White nationalism and nativism has always been a part of this country. It will never go away. But that doesn't mean we can't make it very painful. We may think of how tiring it is to play whack-a-mole. But fighting terrorism--including nativist domestic terrorism is always whack-a-mole. And this whack-a-mole is the noblest of all since it is in the name of preserving democracy.
The only proper responses therefore are those which Republicans and their lackeys (and voters) can understand.
First is starvation. Money, resources, alternatives--not only of practitioners but of the colluders (looking at you Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Fox News/Comcast). The power of government can be formidable towards this end. There should be no shying away from it.
Second is punishment. There is no mitigation, no "trying to understand white economic anxiety," etc., for behaviors that support sedition. Punishment should be meted out. It should be fair, swift, and harsh. No exceptions, no allowances, no special favors, whether we're talking about prison time for federal trespass or steep fines (or refusal of entry) for Congresspeople who don't wear masks or pass through metal detectors.
John, remember what you always wrote: Trump is fundamentally weak. Push back and he folds like a house of cards. He's not the only house of cards. Democrats just have to push--and never stop pushing. At this juncture, this is a roach hunt, and all the bulls--t rhetoric of their opponents (Kevin McCarthy's feeble cries for unity) should be treated as lies no different from the stop the steal garbage already being peddled. There is no negotiation at this point; there is only action.
If you look at the history of political parties with paramilitary wings, ones for whom violence is a acceptable tool, we can see the dark path we are headed down. The opposition of McConnell in the senate will seem quaint compared to what will be ginned up in our future.
There is nothing to reconcile.
White nationalism and nativism has always been a part of this country. It will never go away. But that doesn't mean we can't make it very painful. We may think of how tiring it is to play whack-a-mole. But fighting terrorism--including nativist domestic terrorism is always whack-a-mole. And this whack-a-mole is the noblest of all since it is in the name of preserving democracy.
The only proper responses therefore are those which Republicans and their lackeys (and voters) can understand.
First is starvation. Money, resources, alternatives--not only of practitioners but of the colluders (looking at you Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Fox News/Comcast). The power of government can be formidable towards this end. There should be no shying away from it.
Second is punishment. There is no mitigation, no "trying to understand white economic anxiety," etc., for behaviors that support sedition. Punishment should be meted out. It should be fair, swift, and harsh. No exceptions, no allowances, no special favors, whether we're talking about prison time for federal trespass or steep fines (or refusal of entry) for Congresspeople who don't wear masks or pass through metal detectors.
John, remember what you always wrote: Trump is fundamentally weak. Push back and he folds like a house of cards. He's not the only house of cards. Democrats just have to push--and never stop pushing. At this juncture, this is a roach hunt, and all the bulls--t rhetoric of their opponents (Kevin McCarthy's feeble cries for unity) should be treated as lies no different from the stop the steal garbage already being peddled. There is no negotiation at this point; there is only action.
If you look at the history of political parties with paramilitary wings, ones for whom violence is a acceptable tool, we can see the dark path we are headed down. The opposition of McConnell in the senate will seem quaint compared to what will be ginned up in our future.
No reconciliation with out justice and consequence.
Thank you for these words of truth. Now we need reconciliation.