An anchor on the One America News Network calls for the execution of "tens of thousands" of "traitors" who stole the election from Trump. A sitting Congress member, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), tells Americans that they "have an obligation to use" the Second Amendment, which is not about recreation but "the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary." Lara Trump, former president Donald Trump's daughter-in-law,
Excellent piece Ruth! Given all the rhetoric and normalization of violence within the GOP and its propaganda outlets, it seems only a matter of not ( if ) but when the next outbreak of political violence will occur. Its predictable because violence along with corruption and propaganda is an integral part of the authoritarian playbook. Among many of the extremist Trump supporters there is a locked and loaded mentality now. So looking ahead, one must wonder; is it going to happen at or near one of Trump's rallies this summer? Be directed at another Democratic politician? (Mich governor Gretchen Whitmer was already the target of a kidnapping and execution plot before it was foiled by the FBI). Or maybe the violence will come in the form of destruction of property by arson or bombing, like the Reichstag fire in 1933 or the 1995 Oklahoma city bombing? I don't for sure but I get the ominous sense that something wicked this way comes...
Thank you Ruth, I so appreciate your intellegent expertise on these Authoritarian undemocratic tactics. Your knowledge, writings and zooms has helped me sustain my reserve, courage and confidence just knowing that their are many others sounding the alarm bells for what has/is happening and how to keep up and in the fight against it. I believe also as you that the gop/gqp no longer represents any policy or principles or party worthy or consistent with any democratic beliefs. Ron Desantis pulling his illegal right to know what any students political beliefs are at Floridas universities are just one precursor for their unconstitutional belief in their right to know besides what they are trying to do to our vote . Let alone Arizona allowing ballots to illegally be taken to outside premises. They do not care anymore ethically or legally which is the beginning of all fascist authoritarian regimes, inserection included of which one cannot even lose with dignity, ethics or continue and administer the peaceful transition of power. The only way for evil to continue is for good men and women to say and do nothing. Believe me, as you know so well the next one could/will be worse if that is even imaginable. Thanks again for all that you do and for being one of those that helps all of us feel like we are not alone and in this together.
Will be volunteering to be a poll worker next election, and find out other ways to assist the local county officials to have a fair, peaceful in our rural county of Oregon …. 2 to 1 Trumpsters and local militias bring their guns and flag (including confederate) covered trucks to polling places … thanks for the inspiration
The Jan 6th riot and Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 have frightening similarities. Both were pre-fascist attempts to seize power, that failed. I believe that the major cause of our rise in violence is the politically bigoted rhetoric coming from some GOP leaders whom have embraced fascist politics. Fascists do not accept other political thought; they are political bigots. Fascists also embrace a "dominance and submission" mindset that seems similar to the animal world of predator and prey. It is an "us versus them" mentality of division. The problem with the Trump GOP is that they have rationalized their behavior as acceptable. It is all primitive thinking.
Excellent - and yes, scary - post. Thank you for your expertise. I appreciated the data on number of mass shootings in 2020 - I really had no idea there were 611, and such an increase from 2019. Also number of state and local officials in the Insurrection. The Republicans now just accepts "violence as rhetoric" as something Normal? I'm personally concerned about a couple of very big things - the climate crisis we are in now and wondering just how long we can fight against this fascism that is so heavily trending. In the middle of that I'm just trying to live a reasonable life. But it seems like I should be doing more. I do READ a lot. And follow people who are also tracking these two big topics - the earth and our freedom. A lot at stake right now
The real culprits are the senior GOP leaders who enable Trump and they could have stopped him easily. McConnell clearly wants power by any means as the Barr "confession" clearly shows. McCarthy just sucks up to for power as well. The only leader who stood up was removed. They sold out the party to Trump and will never be able to get it back. Trump is using them and will dump them once he has reached his goal.
This was a powerful piece Ruth--thank you. One thing came to mind while reading: while in Italy the threat of violence as you've outlined here in the article is not part of Italian culture, but as you know as well, in the past, mahy people in certain regions were asked to photograph their votes or mafiosi checked the voter rolls to see if the votes came in from certain city streets etc. "Mafia" (generally speaking) threaten violence, so voters in certain areas just know they need to vote their candidates. There's a long list of journalists and members of civil society who have been executed for going against the local clan's wishes. As always your analysis cuts through geographical boundaries and cultures. Thank you.
Excellent piece Ruth! Given all the rhetoric and normalization of violence within the GOP and its propaganda outlets, it seems only a matter of not ( if ) but when the next outbreak of political violence will occur. Its predictable because violence along with corruption and propaganda is an integral part of the authoritarian playbook. Among many of the extremist Trump supporters there is a locked and loaded mentality now. So looking ahead, one must wonder; is it going to happen at or near one of Trump's rallies this summer? Be directed at another Democratic politician? (Mich governor Gretchen Whitmer was already the target of a kidnapping and execution plot before it was foiled by the FBI). Or maybe the violence will come in the form of destruction of property by arson or bombing, like the Reichstag fire in 1933 or the 1995 Oklahoma city bombing? I don't for sure but I get the ominous sense that something wicked this way comes...
Thank you Ruth, I so appreciate your intellegent expertise on these Authoritarian undemocratic tactics. Your knowledge, writings and zooms has helped me sustain my reserve, courage and confidence just knowing that their are many others sounding the alarm bells for what has/is happening and how to keep up and in the fight against it. I believe also as you that the gop/gqp no longer represents any policy or principles or party worthy or consistent with any democratic beliefs. Ron Desantis pulling his illegal right to know what any students political beliefs are at Floridas universities are just one precursor for their unconstitutional belief in their right to know besides what they are trying to do to our vote . Let alone Arizona allowing ballots to illegally be taken to outside premises. They do not care anymore ethically or legally which is the beginning of all fascist authoritarian regimes, inserection included of which one cannot even lose with dignity, ethics or continue and administer the peaceful transition of power. The only way for evil to continue is for good men and women to say and do nothing. Believe me, as you know so well the next one could/will be worse if that is even imaginable. Thanks again for all that you do and for being one of those that helps all of us feel like we are not alone and in this together.
Will be volunteering to be a poll worker next election, and find out other ways to assist the local county officials to have a fair, peaceful in our rural county of Oregon …. 2 to 1 Trumpsters and local militias bring their guns and flag (including confederate) covered trucks to polling places … thanks for the inspiration
Thanks for another great article Ruth.
The Jan 6th riot and Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 have frightening similarities. Both were pre-fascist attempts to seize power, that failed. I believe that the major cause of our rise in violence is the politically bigoted rhetoric coming from some GOP leaders whom have embraced fascist politics. Fascists do not accept other political thought; they are political bigots. Fascists also embrace a "dominance and submission" mindset that seems similar to the animal world of predator and prey. It is an "us versus them" mentality of division. The problem with the Trump GOP is that they have rationalized their behavior as acceptable. It is all primitive thinking.
Excellent - and yes, scary - post. Thank you for your expertise. I appreciated the data on number of mass shootings in 2020 - I really had no idea there were 611, and such an increase from 2019. Also number of state and local officials in the Insurrection. The Republicans now just accepts "violence as rhetoric" as something Normal? I'm personally concerned about a couple of very big things - the climate crisis we are in now and wondering just how long we can fight against this fascism that is so heavily trending. In the middle of that I'm just trying to live a reasonable life. But it seems like I should be doing more. I do READ a lot. And follow people who are also tracking these two big topics - the earth and our freedom. A lot at stake right now
The real culprits are the senior GOP leaders who enable Trump and they could have stopped him easily. McConnell clearly wants power by any means as the Barr "confession" clearly shows. McCarthy just sucks up to for power as well. The only leader who stood up was removed. They sold out the party to Trump and will never be able to get it back. Trump is using them and will dump them once he has reached his goal.
This was a powerful piece Ruth--thank you. One thing came to mind while reading: while in Italy the threat of violence as you've outlined here in the article is not part of Italian culture, but as you know as well, in the past, mahy people in certain regions were asked to photograph their votes or mafiosi checked the voter rolls to see if the votes came in from certain city streets etc. "Mafia" (generally speaking) threaten violence, so voters in certain areas just know they need to vote their candidates. There's a long list of journalists and members of civil society who have been executed for going against the local clan's wishes. As always your analysis cuts through geographical boundaries and cultures. Thank you.
WHO is strategizing and organizing the right? This coordinated and planned movement doesn't just magically start happing.