Sedition

[billy.pilgrim]

“A description of the 1934 riot comes midway through “Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point,” by Steve Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. Their new book, which argues that the US must reform its Constitution and political institutions because they are dangerously antiquated, offers a chilling postscript to the French insurrection.”

Well damn, good find. I didn't know that.
First the pandemic, now this.

God help us.
History really does tend to repeat itself every hundred years or so.

I didn’t know it either, but I guess it’s old news as it hasn’t inspired comment here or at the other place

[Vrede too]

I didn’t know it either, but I guess it’s old news as it hasn’t inspired comment here or at the other place

I didn’t know about February 6 (maybe we should get rid of the 6th of every month) in France, but what's too comment? This thread and many others are about our approaching fascism. There are parallels with 1930s Germany, too. We both bemoan the trend and find it too depressing to contemplate.

Levitsky: ... one of the prime factors associated with support for Trump was White racial resentment, or a view that American society and culture are changing in ways that are deeply threatening. It’s much more complex than a racial vote. It’s better characterized as about status loss.

For a couple hundred years in this country, White men sat on top of every single social political, economic, and cultural hierarchy that we had. That is changing quite rapidly over the last few decades. And we’ve really begun in the 21st century to see the effects of that change, whether it’s an African American family in the White House or nonwhite or mixed-race families on television screens, or discussions in newsrooms or in classrooms questioning long-established narratives of history that downplayed or ignored race.

These things are happening in the 21st century in a way that never happened before and are seriously challenging the long-established racial hierarchy. And there’s pretty good evidence that this has … not only given rise to MAGA but is its principal contributor.

Hasn't someone been saying, "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression"?

More that's familiar:

Ziblatt:The prospect of a Trump presidency should frighten all of us. We should take his promises very seriously. He’s advertising his authoritarianism. The good news is most Americans actually are liberal minded, committed to democracy. They don’t want a political system that’s authoritarian. The bad news is that the coalition that is in support of that could easily fracture. It’s a big coalition, and there are a whole set of factors that could weaken that coalition and fracture it. The war between Israel and Hamas could drive a perfect wedge in the broad coalition against Trump.

We have to keep our eye on the prize, and we have to understand that the most essential thing for any American is to make sure that you don’t elect an autocrat. All other issues are secondary.

Any wagers?

Spoiler:

Not from me. I'd say it's about 50-50 right now.

[GoCubsGo]

Caught part of MSNBC this morning, seems like the whole morning was devoted to what a second trump term would look like and how dictatorial it would be and how he'd do it.

I hope there's a lot more programming like that on more stations in the next eleven months.

[billy.pilgrim]

I wish Biden didn’t see himself as the only person who can beat trump.

[O Really]

I wish Biden didn’t see himself as the only person who can beat trump.

Me too, but when you look at who the available replacements are, he seems to have a point. I think Gavin could win, but he insists he's not running this year. Kamala would likely lose. If a woman has a chance, Gretchen might. Former Maryland guv Hogan could probably win, but he's still a Republican as far as I know. Pritzger from Illinois looks like a gangster. Beshear of Kentucky has won in a red state but isn't very well known otherwise. Current Maryland guv Moore would be a great candidate except he's about the same shade as obama. None of the rest of the Dem governors has any national stature. None of the senators who tried in 2020 would likely do any better. Mark Kelly might be made presentable, but he's apparently nowhere close to interested - and with a wife who got shot campaigning, who could blame him?

Is Taylor Swift 35 yet?

[Vrede too]

I wish Biden didn’t see himself as the only person who can beat trump.

Me too, but when you look at who the available replacements are, he seems to have a point. I think Gavin could win, but he insists he's not running this year. Kamala would likely lose. If a woman has a chance, Gretchen might. Former Maryland guv Hogan could probably win, but he's still a Republican as far as I know. Pritzger from Illinois looks like a gangster. Beshear of Kentucky has won in a red state but isn't very well known otherwise. Current Maryland guv Moore would be a great candidate except he's about the same shade as obama. None of the rest of the Dem governors has any national stature. None of the senators who tried in 2020 would likely do any better. Mark Kelly might be made presentable, but he's apparently nowhere close to interested - and with a wife who got shot campaigning, who could blame him?

Is Taylor Swift 35 yet?

She turns 35 on December 13, 2024, just in time.
AFAIK Gavin "insists he's not running this year" IF Joe is running. Hasn't he been positioning himself to step in if possible?
Gretchen Whitmer would be good.
Mayor/Secretary Pete?
Cory Booker?
Bob Menendez? Let's just be honest about US politics.
Sherrod Brown?
Roy Cooper?
"Lifelong Democrat" George Santos who really really was born on Long Island, USA?

Seriously, I think there are options who would do a credible job, especially vs TRE45QN or Fascist DerSantis. GoJoeGo, I mean it, go.

[O Really]

I like cooper but he has the personality of a Biden light. Booker is too blackish (see issues with Obama). Pete is too gay. Find somebody that doesn't start the race with excess baggage.

[Vrede too]

I like cooper but he has the personality of a Biden light. Booker is too blackish (see issues with Obama). Pete is too gay. Find somebody that doesn't start the race with excess baggage.

Michelle Obama could win.

[O Really]

I like cooper but he has the personality of a Biden light. Booker is too blackish (see issues with Obama). Pete is too gay. Find somebody that doesn't start the race with excess baggage.

Michelle Obama could win.

Probably could. But she has no interest.

[O Really]

Mark Cuban for President.

[billy.pilgrim]

I wish Biden didn’t see himself as the only person who can beat trump.

Me too, but when you look at who the available replacements are, he seems to have a point. I think Gavin could win, but he insists he's not running this year. Kamala would likely lose. If a woman has a chance, Gretchen might. Former Maryland guv Hogan could probably win, but he's still a Republican as far as I know. Pritzger from Illinois looks like a gangster. Beshear of Kentucky has won in a red state but isn't very well known otherwise. Current Maryland guv Moore would be a great candidate except he's about the same shade as obama. None of the rest of the Dem governors has any national stature. None of the senators who tried in 2020 would likely do any better. Mark Kelly might be made presentable, but he's apparently nowhere close to interested - and with a wife who got shot campaigning, who could blame him?

Is Taylor Swift 35 yet?

Although he should have done it months ago, it’s not too late for Biden to ask Gavin to run.

[billy.pilgrim]

I like cooper but he has the personality of a Biden light. Booker is too blackish (see issues with Obama). Pete is too gay. Find somebody that doesn't start the race with excess baggage.

Michelle Obama could win.

Probably could. But she has no interest.

Although her wins the nice high road lady contest every time, her Zero experience wouldn’t get my vote.

[GoCubsGo]

FWIW

President Biden on Wednesday said he believes there are “probably 50” Democrats who could defeat former President Trump in a general election, but that he will beat him in 2024.

[billy.pilgrim]

FWIW

President Biden on Wednesday said he believes there are “probably 50” Democrats who could defeat former President Trump in a general election, but that he will beat him in 2024.

He’s been drinking too heavily from kelliannieanie’s Alternative world.

[O Really]

If it weren't for the electoral college, most any sentient human could beat Trump. And maybe 50 baggage-free generic candidates could too. But I still contend that there aren't nearly 50 real-life people available and willing to run. Maybe it's time for a popular actor/comedian who could either be a figurehead person supported by a professional staff or...maybe s/he'd rise to the job like in Ukraine.

[Vrede too]

If it weren't for the electoral college, most any sentient human could beat Trump. And maybe 50 baggage-free generic candidates could too. But I still contend that there aren't nearly 50 real-life people available and willing to run. Maybe it's time for a popular actor/comedian who could either be a figurehead person supported by a professional staff or...maybe s/he'd rise to the job like in Ukraine.

Sarah Silverman for POTUS!

[billy.pilgrim]

If it weren't for the electoral college, most any sentient human could beat Trump. And maybe 50 baggage-free generic candidates could too. But I still contend that there aren't nearly 50 real-life people available and willing to run. Maybe it's time for a popular actor/comedian who could either be a figurehead person supported by a professional staff or...maybe s/he'd rise to the job like in Ukraine.

Sarah Silverman for POTUS!

“In an Instagram Story shared with her 2 million followers on October 18, the Jewish comedian reposted a statement by user @elianaeatz.”

‘"Many are saying that it's inhumane that Israel is cutting off water/electricity to Gaza," the post reads. Israel made it pretty simple—'release the hostages and we will turn it back on.' Instead of pleading with Hamas to release civilian hostages which include babies and toddlers there are politicians (cough cough AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]) calling Israel inhumane.”

“ "If that isn't enough for you: Israel does not need to supply Gaza with these resources (which they do, for free). If Hamas didn't spend billions of dollars on terrorism they would be able to build the infrastructure to support themselves."‘

"It's such a complex situation," she said. "But make no mistake - Hamas is a terrorist organization whose main goal is to kill all the Jews. This world breaks my heart.

On October 11, the actress left the Democratic Socialists of America organization after a decade of membership, after the group pledged its support to Palestinians.

"The DSA of which I was a proud lifetime member, has lost me forever,' she posted to Instagram, calling the organization an "arrogant, ignorant, piece of s*** group."


After receiving backlash from former fans, she blamed being stoned on pot for her all of her mistakes.

[Vrede too]

Sarah Silverman for POTUS!

“In an Instagram Story shared with her 2 million followers on October 18, the Jewish comedian reposted a statement by user @elianaeatz.”

‘"Many are saying that it's inhumane that Israel is cutting off water/electricity to Gaza," the post reads. Israel made it pretty simple—'release the hostages and we will turn it back on.' Instead of pleading with Hamas to release civilian hostages which include babies and toddlers there are politicians (cough cough AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]) calling Israel inhumane.”

“ "If that isn't enough for you: Israel does not need to supply Gaza with these resources (which they do, for free). If Hamas didn't spend billions of dollars on terrorism they would be able to build the infrastructure to support themselves."‘

"It's such a complex situation," she said. "But make no mistake - Hamas is a terrorist organization whose main goal is to kill all the Jews. This world breaks my heart.

On October 11, the actress left the Democratic Socialists of America organization after a decade of membership, after the group pledged its support to Palestinians.

"The DSA of which I was a proud lifetime member, has lost me forever,' she posted to Instagram, calling the organization an "arrogant, ignorant, piece of s*** group."

Chelsea Handler for POTUS!

[billy.pilgrim]

Sarah Silverman for POTUS!

“In an Instagram Story shared with her 2 million followers on October 18, the Jewish comedian reposted a statement by user @elianaeatz.”

‘"Many are saying that it's inhumane that Israel is cutting off water/electricity to Gaza," the post reads. Israel made it pretty simple—'release the hostages and we will turn it back on.' Instead of pleading with Hamas to release civilian hostages which include babies and toddlers there are politicians (cough cough AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]) calling Israel inhumane.”

“ "If that isn't enough for you: Israel does not need to supply Gaza with these resources (which they do, for free). If Hamas didn't spend billions of dollars on terrorism they would be able to build the infrastructure to support themselves."‘

"It's such a complex situation," she said. "But make no mistake - Hamas is a terrorist organization whose main goal is to kill all the Jews. This world breaks my heart.

On October 11, the actress left the Democratic Socialists of America organization after a decade of membership, after the group pledged its support to Palestinians.

"The DSA of which I was a proud lifetime member, has lost me forever,' she posted to Instagram, calling the organization an "arrogant, ignorant, piece of s*** group."

Chelsea Handler for POTUS!

She says that it was the marijuana’s fault

[Vrede too]

Chelsea Handler for POTUS!

She says that it was the marijuana’s fault

?