Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat returns to help us parse Trump's latest gambits, including the spectacle of a White House demolition and the soft launch of a third-term fantasy
I’m happy on Monday morning, when I open the internet machine and there are my two favorite educators of the authoritarian breakthrough. Glad you are here.
I'm glad the Dems stay strong, but now we have the President of AFGE (Federal Employee Union) calling both Reps AND Dems to end the shutdown. That's a lot of pressure on Dem Congress, and, of course, the Reps see an opportunity to blame Dems. I asked my 2 Senators and Congresswoman whether they could think of a way to support the federal employees who are going through hard times right now. Sure we can give to foodbanks (and we should), but is there another way? Response: crickets, or an email saying they get 10,000 calls... blah, blah, blah.
A site where you can donate to support fed employees. If 7 million+ of us can join a rally, surely we together can wrap our arms around these families and donate 'en masse' to show our solidarity, no? Our show of solidarity to support those of us who are having a hard time is a way to show Trump and oligarchs like Tim Mellon (who gave $130 million for vets - illegally) what America is really all about. Love, care, community. I wish I had come across this link much sooner; I wish we had thought of a way to help out much sooner, rather than simply relying on our Dem leaders to ride out the shutdown. My Substack friends, we need to be more nimble, quicker, faster, more creative to respond to crises, in my opinion. What say you?
I enthusiastically subscribe to Lucid and The Ink because I learn critical information and perspectives from both of you. I'll also include Anat Shenker-Osorio. I am proud I can be part of the infrastructure of courage!
I watched to the end. (recommend others do the same) Happy to support and be part of building a courageous community! Thanks Anand and everyone who makes this possible.
Sadly, no. He wants his people to “sit up at attention” when he speaks like they do for N Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. In other words, Trump wants our fear, not our respect.
I never understood how people did not see he needed to win to avoid prison! A 34 count felon in the White House should have been red lights flashing💥 and Americans wouldn’t invite this trouble! He had a term already to set it up to return… he was corrupt then, we’ll always, how are we so disconnected from truth about our corruption?
I ask myself that same question. After listening to many wise people, I have to agree that so many Americans are ignorant. And that is not about the basics of reading or writing. Millions of people do not stay informed, do not help strangers, do not even know their neighbors. Most Americans do not critically think about what it might mean to vote for a corrupt, sociopathic felon. I find that astounding!
This conversation is hugely informative (I hadn’t thought about the boat attacks as part of the authoritarians divvying up the world) but it’s also unexpectedly comforting.
Thank you for another great talk with Ruth! She is amazing! Sometimes her brilliance gives me chills.
Anand, I think you are one of the best journalists this country has ever had, particularly now when journalism is under threat. I listened to you a couple times on Substack and was so impressed with your writing and insight I subscribed. I tell people about your work all the time. When I feel down about the destruction of this regime, you give me hope that we can make it through this together. Thank you for all you do!
I’m happy on Monday morning, when I open the internet machine and there are my two favorite educators of the authoritarian breakthrough. Glad you are here.
By the way,
I'm glad the Dems stay strong, but now we have the President of AFGE (Federal Employee Union) calling both Reps AND Dems to end the shutdown. That's a lot of pressure on Dem Congress, and, of course, the Reps see an opportunity to blame Dems. I asked my 2 Senators and Congresswoman whether they could think of a way to support the federal employees who are going through hard times right now. Sure we can give to foodbanks (and we should), but is there another way? Response: crickets, or an email saying they get 10,000 calls... blah, blah, blah.
I found this: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pccc_afge
A site where you can donate to support fed employees. If 7 million+ of us can join a rally, surely we together can wrap our arms around these families and donate 'en masse' to show our solidarity, no? Our show of solidarity to support those of us who are having a hard time is a way to show Trump and oligarchs like Tim Mellon (who gave $130 million for vets - illegally) what America is really all about. Love, care, community. I wish I had come across this link much sooner; I wish we had thought of a way to help out much sooner, rather than simply relying on our Dem leaders to ride out the shutdown. My Substack friends, we need to be more nimble, quicker, faster, more creative to respond to crises, in my opinion. What say you?
Bea, thanks so much for this Act Blue link. I just made a donation. As a former federal employee, I am grateful for this opportunity to help.
I enthusiastically subscribe to Lucid and The Ink because I learn critical information and perspectives from both of you. I'll also include Anat Shenker-Osorio. I am proud I can be part of the infrastructure of courage!
I watched to the end. (recommend others do the same) Happy to support and be part of building a courageous community! Thanks Anand and everyone who makes this possible.
Thankyou. Both Anand and Ruth are so astute, so historically-based in their knowledge of authoritarian rule…
While frightening, it is also enlightening to hear their projections of what is happening and what may be coming…
Our fear is real.
Yet, Ruth’s examples help structure our cognitive understanding, which, hopefully, helps tame our fears.
Thus, Converting “analysis paralysis” to effective action. Many thanks.
And Mamdani does NOT center things on HIMSELF. That is a rare quality.
Does he not care that he will be remembered with great animosity?
Sadly, no. He wants his people to “sit up at attention” when he speaks like they do for N Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. In other words, Trump wants our fear, not our respect.
New protest sign “the thieving little man in his bunker”
Great interview.
I never understood how people did not see he needed to win to avoid prison! A 34 count felon in the White House should have been red lights flashing💥 and Americans wouldn’t invite this trouble! He had a term already to set it up to return… he was corrupt then, we’ll always, how are we so disconnected from truth about our corruption?
I ask myself that same question. After listening to many wise people, I have to agree that so many Americans are ignorant. And that is not about the basics of reading or writing. Millions of people do not stay informed, do not help strangers, do not even know their neighbors. Most Americans do not critically think about what it might mean to vote for a corrupt, sociopathic felon. I find that astounding!
This conversation is hugely informative (I hadn’t thought about the boat attacks as part of the authoritarians divvying up the world) but it’s also unexpectedly comforting.
Wonderful conversation! So happy Mondays are back with you both!
Ha, now I consider Democratic establishment as designer politics!
I am so curious to know what Ruth has to say about the huge crowds opposing Orban and the man running against him, who appears very very popular.
Enjoy these interactions so much. Thank you.
Intelligent conversation
Appreciate you, Anand.
Thank you for another great talk with Ruth! She is amazing! Sometimes her brilliance gives me chills.
Anand, I think you are one of the best journalists this country has ever had, particularly now when journalism is under threat. I listened to you a couple times on Substack and was so impressed with your writing and insight I subscribed. I tell people about your work all the time. When I feel down about the destruction of this regime, you give me hope that we can make it through this together. Thank you for all you do!