Afraid, yes. For this country and the non-existence of the rule of law. Insurrectionist who are re-seated in congress. Nothing, not a peep from DOJ, not an interview, none of them questioned. Raised multi-thousands to campaign, no one knocked on their doors and said”where were you when”?
Michael Flynn still collecting his retired General’s salary, preparing for war, spreading conspiracy theories. Nothing from DOJ. Fuentes proudly and loudly praising Hitler. Nothing from DOJ.
Elon Musk is our arbiter of moral acceptance. Think about that.
We are in serious trouble. More insurrection is occurring- and nothing from the place, the would be regulator- the would be hero of this story, this country, this democracy- the ever so silent DOJ. Urging us to believe they’re at work. Ha.
Michael Flynn is a particularly infuriating case. He's Russia'd-up and being paid by Putin.
Why has SecDef Austin not stripped him of his benefits and kicked his a** to the curb?
Charles McGonigle is the tip of the iceberg
Russia has executed a brilliant, highly successful penetration strategy into the FBI, Congress, right wing media, and for 4 awful years, the Oval Office
How many others are there? Russia didn't elect Trump then walk away from their insurgency
8 GOP Senators spent July 4th in Moscow a few years ago. Why?
They're the obvious ones. Ron Johnson and Tucker are getting rich
Musk
Who else?
There are a whole lot of Congressmen/women, Senators, FBI and DOJ people on the payroll too
And I see almost no one except Keith Olbermann talking or writing about this
The McGonigle indictment was a story for about 12 hours.
And the Disgraced Roberts Court continues to turn the 1st Amendment upside down as it aids the wealthy white male christo-fascist cabal’s efforts to establish an American Autocracy.
Agree. Ive seen similar here in NC. It has always been a myth that trump was voted in and supported by uneducated, ill informed folks living on the edge. I know and understand that observation is different from data, however, one of the most affluent (richest) and well educated areas of Charlotte, NC went for trump. It has also been alarming the support trumpism has enjoyed among some in the Jewish community in the same area of our city. It is a fact and alarming beyond words.
Of course. I had, repeat, HAD, a good friend who was a loyal Repub who also believed the birther bullshit. All he could talk about, aside from birtherism, is how "Obama is gonna raise my taxes"
I live in a civil war battlefield town, where many of the population are still hanging their confederate flags and trump flags together. There is no other ethnic population in town, at least none that I have seen. The flags and posters for the former president are not for him so much, as against Pres. Biden with dishonorable statements and outright vulgar comments. The lack of respect is disgusting to see. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I continue to tell everyone I can to vote these monsters out of our government before it's too late, and I explain it to anyone who will stand still long enough. I only wish, other than writing to my Congressman and Senators (which so far hasn't changed anything), that there was something else significant that I could do to help right this country.
I, too, am afraid.
I am open to suggestions. I have decided, and I want to act.
I think one of the best things we can do where we can feel an impact from our effort is working on local elections
We've got some howling idiots here in AZ in the State Senate and Legislature. Real crazies. Getting rid of that metastasized cancer is a good place to start
We've done a good job of it here in MD...not perfect, but great progress has been made. Local is where it hits home. I'm looking forward to Gov. Moore's tenure. He's an incredible person, and I'm real happy he won. I feel your pain, I wish you well in AZ.
One of my favorite movies is Hitchcock’s “Spellbound.” It is an homage to psychoanalysis. Ingrid Bergman’s character is a psychiatrist whose mentor (a thinly veiled Freud) tells her, “you keep bumping your head against reality and saying it isn’t there.” That statement encapsulates the GOP, the media, & the DOJ. It is all too easy to live in an alternate reality when the consequences are rewarding. We are in dangerous times indeed. Sociopathy is the underlying psychology behind the growing extremist movement. Too few are ringing the alarm. Thank you, Steve, for being one of the few.
My question is "what is the counter message that will lead vulnerable white men away from this messaging?" There has to be a more appealing alternative message to which they can subscribe. Right now, fearmongering, scapegoating, and clan tribalism are winning. They play to the primitive brain. If you haven't read Ken Wilber's, Trump and the Post-Truth World, I would encourage you to do so. I don't have the answer but I believe asking the question shifts us to look not just at the reality but begin to lean more toward creating a different narrative that can break through this fear- and hate-based one.
The early followers of Jesus (who were not called Christians) in the early communities chose a way of living and being that had the power to transform people's lives - even the most lost and hated. Conversion of the heart changes the way people think, feel and act. I am not saying you have to follow Jesus - all religions at their core aim to "realign" our hearts- but I am saying that when hearts are changed, much is possible. What is it that lies in the hearts of these young men that fuels their fear and hatred? Thoughts and feelings are dependent on the other. A thought creates a feeling; a feeling creates a thought. The heart wins over the brain, hands down. We can think and talk and increase our knowledge but at the end of the day, it is how all this information, reading other people's ideas and talking that impacts the heart. What are the words, the messages, the narratives that will shift the hearts of these individuals? Again I don't have an answer, but the question is an important one to ask.
Interesting article in yesterday’s WaPo regarding the Dem spending initiatives which target red districts by building chip factories and infrastructure which will provide good paying jobs and not require a college degree. Economic equity should go a long way to counter Fuentes et al. And defang their outrageous propaganda. As Bill Clinton once said, “It’s the economy stupid”.
Exactly. We need to reintegrate these people into Society, and to do that, we need to rebuild community itself. We do that by taxing corporations and the rich and building public infrastructure, roads, rail, the power grid, and rocket ships. Jobs that build transferable skills. Use the tax code to discourage the financial inaction of everything. Support unionization. The most important thing unions can achieve may not be better pay, but predictable work schedules. A predictable schedule allows workers to plan a weekly game night, or volunteer at the local rec center. Slowly, that will rebuild communities and bring the disaffect young men back into society.
Providing good jobs and stimulating the economy will help people to feel better about themselves, reduce their anger, increase their sense of dignity and self respect. Nazi Germany would likely not have happened had there not been economic disaster there between the two world wars. It was fertile ground for Hitler. I agree where we are today is a multifaceted problem that requires multiple solutions.
Most of these “vulnerable white men” are beyond change or redemption. And by the way, Jesus’s followers have perpetrated some of the most heinous evils throughout history.
The fact is, some of humanity has evolved past its tribalism, but the vast majority has not.
Thanks, Rosie, for your comment. I'd just like to go on record saying that those who you speak of committing heinous evils throughout history were not followers of Jesus. They were a part of an institutional religion that abandoned (and do to this day) the teachings of Jesus and with their egotistical, patriarchical thirst for power, are exactly what Jesus fought against - a corrupt empire. The book, After Jesus, Before Christianity by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott and Hal Taussig, is a fascinating read.
Wow Theresa you are such a wonderful writer! Thank you for your thoughtful response to this important article. I especially liked when you said “the heart wins over the brain hands down”. I agree with that 100%!
Historically it has been the great spiritual masters that have appeared to counter the greed, hatred and delusion we are see in this country today. In this secular world I don't see any great spiritual masters on the horizon.
Yes, and when faced with the question by someone considering the road to fascism, what do you say? How do you stop the self-hatred and refocus their hearts?
I'm Jewish and yes, Nick Fuentes and his ilk absolutely terrify me. How could they not? I heard the "Jews will not replace us" chants in Charlottesville loud and clear, and am fully aware that what starts with words never ends with words (See Pittsburgh, Poway, etc., etc.). It is only a matter of time before there is another mass casualty event due to an anti-Semitic attack. When I moved to the United States in 1991, I never imagined such a situation.
I just turned 69 and for the entirety of my life, until 7 years ago, the United States has been the ultimate shining city on the hill for the world to see and embrace
According to Timothy Snyder https://youtu.be/pnTxz4dpRyQ the real violence comes much later and further away that people witnessing the rise of Fascism could not see what is coming. Yesterday “Putin respected the Trump administration, says former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo”. https://youtu.be/Znkdf0Z2EG8 You can obviously see the link between Pompeo/Trump encouraging Putin to where we are now.
There has always been a sick fascination with fascism and especially Nazism in this country. Anti Jewish hate has always been lurking under the surface of popular culture. Nick Fuentes and people like him are shit stains that need to be exposed and their ideology torn to bits. We need a countermovement to go after these sickos!
I feel like I write the same thing in the comment section every day, but here I go again...the solution is to democratically beat them and rid the system of their leaders. Focus on winning elections rather than obsessing about the awful things the other side does. The Democrats have the numbers on their side. Every poll says the same thing. MAGA and the Republicans have a ceiling of 40% of the public. A strong leader with a clear vision for the future and a passion for preserving our democracy is needed to unite the factions within the party and bring independents and former Republicans into the fold. Democrats get too caught up in specific issues and standing up for what they believe is right. That's all great, but in order to do those great things you have to win elections first. A little more focus on winning in 2016 by not letting Trump take Wisconsin would have preserved Roe. Yet, they demonize Manchin and Sinema. They completely ignore the opportunity to expand their base by opening their tent and letting in Liz Cheney, Adam Kinsinger, and any other democracy-loving Republican. Ben Franklin would be shaking his head now because we have a strong republic but don't seem to act like we want to keep it. Stop falling for distractions like George Santos and look inward and ask how do we not only win in 2024, but dominate. The idiots and Nazi's won't go away unless we take their power away. Right now, we have a minority faction of a minority party calling the shots. The majority needs to get their act together. Sorry for the one-paragraph rant!
Yesterday on Deadline White House, Matt Dowd made a statement about the type of leader(s) we need now. It rang truth to me. He said we need strong leaders that will focus on who are we and what kind of country do we want. Not a quote. He was saying yes, building factories, etc is good, but the central focus needs to be streamlined to who are we. It was an excellent segment with Dowd and Glaude.
What they and you are describing, are leaders. We don’t see them often. We actually need more who are strong enough, committed enough to engulf his or her peers with vision and optimism, and undying faith that all that they hold as a perfect US, can be done.
Joe Biden sees a beautiful America, but has a hard time convincing the cynical who surround him. He needs to pass the torch.
Yesterday on MSNBC's Alex Wagner, guest (and MSNBC political commentator) Anand Giridharadas said our only way to outcompete the trumps and magates and the facebook (META) magnates is to "build a bigger, more attracting, more passionate leadership." Of course he is also pushing his book, "The Persuaders", but he has an excellent point. Facebook and its ilk "will always sell America down the river." His interview begins at 11:50 minute point:
Absolutely true. Let's imagine a democrat, who has the ability to "persuade" by virtue of his or her own passion. Hillary Clinton was that, but now we know the depths to which the other side will go to stop someone with passion, smarts, and commitment. Let's face it, they did and will eagerly cheat us out of that person, if they can. That faction is drenched in cynicism, don't believe otherwise. So our vigilance, will be the only way. Stopping them in their cheating will be imperative. Allowing the likes of Meta, Twitter, and Russia (imagine those are all in the same category) steal an election from us, has to be prevented in real time. Ignoring what Russia was doing in '16 in real time was a fatal mistake, which has us teetering on the brink of losing our democracy. Having someone who keeps the faith alive, and having a party protect that passion, is vital to get ourselves out of this.
You are right by saying that Liz Cheney will continue to fight for democracy. She really put her life in peril by campaigning in her home state. The majority in power in the House are there because we all honor representative democracy. The Republicans who voted for Kevin McCarthy representing their constituents now in the House are election deniers (anti-democratic), voter suppressors targeting women, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans (yes, also, but we forget to mention this), even the young!... (anti-democratic), insurrection deniers (anti-democratic), anti-Semites (anti-democratic), fraud deniers (a fraud sitting among them, being a part of committees with them, voting with them...). They all dishonor the office by embracing extremism when normalizing the Mar-a-Lago meeting with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes. They all normalize all of the above by not speaking up to the contrary. And, as you say and today's Warning is clear, extremism is on the rise.
Democrats have a power they don't appreciate enough. It is the capacity to approach the other side. Which side will listen? Certainly there are Republicans willing to do so. Those who lost elections or were forced into retiring from politics thanks to Kevin McCarthy. He shunned Liz Cheney for defending her Oath to the Constitution and defending the democratic future of America, by stripping her leadership in the House and handing it on a silver platter to Elise Stefanik, who orchestrated visually the voting process for the highest position to be given him. What is her role in the House must be watched carefully. Adam Kinzinger was forced to resign from future political aspirations because of threats to him and his family, a recent father raising a family. McCarthy repudiated all the other Republicans that lost elections because they stood for impeachment and saw why the insurrection happened, as he did also and then changed his mind, like changing the color of a tie to wear to work (or play?) McCarthy opened the gates to the extremists, the kind that want to impose a 30% Sales Tax on all and do away with the IRS! Democrats will be more willing to Make Government Work for all of us. The House rulers who came up with the 30% Sales Tax and doing away with the IRS are not Americans, not at all. As such things go, they THINK they transacted their leadership votes, HE SAYS Not Quite So, they scratch their heads not understanding, he looks away from the cameras as if it all was a misunderstanding, I ask, of what?, and it all seems to be not understanding the Rules which leaves me scratching my head. Farce. How many days in the cycle of the news will be dedicated to such an abomination as people struggle to decide whether to buy or not eggs when meat and fruits and vegetables are out of the question, because, believe me when I say, so many people make do with rice and eggs to accommodate food in their daily travails.
Not entirely true...I'm a white woman of Euro descent being targeted because of my ideologies. Just imagine the target I'd make if I was white woman of Euro descent AND LGBTQA et al.
Agreed. Rational, critical thinking people should read these two articles and be terrified. Terrified out of their secure bubble that the atrocities of the mid 20th century won’t be repeated in the 21st.
Before reading your links, before rereading what you have repeatedly denounced, I must say this. It is my opinion that people tend to brush away such violence of thought coming from extremists as "deranged." I think like you that"(It) is targeted, boiling, strategic and political." That the extreme influencer Nick Fuentes finds a crowd, like any menial loser who finds a voice to hustle religion for self enrichment and amoral servitude from its followers, like the Bannon-Jones grifting enterprises that not even jail seems to stop, not even trials abate, because enriching themselves at every opportunity perpetuates the turning of facts into lies paid by the captive audience under their mantric grip, that such a loser operates freely in campuses of learning, makes me look at the societal failures that allows this. The First Amendment. We must learn how to use it strategically. In higher education it is confronted with Critical Thinking. Student organizers, professors, administrators are responsible for this. There is such a moral force in the opposition that it is not being used to its maximum effect. The Republican Party is finished. The McCarthy-MTG is as debased as it gets when the truth about racial hate is exposed. George Santos is the cherry on top of a melting iceberg. It is up to us lovers of the First Amendment who see the destruction it brings in a nation with the capacity to stop the "targeted, boiling, strategic and political" maneuverings of Mike Flynn. A general court-martial. Must it take an insurrection to try in a court of law extremist groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys? The very names of these groups must make anyone with some brains wonder What... in the world is going on...! GeorgeS has the last word. He actually beat McCarthy, MTG, Fuentes and Flynn in their own game for subverting democracy. He Is A Congressman Via... Elon Musk? Zuckerberg? TikTok? Really?
I have evaded the links. Just being a woman. Read Kristen Doerer. Where Is The FBI? Because so many women die violently, who will investigate Gender Violence with the conviction that Nick Fuentes is RESPONSIBLE for inciting such forms of violence where a punch strikes down a woman, where strength is enough to kill a woman, where ire is cultivated and turned lethal, where some men given the GO SIGNAL actually turn all sorts of identity crises into violence against those deemed inferior or simply threatening? Is physical strength actually factored in? How many unsolved cases are there? How many Indigenous Women have fallen to such fate as death is when found? And all those who have disappeared and have not been found? How many women? AND GIRLS? In the past, my readings about incels operating in the internet traffic of sexual photographs are hell stories. They make one vomit. And Nick Fuentes is definitely guilty as being one of those who nurtures such outcomes. Until proven guilty, he must be investigated. Or must we face one more warning sign that is dismissed while a woman is in the hands of a violent death by some Fuentes follower? Is rape a lesser crime, a pacifier for those incapable of making the connections? Or must we content ourselves with the lighter side of gender questions, such as "grabbing them by the pussy?"
There was a third guest at the infamous dinner at Mar-a-Lago whose name never appears in mainstream reporting on the event. The fact he's been written out of the story shows that even attention-seeking extremists and madmen can go too far. He's Milo Yiannopoulos. Remember him? The bad-boy right-wing troll and bomb-thrower became an unperson overnight when he extolled the virtues of sex between 13-year-old boys and adults.
Yiannopoulos is basing his as-yet unsuccessful comeback on his stint as an intern for Marjorie Talyor Greene in 2022 and his collaboration with Kanye West on the latter's 2024 presidential bid.
The media's failure to mention Milo in connection with the fascist summit must be killing him.
I had a conversation with a guy that used to be my friend… He is now totally brainwashed by the MAGA movement. His words were taken very seriously when he said “we’ve got the guns!” This is some crazy shit. He went from somebody that had an ideology more akin to moderate Republican lower my taxes to a full on extremist radical. My response to him was “you ain’t the only one with guns!” He knows that I am a trade unionist and vote Democratic. We used to have conversations that would end up with a handshake, and we would agree to disagree. Now I don’t know what to think. But I am armed and dangerous too.
Sometime I muse that at 82 it is nice to know that I won't live to see just how terrible this country is going to become. There are also times when I applaud the very brave people who I know will be fighting to keep the good parts after I am gone. I was born in 1940, a terrible time, I assume I will be leaving at a time that looks so similar.. Please, all of you good people, don't let it all happen again.
Thank you Lisa for the encouraging comments. Sometimes I do worry about the fate awaiting all of the good people who are wishing for a positive future for our country. Actually, it is a decent future for the entire world that is at stake. Take care and don't give up!
Afraid, yes. For this country and the non-existence of the rule of law. Insurrectionist who are re-seated in congress. Nothing, not a peep from DOJ, not an interview, none of them questioned. Raised multi-thousands to campaign, no one knocked on their doors and said”where were you when”?
Michael Flynn still collecting his retired General’s salary, preparing for war, spreading conspiracy theories. Nothing from DOJ. Fuentes proudly and loudly praising Hitler. Nothing from DOJ.
Elon Musk is our arbiter of moral acceptance. Think about that.
We are in serious trouble. More insurrection is occurring- and nothing from the place, the would be regulator- the would be hero of this story, this country, this democracy- the ever so silent DOJ. Urging us to believe they’re at work. Ha.
Yes, afraid.
Everything you wrote.
Michael Flynn is a particularly infuriating case. He's Russia'd-up and being paid by Putin.
Why has SecDef Austin not stripped him of his benefits and kicked his a** to the curb?
Charles McGonigle is the tip of the iceberg
Russia has executed a brilliant, highly successful penetration strategy into the FBI, Congress, right wing media, and for 4 awful years, the Oval Office
How many others are there? Russia didn't elect Trump then walk away from their insurgency
8 GOP Senators spent July 4th in Moscow a few years ago. Why?
They're the obvious ones. Ron Johnson and Tucker are getting rich
Musk
Who else?
There are a whole lot of Congressmen/women, Senators, FBI and DOJ people on the payroll too
And I see almost no one except Keith Olbermann talking or writing about this
The McGonigle indictment was a story for about 12 hours.
WTF
Steve, I'd love to see you take this on
And the Disgraced Roberts Court continues to turn the 1st Amendment upside down as it aids the wealthy white male christo-fascist cabal’s efforts to establish an American Autocracy.
I feel your pain
I live in N. Scottsdale
Mercedes, SUV and private country club heaven.
Everyone I know has a college degree and some level of success in biz, and of course some wealth
In 2016 my zip, 85255, was the #1 Trump donating zip in the US
Second only to Moscow I guess
I was floored.
So naive, I thought Smart = No on Trump
I hate it here now
Trump flags all over, STILL
Guys drive all around in their F350s with massive Trump flags, honking and driving stupidly to get attention
Agree. Ive seen similar here in NC. It has always been a myth that trump was voted in and supported by uneducated, ill informed folks living on the edge. I know and understand that observation is different from data, however, one of the most affluent (richest) and well educated areas of Charlotte, NC went for trump. It has also been alarming the support trumpism has enjoyed among some in the Jewish community in the same area of our city. It is a fact and alarming beyond words.
I always equated wealth and success with some level of intelligence
Wrong
I have a feeling greed is the driver.
Of course. I had, repeat, HAD, a good friend who was a loyal Repub who also believed the birther bullshit. All he could talk about, aside from birtherism, is how "Obama is gonna raise my taxes"
He's just a greedy, GOPer.
I live in a civil war battlefield town, where many of the population are still hanging their confederate flags and trump flags together. There is no other ethnic population in town, at least none that I have seen. The flags and posters for the former president are not for him so much, as against Pres. Biden with dishonorable statements and outright vulgar comments. The lack of respect is disgusting to see. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I continue to tell everyone I can to vote these monsters out of our government before it's too late, and I explain it to anyone who will stand still long enough. I only wish, other than writing to my Congressman and Senators (which so far hasn't changed anything), that there was something else significant that I could do to help right this country.
I, too, am afraid.
I am open to suggestions. I have decided, and I want to act.
I think one of the best things we can do where we can feel an impact from our effort is working on local elections
We've got some howling idiots here in AZ in the State Senate and Legislature. Real crazies. Getting rid of that metastasized cancer is a good place to start
We've done a good job of it here in MD...not perfect, but great progress has been made. Local is where it hits home. I'm looking forward to Gov. Moore's tenure. He's an incredible person, and I'm real happy he won. I feel your pain, I wish you well in AZ.
One of my favorite movies is Hitchcock’s “Spellbound.” It is an homage to psychoanalysis. Ingrid Bergman’s character is a psychiatrist whose mentor (a thinly veiled Freud) tells her, “you keep bumping your head against reality and saying it isn’t there.” That statement encapsulates the GOP, the media, & the DOJ. It is all too easy to live in an alternate reality when the consequences are rewarding. We are in dangerous times indeed. Sociopathy is the underlying psychology behind the growing extremist movement. Too few are ringing the alarm. Thank you, Steve, for being one of the few.
PS - Salvador Dali created the dream sequence in Spellbound. Put it on your watch list if you haven’t seen it.
My question is "what is the counter message that will lead vulnerable white men away from this messaging?" There has to be a more appealing alternative message to which they can subscribe. Right now, fearmongering, scapegoating, and clan tribalism are winning. They play to the primitive brain. If you haven't read Ken Wilber's, Trump and the Post-Truth World, I would encourage you to do so. I don't have the answer but I believe asking the question shifts us to look not just at the reality but begin to lean more toward creating a different narrative that can break through this fear- and hate-based one.
The early followers of Jesus (who were not called Christians) in the early communities chose a way of living and being that had the power to transform people's lives - even the most lost and hated. Conversion of the heart changes the way people think, feel and act. I am not saying you have to follow Jesus - all religions at their core aim to "realign" our hearts- but I am saying that when hearts are changed, much is possible. What is it that lies in the hearts of these young men that fuels their fear and hatred? Thoughts and feelings are dependent on the other. A thought creates a feeling; a feeling creates a thought. The heart wins over the brain, hands down. We can think and talk and increase our knowledge but at the end of the day, it is how all this information, reading other people's ideas and talking that impacts the heart. What are the words, the messages, the narratives that will shift the hearts of these individuals? Again I don't have an answer, but the question is an important one to ask.
Interesting article in yesterday’s WaPo regarding the Dem spending initiatives which target red districts by building chip factories and infrastructure which will provide good paying jobs and not require a college degree. Economic equity should go a long way to counter Fuentes et al. And defang their outrageous propaganda. As Bill Clinton once said, “It’s the economy stupid”.
Exactly. We need to reintegrate these people into Society, and to do that, we need to rebuild community itself. We do that by taxing corporations and the rich and building public infrastructure, roads, rail, the power grid, and rocket ships. Jobs that build transferable skills. Use the tax code to discourage the financial inaction of everything. Support unionization. The most important thing unions can achieve may not be better pay, but predictable work schedules. A predictable schedule allows workers to plan a weekly game night, or volunteer at the local rec center. Slowly, that will rebuild communities and bring the disaffect young men back into society.
I dunno
Have you been watching the MAGAts for the last 6 years?
They won't look at this and say "Biden and the Dems did this; gee, maybe I should rethink"
I don't exactly see a lot of that type of awakening after the infrastructure deal which is repairing roads and bridges in their communities
So I just don't see that happening
They'll find a way to credit Trump and continue hating Dems
This problem seems wider and deeper than I'm able to describe
Providing good jobs and stimulating the economy will help people to feel better about themselves, reduce their anger, increase their sense of dignity and self respect. Nazi Germany would likely not have happened had there not been economic disaster there between the two world wars. It was fertile ground for Hitler. I agree where we are today is a multifaceted problem that requires multiple solutions.
It's going to take a generation, and the moneyed interests will fight it every step of the way, but it's the best I can come up with.
Yes.
Most of these “vulnerable white men” are beyond change or redemption. And by the way, Jesus’s followers have perpetrated some of the most heinous evils throughout history.
The fact is, some of humanity has evolved past its tribalism, but the vast majority has not.
Thanks, Rosie, for your comment. I'd just like to go on record saying that those who you speak of committing heinous evils throughout history were not followers of Jesus. They were a part of an institutional religion that abandoned (and do to this day) the teachings of Jesus and with their egotistical, patriarchical thirst for power, are exactly what Jesus fought against - a corrupt empire. The book, After Jesus, Before Christianity by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott and Hal Taussig, is a fascinating read.
Wow Theresa you are such a wonderful writer! Thank you for your thoughtful response to this important article. I especially liked when you said “the heart wins over the brain hands down”. I agree with that 100%!
Historically it has been the great spiritual masters that have appeared to counter the greed, hatred and delusion we are see in this country today. In this secular world I don't see any great spiritual masters on the horizon.
Yes, and when faced with the question by someone considering the road to fascism, what do you say? How do you stop the self-hatred and refocus their hearts?
I'm Jewish and yes, Nick Fuentes and his ilk absolutely terrify me. How could they not? I heard the "Jews will not replace us" chants in Charlottesville loud and clear, and am fully aware that what starts with words never ends with words (See Pittsburgh, Poway, etc., etc.). It is only a matter of time before there is another mass casualty event due to an anti-Semitic attack. When I moved to the United States in 1991, I never imagined such a situation.
I am sorry we've let you down
I mean that sincerely
I just turned 69 and for the entirety of my life, until 7 years ago, the United States has been the ultimate shining city on the hill for the world to see and embrace
Now we're in decline. Is it irreversible? I dunno
All roads lead back to Murdoch and Fox News
When in doubt, blame the Jews (I am also Jewish).
General Flynn needs to be un-Generalled. He’s a danger to society.
Nick is tapping into young vulnerable men. He’s read Nazi propaganda. Just following his idol. Will these fools kill or die for “their cause”?
It’s a civil war already. It’s not announced but raging.. be scared and prepare. It’s going to get uglier before any better happens.
According to Timothy Snyder https://youtu.be/pnTxz4dpRyQ the real violence comes much later and further away that people witnessing the rise of Fascism could not see what is coming. Yesterday “Putin respected the Trump administration, says former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo”. https://youtu.be/Znkdf0Z2EG8 You can obviously see the link between Pompeo/Trump encouraging Putin to where we are now.
Pompeo was sold to us as a brilliant man, finishing #1 or close in his West Point class
He's a tragic figure
Wildly dishonest and full of hate
And if he thinks Putin respected Trump and his clown administration, then he's either lying or he's really not all that smart. Or both
Good news is he's going nowhere in American politics.
There has always been a sick fascination with fascism and especially Nazism in this country. Anti Jewish hate has always been lurking under the surface of popular culture. Nick Fuentes and people like him are shit stains that need to be exposed and their ideology torn to bits. We need a countermovement to go after these sickos!
I feel like I write the same thing in the comment section every day, but here I go again...the solution is to democratically beat them and rid the system of their leaders. Focus on winning elections rather than obsessing about the awful things the other side does. The Democrats have the numbers on their side. Every poll says the same thing. MAGA and the Republicans have a ceiling of 40% of the public. A strong leader with a clear vision for the future and a passion for preserving our democracy is needed to unite the factions within the party and bring independents and former Republicans into the fold. Democrats get too caught up in specific issues and standing up for what they believe is right. That's all great, but in order to do those great things you have to win elections first. A little more focus on winning in 2016 by not letting Trump take Wisconsin would have preserved Roe. Yet, they demonize Manchin and Sinema. They completely ignore the opportunity to expand their base by opening their tent and letting in Liz Cheney, Adam Kinsinger, and any other democracy-loving Republican. Ben Franklin would be shaking his head now because we have a strong republic but don't seem to act like we want to keep it. Stop falling for distractions like George Santos and look inward and ask how do we not only win in 2024, but dominate. The idiots and Nazi's won't go away unless we take their power away. Right now, we have a minority faction of a minority party calling the shots. The majority needs to get their act together. Sorry for the one-paragraph rant!
Yesterday on Deadline White House, Matt Dowd made a statement about the type of leader(s) we need now. It rang truth to me. He said we need strong leaders that will focus on who are we and what kind of country do we want. Not a quote. He was saying yes, building factories, etc is good, but the central focus needs to be streamlined to who are we. It was an excellent segment with Dowd and Glaude.
What they and you are describing, are leaders. We don’t see them often. We actually need more who are strong enough, committed enough to engulf his or her peers with vision and optimism, and undying faith that all that they hold as a perfect US, can be done.
Joe Biden sees a beautiful America, but has a hard time convincing the cynical who surround him. He needs to pass the torch.
We need a Zelensky of our own.
Yes we do. Great comment
Yesterday on MSNBC's Alex Wagner, guest (and MSNBC political commentator) Anand Giridharadas said our only way to outcompete the trumps and magates and the facebook (META) magnates is to "build a bigger, more attracting, more passionate leadership." Of course he is also pushing his book, "The Persuaders", but he has an excellent point. Facebook and its ilk "will always sell America down the river." His interview begins at 11:50 minute point:
https://youtu.be/Vn5FLS5xd0c
Absolutely true. Let's imagine a democrat, who has the ability to "persuade" by virtue of his or her own passion. Hillary Clinton was that, but now we know the depths to which the other side will go to stop someone with passion, smarts, and commitment. Let's face it, they did and will eagerly cheat us out of that person, if they can. That faction is drenched in cynicism, don't believe otherwise. So our vigilance, will be the only way. Stopping them in their cheating will be imperative. Allowing the likes of Meta, Twitter, and Russia (imagine those are all in the same category) steal an election from us, has to be prevented in real time. Ignoring what Russia was doing in '16 in real time was a fatal mistake, which has us teetering on the brink of losing our democracy. Having someone who keeps the faith alive, and having a party protect that passion, is vital to get ourselves out of this.
Sorry, I could not play it. Said it was private?
Alex Wagner Tonight – 1/25/23 https://topnewsshow.com/alex-wagner-tonight-1-25-23/
Huh. Should be MSNBC. Thanks for letting me know. Will see if I can find better link.
There’s some barriers to this:
1. Gerrymandering
2. Voter suppression
3. The number of voters
Personally I can’t see Liz or Adam joining Democrats. That’s fine. They can champion democracy in other ways. Adam is off to CNN.
Keeping your eyes on the prize is one thing. Ignoring extremism won’t make it go away. It needs to be called out strongly.
You are right by saying that Liz Cheney will continue to fight for democracy. She really put her life in peril by campaigning in her home state. The majority in power in the House are there because we all honor representative democracy. The Republicans who voted for Kevin McCarthy representing their constituents now in the House are election deniers (anti-democratic), voter suppressors targeting women, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans (yes, also, but we forget to mention this), even the young!... (anti-democratic), insurrection deniers (anti-democratic), anti-Semites (anti-democratic), fraud deniers (a fraud sitting among them, being a part of committees with them, voting with them...). They all dishonor the office by embracing extremism when normalizing the Mar-a-Lago meeting with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes. They all normalize all of the above by not speaking up to the contrary. And, as you say and today's Warning is clear, extremism is on the rise.
Democrats have a power they don't appreciate enough. It is the capacity to approach the other side. Which side will listen? Certainly there are Republicans willing to do so. Those who lost elections or were forced into retiring from politics thanks to Kevin McCarthy. He shunned Liz Cheney for defending her Oath to the Constitution and defending the democratic future of America, by stripping her leadership in the House and handing it on a silver platter to Elise Stefanik, who orchestrated visually the voting process for the highest position to be given him. What is her role in the House must be watched carefully. Adam Kinzinger was forced to resign from future political aspirations because of threats to him and his family, a recent father raising a family. McCarthy repudiated all the other Republicans that lost elections because they stood for impeachment and saw why the insurrection happened, as he did also and then changed his mind, like changing the color of a tie to wear to work (or play?) McCarthy opened the gates to the extremists, the kind that want to impose a 30% Sales Tax on all and do away with the IRS! Democrats will be more willing to Make Government Work for all of us. The House rulers who came up with the 30% Sales Tax and doing away with the IRS are not Americans, not at all. As such things go, they THINK they transacted their leadership votes, HE SAYS Not Quite So, they scratch their heads not understanding, he looks away from the cameras as if it all was a misunderstanding, I ask, of what?, and it all seems to be not understanding the Rules which leaves me scratching my head. Farce. How many days in the cycle of the news will be dedicated to such an abomination as people struggle to decide whether to buy or not eggs when meat and fruits and vegetables are out of the question, because, believe me when I say, so many people make do with rice and eggs to accommodate food in their daily travails.
(And all the above in a paragraph rant.)
Thank You!
Michael Flynn is an extremely dangerous man.
EXTREMELY dangerous man.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/michael-flynn-is-recruiting-an-army-of-god-in-growing-christian-nationalist-movement
He scares me because I don’t think DOJ is moving fast enough. Why are they still walking free? He was at the 1/6 insurrection wasn’t he?
True.
We need to reimagine the DOJ to deal with today's threats of coups, political violence and Naziism.
We're using a 1950s model of justice to fight new millennium problems
They have to change
And Garland lost my confidence months back
Just yesterday, I commented to my husband, being replaced is no longer a Jewish problem, it's an everybody problem.
Not if you're white and of Euro descent; e.g. Aryan
Not entirely true...I'm a white woman of Euro descent being targeted because of my ideologies. Just imagine the target I'd make if I was white woman of Euro descent AND LGBTQA et al.
Well yes, of course
They consider anyone who disagrees to be a dissident who must be silenced
It’s plain as day
It’s always been an everyone problem
Yes, and yet "replacement theory" rhetoric in America is predominantly directed at those who are Jewish.
Agreed. Rational, critical thinking people should read these two articles and be terrified. Terrified out of their secure bubble that the atrocities of the mid 20th century won’t be repeated in the 21st.
Before reading your links, before rereading what you have repeatedly denounced, I must say this. It is my opinion that people tend to brush away such violence of thought coming from extremists as "deranged." I think like you that"(It) is targeted, boiling, strategic and political." That the extreme influencer Nick Fuentes finds a crowd, like any menial loser who finds a voice to hustle religion for self enrichment and amoral servitude from its followers, like the Bannon-Jones grifting enterprises that not even jail seems to stop, not even trials abate, because enriching themselves at every opportunity perpetuates the turning of facts into lies paid by the captive audience under their mantric grip, that such a loser operates freely in campuses of learning, makes me look at the societal failures that allows this. The First Amendment. We must learn how to use it strategically. In higher education it is confronted with Critical Thinking. Student organizers, professors, administrators are responsible for this. There is such a moral force in the opposition that it is not being used to its maximum effect. The Republican Party is finished. The McCarthy-MTG is as debased as it gets when the truth about racial hate is exposed. George Santos is the cherry on top of a melting iceberg. It is up to us lovers of the First Amendment who see the destruction it brings in a nation with the capacity to stop the "targeted, boiling, strategic and political" maneuverings of Mike Flynn. A general court-martial. Must it take an insurrection to try in a court of law extremist groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys? The very names of these groups must make anyone with some brains wonder What... in the world is going on...! GeorgeS has the last word. He actually beat McCarthy, MTG, Fuentes and Flynn in their own game for subverting democracy. He Is A Congressman Via... Elon Musk? Zuckerberg? TikTok? Really?
I have evaded the links. Just being a woman. Read Kristen Doerer. Where Is The FBI? Because so many women die violently, who will investigate Gender Violence with the conviction that Nick Fuentes is RESPONSIBLE for inciting such forms of violence where a punch strikes down a woman, where strength is enough to kill a woman, where ire is cultivated and turned lethal, where some men given the GO SIGNAL actually turn all sorts of identity crises into violence against those deemed inferior or simply threatening? Is physical strength actually factored in? How many unsolved cases are there? How many Indigenous Women have fallen to such fate as death is when found? And all those who have disappeared and have not been found? How many women? AND GIRLS? In the past, my readings about incels operating in the internet traffic of sexual photographs are hell stories. They make one vomit. And Nick Fuentes is definitely guilty as being one of those who nurtures such outcomes. Until proven guilty, he must be investigated. Or must we face one more warning sign that is dismissed while a woman is in the hands of a violent death by some Fuentes follower? Is rape a lesser crime, a pacifier for those incapable of making the connections? Or must we content ourselves with the lighter side of gender questions, such as "grabbing them by the pussy?"
There was a third guest at the infamous dinner at Mar-a-Lago whose name never appears in mainstream reporting on the event. The fact he's been written out of the story shows that even attention-seeking extremists and madmen can go too far. He's Milo Yiannopoulos. Remember him? The bad-boy right-wing troll and bomb-thrower became an unperson overnight when he extolled the virtues of sex between 13-year-old boys and adults.
Yiannopoulos is basing his as-yet unsuccessful comeback on his stint as an intern for Marjorie Talyor Greene in 2022 and his collaboration with Kanye West on the latter's 2024 presidential bid.
The media's failure to mention Milo in connection with the fascist summit must be killing him.
I had a conversation with a guy that used to be my friend… He is now totally brainwashed by the MAGA movement. His words were taken very seriously when he said “we’ve got the guns!” This is some crazy shit. He went from somebody that had an ideology more akin to moderate Republican lower my taxes to a full on extremist radical. My response to him was “you ain’t the only one with guns!” He knows that I am a trade unionist and vote Democratic. We used to have conversations that would end up with a handshake, and we would agree to disagree. Now I don’t know what to think. But I am armed and dangerous too.
Sometime I muse that at 82 it is nice to know that I won't live to see just how terrible this country is going to become. There are also times when I applaud the very brave people who I know will be fighting to keep the good parts after I am gone. I was born in 1940, a terrible time, I assume I will be leaving at a time that looks so similar.. Please, all of you good people, don't let it all happen again.
We're going to sort this out soon, Nancy, and you'll be with us when we do! Take best of care, Lisa
Thank you Lisa for the encouraging comments. Sometimes I do worry about the fate awaiting all of the good people who are wishing for a positive future for our country. Actually, it is a decent future for the entire world that is at stake. Take care and don't give up!
Hi Nancy, 'We' will never give up! Take care, too, and thanks for writing. XO Lisa