Lessons for Now From History

[donquixote99]

Lesson 17 From Historian Tim Snyder

17. Watch out for the paramilitaries. When the men with guns who have always claimed to be against the system start wearing uniforms and marching around with torches and pictures of a Leader, the end is nigh. When the pro-Leader paramilitary and the official police and military intermingle, the game is over.

We certainly hear enough of this impulse from certain Trump supporters....

[donquixote99]

Lesson 18 From Historian Tim Snyder

18. Be reflective if you must be armed. If you carry a weapon in public service, God bless you and keep you. But know that evils of the past involved policemen and soldiers finding themselves, one day, doing irregular things. Be ready to say no. (If you do not know what this means, contact the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and ask about training in professional ethics.)

The word is 'honor.' Only you can keep it, or lose it.

[donquixote99]

Lesson 19 From Historian Tim Snyder

19. Be as courageous as you can. If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die in unfreedom.

Historically, authoritarians resort to political violence. At least Trump does not have an overt, organized paramilitary at this time. If the Army does not intervene, successful resistance may be possible.

[donquixote99]

Lesson 20 From Historian Tim Snyder

20. Be a patriot. The incoming president is not. Set a good example of what America means for the generations to come. They will need it.

The right thinks they own the word 'patriot.' For the most part these days, they sully it.

This concludes the 20 lessons as initially published on the web. Tim Snyder afterwards expanded them into a small book, which is well worth the reading. He takes the opportunity to change the lessons around a little, and adds essays, some quite substantial, with each one. Available on Amazon.

I now think that Trump lacks the 'vision' and competence to take us to a full blown tyranny. But the danger is nonetheless real, and by no means over yet.

[bobabode]

Saw the good doctor on the Daily Show tonight.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Saw the good doctor on the Daily Show tonight.

Found it, thanks! Will watch now.

ON edit--scratch that link--turkey posted it sideways (pic rotated 90 degree--no kidding), and calls it 'fake news site.'

[Oerets]

With all the different reactions apparently from self inflicted controversies and events of late from this administration. Can we be reassured when a outside threat or event happens in real time, they will react with a single concise decisive plan? Or many, only to be overridden by a tweet from the throne at 7am? Or a response for guests after dinner entertainment.



Barney

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by Oerets

With all the different reactions apparently from self inflicted controversies and events of late from this administration. Can we be reassured when a outside threat or event happens in real time, they will react with a single concise decisive plan?



Barney

Any reassurance would be hollow.

[Pio1980]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0a7458fa48cbe

[donquixote99]

^^^ A great link, goes straight to the heart of what Tim Snyder had to say to Trevor Noah. Snyder has incredible talent for boiling big stuff down to one powerful paragraph.

This one ought to be set to music.