Tyranny, like hell by Ruth Neuwald Falcon

I just got a text from Robert Reich. “Recently,” he writes, “a woman passing me on the sidewalk stopped and shouted, “It’s a f*cking nightmare!” And she’s right.”

I’ve taken to eating brioche hotdog buns in an attempt to self-soothe and really understand the impulse to tune out and watch cat videos. Actually, my preference is for horse videos. Also, posts that show the “humanity” of animals. Ironic, huh.

Then I come across something that reminds me that it is my responsibility to do whatever I can.

Someone called in to Thom Hartmann a few days ago. “I want to offer some encouragement,” the man said, “from Tom Paine.”

These  are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. 

Here, Hartmann chimed in: “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.”

Right. I’ve always understood that in theory but have been lucky enough to have never before been faced with the reality of it. It’s different to experience it.

Beto O’Rourke was on Jim Acosta’s Substack program on Friday. “I know I run the risk,” he said, “of bringing up the analogy of last resort, but … we would be well served to pay attention to the analogs that we’re seeing right now with Germany in 1933.”

O’Rourke goes on to reiterate how crucial it is for us to contact our elected representatives every day, as well as to support organizations that are helping the people under attack. He gives the specific example of Las Americas, in El Paso, which provides defense help with “pro bono lawyers who support immigrants who are being targeted by ICE agents.”

“You as a citizen in the world’s greatest democracy… in a government of, by and for the people,” Beto said. “We are the people. Let’s make sure that our representatives hear us.”

And then take a break to watch cat videos.