The slow creep of authoritarian rule need not be dramatic. It can even, as impeachment seemed at times, be rather boring. Democracy can die by inches, with precedents being established and barriers swept away so gradually that we don’t see what is happening until it is too late. Historians may look back on the past few years as just such a time, with today’s acquittal bringing to maturity a process from which American democracy may take a long time to recover.
(snip)
They have acted like the totalitarian functionaries who Hannah Arendt said view the difference between truth and falsehood as something which “depends entirely on the power of the man who can fabricate itâ€. And while they may have the power to fabricate “truth†for those living in the rightwing media bubble, to everyone else – including the 71% of the public who wanted the Senate to call witnesses – their disconnect from reality has been cringeworthy.
(snip)
A theory of executive supremacy, a supine legislature and a credulous, adoring segment of the population – which does not need to be a majority – are the ingredients that authoritarianism is made of. Because he certainly isn’t restrained by principle, the fate of American democracy now rests on the question of whether Trump knows the right way to mix the ingredients together.
By far the greatest risk will come in November.
(snip)
None of this means that impeachment was a mistake. Like acquittal, a failure to impeach at all would have sent the same signal: that there are no limits on Trump’s actions. Impeachment at least kept the torch of the truth and the law alive. But now we must be very careful. They are about to – they must – come to try to extinguish that torch. Only an electoral repudiation so vast that it cannot be questioned can prevent them, and it must be won at a time when their power has never been less restrained by law or principle. The fate of democracy in America depends on it.
Quote by wickedpam:
Has anyone thought about who would be the running mate if Bernie were the candidate?
Would it be Warren?
Honestly, I really don't like Bernie. Think he's just a mean old guy with an ego the size of Trashholes. Will still vote for him if I have to but won't like it at all.
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Has anyone thought about who would be the running mate if Bernie were the candidate?
Would it be Warren?
Honestly, I really don't like Bernie. Think he's just a mean old guy with an ego the size of Trashholes. Will still vote for him if I have to but won't like it at all.
I pray he's not the candidate.
Ican't imagine who his running mate would be.
Take three minutes and watch @pwcdanica give an AMAZING speech defending a bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Virginians. This is what Democratic leadership looks like. pic.twitter.com/cpt1JgL91r
— Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) February 5, 2020
Quote by Raine:
Not sure if you saw this, Mala, but it will brighten your day.
Ihope she becomes Governor one day.Take three minutes and watch @pwcdanica give an AMAZING speech defending a bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Virginians. This is what Democratic leadership looks like. pic.twitter.com/cpt1JgL91r
— Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) February 5, 2020
Scoop: In a true shocker, the Iowa caucus hotline was posted to 4chan repeatedly on Monday night with directions to “clog the linesâ€https://t.co/YlbKUlK2Ik
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) February 6, 2020
Quote by Raine:
Not sure if you saw this, Mala, but it will brighten your day.
Ihope she becomes Governor one day.Take three minutes and watch @pwcdanica give an AMAZING speech defending a bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Virginians. This is what Democratic leadership looks like. pic.twitter.com/cpt1JgL91r
— Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) February 5, 2020
Quote by Raine:Scoop: In a true shocker, the Iowa caucus hotline was posted to 4chan repeatedly on Monday night with directions to “clog the linesâ€https://t.co/YlbKUlK2Ik
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) February 6, 2020
It doesn’t appear there are any prompters in the room for the president’s speech. An aide placed remarks on the lectern a couple minutes ago, but that’s it.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 6, 2020
Quote by Raine:
I will not be listening, but I suspect this address is going to be off the charts,
This is why:It doesn’t appear there are any prompters in the room for the president’s speech. An aide placed remarks on the lectern a couple minutes ago, but that’s it.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 6, 2020
Quote by wickedpam:
Just from what I see on twitter, its fully off the rails