I have already seen comments from Trump voters, calling the hearings a carnival sideshow. It really goes to show the power of propaganda on the human mind. They dwell in the land of unreality and post-truth. So thoroughly have they been convinced of the authoritarian movement by Trump, that they are 100% sure of their position. Any tendering of the truth to them is met with denial and anger. It's like telling a child that Santa Claus is not real, after many years of their believing him to exist. The Trumpers will shoot the messenger so to speak. You are lying to me and I will bring vengeance upon you. They will accuse the truth tellers of being traitors or being delusional... anything to deny that they have been duped by a sociopathic buffoon. The Backfire Effect prevents them from accepting the truth, which is a mostly conservative phenomenon. This could be why fascism is a far right phenomenon.
Agree, the embarrassment of being duped by a sociopathic buffoon feels life-threatening to these types. In my encounter with such type, sometimes once the truth is presented by someone else (J6 committee), if you back off like with hot stove, the burner will eventually cool. It's difficult not to underscore the folly that has been exposed; it's can be frustrating for the truth-tellers too to not overextend. The committee has done such a good factual, emotionally neutral storytelling. it's just like 'walking on eggshells'. A segment of Americans need to cool off, we actually need their votes, or at least their non-vote (for GOP) because they may be embarrassed or disgusted with the GOP & themselves.; while they re-balance themselves politically 'recalculating' -- as Garmin lady says of directions. It's like a cooling off period - almost like the times of harsh union negotiations (1960s 70, 80s) for some people, while we stand strong in support and truth and hope. The analogy of Santa Claus is so close to what we are experiencing. I see this with people in my apartment building, they are personally embarrassed to have ever supported Trump (2016). That mistake is water under the bridge, they/we must heal, shake the mud off our boots.
No minds will be changed by the televised Jan6 hearings …. but to paraphrase as Rep Swalwell so pithily reflected on the Uvalde massacre: you are either for the killers or the children …. you are either for the killers or democracy
With all the crap and craziness going on in the world, its tempting on such a nice day to want to escape from the news and the happenings of government. But if we want to keep our Democracy and protect it from demagogues who believe that keeping power at all costs is worth storming the Capitol in an attempt to seize power, we will pay attention to what historians like Ruth Ben-Ghiat have been telling us. I read her book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present where she describes how Fascists take over a Democracy. If you read the book, you'll get insights from reading about would be "Strong Men" who are actually weak, but dangerous including: Vladimir Putin, Benito Mussolini, Muammar Gaddafi, Adolph Hitler, and Donald Trump. You can also read her prescient and insightful articles noted in this article. I'd rather skip the January 6 Hearings that begin tonight and enjoy the sunshine, but without a functioning Democracy, all the sunshine in the world won't keep us warm. Carlin and I will be watching tonight. Will you?
Thank you, Ms. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, for your awesome advocacy and truthful voice against the forces of autocracy, hate, and oppression! The world needs you!
As always, Ruth, thank you for your endless work on all of our behalves. I followed the links at the end of this post and, having read the interview with Malcolm Nance, I find that I am still in mystery about why I haven't read much commentary about the November 2020 changes at the Department of Defense, etc that Trump put in place. At the time, I thought that they were suspicious but could only wonder at why they were made so late in the administration. Post-insurrection, it seemed to me that the inexperience, cumbersome chain of command and reluctance to act were intentional and served a purpose. Any insight or clarity about this would be greatly appreciated.
We can question the system, and should, however the fact is, it was a coup attempt. Many were involved in this well planned and well thought out plan. This won't go away. Democracy around the world is in peril.
For months now one question has been troubling me and I so far haven't seen it addressed. "Why?" Why was it so important to Trump to stay in power? Even to the point of toppling democracy. Yes, there are the obvious - money, power, ego, etc. for Trump and his cronies. One thing keeps mulling around in my head - that just maybe, during the many private meetings between Trump and Putin, Putin was able to convince Trump that he, too, could become an American oligarch, reigning in as much American wealth that he wanted and maintaining control over the country and staying in power for as long as he wanted, then transfer it all to his children. It has always been obvious how much Trump revered the rich and powerful, regardless of how they acquired their wealth. But perhaps, Putin's real intention was to control Oligarch Trump and therefore, America too? Finally ending democracy in the U.S. and then around the world making Putin the most powerful of all.
"Why was it so important to Trump to stay in power? "
Megalomania and sociopathy. Sociopaths see themselves as demigods and superior to mere mortals. They have a grandiose self image, so power positions just CALL to them to occupy. Fascism especially atracts these people, as history shows. Authoritarianism is the politics of lunatics. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Slobodan Milosevic, Pinochet and Trump all had/have serious mental disorders.
I don't know either but I agree — and if I've been reading the tea leaves correctly, this goes a long way to explaining many things we're left guessing about. Because it is one thing for a sitting President to concoct a self-coup or coup against his own Vice President, obstructing the peaceful transfer of power. It is quite another thing if that President is doing so on behalf of, with the aid of, or even under the influence of a foreign adversary. The latter is an act of war—a attack against our sovereignty.
If this analysis is accurate, it provides a context for explaining why, for example, the DOJ has publicly seemed reluctant to investigate, let alone indict, Trump et al. In this context it isn't simply a DOJ issue; it is a National Security and Counter Intelligence issue, with international implications—especially for NATO.
Putin's aim is to reunify what once was the USSR while simultaneously weakening if not destroying the NATO alliance. Within this context, we might better understand Putin's invasion of Ukraine—and why Trump initially described it as an act of "genius" by his handler. We need to keep very clearly in mind that the threat posed by the attempted coup is on-going—not something that ended on J6—or even J20 when Biden took Office. Placed in the context of war against our Democracy, sovereignty, and Constitutional order; in the context of weaponizing anything and everything from racial fears and cultural differences to disinformation and propaganda, through resources including oil and food—and economics in general—all underscored by the perpetual threat of nuclear war—well, suffice it to say this is one percolating pot of pickles; the invasion of Ukraine turning up the heat by opening up a second front.
Bottom line: We *are* all Ukrainians—unfortunately, most people don't yet 'get it' because our cities are not (yet) being bombed.
Ruth, I read all your prior essays and interviews. Great stuff! The last with the reporter from the Guardian, in which he conveyed his concern about delay in prosecuting those attempting, in your words, "autocratic capture," reminded me of your earlier piece in which Attorney General Garland was criticized, for not being aggressive enough. The New York AG's decision to abandon the prosecution of Trump still troubles me, but I understand another AG may take it up. For the good of America, I hope all the prosecutions of Trump proceed apace.
Thanks for posting Ruth. For me politics now in the U.S. is a propaganda war. One political party no longer has a coherent governing philosophy or set of policy prescriptions. It no loner believes in the rule of law or basic democratic principles. The Republican party is no longer a conservative party in any sense of the word. There are some principled courageous people left over from what was the Republican party, who still believe in our founding democratic principles like Liz Cheney or Mitt Romney etc. credit them for history. But now the Republicans have clearly become a autocratic party headed by an authoritarian leader cult.
So as I watch the hearings, I bear in mind the deeply polarized partisan political landscape we live in and the great media divides that drive and control how we interpret information. So, in the battle for political power, Its less about truth than about where one resides within what media universe. From this point of view, I am not sure how may minds will actually be changed. However, I do think the hearings serve a very important function in our democracy at this critical time because it reaffirms the rule of law and accountability not only for the public record but for history as well.
Bottom line: Trump, his aids and congress people in government committed conspiracy and sedition to over throw the government of the United States of America.
I have already seen comments from Trump voters, calling the hearings a carnival sideshow. It really goes to show the power of propaganda on the human mind. They dwell in the land of unreality and post-truth. So thoroughly have they been convinced of the authoritarian movement by Trump, that they are 100% sure of their position. Any tendering of the truth to them is met with denial and anger. It's like telling a child that Santa Claus is not real, after many years of their believing him to exist. The Trumpers will shoot the messenger so to speak. You are lying to me and I will bring vengeance upon you. They will accuse the truth tellers of being traitors or being delusional... anything to deny that they have been duped by a sociopathic buffoon. The Backfire Effect prevents them from accepting the truth, which is a mostly conservative phenomenon. This could be why fascism is a far right phenomenon.
Agree, the embarrassment of being duped by a sociopathic buffoon feels life-threatening to these types. In my encounter with such type, sometimes once the truth is presented by someone else (J6 committee), if you back off like with hot stove, the burner will eventually cool. It's difficult not to underscore the folly that has been exposed; it's can be frustrating for the truth-tellers too to not overextend. The committee has done such a good factual, emotionally neutral storytelling. it's just like 'walking on eggshells'. A segment of Americans need to cool off, we actually need their votes, or at least their non-vote (for GOP) because they may be embarrassed or disgusted with the GOP & themselves.; while they re-balance themselves politically 'recalculating' -- as Garmin lady says of directions. It's like a cooling off period - almost like the times of harsh union negotiations (1960s 70, 80s) for some people, while we stand strong in support and truth and hope. The analogy of Santa Claus is so close to what we are experiencing. I see this with people in my apartment building, they are personally embarrassed to have ever supported Trump (2016). That mistake is water under the bridge, they/we must heal, shake the mud off our boots.
No minds will be changed by the televised Jan6 hearings …. but to paraphrase as Rep Swalwell so pithily reflected on the Uvalde massacre: you are either for the killers or the children …. you are either for the killers or democracy
With all the crap and craziness going on in the world, its tempting on such a nice day to want to escape from the news and the happenings of government. But if we want to keep our Democracy and protect it from demagogues who believe that keeping power at all costs is worth storming the Capitol in an attempt to seize power, we will pay attention to what historians like Ruth Ben-Ghiat have been telling us. I read her book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present where she describes how Fascists take over a Democracy. If you read the book, you'll get insights from reading about would be "Strong Men" who are actually weak, but dangerous including: Vladimir Putin, Benito Mussolini, Muammar Gaddafi, Adolph Hitler, and Donald Trump. You can also read her prescient and insightful articles noted in this article. I'd rather skip the January 6 Hearings that begin tonight and enjoy the sunshine, but without a functioning Democracy, all the sunshine in the world won't keep us warm. Carlin and I will be watching tonight. Will you?
Thank you, Ms. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, for your awesome advocacy and truthful voice against the forces of autocracy, hate, and oppression! The world needs you!
She is a blessing.
As always, Ruth, thank you for your endless work on all of our behalves. I followed the links at the end of this post and, having read the interview with Malcolm Nance, I find that I am still in mystery about why I haven't read much commentary about the November 2020 changes at the Department of Defense, etc that Trump put in place. At the time, I thought that they were suspicious but could only wonder at why they were made so late in the administration. Post-insurrection, it seemed to me that the inexperience, cumbersome chain of command and reluctance to act were intentional and served a purpose. Any insight or clarity about this would be greatly appreciated.
We can question the system, and should, however the fact is, it was a coup attempt. Many were involved in this well planned and well thought out plan. This won't go away. Democracy around the world is in peril.
For months now one question has been troubling me and I so far haven't seen it addressed. "Why?" Why was it so important to Trump to stay in power? Even to the point of toppling democracy. Yes, there are the obvious - money, power, ego, etc. for Trump and his cronies. One thing keeps mulling around in my head - that just maybe, during the many private meetings between Trump and Putin, Putin was able to convince Trump that he, too, could become an American oligarch, reigning in as much American wealth that he wanted and maintaining control over the country and staying in power for as long as he wanted, then transfer it all to his children. It has always been obvious how much Trump revered the rich and powerful, regardless of how they acquired their wealth. But perhaps, Putin's real intention was to control Oligarch Trump and therefore, America too? Finally ending democracy in the U.S. and then around the world making Putin the most powerful of all.
"Why was it so important to Trump to stay in power? "
Megalomania and sociopathy. Sociopaths see themselves as demigods and superior to mere mortals. They have a grandiose self image, so power positions just CALL to them to occupy. Fascism especially atracts these people, as history shows. Authoritarianism is the politics of lunatics. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Slobodan Milosevic, Pinochet and Trump all had/have serious mental disorders.
I don't know either but I agree — and if I've been reading the tea leaves correctly, this goes a long way to explaining many things we're left guessing about. Because it is one thing for a sitting President to concoct a self-coup or coup against his own Vice President, obstructing the peaceful transfer of power. It is quite another thing if that President is doing so on behalf of, with the aid of, or even under the influence of a foreign adversary. The latter is an act of war—a attack against our sovereignty.
If this analysis is accurate, it provides a context for explaining why, for example, the DOJ has publicly seemed reluctant to investigate, let alone indict, Trump et al. In this context it isn't simply a DOJ issue; it is a National Security and Counter Intelligence issue, with international implications—especially for NATO.
Putin's aim is to reunify what once was the USSR while simultaneously weakening if not destroying the NATO alliance. Within this context, we might better understand Putin's invasion of Ukraine—and why Trump initially described it as an act of "genius" by his handler. We need to keep very clearly in mind that the threat posed by the attempted coup is on-going—not something that ended on J6—or even J20 when Biden took Office. Placed in the context of war against our Democracy, sovereignty, and Constitutional order; in the context of weaponizing anything and everything from racial fears and cultural differences to disinformation and propaganda, through resources including oil and food—and economics in general—all underscored by the perpetual threat of nuclear war—well, suffice it to say this is one percolating pot of pickles; the invasion of Ukraine turning up the heat by opening up a second front.
Bottom line: We *are* all Ukrainians—unfortunately, most people don't yet 'get it' because our cities are not (yet) being bombed.
Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine....
Ruth, I read all your prior essays and interviews. Great stuff! The last with the reporter from the Guardian, in which he conveyed his concern about delay in prosecuting those attempting, in your words, "autocratic capture," reminded me of your earlier piece in which Attorney General Garland was criticized, for not being aggressive enough. The New York AG's decision to abandon the prosecution of Trump still troubles me, but I understand another AG may take it up. For the good of America, I hope all the prosecutions of Trump proceed apace.
I use 'Reptilian propa' or 'Republigun propa' to save a few characters on the twitter.
Trump is a snake.
Yes, #Bloated has too many ZZ chromosomes .. ZZ chromosomes are what make snakes snakes. He is malo frio ,, not mammal but cold, snakehearted.
Thanks for posting Ruth. For me politics now in the U.S. is a propaganda war. One political party no longer has a coherent governing philosophy or set of policy prescriptions. It no loner believes in the rule of law or basic democratic principles. The Republican party is no longer a conservative party in any sense of the word. There are some principled courageous people left over from what was the Republican party, who still believe in our founding democratic principles like Liz Cheney or Mitt Romney etc. credit them for history. But now the Republicans have clearly become a autocratic party headed by an authoritarian leader cult.
So as I watch the hearings, I bear in mind the deeply polarized partisan political landscape we live in and the great media divides that drive and control how we interpret information. So, in the battle for political power, Its less about truth than about where one resides within what media universe. From this point of view, I am not sure how may minds will actually be changed. However, I do think the hearings serve a very important function in our democracy at this critical time because it reaffirms the rule of law and accountability not only for the public record but for history as well.
Bottom line: Trump, his aids and congress people in government committed conspiracy and sedition to over throw the government of the United States of America.