Another question for you Ruth related to your specialty- propaganda. You recently commented on Twitter about Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson’s Twitter post making the false comparison of Nazim to DC Mayor Bowser’s health restrictions (access to restaurants, etc contingent on vaccine status). Clearly this is Holocaust inversion/ distortion which belies manipulation & dishonesty. Could you elaborate on your comment so we can better understand the mechanism?
Your comment:
“ The point is to put Nazi symbols into mass circulation, giving them a fresh audience under cover of "outrage."
I found myself grappling with the question a few months ago if historically most people knew when a civil war or mass atrocity outbreak was going to happen in their society. I’m no historian but from what I can tell the answer is a strong yes. It’s might have felt like an unstoppable inevitably? What do you think Ruth & other historians?
I focus on antisemitism as an indicator of risk for human rights and civil rights violations also as an indicator of destabilizing actors & factors. From this perspective we’re very deep into it. I completely agree with everything said here. I would point readers to 2 other sources that reenforce this interview’s premise:
You mention that sanctions in 1980 S.A. strangled businesses which subsequently helped change regimes. But will that work today when authoritarian regimes financially support each other?
My attention is drawn most closely to the notion of letting business interest know that someone's watching and we believe this is what you are signing on to - there will be consequences for your 'bottom line' , regardless of political outcomes; and it won't be good nor profitable. Mom always told me if you're out to hurt someone, hit them in the wallet. I also have this to share that I've read the gist of in more than one spot. > https://www.accountable.us/research/in-bad-company/
I agree with the amazing insights in this interview, which would be impossible without decades of thought, research, and a rare openness to the experiences of others. I did ask myself, why was there not a full fledged civil war in Northern Ireland over thirty years of simmering religious and economic conflict punctuated by moments of terror? Why did decades, indeed centuries, of violence suddenly end in the early to mid 90s? Could civil war be averted when all elements involved just exhausted themselves and hit a stalemate?
That was a very informative and educational interview.
"... whether a country was ethnically, religiously or racially factionalized. " This sounds so much like the social Darwinism that was common in fascist countries. Once certain groups are deemed as less worthy, it becomes easy to hate them or kill them. The social Darwinism sentiment is growing in the US and is a major pillar of Trumpism. Sociopaths like Trump are all about dominance and submission, so it makes sense that he promotes destructive social Darwinism. But this mentality has ruined nations in the past and it is ruining ours now.
1) Strategic to anticipate and head-off their moves. They enjoy and respect a good chess battle.
2) Simultaneously kindness & righteousness,,, can sway with occasion.
This inability to map out a strategic game plan (chess) with multiple game options is what is missing. Surely they have maps.
Regarding #2, i find temperaments cool & flourish when mixed groups can gently brought together. I learned this, as you may have from living in a small, mixed neighborhood, race/religious.
The commonality can be emphasized and cherished and eventually celebrated.
"Advanced citizenship" - I heard Rep. Madeline Dean (PA), use this quote from a Kirk Douglas movie this week. Great term, and if not now --when?
If citizens could make efforts to cross-fertilize groups or segments, or purposely peacefully introduce these folks...a weaving of the tapestry America.
I'd like to believe we, all Americans, can reverse the seemingly headstrong course towards civil conflict, but I'm not hopeful. Because Americans have largely been turned into Consumers. Big business/Tech innovators like Amazon, and the more nefarious web sites that are so partisan allows its users to cocoon into; own us.
Then there's that nasty lil fact about 2020 record gun sales. We aren't, as a nation moving towards peace.
The current legislative body has masterfully figured out how to stay in power without doing the work of the people; the "people," as Rick Shenkman pointed out in his book, Just How Stupid Are We? Aren't very smart, and certainly haven't shown any willingness to engage in anything other than hyperbole.
It seems the only tactic that moves Americans is "shock and awe."
Hopefully the extreme right and extreme left can one day very soon awaken to see the value in a UNITED STATES of America, a concept they've lost all vision of.
I just don't see it coming from big business, because just like during WW II , they profit mightily from the cheap labor of labor camps.
Extreme thought, yes...unfathomable, no.
As so aptly put by Issac Asimov, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
Unfortunately, the American voter is easily sawayed by charlatans, demagogues and snake oil salesmen, as evidenced by 74 million people voting for an authoritarian sociopath in 2020.
Most certainly appreciate your work and contribution to the space. Looking forward to the added discussion that will inevitably result in the demise of this toxic environment. The first step in the eradication of prejudice and hatred is always its “outing” into the public space, through dialogue and education; the first harbinger of its decline. I’m indebted for your courage to do that.
Great interview Ruth. I especially liked her pointing out what happened in South Africa. The role economic sanctions played and then the regime finally shifted when the business community realized it would be bad for business and profits would be hurt. Reform and compromise happened because of influence from the business sector.
So that is an important card we have to play here in the US. Making business in America aware of the costs to their bottom line if there's civil war, violence or continued erosion of democracy. Then motivating them to lean in against the rise of the ever growing authoritarianism within the GOP and its ranks. If they realize its bad for business they can threaten to withhold campaign contributions.
After reading "Confessions of an Economic Hitman", I got the sense that corporate power had no interest in democracy in other countries or here at home. Much of our CIA interventions in other countries involved business interests, with little regard to democracy. Business had wanted fascism here in 1933 with their attempted coup. I just don't believe that our corporatocracy would abdicate its power. They would prefer fascism with corporate power vs democracy where corporate rule was diminished.
State judicial systems are tempted to be similar, favoring bu$iness over democratic principles and mores.
We see that struggle outright this year state v federal courts outcomes. In my observation, state courts at times struggle to give a hoot for federal law and well-established public policy.
Our original institutions & pillars are valid, however weakened. Deregulation & its associated fairy dust has really ruined things, in my opinion.
Yes I know it may be naive to ever hope or expect the business community would ever pressure the GOP. Business loves tax cuts and deregulation and that's what the GOP has always delivered. In fascism business and state become merged.
Isn't that the current driver of our American succes$ story. I don't see innovation other than perhaps China. But no one is ever smiling over there either... not a happy place.
I'd really like to believe that the US can forestall what increasingly appears to be inevitable, but 1) Manchin and Sinema will never support a filibuster carve out. It's a fantasy to believe otherwise, 2) unlike South Africa, US corporations have zero interest in avoiding essentially an apartheid system in the US. Most are silent on voting rights, all but 2 are silent on the filibuster, 3) US citizens are particularly naive and ignorant of history, and utterly incapable of acknowledging imminent fascism, 4) ditto the press, which is so accustomed to absolute freedoms that they fail to see the grave dangers they will face in the next decade, 5) both GOP base and leadership believe they will enjoy the benefits of authoritarian rule, while the 'others' suffer. It doesn't work that way. Everyone is expendable except the leader and his family, especially the press and wealthy CEOs...tax cuts mean little when the extortion starts and there's no recourse. Dishonorable mention to the wildly partisan SCOTUS with its arrogant disdain for civil rights and human life and to the feckless AG Garlsnd, who has managed to turn one of the country's most egregious conspiracy's to overturn democracy into an endless parade of slaps on the wrist for low level dupes. So now what? Yes, we should all vote in the highest numbers in history, good people should run for every local, city, county, state office, the only agenda for 2022 should be pro-democracy, which means no votes for any Republican who fails to admit the reality of 1/6 and reject Trump and the Big Lie. Covid, school closings, CRT, wokeism, immigration, global warming, etc must take 2nd place until we restore our democracy. So, is it possible? Yes. Do I personally believe that it will happen? No. I'd like to be proven completely wrong just once in this 7+ year nightmare.
"3) US citizens are particularly naive and ignorant of history...."
Our education system makes it difficult for many to afford higher education. Very few people even understand what fascism is; which is obvious, given how many voted Trump. They don't understand what mental illness is either, having voted Trump. I don't believe that our elites want an educated electorate. It's just too hard to fool them. Trump's fascism depends on people easily swayed by confirmation bias, motivated reasoning and a post-truth mentality, where emotions supersede truth. Fascism needs a gullible, uneducated people to succeed..... and we sure have that! We are on the brink.
I would phrase it as both an absence and a suspension of critical thinking as opposed to a fault of education. People don't need a college degree to recognize lies and hypocrisy, but they do need a desire to suspend reality to embrace conspiracies. Personally, I believe that we're past the brink as a country...I see no clear path back.
Ezra Klein wrote an opinion piece for the NYT, outlining the one thing that pro-democracy advocates can do. Run for every local office possible...many are completely uncontested. The GOP has been pushing its supporters to do this for the past year. The national Democratic organizations have ignored such races for decades, but a great deal of power is concentrated in local positions. There aren't financial barriers to entry as there are in statewide or national elections, and the group 'Run for Anything' provides complete training packages and resources. These local positions can be stepping stones for those who desire greater challenges, but are themselves vital to protecting communities and strengthening democracy. The key is taking action. We are the only hope of saving our country if enough people step out of their comfort zones and get directly involved.
Hitler hated the intellectuals in Germany, especially the Psychologists. Higher education was a threat to fascism. In Jason Stanley's book, "How Fascism Works" he says, "fascist ideology conflicts in principle with expertise, science and truth."
…aaand now they’re coming after Dr. Peter Hotez (again). Anything to promote instability caused by rampid COVID. Couple this with today’s SCOTUS decision on Biden’s workplace vaccine mandates and we have ourselves some serious threats to stability. Perfect to capitalize on. Very dire in my opinion.
I’m not a scholar on the subject but I’m pretty sure he kept the ones that were useful to the Third Reich and was hostile to those less useful. This is consistent with with institutional purgingi and reorganization to support political ends. The USSR had lots of educated scientists, Iran is pushing their nuke & ballistics programs, N. Korea just launched a hyper-supersonic rocket- Hitler had those things too. German anthropologists headed the eugenics program that relied on hair & skin color chars- meticulously created- and use of the Anthropometer to measure facial features. Many educated people, just had/has to be the right educated people. This is what makes Sakharov such a giant!
Just as you say, it is very, very surprising to me that the wealthy in this country don't understand that—if Trump or another authoritarian gains power in '24—their wealth will be subject to the whims of the leader. Look at Russia: Putin uses the rich in his country like his own personal bank accounts. Chinese billionaires and millionaires mysteriously disappear into thin air. Why do they think Trump will treat them any different here in America? He's just as greedy and amoral as Xi or Putin.
Humans have a remarkable ability to rationalize and delude themselves. The billionaires are racing to build bunkers and spaceships to outrun global warming, refusing to acknowledge the inherent futility. Peter Thiel spends half his time/money trying to out-tech his mortality; it's as insane as it sounds. CEOs are each convinced that they alone will be spared...it never works...they will be extorted mercilessly, and not just by Trump. Both the anti-anti-Trumpers and the pro-Trumpers are equally as expendable as the base. If Trump regains power, he will wreak his vengeance on an hourly basis. No amount of groveling will spare McCarthy, Cruz, or McConnell (though I do anticipate the inevitable day when Cruz insults himself, his wife, and his father in a final act of self-immolation). No amount of silence or tepid tweets will save Romney, Sasse, Colllins. All that will remain is the family, a few true believers who have no self aside from Trump, and a revolving door of corrupt fixers. It's as predictable as climate change.
I'm not sure what you mean? A Putin-esque regime extorts the 1% and corporations to forcibly take a cut of their wealth. The regime is indifferent to expertise. They're not at risk if they pay. Those at risk are the non-state media and dissidents.
Ah... civil war coming to America, again ??? My "heart" says "yes." We need a purge every once in a while, so we start with "killing all the lawyers" (me included), and taking Fox News (really Fox Entertainment) off the air. But, my "mind" and my allegiance to the 1st Amendment and to "peace" says, "overcome the emotion of comeuppance, and the silencing of the enemy, and love your fellow man and woman ... even those on the hard right." Not an easy task.
As Barbara Walter points out, the recipe for civil war in America (and elsewhere) ??? Polarization and an "us against them" mentality that is stoked by self serving, demagogue lies of our political leaders and their media sycophants. But never forget that the ultimate sycophant of the America right wing is our arch enemy and Trump's dear friend, Vladimir Putin.
The Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Richard Burr, said in 2018... “Russia is waging an information warfare campaign against the U.S. that didn’t start and didn’t end with the 2016 election” and “Their [Russia’s] goal is broader: to sow societal discord and erode public confidence in the machinery of government.” https://foreignpolicy.com › 2019/10/08 › bipartisan-senate-report-undercut…
Maybe, shining the light of the day on Putin's nefarious undermining of the America's e pluribus unum ("out of many... one") will encourage all of us on the left to oppose Putin and his "admirer in chief," Donald Trump, while "civilly engaging" our fellow right wing Americans rather than engaging them in a civil war ... all in search of "common ground," like preserving the Union of the United States of America, once again. No ???
Thank you for "civilly engaging" call to action. For common ground, and dose of common sense, sprinkle of common purpose. "United States of America", that beautiful patchwork of 50 provincial gemstones.
You are correct that foreign policy issues persist even while our democracy suffers. We have no choice but to deal with everything as we move forward, prioritizing what gets first emphasis, the evaluation of which is in constant change. And part of that is working, as you say, to find "common ground," no matter how small a space such ground may appear at the time.
Common ground, yes. I want to believe it's not too late.
I believe they're are alot of voters in the middle.
It's one neutral conversation a day, just in daily passing I've been looking for openings ... on the bus, in the marketplace. I think ( pray) they're is a silent majority out there, searching for affirmation of crazy v non-crazy. These random conversations have affirmed hope to me and whomever I've talked with. Comfort in their eyes I read -- even masked. Of course, that might be the clue right there that they are masked citizens.
I still think it's a Hands Across America moment, one shoulder tap @ a time...
A few positive sound bites from pro-democracy groups ... such as Common Ground are good so the whole message(s) do not appear negative, therefore frightening ... leading to Strongmen-voting.
I have a similar hope, wanting to believe, like you, that there are many out there, silent perhaps, waiting for that tap on the shoulder. Keep the faith.
When I lived in NJ, near Washingtons Crossing of the Delaware, the landscape was dotted with small country churches, each approximately 2-3 miles apart, ours built in 1752. These churches in a rural area served as the only gathering place. It is recorded that the average patriots of the area would gather, strategize. These were not the famous, but everyday shoulder-taps to keep the movement on track and map out appropriate moves.
Further north, troops spent a freezing winter in Morristown. Average folks need to move out of their comfort-zone to expand the circle of critical thinking. One quick day at a time.
So we just keep talking rationally to strangers, and build communities of critical thinking.
After Morristown, George would expect no less of us.
I want to believe that there is some slender thread of intellectual and emotional continuity from those earlier times still playing out in our current actions, that we are still letting one another know. Still here. Still here.
This was a very sobering read. I had never heard of anocracy. Thank you.
Another question for you Ruth related to your specialty- propaganda. You recently commented on Twitter about Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson’s Twitter post making the false comparison of Nazim to DC Mayor Bowser’s health restrictions (access to restaurants, etc contingent on vaccine status). Clearly this is Holocaust inversion/ distortion which belies manipulation & dishonesty. Could you elaborate on your comment so we can better understand the mechanism?
Your comment:
“ The point is to put Nazi symbols into mass circulation, giving them a fresh audience under cover of "outrage."
Thank you so much!!!
I found myself grappling with the question a few months ago if historically most people knew when a civil war or mass atrocity outbreak was going to happen in their society. I’m no historian but from what I can tell the answer is a strong yes. It’s might have felt like an unstoppable inevitably? What do you think Ruth & other historians?
I focus on antisemitism as an indicator of risk for human rights and civil rights violations also as an indicator of destabilizing actors & factors. From this perspective we’re very deep into it. I completely agree with everything said here. I would point readers to 2 other sources that reenforce this interview’s premise:
1). https://freedomhouse.org/report/special-report/2021/crisis-reform-call-strengthen-americas-battered-democracy
2). James Waller’s work on mass violence risks & strategies to lower the temperature
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8fMeZF0O4i0
You mention that sanctions in 1980 S.A. strangled businesses which subsequently helped change regimes. But will that work today when authoritarian regimes financially support each other?
Thank you Ruth for this practical, succinct interview. May wise minds prevail from sea to shining sea.
My attention is drawn most closely to the notion of letting business interest know that someone's watching and we believe this is what you are signing on to - there will be consequences for your 'bottom line' , regardless of political outcomes; and it won't be good nor profitable. Mom always told me if you're out to hurt someone, hit them in the wallet. I also have this to share that I've read the gist of in more than one spot. > https://www.accountable.us/research/in-bad-company/
Agree.
Innovation will decline if democracy slides.
I think this is why people don't smile or laugh in Russia.
No new gadgets, folks. (voters)
Stagnated profits. (Corporatives)
Bond ratings, etc (Financial markets)
So that's the business model.
Unattractive.
I agree with the amazing insights in this interview, which would be impossible without decades of thought, research, and a rare openness to the experiences of others. I did ask myself, why was there not a full fledged civil war in Northern Ireland over thirty years of simmering religious and economic conflict punctuated by moments of terror? Why did decades, indeed centuries, of violence suddenly end in the early to mid 90s? Could civil war be averted when all elements involved just exhausted themselves and hit a stalemate?
James Waller studied just what you pondered. It’s fascinating.
Thank you for this, Barry. Could you give me some references so that I may follow it up?
Just google his name. He did an extensive study on N. Ireland
That was a very informative and educational interview.
"... whether a country was ethnically, religiously or racially factionalized. " This sounds so much like the social Darwinism that was common in fascist countries. Once certain groups are deemed as less worthy, it becomes easy to hate them or kill them. The social Darwinism sentiment is growing in the US and is a major pillar of Trumpism. Sociopaths like Trump are all about dominance and submission, so it makes sense that he promotes destructive social Darwinism. But this mentality has ruined nations in the past and it is ruining ours now.
The antidote to sociopaths is 2-pronged.
1) Strategic to anticipate and head-off their moves. They enjoy and respect a good chess battle.
2) Simultaneously kindness & righteousness,,, can sway with occasion.
This inability to map out a strategic game plan (chess) with multiple game options is what is missing. Surely they have maps.
Regarding #2, i find temperaments cool & flourish when mixed groups can gently brought together. I learned this, as you may have from living in a small, mixed neighborhood, race/religious.
The commonality can be emphasized and cherished and eventually celebrated.
"Advanced citizenship" - I heard Rep. Madeline Dean (PA), use this quote from a Kirk Douglas movie this week. Great term, and if not now --when?
If citizens could make efforts to cross-fertilize groups or segments, or purposely peacefully introduce these folks...a weaving of the tapestry America.
Quick. Only 10 months left.
All sales final.
I'd like to believe we, all Americans, can reverse the seemingly headstrong course towards civil conflict, but I'm not hopeful. Because Americans have largely been turned into Consumers. Big business/Tech innovators like Amazon, and the more nefarious web sites that are so partisan allows its users to cocoon into; own us.
Then there's that nasty lil fact about 2020 record gun sales. We aren't, as a nation moving towards peace.
The current legislative body has masterfully figured out how to stay in power without doing the work of the people; the "people," as Rick Shenkman pointed out in his book, Just How Stupid Are We? Aren't very smart, and certainly haven't shown any willingness to engage in anything other than hyperbole.
It seems the only tactic that moves Americans is "shock and awe."
Hopefully the extreme right and extreme left can one day very soon awaken to see the value in a UNITED STATES of America, a concept they've lost all vision of.
I just don't see it coming from big business, because just like during WW II , they profit mightily from the cheap labor of labor camps.
Extreme thought, yes...unfathomable, no.
As so aptly put by Issac Asimov, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
Peace and unity in 2022
Agree, yes.
Greed = over-consumption (Consumerism)
is the root problem, destroys people and now our country is at stake.
I do sense, people may ... be becoming fatigued (hopefully) of the shock & awe.
It's exhausting.
Remember growing up when news was boring? Such a good flashback.
As some have said, they wish they had grown up then ... less intensity.
Lost are we.. We are mixed up as to what qualifies as a well - lived life!
".... in his book, Just How Stupid Are We?"
Unfortunately, the American voter is easily sawayed by charlatans, demagogues and snake oil salesmen, as evidenced by 74 million people voting for an authoritarian sociopath in 2020.
Asleep at the wheel.
Enjoying the fruits of those before us, and not filling the gas tank as we go along....
Most certainly appreciate your work and contribution to the space. Looking forward to the added discussion that will inevitably result in the demise of this toxic environment. The first step in the eradication of prejudice and hatred is always its “outing” into the public space, through dialogue and education; the first harbinger of its decline. I’m indebted for your courage to do that.
I appreciate Ruth's interview and succinct expertise of Barbara Walters.
Courage, so needed.
Dialogue & education, you are so right.
Great interview Ruth. I especially liked her pointing out what happened in South Africa. The role economic sanctions played and then the regime finally shifted when the business community realized it would be bad for business and profits would be hurt. Reform and compromise happened because of influence from the business sector.
So that is an important card we have to play here in the US. Making business in America aware of the costs to their bottom line if there's civil war, violence or continued erosion of democracy. Then motivating them to lean in against the rise of the ever growing authoritarianism within the GOP and its ranks. If they realize its bad for business they can threaten to withhold campaign contributions.
Tourism could decline. That's a biggie with all the offshoot industries.
After reading "Confessions of an Economic Hitman", I got the sense that corporate power had no interest in democracy in other countries or here at home. Much of our CIA interventions in other countries involved business interests, with little regard to democracy. Business had wanted fascism here in 1933 with their attempted coup. I just don't believe that our corporatocracy would abdicate its power. They would prefer fascism with corporate power vs democracy where corporate rule was diminished.
State judicial systems are tempted to be similar, favoring bu$iness over democratic principles and mores.
We see that struggle outright this year state v federal courts outcomes. In my observation, state courts at times struggle to give a hoot for federal law and well-established public policy.
Our original institutions & pillars are valid, however weakened. Deregulation & its associated fairy dust has really ruined things, in my opinion.
Yes I know it may be naive to ever hope or expect the business community would ever pressure the GOP. Business loves tax cuts and deregulation and that's what the GOP has always delivered. In fascism business and state become merged.
Agree. The antidote could be
What happens to innovation?
Isn't that the current driver of our American succes$ story. I don't see innovation other than perhaps China. But no one is ever smiling over there either... not a happy place.
I'd really like to believe that the US can forestall what increasingly appears to be inevitable, but 1) Manchin and Sinema will never support a filibuster carve out. It's a fantasy to believe otherwise, 2) unlike South Africa, US corporations have zero interest in avoiding essentially an apartheid system in the US. Most are silent on voting rights, all but 2 are silent on the filibuster, 3) US citizens are particularly naive and ignorant of history, and utterly incapable of acknowledging imminent fascism, 4) ditto the press, which is so accustomed to absolute freedoms that they fail to see the grave dangers they will face in the next decade, 5) both GOP base and leadership believe they will enjoy the benefits of authoritarian rule, while the 'others' suffer. It doesn't work that way. Everyone is expendable except the leader and his family, especially the press and wealthy CEOs...tax cuts mean little when the extortion starts and there's no recourse. Dishonorable mention to the wildly partisan SCOTUS with its arrogant disdain for civil rights and human life and to the feckless AG Garlsnd, who has managed to turn one of the country's most egregious conspiracy's to overturn democracy into an endless parade of slaps on the wrist for low level dupes. So now what? Yes, we should all vote in the highest numbers in history, good people should run for every local, city, county, state office, the only agenda for 2022 should be pro-democracy, which means no votes for any Republican who fails to admit the reality of 1/6 and reject Trump and the Big Lie. Covid, school closings, CRT, wokeism, immigration, global warming, etc must take 2nd place until we restore our democracy. So, is it possible? Yes. Do I personally believe that it will happen? No. I'd like to be proven completely wrong just once in this 7+ year nightmare.
"5) "they only need you til they don't".
Everyone becomes minimized. We cannot let our fellow citizens become fools (minnions) to think otherwise.
Can't let ourselves drift into pessimism. Ben Franklin and patriots are counting on our ingenuity to solve this puzzle/ crisis.
At least the framework is intact.
"3) US citizens are particularly naive and ignorant of history...."
Our education system makes it difficult for many to afford higher education. Very few people even understand what fascism is; which is obvious, given how many voted Trump. They don't understand what mental illness is either, having voted Trump. I don't believe that our elites want an educated electorate. It's just too hard to fool them. Trump's fascism depends on people easily swayed by confirmation bias, motivated reasoning and a post-truth mentality, where emotions supersede truth. Fascism needs a gullible, uneducated people to succeed..... and we sure have that! We are on the brink.
I would phrase it as both an absence and a suspension of critical thinking as opposed to a fault of education. People don't need a college degree to recognize lies and hypocrisy, but they do need a desire to suspend reality to embrace conspiracies. Personally, I believe that we're past the brink as a country...I see no clear path back.
Like a car hanging 1/2 way off the cliff. Surely we can pull it back as it teeters?
Ezra Klein wrote an opinion piece for the NYT, outlining the one thing that pro-democracy advocates can do. Run for every local office possible...many are completely uncontested. The GOP has been pushing its supporters to do this for the past year. The national Democratic organizations have ignored such races for decades, but a great deal of power is concentrated in local positions. There aren't financial barriers to entry as there are in statewide or national elections, and the group 'Run for Anything' provides complete training packages and resources. These local positions can be stepping stones for those who desire greater challenges, but are themselves vital to protecting communities and strengthening democracy. The key is taking action. We are the only hope of saving our country if enough people step out of their comfort zones and get directly involved.
Well, I agree that education is no guarantee of wisdom or critical thinking but we've seen the consequences of those not having an education.
Education is zero guarantee of moral or ethical behavior…same with intelligence or creativity.
Hitler hated the intellectuals in Germany, especially the Psychologists. Higher education was a threat to fascism. In Jason Stanley's book, "How Fascism Works" he says, "fascist ideology conflicts in principle with expertise, science and truth."
…aaand now they’re coming after Dr. Peter Hotez (again). Anything to promote instability caused by rampid COVID. Couple this with today’s SCOTUS decision on Biden’s workplace vaccine mandates and we have ourselves some serious threats to stability. Perfect to capitalize on. Very dire in my opinion.
I’m not a scholar on the subject but I’m pretty sure he kept the ones that were useful to the Third Reich and was hostile to those less useful. This is consistent with with institutional purgingi and reorganization to support political ends. The USSR had lots of educated scientists, Iran is pushing their nuke & ballistics programs, N. Korea just launched a hyper-supersonic rocket- Hitler had those things too. German anthropologists headed the eugenics program that relied on hair & skin color chars- meticulously created- and use of the Anthropometer to measure facial features. Many educated people, just had/has to be the right educated people. This is what makes Sakharov such a giant!
Just as you say, it is very, very surprising to me that the wealthy in this country don't understand that—if Trump or another authoritarian gains power in '24—their wealth will be subject to the whims of the leader. Look at Russia: Putin uses the rich in his country like his own personal bank accounts. Chinese billionaires and millionaires mysteriously disappear into thin air. Why do they think Trump will treat them any different here in America? He's just as greedy and amoral as Xi or Putin.
Humans have a remarkable ability to rationalize and delude themselves. The billionaires are racing to build bunkers and spaceships to outrun global warming, refusing to acknowledge the inherent futility. Peter Thiel spends half his time/money trying to out-tech his mortality; it's as insane as it sounds. CEOs are each convinced that they alone will be spared...it never works...they will be extorted mercilessly, and not just by Trump. Both the anti-anti-Trumpers and the pro-Trumpers are equally as expendable as the base. If Trump regains power, he will wreak his vengeance on an hourly basis. No amount of groveling will spare McCarthy, Cruz, or McConnell (though I do anticipate the inevitable day when Cruz insults himself, his wife, and his father in a final act of self-immolation). No amount of silence or tepid tweets will save Romney, Sasse, Colllins. All that will remain is the family, a few true believers who have no self aside from Trump, and a revolving door of corrupt fixers. It's as predictable as climate change.
Wouldn't CEO's and corporate leaders be at risk because of their expertise?
I'm not sure what you mean? A Putin-esque regime extorts the 1% and corporations to forcibly take a cut of their wealth. The regime is indifferent to expertise. They're not at risk if they pay. Those at risk are the non-state media and dissidents.
Thanks for your clarity.
People need to know this.
So we do not become like sheep.
Ah... civil war coming to America, again ??? My "heart" says "yes." We need a purge every once in a while, so we start with "killing all the lawyers" (me included), and taking Fox News (really Fox Entertainment) off the air. But, my "mind" and my allegiance to the 1st Amendment and to "peace" says, "overcome the emotion of comeuppance, and the silencing of the enemy, and love your fellow man and woman ... even those on the hard right." Not an easy task.
As Barbara Walter points out, the recipe for civil war in America (and elsewhere) ??? Polarization and an "us against them" mentality that is stoked by self serving, demagogue lies of our political leaders and their media sycophants. But never forget that the ultimate sycophant of the America right wing is our arch enemy and Trump's dear friend, Vladimir Putin.
The Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Richard Burr, said in 2018... “Russia is waging an information warfare campaign against the U.S. that didn’t start and didn’t end with the 2016 election” and “Their [Russia’s] goal is broader: to sow societal discord and erode public confidence in the machinery of government.” https://foreignpolicy.com › 2019/10/08 › bipartisan-senate-report-undercut…
Maybe, shining the light of the day on Putin's nefarious undermining of the America's e pluribus unum ("out of many... one") will encourage all of us on the left to oppose Putin and his "admirer in chief," Donald Trump, while "civilly engaging" our fellow right wing Americans rather than engaging them in a civil war ... all in search of "common ground," like preserving the Union of the United States of America, once again. No ???
Fred Lauck
Thank you for "civilly engaging" call to action. For common ground, and dose of common sense, sprinkle of common purpose. "United States of America", that beautiful patchwork of 50 provincial gemstones.
You are correct that foreign policy issues persist even while our democracy suffers. We have no choice but to deal with everything as we move forward, prioritizing what gets first emphasis, the evaluation of which is in constant change. And part of that is working, as you say, to find "common ground," no matter how small a space such ground may appear at the time.
Common ground, yes. I want to believe it's not too late.
I believe they're are alot of voters in the middle.
It's one neutral conversation a day, just in daily passing I've been looking for openings ... on the bus, in the marketplace. I think ( pray) they're is a silent majority out there, searching for affirmation of crazy v non-crazy. These random conversations have affirmed hope to me and whomever I've talked with. Comfort in their eyes I read -- even masked. Of course, that might be the clue right there that they are masked citizens.
I still think it's a Hands Across America moment, one shoulder tap @ a time...
A few positive sound bites from pro-democracy groups ... such as Common Ground are good so the whole message(s) do not appear negative, therefore frightening ... leading to Strongmen-voting.
I have a similar hope, wanting to believe, like you, that there are many out there, silent perhaps, waiting for that tap on the shoulder. Keep the faith.
When I lived in NJ, near Washingtons Crossing of the Delaware, the landscape was dotted with small country churches, each approximately 2-3 miles apart, ours built in 1752. These churches in a rural area served as the only gathering place. It is recorded that the average patriots of the area would gather, strategize. These were not the famous, but everyday shoulder-taps to keep the movement on track and map out appropriate moves.
Further north, troops spent a freezing winter in Morristown. Average folks need to move out of their comfort-zone to expand the circle of critical thinking. One quick day at a time.
So we just keep talking rationally to strangers, and build communities of critical thinking.
After Morristown, George would expect no less of us.
I want to believe that there is some slender thread of intellectual and emotional continuity from those earlier times still playing out in our current actions, that we are still letting one another know. Still here. Still here.
Every day one shoulder tap?
And keep our neighborly over-the-fence conversations going . . .
Ben Franklin & patriots would expect no less of us.
Yes, keep the faith.
Thanks for the interview and clear-headed analysis of this threat.
Exceptional. 👏👏👏👏