Where are the alarm bells? We are in an apocalyptic danger. The mass majority of Americans are taking care of their families, worrying about the daily struggles of their personal lives, and making sure their children are getting what they need. As the average German citizen did when their country was very slowly and unrecognizably at first, and then unstoppably bursting into fascism, Americans are operating in what they think is a normal world. It is not normal. If we do not wake up, the youth of today, as well as all of us, will be trapped in an unrecognizable nightmare of living in a fascist country—a country in which we will lose our most of our freedom to chose how we live, what we can say, what we can learn, who we can love, what our children can learn, where we can travel, and so on. And our fascist leader will be a corrupt, mentally ill, unprincipled, narcissistic, immoral, and uncaring man.
The mass majority of citizens have no idea what terrors lie ahead for themselves, their children, their families, and their friends.
How do we wake them up before it’s too late?
Gayle Donsky
Producer of the recent award-winning documentary, “The Broken Promise.” The film is about genocide and warning signs that countries are moving toward authoritarian rule and genocidal policies.
There are many of us who share your alarm. GOTV organizations are seeing an upsurge in volunteers and interest.
Like you, I fear if that will be enough, and I also ask how we wake up citizens who are unaware of authoritarianism's dangers. It does worry me that people who have lived their lives in the US have never experienced the kind of authoritarianism as WWII Germany (although Blacks living under Jim Crow were in fact living under a kind of authoritarianism).
Joyce Vance posted this update/summary of Project 2025. Everyone should read and share it. Understand what is at stake and how to defeat Project 2025 with a simple vote.
Only if we let them. Is Ukraine rolling over and kicking out Zelensky after they have suffered losses? Did Lincoln quit after he lost over and over? Did Grant quit?
I think Ted was referencing the famous Paul Revere line. 😥 I do wonder if people like my younger sister, who doesn't pay a bit of attention to politics will even realize until it's far too late. I have tried desperately to wake her up, if only for her children, but she refuses to believe it could be "that bad." That's what scares me equally. That and the polls showing that after the debate even Dems are thinking about leaving the Presidential line empty rather than vote...
I have problems with "gentleness". If I encounter people who are apathetic, I tend to raise Hell with them.("Moonstruck"- "SNAP OUT OF IT!😆) I guess I should try to be more patient.
They're already here. The problem is they have same Constitutional protections we have, yet they seek to eliminate said protections for everyone other than themselves.
I don’t have the skills nor the connections to organize a nation-wide rally. But I did have the following idea to share with those who recognize the value of this kind of action for our nation’s crisis:
—————————————————————————————————
After the debate and Monday’s Supreme Court decision I have been struggling to think of what concerned citizens can do. This morning I wrote the statement below:
The time is now. As Heather Cox Richardson repeatedly reminds us, no one will save our democracy. It’s up to all of us. I am proposing that we start planning a nation-wide grassroots rally/protest to make our voices heard.
Our democracy is in dire danger. A major political party has become a fascist party—abandoning democratic principles, morality, and justice. Our Supreme Court has become a rogue court in which the majority has abandoned the principles of the Constitution, stripped citizens of their freedoms, and given the President imperial rights.
Our mainstream media underplays all the dangers to our democracy. And social media is unrestrained in spreading dangerous lies and disinformation.
I propose that once it’s clear that Joe Biden will be our Presidential candidate—or whoever will—we start planning a nation-wide protest/rally to highlight the messages that the mainstream media has failed to do.
After the dismal debate, the media’s headlines primarily highlighted the demand for Biden, one of our nation’s most successful presidents, to drop out of the presidential race. Almost no headlines highlighted the fact that the other candidate is a convicted felon, an insurrectionist, a rapist, a serial liar, who supports violence, who is aligned with and an enabler of our nations worst authoritarian enemies, who wants to tear down our institutions, our justice system (already has compromised both), and on and on and on.
The media would not be able to ignore the messages that should be headlines in all of our media if we do what Richardson says we should do. Make our voices heard, make our voices take up space.
We can do this by coming together as a coalition of groups (women, anti-guns, climate, Black Lives Matter, LBGTQ) and concerned citizens to organize a massive nation-wide protest/rally to fight to save our democracy. Our ultimate message would be that this unhinged, immoral and dangerous felon should not be allowed to run for President. If our laws and our elected officials will not protect us, we must do what we can to protect our country.
I’ve never been a big flag-waver, BUT lately, on Flag Day, I felt bereft not flying my own flag. I appreciated my neighbors who did fly flags - even BIG ones! I am getting one soon - to stand for our precious democracy!!!
BRAVA, Ruth! I'm now reading _Red, White, and Black_ on the continuous efforts to keep America lily-white by destroying the Indigenous populations and taking their lands; and by enslaving Africans on the premise that they were inferior, anyway, and besides, we NEED their free labor to harvest our cotton!!
I also want to say, a propos of Kevin Roberts' hugely egotistical, hubristic, and stupid claim that Project 2025 will not be stopped: fuck off, Kev: even the Borg couldn't carry through on their claim that "resistance is futile." You're just a TINY little worm with a TINY LITTLE dickie-wickie who wants everyone to believe him when he says that we all have to bow to his superior power. BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I know, right? Is he the guy who said that there wouldn't be any violence unless the Left opposes them? We're smart enough and determined to preserve our Democratic values enough to "not obey in advance," as Timothy Snyder instructs.
I’m off topic, but after Biden’s catastrophic debate which empowered Trump; now essentially declared a monarch by SCOTUS, I feel compelled to encourage everyone to read: “Kamala Harris may be our only hope. Biden should step aside and endorse her:
JOE BIDEN SHOULD STAND ASIDE & ENDORSE KAMALA HARRIS” [Emphasis mine] By Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo, The Guardian, 7/3/24
Some readers may recall that I’ve been calling for Biden to retire, resign or be impeached for complicity in Apartheid Israel’s crime of genocide in occupied Palestine. VP Kamala Harris is more than qualified to assume the presidency, defeat Trump during next debate, energize democratic voters and win the presidential elections. Mehdi Hasan has presented a cogent and persuasive case for Biden to step aside, allowing Harris to assume the presidency and endorse her candidacy for president in the 2024 elections. She will likely win, if we work hard to make sure she does.
Sorry, gotta disagree. With all due respect, the VP does not pull in the demographic that the president does, so there will not be enough on our side to win. Simple math. In addition, I am old enough to remember the chaos of 1968. It was not pretty. We need unity coming out of the convention, not an argument about who should lead the party forward, who should be her running mate, etc. Now is not the time for disunion, now is the time to stand up and fight back. The corporate, MSM is the problem. The dismantling of the New Deal reforms by the Great Saint Reagan [irony] is the real reason we are where we are. The power is in our hands. Let's go.
Well he's not going to step aside and we need to acknowledge it and move on, again, with all due respect. The time to talk about that is past. This kind of talk now is just playing right into their hands. I remember 1968, it was a sh*tshow. And this time we would not get Richard M. Nixon as a result, we will get something far worse. I respectfully disagree. Did the Continental Congress fire George Washington? He wasn't a spring chicken either. Did Great Britain fire Winston Churchill during the Battle of Britain? I've said all I'm going to say. Enjoy your holiday, everyone.
Madeline, well and lucidly said. We’re fortunate to have you with us.
I may not that “… Joe Biden has been a remarkable president for these last 3 years.” Biden’s support for apartheid Israel made him complicit in the crime of genocide, including starvation, of Palestinians in occupied Palestine. He could have stopped the genocide before it started, but he chose not to—valuing the lives of Israeli colonial settlers more than those of Palestinians.
I too “… would love to see him gracefully pass on the baton …” the VP position is the best person to assume the presidency when the president is unable or unavailable to serve. She would then campaign to be elected the next term. People voted for Biden/Harris agreeing with the former that the latter was capable of serving. If needed. Well, she’s needed now more than ever. Biden used her talent, charisma and support to get elected to the WH, he must reciprocate.
Thanks, Robert...and I agree with you about Biden's mixed and confusing stance toward Netanyahu and Gaza. I hope he comes to realize that it would be a loving act to see the dangers ahead and to pass the ball to stronger, more youthful, capable colleagues.
I agree! Pro-democracy fighters should be coalescing around Joe Biden, not calling for him to step down. The one who should be stepping down is the pathological liar who just avoided questions and told one lie after another. LET'S GET OUR SH*T TOGETHER FOLKS AND MOVE FORWARD!!
I too like Mehdi Hassan’s ability to think logically and straightforward. I’m TRUSTING Biden’s team to do the right thing. It’s not just a campaign looming, but 4 more grueling years. And they have 25th amendment possibility to use. Either way, im in wit Kamala
Infrastructure projects to secure the future. Check.
Russia and China contained and confronted. Check.
Now is not the time to fall a narrative based on one debate. The data, the empirical evidence that Biden’s leadership and policy is working to build up and out for the middle class is the most successful since the 1960’s. Democrats should be ashamed they fell for a right wing conspiracy about age and effectiveness. Want to Guage performance? The empirical evidence is string. Stop falling for the fear tactics. Stay the course.
Pro-democracy advocates should be coalescing around Joe Biden, not tearing him down. This in-fighting is going to be our downfall, not Joe Biden! CNN, MSNBC and other media outlets are doing Joe Biden a great disservice. Haven't you ever had a bad day at work because you were sick and could barely function?????? For crying out loud, FALL IN LINE AND GET TO WORK WINNING THIS ELECTION!!
I'm all in for renewed patriotism. We need a movement to wake people up.
I do think that taking back the flag is going to take time. North of Detroit, where I live, probably 95% of people who have a flag displayed are MAGA. If I had a place to hang a flag, I would think about hanging another flag along with it, like a rainbow pride flag or other. Something that says "I'm not gullible enough to be MAGA". But, beware of vandalism and confrontation.
Hooray for Brazil and how they restricted Bolsanaro from running for office for many years. I think it is very important to remind all Americans what it's really like when you give away your power to a psychopathic tyrant you falsely believe is your savior. We need multiple reminders of "the experience of dictatorship, how its lasting traumas and dangers informed the tough response of Brazilian democracy to Bolsonaro’s Jan. 8, 2023 insurrection."
The problem with American patriotism is that it comes with a hearty dose of "exceptionalism." What happens in other countries can't happen to us!
We have had relatively stable democracy for most of our lifetimes, so the framing of our current dangers must come from the experience of other nations like Brazil, Italy, etc. That is why Ruth's substack and others are so valuable. The problem is that the framing of our situation in mainstream media and in so many people's minds are so narrowly provincial.
Yes, that is also why I published those predictions I made in 2017, to show how long it has taken people to understand what is happening and what is needed to defeat the threats.
We do require the media. They have failed to date to make the treason of January 6th and the treason of the wives of two of the SCOTUS justices, plus the upside-down flagman Alito's endorsement of January 6th as front-and-center every day. They are abrogating the responsibility implicit in the First Amendment. They act more like businesses than the press envisioned by the Founders. Ruth nailed their utter failure in the debate to call each of Trump's lies a lie, which has to happen at the moment the lie is spewed. The idea that the glib liar won the presidential debate because he was glib, while the fatigued stammerer who tells only the truth and does not aspire to become America's Mussolini is said to have lost the debate, is a condemnation both of the press and any voter who sides with reality-show performance over substance. And at this point the entire national Republican machine, from sheriffs to state houses to Republican senators and representatives, has allied itself with betrayal of the Constitution and the rule of law in service to the Heritage Foundation and Leonard Leo et al to inflict on America (and the free world) Project 2025. The press has an obligation to do everything in its power to prevent the Insurrectionist-in-Chief from becoming president again. If it does less, the demise of democracy as we understand it is on the press.
Dear Dr. Ben-Ghiat. I would be appreciative if you or one of our Lucid colleagues could enlighten me with the problem of the Biden administration. Being a layman, and an observer, it seems that if the following credentials are rather obvious:
1. Lowest rates of continuous unemployment since the mid '60's
2. The most robust economic growth and expansion since the end of WWII
3. Managed a recovery from a pandemic that took over 1 M American lives
4. Strongest, and essential, environmental protection levels, ever
5. For the investor class, the highest rates of corporate profitability and stock indexes, ever
And I think it is safe to say, the list continuous. The appreciation received is that this chief executive is unfit for office.
As a comparison, I found and was reacquainted with the following credentials possessed by Donald Trump, courtesy of an online lecture presented by Dr. Timothy Snyder a few years ago. In the lecture, Dr. Snyder reminded us that
1. Donald Trump is a fictional character, playing the role of a successful businessman. For the sake of brevity, let's just remember that Trump filed bankruptcy somewhere between 4-6 occasions, could not borrow money from any reputable bank, and did not pay Federal taxes for over 10 years, we think, due to business losses.
2. The Russian oligarchy bailed Trump out with money laundering schemes and inflated real estate deals to extract Russian assets outside the country. Remember the $10 M condos sold to Russian oligarchs for $90 M and Erik Trump's comment that we don't need banks, we have the Russians.
3. Trump's 2016 campaign was saved by the Russian intelligence services through the use of cybercrime, transferring the digital to the physical, utilizing divide and mislead, offshore BOTS spewing out misleading and fraudulent information, and timely information drops to deflect from other Trump behavior and transgressions. Trump owes the Russians, big time, and the Russians own Trump.
4. The Russian strategy is not to overcome, but disrupt, when they are dealing with major powers. The UK BREXIT fiasco is another example of this strategy at work.
As Dr. Snyder further elaborates, Trump has benefited by Russian breaches of US sovereignty through the use of social media, circumventing established local news outlets which are sworn to portray of level of ethical reporting. News has become entertainment.
I find it interesting that news outlets and so-called Biden supporters are calling for the President to step down due to his inability to manage the office. Outside of the Philadelphia Enquirer, where is the outrage demanding Trump remove himself due to being a serial liar?
I'm tired of hearing the "experts" pontificate that they are afraid of Trump and what the future holds for the country. We know what Trump and his backers want - fear is not going to defeat extremism and the demise of the republic. There is nothing wrong with fear - everyone is afraid at one time or another. It is how one reacts to fear that makes fear a debilitating emotion or a call to action. Are we going to cower or fight back? Truth overcomes lies. The free ride experienced by Trump and his minions is over. We will get knocked down, and we will arise to fight again, with greater determination.
Definitely. Thank you for calling it out.
Where are the alarm bells? We are in an apocalyptic danger. The mass majority of Americans are taking care of their families, worrying about the daily struggles of their personal lives, and making sure their children are getting what they need. As the average German citizen did when their country was very slowly and unrecognizably at first, and then unstoppably bursting into fascism, Americans are operating in what they think is a normal world. It is not normal. If we do not wake up, the youth of today, as well as all of us, will be trapped in an unrecognizable nightmare of living in a fascist country—a country in which we will lose our most of our freedom to chose how we live, what we can say, what we can learn, who we can love, what our children can learn, where we can travel, and so on. And our fascist leader will be a corrupt, mentally ill, unprincipled, narcissistic, immoral, and uncaring man.
The mass majority of citizens have no idea what terrors lie ahead for themselves, their children, their families, and their friends.
How do we wake them up before it’s too late?
Gayle Donsky
Producer of the recent award-winning documentary, “The Broken Promise.” The film is about genocide and warning signs that countries are moving toward authoritarian rule and genocidal policies.
There are many of us who share your alarm. GOTV organizations are seeing an upsurge in volunteers and interest.
Like you, I fear if that will be enough, and I also ask how we wake up citizens who are unaware of authoritarianism's dangers. It does worry me that people who have lived their lives in the US have never experienced the kind of authoritarianism as WWII Germany (although Blacks living under Jim Crow were in fact living under a kind of authoritarianism).
On another note, where can we access your film?
.
Ellen, go to the film’s website to see how to access the film.
Thebrokenpromisefilm.com
If you have a problem, let me know.
This should wake up any doubters. Heritage Foundation Presidents makes threats of violence
https://x.com/kylegriffin1/status/1808507354310209711?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Joyce Vance posted this update/summary of Project 2025. Everyone should read and share it. Understand what is at stake and how to defeat Project 2025 with a simple vote.
https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
I don't see Vance's summary. I'm seeing the entire text of Project 2025.
This might be it here: https://joycevance.substack.com/p/bloodless-if-the-left-allows-it-to
This? https://joycevance.substack.com/p/bloodless-if-the-left-allows-it-to
Arrgh! "It (the second revolution) will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be." What a sanctimonious (really bad word)!
That guy should lose his PHD!!! But it’s probably from Hillsdale College. I think they have an honorary one to Candice Owen’s.
BRING IT!!😡😡
We are the alarm bells. The power is not in the media or in the courts. We must raise the alarm ourselves like Paul Revere and others did in 1775.
“The christo fascists are coming”
Only if we let them. Is Ukraine rolling over and kicking out Zelensky after they have suffered losses? Did Lincoln quit after he lost over and over? Did Grant quit?
Exactly!
I think Ted was referencing the famous Paul Revere line. 😥 I do wonder if people like my younger sister, who doesn't pay a bit of attention to politics will even realize until it's far too late. I have tried desperately to wake her up, if only for her children, but she refuses to believe it could be "that bad." That's what scares me equally. That and the polls showing that after the debate even Dems are thinking about leaving the Presidential line empty rather than vote...
“Bring them to awareness, gently.”
Just mention they should probably read the project 2025 34 page executive summary.
This is a good, if chilling summary: https://www.stopthecoup2025.org/unpacking-the-propaganda
I have problems with "gentleness". If I encounter people who are apathetic, I tend to raise Hell with them.("Moonstruck"- "SNAP OUT OF IT!😆) I guess I should try to be more patient.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joycevance/p/bloodless-if-the-left-allows-it-to?r=44kjm&utm_medium=ios
They're already here. The problem is they have same Constitutional protections we have, yet they seek to eliminate said protections for everyone other than themselves.
Selfish bastards!!😡😡
I don’t have the skills nor the connections to organize a nation-wide rally. But I did have the following idea to share with those who recognize the value of this kind of action for our nation’s crisis:
—————————————————————————————————
After the debate and Monday’s Supreme Court decision I have been struggling to think of what concerned citizens can do. This morning I wrote the statement below:
The time is now. As Heather Cox Richardson repeatedly reminds us, no one will save our democracy. It’s up to all of us. I am proposing that we start planning a nation-wide grassroots rally/protest to make our voices heard.
Our democracy is in dire danger. A major political party has become a fascist party—abandoning democratic principles, morality, and justice. Our Supreme Court has become a rogue court in which the majority has abandoned the principles of the Constitution, stripped citizens of their freedoms, and given the President imperial rights.
Our mainstream media underplays all the dangers to our democracy. And social media is unrestrained in spreading dangerous lies and disinformation.
I propose that once it’s clear that Joe Biden will be our Presidential candidate—or whoever will—we start planning a nation-wide protest/rally to highlight the messages that the mainstream media has failed to do.
After the dismal debate, the media’s headlines primarily highlighted the demand for Biden, one of our nation’s most successful presidents, to drop out of the presidential race. Almost no headlines highlighted the fact that the other candidate is a convicted felon, an insurrectionist, a rapist, a serial liar, who supports violence, who is aligned with and an enabler of our nations worst authoritarian enemies, who wants to tear down our institutions, our justice system (already has compromised both), and on and on and on.
The media would not be able to ignore the messages that should be headlines in all of our media if we do what Richardson says we should do. Make our voices heard, make our voices take up space.
We can do this by coming together as a coalition of groups (women, anti-guns, climate, Black Lives Matter, LBGTQ) and concerned citizens to organize a massive nation-wide protest/rally to fight to save our democracy. Our ultimate message would be that this unhinged, immoral and dangerous felon should not be allowed to run for President. If our laws and our elected officials will not protect us, we must do what we can to protect our country.
I’ve never been a big flag-waver, BUT lately, on Flag Day, I felt bereft not flying my own flag. I appreciated my neighbors who did fly flags - even BIG ones! I am getting one soon - to stand for our precious democracy!!!
We must reclaim the narrative. We must reclaim the heritage of not wanting a king.
BRAVA, Ruth! I'm now reading _Red, White, and Black_ on the continuous efforts to keep America lily-white by destroying the Indigenous populations and taking their lands; and by enslaving Africans on the premise that they were inferior, anyway, and besides, we NEED their free labor to harvest our cotton!!
I also want to say, a propos of Kevin Roberts' hugely egotistical, hubristic, and stupid claim that Project 2025 will not be stopped: fuck off, Kev: even the Borg couldn't carry through on their claim that "resistance is futile." You're just a TINY little worm with a TINY LITTLE dickie-wickie who wants everyone to believe him when he says that we all have to bow to his superior power. BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I know, right? Is he the guy who said that there wouldn't be any violence unless the Left opposes them? We're smart enough and determined to preserve our Democratic values enough to "not obey in advance," as Timothy Snyder instructs.
👍👍💪💥
You said it for ALL of us, Ellen Wagner! Bravo!
Better words could not have been written. Thank you, Ruth!
I’m off topic, but after Biden’s catastrophic debate which empowered Trump; now essentially declared a monarch by SCOTUS, I feel compelled to encourage everyone to read: “Kamala Harris may be our only hope. Biden should step aside and endorse her:
JOE BIDEN SHOULD STAND ASIDE & ENDORSE KAMALA HARRIS” [Emphasis mine] By Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo, The Guardian, 7/3/24
Some readers may recall that I’ve been calling for Biden to retire, resign or be impeached for complicity in Apartheid Israel’s crime of genocide in occupied Palestine. VP Kamala Harris is more than qualified to assume the presidency, defeat Trump during next debate, energize democratic voters and win the presidential elections. Mehdi Hasan has presented a cogent and persuasive case for Biden to step aside, allowing Harris to assume the presidency and endorse her candidacy for president in the 2024 elections. She will likely win, if we work hard to make sure she does.
Happy 4th of July.
Here’s the link:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/03/kamala-harris-joe-biden-election-2024-democrats
Sorry, gotta disagree. With all due respect, the VP does not pull in the demographic that the president does, so there will not be enough on our side to win. Simple math. In addition, I am old enough to remember the chaos of 1968. It was not pretty. We need unity coming out of the convention, not an argument about who should lead the party forward, who should be her running mate, etc. Now is not the time for disunion, now is the time to stand up and fight back. The corporate, MSM is the problem. The dismantling of the New Deal reforms by the Great Saint Reagan [irony] is the real reason we are where we are. The power is in our hands. Let's go.
Well he's not going to step aside and we need to acknowledge it and move on, again, with all due respect. The time to talk about that is past. This kind of talk now is just playing right into their hands. I remember 1968, it was a sh*tshow. And this time we would not get Richard M. Nixon as a result, we will get something far worse. I respectfully disagree. Did the Continental Congress fire George Washington? He wasn't a spring chicken either. Did Great Britain fire Winston Churchill during the Battle of Britain? I've said all I'm going to say. Enjoy your holiday, everyone.
Thank you.
Madeline, well and lucidly said. We’re fortunate to have you with us.
I may not that “… Joe Biden has been a remarkable president for these last 3 years.” Biden’s support for apartheid Israel made him complicit in the crime of genocide, including starvation, of Palestinians in occupied Palestine. He could have stopped the genocide before it started, but he chose not to—valuing the lives of Israeli colonial settlers more than those of Palestinians.
I too “… would love to see him gracefully pass on the baton …” the VP position is the best person to assume the presidency when the president is unable or unavailable to serve. She would then campaign to be elected the next term. People voted for Biden/Harris agreeing with the former that the latter was capable of serving. If needed. Well, she’s needed now more than ever. Biden used her talent, charisma and support to get elected to the WH, he must reciprocate.
Thanks, Robert...and I agree with you about Biden's mixed and confusing stance toward Netanyahu and Gaza. I hope he comes to realize that it would be a loving act to see the dangers ahead and to pass the ball to stronger, more youthful, capable colleagues.
I agree! Pro-democracy fighters should be coalescing around Joe Biden, not calling for him to step down. The one who should be stepping down is the pathological liar who just avoided questions and told one lie after another. LET'S GET OUR SH*T TOGETHER FOLKS AND MOVE FORWARD!!
I too like Mehdi Hassan’s ability to think logically and straightforward. I’m TRUSTING Biden’s team to do the right thing. It’s not just a campaign looming, but 4 more grueling years. And they have 25th amendment possibility to use. Either way, im in wit Kamala
Best economic data since the 1960’s. Check.
Inflation under control. Check
Unemployment historic low. Check.
Infrastructure projects to secure the future. Check.
Russia and China contained and confronted. Check.
Now is not the time to fall a narrative based on one debate. The data, the empirical evidence that Biden’s leadership and policy is working to build up and out for the middle class is the most successful since the 1960’s. Democrats should be ashamed they fell for a right wing conspiracy about age and effectiveness. Want to Guage performance? The empirical evidence is string. Stop falling for the fear tactics. Stay the course.
Pro-democracy advocates should be coalescing around Joe Biden, not tearing him down. This in-fighting is going to be our downfall, not Joe Biden! CNN, MSNBC and other media outlets are doing Joe Biden a great disservice. Haven't you ever had a bad day at work because you were sick and could barely function?????? For crying out loud, FALL IN LINE AND GET TO WORK WINNING THIS ELECTION!!
Love this! Thank you for all you do.
I'm all in for renewed patriotism. We need a movement to wake people up.
I do think that taking back the flag is going to take time. North of Detroit, where I live, probably 95% of people who have a flag displayed are MAGA. If I had a place to hang a flag, I would think about hanging another flag along with it, like a rainbow pride flag or other. Something that says "I'm not gullible enough to be MAGA". But, beware of vandalism and confrontation.
Therein lie the nascent tentacles of totalitarianism; fear to express your opinion.
I welcome confrontation. In the eloquent words of Popeye the Sailor: "I've had all that I can stansk, and I can't stansk no more!"
Hooray for Brazil and how they restricted Bolsanaro from running for office for many years. I think it is very important to remind all Americans what it's really like when you give away your power to a psychopathic tyrant you falsely believe is your savior. We need multiple reminders of "the experience of dictatorship, how its lasting traumas and dangers informed the tough response of Brazilian democracy to Bolsonaro’s Jan. 8, 2023 insurrection."
The problem with American patriotism is that it comes with a hearty dose of "exceptionalism." What happens in other countries can't happen to us!
We have had relatively stable democracy for most of our lifetimes, so the framing of our current dangers must come from the experience of other nations like Brazil, Italy, etc. That is why Ruth's substack and others are so valuable. The problem is that the framing of our situation in mainstream media and in so many people's minds are so narrowly provincial.
that is true...
I agree. Thank you from this 92 year old woman.
Isn’t this amazing .. 3 years later your column has important content .. If we have made any progress it certainly isn’t on the political front.
Yes, that is also why I published those predictions I made in 2017, to show how long it has taken people to understand what is happening and what is needed to defeat the threats.
The Wall was never intended to keep immigrants out it was to keep the minority in power.
We do require the media. They have failed to date to make the treason of January 6th and the treason of the wives of two of the SCOTUS justices, plus the upside-down flagman Alito's endorsement of January 6th as front-and-center every day. They are abrogating the responsibility implicit in the First Amendment. They act more like businesses than the press envisioned by the Founders. Ruth nailed their utter failure in the debate to call each of Trump's lies a lie, which has to happen at the moment the lie is spewed. The idea that the glib liar won the presidential debate because he was glib, while the fatigued stammerer who tells only the truth and does not aspire to become America's Mussolini is said to have lost the debate, is a condemnation both of the press and any voter who sides with reality-show performance over substance. And at this point the entire national Republican machine, from sheriffs to state houses to Republican senators and representatives, has allied itself with betrayal of the Constitution and the rule of law in service to the Heritage Foundation and Leonard Leo et al to inflict on America (and the free world) Project 2025. The press has an obligation to do everything in its power to prevent the Insurrectionist-in-Chief from becoming president again. If it does less, the demise of democracy as we understand it is on the press.
We need to keep the pressure on these mercenary hacks.
Dear Dr. Ben-Ghiat. I would be appreciative if you or one of our Lucid colleagues could enlighten me with the problem of the Biden administration. Being a layman, and an observer, it seems that if the following credentials are rather obvious:
1. Lowest rates of continuous unemployment since the mid '60's
2. The most robust economic growth and expansion since the end of WWII
3. Managed a recovery from a pandemic that took over 1 M American lives
4. Strongest, and essential, environmental protection levels, ever
5. For the investor class, the highest rates of corporate profitability and stock indexes, ever
And I think it is safe to say, the list continuous. The appreciation received is that this chief executive is unfit for office.
As a comparison, I found and was reacquainted with the following credentials possessed by Donald Trump, courtesy of an online lecture presented by Dr. Timothy Snyder a few years ago. In the lecture, Dr. Snyder reminded us that
1. Donald Trump is a fictional character, playing the role of a successful businessman. For the sake of brevity, let's just remember that Trump filed bankruptcy somewhere between 4-6 occasions, could not borrow money from any reputable bank, and did not pay Federal taxes for over 10 years, we think, due to business losses.
2. The Russian oligarchy bailed Trump out with money laundering schemes and inflated real estate deals to extract Russian assets outside the country. Remember the $10 M condos sold to Russian oligarchs for $90 M and Erik Trump's comment that we don't need banks, we have the Russians.
3. Trump's 2016 campaign was saved by the Russian intelligence services through the use of cybercrime, transferring the digital to the physical, utilizing divide and mislead, offshore BOTS spewing out misleading and fraudulent information, and timely information drops to deflect from other Trump behavior and transgressions. Trump owes the Russians, big time, and the Russians own Trump.
4. The Russian strategy is not to overcome, but disrupt, when they are dealing with major powers. The UK BREXIT fiasco is another example of this strategy at work.
As Dr. Snyder further elaborates, Trump has benefited by Russian breaches of US sovereignty through the use of social media, circumventing established local news outlets which are sworn to portray of level of ethical reporting. News has become entertainment.
I find it interesting that news outlets and so-called Biden supporters are calling for the President to step down due to his inability to manage the office. Outside of the Philadelphia Enquirer, where is the outrage demanding Trump remove himself due to being a serial liar?
I'm tired of hearing the "experts" pontificate that they are afraid of Trump and what the future holds for the country. We know what Trump and his backers want - fear is not going to defeat extremism and the demise of the republic. There is nothing wrong with fear - everyone is afraid at one time or another. It is how one reacts to fear that makes fear a debilitating emotion or a call to action. Are we going to cower or fight back? Truth overcomes lies. The free ride experienced by Trump and his minions is over. We will get knocked down, and we will arise to fight again, with greater determination.