This is exactly the kind of reporting we need. Accurate and animating.
I also wholeheartedly agree with the Mckibben quote: just this morning, I wrote on Brian Beutler's substack that this is where we need to actually use the Dems' connection to Hollywood effectively. Hire a bunch of brilliant humor writers to take care of this NOW. It would be the most profound contribution they could ever make. We need an A team of comedians writing material that sticks—that illuminates their frailties. As Audrey Tang put it, "The only thing that moves faster than outrage is humor." To that end, I love the creative Tesla thwarting. Please, if you want to fill your heart and fill your activist tank, listen to this INCREDIBLE podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/vc/podcast/laughing-at-power-a-troublemakers-guide-to-changing-tech/id1460030305?i=1000684213802
It's not really about changing tech so much as finding brilliant ways to draw attention to the absurd contradictions (and real weakness) of those who abuse their power. I LOVED it (and Srdja Popovic, who was instrumental in bringing down Milosevic).
"Crime wave, not a coup." Perhaps a distinction without a difference? . Headlines are suggesting that the Courts are stymying Trump and Musk. But they ignore a crucial point. Judges have no power without police power to enforce their judgments. The judges might try to punish those who ignore their rulings. One seemed to suggest that Musk could be held in contempt. But how is this enforced? Actually, the only enforcement mechanism is federal marshalls, who are under the control of, you guessed it, the Justice Department. They will not enforce any judicial judgments i.e. arrest any Trump people. From there it is a dark path.
Peter Beinart's new book "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza" contains similar commentary on the Jewish establishment. I think both you and Beinart are too kind to the Jewish and Zionist establishment. How long and by what actions did Nazism become recognized as a racist ideology that can no longer show its face in the world? When does Zionism -- the ideology behind apartheid and white supremacy in Palestine, behind Nakba displacement of 750,000, behind the walls, closures, pogroms, displacement, destruction of bookshops in the West Bank, behind the genocide committed in Gaza, and now behind the displacement of two million human beings to make way for a "Zone of Interest"-- meet the criteria?
I agree about not giving the Deplorable Duo any illusion of power. But imo calling what they're doing a coup should wake people up to what will happen. It's not a violent overthrow, but if it's allowed to roll on largely unchecked the end result will be an overthrow -- it will just take longer.
I'm seeing many people who are zonked on Kool-Aid posting on social media about how great everything is. Demonstrations and petitions won't impress them (and most of them aren't buying Teslas).
Call it "coup-light" or something? And for sure a crime spree. Hit that hard. Action is needed, not words.
By all means attack the actions. Who voted for Muck? Why isn't the $1T defense budget being examined instead of focusing on the $57B+ State Dept budget (including USAID), etc.?
Thx for the link to CourtWatch, Mr. Sifry. I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for all the useful information. I think "coup" helps focus on the Constitutional crisis in a way that "crime spree" does not. The CFOW vigil in Hastings on Saturday included signs and a leaflet re: "Stop the Musk Coup." I didn't get a sense that people felt that the coup-attempt couldn't be stopped. It may be that "coup" will be more useful if/when Trump/Musk refuse to obey court orders, etc.
The quote from Antonia Scatton reminded me of this video from Gov Pritzker. I cackled while watching, perhaps it will bring some folks a little joy in this seemingly unending slog.
I like the crime spree frame but we have a coup already and while the courts may try to stop them they have no enforcement power other than.. Please don't do it.. Pretty please with sugar on top.
And then scotus has been bought and sold.. And they already gave Trump immunity from pretty much anything he does.
I'm completely torn on the argument about language. I understand the logic of not handing them power or creating the wrong images in people's heads. But not labelling what they are doing as what it is--as a coup, as fascism--also risks normalising it, doesn't it? Why give them the benefit of the doubt through what amounts to euphemism? And I really don't understand how recognising that a coup is underway disempowers people to fight? Maybe it does. But if that's happening, that would be a bigger problem than language, wouldn't it? Anyway, I'm not sure either way.
This is exactly the kind of reporting we need. Accurate and animating.
I also wholeheartedly agree with the Mckibben quote: just this morning, I wrote on Brian Beutler's substack that this is where we need to actually use the Dems' connection to Hollywood effectively. Hire a bunch of brilliant humor writers to take care of this NOW. It would be the most profound contribution they could ever make. We need an A team of comedians writing material that sticks—that illuminates their frailties. As Audrey Tang put it, "The only thing that moves faster than outrage is humor." To that end, I love the creative Tesla thwarting. Please, if you want to fill your heart and fill your activist tank, listen to this INCREDIBLE podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/vc/podcast/laughing-at-power-a-troublemakers-guide-to-changing-tech/id1460030305?i=1000684213802
It's not really about changing tech so much as finding brilliant ways to draw attention to the absurd contradictions (and real weakness) of those who abuse their power. I LOVED it (and Srdja Popovic, who was instrumental in bringing down Milosevic).
"Crime wave, not a coup." Perhaps a distinction without a difference? . Headlines are suggesting that the Courts are stymying Trump and Musk. But they ignore a crucial point. Judges have no power without police power to enforce their judgments. The judges might try to punish those who ignore their rulings. One seemed to suggest that Musk could be held in contempt. But how is this enforced? Actually, the only enforcement mechanism is federal marshalls, who are under the control of, you guessed it, the Justice Department. They will not enforce any judicial judgments i.e. arrest any Trump people. From there it is a dark path.
Peter Beinart's new book "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza" contains similar commentary on the Jewish establishment. I think both you and Beinart are too kind to the Jewish and Zionist establishment. How long and by what actions did Nazism become recognized as a racist ideology that can no longer show its face in the world? When does Zionism -- the ideology behind apartheid and white supremacy in Palestine, behind Nakba displacement of 750,000, behind the walls, closures, pogroms, displacement, destruction of bookshops in the West Bank, behind the genocide committed in Gaza, and now behind the displacement of two million human beings to make way for a "Zone of Interest"-- meet the criteria?
Trump's "potential coup" will turn into a real one as soon as he ignores a court order - which many of us expect any day now.
I agree about not giving the Deplorable Duo any illusion of power. But imo calling what they're doing a coup should wake people up to what will happen. It's not a violent overthrow, but if it's allowed to roll on largely unchecked the end result will be an overthrow -- it will just take longer.
I'm seeing many people who are zonked on Kool-Aid posting on social media about how great everything is. Demonstrations and petitions won't impress them (and most of them aren't buying Teslas).
Call it "coup-light" or something? And for sure a crime spree. Hit that hard. Action is needed, not words.
By all means attack the actions. Who voted for Muck? Why isn't the $1T defense budget being examined instead of focusing on the $57B+ State Dept budget (including USAID), etc.?
Thx for the link to CourtWatch, Mr. Sifry. I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for all the useful information. I think "coup" helps focus on the Constitutional crisis in a way that "crime spree" does not. The CFOW vigil in Hastings on Saturday included signs and a leaflet re: "Stop the Musk Coup." I didn't get a sense that people felt that the coup-attempt couldn't be stopped. It may be that "coup" will be more useful if/when Trump/Musk refuse to obey court orders, etc.
The quote from Antonia Scatton reminded me of this video from Gov Pritzker. I cackled while watching, perhaps it will bring some folks a little joy in this seemingly unending slog.
https://bsky.app/profile/jbpritzker.bsky.social/post/3lhmh6zhpr22h
I like the crime spree frame but we have a coup already and while the courts may try to stop them they have no enforcement power other than.. Please don't do it.. Pretty please with sugar on top.
And then scotus has been bought and sold.. And they already gave Trump immunity from pretty much anything he does.
I'm completely torn on the argument about language. I understand the logic of not handing them power or creating the wrong images in people's heads. But not labelling what they are doing as what it is--as a coup, as fascism--also risks normalising it, doesn't it? Why give them the benefit of the doubt through what amounts to euphemism? And I really don't understand how recognising that a coup is underway disempowers people to fight? Maybe it does. But if that's happening, that would be a bigger problem than language, wouldn't it? Anyway, I'm not sure either way.
Bad take