Atticus
Atticus's JournalThere will be no excuses, so don't even bother searching for one: YOU must vote
in November and Trump MUST be defeated.
Everyone can be properly registered.
Everyone can be transported to the correct polling place.
Most everyone can chip in a couple of bucks, canvass, work a phone, stuff envelopes, post signage or write LTEs to their local paper.
Most everyone can encourage a handful of friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members to VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATS all up and down the ballot.
Yes, this is a terrible time. Yes, Trump and his cult are evil beyond belief. Yes, we have to deal with unprecedented levels of stress. Let's get over it and get on with it.
As my Dad used to say, "If you're looking for sympathy, it's in the dictionary between 'shit and 'syphilis' ".
There is one thing about Trump that we should never let be forgotten because
it defines him in a way that is perhaps simpler and more clear-cut than any other.
Trump has openly and repeatedly expressed admiration and respect for and---some would say---envy of the likes of Putin, Duterte, Mohammed Bin Salman and Kim Jong Il. He has complimented them for their "strong leadership" and claimed them as friends.
In language even Trump can understand, these men are four of the most despicable murdering monsters on the face of the earth today. That is not an opinion; it is a widely known fact. That Trump feels compelled to fawn over them is all the proof anyone should need that Trump is cut from the same cloth. That he has not yet become a dictator like them is due to his cowardice, not his morality.
He needs to be stepped on.
A great man named Bobby once said:
"Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not."
If he was with us today, Robert Kennedy would urge us to reclaim our dreams, square our shoulders and get on with doing whatever needs doing to rebuild the nation we assumed was our birthright.
WHATEVER it takes.
With Trump in the White House, we have government by "Gish Gallop".
The Gish Gallop is a dishonest debate tactic. The Urban Dictionary defines it this way:
"Named for the debate tactic created by creationist shill Duane Gish, a Gish Gallop involves spewing so much bullshit in such a short span on that your opponent can’t address let alone counter all of it."
You've likely heard the term "outrage fatigue". You may have heard it said that trying to explain all that is wrong with this regime is like trying to take a sip from a fire hose---there's just too damn much. And, as the definition above says, that's what a Gish Gallop does---spews "so much bullshit in such a short span" that it is impossible to deal with it.
If I was silly enough to attempt to list all the pure unadulterated bullshit Trump has spewed since gliding down that escalator in 2015 and if you were silly enough to try, it would take you several days to read it. It started with paying "supporters" to cheer and wear his tee shirts at that "announcement event" at Trump Tower and it went downhill---morally and intellectually---precipitously from there.
Honest debate exposes weak arguments and reveals truth. A Gish Gallop conceals lies, assaults truth and glories in the chaos it fosters.
Trump hasn't read anything since Archie and Jughead were all the rage, so I am sure he's never heard of the Gish Gallop. If he had, he'd have claimed it and proudly named it: "Trump's Travesty".
My Dad was a Democratic precinct committeeman and often took me with him to rallies
and other events in our area. Some of these took place at our county fairgrounds in an open arena with bleacher seating and concessions. I'd get a bag of popcorn and a bottle of pop and sit with Dad in a sea of Democrats while various candidates made their pitch for support. While I have forgotten most of the campaign speeches I heard, a part of one candidate's presentation stuck with me.
He was a younger guy making his first run for the state legislature and he was "operating on a shoestring". Undaunted, he roused the crowd with this: "Now, I know you have seen quite a few of my opponent's bumperstickers on cars in this area and you may think he has much more support than I do. But, we have had to be very frugal with our meager resources and we decided not to invest in bumperstickers. My supporters don't have any. So, when you see cars WITHOUT one of my opponent's stickers----THOSE ARE MY PEOPLE!"
Today, I think an analogous argument can be made about the anti-quarantine protesters. Each time you pass a government building where no gun-toting flag wavers are mugging for the cameras, THAT is our protest: the majority of us who have the good sense to stay at home and avoid unnecessary contact with others. Empty sidewalks are our "protests".
As I listen to or read some of the comments of the anti-lockdown protestors, it occurs to me that if
they were somehow required to use only words they could define and only chant slogans they could explain, they would have precious little to say.
If the spittle-flecked MAGAt screaming "This is communism!" was asked "How so?", do you think he'd have an answer that made sense?
If the wild-eyed woman insisting "This is not a pandemic!" was asked "What IS a pandemic?", would we hear anything beyond sputtering profanity?
They chant slogans created by others because mindlessness is their comfort zone.
They carry assault weapons because they believe those make thought and reason unnecessary.
Let's slow down and step back to consider what is about to happen. Though there is a wide
variety of methods and time tables, most states are currently beginning their version of "opening". Some are only allowing certain categories of businesses to open during reduced hours and with a dramatic reduction in the number of people allowed to enter a business at one time. Others are essentially eliminating all restrictions on personal conduct. "Do whatever you want": you don't have to wear a mask; you don't have to stay home; you don't have to avoid crowds.
I don't need to tell you what is going to happen over the next several weeks. You know. Everyone with the sense God gave a rubber duck knows what is about to happen.
The Corona virus cases and deaths are going to spike. Thousands of Americans are going to die unnecessarily. But, now, the deaths aren't going to be confined to the big cities. Now, the dead will have lived in our rural counties; our towns with names never mentioned on the evening news. They will be our neighbors down the street, the cashier at our grocery store, a teacher at our child's school.
Idiots will be refusing to wear masks in public and screaming insults at those who do. Idiots will be standing shoulder in crowds to chant praises to Trump and threats to any who dare criticize him. Idiots will take to the airwaves, social media and the streets to shout bumper sticker slogans in an effort to make it seem as though every "true American" agrees with Trump that this pandemic is "no big deal" and that he is doing a "wonderful job" of handling it.
I know better. You know better. EVERYONE without a MAGA tattoo knows better. So,---
Ignore anything originating with the Trump cult. Listen to your own common sense. This ain't over by a long shot. It is not safe out there yet. Stay home if you can. Wear a mask and maintain social distancing when you must go out. WASH YOUR HANDS every time you thnk of it.
Let's maintain our self-quarantine the way addicts and alcoholics maintain their sobriety: one day at a time.
With his campaign to "reopen", Trump is in the process of cutting off YOUR nose
to spirte YOUR face.
"Republicans"---what will it take to break the spell that Trump and his thugocracy have
apparently cast over you?
Do you even recognize the many similarities between what you and other Trumpies are currently supporting and the attitudes fostered by Hitler to prepare the way for his Nazis to take power in Germany? There are many examples, but many are subtle and I know many of you "don't do nuance" so I'll just mention one very recent and apparent outrage.
At a protest organized to support Trump's call to "reopen the country" despite the raging Corona virus, one of your folks displayed a sign urging that we "Sacrifice the Weak" in order to get everyone back to work and into the malls.
That's right out of Adolph's playbook, people! It should keep you awake at night.
That it does not keeps a lot of US awake.
Profile Information
Member since: 2002Number of posts: 15,124
