I have maintained for years - since Roger Ailes took over Fox News - that Fox would ultimately lead to the downfall of our republic. Unfortunately it appears that is going to be the case. Facts do not matter. The constant drum beat of lies, blatant racism and now purveying of outright fascism is taking its toll. The America that I grew u…
I have maintained for years - since Roger Ailes took over Fox News - that Fox would ultimately lead to the downfall of our republic. Unfortunately it appears that is going to be the case. Facts do not matter. The constant drum beat of lies, blatant racism and now purveying of outright fascism is taking its toll. The America that I grew up in with sane political discourse is long gone and now in large part reflects the Germany of the early 30's - with all that implies. Not all Fox's doing, but in large part they have provided the platform and accelerant at every stage. Of course, Twitter, Facebook, et al have served the same falsehoods and propaganda and are as at fault as Fox. It is interesting that immigrants - the Murdochs - rather than contributing to the betterment of the society that welcomed/accepted them (money does talk and loudly), are the prime movers of our fading into history as a failed experiment. I know that outlook is pessimistic and I hope - truly hope - that I am proven wrong for the sake of my children and grandchildren. Lastly, I once again, as I often do, refer to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" written in 1935 and how especially prescient he was. We are on the cusp (or perhaps over it) of what he predicted and it is not a pretty picture.
I wonder how much the multiple crises and constant drumbeat of lies and threats and violence has just made a silent majority numb, comatose, unable and unwilling to think about where it is leading. Your brain can only take so much before it starts to shut down. Perhaps it is a form of national Stockholm Syndrome that we feel so helpless and won't try to escape.
I recall a political cartoon during Trump's first election campaign: from inside a large hall the crowd is chanting USA, USA, USA. The sign at the entrance says "check your brain at the door."
Since then, endless 3-syllable slogans, countless lies, opportunistic enablers and apologists, propaganda posing as news, bat-shit crazies like Marjorie Taylor Greene about to become key players in the government: yes, the brain wants to shut down.
But that will be fatal. In 1935 Sinclair Lewis wrote "It Can't Happen Here," a novel about a populist leader who rides to the White House on depression-era discontent, lies, and anti-semitism, then installs a fascist government and suspends civil liberties. But Lewis put the blame on a complacent "sleep walking" populace for literally voting away their democracy. How many Americans will cast their vote on Nov. 8 based on this week's price of gas rather than saving their democracy. Timothy Snyder said it best in On Tyranny: "each election could be the last."
Well done, you! Brilliant. I agree. And i doubt the ability of the American voter so i tend toward gloom, fatalism and consequently distraction from the visible oncoming loco-motive.
Stop giving them a rational or excuses … your brain took just as much as they’re did & didn’t shut down. A big percentage of USA citizens (mind you NOT a majority but a lot) have decided to ignore (or believe) the lies, want the threats & violence and just don’t see the danger or care enough.
I was educated and lived among thinking, connected people. And I was taught all people are equal in the eyes of God, in religious terms. So i believe in a bedrock principle of equal opportunity (not outcome).
I dont think that holds true for all America anymore, or even 70% of us. I wondered in the 60s what the drug culture long term would produce. I wonder if the long unraveling of a sense of collective culture beyond Me Me Me and identity politics has caught up to the underlying bigotry and jealousy that stirs 40% of the population and always has but was kept in check by those in leadership roles of both parties (who all have outsized influence and power). That check is gone and trump unleashed the worst in the population so that the hatred fueled by fear of the Other fused with the violence of uneducated rootless wastrels. And down we go.
Rush, et al, predated Fox and proved that there was an avid audience for this. The loyal and ever growing radio audience justified the massive investment in forming a new network. Unfortunately for the country, it paid off.
I have maintained for years - since Roger Ailes took over Fox News - that Fox would ultimately lead to the downfall of our republic. Unfortunately it appears that is going to be the case. Facts do not matter. The constant drum beat of lies, blatant racism and now purveying of outright fascism is taking its toll. The America that I grew up in with sane political discourse is long gone and now in large part reflects the Germany of the early 30's - with all that implies. Not all Fox's doing, but in large part they have provided the platform and accelerant at every stage. Of course, Twitter, Facebook, et al have served the same falsehoods and propaganda and are as at fault as Fox. It is interesting that immigrants - the Murdochs - rather than contributing to the betterment of the society that welcomed/accepted them (money does talk and loudly), are the prime movers of our fading into history as a failed experiment. I know that outlook is pessimistic and I hope - truly hope - that I am proven wrong for the sake of my children and grandchildren. Lastly, I once again, as I often do, refer to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" written in 1935 and how especially prescient he was. We are on the cusp (or perhaps over it) of what he predicted and it is not a pretty picture.
I wonder how much the multiple crises and constant drumbeat of lies and threats and violence has just made a silent majority numb, comatose, unable and unwilling to think about where it is leading. Your brain can only take so much before it starts to shut down. Perhaps it is a form of national Stockholm Syndrome that we feel so helpless and won't try to escape.
I recall a political cartoon during Trump's first election campaign: from inside a large hall the crowd is chanting USA, USA, USA. The sign at the entrance says "check your brain at the door."
Since then, endless 3-syllable slogans, countless lies, opportunistic enablers and apologists, propaganda posing as news, bat-shit crazies like Marjorie Taylor Greene about to become key players in the government: yes, the brain wants to shut down.
But that will be fatal. In 1935 Sinclair Lewis wrote "It Can't Happen Here," a novel about a populist leader who rides to the White House on depression-era discontent, lies, and anti-semitism, then installs a fascist government and suspends civil liberties. But Lewis put the blame on a complacent "sleep walking" populace for literally voting away their democracy. How many Americans will cast their vote on Nov. 8 based on this week's price of gas rather than saving their democracy. Timothy Snyder said it best in On Tyranny: "each election could be the last."
https://neofascism.substack.com/
Well done, you! Brilliant. I agree. And i doubt the ability of the American voter so i tend toward gloom, fatalism and consequently distraction from the visible oncoming loco-motive.
Stop giving them a rational or excuses … your brain took just as much as they’re did & didn’t shut down. A big percentage of USA citizens (mind you NOT a majority but a lot) have decided to ignore (or believe) the lies, want the threats & violence and just don’t see the danger or care enough.
I was educated and lived among thinking, connected people. And I was taught all people are equal in the eyes of God, in religious terms. So i believe in a bedrock principle of equal opportunity (not outcome).
I dont think that holds true for all America anymore, or even 70% of us. I wondered in the 60s what the drug culture long term would produce. I wonder if the long unraveling of a sense of collective culture beyond Me Me Me and identity politics has caught up to the underlying bigotry and jealousy that stirs 40% of the population and always has but was kept in check by those in leadership roles of both parties (who all have outsized influence and power). That check is gone and trump unleashed the worst in the population so that the hatred fueled by fear of the Other fused with the violence of uneducated rootless wastrels. And down we go.
Rush, et al, predated Fox and proved that there was an avid audience for this. The loyal and ever growing radio audience justified the massive investment in forming a new network. Unfortunately for the country, it paid off.