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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWill We Stop Trump Before Its Too Late? by Madeleine Albright
nytimes.com
..........the possibility that fascism will be accorded a fresh chance to strut around the world stage is enhanced by the volatile presidency of Donald Trump.
If freedom is to prevail over the many challenges to it, American leadership is urgently required. This was among the indelible lessons of the 20th century. But by what he has said, done and failed to do, Mr. Trump has steadily diminished Americas positive clout in global councils.
Instead of mobilizing international coalitions to take on world problems, he touts the doctrine of every nation for itself and has led America into isolated positions on trade, climate change and Middle East peace. Instead of engaging in creative diplomacy, he has insulted United States neighbors and allies, walked away from key international agreements, mocked multilateral organizations and stripped the State Department of its resources and role. Instead of standing up for the values of a free society, his oft-vented scorn for democracys building blocks has strengthened the hands of dictators. No longer need they fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties. On the contrary, they can and do point to Trumps own words to justify their repressive actions.
At one time or another, Trump has attacked the judiciary, ridiculed the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters to rough up hecklers and jokingly or not equated mere policy disagreements with treason. He tried to undermine faith in Americas electoral process through a bogus advisory commission on voter integrity. He routinely vilifies federal law enforcement institutions. He libels immigrants and the countries from which they come. His words are so often at odds with the truth that they can appear ignorant, yet are in fact calculated to exacerbate religious, social and racial divisions. Overseas, rather than stand up to bullies, Mr. Trump appears to like bullies, and they are delighted to have him represent the American brand. If one were to draft a script chronicling fascisms resurrection, the abdication of Americas moral leadership would make a credible first scene.
Equally alarming is the chance that Mr. Trump will set in motion events that neither he nor anyone else can control. His policy toward North Korea changes by the day and might quickly return to saber-rattling should Pyongyang prove stubborn before or during talks. His threat to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement could unravel a pact that has made the world safer and could undermine Americas reputation for trustworthiness at a critical moment. His support of protectionist tariffs invites retaliation from major trading partners creating unnecessary conflicts and putting at risk millions of export-dependent jobs. The recent purge of his national security team raises new questions about the quality of advice he will receive. John Bolton starts work in the White House on Monday.
What is to be done? First, defend the truth. A free press, for example, is not the enemy of the American people; it is the protector of the American people. Second, we must reinforce the principle that no one, not even the president, is above the law. Third, we should each do our part to energize the democratic process by registering new voters, listening respectfully to those with whom we disagree, knocking on doors for favored candidates, and ignoring the cynical counsel: Theres nothing to be done.
Im 80 years old, but I can still be inspired when I see young people coming together to demand the right to study without having to wear a flak jacket.
We should also reflect on the definition of greatness. Can a nation merit that label by aligning itself with dictators and autocrats, ignoring human rights, declaring open season on the environment, and disdaining the use of diplomacy at a time when virtually every serious problem requires international cooperation?
To me, greatness goes a little deeper than how much marble we put in our hotel lobbies and whether we have a Soviet-style military parade. America at its best is a place where people from a multitude of backgrounds work together to safeguard the rights and enrich the lives of all. Thats the example we have always aspired to set and the model people around the world hunger to see. And no politician, not even one in the Oval Office, should be allowed to tarnish that dream.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/opinion/sunday/trump-fascism-madeleine-albright.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
dameatball
(7,398 posts)1. It is thoughtful and I agree with it.
2. Not a single Trump supporter will read it.
But good on you anyway Ms. Albright
Eyeball_Kid
(7,432 posts)who won't read more than three sentences at a time. Besides, Albright has the gravitas as a world-class thinker, something that makes Trumpy nauseous, if only because Albright knows more than he does.
Chili Pepper
(102 posts)He wouldn't be able to understand the bigly words that she used.
Chickensoup
(650 posts)Madam Secretary. Thank you for your
insight and your concern, which I
Share fully with you.
It is not a republicans or democrats issue
it is an American concern as our man
in the Oval Office seems to be taking
us over the cliff without formal checks
and balances or any clear strategy.
greatlaurel
(2,004 posts)She is a great American and a true patriot. Thank goodness that she is brave enough to call out Trump. Way too many are "normalizing" his actions. That has been a disturbing trend.
Farm country, which largely voted for Trump, is going to be devastated by the Trump tariffs. The question is will they believe they eyes as their markets collapse and they loose their livelihoods or will they follow the propaganda spewed by hate radio, Sinclair media and the right wingers who own most newspapers in rural areas to blame "foreigners" and liberals?
world wide wally
(21,743 posts)Wouldn't it be nice to have intelligent people running our country again?
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)Madeleine Albright said:
"At one time or another, Trump has attacked the judiciary, ridiculed the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters to rough up hecklers and jokingly or not equated mere policy disagreements with treason."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/opinion/sunday/trump-fascism-madeleine-albright.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region
The judiciary is established as an equal branch of government by Article III of the Constitution.
Our right to a fair trial, that is, not to be subjected to police brutality based merely on a suspicion, our right to be safe, and protected from accusations of treason due to a limited and fairly precise definition of treason are all in the Constitution.
When Trump attacks these fundamental institutions and protections, he is attacking our Constitution. It is a subtle attack, but that is what it is. What constitutional protections does he really support other than the Second Amendment (interpreting it as conservatives do)? I'm exaggerating a bit to make a point. But in the end, Trump appears to be ignorant about some of the realities and limitations the Constitution places on our government, on the president and on him personally.
He insults our Constitution.
WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)Well played.
BSdetect
(8,998 posts)We are beyond that point where fascists seize power now.
They will scoff at any findings by Mueller.
Elections in November? yeah, sure, that will be free of their tampering.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Too bad that nobody who really NEEDS to read and understand it will actually take it seriously.
onecent
(6,096 posts)mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)groundloop
(11,519 posts)The damage that 45* (aka Spanky) has done to consumer protections, the environment, education, science, the State Department, and on and on, is going to take a hell of a lot of time and work to reverse. Some damage, such as privatizing the VA and public schools (if that is allowed to happen) will be nearly impossible to undo.
I knew a 45* (aka Spanky) presidency would be a nightmare in very generic terms, but now that I'm seeing the specifics of it I'm even more fearful.
panfluteman
(2,065 posts)Trump works for the Kremlin. He doesn't work for the US.
All the many offenses and derelictions of duty that Trump has engaged in as president, which Secretary Albright has summed up very nicely, are exactly what Vladimir Putin wants him to do. All his actions as president have weakened and divided the US at home, and isolated and discredited the US abroad, setting the stage for Putin to fulfill his agenda in the world.
The Russian media calls Trump OUR president - and that's the truth.
Hekate
(90,686 posts)Martin Eden
(12,867 posts)This 80 year old woman is still going strong!