A biographical, prophetic story:

[PCIntern]

Those here who are from the old old days of DU may or may not recall that I was once included in an intimate dinner party wherein former Ambassador Joseph Wilson attended prior to him speaking in Philly during the WMD scandal. Prior to the dinner,I had just watched a Chris Matthews commenting upon the “prevarications” the Republicans were spewing and asked him a question: “Why do these people lie about so many seemingly trivial issues?”

His response was classic, “They lie about, as you say, trivial issues JUST TO KEEP IN SHAPE.”

He went on to discuss propaganda and how it hypnotizes the electorate. It was quite a moment.

As an aside he was an incredibly charismatic individual and is in my pantheon of remarkable individuals whom I have interacted or witnessed personally. When I read of his passing I truly grieved.

They have transcended any concept of truth-telling - they are the party not of lies, but of the Bizzarro world where everything is the opposite of reality. At some point, this has to break; the question is whether we, as a Nation or as a Civilization, will be destroyed by this before.

[tetedur]

1. I'll never forget the time he presented himself to Saddam Hussein with a noose around his neck daring him to touch him.

Last edited Tue Oct 22, 2024, 08:51 AM - Edit history (1)

(Though I can't find a picture on the internets to show it.) That man was fearless. And wise.

From 1988 to 1991, he was the second-ranking diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, during the run-up to the 1991 Gulf War. In September 1990, after Iraqi forces had attacked Kuwait, about 60 Americans sought refuge at the U.S. ambassador’s residence.

Iraqi officials then issued an edict that anyone harboring foreigners was subject to execution. Mr. Wilson appeared at a news briefing with a noose around his neck.

“If the choice is to allow American citizens to be taken hostage or to be executed,” he said, “I will bring my own f---ing rope.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/joseph-c-wilson-diplomat-caught-in-dispute-over-iraqi-weapons-of-mass-destruction-dies-at-69/2019/09/27/4dcd939a-e13a-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html



For some reason I think of him when they talk about Pence and the "gallows" they erected on the Capitol grounds. What if Pence had stood up with a rope around his neck and presented himself to the horde?

[PatrickforB]

2. Interesting memory. They lie just to keep in shape. It doesn't surprise me.

But it does tell us that we still cannot really trust these Republicans, even those who are now in our tent merely to save the republic.

This is a predatory world, and Trump is a predator, but now old and weak, to be replaced quickly upon election by Vance, who will be governed by Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. If he wins, the world will once again be trampled under the boots of fascism.

I had an interesting discussion with my wife last night. We are tired of election season as it reaches a nearly unbearable crescendo with just two weeks left. We were commenting on the stress we feel, due to Trump and the awful specter of fascism.

Great anxiety pervades the world and the evil people who wish to impose tyranny are rubbing their hands in gleeful hope.

We have voted early and our votes have been counted. Millions continue to vote early. Last night when I blamed the media for the ignorance of Americans, she said it was not the fault of the media, but of the people themselves who have not stayed informed, and merely settled into the Fox/talk radio bubble, along with their beloved sports.

At this point our only recourse is donating and helping the campaigns, which we are doing in spite of poor health and medical debt. It is sad that our people's intellectual and moral laziness has brought us to this election, these circumstances, and the specter of Nazi takeover.

We still think (hope) Harris will win handily, and take the House and Senate. But to have come to this? We have much work to do to perfect this republic.

[Sanity Claws]

3. What a brave man!

I never heard all these stories about him. That was a man with a backbone.

[SHe-It]

4. "the Bizzarro world where everything is the opposite of reality"

Back in those Bushian days, and it REALLY picked up during the Sarah Palin/Tea Party days, I started calling them The Upside Down People.

Everything they “thought” and “knew” and “believed” was Upside Down to reality.

But it seems so much worse now! I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s like now they are Upside Down AND Inside Out?

[markodochartaigh]

5. It is like the

Star Trek "Mirror Universe".

But much of what the authoritarians believe is logical and consistent, in their own belief system. The truly believe that the powerful have the moral right to rule over the rest of us. They truly believe that those who are different are inferior and are of value only as they can be used, and that they must be kept down. They truly are disgusted by the weak, and worship power.
Their beliefs are usually diametrically opposed to belief systems based on tolerance and compassion, but, in their own belief system, their logic is consistent.

I think that the basic difference is empathy. Do you think that society should give everyone the chance to live the best life that we can, or do you think that humanity is best served by the powerful taking everything that they can.