Introducing American Times
There is no MAGA mandate.
It doesn’t exist any more than did Donald Trump’s fantasties about the stolen election of 2020.
His victory was paltry. Thin.
In the end, a plurality triumph is what it was. That is diametrical to a landslide, which is necessary for a mandate.
Trump won by a couple million votes. Sixty days before his inauguration he has just taken his first step back with Matt Gaetz pulling out as his nominee for attorney general. Soon, and very soon, he will take his next step back, and then the next.
The political necessity of this moment is to hold the line.
Democrats should reacquaint themselves with some iconic Americans like John Basilone and Chesty Puller. Knowing what they did will help people understand what to do in this moment.
The actions required will be different, but the character will be similar.
When I write the words “soon, and very soon” do you know the deeper meaning?
Knowing the American story is the roadmap out of our current predicament. This is particularly true for a Democratic Party that must leave its immediate past behind to rediscover its roots, purpose and mission, so that it can imagine the nation’s destiny again, and inspire a true majority to believe in the destination.
is the type of young person who inspires me. He knows the American story, and is exploring it deeply after a period of service to the United States. Currently, he is a PhD candidate under the guidance of the eminent historian, political philosopher and American patriot Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.Tim Barnicle wants to share something with you if you let him, and I hope you will. You can subscribe to his Substack newsletter
. He publishes every Tuesday, and in many ways, he is a map-maker stitching together a path out of the darkness for lost Democrats.Many of you ask me, “What can I do?”
Read. Learn. Prepare. Engage.
Citizenship is a magnificent privilege. The practice of it with humility, restraint, compassion and respect can change the world. It has many times.
Does the name Cotulla mean anything to you?
All stories have beginnings, and all lives have worth and purpose. Some are epic. Some people rise to epic heights from humble beginnings in this country.
Sometimes those people are rough, uncouth, profligate, wild, insecure, but also great. In fact, though wildly flawed, they can be described as giants because on the great question that mattered the most — more than anything — they did the right thing.
It is quite a thing.
One of the great privileges at The Warning is to be able to introduce this community to people of integrity with something to say, who mean what they write, and write what they mean.
Tim Barnicle is such a young man, and I hope you will follow him. He is also a beautiful writer in an aesthetic sense. Much better than me!
It is my pleasure to introduce Tim Barnicle and American Times to you.
Subscribed to American Times” based on your recommendation.
Will definitely look at “American Times.”
In the meantime I have become an engaged member of the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU. At least as far as I can participate.
I saw their mission statement was one of confrontation and engagement with the Trump administration which they stated IMMEDIATELY after he was confirmed President.
They have never backed down from a fight, and no plans to this time. Nearly 100 years of defending Liberties from the abusers. My kind of group for this kind of fight!!