Say No to Cynicism by Steven Beschloss

[CaliforniaPeggy]

https://open.substack.com/pub/america/p/say-no-to-cynicism?r=lxca0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Here's a taste of what he's talking about:

But we must remember: We’ve lived through a version of this before. We witnessed Donald Trump come into power, sow conflict, spread chaos, stoke fear and fuel doubt—and then escalate the violence and lies when he was voted out. We have already experienced plenty of corruption and criminality, reckless incompetence, self-serving billionaires and spineless members of Congress applauding it all or refusing to stop it.

Trump’s plan to pillage and plunder the country this time will be more methodical, more aggressive and more destructive, especially since it’s more explicit and organized than before. These years will be appalling and tragic in their naked cruelty, greed, hostility and theft. But let’s not doubt our capacity to survive and overcome it.

Yes, Elon Musk’s threat to primary any elected official who does not bend to his demands—with billions of dollars to fund those attacks himself—surely will defeat the cowardly and weak-willed. The threats by Trump and his sadistic henchman to pursue prosecution, imprisonment and financially crushing lawsuits surely intimidates critics and other political opponents who fear retribution; the kowtowing without a fight by ABC News and others in the media surely exacerbates the danger of fascist control over our free press and other fraying democratic institutions.

[Blue_Tires]

1. Excellent points...

I've felt betrayed and abandoned after the election but it's important to keep the bigger picture in mind

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thanks for taking the time to read this, my dear Blue_Tires.

I've recently been reading Steven Beschloss' posts and he is excellent.

[H2O Man]

3. Recommended.

We are not helpless. And history is calling us.

[Skittles]

4. thank you Ms. Pegster

an excellent read

no we cannot give up, we must fight fascism with all we have

[JustAnotherGen]

5. I'm on my break this time

Like there is supposed to be a march in DC on January 18. That performative b.s. didn't work the first time - yet people think it means something.

The day for that march should be MLK Day. When people would put themselves at physical risk.

So if I'm a cynic - so be it. I need to see Mr. Beschloss go through what the freedom riders, John Lewis, the lunch counter protesters went through before I'll buy into the message.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Of course, that is your right. Let's see if he'll put his money where his mouth is. nt

[Kid Berwyn]

7. Agree and add what Churchill said.

“The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

“Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous states have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.

“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

House of Commons - 4 June 1940