard for estimating TV viewership. What is your source that says otherwise? People are talking about what channel to put their TV on this Friday.... and I am sayin it does not matter to TV ratings.

ps I don't know what quora is, but Nielsen measures what is being watched and by whom, for which it needs diaries and people meters. And unless we want to start a separate thread, I don't have more to say about this but you can look at Neilsens own site.

I think what riles me so much about being called a "sore loser" is that it's such a gloat-y, T thing to say.

Indeed. It's the taunt of a child.

I do believe ratings are still solely produced by statistical sampling means. I received my log in 2016....

roarah if you are interested in how trump could be removed without impeachment, you might watch keith olbermann...if you can stand his hamminess. But he makes some interesting observations about the 25th amendment.

Thank you Annie! Olberman, especially his hamminess, actually reminds me of my dad! I will certainly check these videos out and now is nap time to boot so I will hopefully be uninterrupted.

mtn, quora is a question answer forum by some Facebook guys. A bit like ask yahoo...but more liberally leaning than yahoo contributors.

MtnRed, I think it matters and you don't and that's fine. Its off topic and I won't disrespect the topic of this thread by continuing to argue about it here.

ratings or not I will be unable to watch the inauguration. I sobbed during the farewell address and the sixty minutes farewell interview. The kids are awake during the inauguration and I do not want them to see me sobbing. They are to young to understand...I will miss the first family!

Annie, I am surprised and grateful Cheney did not use clause four in the 25th amendment to usurp GW... I am composing letters to pence and Ryan's offices today in hopes this is attempted

Aha so this is where that "turn off the TV" idea came from ...

http://www.snopes.com/change-channel-on-inauguration/

I'm sure many Nielsen families have no love for Trump. It will be interesting to see how the ratings shake down.

I've decided on my sign. I'll put a cord on it so I can wear it around my neck too. One side will say

Oppose Trump

the other will say

Oppose Tyranny

Annie , if you have access to a breakaway latch use that on your signs in case your crushing concern were to happen if there is pushing or pulling of any kind you want the sign around your neck to break off. I have used breakaway latches on kids' Halloween costumes which I was able to get at Joanne's.

Thanks, roarah.

I appreciate where Roarah is coming from. I don't think they're inappropriate questions to consider.. and I don't think it's inappropriate for her to share her thoughts or to "think aloud" on the subject especially when asked directly!

I will not be marching this weekend ... I support the effort but for a number of reasons/time constraints, I will be cheering from the sidelines.

I doubt that the march will have any impact on Trump-- or a majority of Trump supporters. I do hope it will make the republican legislators look twice but I am not betting on it. Where I see the REAL impact is in connecting women (and men) with like minded neighbors, organizations and leaders. I absolutely believe it will bring women together, build camaraderie and strengthen connections in local communities. I think it will allow those who are lost and don't know what to do find others who will inspire, guide and engage them. I very much believe that action is the way out of grieving. Any kind of grieving. These are all positive things that will have long-term, long reaching benefit as we prepare for a long 4 years of opposition of Trump and his band of merrymakers.

I have and do donate to Planned Parenthood and NARAL. I've amped up my support of local organizations who assist foster children and families in need... and I'm working with a few others to look at ways to connect inner city girls to books, movies and mentors to open their worlds to new opportunities. I think support of ANY social program is valuable. My bff (who is also unable to make it to the march) has become active in a couple of organizations including one that support refugees coming into the area. I will put a sign of support in my front yard-- "always forward, never back".

Sorry if this was shared already.. a list of suggestions for those who won't make it to the march but want to show support the Women's March.

Roarah, I've been thinking very seriously about your question for a while.

I am marching in DC with my two daughters (early 20s) and one of their friends, a dear friend and her daughter, and her daughter's friends. I am marching in defense of the right to live freely in the US, which includes being able to practice your faith without being put on a watch list, the right to live and work regardless of your gender or ethnic background, the right to have your life and work respected even if you have a disability... I'm also marching to defend the right to march. Marches change attitudes and governments--just look at the children and teenagers who marched in the Civil Rights protests and the grandmothers and mothers of the desaparecidos in Argentina. I knitted pink hats to for us to wear. Not to be silly or frivolous, but to say, "There are many of us--we are united and committed to this cause." I see it as similar to the white headscarves of the Argentinian women or the clean, pressed clothes of the children in the Civil Rights marches. This will be the first march under a president who has threatened to take away rights from people he is supposed to serve. Yes, the money I'm spending could go to many other good causes, but it seems important to make this statement here, now.

My voice is a small, shy voice, but it's the only one I have and I'm using it to say I believe we as a nation are better than this.

The more I read this thread, the more reason I find to march. Supporting human rights is not being a sore loser. Voting against them on Nov. 8 was.

roarah - I think you asked some thoughtful questions and clearly you are not alone. I saw the comment below from Robert Reich and, for me, articulates the important and similar roles of protest and political strategy. Both are very important to creating change. I took an active role in my community in advance of this election and donated to the causes that are important to me and will continue to do so. My daughter and I are also participating Saturday in a local march in Florida.

From Reich:

“What good will it do to protest Trump?” a friend writes, in anticipation of marches this Saturday across the nation. “That’s not a political strategy. We need to recruit great candidates to retake Congress in 2018, groom a powerful opponent for Trump in 2020, and plan Trump’s impeachment. We have to reinvent the Democratic Party or replace it. We need a national grass-roots movement to rescue America from the oligarchs – and it has to start now.”

My friend draws a false distinction between protests and political strategy. Protest marches and actions are keys to organizing. When hundreds of thousands (or millions) of us march this Saturday, we’re committing ourselves to political change. We’re reaffirming our moral conviction that Trump’s hatefulness is wrong and his authoritarianism is a threat to our democracy. We’re proclaiming our political determination to end this scourge.

Friday’s boycott of Trump’s inauguration and Saturday’s marches will help fuel the movement already underway at America’s grass roots. The organizing and mobilizing will continue. The army of resistance is growing.

Just had to show off my employer!

https://www.facebook.com/sistersofstjoseph/posts/1320391058019069

Thankyou funkyart, larecoltante and rubyclaire. I especially love the idea of meeting new like minded allies and the hope that this is not a one and done thing. You,and many others, have given me a lot of great reasons and as one who does change her mind and opinion from time to time I am lucky that if I do have a change of heart after considering all different points of view there are many marches within reach I can attend.

I hope for these marches show our hope that humanity can become a virtue of Americans. I don't want it to be about Trump. He would not have been elected if more of us believed this:

"We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As a country, we have fallen so far... It makes me sad and ashamed.

Diane

I also found out that there is a march in Lubbock, the closest, largish, town to me. I will be attending!

They are putting out warnings against rabble rousers. Last week there was a protest in Stamford and trump supporters did show up, but they managed to keep them from causing issues...not sure DC or other major cities will be as successful.

Cattyles, I am very happy that it has worked out and you are able to support this cause that means so much to you.

Thank you, roarah. I'm really glad to be able to attend.

I will be watching the largest online news channel, TYT. Much of their viewership is millennial--I think DH and I are their oldest demographic. They start coverage at 9 a.m. Eastern on Friday.

TYT

I signed up to attend a local march, though I know of 3 buses going from here.

I picked up my sign today. I am kind of excited; I have never done this before. The march in NYC is expected to go on for several hours, though the route is short, because of the amount of people registered. It will be 54F and partly sunny. The start times are staggered to accommodate all the people; you are assigned a time either by group or by the first initial of your last name if you are in a group of less than 10.

We shall see, but I am not the least concerned about violence. NYC is pretty heavily skewed liberal Dem., and the people who voted for T in this metro are more prone to splendid isolation than physical altercations with the teeming masses.

I have never done this either. I'm a little concerned about unruliness at my location. The news is showing people with Trump tattooed across their throat that are saying they will show up in larger numbers than the Women's March attendees. My son and his friends will probably stay here instead of going to Austin. So I will have a group, which is good.

We are in Tucson for the winter. Arizona is a gun state and backpacks, last I looked, are allowed at the Tucson march. So could an evil person have a legal gun in a backpack.? With no police recourse? Rhetorical? Scary for this Chicagoan. I know. The irony.

my bff, and houseguest, will march with my new Tucson friends. My knee is killing me and I don't get my shot til later next week. I will enjoy the rally and meeting before and after the March. One lovely woman has made about a dozen signs, all rather benign, on purpose.

I can hear the excitement in the voices of the women who were too young for the early 70's marches for ERA and abortion rights. So committed.

I suppose it is a risk, but I predict the marches will be peaceful on both sides. I hope I am right and best to all who are headed out!

I attended the Washington, DC March for Women's Lives in 1986.. as well as another more recently (don't remember the year). Over 120,000 women marching, speaking, singing... it was an incredibly powerful and uplifting experience. There were pro-life protesters along the way but I didn't see any violence or aggressions and I don't remember hearing of any.

A local march has been added in nearby Harrisburg. The location has changed twice in the last 24 hr so I am not sure how organized it is. I have a commitment for much of the day but I may try to pop over for the start.

I expect and hope for peaceful demonstrations also.. while this isn't a celebration in the least, I do celebrate the spirit and commitment that bring us all together to have our voices heard.

With the staggering numbers expected at these marches around the country, I don't think it's too preposterous to say that there will likely be at the very least isolated incidents of clashes or violence. I pray not, but also understand the statistical reality. I pray that each of you here who will be participating will be cloaked in protection and may your experience be nothing but positive. Take care.

I got my shirt today, so now I'm ready!

Brava !!!

Love it, texanjana!

Be sure to research safety advice for the marches. There are a number of practical tips going around, as well as a "heads up" of how to spot troublemakers who pretend to be protesters but whose purpose is to incite violence to bring negative attention to the marches. I'm not suggesting this will happen but it's part of the recommendations I'm reading.

Weather forecast for tomorrow in DC: high 57, low 47 partly cloudy. Rally starts at 10, march at 1:15.

Our march looks like it will be several times larger than originally anticipated. The organizers seem to be on top of things and have been tweaking the event as more people sign up. Enjoy your marches everyone!

On my way out the door to march in West Palm Beach!

The march here is also looking to be well attended. 17,000 registered for the event, but that's just the people who bothered to register w/ organizers, so not sure how many IRL Not bad for a city of around 105,000 households. Mayor & city officials speaking too...

It looks like a nice day for a walk. Hope everyone is safe.

From my niece who traveled to Philadelphia. Make America Kind Again!

edited to correct location-stupid me!

I am so heartened to see that people are marching in other countries as well. Really makes me feel like the rest of the world "has our back."

With 250,000 people it was more of a shuffle, than a march. :-)

Reposting this as encouragement to remain active:

Our vice president today blatantly disregarded the separation of church and state. He proclaimed his religious beliefs while on the clock and inserted his intentions in how they influence his representation of our country.

A complete and utter disregard for our Constitution.

Saw this on FB today.

"Sen. Dianne Feinstein wants to hear from YOU. She has gotten a week's delay of the Jeff Sessions confirmation vote.

FEINSTEIN WANTS 2-4 SENTENCES FROM MARCHERS EXPLAINING WHY YOU MARCHED AND WHAT IT MEANT.

She will be incorporating messages AND most likely the sheer NUMBER of
emails she gets, in her opening statement at the Sessions hearing for
the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Send emails to:
Sean_Elsbernd@feinstein.senate.gov, Caitlin_Meyer@feinstein.senate.gov
Subject line: WHY I MARCHED

Please copy, paste and share this message widely. Thank you!"

The person posting followed with this:

"This is what I wrote to Feinstein:

I marched because I have 2 kids under 2 and I stay awake at night
worrying that they will grow up without the inalienable rights that have
been promised to us as a democratic nation. I oppose everything that
the Trump administration stands for, especially when it comes to
defunding Planned Parenthood and taking away a woman's right to choose.
Trump is terrifying with his malignant narcissism, but those whom he has
chosen to advise him in his inner circle--specifically Mike Pence and
Steve Bannon--are even more frightening to me, and I feel that if Jeff
Sessions is confirmed as AG our civil liberties will be even more
compromised."

By delaying Session's confirmation, he was kept on the Senate where he may be needed to provide the vote to break the tie for DeVos, who otherwise might have been the only cabinet member not to get confirmed. And Sessions will be confirmed anyway. Good tactic.

Please don't smirk, Beagles. The education of this nation's children will determine our future. Even if your children and grandchildren will have the very best private educations, how can you not care about the rest?

I'm not smirking. And I don't want to debate :) And I do care very much about children getting the very best education possible, I just have a very different opinion of what will make that possible.

My point with that comment was that Feinstein shouldn't be celebrating or bragging about delaying the confirmation of Sessions (which is inevitable) when that tactic could very well be the very thing that gets DeVos confirmed, which seems to be one of the major things that democrats wanted to prevent.

Democrats need to be more strategic if they are going to be an effective opposition party. I supported "obstruction" when the republicans did it, and democrats have the obligation to do it too if they are against what is happening. I want them to be smarter about it. I've always been very consistent in my position (pro obstruction) and I think that one of the great things about the checks and balances of our system is that it makes it hard to get things done... which is a good thing. Delaying Sessions was a tactical error that could backfire in the end, that was my sole point :)

I agree with beagles and I am lobbing strongly against Devos. We democrats need to focus in to prevent the damage that is occurring there are way to many unfocused tangents and little planned action. We need to focus solely on the things that we have power to over turn, even when that means letting some other things get through that we truly detest, like sessions. We have power but it is limited and often being counterproductively utilized.

I despised the tea party's platform but it succeed due to its precise vision we need to incorporate a precise vision too to get the power back. It should be a long term plan not a minute to minute battle to be ultimately successful. we are being way to reactive not proactive it is why we are in this mess.

The March got many to listen, including many elected republicans, but since we got their ear we have very little as far as what should be done to say! We need to stop yelling , " don't do this or that" and say , " do this instead" ....