Somehow I don't care for being lectured about authoritarianism from someone on the side of the Biden Admin, the unelected bureaucratic deep state, the military and the Intelligent Community.
It is my hope that as the injuries sustained from the "vaccine" mandated by prominent members of the Democratic party become more commonplace, the discussion about it becomes highly racialized, moralized, and directed at people like the author.
No Justice, No Peace.
Tucker's problem is not that he is authoritarian. It's that he's too kind. Your civil liberties and material wellbeing should be treated with the same level of disregard as those who pay your salary.
This "professor" is so full of shit her eyes are brown. Using the word 'authoritarian' that liberally is lazy. It's like saying conservatives are everything i don't like. Want smaller government and less debt is NOT authoritarian.
Thank you for this most illuminating essay Ruth. Carlson's "Popular Enlightenment as Propagandist in Chief is truly soul destroying to watch on a daily basis.
However, there is another piece of the puzzle. Trump’s Big Lie is now the engine of his political power, and therefore the central engine of the rising autocracy in America. Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota repudiated the Big Lie on Sunday, saying that the 2020 presidential election “was fair, as fair as we’ve seen,” and, “we simply did not win the election, as Republicans.” On Tuesday, Rounds stated that “we can trust the election system.” Trump responded, “Is he crazy or just stupid?” and, “even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again.” Senator Rounds responded to Trump merely by saying he was “disappointed but not surprised.” Senator Romney posted Monday, “Mike Rounds speaks the truth, knowing that our Republic depends upon it.” Senator McConnell stated, “Senator Rounds told the truth about what happened in the 2020 election.” Other Senate Republicans defended Rounds (though less strongly). Neither Rounds, Romney, nor McConnell seems to be intimidated by either Trump or Carlson. (It’s hard to envision any tears coming from them if Trump goes to prison, unlikely as that is; in fact, a great many Republicans would be happy to be rid of Trump, even if they are too frightened to say so publicly.) Even if those of us who read Lucid may not be paying close attention to what Republicans are saying, other Republicans certainly are. They are not all the same.
This scenario conforms to Timothy Snyder‘s model that divides the Republican Party into “breakers“ and “gamers.” Carlson and Cruz are breakers: they want to break the democratic system. McConnell “only” wants to game it.
McConnell is undoubtedly looking forward to resuming his position as Senate Majority Leader in 2022, the role he lives for. His and other Senators’ motivation for opposing Trump’s Big Lie may be fear that Trumpism will prevent the Republicans from recapturing the Senate majority in 2022.
But McConnell may also be looking forward to resuming the Senate Majority Leadership in the coming weeks or even days. Joe Manchin seems to have come to the logical end of gaming Biden and the Democrats throughout 2021. For a year he decoyed them into focusing on economic policy instead of the political and constitutional situation. He spoke again and again as if an agreement with Biden on the BBB bill was within reach, only to pull back the bait at the last moment. Now he has declared that he is against even the paltry BBB deal he himself proposed last year. This is straight out of McConnell‘s playbook. In order to neuter Obama, McConnell opposed all legislation proposed by the Democrats, including legislation that the Republicans themselves had originally proposed. Manchin now has humiliated Biden, leaving the central legislative proposal of Biden’s first year in ruins, and has succeeded in making Biden look hopelessly inept. Biden has been reduced to pivoting to promoting election laws that almost certainly cannot pass, because Manchin will not vote against the filibuster; thus Biden’s speech in Georgia on election law was dismissed by other Democrats as being too little, too late. The next logical step for Manchin would be to make good on the implicit threat he has been blackmailing Democrats with all year, and to become a Republican. That would instantly make McConnell Senate Majority Leader again, and elevate him to national leadership on a level with Biden, who would then undoubtedly work on compromise legislation with him. This would leave Trump looking like a mere former leader in exile. Or this could happen at the beginning of 2023. (Consider the contrast between the lethally Machiavellian McConnell and the clownish House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy.)
However that may be, we are looking at a major public, institutional division at the highest levels of the Republican Party. McConnell clearly does not want to be Donald Trump‘s (or any other autocrat’s) cat’s paw. He wants to maintain democracy in order to be able to continue to game it. Wouldn’t it be ironic if McConnell, who has been called the potential gravedigger of American democracy, turned out to be its savior (in a manner of speaking)?
The plot may turn out to be thicker than we expect. Perhaps the Democrats will end up exploiting this fissure in the Republican leadership. In its election last year, the Czech Republic showed the world how to defeat rising autocracy: everyone who is still in his or her right mind must set aside policy differences and unite against the would-be autocrats. The enemy of your enemy is your friend; Liz Cheney is now best friends with Democrats (and her father has joined in). As is true in many families, we can start fighting with each other again after we have defeated our common enemy.
Tucker Carlson always strives to look and talk soooooo serious and concerned, frowning and scowling - the outward mask of a little man only interested in his paycheck generated by appealing to DJT's, Q Anon's, Republicans', and all the obsequious rest who will believe anything but the truth marching in unison down the ever increasing slippery slope leading to autocracy !!
Jan I could not agree with you more re: using psycholigists. Good call! This is really a must. Please consider referring to Dr. Bandy Lee's work. Ruth and Dr. Lee have preaented in the past. I'm hopeful they will join in looking at future paths to address this national pathology.
Kasumii I am grievously sorry to hear your story, sharing it is very relevant. I often wonder if inside the WH or Democratic Party organization if they employ psychologists to help anticipate ( as in a match of chess ) next-moves by the opposition.
That is what may be required, not just political advisors, but those with expertise in narcissism moves.
At the heart of every human being ( using the term broadly ) is the need for being liked and belonging. Unfortunately --- to our peril -- some have been able to satisfy these needs in the public domain.
How do we unplug them? Without defying our own democratic values. If they cross the line into criminalty, that is the only potential avenue. Or, if they are part & party to a network of wrongdoings already under investigation.
I think it would be mindful of us to "share" button here once a day - to raise awareness.
So much icky stuff going on these days, covid, hospital capacities, schools, etc etc. Yet this issue is the BEDROCK of quality of life. We must expand our partnerships & base of knowledge with ordinary friends and neighbors.
I agree about the look of nervous fear in Ted's eyes. I wonder how Texans are feeling about him now.
Telling, how he tried to get closer to Carlson (whose eyes I don't like ...) by saying he (Ted) had quickly texted him after his initial comments.
Would be interesting to see the cell phone records of who may have contacted Ted immediately following his statements in the Senate.
Reading Kasumii's story reminds me of adult patients I've seen and their on going struggle to carve out a healthy life. These efforts typically occured about 10 - 20 years after seperation from family. Sometimes with sibling support. Often siblings never shook their shame. This situation is reflective of our country's inability to grow. Damage for a lifetime! Good for you Kasumii for sharing your story. You are not alone as you probably know. Others sharing their stories would be helpful. All of us reading this might find ways to reachout to others.
This forum is a wonderful opportunity for mutual. Knowledge. Thanks to Ruth and Luicd.
After watching Tucker spank Cruz I thought it would be good maybe to watch a clip (also including Carlson) of Crossfire with guest Jon Stewart from 2004.
“You’re on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls. What is wrong with you?”
I have zero sympathy for Ted Cruz, he gets what he has earned. With an education and experience like Cruz, one would think Carlson would be easy prey. Cruz was no match for Carlson. Tucker Carlson is a lot like Stephen Miller, without the good education. I remember him with Bob Novak on Crossfire. Although I had no use for either, Tucker was the worse of the two. Carlson/Miller would be a formidable team to watch out for. Intimidations and threats. Like the last Trump, the next one would love this team. If Biden keeps slipping, the way will be paved for the next “Strongman”, and we won’t like the results.
Tucker Carlson reminds me increasingly of Joseph Goebbles, the Nazi Propaganda Minister . Like Goebbles, his code of values is never ever speak the truth. Suppress democratic concepts, undermine law and order, all done in an attempt to destroy and undermine common decency. A profound observation by the late Ingrid Bergman, " as we grow older, we get the 'face we deserve' ? Every time the face of Carlson appears it confirms this observation is a certain fact.!
As to Cruz, his implosion was predictable 6 years ago. Once he showed his willingness to be subjected to humiliation in service of his ambition, his card was up. No amount of groveling can save him now...the base viewed weakness as mortal sin, and there is no atonement. I've maintained for some time that Trumpism is less cult than religion. The base transferred obeisance to religious dogma to obeisance to leaders who elevate their basest instincts with a patina of patriotism. Bannon is driven by fanaticism and greed, Trump is driven by corruption and greed, whatcdrives Carlson? He already has power over millions, power over life and death decisions of his viewers, thecability to shatter GOP political careers. He was born into and made great wealth. Albeit a narcissist and a sadist, he's neither an ideologue nor a fanatic. He's not driven by greed, he doesn't want to be president, so what's his end game?
Somehow I don't care for being lectured about authoritarianism from someone on the side of the Biden Admin, the unelected bureaucratic deep state, the military and the Intelligent Community.
It is my hope that as the injuries sustained from the "vaccine" mandated by prominent members of the Democratic party become more commonplace, the discussion about it becomes highly racialized, moralized, and directed at people like the author.
No Justice, No Peace.
Tucker's problem is not that he is authoritarian. It's that he's too kind. Your civil liberties and material wellbeing should be treated with the same level of disregard as those who pay your salary.
This "professor" is so full of shit her eyes are brown. Using the word 'authoritarian' that liberally is lazy. It's like saying conservatives are everything i don't like. Want smaller government and less debt is NOT authoritarian.
It was an embarrassment to see a Senator grovel to a swine like Tucky Carlson. Pathetic.
Thank you for this most illuminating essay Ruth. Carlson's "Popular Enlightenment as Propagandist in Chief is truly soul destroying to watch on a daily basis.
A powerful piece by RBG indeed.
However, there is another piece of the puzzle. Trump’s Big Lie is now the engine of his political power, and therefore the central engine of the rising autocracy in America. Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota repudiated the Big Lie on Sunday, saying that the 2020 presidential election “was fair, as fair as we’ve seen,” and, “we simply did not win the election, as Republicans.” On Tuesday, Rounds stated that “we can trust the election system.” Trump responded, “Is he crazy or just stupid?” and, “even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again.” Senator Rounds responded to Trump merely by saying he was “disappointed but not surprised.” Senator Romney posted Monday, “Mike Rounds speaks the truth, knowing that our Republic depends upon it.” Senator McConnell stated, “Senator Rounds told the truth about what happened in the 2020 election.” Other Senate Republicans defended Rounds (though less strongly). Neither Rounds, Romney, nor McConnell seems to be intimidated by either Trump or Carlson. (It’s hard to envision any tears coming from them if Trump goes to prison, unlikely as that is; in fact, a great many Republicans would be happy to be rid of Trump, even if they are too frightened to say so publicly.) Even if those of us who read Lucid may not be paying close attention to what Republicans are saying, other Republicans certainly are. They are not all the same.
This scenario conforms to Timothy Snyder‘s model that divides the Republican Party into “breakers“ and “gamers.” Carlson and Cruz are breakers: they want to break the democratic system. McConnell “only” wants to game it.
McConnell is undoubtedly looking forward to resuming his position as Senate Majority Leader in 2022, the role he lives for. His and other Senators’ motivation for opposing Trump’s Big Lie may be fear that Trumpism will prevent the Republicans from recapturing the Senate majority in 2022.
But McConnell may also be looking forward to resuming the Senate Majority Leadership in the coming weeks or even days. Joe Manchin seems to have come to the logical end of gaming Biden and the Democrats throughout 2021. For a year he decoyed them into focusing on economic policy instead of the political and constitutional situation. He spoke again and again as if an agreement with Biden on the BBB bill was within reach, only to pull back the bait at the last moment. Now he has declared that he is against even the paltry BBB deal he himself proposed last year. This is straight out of McConnell‘s playbook. In order to neuter Obama, McConnell opposed all legislation proposed by the Democrats, including legislation that the Republicans themselves had originally proposed. Manchin now has humiliated Biden, leaving the central legislative proposal of Biden’s first year in ruins, and has succeeded in making Biden look hopelessly inept. Biden has been reduced to pivoting to promoting election laws that almost certainly cannot pass, because Manchin will not vote against the filibuster; thus Biden’s speech in Georgia on election law was dismissed by other Democrats as being too little, too late. The next logical step for Manchin would be to make good on the implicit threat he has been blackmailing Democrats with all year, and to become a Republican. That would instantly make McConnell Senate Majority Leader again, and elevate him to national leadership on a level with Biden, who would then undoubtedly work on compromise legislation with him. This would leave Trump looking like a mere former leader in exile. Or this could happen at the beginning of 2023. (Consider the contrast between the lethally Machiavellian McConnell and the clownish House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy.)
However that may be, we are looking at a major public, institutional division at the highest levels of the Republican Party. McConnell clearly does not want to be Donald Trump‘s (or any other autocrat’s) cat’s paw. He wants to maintain democracy in order to be able to continue to game it. Wouldn’t it be ironic if McConnell, who has been called the potential gravedigger of American democracy, turned out to be its savior (in a manner of speaking)?
The plot may turn out to be thicker than we expect. Perhaps the Democrats will end up exploiting this fissure in the Republican leadership. In its election last year, the Czech Republic showed the world how to defeat rising autocracy: everyone who is still in his or her right mind must set aside policy differences and unite against the would-be autocrats. The enemy of your enemy is your friend; Liz Cheney is now best friends with Democrats (and her father has joined in). As is true in many families, we can start fighting with each other again after we have defeated our common enemy.
Tucker Carlson always strives to look and talk soooooo serious and concerned, frowning and scowling - the outward mask of a little man only interested in his paycheck generated by appealing to DJT's, Q Anon's, Republicans', and all the obsequious rest who will believe anything but the truth marching in unison down the ever increasing slippery slope leading to autocracy !!
Jan I could not agree with you more re: using psycholigists. Good call! This is really a must. Please consider referring to Dr. Bandy Lee's work. Ruth and Dr. Lee have preaented in the past. I'm hopeful they will join in looking at future paths to address this national pathology.
Kasumii I am grievously sorry to hear your story, sharing it is very relevant. I often wonder if inside the WH or Democratic Party organization if they employ psychologists to help anticipate ( as in a match of chess ) next-moves by the opposition.
That is what may be required, not just political advisors, but those with expertise in narcissism moves.
At the heart of every human being ( using the term broadly ) is the need for being liked and belonging. Unfortunately --- to our peril -- some have been able to satisfy these needs in the public domain.
How do we unplug them? Without defying our own democratic values. If they cross the line into criminalty, that is the only potential avenue. Or, if they are part & party to a network of wrongdoings already under investigation.
Prayers lifted for J6C and DOJ, and free media.
I think it would be mindful of us to "share" button here once a day - to raise awareness.
So much icky stuff going on these days, covid, hospital capacities, schools, etc etc. Yet this issue is the BEDROCK of quality of life. We must expand our partnerships & base of knowledge with ordinary friends and neighbors.
I agree about the look of nervous fear in Ted's eyes. I wonder how Texans are feeling about him now.
Telling, how he tried to get closer to Carlson (whose eyes I don't like ...) by saying he (Ted) had quickly texted him after his initial comments.
Would be interesting to see the cell phone records of who may have contacted Ted immediately following his statements in the Senate.
Just wondering.
Reading Kasumii's story reminds me of adult patients I've seen and their on going struggle to carve out a healthy life. These efforts typically occured about 10 - 20 years after seperation from family. Sometimes with sibling support. Often siblings never shook their shame. This situation is reflective of our country's inability to grow. Damage for a lifetime! Good for you Kasumii for sharing your story. You are not alone as you probably know. Others sharing their stories would be helpful. All of us reading this might find ways to reachout to others.
This forum is a wonderful opportunity for mutual. Knowledge. Thanks to Ruth and Luicd.
After watching Tucker spank Cruz I thought it would be good maybe to watch a clip (also including Carlson) of Crossfire with guest Jon Stewart from 2004.
“You’re on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls. What is wrong with you?”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
I have zero sympathy for Ted Cruz, he gets what he has earned. With an education and experience like Cruz, one would think Carlson would be easy prey. Cruz was no match for Carlson. Tucker Carlson is a lot like Stephen Miller, without the good education. I remember him with Bob Novak on Crossfire. Although I had no use for either, Tucker was the worse of the two. Carlson/Miller would be a formidable team to watch out for. Intimidations and threats. Like the last Trump, the next one would love this team. If Biden keeps slipping, the way will be paved for the next “Strongman”, and we won’t like the results.
Tucker Carlson reminds me increasingly of Joseph Goebbles, the Nazi Propaganda Minister . Like Goebbles, his code of values is never ever speak the truth. Suppress democratic concepts, undermine law and order, all done in an attempt to destroy and undermine common decency. A profound observation by the late Ingrid Bergman, " as we grow older, we get the 'face we deserve' ? Every time the face of Carlson appears it confirms this observation is a certain fact.!
As to Cruz, his implosion was predictable 6 years ago. Once he showed his willingness to be subjected to humiliation in service of his ambition, his card was up. No amount of groveling can save him now...the base viewed weakness as mortal sin, and there is no atonement. I've maintained for some time that Trumpism is less cult than religion. The base transferred obeisance to religious dogma to obeisance to leaders who elevate their basest instincts with a patina of patriotism. Bannon is driven by fanaticism and greed, Trump is driven by corruption and greed, whatcdrives Carlson? He already has power over millions, power over life and death decisions of his viewers, thecability to shatter GOP political careers. He was born into and made great wealth. Albeit a narcissist and a sadist, he's neither an ideologue nor a fanatic. He's not driven by greed, he doesn't want to be president, so what's his end game?
It’s Gangsters of Capitalism by Jonathan Katz