Forgive me for intruding into your discussion of Mr. Trump's suitability as President of the USA. I am Swedish and live in Sweden, but I believe that I can still give an outside perspective and contribution to the debate. There are many countries here in Europe that live close to Russia and have a deep experience of what it means to have such a neighbor. Mr. Trump's statement that President Putin can do whatever he likes with the countries that do not pay enough to NATO has created a deep concern bordering on anxiety for many people who have been there when Russia has come to "liberate" them. I agree in principle that our contribution would have been greater, but also that this was largely due to the fact that America, as a big strong and rich big brother, always came to our aid when there was a crisis. This is certainly not meant as a criticism, on the contrary - but it is an explanation.
My concern regarding America's role in the world is not primarily connected to Trump's person but to the American people. I have visited your country on many occasions and met a great many friendly, hospitable, learned, judicious and intelligent persons, all of whom would be eminently suitable for the office of President if they now wished to enter politics. I have also met some people who mainly distinguished themselves for the opposite qualities unfriendly, stingy, ignorant, judgmental and stupid but thankfully they have been very few. Despite the fact that there is an abundance of capable people in the country, about 50% of the people have stuck with a person as a suitable president and who definitely belongs to the latter category. How is it possible - what has happened? From a European perspective, this becomes completely incomprehensible. My admiration for America and the American people was already founded during the Second World War and it will hopefully survive 4 years with President Trump, but the worry is probably felt deep in my stomach.
Rick and have admired your work and the work of the Lincoln Project or some years now, but frankly, this just blew me away. Kudos! Absolutely the best take-down of Trump and his toadies I 've seen wrapped up and tied with a bow. Congratulations and keep it coming.
I absolutely refuse!! I will not see my country fall to a fascist, dictator wanna be! I will do everything in my power to stop this train wreck from going to the White House again!!
Rick, your “Refuse to be Silenced” piece is so dear to my heart! Through it all, I have criticized (mostly on XTwitter) the moral outrage that is, unfortunately, the 45th President and his “no man’s tenure” in these subsequent 4 years since losing 2020, both
mesmerizing and holding hostage the cult-vulnerable body of GOP as de facto head of the party.
It isn’t comfortable being
on tenterhooks for nine years, yet I can’t describe it any other way. During his four years, every day brought fresh outrage and disbelief. I understand now why he was trying to take America apart, but I did not at the time. As an average citizen with no special platform, my only recourse has been to exercise my freedom of speech in little rants. The tenterhooks part comes from “holding my breath” until the country rights itself. My fear and terror is that it won’t. I do believe he’s one of the greatest con men who ever lived, a cheat whose talent is so formidable, a cult leader whose sway is such that, despite being a criminal & degenerate, he might pull it off. That, & Project 2025, is my fear & terror.
Until we have a “one person, one vote” system it is vulnerable to being plundered.
So my point, and I do have one, is that, should that terrible state materialize, I will have the terror and outrage and no longer have freedom of speech. I will have no outlet. I will zip the lip under literal threat of death. No more little rants. No signs, flags, bumper stickers or “I read banned books” pin on my collar. (I found that pin going through a box the other day. It must be 40 or 50 years old, but that’s another story).
Having said all that, I am feeling the winds of change since our wonderful president agreed he would step down for the good of the country. I love him so much for doing that.
Miss Kamala is a force! She has her own formidable skill set and it is exactly what we need. My tenterhooks now include waiting for this spectacular and diverse country of (all of us) immigrants to push this great woman to the top!
Fantastic essay and message! MAGA uses threats of violence to silence the truth. The truth shall never be silenced!! Thank you Rick and all who are making a stand against MAGA lies.
Forgive me for intruding into your discussion of Mr. Trump's suitability as President of the USA. I am Swedish and live in Sweden, but I believe that I can still give an outside perspective and contribution to the debate. There are many countries here in Europe that live close to Russia and have a deep experience of what it means to have such a neighbor. Mr. Trump's statement that President Putin can do whatever he likes with the countries that do not pay enough to NATO has created a deep concern bordering on anxiety for many people who have been there when Russia has come to "liberate" them. I agree in principle that our contribution would have been greater, but also that this was largely due to the fact that America, as a big strong and rich big brother, always came to our aid when there was a crisis. This is certainly not meant as a criticism, on the contrary - but it is an explanation.
My concern regarding America's role in the world is not primarily connected to Trump's person but to the American people. I have visited your country on many occasions and met a great many friendly, hospitable, learned, judicious and intelligent persons, all of whom would be eminently suitable for the office of President if they now wished to enter politics. I have also met some people who mainly distinguished themselves for the opposite qualities unfriendly, stingy, ignorant, judgmental and stupid but thankfully they have been very few. Despite the fact that there is an abundance of capable people in the country, about 50% of the people have stuck with a person as a suitable president and who definitely belongs to the latter category. How is it possible - what has happened? From a European perspective, this becomes completely incomprehensible. My admiration for America and the American people was already founded during the Second World War and it will hopefully survive 4 years with President Trump, but the worry is probably felt deep in my stomach.
Ingvar Holtz
Excellent piece, Rick!
Rick and have admired your work and the work of the Lincoln Project or some years now, but frankly, this just blew me away. Kudos! Absolutely the best take-down of Trump and his toadies I 've seen wrapped up and tied with a bow. Congratulations and keep it coming.
Holy moly—check this out!! https://popular.info/p/trump-campaign-hack
I absolutely refuse!! I will not see my country fall to a fascist, dictator wanna be! I will do everything in my power to stop this train wreck from going to the White House again!!
Bravo! I thank God everyday that you refuse to be silent!
I also acknowledge your extraordinary sacrifice for you and your family because of that voice. xoxo
Amen to that!
It just angers me that MAGA Republicans can do and say anything they want and then turn around and tell Democrats what to do!
Rick, your “Refuse to be Silenced” piece is so dear to my heart! Through it all, I have criticized (mostly on XTwitter) the moral outrage that is, unfortunately, the 45th President and his “no man’s tenure” in these subsequent 4 years since losing 2020, both
mesmerizing and holding hostage the cult-vulnerable body of GOP as de facto head of the party.
It isn’t comfortable being
on tenterhooks for nine years, yet I can’t describe it any other way. During his four years, every day brought fresh outrage and disbelief. I understand now why he was trying to take America apart, but I did not at the time. As an average citizen with no special platform, my only recourse has been to exercise my freedom of speech in little rants. The tenterhooks part comes from “holding my breath” until the country rights itself. My fear and terror is that it won’t. I do believe he’s one of the greatest con men who ever lived, a cheat whose talent is so formidable, a cult leader whose sway is such that, despite being a criminal & degenerate, he might pull it off. That, & Project 2025, is my fear & terror.
Until we have a “one person, one vote” system it is vulnerable to being plundered.
So my point, and I do have one, is that, should that terrible state materialize, I will have the terror and outrage and no longer have freedom of speech. I will have no outlet. I will zip the lip under literal threat of death. No more little rants. No signs, flags, bumper stickers or “I read banned books” pin on my collar. (I found that pin going through a box the other day. It must be 40 or 50 years old, but that’s another story).
Having said all that, I am feeling the winds of change since our wonderful president agreed he would step down for the good of the country. I love him so much for doing that.
Miss Kamala is a force! She has her own formidable skill set and it is exactly what we need. My tenterhooks now include waiting for this spectacular and diverse country of (all of us) immigrants to push this great woman to the top!
Bravo!
So glad you are here and putting reality into fierce words, Rick!
Yeah. Trump sure does love maoist tactics.
Of course I'm Jewish. I've been refusing to be silenced since October 7
Fuck Caitlin johnstone
https://marlowe1.substack.com/p/the-enormous-radio-the-stories-of
This is a fantastic article, but it must not be behind a paywall.
Perfect. As always. Thanks for this, Rick. I refuse to be silent.
Fantastic essay and message! MAGA uses threats of violence to silence the truth. The truth shall never be silenced!! Thank you Rick and all who are making a stand against MAGA lies.
As someone not from the US I still cannot understand why anyone would vote for this person. Ok, maybe the 5% of totally brainwashed but the other 40%?
here's the best explaination I can find:
https://kamala4prez.substack.com/p/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics
and this is a close second:
https://kamala4prez.substack.com/p/erich-fromms-escape-from-freedom