From a good friend who is politically active:
Watch/rewatch episodes 1-3 of The Handmaid’s Tale. Not to be dramatic, but we seem to be only a few steps away from the Christian Nationalist “suspend the constitution” s**t.
Dramatic? More like realistic. It’s a frightening time we’re living in, folks. I responded to the post with a suggestion to read or reread the book. Someone else came back with a quote that fits – almost. Almost.
“Keep calm,” they said on television. “Everything is under control.”
I was stunned. Everyone was, I know that. It was hard to believe. The entire government, just like that. How did they get in, how did it happen?
That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasn’t even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasn’t even an enemy you could put your finger on.
Stunned. I keep wondering, despite my better nature, what else can go wrong? And then something worse comes up in legislation or Stupid Presidential Quotes or cabinet nominees. I continue to be stunned.
From actor Robert DeNiro:
I’ve spent a lot of time studying bad men. I’ve examined their characteristics, their mannerisms, the utter banality of their cruelty. Yet there’s something different about Donald Trump.
When I look at him, I don’t see a bad man. Truly.
I see an evil one.
DeNiro studied bad guys so he could play them convincingly. His post continues with details; look it up if you want more.
From Kirk Bangstad of Minocqua Brewing Company:
This post is brought to you by the letters WTF and the number 47.
I might borrow this. I’ll do my best to remember to credit Bangstad with the quote. It certainly seems to fit a lot of what I’m seeing and thinking these days.
In The Handmaid’s Tale, June is stunned by the events. She notices, and comments later, that no one rioted. This time, in real life, people are acting up. Whether we can identify an enemy or not, it’s definitely time to speak up.
I didn’t riot today, but I did make three phone calls – one to each of my senators (regarding potential changes to Medicaid), and one to my member of Congress (regarding House Resolution #7). Look up HR 7. You’ll be stunned, too. You might even be tempted to use the sponsor’s letter: WTF.
Readers, we can’t afford to sit back now. Please make your calls and send your postcards and emails. Don’t let evil win.