I enjoy your columns so much, this one no less, thanks! I must be blessed to have somehow avoided the Trumpenleft that you're referring to. I'm not doubting their existence. I wouldn't long associate with someone advocating such stupidity, so perhaps I eliminated them along the way. At any rate, I'm forewarned and I thank you!
The Democratic Party's refusal to call fascism by name is appalling, but on brand with the rest of that party's overall spineless and feckless nature. I am alarmed by the sharp eliminationist turn, and it was in one of your posts that I first read mangolini's very scary rant (thank you!). Despite all this my revolutionary optimism remains high. While fascism is fearful, fascists will have as much or more to fear from us and we should never lose sight of that as we engage them with growing confidence.
Oh they are a thing. Good to hear about the optimism. I dislike left folks constantly repeating the Gramsci maxim "pessimism of the mind, optimism of the will." Pessimism of the mind does not fuel optimism of the will; quite the opposite.
I assume we are united in understanding the Trump era Republicans as an objectively fascist party and in disdain for those who refuse to process this elementary historical fact, including the overseer of the collapse of an old Chicago project of ours, sadly.
We are indeed united on the Trump bloc, which I would describe as rightwing populist with a fascist core. Also as 'neoconfederates.' We need to defeat all their candidates and bloc their non-electoral campaigns as well. Not sure what 'Chicago project' you mean, but several of mine have bit the dust, while others survived.
The wisdom and insight of your words cannot be disputed. Martin Niemoller's famous quote, much like the revelations of countless others who spoke out before their warnings were ultimately disregarded, have never been more relevant. Yet despite my best efforts to remain hopeful, the current climate has made it harder than ever to keep that optimism alive.
Thanks. I should add that Niemoller was somewhat problematic...He tried to get out of Dachau by volunteering to captain a U-boat in 1939. He had quite his own anti-Semitic history and seems to have accommodated the Nazis early on. But seems like he learned a thing or two and it's a great set of lines in that poem or maxim of his. I get political despair; the climate issue is the thing that freaks me out the most. And I mean FFS, Trump is still out and about and has a real shot at running out the clock on the DOJ and getting re-elected. Seriously? Seriously.
Well, Paul, not only could you become a domestic terrorist if you stay and protect something but also an USA exile for your political beliefs. WTF is going on dear comrades in arms.
Regarding the deportation of radicals and much, much more that ought to send chills down your US historical spines, dear readers: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/american-midnight-adam-hochschild?variant=40001056014370
I enjoy your columns so much, this one no less, thanks! I must be blessed to have somehow avoided the Trumpenleft that you're referring to. I'm not doubting their existence. I wouldn't long associate with someone advocating such stupidity, so perhaps I eliminated them along the way. At any rate, I'm forewarned and I thank you!
The Democratic Party's refusal to call fascism by name is appalling, but on brand with the rest of that party's overall spineless and feckless nature. I am alarmed by the sharp eliminationist turn, and it was in one of your posts that I first read mangolini's very scary rant (thank you!). Despite all this my revolutionary optimism remains high. While fascism is fearful, fascists will have as much or more to fear from us and we should never lose sight of that as we engage them with growing confidence.
Oh they are a thing. Good to hear about the optimism. I dislike left folks constantly repeating the Gramsci maxim "pessimism of the mind, optimism of the will." Pessimism of the mind does not fuel optimism of the will; quite the opposite.
Very good, comrade Street.
I assume we are united in understanding the Trump era Republicans as an objectively fascist party and in disdain for those who refuse to process this elementary historical fact, including the overseer of the collapse of an old Chicago project of ours, sadly.
We are indeed united on the Trump bloc, which I would describe as rightwing populist with a fascist core. Also as 'neoconfederates.' We need to defeat all their candidates and bloc their non-electoral campaigns as well. Not sure what 'Chicago project' you mean, but several of mine have bit the dust, while others survived.
OUL - Hughes has been dismissing the fascism for years, citing undergrad knowledge of Mussolini as proof. Just absurd.
The wisdom and insight of your words cannot be disputed. Martin Niemoller's famous quote, much like the revelations of countless others who spoke out before their warnings were ultimately disregarded, have never been more relevant. Yet despite my best efforts to remain hopeful, the current climate has made it harder than ever to keep that optimism alive.
Thanks. I should add that Niemoller was somewhat problematic...He tried to get out of Dachau by volunteering to captain a U-boat in 1939. He had quite his own anti-Semitic history and seems to have accommodated the Nazis early on. But seems like he learned a thing or two and it's a great set of lines in that poem or maxim of his. I get political despair; the climate issue is the thing that freaks me out the most. And I mean FFS, Trump is still out and about and has a real shot at running out the clock on the DOJ and getting re-elected. Seriously? Seriously.
Well, Paul, not only could you become a domestic terrorist if you stay and protect something but also an USA exile for your political beliefs. WTF is going on dear comrades in arms.
Cheers
Thoughts of a Trump re-election or a DeSantis election actually spark serious thoughts of and plans for potential expatriation.