I have a cartoon in my head where he's back on the podium yelling " I'm OK, I'm OK, now where was I..." oblivious to all the rally-goers lying dead on the ground. I know a bit dark...
Remember when Trump wanted to call out the military to stop the Black Lives Matter protests? It's like that. There's also the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which (to quote the Justice Department) "removed the military from regular civilian law enforcement."
You're calling for a solution that's both unconstitutional and doubly dangerous because Trump and his party are already fine with violating the Posse Comitatus Act.
Everything. Can you read? Know any American history? And as Susanna says below “unconstitutional and doubly dangerous.” You just don’t WANT to listen to reason and fact. Good luck with that, Mike Hammer.
Correct me if I'm wrong. They think you mean freely, by edict, use the military to silence civil protests in the context of protected activities like peaceful assembly and free speech. I think you mean in the context of general civil unrest like riots, looting and other unlawful opportunist activities. To your comment, the National Guard is already used in emergencies like natural disasters and civil unrest.
Thanks Ruth! I'm trying to get my PT article published now: After Trump Rally Shooting: Keep Cool Heads, Warm Hearts. Part of that is to beware of political haymakers and also catastrophizing. WIll post here when it's up.
Wonderful words. Thank you! As I was reading today, I became aware that my reactions yesterday, although understandable, were not the best. So today I've been trying to make sure that I don't do the same again. I know from my life experience that even though anger can seem righteous, and like something we have a right to, in reality, when you get past anger and disseminate kindness and love, life gets much, much better.
Ravi, your article is so good; it is so important to meet the negative emotion with love, kindness, compassion. It is helpful to have specific things we can do, as you provided in your article, whether our outward behavior or how we think about things. Sometimes guiding principles are useful too. Here are ten principles that I developed for a pro-democracy movement that maybe someone will find useful at this difficult time:
1. We will do better for ourselves and our fellow Americans by following the better angels of our nature.
2. There are legitimate reasons to be not just hopeful but very optimistic about our country's future.
3. It is within our means to have any country we want; we can initiate actions toward this immediately, and we can achieve it in the very near future.
4. There are grounds for strong patriotism based on the remarkable accomplishments of our country, and patriotism includes continuing to strive to create a more perfect union.
5. There is much more that unites us than divides us.
6. Our diversity is a source of great strength.
7. Those with views that differ from our own are not our enemies and instead are our fellow participants in the democratic process.
8. Steadfast commitment to civil communication between those who possess differing views is crucial for maintaining the health of our democracy.
9. Maintaining democracy requires a.great deal of effort and action.
10. We have a shared mission: To secure and defend the unalienable Rights of all Americans to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
the MAGA response is already so deranged that I think it will shoot (!) itself in the foot for anyone with a brain left. Above all folks, DON"T fall for the idea that this clinches (or chinches) the election for Trump.
Keep pointing out: Violence breeds violence, and in a gun-crazy society, so do CALLS for violence. Remember "rough him up, I'll pay for your attorney fees?"
true. But I’m thinking of those not already in the cult. How many women outside the deepest depths are going to vote for a ticket with JD Vance and his “stay in abusive marriages” shtick.
"Trump is depicted as a force for freedom and those who document his crimes and call out his authoritarian agendas are the 'fascists.' "
But, wait - aren't we all supposed to be commies and Marxists? I clearly remember Trump calling Kamala Harris a communist during the 2020 campaign. I was gobsmacked by the brazen mendacity of it all.
Ollie, you’re absolutely right; point well taken and worth remembering. Fascist ideology/playbook includes mendacity as part of its core, along with violence, Hatred for the Other & many more. Projection is also at play here with convicted felon Trump accusing others of being fascist while in fact he’s the fascist. Trump has been reported as sleeping with Hitler’s speeches by his bedside. Read Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us & Them.” He’s a professor of philosophy at Yale University. I hope Ruth will invite Prof. Stanley to one of our Q&As, asap. His book is a must read, allowing detection of fascists from afar; an essential skill for the nonviolently defeat of the fascist surge. We can’t beat the enemy w/o first identifying who they are. American fascism is a little discussed ignoble tradition, one that has inspired many fascist leaders. Yet, we hesitate to call fascists, a worthy pejorative, fascist. Perhaps Prof. Stanley can shed light on the prevailing penchant for the use of euphemisms when referring to fascists.
Another valuable resource is Rachel Maddow's podcast series "Ultra." There's too much hyping of the production in the podcast for my taste, but when it comes to telling the story of American fascism before and during WII, it is eye-opening to say the least.
Thank you for shining light on how this will be used🙏
I look forward to you bringing context to how this assassination attempt will be used and how this has been done in the past. Important to shine light on this in a wider forum also.
The quislings, Putin clients & fifth columnists of fascism are all out today, as usual taking spurious advantage of a crazy event to condemn American patriots for taking the threats to American freedom as seriously as we know trump & maga mean them.
Violence is the act of those out of other ideas, which is the definition of 2024 Republicanism. Without question, FBI statistics prove that right wing violence is the main component of the environment of violence in which the US now lives. Add the violent exclusively right wing leader rhetoric & the stochastic acts it generates & its contribution to US violence is 90% plus.
Arresting & deporting millions of immigrants is violent per se. Arresting political opponents without real legal crimes is violence per. Criminalizing, denying necessary medical treatment & travel to women is violence. So is encouraging personal violence. Only trump & maga do or advocate political violence and it is they who are exclusively (apart from the episode of Hamas-inspired un-peaceful protests) responsible for the violent political environment in which they have put the US since 2015.
So no Americans should tolerate any idea that suggests that yesterday's violence against trump is the fault of anyone in addition to trump & maga themselves.
I don't want to comment about every word in your off-topic diatribe. I'll just note that I support the civil & human rights of Palestinians living inside Israel, that I don't support Israel's retention of most of the West Bank or the illegal Israeli settlers there or Bibi's ploy of keeping power to avoid his criminal liability. I also condemn AIPAC & most of Israel's bombing of civilian-occupied areas of Gaza like I condemn demands for Israel's destruction and the unpeaceful, antisemitic interference with the college students' right to attend their classes & be on their school property without hindrance, threat, hate or assault. You will probably want to reply generally or to have the last word but I'm finished with your mixing nonsense with truths here.
Violence begets violence. R or t retribution by white nationalist milita groups, by individuals. Thats part of their playbook encouraged by the Turner Diaries. Individuals acting alone or in small cells that escalate the violence to destabilize society. Any protestors now are at a much higher risk. I think Milwaukee has to prepare for this now.
Wisconsin is an open carry state. Expect the milita groups to show up and intimidate GOP protestors in the hottest week of year. Tensions can easily flare.
I like Moxon's short piece today, "Gambling in Casablanca." (Recall the French police captain who was shocked to discover gambling going on. With all the maga rhetoric & threats of violence, who can be shocked at yesterday's real violence?)
Thank you for your wise words, as always. I'm turning to music a lot these days. Especially Betty Buckley singing Jason Robert Brown's excellent and beautiful song, "Hope," written in frustration after the 2016 presidential election. Listen and enjoy.
I’ve been waiting for your take, professor. As a reader and viewer of all things Ben Ghiat I saw this all in context of the authoritian project. Thank you and I look forward to what you will produce at this turning point.
Thank you for this critical analysis of how strong men have used assassination attempts in the past to silence critics. Trump posted some unexpectedly healing words this morning (about being a United country), but I assumed they were part of this "I'm the good guy" game he's now playing. These are such toxic times. I agree with you that we should take breaks to maintain our own mental health.
If there is one thing history has taught us, keep your eyes and ears open for discernment reasoning. Events do not happen but are allowed to happen. Who benefits leads to the truth.
I have a cartoon in my head where he's back on the podium yelling " I'm OK, I'm OK, now where was I..." oblivious to all the rally-goers lying dead on the ground. I know a bit dark...
Agree. Full stop.
Yet. It was Biden who told us to turn down the temperature Go figure 🙄🧐
Thanks for sending this during your vacation!
I hope that if violence becomes widespread President Biden can order the military or national guard to keep the peace.
NO! That’s precisely NOT the way to quell this Republican violence. YOUR way is Trump’s way. Cut it out, Mike.
Can you explain please?
Remember when Trump wanted to call out the military to stop the Black Lives Matter protests? It's like that. There's also the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which (to quote the Justice Department) "removed the military from regular civilian law enforcement."
What does have to do with what I said?
You're calling for a solution that's both unconstitutional and doubly dangerous because Trump and his party are already fine with violating the Posse Comitatus Act.
Did you even read my comment?
Everything. Can you read? Know any American history? And as Susanna says below “unconstitutional and doubly dangerous.” You just don’t WANT to listen to reason and fact. Good luck with that, Mike Hammer.
Yes. That sounds exactly what Trump wants to order / right in Project 2025.
Correct me if I'm wrong. They think you mean freely, by edict, use the military to silence civil protests in the context of protected activities like peaceful assembly and free speech. I think you mean in the context of general civil unrest like riots, looting and other unlawful opportunist activities. To your comment, the National Guard is already used in emergencies like natural disasters and civil unrest.
That’s exactly right D.
And we already KNOW how well that did NOT work at Kent State when National Guardsmen fired on, wounded and killed student protesters. Read up, Buddy.
Actually he would be required to do that by law. Did you not notice the “if” part of the comment you objected to? “If violence becomes widespread.”
Appreciated hearing your take on this.
Ruth, take care of yourself, too. Get the rest and relaxation you deserve.
Thanks Ruth! I'm trying to get my PT article published now: After Trump Rally Shooting: Keep Cool Heads, Warm Hearts. Part of that is to beware of political haymakers and also catastrophizing. WIll post here when it's up.
Here it is - Political Rally Shooting: Keeping Cool Heads and Warm Hearts | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pacific-heart/202407/political-rally-shooting-keeping-cool-heads-and-warm-hearts
Thank you, Ravi, for your calming words...very helpful! :)
Wonderful words. Thank you! As I was reading today, I became aware that my reactions yesterday, although understandable, were not the best. So today I've been trying to make sure that I don't do the same again. I know from my life experience that even though anger can seem righteous, and like something we have a right to, in reality, when you get past anger and disseminate kindness and love, life gets much, much better.
It’s a journey as they say…
Very much so.
Ravi, your article is so good; it is so important to meet the negative emotion with love, kindness, compassion. It is helpful to have specific things we can do, as you provided in your article, whether our outward behavior or how we think about things. Sometimes guiding principles are useful too. Here are ten principles that I developed for a pro-democracy movement that maybe someone will find useful at this difficult time:
1. We will do better for ourselves and our fellow Americans by following the better angels of our nature.
2. There are legitimate reasons to be not just hopeful but very optimistic about our country's future.
3. It is within our means to have any country we want; we can initiate actions toward this immediately, and we can achieve it in the very near future.
4. There are grounds for strong patriotism based on the remarkable accomplishments of our country, and patriotism includes continuing to strive to create a more perfect union.
5. There is much more that unites us than divides us.
6. Our diversity is a source of great strength.
7. Those with views that differ from our own are not our enemies and instead are our fellow participants in the democratic process.
8. Steadfast commitment to civil communication between those who possess differing views is crucial for maintaining the health of our democracy.
9. Maintaining democracy requires a.great deal of effort and action.
10. We have a shared mission: To secure and defend the unalienable Rights of all Americans to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Love it!
We must reject the dark path of fascism, where "hot heads and cold hearts" prevail. We must embrace the virtues and warmth of democracy.
More here - MOSF 19.6: Media Biases 2024: Hysteria, Hype, and Hate https://eastwindezine.com/mosf-19-6-media-biases-2024-hysteria-hype-and-hate/
the MAGA response is already so deranged that I think it will shoot (!) itself in the foot for anyone with a brain left. Above all folks, DON"T fall for the idea that this clinches (or chinches) the election for Trump.
Keep pointing out: Violence breeds violence, and in a gun-crazy society, so do CALLS for violence. Remember "rough him up, I'll pay for your attorney fees?"
Susan, how WELL I remember. Those were NIGHTMARE years. We CANNOT go backwards!
Susan, well said. Thanks.
Yes, Susan, and he also told parents whose children had been killed at Uvalde to "...get over it."
"the MAGA response is already so deranged that I think it will shoot (!) itself in the foot for anyone with a brain left. "
Ahh yes, but tribalism is so strong in fascist movements that truth is replaced by post-truth. Derangement is a part of the collective delusion.
true. But I’m thinking of those not already in the cult. How many women outside the deepest depths are going to vote for a ticket with JD Vance and his “stay in abusive marriages” shtick.
"Trump is depicted as a force for freedom and those who document his crimes and call out his authoritarian agendas are the 'fascists.' "
But, wait - aren't we all supposed to be commies and Marxists? I clearly remember Trump calling Kamala Harris a communist during the 2020 campaign. I was gobsmacked by the brazen mendacity of it all.
Ollie, you’re absolutely right; point well taken and worth remembering. Fascist ideology/playbook includes mendacity as part of its core, along with violence, Hatred for the Other & many more. Projection is also at play here with convicted felon Trump accusing others of being fascist while in fact he’s the fascist. Trump has been reported as sleeping with Hitler’s speeches by his bedside. Read Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us & Them.” He’s a professor of philosophy at Yale University. I hope Ruth will invite Prof. Stanley to one of our Q&As, asap. His book is a must read, allowing detection of fascists from afar; an essential skill for the nonviolently defeat of the fascist surge. We can’t beat the enemy w/o first identifying who they are. American fascism is a little discussed ignoble tradition, one that has inspired many fascist leaders. Yet, we hesitate to call fascists, a worthy pejorative, fascist. Perhaps Prof. Stanley can shed light on the prevailing penchant for the use of euphemisms when referring to fascists.
Good points!
Another valuable resource is Rachel Maddow's podcast series "Ultra." There's too much hyping of the production in the podcast for my taste, but when it comes to telling the story of American fascism before and during WII, it is eye-opening to say the least.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-presents-ultra
The documenters being called fascists is just more of the usual projection.
Thank you Dr Ruth.
Not THAT "Dr. Ruth." (The late, great Ruth Westheimer died at 96.) Our Ruth (Ben-Ghiat) -- thank goodness -- is still alive & kicking!
Thank you for shining light on how this will be used🙏
I look forward to you bringing context to how this assassination attempt will be used and how this has been done in the past. Important to shine light on this in a wider forum also.
Wow, they published in record breaking speed - (though they did change the title from “Trump Rally” to “Political Rally” -
Political Rally Shooting: Keeping Cool Heads and Warm Hearts | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pacific-heart/202407/political-rally-shooting-keeping-cool-heads-and-warm-hearts
Thanks for sharing this Ravi. Felt calmer after reading and thinking about your article. Shared on X.
Thank you so much Diana! Stronger together, as someone once said.
Many thanks Ravi. Shared with my two Zoom Meditation groups. Reinforcing words of wisdom always needed.🙏
The quislings, Putin clients & fifth columnists of fascism are all out today, as usual taking spurious advantage of a crazy event to condemn American patriots for taking the threats to American freedom as seriously as we know trump & maga mean them.
Violence is the act of those out of other ideas, which is the definition of 2024 Republicanism. Without question, FBI statistics prove that right wing violence is the main component of the environment of violence in which the US now lives. Add the violent exclusively right wing leader rhetoric & the stochastic acts it generates & its contribution to US violence is 90% plus.
Arresting & deporting millions of immigrants is violent per se. Arresting political opponents without real legal crimes is violence per. Criminalizing, denying necessary medical treatment & travel to women is violence. So is encouraging personal violence. Only trump & maga do or advocate political violence and it is they who are exclusively (apart from the episode of Hamas-inspired un-peaceful protests) responsible for the violent political environment in which they have put the US since 2015.
So no Americans should tolerate any idea that suggests that yesterday's violence against trump is the fault of anyone in addition to trump & maga themselves.
I don't want to comment about every word in your off-topic diatribe. I'll just note that I support the civil & human rights of Palestinians living inside Israel, that I don't support Israel's retention of most of the West Bank or the illegal Israeli settlers there or Bibi's ploy of keeping power to avoid his criminal liability. I also condemn AIPAC & most of Israel's bombing of civilian-occupied areas of Gaza like I condemn demands for Israel's destruction and the unpeaceful, antisemitic interference with the college students' right to attend their classes & be on their school property without hindrance, threat, hate or assault. You will probably want to reply generally or to have the last word but I'm finished with your mixing nonsense with truths here.
You are absolutely right.
Richard, 100%. Read Dr. Kathleen Belew, Northwestern University.
Thanks for the reference.
Her book “Bring the War Home” is expert and chilling.
Violence begets violence. R or t retribution by white nationalist milita groups, by individuals. Thats part of their playbook encouraged by the Turner Diaries. Individuals acting alone or in small cells that escalate the violence to destabilize society. Any protestors now are at a much higher risk. I think Milwaukee has to prepare for this now.
Wisconsin is an open carry state. Expect the milita groups to show up and intimidate GOP protestors in the hottest week of year. Tensions can easily flare.
I like Moxon's short piece today, "Gambling in Casablanca." (Recall the French police captain who was shocked to discover gambling going on. With all the maga rhetoric & threats of violence, who can be shocked at yesterday's real violence?)
I smell a Qanon rat in this whole thing and it's name is Mike Flynn.
I was starting to think about how strongmen have used peacetime sedition legislation.
Thank you for your wise words, as always. I'm turning to music a lot these days. Especially Betty Buckley singing Jason Robert Brown's excellent and beautiful song, "Hope," written in frustration after the 2016 presidential election. Listen and enjoy.
We've turned to Native American flute music. For us it is very soothing.
Love being introduced to something new. Will explore this also. Thanks much.
You are welcome. I recommend starting with R. Carlos Nakai, who is my favorite.
Henrietta, Thank you for sharing Hope! Listening along with you.
I’ve been waiting for your take, professor. As a reader and viewer of all things Ben Ghiat I saw this all in context of the authoritian project. Thank you and I look forward to what you will produce at this turning point.
Thank you for this critical analysis of how strong men have used assassination attempts in the past to silence critics. Trump posted some unexpectedly healing words this morning (about being a United country), but I assumed they were part of this "I'm the good guy" game he's now playing. These are such toxic times. I agree with you that we should take breaks to maintain our own mental health.
If there is one thing history has taught us, keep your eyes and ears open for discernment reasoning. Events do not happen but are allowed to happen. Who benefits leads to the truth.