Thank you for this very level-headed evaluation. It’s been clear for quite some time that what he wants to do is find an excuse to instigate martial law, claiming that he’s protecting citizens.
I am with you and I agree 100 %. But the progressiv Dems don‘t understand this. They only against something but can’t create a positiv picture of the future. Protesting isn‘t a strategy as well as Joy was during the campaign of Harris and Walz.
I don’t disagree. But for someone like myself, your prescription for what democrats should do rings hollow. You admit they’re not going to take your advice. So I write letters to my representatives (I’m in Alabama and there’s not one who gives a flying fig what I write) this crew of MAGA republicans are going to be elected or re-elected as long as there’s an “R” next to their name. I’m neither a republican nor a democrat. Until my party turned into a dumpster fire, I was a libertarian for decades. Now I have no party. I’m just an Independent classical liberal and politically homeless.
I agree with the principle of this but think there is one wrinkle missing: protesting is for someone like me to tell the powers that be what I want. It's one channel of many, and I can't stop there, but it's a good one in terms of community and volume. Being fully aware that this is more of that pesky nuance that ruins the day, I feel like this argument needs to be made because I am one of those voters who are sick of the politicians not really working for us. We are out here making a noise and sharing our support, so now it's time for the leaders to do what you are saying on our behalf. You are right--they are wasting our action by giving none of their own. It shouldn't be entirely on our backs as the citizenry to set this agenda.
I very much believe that non-violent protests are one of the crucial arms to bring out the will of the people. Was there not value in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests of the ‘60s? Yes, they need to be non-violent and not feed into the authoritarian dogma that is being put forward. Unfortunately there are agitators etc who will look to take advantage of the situation and need to be suppressed etc. But I look forward to millions of Americans protesting peacefully on Saturday in the No Kings demonstrations for standing up for what they believe America actually stands for and that elected officials in Washington will take notice as to what their constituents want for the country
I don't disagree. Many Democrats still think bumper stickers and stuffing envelopes is a strategy. Or that handing out free tacos in front of the RNC is a winning optic. They don't get it because they are the same people making all the same decisions as they were when I worked in state party communications -- 22 years ago. Same people, same playbook, same ideas, same leaders, same losing. A real strategy would include finding and funding winning candidates, not the candidates who say what primary voters want to hear. It all must change.
I had some thought about that. How about a draw. A reporter was shot with a rubber as was a bystander in the head with a rubber bullet. The young police officer refused to call an ambulance after this act. The reporter went to emergency room and needed, surgery. If I am wrong then , I will say that , I am wrong. Apparently he wants a war on the streets of Los Angeles. They had the watts riots in 1964. Rodney King trial was beaten by cops and they were found not guilty. Mr . Simpson , was found not guilty. The U. S Attorney General, Pam Bondi told people that , Mr . Simpson was not welcome in Florida. Good choice by her. What will happen next?
The political class and media establishment have failed for the last 8 years to deal with Trump. We now have an out of control government that seems immune to any pushback in any forum. This is why violence is happening and protests are messy and ugly. What you ask for is that people let democratic norms guide decisions when IT HAS NOT WORKED TO DATE. This is a very human and probably necessary response to this frustration, who knows where it will end.
Today they witness the president dribbling on at Fort Bragg, to the cheers of the military, undermining norms of behaviour, tone and decency… how do you think that makes the general public feel… many probably thought the military would be on the side of the people.
One of the most important points about Democratic strategy was pointed out on Saturday on Michael Smerconish's show about the DNC page on who the Democrats serve - https://democrats.org/who-we-are/who-we-serve/. The Democrats serve a LOT of constituencies except ONE - Men. Women are listed, but not Men. That is a HUGE flaw when you diss almost 50% of the electorate.
And you complain that Men did not vote in 2024 for Democrats. Could this be the reason why?
Thank you for this very level-headed evaluation. It’s been clear for quite some time that what he wants to do is find an excuse to instigate martial law, claiming that he’s protecting citizens.
I am with you and I agree 100 %. But the progressiv Dems don‘t understand this. They only against something but can’t create a positiv picture of the future. Protesting isn‘t a strategy as well as Joy was during the campaign of Harris and Walz.
I don’t disagree. But for someone like myself, your prescription for what democrats should do rings hollow. You admit they’re not going to take your advice. So I write letters to my representatives (I’m in Alabama and there’s not one who gives a flying fig what I write) this crew of MAGA republicans are going to be elected or re-elected as long as there’s an “R” next to their name. I’m neither a republican nor a democrat. Until my party turned into a dumpster fire, I was a libertarian for decades. Now I have no party. I’m just an Independent classical liberal and politically homeless.
Politically homeless here too!
On the money SE. Thank you.
Thanks for reading!
I agree with the principle of this but think there is one wrinkle missing: protesting is for someone like me to tell the powers that be what I want. It's one channel of many, and I can't stop there, but it's a good one in terms of community and volume. Being fully aware that this is more of that pesky nuance that ruins the day, I feel like this argument needs to be made because I am one of those voters who are sick of the politicians not really working for us. We are out here making a noise and sharing our support, so now it's time for the leaders to do what you are saying on our behalf. You are right--they are wasting our action by giving none of their own. It shouldn't be entirely on our backs as the citizenry to set this agenda.
I very much believe that non-violent protests are one of the crucial arms to bring out the will of the people. Was there not value in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests of the ‘60s? Yes, they need to be non-violent and not feed into the authoritarian dogma that is being put forward. Unfortunately there are agitators etc who will look to take advantage of the situation and need to be suppressed etc. But I look forward to millions of Americans protesting peacefully on Saturday in the No Kings demonstrations for standing up for what they believe America actually stands for and that elected officials in Washington will take notice as to what their constituents want for the country
I don't disagree. Many Democrats still think bumper stickers and stuffing envelopes is a strategy. Or that handing out free tacos in front of the RNC is a winning optic. They don't get it because they are the same people making all the same decisions as they were when I worked in state party communications -- 22 years ago. Same people, same playbook, same ideas, same leaders, same losing. A real strategy would include finding and funding winning candidates, not the candidates who say what primary voters want to hear. It all must change.
So true
I had some thought about that. How about a draw. A reporter was shot with a rubber as was a bystander in the head with a rubber bullet. The young police officer refused to call an ambulance after this act. The reporter went to emergency room and needed, surgery. If I am wrong then , I will say that , I am wrong. Apparently he wants a war on the streets of Los Angeles. They had the watts riots in 1964. Rodney King trial was beaten by cops and they were found not guilty. Mr . Simpson , was found not guilty. The U. S Attorney General, Pam Bondi told people that , Mr . Simpson was not welcome in Florida. Good choice by her. What will happen next?
The political class and media establishment have failed for the last 8 years to deal with Trump. We now have an out of control government that seems immune to any pushback in any forum. This is why violence is happening and protests are messy and ugly. What you ask for is that people let democratic norms guide decisions when IT HAS NOT WORKED TO DATE. This is a very human and probably necessary response to this frustration, who knows where it will end.
Today they witness the president dribbling on at Fort Bragg, to the cheers of the military, undermining norms of behaviour, tone and decency… how do you think that makes the general public feel… many probably thought the military would be on the side of the people.
US at this point is failing.
Maybe CNN & MSNBC have to put Jan6 insurrection on an infinite loop in a side by side with the protests in LA.
Other podcasters should do this as well.
There is not a single rational person who believes protesting is “an agenda”.
This is an article that’s eight years old and pretty relevant to bring back out again
https://open.substack.com/pub/richardgreenethecivicsdean/p/is-donald-trump-mentally-ill?r=eit6y&utm_medium=ios
One of the most important points about Democratic strategy was pointed out on Saturday on Michael Smerconish's show about the DNC page on who the Democrats serve - https://democrats.org/who-we-are/who-we-serve/. The Democrats serve a LOT of constituencies except ONE - Men. Women are listed, but not Men. That is a HUGE flaw when you diss almost 50% of the electorate.
And you complain that Men did not vote in 2024 for Democrats. Could this be the reason why?