Why we must push back against the climate of violence with kindness and decency and expect a justice system that finally holds a criminal ex-president accountable
I wish those who are blinded by propaganda had access to your writing. Maybe they would begin to question Fox, NewsMax and Breitbart and walk into decency.
I am afraid that it takes real work to read great words DiDi
And effort to understand what is wrong here. The very people who need to read and understand will not do the work. It is so much easier to listen to sound bites filled with lies and hate.
Just keep yourself focused and positive and be a strong part of the "Pro Democracy army"! Lets keep our "Eyes on the Prize"!
Agreed! And getting more people access to Mr. Beschloss' writing is up to us.
For example, I'm going to post this to my social media accounts. This automatically spreads the word. This action is one form of activism that we can all perform.
Steven, thank you for this inspiring and motivating newsletter today. Kindness and Decency! These qualities are shown in everything you write, as you hold these qualities high- Aspirational. Best, Lisa
But that does not mean we overlook the predators among us. We must hold them accountable for their actions. It's a balancing act, that every good person maintains in their civil life. Judge Engoron has his hands full. That's his role. Mine is to comment and support both decency and accountability.
"This coarsening of the public square, this indifference to human life, is not by coincidence. It’s part of the shameless, sociopathic enterprise of the Republican party that’s focused on feeding the worst impulses of their extremist base." Horrible truth. Profound truth.
I'm engaged with a couple of MAGAs on Facebook. They post almost cult like propaganda to which I respond with factual information that flies in the face of their stubborn beliefs. And I do so without ad-hominems or insults.
I hope that your well-chosen words will reverberate through the walls of America and help save it from the enemy within. Your country is on the edge of destroying its democracy through hatred, anger and the misguided amoral impulses of a man whose only purpose in life is his own aggrandizement and material wealth, spiritual health be damned. May your essays bring hope in a period of great tribulation.
Your analysis is spot on. It’s as if there’s no bridge between the reasonable and the deluded. I am hopeful because it’s my nature, not because I see evidence for it in our political climate today.
I will start with your closing paragraph @StevenBeschloss: "... let’s not lose faith that we can still prove our capacity to make a better country, show respect for the full diversity of our people, bend the arc toward justice, and demonstrate that decency and true civilization can win out over ruthlessness, nihilism and hate." You said the important stuff so beautifully. The 2 2023 Thanksgiving messages you included at the beginning of your post show the 2 Americas from which we can choose. We can be the America of kindness and decency and hope, or we can be the America of ugly rhetoric. I choose kindness, decency and hope. Let us pray that in the 2024 presidential election, the majority of Americans, especially those in the swing states with the most electoral college votes, also choose kindness, decency and hope. Let us lift ourselves up. Let us lift up our fellow Americans. Let us again become the shining star on the hill, a positive example for the world of what Democracy really is. As we say in my faith: Ken Yehi Ratzon. Let this be God's will. God Bless America and all who serve this country with respect.
Donald Trump is a projectionist. He is the hateful, corrupt psycho lunatic looking to destroy our country. He must be terrified each time he looks at himself in a mirror.
I have no doubt that given the choice in the terms you've set up Americans would choose decency and rule of law. But that's not the choice MAGA thinks they are making. Instead they choose ruthlessness because they believe the "American carnage" dystopia painted by Trump, Stephen Miller, and the media they follow. They are fast learning through that propaganda while ignoring evidence.
My main hope for retreat from autocracy is that enough people pay attention and vote based on their experience and who can deliver the world they want--not just what they are told. And please, follow Trump's trials directly, not only through biased media filters.
Yes, you captured the quality of the environment Trump has set and the Republicans support and disseminate throughout our nation: “anger and cruelty are always on the menu,” “consistent outpouring of venom,” and the “ indifference to human life.” Sadly, often a society does not turn around until there is utter destruction. Sadists thrive, and revel in the destruction as it grows around them. That’s our problem. It isn’t simply sociopathy anymore. It is sadism.
We need to dispense with the "if onlys" (trump would disappear, his followers would see the light, everyone would be nice, kind, the judge would say Do not pass go; go directly to jail.) We need to realize our hopes if we follow "only if." Only if the Democrats had campaign managers with some imagination, even some ideas ! A mundane Thanksgiving message could have been so much better if, for instance, he had behind him , a young person from each of our many American nationalities, pointing out contributions made by them to strengthen our democracy and benefit this country for which we are thankful. That would have been on the news. In a time when Democrats are trying to get the rich, the heads of companies, to pay their fair share of taxes, lower prices, stop being greedy, what does Biden do? Vacations in Nantucket in a billionaire's $34 M home . Jill's Do something kind? How about she helps out at a soup kitchen handing out a few meals to homeless on Thanksgiving. That would have been kind .And newsworthy. One size does not fit all- different messages should go out to kids, students, women, consumers, elderly. Spend less time trying to pay college debt and propose help to public schools. Visit a couple now and then. Speak up for teaching the truth in all things, raising teacher's pay so we get better ones, fix buildings, ride on a school bus and enjoy the children. Run a Taylor Swift endorsement on popular TV shows. She's a huge hit with young people now, gets them to register to vote,for unfortunately, polls are showing more and more young people are pro GOP. Recruit David Hogg. Guys and some girls have tattoos up one arm and down the other. Get one. A small flag maybe. They would love it; no longer Sleepy Joe but Joe Cool. Then there are all those red MAGA baseball hats. Out comes Joe with a baseball hat. Blue, but copy cat?? Hide it. trump has announced his plans to go to Argentina and meet the new chain saw wielding far right wanna be despot, says he will Make Argentina Great. Meanwhile, Biden says he is too busy to attend in Dubai, the largest climate change conference ever held, he who proffers the subject constantly. Cancel the trips to Delaware every weekend. Though we know you are still working from there, the media says you are taking the weekend off. Stay in DC,. have photographer take picture of you sitting at desk in West Wing. Emphasize the reduction of some drugs. ( However, not effective until 2026. Some in need now will be dead. ) Have a picture on the news of you-YOU-filling up a car gas tank , thumbs up. Gas at a low point now. Take some credit since everyone blames you for the high price. The party should stop sending those surveys that ask dumb questions like Will you vote for Joe Biden, are you in favor of social security and medicare, should there be stricter gun control, blah, blah, send X dollars that will be triple matched. Receivers are registered Democrats ! Don't belittle our intelligence. Brag about all the women you have chosen to serve, denounce loudly Republican attempts to control women. Emphasize the danger of war if we don't continue to support Ukraine against Putin. Interest there is waning.Show devastation pictures next to trump shaking hands with Putin, warning that can happen to our NATO allies with such a leader. So many ways to sway voters our way, save our values, our country, maybe the world, only if . . .
I’m a strong believer in the rule, “Don’t wrestle with a pig; you get dirty & the pig enjoys it.” But I still think that the former president, who has an adjective for every opponent (crazy, crooked, corrupt) deserves an adjective of his own. Whacky, loony, sleazy…What’s the best one for Donald?
I wish those who are blinded by propaganda had access to your writing. Maybe they would begin to question Fox, NewsMax and Breitbart and walk into decency.
I am afraid that it takes real work to read great words DiDi
And effort to understand what is wrong here. The very people who need to read and understand will not do the work. It is so much easier to listen to sound bites filled with lies and hate.
Just keep yourself focused and positive and be a strong part of the "Pro Democracy army"! Lets keep our "Eyes on the Prize"!
Agreed! And getting more people access to Mr. Beschloss' writing is up to us.
For example, I'm going to post this to my social media accounts. This automatically spreads the word. This action is one form of activism that we can all perform.
So many yearn for the decency you speak of that has been if not lost subdued like a hostage to power.
Steven, thank you for this inspiring and motivating newsletter today. Kindness and Decency! These qualities are shown in everything you write, as you hold these qualities high- Aspirational. Best, Lisa
Thank you, Lisa.
Decency, yes. Absolutely.
But that does not mean we overlook the predators among us. We must hold them accountable for their actions. It's a balancing act, that every good person maintains in their civil life. Judge Engoron has his hands full. That's his role. Mine is to comment and support both decency and accountability.
You’re right. It has to be both.
"This coarsening of the public square, this indifference to human life, is not by coincidence. It’s part of the shameless, sociopathic enterprise of the Republican party that’s focused on feeding the worst impulses of their extremist base." Horrible truth. Profound truth.
Therein lies the fertile ground for push-back.
I'm engaged with a couple of MAGAs on Facebook. They post almost cult like propaganda to which I respond with factual information that flies in the face of their stubborn beliefs. And I do so without ad-hominems or insults.
They haven't unfriended/blocked you? BRAVO for you!!
I hope that your well-chosen words will reverberate through the walls of America and help save it from the enemy within. Your country is on the edge of destroying its democracy through hatred, anger and the misguided amoral impulses of a man whose only purpose in life is his own aggrandizement and material wealth, spiritual health be damned. May your essays bring hope in a period of great tribulation.
Thank you, Carol. Much work to be done.
Yes, but you are certainly well-placed to keep up the good fight.
Your analysis is spot on. It’s as if there’s no bridge between the reasonable and the deluded. I am hopeful because it’s my nature, not because I see evidence for it in our political climate today.
I will start with your closing paragraph @StevenBeschloss: "... let’s not lose faith that we can still prove our capacity to make a better country, show respect for the full diversity of our people, bend the arc toward justice, and demonstrate that decency and true civilization can win out over ruthlessness, nihilism and hate." You said the important stuff so beautifully. The 2 2023 Thanksgiving messages you included at the beginning of your post show the 2 Americas from which we can choose. We can be the America of kindness and decency and hope, or we can be the America of ugly rhetoric. I choose kindness, decency and hope. Let us pray that in the 2024 presidential election, the majority of Americans, especially those in the swing states with the most electoral college votes, also choose kindness, decency and hope. Let us lift ourselves up. Let us lift up our fellow Americans. Let us again become the shining star on the hill, a positive example for the world of what Democracy really is. As we say in my faith: Ken Yehi Ratzon. Let this be God's will. God Bless America and all who serve this country with respect.
Too many mute voices in the face of the shooting of three Arab students in Vermont. The silence of friends being worse than any taunting of enemies
Donald Trump is a projectionist. He is the hateful, corrupt psycho lunatic looking to destroy our country. He must be terrified each time he looks at himself in a mirror.
Sadly until he is out of the public eye either by jail or death, we will not have a chance for decency.
I cannot add anything to this article, it says it all! I still have hopes in 2024!
I have no doubt that given the choice in the terms you've set up Americans would choose decency and rule of law. But that's not the choice MAGA thinks they are making. Instead they choose ruthlessness because they believe the "American carnage" dystopia painted by Trump, Stephen Miller, and the media they follow. They are fast learning through that propaganda while ignoring evidence.
My main hope for retreat from autocracy is that enough people pay attention and vote based on their experience and who can deliver the world they want--not just what they are told. And please, follow Trump's trials directly, not only through biased media filters.
Yes, you captured the quality of the environment Trump has set and the Republicans support and disseminate throughout our nation: “anger and cruelty are always on the menu,” “consistent outpouring of venom,” and the “ indifference to human life.” Sadly, often a society does not turn around until there is utter destruction. Sadists thrive, and revel in the destruction as it grows around them. That’s our problem. It isn’t simply sociopathy anymore. It is sadism.
We need to dispense with the "if onlys" (trump would disappear, his followers would see the light, everyone would be nice, kind, the judge would say Do not pass go; go directly to jail.) We need to realize our hopes if we follow "only if." Only if the Democrats had campaign managers with some imagination, even some ideas ! A mundane Thanksgiving message could have been so much better if, for instance, he had behind him , a young person from each of our many American nationalities, pointing out contributions made by them to strengthen our democracy and benefit this country for which we are thankful. That would have been on the news. In a time when Democrats are trying to get the rich, the heads of companies, to pay their fair share of taxes, lower prices, stop being greedy, what does Biden do? Vacations in Nantucket in a billionaire's $34 M home . Jill's Do something kind? How about she helps out at a soup kitchen handing out a few meals to homeless on Thanksgiving. That would have been kind .And newsworthy. One size does not fit all- different messages should go out to kids, students, women, consumers, elderly. Spend less time trying to pay college debt and propose help to public schools. Visit a couple now and then. Speak up for teaching the truth in all things, raising teacher's pay so we get better ones, fix buildings, ride on a school bus and enjoy the children. Run a Taylor Swift endorsement on popular TV shows. She's a huge hit with young people now, gets them to register to vote,for unfortunately, polls are showing more and more young people are pro GOP. Recruit David Hogg. Guys and some girls have tattoos up one arm and down the other. Get one. A small flag maybe. They would love it; no longer Sleepy Joe but Joe Cool. Then there are all those red MAGA baseball hats. Out comes Joe with a baseball hat. Blue, but copy cat?? Hide it. trump has announced his plans to go to Argentina and meet the new chain saw wielding far right wanna be despot, says he will Make Argentina Great. Meanwhile, Biden says he is too busy to attend in Dubai, the largest climate change conference ever held, he who proffers the subject constantly. Cancel the trips to Delaware every weekend. Though we know you are still working from there, the media says you are taking the weekend off. Stay in DC,. have photographer take picture of you sitting at desk in West Wing. Emphasize the reduction of some drugs. ( However, not effective until 2026. Some in need now will be dead. ) Have a picture on the news of you-YOU-filling up a car gas tank , thumbs up. Gas at a low point now. Take some credit since everyone blames you for the high price. The party should stop sending those surveys that ask dumb questions like Will you vote for Joe Biden, are you in favor of social security and medicare, should there be stricter gun control, blah, blah, send X dollars that will be triple matched. Receivers are registered Democrats ! Don't belittle our intelligence. Brag about all the women you have chosen to serve, denounce loudly Republican attempts to control women. Emphasize the danger of war if we don't continue to support Ukraine against Putin. Interest there is waning.Show devastation pictures next to trump shaking hands with Putin, warning that can happen to our NATO allies with such a leader. So many ways to sway voters our way, save our values, our country, maybe the world, only if . . .
I’m a strong believer in the rule, “Don’t wrestle with a pig; you get dirty & the pig enjoys it.” But I still think that the former president, who has an adjective for every opponent (crazy, crooked, corrupt) deserves an adjective of his own. Whacky, loony, sleazy…What’s the best one for Donald?
Sadistic