Dare You Avert Your Gaze?
Absolutely not.
Foreboding — what many of us felt as the November election neared and margins between presidential candidates were razor-thin. More foreboding — following 47th’s win and the approach of January 20th.
On the day of the inauguration, dread established permanent residency. The First Lady’s inaugural garb foreshadowed what lay ahead: a funeral for the Constitution of the United States. She carried herself proudly. Her husband was going to be awarded top honors for the complete upheaval of a democracy. She would be there for him.
The first round of executive orders — 60 of them, shot out of the Oval Office as if from an AR-15. The orders were the death sentence for every agency that provided oversight on education, health, safety, social security, veterans affairs, the environment, food assistance programs, national parks, taxes, air traffic control, the arts, public radio, government corruption, gun control, financial markets. Etcetera.
Was this a harbinger of what would follow? “Harbinger”— now there’s a word — a late winter plant that foretells an impending riot of new growth. If these sixty EOs in a week were a harbinger of the spring ahead, the country was going to be overrun with destruction — of its economy, its food supply, environmental progress, educational system, healthcare, and financial markets. The destruction would touch everything. Every single thing. And once regulation was abolished, what could be trusted? What water would be safe to drink? Which prescription drugs would be coming from nefarious sources? Would safety regulations on vehicles become a thing of the past? Our food sources — would they now be contaminated with pesticides that were banned long ago?
Would this be the death of civil rights and the three branches of government with their all-important system of checks and balances? Was the end of accountable journalism, free speech, voting rights, and the protection of sacred personal information near? Would there no longer be the separation of church and state?
Yes, likely, probably, in the works, for sure, then yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. [insert profane expletive]
Most importantly, would these executive orders go unchecked or, when challenged, be found to be within the president’s jurisdiction, per the Supreme Court? Was this the end of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land? Most likely, x 2. The Supreme Court itself would be nearing irrelevance; this of its own making.
If the sacred document of democracy continued to exist, it would be only as a temporary façade for the new autocracy. Christian Nationalists would soon finish writing their scriptures, which they would, of course, attribute to Jesus. The new, indisputable Word of Jesus. The Word would then be dispersed nationally by the technologically adept religious right with their awe-inspiring AI tools and would then become the law of the land, superseding the Constitution of the United States. The ceremonial burning of the original Constitution of the United States document (at the Lincoln Memorial) could then be calendared.
No one needed to vote on these constitutional changes. The word of God was the word of God. The king would ordain these new laws from on high.
Is this the scenario voters wanted? Of course. Not once did forty-seven hide his intentions. He was unambivalent about what he would do, and he campaigned on those intentions and 49.97% of the American voters backed him. He may have lied about specifics, but he was straight up on where he stood — which issues he supported and which he regarded with contempt. The president’s followers voted to have everything they enjoyed in the way of freedom and rights be taken away. They chose this path, they chose this psychopath, eyes wide open. They were not tricked, they were not unaware, they were not desperate. They were bathed in the alternatives via social media and the numerous news sources packaged into their satellite dish subscription. They had choices, they knew the options. Do not imagine otherwise. They were mean, and they were selfish. And hypocritical. Their leaders used the battle cry of Christian Nationalism to rally the troops. And yet, Christian Nationalism did not embrace a single Christian value. Not one.
On the day of the inauguration, 47’s followers celebrated and gloated. They drove around town in their souped-up pickups with Trump flags flying off the back, some waving automatic rifles out their windows as they passed through residential neighborhoods where kids were longboarding and riding bikes. This was their day in the sun. They’d taken back the United States and could now do whatever they wanted. There were no limits; the laws on the books did not apply to them. No matter what they did, forty-seven would see them pardoned. They looked forward to the havoc he promised to wreak on the liberals and Blue States. They failed to consider the same havoc would rain down on their communities.
We-the-people of 47 wanted nothing more than to burn an effigy of the Constitution of the United States on every town square in every Red State — long-overdue retribution for having lost the last Civil War. This time around, they would win. They had the backing of Congress and the Judicial and Executive Branches. The trifecta. The father, son, and holy ghost.
The foreboding is over. What was feared has been made real. And it has momentum. Permission to panic granted.
What can be done?
Envision the people you love. Remember the forest you walked and the birds soaring above. Think about what you want this world to be.
Then GET PISSED. Be disgusted. QUIT MAKING NICE. Make life unpleasant for those who voted MAGA. SHUN BIGOTS. Do not give these people your money. DO NOT ENGAGE. Don’t make business contracts with Republicans. QUIT BEING LAZY: do not give your hard-earned money to anyone who has supported the Republican Party or condoned them through inaction or acquiescing to their demands. TAKE CARE OF YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY. Separate yourself and those you care about from all things emotionally toxic. BOYCOTT PRODUCTS FROM RED STATES. Do not give MAGA/GOP people your money. SHUN RACISTS. Do not send your kids to college in Red States. Don’t be fooled by appearances. IGNORE MAGA ANTICS: walk away, act bored. DON’T DO WHAT MAGA DO: avoid MAGA cultural activities, restaurants, and vacation spots. Stay healthy and sober. FIND WAYS TO DIFFUSE. Don’t make exceptions for “nice” Republicans. Create a healthy mental diet; do only what you believe in. SUPPORT THE PEOPLE MAGA TARGETS. Move to a safer place if in a MAGA community. Hang out as much as possible with the good people. SHUN MISOGYNISTS. Remember: there is not a nice Nazi. Remember: there is not a nice Republican. Do not get drawn into politics mixed with religious dogma. Stay/get physically strong. AVOID MAGA SOCIAL MEDIA. Pick one family member who stays on top of the news on behalf of all. BECOME SELF-RELIANT: grow your own food, find safe local food sources. Do the progressive things regardless of public policy: protect/support vulnerable individuals, drive clean(er) vehicles, hire minoritized people, recycle and compost, keep communities safe and clean, educate children, provide information and facts, and support healthcare for all. Lend your expertise to people who need it and deserve it. DO NOT SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE WITH REPUBLICANS. Reserve your artistic talents for those who will benefit from them in difficult times. QUIT MAKING NICE. When someone tells you they are a Republican, believe they embrace MAGA values. BE A SKEPTIC. Protect your important information, your money, and your assets. Do not be fooled by elegant verbiage. Stay healthy and sober. Make friends with and support scientists, doctors, teachers, and other well-educated people who are expert at problem-solving and communicating factual information. AVERT YOUR EYES from MAGA displays of power. Do not respond to taunts. Take back the American flag; fly it proudly at your home and place of business. Don’t join pissing matches on social media. Listen to music, enjoy art, take a hike, eat a steaming bowl of ramen soup, read some poetry. PROTECT YOURSELF, your family and friends, your business, and vulnerable people in your community: take whatever steps are warranted. SHUN REPUBLICANS. Enroll your children in schools with like-minded parents. Read, read, and read some more; stay on top of what is going on. START STRATEGIZING. Scrutinize where it is ethical and safe to invest. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. Prepare for shortages. Prepare for shutdowns. Marry your person. Stay in close contact with your children. ADJUST YOUR TRAVEL PLANS based on airline safety and logistics of driving through hostile territories. Consider going solar and getting off the grid. BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES.
Let your tears flow.
It is time to consider the French Resistance as a model. Here’s a place to get familiar with their tactics (thank you, Faith, for sending this my way):
Chris Andrews: There are two friends I have had for 30 years that I back away from. We used to be drinking buddies. But they are neo-Fascist, and I don't care about their feelings anymore.
But, as you point out, that is not enough.
As a little person, all I can do is support a major civil rights organization that will take the fight to Orange-Mussolini's ANGRY RED FACE.
Kudos to Governor Janet T. Mills of Maine who stood up to the Orange-Mussolini TO HIS FACE TODAY, and he became excited, defense and red-faced. Too bad, Little Mussolini.
One thing I’ve noticed when I visit with maga supporters. They are not very happy people in a general sense, and seem to want to spread their misery around to others. When I try to guide the conversation away from politics, it almost always drifts back into the discussion.