Civil disobedience is the only way. We're beyond the pale and it is going to get very, very ugly. I expect people to be disappeared and brutal use of violence by those claiming authority will multiple exponentially. They are not even pretending to be interested in making the world a better place. They'll murder anyone who looks like a threat.
I have to agree. Think Argentina, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, etc. It's going to be worse then any time since the Civil War and will likely make the 60s look like a Sunday picnic.
Apropos of nothing, Danielle Moodie over on the Democracy-ish podcast recommended keeping a journal, starting especially this week before the inauguration so that we can remember how things are/were and to keep tabs on truth and lies going forward. I tend to be ol' skool, so I'm handwriting mine, but hey, doing a 1-5 minute audio recording isn't a bad idea and I might do that for a personal weekly roundup. I also recommend this brutal diary by Friedrich Reck-Malleczewen, "Diary of a Man in Despair." He kept this journal from 1936-1944. Reck was a conservative novelist and a landed gentleman in Germany who ironically deplored democracy, but when the Nazi regime came to power, he apparently came around and started recording what he saw in journals that he kept hidden on his land. Reck died at Dachau in 1945--not because of the journals, but rather because he complained to his publisher in a letter that inflation was eating away his advance. He was arrested for "insulting the German currency" as a result of that. In case you're interested, here's a Guardian article from 2013 about it: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/mar/26/diary-man-despair-reck-review
Two things. In 2022, every single GOP house member voted aginst a bill to root out extremism in the military. The bill passed but I found this chilling. You didn't mention the military but once they are on board with the dear leader—however that happens but a Pete Hegseth stooge sounds like a the ideal scenario—we are toast. Second, Gavin Newsom coerced into flying the flag at full staff to get aid made me feel ill. With more tragedies like this, there will be more "opportunities" for Trump and gang to force capitulation. Just the fact that a president-elect can't handle the flag at half staff (for someone better than he) is just another aspect of how sickening this is.
Jared- Your continued blind spot regarding Substack is troubling.
You write:
"As I’ve discussed, it’s time to change the way you consume media. Go into it understanding rhetorical appeals and read between the lines. Identify who is an honest broker and what the speaker/platform/personality’s motivations are.
Corporate media does not support actual critiques of power or capitalism. I rely on your support to keep Dispatches From A Collapsing State going. Become a subscriber to support this project."
On Substack. You actually wrote the proceeding on a platform owned by Marc Andressen et al. Are you honestly this self-unaware? Or just lazy?
I get it. Substack is an easy platform to publish and monetize on. You seem particularly enamoured with referring to "My Subtack" ad nauseum on your various podcasts. Stop it already, man. I'm physically embarrassed for you. It's the very height of hypocrisy to advocate against things concerning the "wealth class" from a platform owned and operated by the same oligarchs.
There are many alternatives. I've already provided you with resources in a prior comment.
Do the work and get off this platform that has no problem providing a voice for actual Nazis. Have some self-respect, my man.
Jared is anything but lazy. Maybe be a little kinder in your commentary. All of us like-minded people will need to be especially mindful of kindness in the coming era.
Re: Culture and entertainment. As Bob "MovieBob" Chipman said on Bluesky:
"I think it's very interesting that Disney and the film/TV industry (apart from cable news, sports and reality/marketing) seemingly aren't on Team Trump's 'culture war' radar AT ALL despite having been a big focus for decades, being in Florida and having a "monster president" movie coming up.
"Part of it is likely 'How many fights can you do?' but also Trump himself is transactional and he doesn't have a personal profit motive in feuding with Mickey. Doesn't mean he wouldn't if they told him if there were votes there, but for whatever reason it's apparently not a priority."
Civil disobedience is the only way. We're beyond the pale and it is going to get very, very ugly. I expect people to be disappeared and brutal use of violence by those claiming authority will multiple exponentially. They are not even pretending to be interested in making the world a better place. They'll murder anyone who looks like a threat.
I have to agree. Think Argentina, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, etc. It's going to be worse then any time since the Civil War and will likely make the 60s look like a Sunday picnic.
Apropos of nothing, Danielle Moodie over on the Democracy-ish podcast recommended keeping a journal, starting especially this week before the inauguration so that we can remember how things are/were and to keep tabs on truth and lies going forward. I tend to be ol' skool, so I'm handwriting mine, but hey, doing a 1-5 minute audio recording isn't a bad idea and I might do that for a personal weekly roundup. I also recommend this brutal diary by Friedrich Reck-Malleczewen, "Diary of a Man in Despair." He kept this journal from 1936-1944. Reck was a conservative novelist and a landed gentleman in Germany who ironically deplored democracy, but when the Nazi regime came to power, he apparently came around and started recording what he saw in journals that he kept hidden on his land. Reck died at Dachau in 1945--not because of the journals, but rather because he complained to his publisher in a letter that inflation was eating away his advance. He was arrested for "insulting the German currency" as a result of that. In case you're interested, here's a Guardian article from 2013 about it: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/mar/26/diary-man-despair-reck-review
Two things. In 2022, every single GOP house member voted aginst a bill to root out extremism in the military. The bill passed but I found this chilling. You didn't mention the military but once they are on board with the dear leader—however that happens but a Pete Hegseth stooge sounds like a the ideal scenario—we are toast. Second, Gavin Newsom coerced into flying the flag at full staff to get aid made me feel ill. With more tragedies like this, there will be more "opportunities" for Trump and gang to force capitulation. Just the fact that a president-elect can't handle the flag at half staff (for someone better than he) is just another aspect of how sickening this is.
McDonald is creating an emergency. As you mentioned Jared, he will declare civil emergency, declare martial law and use the military to quash it.
We have started now that Fox is now part of the US government.
Time will tell and thanks for your input. It's a pleasure to read your work.
“As if 9/11, Iran-Contra, Nixon and Reagan’s treason, the stolen docs” let’s not forget Iraq (twice!!)
Thank you Jared. I cannot heal without the truth. And I feel that you provide that. In Solidarity
Jared- Your continued blind spot regarding Substack is troubling.
You write:
"As I’ve discussed, it’s time to change the way you consume media. Go into it understanding rhetorical appeals and read between the lines. Identify who is an honest broker and what the speaker/platform/personality’s motivations are.
Corporate media does not support actual critiques of power or capitalism. I rely on your support to keep Dispatches From A Collapsing State going. Become a subscriber to support this project."
On Substack. You actually wrote the proceeding on a platform owned by Marc Andressen et al. Are you honestly this self-unaware? Or just lazy?
I get it. Substack is an easy platform to publish and monetize on. You seem particularly enamoured with referring to "My Subtack" ad nauseum on your various podcasts. Stop it already, man. I'm physically embarrassed for you. It's the very height of hypocrisy to advocate against things concerning the "wealth class" from a platform owned and operated by the same oligarchs.
There are many alternatives. I've already provided you with resources in a prior comment.
Do the work and get off this platform that has no problem providing a voice for actual Nazis. Have some self-respect, my man.
Jared is anything but lazy. Maybe be a little kinder in your commentary. All of us like-minded people will need to be especially mindful of kindness in the coming era.
Re: Culture and entertainment. As Bob "MovieBob" Chipman said on Bluesky:
"I think it's very interesting that Disney and the film/TV industry (apart from cable news, sports and reality/marketing) seemingly aren't on Team Trump's 'culture war' radar AT ALL despite having been a big focus for decades, being in Florida and having a "monster president" movie coming up.
"Part of it is likely 'How many fights can you do?' but also Trump himself is transactional and he doesn't have a personal profit motive in feuding with Mickey. Doesn't mean he wouldn't if they told him if there were votes there, but for whatever reason it's apparently not a priority."