So….
to start, she mentioned this a few pages in… so I am going to invite all of you wine drinkers to join me and her
It wasn’t all yoga and breathing : I also drank my share of chardonnay .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 27). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
and this beautiful poem she quoted
You may write me down in history With your bitter , twisted lies ,
You may trod me in the very dirt But still , like dust , I’ll rise . . . .
You may shoot me with your words , You may cut me with your eyes ,
You may kill me with your hatefulness , But still , like air , I’ll rise .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 30). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
Ugh, It was just two chapters but I had to read and rereread pages because my mind would go back to those days while my eyes were moving down the paragraphs.
I have to say very Cathartic
Did you guys read it in one sitting?
First I want to post this just for fun
from Shareblue
Hillary Clinton’s new book is shaping up to be publishing blockbuster, with news that the recently released “What Happened” sold more than 300,00 copies its first week in stores.
That’s the best first-week sales performance in five years for any non-fiction hardcover book, according to NPD BookScan, which tabulates the publishing data.
and
Meanwhile, “What Happened” is on track to sell more copies in two or three weeks than Trump’s signature book release, “The Art of the Deal,” has sold over the last 16 years. Originally released in 1986, the book became a New York Times bestseller and reportedly sold more than one million copies. Trump has erroneously bragged that the book is the best-selling business book ever published. (It’s not.)
let's go on to some excerpts and question I have for the club, you are welcome to ask you're own questions, and if you are ahead to PM me questions for next week… I think we can do the whole "Competition "Section in a week.
That which does not kill us makes us stronger . — Friedrich Nietzsche ( and Kelly Clarkson )
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (pp. 2-3). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
This day for me is a blur.. I did not watch the Inauguration, but you couldn't avoid reading, listening, or talking about it through that week.
Bill and I checked with the Bushes and the Carters to see what they were thinking . George W . and Jimmy had been among the first to call me after the election , which meant a lot to me . George actually called just minutes after I finished my concession speech , and graciously waited on the line while I hugged my team and supporters one last time . When we talked , he suggested we find time to get burgers together . I think that’s Texan for “ I feel your pain . ” Both he and Jimmy knew what it felt like to put yourself on the line in front of the whole country , and Jimmy knew the sting of rejection . He and I commiserated over that a bit . ( “ Jimmy , this is the worst . ” “ Yes , Hillary , it is . ” ) It was no secret that these former Presidents weren’t fans of Donald Trump . He had been absolutely vicious to George’s brother Jeb in particular . But were they going to the inauguration ? Yes . That gave me the push I needed . Bill and I would go .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 4). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
I really respect her decision of going to the Inauguration, many people were saying that it was "normalizing" Trump. But I truly believe in the Institution of the President of the United States. Do you agree on her decision? What do you think of the George W?
The new President’s speech was dark and dystopian . I heard it as a howl straight from the white nationalist gut . Its most memorable line was about “ American carnage , ” a startling phrase more suited to a slasher film than an inaugural address . Trump painted a picture of a bitter , broken country I didn’t recognize .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (pp. 7-8). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
I still can't listen to that speech. Did you relate with her on the darkness of it?
I decided to stay at home in Chappaqua , New York , rather than attend the Women’s March protesting the new President . It was another tough call . I wanted badly to join the crowds and chant my heart out . But I believed it was important for new voices to take the stage , especially on this day . There are so many exciting young women leaders ready to play bigger roles in our politics . The last thing I wanted was to be a distraction from the genuine outpouring of grassroots energy . If I showed up , nasty politics would unavoidably follow .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 13). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
I was one of those that felt that she shouldn't attend the Women's March… I looked at it like she was not there yet to lead or engage. She did get some flack. But wanting other bright and new luminaries to shine was a noble and grandiose position to take. Do you agree on her decision?
these are a few thoughts around the same topic
Since November , more than two dozen women — of all ages , but mostly in their twenties — had approached me in restaurants , theaters , and stores to apologize for not voting or not doing more to help my campaign . I responded with forced smiles and tight nods . On one occasion , an older woman dragged her adult daughter by the arm to come talk to me and ordered her to apologize for not voting — which she did , head bowed in contrition . I wanted to stare right in her eyes and say , “ You didn’t vote ? How could you not vote ? ! You abdicated your responsibility as a citizen at the worst possible time ! And now you want me to make you feel better ? ” Of course , I didn’t say any of that . These people were looking for absolution that I just couldn’t give . We all have to live with the consequences of our decisions
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (pp. 14-15). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
Yet I couldn’t help but ask where those feelings of solidarity , outrage , and passion had been during the election .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 14). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
yes, I think we all felt the same… she was the bigger person because I would not have been able to contain myself to those people who didn't vote, regretted the vote, or any other excuse. I still don't. Not because of Hillary, but because of someone who lived under Pinochet's Dictatorship I take voting seriously. I don't even like absentee I go to vote for the most small of issues. Do you think she was right in being gracious or should she have, not scolded, but educated those people who approached her and tell them actions have consequences and it is not her place to mitigate other’s guilt?
On the Saturday after the election , I turned on Saturday Night Live and watched Kate McKinnon open the show with her impression of me one more time . She sat at a grand piano and played “ Hallelujah , ” the hauntingly beautiful song by Leonard Cohen , who had died a few days before . As she sang , it seemed like she was fighting back tears . Listening , so was I . I did my best , it wasn’t much , I couldn’t feel , so I tried to touch I’ve told the truth , I didn’t come to fool you And even though it all went wrong I’ll stand before the lord of song With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah . At the end , Kate - as - Hillary turned to the camera and said , “ I’m not giving up and neither should you . ”
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 31). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
I still cry… no comment
but I’ve always identified with the older brother in the parable . How grating it must have been to see his wayward sibling welcomed back as if nothing had happened . It must have felt as if all his years of hard work and dutiful care meant nothing at all . But the father says to the older brother , “ Have I not taken good care of you ? Have you not been close to me ? Have you not been at my side learning and working ? ” Those things are their own reward .
Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened (p. 33). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
As a Catholic, Gay, First born Son, Grandson, Nephew… I have always identified with this parable. I would get scolded for bringing a B+ home and my brother would get treated with ice cream with a C… but yes, even when you feel the unfair treatment from family, friends, voters…. you have to look that the people who loved you were there with you all the time. Do you have an experience with this parable and how she used it for her healing?
feel free to add quotes and your own questions
Love
Guillermo