I do see all the signs of political violence in the coming months. I will not be surprised if the National Guard is called out in some states to guard polling places & places where votes are counted.
I like your reply. We certainly have the right to send in our National Guard to protect our Constitution. We have, indeed, had enough of their “Hate” to see it is NOT working. I do believe, even though we have a “need to know”. I feel something is missing. IMHO, we are the Majority. How and why are these hateful people able to change our policies without us seemingly to have a “right to vote” on them. “They” have made such a mess. This is America, you have to be an idiot to think that “they” can take our rights away (just like that). Supreme Court better get ahold of themselves, they are losing. (Blatant corruption)!!!
This post gave me pause, Steve. Yes the violent rhetoric has escalated, or at least it has become more visible. I would like to see more data on the visibility vs the incidence. Is there more? Are we overreacting? I’m trying to square emotion with information. We are successfully defending democracy on many fronts. Let’s not forget that.
The sad truth is political, social, and cultural violence have been with us since we were a British colony. As a country this has continued...as often against the government as the government against various groups. What makes the current day different is that it is about naked political power in the service of a wannabe dictator. It is about how the Supreme Court has twisted money as speech and is allowing any unstable idiot to be armed better than the police. It is a world in which disinformation is spread in seconds, rather than days and weeks.
Yet, we as a nation are also better than ever in recognizing inequality not just economically but culturally and racially and continuing the work of erasing inequality. We are better in recognizing our mistakes, and confronting those so we can move on. We are better at looking at the world as a growing pie that can be shared by all, and not as a zero sum game.
Paul, with regard to your last paragraph: Some of us are better at those things, yes. Others are angrier and more determined than ever against those things. Thank the cows there are fewer of them than us.
Trump's response to being called to account is always to attack. Not personally, except with words. He wants others to do his dirty work for him. He's going to need to be muzzled soon. Otherwise more poor, deluded fools will try to carry out his verbal threats physically.
I disagree with but don't begrudge opinions that the election was stolen.
I do resent demands that we accept their opinion with no evidence yet they reject all the proof presented in opposition. That's defines rejection of Democracy--unwilling to let disputes be resolved by Constitutional means such as through the courts. If they win through violence or cheating what would be left would not be the country they claimed to love.
Latest evidence of rejection of rule of law: Alabama refusing to follow the SC ruling on redistricting.
Yes I too have been waiting for a clear portrait of our country ruled by a dictator so we all might really know what is at stake in this next election!
We need independent journalists and Dem PACs with the courage to show what happened to the minorities, the LGBT+ community, open minded teachers/professors, etc, in 1930 Germany, the critics of Putin, Orban in Hungary and Italy under Mussolini etc. A talented movie maker can transpose a Nazi’s speech onto the White House lawn or minorities being loaded like cattle into box cars transplanted into NY’s Grand Central Station.
It’s time to fight fire with fire that will open the eyes of those still sitting on the fence
So clearly a call out to our better selves, unblinking at what we face as a country as we seek to reestablish a cohesive society (or more correctly to establish one). We need more than hope we need participation.
Thank you as always, Steven, for sharing your excellent perspective. I saw NO coverage of President Biden's establishment of the AZ National monument, or his other recent achievements on our Canadian News. So much good work accomplished by Biden garners little mention by the Press who seem obsessed with pandering to Trump's large-and-in-charge persona, and hang off every dangling participle of his unacceptable rhetoric. Anyone who seeks to hold TFG accountable is subject to insults and threats. The fact that so many Americans tolerate Trump's egregious behaviour is testament to the sad, and I might argue, pitiful state of these people's minds and mores (or lack thereof).
Is it not bizarre that an individual charged with multiple SERIOUS indictments, can continue on his merry way, campaigning as if nothing was amiss. When Trump left the White House, after not attending the inauguration of Joe Biden as President, I predicted he was NOT done with America yet. He has NEVER been able to accept any loss, throughout his life.
It seems that as long as Donald Trump walks this earth, he will continue his grievance peddling and fear mongering. Anyone that seeks to hold him accountable is subject to harassment and critiques. The costs to implement security for his 'targets' must be astronomical. It is sobering to know that Trump will go to extreme lengths, to save himself. Canadians looks on, with hope. Godspeed.
Steven, your final paragraphs reflect what I hope and believe the overwhelming majority of Americans are hoping for. I will not give up on the American values founded in our Constitution, and have lived by for 76 years; for the greed, chaos, and violence that are the goal the disgraced X president.
The possibility of violence is always around us and has been throughout our county's history.
In the near future as the 2024 election approaches it is probably correct to be alert; nonetheless, the folks who inhabit the imaginary land of Trump-dumb should not be feared. They can dish it out, but they can't take it and if push came to shove they would scramble back to into the darkness of grievanceville and turn-on the TV. There will be individuals who in lieu of a cult leader will ultimately create a reason to strike, but to assume that there's an organized bunch with the mind power and will to incite mob violence is, I think, giving them way too much credit. So, the national guard can put it's feet back up on the desk and go back to a quiet snooze...
Thank you, Steven, for this great read. It lifts me and saddens me; may we have what it takes to move in the direction of betterment for all.
I do see all the signs of political violence in the coming months. I will not be surprised if the National Guard is called out in some states to guard polling places & places where votes are counted.
I like your reply. We certainly have the right to send in our National Guard to protect our Constitution. We have, indeed, had enough of their “Hate” to see it is NOT working. I do believe, even though we have a “need to know”. I feel something is missing. IMHO, we are the Majority. How and why are these hateful people able to change our policies without us seemingly to have a “right to vote” on them. “They” have made such a mess. This is America, you have to be an idiot to think that “they” can take our rights away (just like that). Supreme Court better get ahold of themselves, they are losing. (Blatant corruption)!!!
Outstanding article Steven. It is important to say what is happening out loud. We can’t be the silent majority we must be the heard majority.
It could possibly be the wake-up call the 28% MAGA followers need to hear.
Silence only confirms that the lies, distortions and delusions are the truth.
This post gave me pause, Steve. Yes the violent rhetoric has escalated, or at least it has become more visible. I would like to see more data on the visibility vs the incidence. Is there more? Are we overreacting? I’m trying to square emotion with information. We are successfully defending democracy on many fronts. Let’s not forget that.
The sad truth is political, social, and cultural violence have been with us since we were a British colony. As a country this has continued...as often against the government as the government against various groups. What makes the current day different is that it is about naked political power in the service of a wannabe dictator. It is about how the Supreme Court has twisted money as speech and is allowing any unstable idiot to be armed better than the police. It is a world in which disinformation is spread in seconds, rather than days and weeks.
Yet, we as a nation are also better than ever in recognizing inequality not just economically but culturally and racially and continuing the work of erasing inequality. We are better in recognizing our mistakes, and confronting those so we can move on. We are better at looking at the world as a growing pie that can be shared by all, and not as a zero sum game.
Paul, with regard to your last paragraph: Some of us are better at those things, yes. Others are angrier and more determined than ever against those things. Thank the cows there are fewer of them than us.
Cows are a symbol of innocence, sweetness, and love.
Trump's response to being called to account is always to attack. Not personally, except with words. He wants others to do his dirty work for him. He's going to need to be muzzled soon. Otherwise more poor, deluded fools will try to carry out his verbal threats physically.
I disagree with but don't begrudge opinions that the election was stolen.
I do resent demands that we accept their opinion with no evidence yet they reject all the proof presented in opposition. That's defines rejection of Democracy--unwilling to let disputes be resolved by Constitutional means such as through the courts. If they win through violence or cheating what would be left would not be the country they claimed to love.
Latest evidence of rejection of rule of law: Alabama refusing to follow the SC ruling on redistricting.
Steven, you are one of the best at painting the picture we are currently living in, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Now is the time to paint a clearer picture of what life in a dictatorship will look like with Trump or a minime as President.
Yes I too have been waiting for a clear portrait of our country ruled by a dictator so we all might really know what is at stake in this next election!
We need independent journalists and Dem PACs with the courage to show what happened to the minorities, the LGBT+ community, open minded teachers/professors, etc, in 1930 Germany, the critics of Putin, Orban in Hungary and Italy under Mussolini etc. A talented movie maker can transpose a Nazi’s speech onto the White House lawn or minorities being loaded like cattle into box cars transplanted into NY’s Grand Central Station.
It’s time to fight fire with fire that will open the eyes of those still sitting on the fence
Exactly - light and dark, right and wrong. What side will we all choose?
So clearly a call out to our better selves, unblinking at what we face as a country as we seek to reestablish a cohesive society (or more correctly to establish one). We need more than hope we need participation.
Thank you as always, Steven, for sharing your excellent perspective. I saw NO coverage of President Biden's establishment of the AZ National monument, or his other recent achievements on our Canadian News. So much good work accomplished by Biden garners little mention by the Press who seem obsessed with pandering to Trump's large-and-in-charge persona, and hang off every dangling participle of his unacceptable rhetoric. Anyone who seeks to hold TFG accountable is subject to insults and threats. The fact that so many Americans tolerate Trump's egregious behaviour is testament to the sad, and I might argue, pitiful state of these people's minds and mores (or lack thereof).
Is it not bizarre that an individual charged with multiple SERIOUS indictments, can continue on his merry way, campaigning as if nothing was amiss. When Trump left the White House, after not attending the inauguration of Joe Biden as President, I predicted he was NOT done with America yet. He has NEVER been able to accept any loss, throughout his life.
It seems that as long as Donald Trump walks this earth, he will continue his grievance peddling and fear mongering. Anyone that seeks to hold him accountable is subject to harassment and critiques. The costs to implement security for his 'targets' must be astronomical. It is sobering to know that Trump will go to extreme lengths, to save himself. Canadians looks on, with hope. Godspeed.
Most excellent piece, Steven. Thank you.
Steven, your final paragraphs reflect what I hope and believe the overwhelming majority of Americans are hoping for. I will not give up on the American values founded in our Constitution, and have lived by for 76 years; for the greed, chaos, and violence that are the goal the disgraced X president.
I could not agree more but the need to get the messages out is of the utmost importance!
The possibility of violence is always around us and has been throughout our county's history.
In the near future as the 2024 election approaches it is probably correct to be alert; nonetheless, the folks who inhabit the imaginary land of Trump-dumb should not be feared. They can dish it out, but they can't take it and if push came to shove they would scramble back to into the darkness of grievanceville and turn-on the TV. There will be individuals who in lieu of a cult leader will ultimately create a reason to strike, but to assume that there's an organized bunch with the mind power and will to incite mob violence is, I think, giving them way too much credit. So, the national guard can put it's feet back up on the desk and go back to a quiet snooze...
That unfortunately is hardly the reality MMB