The Generalist

One's identity is far more than one's profession.

Democracy

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Three Months

Since March, I have been writing to my reps in Congress daily. Most of them are posted here. I reviewed those notes today, and the drive toward authoritarianism is very clear.

It is not just Donald J. Trump. There is a cult behind him that is far more dangerous. He is useful, for now, because he is shameless and easily manipulated to move thier game forward. Keep an eye on Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, and JD Vance. The only question is whether, before the midterms, they can consolidate so much power in the executive branch that the outcome of the midterms won’t matter.

Part of this attack on democracy is the assault on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. If they can establish the power of the President to use the military to prevent demonstrations, and at the same time, they can use harassment with litigation and investigations to suppress the media, this assault will succeed.

Next, like China and other totalitarian governments, he will act to suppress communication among dissidents. As the compromised Washington Post’s banner still proclaims, “Democracy dies in Darkness.”

This is really happening. Will the sleeping giant awake in time?

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Worth Your Attention

Here are two links I recommend that you read soon. The first gives an excellent analysis of what drives the MAGA movement. You may even see a path to feeling empathy and compassion for the worldview that fuels the vitriol. But more important, the insights it offers may help you avoid adding fuel to the fire as you defend and assert your own values.

They Warned Us in 1945: Fascism in America Would Look Like Patriotism
How MAGA Became the Psychological Blueprint They Described

The second link is to Timothy Snyder’s free materials. On Tyranny, if you have not read it, is essential for understanding how to meet the threats democracy faces today. The materials offered by Snyder are helpful to both remind us of the basics, and to spread the word.

Resources – Timothy Snyder
Resources from On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

. . . and something much lighter from Snyder’s brother-in-law:

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Anti-Trump Protest – Newtown

Over 1,000 Locals Stand for Democracy

All across the nation Americans turned out to show their disapproval of the Trump Administration and those who enable their excesses. Newtown’s crowd was large and in good spirits despite intermittent rain. Police took up positions to monitor and be a visible presence, but people were amiable and orderly and the demonstration remained peaceful. Click the box below to see the full collection of photos and video clips taken by Richmond and Marguerite.

4-5-25 Hands Off Protest
104 new items added to shared album

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Weaponization

Adam Schiff lays out what is happening to Justice in the US. What’s amazing about this is how calm he is.

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Quakers Protest Current Events

Quakers are inherently grass-roots. It comes from the belief that metaphysical truth is revealed to any and all of us if we but listen. There is that of God in each of us, and, as communities, we are called to speak up when human events conflict with our values. One of the ways we express our collective sensibilities about important matters is to agree on a “minute” recorded at Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business. Here is one such expression of unity and commitment from my Newtown Friends Meeting:

Reaffirming Quaker ValuesDownload

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Keeping Track

The very unpopular and much lied about Project 2025 is notching off its “accomplishments” one-by-one as congress allows the executive branch unfettered sway even when the actions are lawless overreach. Here is a website that’s keeping score and citing the sources.

PROJECT 2025 TRACKER

This does not, of course, track items on the more hidden agenda of intended covert consequences that is disabling and eliminating the means to hold anyone accountable. Much of the factual reporting and more candid analysis is showing up in independent media like Substack.

The NY Times has a series titled “The Opinions” and if you are trying to understand the lack of GOP and mainstream media opposition to all of this evil, I recommend you listen to “There’s a reason even smart people surrender to Trump” (below).

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There’s a reason …

This thirty-minute interview explores how we are being manipulated into anticipatory compliance contrary to our deeply held values. The GOP fell into line first, and now they are coming for the rest of us.

Opinion | There’s a Reason Even ‘Smart’ People Surrender to Trump
M. Gessen and Patrick Healy try to reckon with the president’s whiplash authoritarianism.

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Look What’s Going Down

Free Press

The administration is attacking the funding of listener-supported non-commercial radio by attacking the long tradition of acknowledging funding provided by businesses. The intent is to put a chill on non-promotional sponsorship announcements. You have heard them; they tell you the name of the business and something about what they do, but there is no call to action or promotional claims. Attacking stations and networks like PBS, NPR, and WHYY has only one purpose: to suppress news and opinions that don’t conform to the alternative facts of the administration’s propaganda machine.

In parallel with this, high journalistic quality news media are being replaced with low quality sources that spread conspiracy theories and the administration’s deceptions.

Will they seek to suppress or disrupt internet communications? Access to the Internet is in the hands of the FCC, now led by a GOP loyalist.

Justice

The purging of the FBI, and the Justice Department of those deemed not loyal to the President is clearly a move intended to tip the scales of justice to serve #47 instead of the people.

Separation of Powers

The Supreme Court has been made partisan; Congress fails in its role of advice and consent by approving nominees whose character, inexperience, and partisan loyalty make them obviously unsuited for elevation to powerful and critical office.

Law

The President is immune from prosecution. If they do his bidding, his cronies are all but assured of pardons. The Inspectors General, our watchdogs, have been dismissed. Agency leadership that follows the law, in defiance of #47 gets furloughed.

It’s already tyranny!

The behavior of Putin’s legislators, no dissent unless #47 gives it the nod, is what we are seeing in the GOP Senate and House.

Read what Timothy Snyder says about all of this. It’s expert opinion, not media hysterics.

The Logic of Destruction
And how to resist it

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Why it’s a Coup

“The ongoing actions by Musk and his followers are a coup because the individuals seizing power have no right to it. Elon Musk was elected to no office and there is no office that would give him the authority to do what he is doing. It is all illegal. It is also a coup in its intended effects: to undo democratic practice and violate human rights.” So says Timothy Snyder, esteemed author of On Tyranny and Freedom.

Snyder has spent his life studying how freedom is won and lost. Dismiss him at your peril.

Read more on Substack: Timothy Snyder