The win was big enough to suggest that rigging the 2026 mid-terms by the usual means won't be enough for Trump. He will need a full-scale coup. Democrats (small and big D) need to prepare resistance to that.
Both sides claimed they feared Tyranny. What they fear is US. And Freedom. Not as a slogan. Not as a lifestyle. The actual ability to be who we want and live in a world accommodating and fulfilling for all.
Good commentary. Excellent points on what happened and what will happen! And a note from the English teacher in me, consolidate your prose by writing more succinctly. Too much repetition buries your ideas. You point to our way forward: that is the jewel. 🙏
Every time I read a Mike Brock piece I get chills. Frisson. By the time I finished this one, with its undulating rhythmic force and repetitive thematics of hope among despair made both the music and the lyrics of David Byrne’s “Once in a Lifetime” overwhelm my senses.
Reality just pulled the plug on their light show. You name it well, simulations die when rent, groceries, and power bills say otherwise. Authoritarians perform dominance, then panic when it does not convert to consent. The answer is not better vibes, it is organized love that lasts longer than their rage. Keep building the unions, the boycotts, the neighbor nets. Name every escalation as weakness, then serve someone dinner anyway. Blessed be the ones who turn the volume up on solidarity.
I love the content and would share it if it wasn’t so repetitive and lengthy. I usually appreciate lengthy, in depth articles, but even skimming this one was painful due to the repetition.
I got what felt like a sugar high watching Mamdami's speech and when the CNN pundits all came on and did their pearl clutching I was so disgusted. Van Jones has become one of the biggest disappointments. They all kept saying how his win made Jewish people feel unsafe in some really bigoted sounding ways. I kept waiting for one person to ask "why"? Great article once again. I am so glad to have found your substack.
Thanks so much for your insightful depth. Getting near the end of this piece I couldn't help but think of the Antonio Gramsci quote, "The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters".
This is an amazing article. Thank you for explaining that perspective. I’ve believed and hoped the same thing, but have not been able to put it in words like you did.👏
Exceptionally well written, a rallying cry for the ages. I agree with every word.
Mamdani isn't inciting people to strap on bomb vests; he's encouraging everyone to start respecting each other and living together in peace.
The win was big enough to suggest that rigging the 2026 mid-terms by the usual means won't be enough for Trump. He will need a full-scale coup. Democrats (small and big D) need to prepare resistance to that.
Both sides claimed they feared Tyranny. What they fear is US. And Freedom. Not as a slogan. Not as a lifestyle. The actual ability to be who we want and live in a world accommodating and fulfilling for all.
Good commentary. Excellent points on what happened and what will happen! And a note from the English teacher in me, consolidate your prose by writing more succinctly. Too much repetition buries your ideas. You point to our way forward: that is the jewel. 🙏
I agree. I like this piece, but I found myself skipping ahead because of the repetition.
There’s also a lot of “This is not just X. This is Y” which I just read as AI even if it is mot.
Every time I read a Mike Brock piece I get chills. Frisson. By the time I finished this one, with its undulating rhythmic force and repetitive thematics of hope among despair made both the music and the lyrics of David Byrne’s “Once in a Lifetime” overwhelm my senses.
It’s a masterpiece. The video is stunning.
https://youtu.be/5IsSpAOD6K8?si=p8fCLj1X6vn-fVjA
Will be checking out that song!
Reality just pulled the plug on their light show. You name it well, simulations die when rent, groceries, and power bills say otherwise. Authoritarians perform dominance, then panic when it does not convert to consent. The answer is not better vibes, it is organized love that lasts longer than their rage. Keep building the unions, the boycotts, the neighbor nets. Name every escalation as weakness, then serve someone dinner anyway. Blessed be the ones who turn the volume up on solidarity.
I love the content and would share it if it wasn’t so repetitive and lengthy. I usually appreciate lengthy, in depth articles, but even skimming this one was painful due to the repetition.
Your warning that the fascist forces will respond by doubling down on repression is very important.
I got what felt like a sugar high watching Mamdami's speech and when the CNN pundits all came on and did their pearl clutching I was so disgusted. Van Jones has become one of the biggest disappointments. They all kept saying how his win made Jewish people feel unsafe in some really bigoted sounding ways. I kept waiting for one person to ask "why"? Great article once again. I am so glad to have found your substack.
The actions of Israel are what should make Jewish people feel unsafe
Beautifully reasoned, Mike. Your work is a pillar in the resistance.
Thanks so much for your insightful depth. Getting near the end of this piece I couldn't help but think of the Antonio Gramsci quote, "The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters".
This is an amazing article. Thank you for explaining that perspective. I’ve believed and hoped the same thing, but have not been able to put it in words like you did.👏
Bravo!!
Thank you. Your article gives me hope that we will eventually defeat the Trump regime.
Mamdani’s speech is exactly the opposite of what Obama did post-election in 2008.
We desperately _needed_ this kind of forthright speech in 2008.
We _needed then_ ‘divisiveness’ and _we need it now_.
I live very far away from NYC, but listening and watching, I admire Mamdani now more than ever.
I also fear for his life. Whatever security detail serves the Mayor of NYC, I hope it is capable and uncorrupted.