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Ed's avatar

"There is more fear of looking stupid than of fascism".

This. This. A thousand times this.

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Sharon Herrick's avatar

As my self-defense instructor would say: This is the equivalent of women who are socialized to be polite even when confronted with of a possible assault. I don't know what the excuse is for Dems who aren't fighting back---all I know is, it's the road to ruin.

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Frank OBrien's avatar

Great analysis and love the Alcaraz comparison. You can’t say we’re facing an existential threat to democracy and then respond with business as usual tactics.

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Susan Kilber's avatar

I agree with your comments here 100%!! They are absolutely accurate and the Sinner/Alcaraz metaphor is totally apropos. And so timely. Every political leader who identifies as Democrat or so inclined—- should read your article here and TAKE NOTE!!! Winning IS POSSIBLE!!!

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Ellen Rhodes's avatar

Brilliant analogy! Using Sinner's analysis of why he lost - which in and of itself shows great maturity and insight - is completely on target about we democrats. Thank you. Spread it around everybody!

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Natalie Burdick's avatar

Couldn't agree more, and in the theme of this piece: serve aces...not autocrats!

Also, channeling one of my heroes Anat—Dem leadership must show up, speak out, and fight back for our values, namely for our freedoms!

But it's NOT just the leadership it's you, me, and everyone reading this newsletter.

WE are the supermajority of this country. Remember, Yam Tits has never–in THREE elections–won even half of the popular vote, let alone a majority (and that's not counting the voting eligible population, where he's never garnered even a third). The media defaults to a binary, conflict-driven narrative that flattens reality and creates false equivalences. And worse, at this point, rather than speak truth to power, they are stenographers to power.

Tr*mp/MAGA and their entire cadre of racist, nativist, sexist, and LGBTQ-hating fascists are the resistance...because WE are the people, the power, and the future. They are the ones fighting progress and the march of justice. Look over the long, long sweep of history and recognize them as the troglodytes they are—too insecure to embrace diversity, too selfish to strive for equity, and too self-hating to embrace inclusion.

If we speak loudly enough, as hundreds of protesters in this weekend's Free DC and No Tr*mp in Chicago rallies did, those Dems will read the polls they so religiously cling to and find the courage needed to oppose this regime.

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Lisa K's avatar

What a great analysis. How do we urge our Dem leaders to wake up and change their strategy? The lack of creativity and fight is so frustrating to witness.

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Bev's avatar

nice and apt comparison. The underlying problem for the Democrats though is the power of big money in our elections. The corporate Democrats fear the withdrawl of AIPAC funding and corporate sponsors. Their predicability comes from not wanting to lose their funding. We need all money out of all elections.

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Kirsten L. Held's avatar

This is one of the things you do so well, Anand, i.e. extrapolate. You're able to look at a situation that, to those unable to do so, seems to have nothing to do with another situation, and see the parallels. I have always been able to do this as well, so it really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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thandiwe Dee's avatar

I am very disgusted with Democrats, especially Schumer and Jeffries from NY. They are about the same old mediocre, white bread strategies, and it's very distressing that they're not supporting Zohran. I agree they are predictable but I think the quality of their unpredictability matters. I have no trouble imagining them being unpredictable in ways that amount to different holding patterns, but substantively their same old neoliberalism. That's why they don't support Zohran, because they can't imagine or choose to step away from middle of the road when we need radical.

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Francine's avatar

Anand you are so insightful.

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Steven Knoblauch's avatar

Here's a drop shot. There is much clinical reporting on the effects on those who impose violence/torture on others, indicating that perpetrators can suffer sleeplessness, nightmares and/or panic attacks. Are we preparing our mental health practitioners for an increase of such presenting problems and the difficulties for others (family members, neighbors, friends) when these forms of emotional suffering go unattended in those currently being employed to enact such behavior?

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Al Keim's avatar

Some men see things as they are and say why.

I dream of things that never were, and say why not?

RFK

Some men see things as they are.

I see things that never were, and say looks real to me.

RFK Jr.

Now that's unpredictable.

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Lynn's avatar

Great! Love your last line.

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Deb's avatar

Anand -Thanks so much for the chat this morning centered around the metaphor of the World Cup win…I really needed to hear your ever brilliant thoughts on what needs to happen within the resistance…something bold , surprising & unpredictable to move the energy!

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Cindy Felici's avatar

The Democratic Party is a fossil and has proved itself to be complicit with corporate interests Time for a complete overhaul of leadership and expectations If you can’t stand up for yourself move out of the way Schumer and Jeffries are useless Let’s get this country moving to take care of its citizens

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Belinda B's avatar

Thanks Anand! A great comparison and right on! I write Schumer about once a week. Now I am inspired to write twice a week. Hey, maybe everyday!

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