Real strength in frightening times
Resisting the authoritarian theatrics that spark violence; following the voices of brave veterans.
These are frightening times. In a bright moment last evening, we celebrated a dear friend’s retirement from teaching. Her son surprised her with a visit from Los Angeles, the city this regime has decided to make a test case for turning the military against peaceful protesters. It was on all our minds, comparing the reality of a peaceful large city going about its business with the manufactured images of instability and threat, propaganda designed to make us question reality and doubt the evidence of our senses.
A Senator thrown to the floor for asking a question at an open press conference held by the ill-qualified and desperately aggressive Secretary of Homeland Security.
A Congresswoman indicted for being in a crowd that jostled an ICE officer, who then invited her in to tour the detention facility.
And of course, the call out of military personnel for unnecessary and inflammatory crowd control in Los Angeles - ill-planned, and according to at least one judge, illegal.
Why? This escalation is likely motivated in part by the wish of the regime to pull off its huge military parade without any signs of dissent. (I’m writing this before the parade occurs). It’s classic authoritarian theatrics - manufacture fear, then step in as the savior. And, with this president taking huge hits in poll after poll, losing influence with the people and with other countries, damaging the economy, being excluded by former allies, and struggling to get an extremely unpopular budget passed, it’s also very likely a desperate attempt to look “strong.”
But it will not succeed. Nothing can make the truly weak look strong for long - this is why they keep escalating, doing real damage, yet never feeling truly secure. They are not. The people are showing who they are and who we are, and the kind of country and communities in which we want to live.
If you need a dose of bravery, read the post below describing statements from respected veterans and military leaders. Their voices should guide us this weekend.
I hope your No Kings rallies were powerful and peaceful. I was at our university’s commencement, celebrating the accomplishments of young people who head into this scary world equipped with compassion, intelligence, and dedication.
Be safe and well.
