Larry, instead of reading Hitlers first 100 days, why don't we focus on Biden's last 60 days to see what legal and political work can be done to create bulwarks against Trump's shenanigans? Sending you my love, Carolyn
The various angsts are very honestly expressed. We none of us know how far we would go to resist oppression of others or of ourselves. But the really interesting issue is an absence: you would go to a European country, but not to Israel. Which is fine by me - welcome to London where I live and intend to go on living. But what an implied commentary on what Israel is and does.
While I share your alarm at quickly developing neo-fascism and Trumpian chaos and repression, I wonder if you might consider the Jewish Labor Bundist position of struggling where you live.
Of course the Bund had their own defense units in Poland, and their defense units didn’t prevent them from great suffering after 1939. But considering that more than 70 million Americans did not vote for Trump (if you count the abstainers who didn’t vote at all), there might be reasons to stay around and try to sustain a community of dissent (as you did with Jewish Currents). Or perhaps you should move to California, where there might be safety in greater numbers. I’m expecting Gavin Newsom to contest Trump’s programs, and maybe there will be a few other governors equally ourspoken.
Anyway, you’re asking some questions that need to be asked. But do you really think you’ll escape the problems by moving to Europe? That’s another question.
I'm told by some that I'm alarmed more than I should be. I tend to just not agree. Last year my long time PC retired. She and I were on very much the same page politically. On Tuesday I had a well visit with a new PC. When he asked how I was doing I said, "Well, physically I think I'm doing well. Mentally/emotionally since the election I'd say I'm in grief and alarmed." He said, "Oh, it doesn't really affect your life, does it?!". I had thought he was a pretty good doctor. I still think that may be true, but I also now think he is a cocky young shit. I told him I didn't agree with him. And now I'm afraid it's time to find a new PC. Yes, I'm a white woman well past the child bearing age and I could probably pretty easily pass for Christian, though I consider myself agnostic. But what about the rest of those so much less fortunate?! What about my daughter and the rest of our beautiful youth and little children? What if I wanted to join a protest or bear witness to a student protest? I could go on and on with what abouts of course. I don't believe leaving the country is an option for me financially or logistically. Also, like you Larry, I don't think I want to be jailed or have my skull bashed for an action involved in taking part in a resistance. But I like to believe that I would find some way to join a resistance. I also fear that I may be giving myself credit for being a better human being than I will be when push come to shove. Hopefully time telling will prove my fear unfounded.
The trouble is that repression is happening everywhere. It may be easier to oppose it in some other places, but it is still happening. For me, the fact that it would be my privilege that would allow me to even leave, to travel, gets in my way.
Oh!
Larry, instead of reading Hitlers first 100 days, why don't we focus on Biden's last 60 days to see what legal and political work can be done to create bulwarks against Trump's shenanigans? Sending you my love, Carolyn
I got a residence card in France last year for this very reason.
The various angsts are very honestly expressed. We none of us know how far we would go to resist oppression of others or of ourselves. But the really interesting issue is an absence: you would go to a European country, but not to Israel. Which is fine by me - welcome to London where I live and intend to go on living. But what an implied commentary on what Israel is and does.
While I share your alarm at quickly developing neo-fascism and Trumpian chaos and repression, I wonder if you might consider the Jewish Labor Bundist position of struggling where you live.
Of course the Bund had their own defense units in Poland, and their defense units didn’t prevent them from great suffering after 1939. But considering that more than 70 million Americans did not vote for Trump (if you count the abstainers who didn’t vote at all), there might be reasons to stay around and try to sustain a community of dissent (as you did with Jewish Currents). Or perhaps you should move to California, where there might be safety in greater numbers. I’m expecting Gavin Newsom to contest Trump’s programs, and maybe there will be a few other governors equally ourspoken.
Anyway, you’re asking some questions that need to be asked. But do you really think you’ll escape the problems by moving to Europe? That’s another question.
To be continued. Take courage
Joel
Frankly, after learning of his appointments I’m less worried than I was because they are so laughably crazy that he won’t get them through Congress.
But one fear I do have — it is a paranoid conspiracy theory I will share only to be tamed by readers:
Blackmail.
Trump appointed Matt Gaetz because Gaetz has irrefutable child porn goods on Trump that he will reveal unless Trump makes him Attorney General.
Yikes! Prove me wrong!
Zev Shanken
I'm told by some that I'm alarmed more than I should be. I tend to just not agree. Last year my long time PC retired. She and I were on very much the same page politically. On Tuesday I had a well visit with a new PC. When he asked how I was doing I said, "Well, physically I think I'm doing well. Mentally/emotionally since the election I'd say I'm in grief and alarmed." He said, "Oh, it doesn't really affect your life, does it?!". I had thought he was a pretty good doctor. I still think that may be true, but I also now think he is a cocky young shit. I told him I didn't agree with him. And now I'm afraid it's time to find a new PC. Yes, I'm a white woman well past the child bearing age and I could probably pretty easily pass for Christian, though I consider myself agnostic. But what about the rest of those so much less fortunate?! What about my daughter and the rest of our beautiful youth and little children? What if I wanted to join a protest or bear witness to a student protest? I could go on and on with what abouts of course. I don't believe leaving the country is an option for me financially or logistically. Also, like you Larry, I don't think I want to be jailed or have my skull bashed for an action involved in taking part in a resistance. But I like to believe that I would find some way to join a resistance. I also fear that I may be giving myself credit for being a better human being than I will be when push come to shove. Hopefully time telling will prove my fear unfounded.
The trouble is that repression is happening everywhere. It may be easier to oppose it in some other places, but it is still happening. For me, the fact that it would be my privilege that would allow me to even leave, to travel, gets in my way.