In his book, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century”, the very first lesson Timothy Snyder presents us with is “Do not obey in advance”.
Yet this is precisely what the mainstream media (including MSNBC and even Comedy Central) are doing wrt the “candidacy” of Rapey McEarGotNicked. They’re cravenly removing shows that might “offend” Trumplethinskin, ostensibly in the forlorn hope that if he wins they’ll obtain or retain access to him during his admin, er reign as King of the World.
Another admonition from Snyder; “Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.” Unfortunately, if my admittedly unscientific analysis is correct, this is what far too many of us are doing on the daily. I say this because of a couple of things.
One – Facebook provides a range of reactions for posts and comments. These are “Like”, “Love”, “Care”, “Ha Ha”, “Wow”, “Sad”, and “Anger”. I see lots of people reacting to news of Mango Mussolini’s outlandish “positions” (especially Project 2025) with “Sad” rather than “Anger”. Being sad is debilitating. Being angry is energizing. It can, and should, lead to dogged determination to resist, whereas being sad leads to fear, anxiety, and panicked paralysis.
Two – On Threads which, despite being a META product like FB & IG, doesn’t provide for a range of reactions, I consistently read comments by people who are afraid or uncomfortable. Hardly any are angry at what’s going on with the Treason Weasel’s “campaign”.
What we face with the prospect of another Trump Presidency is objectively horrendous, yet many seem to be paralyzed and incapable of doing anything other than complaining and expressing their fear for the future.
Maybe I’m off base here, but I believe they are doing what Professor Snyder is admonishing us against, i.e. obeying in advance or, to put it more succinctly, giving up.
WE NEED TO DO BETTER. Only 112 days remain for us to educate and fire up the electorate, especially the large chunk of people who don’t ordinarily vote.
PS – I’m a 77-year-old, straight, cis gendered, white male who lives in SoCal, is retired, and has enough retirement income (thank you Social Security & Medicare) to squeak by almost no matter what happens. Nevertheless, I care about my fellow meat sacks and, especially, my two adopted girls. For this reason I will not obey, either in advance or afterward. There’s just too much at stake.
Hasta la victoria siempre. ¡Venceremos!
Systems Savvy 