Anne Applebaum "Autocracy Inc" and Timothy Snyder "On Freedom" have been warning about this possibility for years. And now the dark prospect of a dictator President has come to fruition. Even George Washington recognized the threat in his "Farewell Address".
"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed, but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus, the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."
President Washington did not have a degree in psychology from a prestigious Ivy League college. Yet he seems to have understood much about humanity and social interaction. Could he have become the king of America with such a fundamental knowledge of how human minds work and can be swayed? No doubt, but he did not. He chose a higher road.
All of us, on both sides of this now great divide, would do well to reflect upon George Washington's concerns and recommendations.
I'd suggest Garcia's wife and children file a civil suit against the federal government. Given that the wrong was willful and intentional, with full undisputed knowledge of its illegality, damages should be, oh, say, a billon dollars. Plus punitive damages. Then use The money recovered to sue everyone involved. Since it's a civil matter, Trump's corrupt wielding of the pardon power would avail the pigs nothing.
This is indeed dark new territory. What is darker is that most Americans are staring at TikTok and oblivious to what is happening. Even darker is the idea that US citizens should be sent to El Salvador or some other foreign country if convicted of a crime . . . or is a conviction even needed? The time for assuming Trump is trolling people is over. He's not trolling. He wants to do it. And who could actually stop him? No one. Trump is already ignoring the Supreme Court and many other orders. We are no longer heading for authoritarianism, we have arrived. There is some glimmer of hope that the courts will have some impact on it, but not much. America is pretty much over. I'm looking at Uruguay, personally, as an escape plan.
Check out Germany in the 1930's. We have always wondered how a cruel dictator like Hitler came to such a position of power in a country with supposedly intelligent voters.............
I'm also reminded of King Henry VIII of England. He kept his court and country in a permanent state of fear and apprehension, changing his mind daily according to his whim or fancy. The court "crawlers" never knew if they would be in favour or have their heads chopped off from one day to the next. The intelligent courtiers fled the country and just sat it out in France or Italy, knowing that his reign wouldn't last forever.
It is not only an individual case, it is a part of an authoritarian and unjust system. Nations can often behave like criminals, as international law is often created by and for governments. That is one of the reasons Trump and Bukele collectivist bros are supporting each other
Anne Applebaum "Autocracy Inc" and Timothy Snyder "On Freedom" have been warning about this possibility for years. And now the dark prospect of a dictator President has come to fruition. Even George Washington recognized the threat in his "Farewell Address".
"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed, but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus, the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."
President Washington did not have a degree in psychology from a prestigious Ivy League college. Yet he seems to have understood much about humanity and social interaction. Could he have become the king of America with such a fundamental knowledge of how human minds work and can be swayed? No doubt, but he did not. He chose a higher road.
All of us, on both sides of this now great divide, would do well to reflect upon George Washington's concerns and recommendations.
I'd suggest Garcia's wife and children file a civil suit against the federal government. Given that the wrong was willful and intentional, with full undisputed knowledge of its illegality, damages should be, oh, say, a billon dollars. Plus punitive damages. Then use The money recovered to sue everyone involved. Since it's a civil matter, Trump's corrupt wielding of the pardon power would avail the pigs nothing.
Nah she won't do that, he beat her up.
This is indeed dark new territory. What is darker is that most Americans are staring at TikTok and oblivious to what is happening. Even darker is the idea that US citizens should be sent to El Salvador or some other foreign country if convicted of a crime . . . or is a conviction even needed? The time for assuming Trump is trolling people is over. He's not trolling. He wants to do it. And who could actually stop him? No one. Trump is already ignoring the Supreme Court and many other orders. We are no longer heading for authoritarianism, we have arrived. There is some glimmer of hope that the courts will have some impact on it, but not much. America is pretty much over. I'm looking at Uruguay, personally, as an escape plan.
The "Dark New Territory" began 4 years ago when the Biden administration opened the floodgates to uncontrolled immigration.
Check out Germany in the 1930's. We have always wondered how a cruel dictator like Hitler came to such a position of power in a country with supposedly intelligent voters.............
I'm also reminded of King Henry VIII of England. He kept his court and country in a permanent state of fear and apprehension, changing his mind daily according to his whim or fancy. The court "crawlers" never knew if they would be in favour or have their heads chopped off from one day to the next. The intelligent courtiers fled the country and just sat it out in France or Italy, knowing that his reign wouldn't last forever.
It is not only an individual case, it is a part of an authoritarian and unjust system. Nations can often behave like criminals, as international law is often created by and for governments. That is one of the reasons Trump and Bukele collectivist bros are supporting each other