Amplifying that sentiment is good strategic and moral politics (Jeffries of course is a thumbs down politician and messenger, but still…)
Stale are playmates who play to stalemate. Made noisy political punk once, may again (theultrasecret.bandcamp.com)
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Amplifying that sentiment is good strategic and moral politics (Jeffries of course is a thumbs down politician and messenger, but still…)
People care (and they absolutely should!) that the Trump admin and the GOP seem intent on returning the level of Black freedom and prosperity to an ugly time and place; setting aside what they can accomplish, what they *want* to accomplish is evil, point blank. 1/2
The rumors that spring from America’s racist imagination rapidly congeal into fact, while the facts of racist reprisals and harm become indiscernible, a constant fog.
Autocrats, villains that they are, know that alliances are necessary to carry out their vile agendas. Trump, a two-bit bullshitter with a sub-rudimentary understanding of, well, everything, is useless even in this regard, and has fashioned America in his image, a cratering, vulnerable laughingstock.
The politics of liberation are so far removed from why most Dem electeds get into the game that finding common cause with aggrieved, well positioned people just makes more immediate sense to them.
Autocrats, villains that they are, know that alliances are necessary to carry out their vile agendas. Trump, a two-bit bullshitter with a sub-rudimentary understanding of, well, everything, is useless even in this regard, and has fashioned America in his image, a cratering, vulnerable laughingstock.
Totally agree with this, and don’t know why I hedged!
The animating principles of Trump’s entire existence are anti-black racism and misogyny/abuse. A vile character, empowered by the wicked, producing exactly what they’ve always been working toward.
I think this is exactly right, and would include, perhaps to a lesser extent, the MeToo movement.
The animating principles of Trump’s entire existence are anti-black racism and misogyny/abuse. A vile character, empowered by the wicked, producing exactly what they’ve always been working toward.
Those insisting that we must line up behind Newsom are essentially saying that his bigotry and his cruelty are necessary to win the presidency. It’s remarkable that they haven’t learned that his sort of moral compass only invites and necessitates authoritarianism.
Conservatives are Confederates, and Confederates are fascists, and fascists will not tolerate queer existence, let alone honor their memories after death. Understand this when you’re considering Conservative fiscal policy or whatever.
Greenpoint is spiritually part of Montreal
We should all chat GPT (talk about Global Pedocon Theory)
Remarkable how Trump’s anti-black racism is both text and subtext, an animating principle for his entire life, and that his government is stocked with white supremacists and Nazis, yet elite media consensus still very much tip-toes around this, and the opposition deems it all a distraction.
The NYT absorbs and accepts Trump’s constant bullshitting, and their coverage of him deploys the same rhetorical tactics. We are drowning in BS thanks to it.
Conservatives are Confederates, and Confederates are fascists, and fascists will not tolerate queer existence, let alone honor their memories after death. Understand this when you’re considering Conservative fiscal policy or whatever.
The autocrat’s behavior is by nature abnormal; only the institutions they circle like a shark can decide whether or not this state of affairs is acceptable and normal.
The rumors that spring from America’s racist imagination rapidly congeal into fact, while the facts of racist reprisals and harm become indiscernible, a constant fog.
Exactly right! He should be an unacceptable option for anyone claiming loyalty to democracy, human rights, and justice.
Those insisting that we must line up behind Newsom are essentially saying that his bigotry and his cruelty are necessary to win the presidency. It’s remarkable that they haven’t learned that his sort of moral compass only invites and necessitates authoritarianism.
Witness how quickly the counter narrative to the MeToo movement coalesced; “was it going too far?” became the integral question. Has anyone bothered to ask if RFK’s institution destroying, global health endangering buffoonery has gone too far? Alas, the benefit of doubt and authority won’t allow it.
We’ve only come as far as the narrative of the West’s “civilizing effects” will allow.
Witness how quickly the counter narrative to the MeToo movement coalesced; “was it going too far?” became the integral question. Has anyone bothered to ask if RFK’s institution destroying, global health endangering buffoonery has gone too far? Alas, the benefit of doubt and authority won’t allow it.
Enabling broad prosperity and health is anathema to the fascist ethos; if it means annihilating world renowned institutions that reflect only beautifully upon America, so be it.
Once fascists have seized control, a fair fight is a moot point; the structures that enable fairness will have been so heavily eroded by then, and will be points of continued attack. If fighting dirty doesn’t sit well with you, fight creatively at least!
Far from anti-fascists, many Ds invite authoritarianism/fascism by equivocating on human rights. When they carve out exceptions for trans rights for instance — that demands authoritarian policies/infrastructure to uphold, and lies/smears to support. It’s universal human rights or bust (or fascism).
Rapid escalation from the normalization of right-wing violence to the deification of it. Meanwhile, some students are still waiting on their diplomas because they wanted the killing of children in Gaza to stop.
Once fascists have seized control, a fair fight is a moot point; the structures that enable fairness will have been so heavily eroded by then, and will be points of continued attack. If fighting dirty doesn’t sit well with you, fight creatively at least!
And “I don’t do politics” has been a totally ruinous ethos.
Further, Republicans would like to be able to abuse and exploit those kids who do live. If it all sounds evil and scandalous, it is, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Far from anti-fascists, many Ds invite authoritarianism/fascism by equivocating on human rights. When they carve out exceptions for trans rights for instance — that demands authoritarian policies/infrastructure to uphold, and lies/smears to support. It’s universal human rights or bust (or fascism).
Bad faith, malignant intent, and poisonous ignorance, unrecognized by our political and media class, and often heralded as part of one’s maverick brand. One gigantic piece to the “how did we end up in this fascist moment” puzzle.
A camera, a computer, a car, a sandwich, a book, a pen. Label it Hamas, and annihilate whatever is in its vicinity. Israel’s regime is truly one of the most sinister murder machines we’ve ever seen.
Rapid escalation from the normalization of right-wing violence to the deification of it. Meanwhile, some students are still waiting on their diplomas because they wanted the killing of children in Gaza to stop.
Consolidating defiance has a practical component, and is also a show of force, a flex against fascism. As inspiring as it is watching individual efforts, it would be exponentially so when done as a collective.
Exactly!
Newsom follows in the morally bankrupt path of many Dems, seeking exceptions for human rights, and consequently making space for fascist culture to thrive.
I think we need to stop labeling the GOP’s various crimes and betrayals as “outrageous,” and start using “sinister.”
Bowser even goes so far as to reference the GOP’s propaganda panic point du jour, carjackings. Heinous stuff.
A camera, a computer, a car, a sandwich, a book, a pen. Label it Hamas, and annihilate whatever is in its vicinity. Israel’s regime is truly one of the most sinister murder machines we’ve ever seen.
Consolidating defiance has a practical component, and is also a show of force, a flex against fascism. As inspiring as it is watching individual efforts, it would be exponentially so when done as a collective.
Get fired, make them move you, and it’s an injustice, one that might resonate, one that might spark something. Step aside, and…you just step aside.
Bad faith, malignant intent, and poisonous ignorance, unrecognized by our political and media class, and often heralded as part of one’s maverick brand. One gigantic piece to the “how did we end up in this fascist moment” puzzle.
Questioning which humans have rights is inherently authoritarian; that this poisonous attitude persists in the Dem party leaves little room to wonder why they haven’t been able to beat back American fascism.
Our political and media class have worked diligently over time to sever the ideological ties between Conservatives and Confederates, and in typical self-congratulatory fashion, concluded that the problem of racism had been solved. Less a blind spot than a foundation, our fascism needs finishing off.
There may indeed be a journey to an AI-human co-existence/collaboration, but it should be a slow, evolutionary one, and best not rushed through and peddled to us by rapacious tech hustlers. If it feels “cheap and easy,” it’s because this is an illusion they are pushing.
The rich are rarely generous, usually conniving. Their "generosity" is an inoculation against criticism and consequence.
“Who’s this asshole?” is something we’re often thinking.
Questioning which humans have rights is inherently authoritarian; that this poisonous attitude persists in the Dem party leaves little room to wonder why they haven’t been able to beat back American fascism.
The lack of a strong moral core fails the Dem party again and again. The leadership thinks that they can carve out certain issues (trans rights, the genocide in Gaza) from their platform, but the base thinks more holistically. You can’t countenance certain horrors, and still expect robust support.
I don’t see this as a high ground vs low ground issue, but rather, who is digging deeper? Who is putting their roots into the fight against fascism? More so than his defiance, it’s JBP’s desire to accept and protect all that can prove decisive. GN’s politics will only invite further authoritarianism
It’s helpful to remind people who claim that we must line up behind any Dem who will stop fascism, carving out human rights and dignity exceptions, as Newsom does, necessitates and invites authoritarianism.
“I don’t hate your race, I just need to protect myself from your race’s codes of conduct.” Oh.
Precisely. I usually refer to this suite of tech as “this thing they’re calling AI.”
There may indeed be a journey to an AI-human co-existence/collaboration, but it should be a slow, evolutionary one, and best not rushed through and peddled to us by rapacious tech hustlers. If it feels “cheap and easy,” it’s because this is an illusion they are pushing.
I don’t see this as a high ground vs low ground issue, but rather, who is digging deeper? Who is putting their roots into the fight against fascism? More so than his defiance, it’s JBP’s desire to accept and protect all that can prove decisive. GN’s politics will only invite further authoritarianism
Charlatans. Or perhaps better, chameleons. Status claimed when the demands of the ego need to be met, status derided when the demands of conservative propaganda need to be met.
Running the totalitarian playbook to a tee. Menace and domination are prerequisites for safety that you don’t experience, but are told you have.
Proclaimed supremacy over people is proclaimed supremacy over place; hence the flippant abuse and destruction of foreign lands, the presumption that we can use these places to send our "undesirables," and Trump's disgusting "shithole countries" comment.
Even if it doesn't look or feel like it in your immediate vicinity, know that Trump/the GOP are swinging for the fascist fences. Even if they fall short, and we settle into competitive authoritarianism or what have you, it will represent an end to American democracy and your freedom for generations.
The rich are rarely generous, usually conniving. Their "generosity" is an inoculation against criticism and consequence.
Thank you! I appreciate it.
Charlatans. Or perhaps better, chameleons. Status claimed when the demands of the ego need to be met, status derided when the demands of conservative propaganda need to be met.
They were using a Hamas computer and a Hamas cell phone, driving a Hamas car, and eating a Hamas sandwich. This sick nightmare of a regime knows that it can create whatever degenerate pretext they'd like with impunity.
Centrists don’t seem to mind authoritarian solutions, as long as they’re applied to the “right” people. Pritzker is practicing true big tent politics; inclusive, protective, and no human rights and dignity exceptions.
Our political and media class have worked diligently over time to sever the ideological ties between Conservatives and Confederates, and in typical self-congratulatory fashion, concluded that the problem of racism had been solved. Less a blind spot than a foundation, our fascism needs finishing off.
There's ample reason to believe this thing we're calling "AI" can contribute to our suffering. Maybe publications should explore that, instead of rushing to endow chatbots with human characteristics they clearly do not posses.
The violation is straightforward and heinous, yet it takes nearly 30 words into the post to get to one that matters (“authoritarian”), after delivering a premise that’s not true and doesn’t land hard at all.
These terms have certainly not penetrated political rhetoric, but also, demanding that they not be used, while not proposing alternatives, is in essence saying the ideas themselves shouldn’t be explored. Sorry, but there’s stuff on that list that warrants consideration, and so the language for that.
Uncle Salmonella wants you.
Is there something about having to hang around each other so much that dilutes both ideology and the willingness to speak out/ruffle feathers?
I would say that along with the right, he has *ample* reason to do it. You may as well be saying he doesn’t have the right to if you find the act morally unbecoming in these circumstances.
Centrists don’t seem to mind authoritarian solutions, as long as they’re applied to the “right” people. Pritzker is practicing true big tent politics; inclusive, protective, and no human rights and dignity exceptions.
The rich will remain wealthy, but the rest of us will gain some deserved richness in our lives.
This is a message about kinship, and imposing consequences on those who seek to destroy our bonds. It’s beautiful, but also rebellious.
A fight needs battle lines, and a Democrat is finally drawing them.
I understand that Cuomo was wistfully looking at himself in the mirror when he wrote this.
The threat of consequences draws clear battle lines, rallies the base, and may even deter an illegal action or two. This is the rhetoric that recognizes the moment, and aspires to meet it.
Mamdani’s campaign is neither fearful, nor fear based. It’s aspirational all the way, an ode to cities, and to the idea that we must thrive as one, and indeed deserve to.
I’m sorry did I imply somewhere that I wanted to expose the NG to my political views? I did not; perhaps you feel empowered calling someone you’ve never engaged with an idiot, but truly, it’s silly.
Proclaimed supremacy over people is proclaimed supremacy over place; hence the flippant abuse and destruction of foreign lands, the presumption that we can use these places to send our "undesirables," and Trump's disgusting "shithole countries" comment.
No worries; my rushed musings could probably benefit from some clarity.
I can't disagree with that.
Liberals/the Left get tarred with forcing conformity because they insist on adhering to certain norms, whether scientific, political or cultural. So self-styled non-conformists, even if they have certain liberal-coded positions, stray rightward in foolish, childish rebellion.
Putting heat on the press is a tactic Dems have left on the table for generations. It works (as we know from watching Republicans do it) and it's good to see Walz doing that here.
That the western press cannot even be bothered to engage in performative allyship with Gazan journalists reveals just how deep the dehumanization of Palestinians runs.
Even if it doesn't look or feel like it in your immediate vicinity, know that Trump/the GOP are swinging for the fascist fences. Even if they fall short, and we settle into competitive authoritarianism or what have you, it will represent an end to American democracy and your freedom for generations.
There's already tremendous energy out there against this sort of thinking!
The Mayo Cynic, telling spoiled, flaccid lies.
"What's getting pumped into Trump?" is a question every Dem should be asking.
Given the organic and massive nature of the "No Kings" protests, Dems need to jump on this immediately, and never let it go (that goes for well after Trump is past us, to remind the electorate that the GOP is perfectly fine with dictatorships).
Will someone please challenge this man to a physical test (which he'll necessarily fail since he can't move his left hand away from whatever it is he's covering up on his right hand).
Dems can simultaneously, and quite easily: show their support for the National Guard by wanting to send them home; stress that they have no business doing Trump's bidding in targeted cities; drive a wedge between the NG and the GOP.
You're not wrong I'm afraid.
Mamdani, tarred by many Dems as being outside of the their mainstream, to my knowledge, has never engaged in the rhetorical BS of criticizing the party this way. He positions his movement as pure problem solvers, without undercutting natural allies.
Yes! Also within the mainstream tradition, before Conservatives decided to impugn the reputation of our great cities with little pushback: feeling immense pride and joy in urban life. A robust defense of cosmopolitanism is called for in the fight against fascism, and Mamdani is delivering just that.
The thrust of their thinking revolves around constantly calibrating the dosage of authoritarianism that should be introduced into society so that their preferred hierarchies are maintained.
Dems can simultaneously, and quite easily: show their support for the National Guard by wanting to send them home; stress that they have no business doing Trump's bidding in targeted cities; drive a wedge between the NG and the GOP.