As an 80 year old f--t who was present for most of the incidents cited I can attest to the fact we have been a resilient nation when it comes to facing challenges. What bothers me most about the current state of affairs is just how large a number of our current citizenry were not around to experience them but, more importantly, lack the historical knowledge and perspective to understand the very fragility of what a participative democracy requires most: participation.
Our track record of citizens understanding the issues and doing some research and thinking on the issues of the day and, then, taking the time to vote has never been good. When only half or two thirds at best of those eligible to vote actually show up something is wrong. Why the disconnect? Why the indifferece?
We are now going into two elections where if the opinion polls are correct approximately 60% of us agree on a more moderate approach to our problems. Yet, that 60% will not take the time to show up and turn their opinions into representation. So long as that gap exists our democracy is in danger of being subject to a well planned and well orchestrated hostile takeover by a minority.
I was once a Republican and the thing which always struck me was just how well organized the GOP was compared to the Democrats who resemble more of a debating salon than a political party. That difference is now on full display when we see both house of Congress possibly going to Republican control to make Joe Biden , effectively, a man without a job. Unless more of us wake up to the possibility and get motivated to vote we are on a slippery slope. So far from the Democrats I have seen nothing to change my mind. They seem more interested in rearranging the deck chairs than plugging the holes and steering the ship of state in another direction.
I think that pretty much any of us who have vivid, specific memories of what was going on in, say, 1965, will agree that this is the worst-looking situation in American life any of those memories entail. even in the craziness of those 1967 riots and the distinct feeling approaching the Summer of 1968 that assassination was all of a sudden the go-to strategy for handling political disagreement, it felt like the "tribes" were more both unified and less insistent on lock-step agreement about EVERYTHING. in other words, there might have been similar levels of contempt, loathing, acting-out and (yes) hatred, but any one of us felt less alone. or maybe now, I'm speaking more exclusively for myself. but I honestly don't think I'm having my sense of things too horribly distorted by normal nostalgia. but the level of looking back and checking myself this piece has inspired speaks well for it. bravo and Happy New Year, whatever powers-that-might-prevail willing.
Here is a sobering statistic. Our population today is 330 million. In 1970 it was 220 million. By my calculation that means fully one third of us have zero first hand memory or experience of the traumatic times which those of us of a certain age remember so well. It is one thing to live through a Viet Nam or Detroit riot experience , quite another to read it in a book. IMHO the last two (three?) American generations have not zero real life experience in societal upheaval as we did. Sure, they are being influenced by all of the new media and should be better informed on all types of matters but looking at a screen is not a visceral experience which is going to force one to see reality.
I agree, but should the Repubs 'win" and "get" their way, the history of authoritarian regimes is obviously not good. The regime sooner or later turns on it's own supporters: Mussolini; Hitler; Stalin; Mao (and others) all attacked supporters who over time were deemed not supportive enough. It seems to me that Lucian has clearly identified the key to avoid such a mess.
Expose the donors—as if Jane Mayer, Naomi Klein, Taibbi, Nancy MacClean, ETC, ETC haven’t already done so. REPEAL CITIZENS UNITED and 75% of the authoritarian threat disappears.
Time to put on our big boy and girl pants and fight to maintain what was earned for us by the blood of past generations. Sitting on our asses pontificating about how "Brian Williams showed them!" is no longer an option. It's on us.
You wrote: "What matters most to us must be what matters most to them: winning. What kind of country we will be, and the way that we live our lives and our children will live theirs, depends on our votes and our dedication to the rule of law. Nothing else matters."
To me that was like hearing a command of "charge" into the fray ahead. I'm ready. That's a command calling for GRIT and DETERMINATION, not sweetness or light or handwringing.
I'm old enough to remember those events you noted as real time events. We survived. Many of us have better lives as a result. We're facing a nasty "enemy within us" right now, but I have hope that having right on our side will ultimately win out. I believe that fervently.
The DNC went with Johnson's VP instead of the much more popular Eugene McCarthy, anti-war and progressive that he was. Humphrey lost to a dead duck, Richard Nixon of Joe McCarthy's red scare. Nixon was reviled and feared, and he swept both that election and 1972. America is the nation where the only spiritual principle is to make a profit, where the lingua franca is bullshit (i.e., the ability to convince the audience of something, whether the statement is true or not; bullshit is indifferent to truth or untruth), a land of slavery and genocide and lies. For every Duke Ellington there are a million Kyle Rittenhouses. We have a senate of 100 people, but all of them are on the take except Bernie Sanders. America got Trump because that's what you get when you keep ignoring the truth. This empire is 250 years old and won't get much older. Is this such a bad thing?
The insurrection at the Capitol is not the problem that has us concerned about the future of democracy. The problem is the Republican Party which is dead set on getting its hand on the reins of power and never letting go.
Excellent walk through history. Invoking the memory of the impeachment trials gives me much food for thought. It feels like they took place a lifetime ago. Marie Yovanovitch was so impressive and gave me so much hope even though I knew what the outcome would be. But to know that someone like has our "back" was truly inspiring. And there are many more like her. I choose to look forward with purpose and hope as history unfolds. Thank you for engaging us, Lucian and Tracy (and Ruby!). Happy New Year!
when it comes to the Insurrection of 1/6 and the continued clarion calls for overthrowing elections and the government, many Americans suffer from the "it can't happen here" syndrome. That mindset is a product of the "America is the greatest nation on earth" pablum Americans are force fed from grade school on up.
Remember, only 1/3 of colonists supported the Revolution. That's about the same percentage today of Americans who stand with the Insurrectionists.
The GOP controls 30 states. They are almost a majority in the House and Senate. They control most of the individual states election process.
As we trip, stumble and fall into 2022, Americans would do well to pay close attention to the GOP as they do whatever it takes to take over the Republic.
I fear that most Americans will simply watch from the sidelines, shrug their shoulders, stick their heads in the sand and walk away from the carnage the GOP, trumpers and assorted other groups lay waste to the Constitution and the Republic.
Under the claim of "Patriotism," the Insurrectionists will attack.
During a week of endless snow in Reno, I've had plenty of time to go very deep into rage and despair. The internet is the most fabulous tool of delivery of incitement and stimulation of your chosen fury. It is becoming obvious that Mr. Trump in his bumbling way drew a substantial crowed to Washington by using the internet to do harm to his enemies. Somewhere there is a serious mind at work who is planning the next assault on Washington. Whip 30,000 mentally disturbed, lonely, angry and heavily armed 'Patriots' into a frenzy and then sit back and watch a terrified federal government stop the horror. Thousands dead, buildings torched, the great and wonderful capitol of the United States of America reduced to blood soaked tragedy. Look at India, a great nation that has been visited by terrible riots and bloodshed inspired by fanatism and irresponsible instigators. Mr. Putin needs a distraction as he retakes Ukraine, Steve Bannon has good reason to ignite the mob as does a number of true believers. It's not necessary to have a deep thought out cause, just a very loud jag that lights up cold bitter nights. Merry pranksters are among us and they have a intimate connection to troubled millions, the internet. Great essay Lucien, you are historically correct, but bear in mind the next insurrection will be a thrill ride for bitter confederates, outraged moralists and schoolyard bullies seeking one last great and glorious day.
The snow has stopped, I'm going outside and stand in the warm sun, and hope this nightmare never becomes real. Happy New Year.
We are still using the word “polarization” to describe the current political tone in the United States. I suggest that we are fully engaged in Ideological warfare with flare-ups
Involving actual bloodshed. Forget the upcoming anniversary of January 6 for a moment and recall the Unite the Right “Rally” in Charlottesville in August, 2017. I live in an area highly populated by ALT-Right, 2nd Amendment supporters who are heavily armed and feel the day they have been prepared for is nearing. Hopefully it’s all noise and most don’t really have the guts to pull a trigger. But it’s worrisome! The tone is reminiscent of the 1850s. Thoughtful dialog gave way to incivility which lead to violence even within the halls of Congress. I’m not a fear monger. But at 72, I’ve never witnessed such an ominous mood in this country and I don’t see anything or anyone on the horizon to make me hopeful. Yet. Happy New Year!
What is up with the DOJ and Merrick Garland? Is there a master plan or is there a let bygones by bygones approach going on? Obama let a lot of people off the hook - for Iraq and the Wall Street bust - and it ill served us all. The Jan 6 committee can't do this by themselves.
As an 80 year old f--t who was present for most of the incidents cited I can attest to the fact we have been a resilient nation when it comes to facing challenges. What bothers me most about the current state of affairs is just how large a number of our current citizenry were not around to experience them but, more importantly, lack the historical knowledge and perspective to understand the very fragility of what a participative democracy requires most: participation.
Our track record of citizens understanding the issues and doing some research and thinking on the issues of the day and, then, taking the time to vote has never been good. When only half or two thirds at best of those eligible to vote actually show up something is wrong. Why the disconnect? Why the indifferece?
We are now going into two elections where if the opinion polls are correct approximately 60% of us agree on a more moderate approach to our problems. Yet, that 60% will not take the time to show up and turn their opinions into representation. So long as that gap exists our democracy is in danger of being subject to a well planned and well orchestrated hostile takeover by a minority.
I was once a Republican and the thing which always struck me was just how well organized the GOP was compared to the Democrats who resemble more of a debating salon than a political party. That difference is now on full display when we see both house of Congress possibly going to Republican control to make Joe Biden , effectively, a man without a job. Unless more of us wake up to the possibility and get motivated to vote we are on a slippery slope. So far from the Democrats I have seen nothing to change my mind. They seem more interested in rearranging the deck chairs than plugging the holes and steering the ship of state in another direction.
Jeez, I'm a mere pup of 74!
I think that pretty much any of us who have vivid, specific memories of what was going on in, say, 1965, will agree that this is the worst-looking situation in American life any of those memories entail. even in the craziness of those 1967 riots and the distinct feeling approaching the Summer of 1968 that assassination was all of a sudden the go-to strategy for handling political disagreement, it felt like the "tribes" were more both unified and less insistent on lock-step agreement about EVERYTHING. in other words, there might have been similar levels of contempt, loathing, acting-out and (yes) hatred, but any one of us felt less alone. or maybe now, I'm speaking more exclusively for myself. but I honestly don't think I'm having my sense of things too horribly distorted by normal nostalgia. but the level of looking back and checking myself this piece has inspired speaks well for it. bravo and Happy New Year, whatever powers-that-might-prevail willing.
Here is a sobering statistic. Our population today is 330 million. In 1970 it was 220 million. By my calculation that means fully one third of us have zero first hand memory or experience of the traumatic times which those of us of a certain age remember so well. It is one thing to live through a Viet Nam or Detroit riot experience , quite another to read it in a book. IMHO the last two (three?) American generations have not zero real life experience in societal upheaval as we did. Sure, they are being influenced by all of the new media and should be better informed on all types of matters but looking at a screen is not a visceral experience which is going to force one to see reality.
At 75, I do as well
I agree, but should the Repubs 'win" and "get" their way, the history of authoritarian regimes is obviously not good. The regime sooner or later turns on it's own supporters: Mussolini; Hitler; Stalin; Mao (and others) all attacked supporters who over time were deemed not supportive enough. It seems to me that Lucian has clearly identified the key to avoid such a mess.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/06/want-push-back-against-republican-authoritarians-expose-their-donors/
Expose the donors—as if Jane Mayer, Naomi Klein, Taibbi, Nancy MacClean, ETC, ETC haven’t already done so. REPEAL CITIZENS UNITED and 75% of the authoritarian threat disappears.
Time to put on our big boy and girl pants and fight to maintain what was earned for us by the blood of past generations. Sitting on our asses pontificating about how "Brian Williams showed them!" is no longer an option. It's on us.
You wrote: "What matters most to us must be what matters most to them: winning. What kind of country we will be, and the way that we live our lives and our children will live theirs, depends on our votes and our dedication to the rule of law. Nothing else matters."
To me that was like hearing a command of "charge" into the fray ahead. I'm ready. That's a command calling for GRIT and DETERMINATION, not sweetness or light or handwringing.
I'm old enough to remember those events you noted as real time events. We survived. Many of us have better lives as a result. We're facing a nasty "enemy within us" right now, but I have hope that having right on our side will ultimately win out. I believe that fervently.
And 1967 was the "Summer of Love" as well as "Black Day in Detroit, and "Eve of Destruction"
The DNC went with Johnson's VP instead of the much more popular Eugene McCarthy, anti-war and progressive that he was. Humphrey lost to a dead duck, Richard Nixon of Joe McCarthy's red scare. Nixon was reviled and feared, and he swept both that election and 1972. America is the nation where the only spiritual principle is to make a profit, where the lingua franca is bullshit (i.e., the ability to convince the audience of something, whether the statement is true or not; bullshit is indifferent to truth or untruth), a land of slavery and genocide and lies. For every Duke Ellington there are a million Kyle Rittenhouses. We have a senate of 100 people, but all of them are on the take except Bernie Sanders. America got Trump because that's what you get when you keep ignoring the truth. This empire is 250 years old and won't get much older. Is this such a bad thing?
The insurrection at the Capitol is not the problem that has us concerned about the future of democracy. The problem is the Republican Party which is dead set on getting its hand on the reins of power and never letting go.
Excellent walk through history. Invoking the memory of the impeachment trials gives me much food for thought. It feels like they took place a lifetime ago. Marie Yovanovitch was so impressive and gave me so much hope even though I knew what the outcome would be. But to know that someone like has our "back" was truly inspiring. And there are many more like her. I choose to look forward with purpose and hope as history unfolds. Thank you for engaging us, Lucian and Tracy (and Ruby!). Happy New Year!
when it comes to the Insurrection of 1/6 and the continued clarion calls for overthrowing elections and the government, many Americans suffer from the "it can't happen here" syndrome. That mindset is a product of the "America is the greatest nation on earth" pablum Americans are force fed from grade school on up.
Remember, only 1/3 of colonists supported the Revolution. That's about the same percentage today of Americans who stand with the Insurrectionists.
The GOP controls 30 states. They are almost a majority in the House and Senate. They control most of the individual states election process.
As we trip, stumble and fall into 2022, Americans would do well to pay close attention to the GOP as they do whatever it takes to take over the Republic.
I fear that most Americans will simply watch from the sidelines, shrug their shoulders, stick their heads in the sand and walk away from the carnage the GOP, trumpers and assorted other groups lay waste to the Constitution and the Republic.
Under the claim of "Patriotism," the Insurrectionists will attack.
it can,and will happen here.
During a week of endless snow in Reno, I've had plenty of time to go very deep into rage and despair. The internet is the most fabulous tool of delivery of incitement and stimulation of your chosen fury. It is becoming obvious that Mr. Trump in his bumbling way drew a substantial crowed to Washington by using the internet to do harm to his enemies. Somewhere there is a serious mind at work who is planning the next assault on Washington. Whip 30,000 mentally disturbed, lonely, angry and heavily armed 'Patriots' into a frenzy and then sit back and watch a terrified federal government stop the horror. Thousands dead, buildings torched, the great and wonderful capitol of the United States of America reduced to blood soaked tragedy. Look at India, a great nation that has been visited by terrible riots and bloodshed inspired by fanatism and irresponsible instigators. Mr. Putin needs a distraction as he retakes Ukraine, Steve Bannon has good reason to ignite the mob as does a number of true believers. It's not necessary to have a deep thought out cause, just a very loud jag that lights up cold bitter nights. Merry pranksters are among us and they have a intimate connection to troubled millions, the internet. Great essay Lucien, you are historically correct, but bear in mind the next insurrection will be a thrill ride for bitter confederates, outraged moralists and schoolyard bullies seeking one last great and glorious day.
The snow has stopped, I'm going outside and stand in the warm sun, and hope this nightmare never becomes real. Happy New Year.
We are still using the word “polarization” to describe the current political tone in the United States. I suggest that we are fully engaged in Ideological warfare with flare-ups
Involving actual bloodshed. Forget the upcoming anniversary of January 6 for a moment and recall the Unite the Right “Rally” in Charlottesville in August, 2017. I live in an area highly populated by ALT-Right, 2nd Amendment supporters who are heavily armed and feel the day they have been prepared for is nearing. Hopefully it’s all noise and most don’t really have the guts to pull a trigger. But it’s worrisome! The tone is reminiscent of the 1850s. Thoughtful dialog gave way to incivility which lead to violence even within the halls of Congress. I’m not a fear monger. But at 72, I’ve never witnessed such an ominous mood in this country and I don’t see anything or anyone on the horizon to make me hopeful. Yet. Happy New Year!
Sent from my iPad
Bravo, Lucian
Happy New Year to you, Tracy, and Ruby.♥️
The joke in Florida right now is where did DeSantis go? A few weeks ago Trump said vaccines a good thing, destroying the DeSantis Trump clone act.
Things are bleak, kiddies, but our threat is run by really stupid people and Fox fed brain dead racist birther morons like the Gravy Seals!
What is up with the DOJ and Merrick Garland? Is there a master plan or is there a let bygones by bygones approach going on? Obama let a lot of people off the hook - for Iraq and the Wall Street bust - and it ill served us all. The Jan 6 committee can't do this by themselves.
Talk about a stench...