Paul, Caitlin Johnstone says it much better than I ever could. We all need to read her comments and digest what she is saying. Biden’s warmongering is an existential threat, not the insurrection that had as much chance of succeeding as the highly-touted Ukrainian “counteroffensive “. The United States started the conflict in Ukraine. It could end it today. Then we could discuss the fascist threat to our wonderful democracy. George Hunter, retired Virginia public school teacher
A great heroine of the very disproporionately old white and male Trumpenleft she is - the great online Trumpenleft, which can't stop enabling fascism by downplaying the menace it poses --- and which constantly lectures radicals like me on the evil of the capitalist-imperialist Democrats, as if we don't know all about it, as if in my case I haven't written whole books on that topic. TLefties want a Lenin prize for figuring out that the Dems are an imperialist ruling class party. Okay, fine, but we then have to take it back for the absurd indifference to fascism, which, I'm sorry, is all too real AF here and abroad. This is a core difference in online "left" discussion. How much the TL matters in the real world matter I'm not sure; I suspect quite minor and that many of its adherents are fading out. But online you folks are quite evident here and on FB and elsewhere.
Also wanted to let you I read American Midnight and found your review excellent highlighting many of the important points and events described in the book. It was also good to be reminded that this period of time is an example of one of the many fascist periods in American history.
You are wrong about Caitlin Johnstone. I periodically read her substack articles and find her to make insightful observations about current events and in no way supportive of Trump. I would also appreciate it if you do not put me in the Trumpleft category. Also do not call me an enabler of facism!
That dark time frame has been on my mind a lot lately. Thank you for the review. Machiavelli was a boy scout by comparison to the social engineering monsters of our time.
Well, the Red Scare faded as a political force and Harding even had a visit with Debs on his way home from the Atlanta prison I believe. LOL. The only US president that deserves any glory at all for me has always been the Abe Lincoln of 1863-65.
This has been on my reading list for a while. Definite full color history.
I feel like the 'Businessman's Plot' of the 1930's was an initial failed attempt - too overt. The oligarchs managed to figure it out that Democracy can be easily enough subverted. The 1971 Lewis Powell Memo (and certainly other significant conservative writings) really shows how effectively they circled the wagons. I wonder if the plot is covered in American Midnight (maybe outside scope).
I'd say the assassinations of JFK and MLK were also up there in terms of reactionary suppression of reform. Plenty of examples. DNC and media shenanigans during the 2016 primary to suppress a reform candidate (Bernie). 2000 election theft by Bush and company.
Paul, Caitlin Johnstone says it much better than I ever could. We all need to read her comments and digest what she is saying. Biden’s warmongering is an existential threat, not the insurrection that had as much chance of succeeding as the highly-touted Ukrainian “counteroffensive “. The United States started the conflict in Ukraine. It could end it today. Then we could discuss the fascist threat to our wonderful democracy. George Hunter, retired Virginia public school teacher
A great heroine of the very disproporionately old white and male Trumpenleft she is - the great online Trumpenleft, which can't stop enabling fascism by downplaying the menace it poses --- and which constantly lectures radicals like me on the evil of the capitalist-imperialist Democrats, as if we don't know all about it, as if in my case I haven't written whole books on that topic. TLefties want a Lenin prize for figuring out that the Dems are an imperialist ruling class party. Okay, fine, but we then have to take it back for the absurd indifference to fascism, which, I'm sorry, is all too real AF here and abroad. This is a core difference in online "left" discussion. How much the TL matters in the real world matter I'm not sure; I suspect quite minor and that many of its adherents are fading out. But online you folks are quite evident here and on FB and elsewhere.
Also wanted to let you I read American Midnight and found your review excellent highlighting many of the important points and events described in the book. It was also good to be reminded that this period of time is an example of one of the many fascist periods in American history.
Today Caitin published a satirical poem about Victoria Nuland’s visit to Africa. How is that an example of the Trumpleft and the enabling of fascism?
You are wrong about Caitlin Johnstone. I periodically read her substack articles and find her to make insightful observations about current events and in no way supportive of Trump. I would also appreciate it if you do not put me in the Trumpleft category. Also do not call me an enabler of facism!
The Paul Street Book Club
That dark time frame has been on my mind a lot lately. Thank you for the review. Machiavelli was a boy scout by comparison to the social engineering monsters of our time.
the harding administration didn't cover itself in glory either.
Well, the Red Scare faded as a political force and Harding even had a visit with Debs on his way home from the Atlanta prison I believe. LOL. The only US president that deserves any glory at all for me has always been the Abe Lincoln of 1863-65.
This has been on my reading list for a while. Definite full color history.
I feel like the 'Businessman's Plot' of the 1930's was an initial failed attempt - too overt. The oligarchs managed to figure it out that Democracy can be easily enough subverted. The 1971 Lewis Powell Memo (and certainly other significant conservative writings) really shows how effectively they circled the wagons. I wonder if the plot is covered in American Midnight (maybe outside scope).
Oh it was a real attempt alright. No, the author stops in 1921. The real shit is 2024-26.
I'd say the assassinations of JFK and MLK were also up there in terms of reactionary suppression of reform. Plenty of examples. DNC and media shenanigans during the 2016 primary to suppress a reform candidate (Bernie). 2000 election theft by Bush and company.