20 Comments

Absolutely fabulous compilation of literature and other media to warn us all that it can indeed happen here! Thank you for this public service.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. A Night at the Garden is horrifying.

Expand full comment

And tomorrow night we get a reprise?

Expand full comment
Oct 26Liked by Laura Durnell

Thank you for this wonderful of books and film. I have read some that you mention here and will check out the rest.

Expand full comment
Oct 27Liked by Laura Durnell

Our lives do depend on it!

Expand full comment

And get this from Timothy Snyder today: https://snyder.substack.com/p/obeying-in-advance?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=310897&post_id=150757391&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_content=watch_now_button&r=ls40v&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

I think that link will work: It's about his first law of Tyranny: Obeying in Advance and TWO of our major newspapers owned by rich guys are doing it. This is terrifying, to me anyway!

Expand full comment
author

I saw Snyder's video yesterday. I agree with you, Mary -- terrifying. The significance of Donald's rally at MSG I'm sure is lost on people. That's why I included A Night at the Garden.

Expand full comment

Unfortunately, I think all six or so of the Billionaires who own 80% of the MSM are in the hat on this. The owners of the New York Times, etc. That's one reason why coverage of Trump has been so poor. They've all been co-opted. It's just that they haven't openly admitted it or done anything to make it obvious.

Expand full comment

An excellent introduction to the literature and films on this subject. Unfortunately, at just over a week until election day, this piece may be about a year late. But... if it had come out a year ago, it wouldn't have gotten the traction that it might right now. It's like seeing what a con man Trump is. Some of us saw it in 2016 if not earlier. Others of us will not ever see it. Even as he brings disaster down upon us and the country in general.

It's always that way with con artists. They spin and concoct a fiction for the mark. A fiction that will get the con something he wants at the expense of the mark, who will be the poorer for it, though they may or may not realize it. Or won't admit to it. Because of peoples egos, even when they realize they've been had, they hate to admit it. Or admit they were part of it. That's why I hold out little hope for the hardcore MAGA people. No matter what happens, they will say Trump was a great hero. They are massively invested in it and can't afford (psychologically) to get out. Trump makes other people guilty with him. One of the secrets of the trade.

So... I don't know it this piece will change any minds, but even if it helps even just a few, that is a good thing.

Ideally... the whole country would read it and be converted to the true faith of democracy, freedom, and respect for everyone's rights.

In a perfect world.

Expand full comment
author

You are right. Rachel Bitecofer who writes a Substack has appeared on Bob Cesca's podcast many times. She is a political scientist and knows how polls work. She's said the majority of Americans are not news and political geeks like us. It's only in the last month or weeks they start to become aware. I've written about Donald and MAGA in the past, but my posts addressing Project 2025, Donald and MAGA have not gotten a lot of responses and shares until the past few months.

Expand full comment

I don’t recall if the following question was asked when SCOTUS declared that the president is immune from prosecution for actions taken during the performing of official duties: Are the people tasked with carrying out the unlawful actions and who perform those unlawful actions also immune from prosecution?

Expand full comment
author

I can't remember. The one I do remember was the question about Seal Team 6.

Expand full comment

They are not. A military officer or enlisted man who complies with an illegal order is subject to court martial. Of course, Trump will promise to pardon them.

Expand full comment

Some fabulous books, all worthy of a read.

Expand full comment

…that’s two party system for ya

Expand full comment

I this is an incredible resource. Thank you.

I hear that there is a group in society called “country club republicans “ who, according to some research are “coming back to Trump”. Why? Apparently they don’t like him much but think hey, we like the idea of tax cuts! Given what’s at stake I have no words for the depth of that venality.

Expand full comment

There is a rich hypocrisy of relating to independent voters as protest voters. Remember that Independent voters did not create the rules. No one is talking about protecting their Democratic rights. I would suggest that if Democrats want independent votes, that they respect them, acknowledge that they have an American birthright to support the candidate that they prefer, and then humbly, with hat in hand, ask them for their support. Respect, being seen,makes a world of difference in politics.

Expand full comment
author

I didn't mention independent voters. I specifically wrote protest voters .You're trying to gaslight. Won't work.

My mother and brother are independent voters. They both realize what's at stake and will be voting for Harris. Neither voted for Trump starting in 2016. Years ago my mom said about Trump: "The man is an idiot. And he wears his tie so long to havs people notice his penis."

Expand full comment

Seriously I’m not trying to gaslight. I ran for a public office, advocating for rank choice voting, multi-member Congressional districts, because it would help resolve the spoiler effect. I am supporting Democratic Senate candidates as well as the Harris campaign. My criticism of the Democrats is that they disparage, vote shame, third-party voters year after week, election after election. I’m pointing out that that’s an ineffective alienating strategy for asking for support.

Expand full comment

I am an independent voter who has no respect for anyone who votes for anything but stopping nazis

Not a molecule

Expand full comment