I continue to believe that the greatest danger that we face is the complete absence of a "Plan B". Democratic leadership spent a decade pretending that the GOP wasn't a wildly obstructionist force, and refused to engage in unified messaging to awaken the country to the imminent danger. The media, in turn, failed in all the ways described, and continue to miss the forest for the trees. But, really, we're not currently living in a democracy...we have one party trying to govern in the midst of a pandemic under the shadow of probable Russian-initiated war, and one party gaslighting themselves and their country, with a SCOTUS that has shed even the pretense of legitimacy. Even if we survive the midterms without losing the House and Senate, then what? 10% of the country would start killing tomorrow if a leader assured them there would be no consequences. 25% of the country would rather risk death than believe science. 30% of the country maintains a visceral, irrational hatred of Democrats nurtured by decades of GOP propaganda. White supremacists and neo-Nazi groups are growing larger by the day. There is no common enemy that will unite this country. There is no common baseline or values that unites us as Americans. The insan ed levels of income inequality and untouchable power wielded by tech billionaires is unimaginable. Even if we avoid outright autocratic rule, how can we take seriously a rule of law that allows seditionists to operate with impunity, that protects white collar criminals and money launderer, while sentencing a Black woman to a 6-year jail sentence for trying to exercise the right to vote. Even if we once again save the country from fascism in 2022 and 2024, there is no long-term strategy to fix a country that has rotted to its core. There is no Plan B.
If the "truth will set thy free" we can continue to hope, that the lies will become so black that they will render the liars invisible and unbelievable.
When indeed! When Trump and his allies are proven to have lied again and again and truth is demanded by the public and heard on the media, we can hope. If this doesn't happen, then the media will resemble Russia's Pravda newspaper. It is said that people get the government they deserve. We all know that we don't deserve to be lied to, and it is in this hope that I believe.
I am so tired of the Democratic party asking me if I'm more concerned about this policy or that, with the usual list: Environment? Reproductive? Covid? Racial? Identity Politics like LGBTQIA?
NO! NONONO! THIS IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL DAMMIT! Saving Democracy is NEVER EVEN IN THE LIST.
What good will it do to focus on plastics, global warming, identity politics, etc. if we lose Democracy?
Saving Democracy needs to be our one and only focus. Prosecuting these crimes against Democracy, such as Jan 6 and Trump's corruption and Russian involvement, and the Q efforts to cause the death of so many Americans need to be the focus.
We're in deep trouble as a nation and we've got our head deeply buried in the sand.
Some have said they might take to the streets and protest. This is not the 60s. That will not work any more.
Endless discussion won't work any more. Neither will poetry readings and protest songs.
Fully applying the rule of law equally to these elites in diapers is the only way to save this Democracy.
Why don't we see this as the most urgent agenda we've ever faced?
Donald promised a civil war if he lost, and we're acting like that isn't exactly what he's up to.
So many GOP members have talked about killing all the liberals, and the propaganda they're spewing about mud bloods, lizard DNA, the vaccine changing Liberal DNA, illuminati and other conspiracies, liberals as baby eating, child blood drinking pedophiles is the same propaganda Hitler used to so demonize Jews that when he sent his private army out to openly kill Jews, then round them up, the citizenry bo longer saw them as human.
That's what the GOP is doing - so dehumanizing us that when they say "kill them", their followers will eagerly do so.
I recently saw a Facebook meme from a friend I've known since the first grade, u apologetically saying that those following the GOP could wipe out the libs during their lunch hour, because the right has so much fire power and the left abhors guns.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
And what does the left do? We discuss, ponder, write, chat, ruminate.
We need to fight back and call out what this propaganda is.
We're seeing old Russian propaganda posters from the Soviet Union reworked as GOP propaganda against the vaccine and liberals.
Yet I don't see anyone talking about this, countering this, or calling it out.
Are we waiting for genocide passively, while we file paperwork in court and talk amongst ourselves?
We do need to quickly formulate a plan to protect ourselves.
We need to arm ourselves to the teeth if we want to avoid being slaughtered on command.
It's incredibly naive to imagine that this propaganda is for any other reason, when Donald openly stated that he would propagate a civil war and that his intention was to build an army answerable only to him.
He already has that army, and if he gets away with these crimes, he will order that army to round up everyone who has ever spoken against him and kill us.
Unfortunately, even the ongoing collapse of democracy is not sufficient to motivate Democratic leadership to create and maintain clear and direct messaging about the reality Americans will face. Instead, they allow Republican framing about inflation, pro-life, CRT, anti-vaxxing to drive the story lines. The1/6 Committee is doing stellar work, but they need the support of the DOJ, and it's clear that Garland is unwilling to take action against a former president or his administration, irrespective of the gravity of the crimes committed and the ongoing destabilization of our country. I'm resigned to the fact that a majority of the country must take individual and collective actions to run for local offices/vote in overwhelming numbers/pressure elected officials to sideline ineffective leadership just to maintain a baseline of democracy. Unless SCOTUS is expanded (which once seemed a bizarre notion), civil rights will be inexorably and relentlessly quashed, which again requires effective leadership that can clearly message issues and solutions to the country. If we cannot effect change from the grassroots, then the country will split into permanent factions.
Great recap. As unbelievable as it is, I am nostalgic for the days of just a year ago, right after President Biden took office, and I didn't wake up each morning with my stomach churning over what I would see in the news. Now, we're back to where I was when POTUS45 was in office. Every day brings a new horror, with a complicit media looking to hammer the Biden Administration every chance it gets. I wake up now, in February, with the sinking knowledge that in November, the Republicans are all but certain to retake the House (and probably the Senate, too), and we will then face Trump clones leading committees investigating the Biden Administration, etc., etc. The 1/6 Commission better do its remaining work quickly, because time is running out................
The Supreme Court's shadow docket Alabama gerrymandering decision worries me about the success of other states' lower courts anti-gerrymandering decisions. Also, the RNC's "legitimate political discourse" phrase scares me since it gives validation to and emboldens the violent extremists who followed Donald's orders to attack the Capitol.
Excellent piece pulling together all the threads of why our country is headed straight into fascism. The only recent news missing is the far right Supreme Court’s decision to allow open, racist gerrymandering.
I’m not going to add more except to say - read hw’s comment on “no plan B”. That is the problem exactly (for me it’s due to weak or stupid or in denial or incompetent or complicit leadership on the Democratic side).
As I see it, we are truly fucked and the only question is “when exactly does the RFP take over?”
Yes, I love the condensed, yet thorough, version of the most important issues of the day. Since 2018 in particular (long story), I've totally been entrenched in our county Dems & the Democratic women. Our jobs are certainly cut out for us, starting at the local levels!!!
Ms. T, thank you for another thorough round-up of the news regarding Trumpublicans and their ilk. Don’t you like words like ilk? Anyway, I love to read snarky comments that have high moral value. You deserve the Pulitzer for commentary. Even the f-bombs sound natural and essential.
Regarding the International Olympic Committee: In choosing to hold the Olympic Games in countries with heinous human rights records, they have revealed themselves to be corrupt, money grubbing a-holes that deserve to be roundly condemned. I love the games and the athletes, not the governing body.
Thank you, Mary! I just started "The Reckoning" and so far, it resonates with everything I have been feeling for years about racism and polarization in this country. You're a gifted writer!
I think that what really adds insult to injury in the recent SCOTUS gerrymandering decision is Justice Roberts presumption that Democrats are naïve and/or stupid. Do you really want to talk about gaslighting that is actually effective? If you look at Roberts approval rating, it appears that he has in-fact, made fools out of many of us. If in your case I am incorrect, please forgive me. For those that are unaware; he rules with the left only when his vote or the matter on the docket is relatively inconsequential. The "Real John Roberts" stood-up in the non-ruling denying constitutional rights to abortion in TX. He stood-up when he destroyed "The Voting Rights Act". Wise-up folks, John Roberts is a snake! The biggest snake on the court! We all know who the rest of them are on the right. Roberts; not so much! Please wake-up!
While we're burning official secrets in burn bags, burning bars in feminist circles, and hopefully one day we will all celebrate the end of Covid 19 and celebrate by having a fierce mask burning party.
And meanwhile, for the white supremacist's party, AKA the GOP, might I humbly suggest we burn the first book, the Bible. Look at all the sins are young ones are experiencing in that blasphemous book....
Sins of incest, of adultery, deception, and murder run rampant in the Bible, obviously too delicate for little white ears to absorb. Let the Bible burn baby burn.
Mike Pence to Jesus: "Lord, I love you and will follow in your ways." Jesus to Mike Pence: "I never knew you." It is so disheartening to me when those who claim to love Jesus act in ways that are the antithesis of what Jesus lived and died for. I see it all around me. Including in my family. The fundamentalist christian church is so devoid of the understanding of who Jesus really was and what he taught. Sigh. It's hard for me to watch it. Day after day after day. I can barely stand to look at Mike Pence because he is such a hypocrite. You are so right that the ONLY reason that he came out saying the things that he did is because he is going to run in 2024. The scary thing is that if Democrats (especially Democratic Christians like Sec'y Pete Buttegieg and Cory Booker, etc.) don't get real loud about the hypocrisy of Republican "christians," real talking points, the brainwashing that has been going on for decades on the right will be successful. Barry Goldwater said, “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”
I continue to believe that the greatest danger that we face is the complete absence of a "Plan B". Democratic leadership spent a decade pretending that the GOP wasn't a wildly obstructionist force, and refused to engage in unified messaging to awaken the country to the imminent danger. The media, in turn, failed in all the ways described, and continue to miss the forest for the trees. But, really, we're not currently living in a democracy...we have one party trying to govern in the midst of a pandemic under the shadow of probable Russian-initiated war, and one party gaslighting themselves and their country, with a SCOTUS that has shed even the pretense of legitimacy. Even if we survive the midterms without losing the House and Senate, then what? 10% of the country would start killing tomorrow if a leader assured them there would be no consequences. 25% of the country would rather risk death than believe science. 30% of the country maintains a visceral, irrational hatred of Democrats nurtured by decades of GOP propaganda. White supremacists and neo-Nazi groups are growing larger by the day. There is no common enemy that will unite this country. There is no common baseline or values that unites us as Americans. The insan ed levels of income inequality and untouchable power wielded by tech billionaires is unimaginable. Even if we avoid outright autocratic rule, how can we take seriously a rule of law that allows seditionists to operate with impunity, that protects white collar criminals and money launderer, while sentencing a Black woman to a 6-year jail sentence for trying to exercise the right to vote. Even if we once again save the country from fascism in 2022 and 2024, there is no long-term strategy to fix a country that has rotted to its core. There is no Plan B.
^^^^^^THIS.
If the "truth will set thy free" we can continue to hope, that the lies will become so black that they will render the liars invisible and unbelievable.
When?
When indeed! When Trump and his allies are proven to have lied again and again and truth is demanded by the public and heard on the media, we can hope. If this doesn't happen, then the media will resemble Russia's Pravda newspaper. It is said that people get the government they deserve. We all know that we don't deserve to be lied to, and it is in this hope that I believe.
I am so tired of the Democratic party asking me if I'm more concerned about this policy or that, with the usual list: Environment? Reproductive? Covid? Racial? Identity Politics like LGBTQIA?
NO! NONONO! THIS IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL DAMMIT! Saving Democracy is NEVER EVEN IN THE LIST.
What good will it do to focus on plastics, global warming, identity politics, etc. if we lose Democracy?
Saving Democracy needs to be our one and only focus. Prosecuting these crimes against Democracy, such as Jan 6 and Trump's corruption and Russian involvement, and the Q efforts to cause the death of so many Americans need to be the focus.
We're in deep trouble as a nation and we've got our head deeply buried in the sand.
Some have said they might take to the streets and protest. This is not the 60s. That will not work any more.
Endless discussion won't work any more. Neither will poetry readings and protest songs.
Fully applying the rule of law equally to these elites in diapers is the only way to save this Democracy.
Why don't we see this as the most urgent agenda we've ever faced?
Donald promised a civil war if he lost, and we're acting like that isn't exactly what he's up to.
So many GOP members have talked about killing all the liberals, and the propaganda they're spewing about mud bloods, lizard DNA, the vaccine changing Liberal DNA, illuminati and other conspiracies, liberals as baby eating, child blood drinking pedophiles is the same propaganda Hitler used to so demonize Jews that when he sent his private army out to openly kill Jews, then round them up, the citizenry bo longer saw them as human.
That's what the GOP is doing - so dehumanizing us that when they say "kill them", their followers will eagerly do so.
I recently saw a Facebook meme from a friend I've known since the first grade, u apologetically saying that those following the GOP could wipe out the libs during their lunch hour, because the right has so much fire power and the left abhors guns.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
And what does the left do? We discuss, ponder, write, chat, ruminate.
We need to fight back and call out what this propaganda is.
We're seeing old Russian propaganda posters from the Soviet Union reworked as GOP propaganda against the vaccine and liberals.
Yet I don't see anyone talking about this, countering this, or calling it out.
Are we waiting for genocide passively, while we file paperwork in court and talk amongst ourselves?
We do need to quickly formulate a plan to protect ourselves.
We need to arm ourselves to the teeth if we want to avoid being slaughtered on command.
It's incredibly naive to imagine that this propaganda is for any other reason, when Donald openly stated that he would propagate a civil war and that his intention was to build an army answerable only to him.
He already has that army, and if he gets away with these crimes, he will order that army to round up everyone who has ever spoken against him and kill us.
What is wrong with us? ALL the signs are there.
Unfortunately, even the ongoing collapse of democracy is not sufficient to motivate Democratic leadership to create and maintain clear and direct messaging about the reality Americans will face. Instead, they allow Republican framing about inflation, pro-life, CRT, anti-vaxxing to drive the story lines. The1/6 Committee is doing stellar work, but they need the support of the DOJ, and it's clear that Garland is unwilling to take action against a former president or his administration, irrespective of the gravity of the crimes committed and the ongoing destabilization of our country. I'm resigned to the fact that a majority of the country must take individual and collective actions to run for local offices/vote in overwhelming numbers/pressure elected officials to sideline ineffective leadership just to maintain a baseline of democracy. Unless SCOTUS is expanded (which once seemed a bizarre notion), civil rights will be inexorably and relentlessly quashed, which again requires effective leadership that can clearly message issues and solutions to the country. If we cannot effect change from the grassroots, then the country will split into permanent factions.
A wonderful piece Mary! Thank you for making us think.
Great recap. As unbelievable as it is, I am nostalgic for the days of just a year ago, right after President Biden took office, and I didn't wake up each morning with my stomach churning over what I would see in the news. Now, we're back to where I was when POTUS45 was in office. Every day brings a new horror, with a complicit media looking to hammer the Biden Administration every chance it gets. I wake up now, in February, with the sinking knowledge that in November, the Republicans are all but certain to retake the House (and probably the Senate, too), and we will then face Trump clones leading committees investigating the Biden Administration, etc., etc. The 1/6 Commission better do its remaining work quickly, because time is running out................
So much, I need to go to sleep now, maybe when I get up my head will have stop spinning and I can respond. Thanks, Mary.
I feel like that too. Necessary.
Thank you, Mary, for your post.
The Supreme Court's shadow docket Alabama gerrymandering decision worries me about the success of other states' lower courts anti-gerrymandering decisions. Also, the RNC's "legitimate political discourse" phrase scares me since it gives validation to and emboldens the violent extremists who followed Donald's orders to attack the Capitol.
Excellent piece pulling together all the threads of why our country is headed straight into fascism. The only recent news missing is the far right Supreme Court’s decision to allow open, racist gerrymandering.
I’m not going to add more except to say - read hw’s comment on “no plan B”. That is the problem exactly (for me it’s due to weak or stupid or in denial or incompetent or complicit leadership on the Democratic side).
As I see it, we are truly fucked and the only question is “when exactly does the RFP take over?”
RFP - Rethuglican Fascist Party
Yes, I love the condensed, yet thorough, version of the most important issues of the day. Since 2018 in particular (long story), I've totally been entrenched in our county Dems & the Democratic women. Our jobs are certainly cut out for us, starting at the local levels!!!
Ms. T, thank you for another thorough round-up of the news regarding Trumpublicans and their ilk. Don’t you like words like ilk? Anyway, I love to read snarky comments that have high moral value. You deserve the Pulitzer for commentary. Even the f-bombs sound natural and essential.
Love your views. Very well argued and principled.
Mary, you deserve the Pulitzer. The The Reckoning needs to be part of history education in schools.
Regarding the International Olympic Committee: In choosing to hold the Olympic Games in countries with heinous human rights records, they have revealed themselves to be corrupt, money grubbing a-holes that deserve to be roundly condemned. I love the games and the athletes, not the governing body.
Thank you, Mary! I just started "The Reckoning" and so far, it resonates with everything I have been feeling for years about racism and polarization in this country. You're a gifted writer!
I think that what really adds insult to injury in the recent SCOTUS gerrymandering decision is Justice Roberts presumption that Democrats are naïve and/or stupid. Do you really want to talk about gaslighting that is actually effective? If you look at Roberts approval rating, it appears that he has in-fact, made fools out of many of us. If in your case I am incorrect, please forgive me. For those that are unaware; he rules with the left only when his vote or the matter on the docket is relatively inconsequential. The "Real John Roberts" stood-up in the non-ruling denying constitutional rights to abortion in TX. He stood-up when he destroyed "The Voting Rights Act". Wise-up folks, John Roberts is a snake! The biggest snake on the court! We all know who the rest of them are on the right. Roberts; not so much! Please wake-up!
While we're burning official secrets in burn bags, burning bars in feminist circles, and hopefully one day we will all celebrate the end of Covid 19 and celebrate by having a fierce mask burning party.
And meanwhile, for the white supremacist's party, AKA the GOP, might I humbly suggest we burn the first book, the Bible. Look at all the sins are young ones are experiencing in that blasphemous book....
Sins of incest, of adultery, deception, and murder run rampant in the Bible, obviously too delicate for little white ears to absorb. Let the Bible burn baby burn.
Great post as always. "The cursed OLC memo" is just (Insert Emoji for Chefs Kiss)
Mike Pence to Jesus: "Lord, I love you and will follow in your ways." Jesus to Mike Pence: "I never knew you." It is so disheartening to me when those who claim to love Jesus act in ways that are the antithesis of what Jesus lived and died for. I see it all around me. Including in my family. The fundamentalist christian church is so devoid of the understanding of who Jesus really was and what he taught. Sigh. It's hard for me to watch it. Day after day after day. I can barely stand to look at Mike Pence because he is such a hypocrite. You are so right that the ONLY reason that he came out saying the things that he did is because he is going to run in 2024. The scary thing is that if Democrats (especially Democratic Christians like Sec'y Pete Buttegieg and Cory Booker, etc.) don't get real loud about the hypocrisy of Republican "christians," real talking points, the brainwashing that has been going on for decades on the right will be successful. Barry Goldwater said, “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”