Beyond Good and Evil
“Madness is something rare in individuals — but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages, it is the rule.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
I am not comfortable in agreeing with Joe Scarborough as a rule. Thus, when he said that he agreed with Mark Meadows' text that the effort to overturn the 2000 presidential election was "good versus evil," but that Meadows was on the wrong team, I was stunned. Was it possible I agreed -- kind of -- with Mourning Joe and Mark Meadows? Or was I actually experiencing the dreaded LSD-25 flashback that teachers warned us about in the 1960s? Was I confronted by Jimi's haunting question, "Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?"
As if that was not horrible enough, I then heard that Virginia "Ginni" Thomas had urged Meadows to make Sidney Powell "the face" of the effort to steal the election. I was aghast! More, Thomas almost climaxed when Rudy delivered his oil-stained address. Great googla-moogla! Powell and Giuliani! Still, it is Donald Trumps pre-carcass mug that is the actual face of the insurrection. I was not slipping into a Nietzsche-like madness. It was today, at least so far.
The past few days have provided evidence that the attack upon democracy and reality continues. Watching the Senate hearings with Ketanji Brown Jackson made that clear. It's not, of course, as if a old white male nominee by President Biden wouldn't have faced attacks by republicans. But this is worse. My cousin questioned why a core group of republicans was focused on child pornography? I said that Ted Cruz may have conflicted reasons for doing so, but the others were sending a loud dog whistle to those who believe the Q-anon stories about Democrats running a child sex ring. I was pleased to see an old forum friend saying much the same on facebook.
Speaking of the decomposing ex-president, add his "genius" Putin comment to the mix. There's little doubt that Putin, like Trump, is a very stable genius who knows more than his generals. His invasion of Ukraine indicates that, at least in Trump's mind. But make no mistake: many in the Trump cult admire Putin. They just aren't quite stupid enough to say it publicly. Instead, they attack a lady who they know frightens the grass ruts of the Trump cult -- Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Imagine if you will the thought processes of one who respects Sidney Powell and admires Virginia Thomas. This is the type that views Marjorie Taylor Greene and the para-Sarah Palin, Lauren Bobbitt, as representing all they love about America. And this type demands that their Representatives and Senators compete with the Odd Squad in saying and doing things to stir that pot of madness that Nietzsche spoke of. The type that just ain't comfortable with the thought of a highly educated, capable black woman being in a position of power. So facts be damned, those republican Senators did their best to smear her with innuendo to connect her to the sex trade of children that Q-anoners subscribe to. And that is dangerous.
The madness being unleased upon Ukraine had many good people questioning how it could happen in Europe in 2022. I suspect that this includes people who wondered how January 6 could happen in the United States in 2021. We have an advantage over the people from Ukraine who are suffering. We still have elections, the January 6 Committee, and the rule of law -- imperfect as it times seems to be. But we have to recognize the importance of working between now and November to promote Democratic Party victories. We need to support those working at various levels to keep the barbarians in check.
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We must have a well-coordinated effort involving everyone from the grass roots to the White House. Our democracy depends upon that.
In the past six weeks, when I've contacted old associates to request their participation, I've had two general responses that I find troubling. The first and most common is that it is "too early" (or "too cold"
right now. The second is, "I respect that you are still doing this for so many decades, but I've burned out." One young lady who was very active in Black Lives Matter in 2019 to 2021 said she was discouraged, as she thought those years would have brought about "real change."
I can appreciate that people are tired, and even discouraged by a lot of current events. Or that young folks might expect changes to take place in a short time. Heck, I'm tired, and dealing with Lyme disease for the 4th time. But I remind them that in both 2018 and 2020, we won a lot of important elections ...... we would not have, for example, the January 6 Committee if not for those elections.
I tell them that I know how important the work done "too early" becomes when it becomes the "right time." That we are not out of the woods by any means, when it comes to the Trump cult. That the increase in hate crimes against groups such as Asian-Americans, Jews, and Native Americans is part of a growing, very dangerous threat. That the vile hatred of a black female USSC nominee isn't a coincidence. That efforts to keep citizens from voting are real.
By mid-summer, I think more people at the grass roots level will recognize which way the wind blows, and become active.
this with her. I think part of it was that she anticipated more community support. The rallies she helped organize drew large groups of Trumpites, and she expressed disappointment that more good people were not attending. I think that this relates pretty directly with the lack of action on these issues at the federal level. (Manchin is often named when I disagree with others who say that "there is no difference between the parties."
But most of all, I think that the many threats directed at her -- and I witnessed some -- intimidated her. She frequently brought her little daughter with her, and while no decent person would snarl at a young mother & child, there are lots of racist shitheads in upstate New York who have. And there have been physical assaults at a couple of these local BLM rallies. So I understand in that sense when she is disappointed. Still, I communicate with her, and express confidence that she will soon get back to business.
