It will take many, many years to rebuild the reputation of the US. These events have been traumatic for many of the American people who were aware of this and also those that willingly enabled it. Likewise, it has been frightening for the rest of the world as we watched the US sink into chaos under the control of those responsible for the collapse. Lessons must be learned, but trust has been broken.
Well said, Mike. There must be a reckoning, and not just for Trump — for all who enabled him.
You may find protest music frivolous in light of the seriousness of all this, but I try in my small way to express my agreement through this medium. Thus my song Amazing Disgrace:
I agree and disagree with Mike. I agree that justice should be meted out to every participant who demonstrated unequivocally a desire to kill freedom in the United States and adopt a fascist regime. The harsh reality is that now most Americans with some functioning neurons have had a taste of what a fascist president, executive cabinet, and a compliant political party (Republican) declare themselves to be.
What I disagree with Mike on is that, similar to Mark Twain's famous “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” this discussion is premature. It is way premature. I don't assume for a minute that we will see the removal of Trump and all of his complicit, anti-liberty, anti-freedom politicians removed from office.
The critical issues now are whether people can demonstrate their disgust, their utter rejection of Trump and his equally ignominious comrades, in an expression of a truly united United States of America. Definitely, we will always have the white nationalist group, the overly zealous, hypocritical religious group that talks about Jesus but acts more like the devil, and the element of America that is just plain fucking ignorant. I am not convinced that the apathetic element in this country, which does not realize that maintaining liberty in a democracy requires personal involvement, is prevalent enough to overcome the expression of evil we see in the Trump administration.
But as my grandmother used to tell me, don't jump off the bridge until you come to it. Of course, she didn't get that expression right. We have to cross one critical bridge before reaching the other. And that critical bridge is, will we or will we not have a midterm election that is not affected by the corrupt, minuscule mind of Donald Trump and his unethical band of not-so-merry men?
Once A, then B. And the question of B in my mind is whether our legal system will resolve these blatant offenders in a timely fashion or whether this will drag out over decades, which is not to my liking anymore. I don't think it works to have a legal system that allows appeal after appeal after appeal. We see how the wealthy use their assets to drag out the legal system so that resolution doesn't occur, or if it does, it takes years, maybe decades, before it does. “Justice delayed is justice denied” only applies to the non-wealthy. The wealthy delay justice and get away with it. So Mike, if you want to write about what needs to be done after, and I emphasize the words “after Trump is disposed,” then the next logical question is, can those who assume high office exact justice in a timely fashion, or will they drag it out over 20 to 30 years?
There are some relatively new members of the Democratic Party who appear promising. Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Abigail Spanberger, James Tallarico, Robert Garcia, AOC, Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and others, I do not recall. But until we see what they can accomplish and how quickly, I reserve my enthusiasm.
Perfect article. 100% agree. This can't happen again. But sadly retribution and accountability can only happen once it's over - and I see very little sign of that. About half the Americans I speak to still support Trump. Even as we're being bombed thanks to his irrational, ill-advised and illegal war. From what I gather, that extends to the US too - which doesn't surprise me because as usual, the US feels no immediate consequence. It's not your kids who can't go to school, you're not being woken up every night by drones and missiles being shot down over your heads. If there ever IS a reckoning, which I doubt, it should be international. The chaos America is causing is harming people in very real and immediate ways all over the world.
Beautifully and sparingly written. I agree with every word and wish I could put it with such eloquence. The Supreme Court is likely to be a road block for truth and reconciliation. Very few sane people have any respect left for the high court so do not trust the justices ability to assist in making sure this chaos does not repeat itself.
Such riveting thoughts - propelled from eyes that have penetrated great darkness - with the light of an arrow on a sharp trajectory. If not in our lifetime, then someday. Perhaps not literally, as you wrote, but I/we must believe and move towards a time of uncompromising accountability.
It will take many, many years to rebuild the reputation of the US. These events have been traumatic for many of the American people who were aware of this and also those that willingly enabled it. Likewise, it has been frightening for the rest of the world as we watched the US sink into chaos under the control of those responsible for the collapse. Lessons must be learned, but trust has been broken.
Well said, Mike. There must be a reckoning, and not just for Trump — for all who enabled him.
You may find protest music frivolous in light of the seriousness of all this, but I try in my small way to express my agreement through this medium. Thus my song Amazing Disgrace:
https://citizen99.substack.com/p/amazing-disgrace-a-song?r=2sauq&utm_medium=ios
Just don't hire Merrick Garland to get on it.
I dream of a Truth & Reconciliation process - but the US doesn't seem to have ever had the stomach to do that for itself.
Absolutely. This type of accountability is necessary. Look where the aftermath of the Civil War got us...
I agree and disagree with Mike. I agree that justice should be meted out to every participant who demonstrated unequivocally a desire to kill freedom in the United States and adopt a fascist regime. The harsh reality is that now most Americans with some functioning neurons have had a taste of what a fascist president, executive cabinet, and a compliant political party (Republican) declare themselves to be.
What I disagree with Mike on is that, similar to Mark Twain's famous “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” this discussion is premature. It is way premature. I don't assume for a minute that we will see the removal of Trump and all of his complicit, anti-liberty, anti-freedom politicians removed from office.
The critical issues now are whether people can demonstrate their disgust, their utter rejection of Trump and his equally ignominious comrades, in an expression of a truly united United States of America. Definitely, we will always have the white nationalist group, the overly zealous, hypocritical religious group that talks about Jesus but acts more like the devil, and the element of America that is just plain fucking ignorant. I am not convinced that the apathetic element in this country, which does not realize that maintaining liberty in a democracy requires personal involvement, is prevalent enough to overcome the expression of evil we see in the Trump administration.
But as my grandmother used to tell me, don't jump off the bridge until you come to it. Of course, she didn't get that expression right. We have to cross one critical bridge before reaching the other. And that critical bridge is, will we or will we not have a midterm election that is not affected by the corrupt, minuscule mind of Donald Trump and his unethical band of not-so-merry men?
Once A, then B. And the question of B in my mind is whether our legal system will resolve these blatant offenders in a timely fashion or whether this will drag out over decades, which is not to my liking anymore. I don't think it works to have a legal system that allows appeal after appeal after appeal. We see how the wealthy use their assets to drag out the legal system so that resolution doesn't occur, or if it does, it takes years, maybe decades, before it does. “Justice delayed is justice denied” only applies to the non-wealthy. The wealthy delay justice and get away with it. So Mike, if you want to write about what needs to be done after, and I emphasize the words “after Trump is disposed,” then the next logical question is, can those who assume high office exact justice in a timely fashion, or will they drag it out over 20 to 30 years?
There are some relatively new members of the Democratic Party who appear promising. Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Abigail Spanberger, James Tallarico, Robert Garcia, AOC, Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and others, I do not recall. But until we see what they can accomplish and how quickly, I reserve my enthusiasm.
Beautiful, the people whom these thoughts made uncomfortable have been asleep since at least Reagan. I do not weep for them, except with pity.
But it's going to take a whole new police and fbi and judiciary to do that. We need them anyway because as a whole they have chosen a different side
Thank you 🙏 💔
Joe Kent's resignation gives me a modicum of hope.
Perfect article. 100% agree. This can't happen again. But sadly retribution and accountability can only happen once it's over - and I see very little sign of that. About half the Americans I speak to still support Trump. Even as we're being bombed thanks to his irrational, ill-advised and illegal war. From what I gather, that extends to the US too - which doesn't surprise me because as usual, the US feels no immediate consequence. It's not your kids who can't go to school, you're not being woken up every night by drones and missiles being shot down over your heads. If there ever IS a reckoning, which I doubt, it should be international. The chaos America is causing is harming people in very real and immediate ways all over the world.
I don't think there's enough "justice" in the world to account for the crimes against humanity these people have committed.
One must have moral imagination my friend, if the boulder is to move!
As soon as possible amend and enlarge SCOTUS
Beautifully and sparingly written. I agree with every word and wish I could put it with such eloquence. The Supreme Court is likely to be a road block for truth and reconciliation. Very few sane people have any respect left for the high court so do not trust the justices ability to assist in making sure this chaos does not repeat itself.
“Turns out they *were* the first against the wall when the revolution came”
Douglas Adams, “Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy”
Such riveting thoughts - propelled from eyes that have penetrated great darkness - with the light of an arrow on a sharp trajectory. If not in our lifetime, then someday. Perhaps not literally, as you wrote, but I/we must believe and move towards a time of uncompromising accountability.
Thank you.
Couldn’t agree more.