I feel like I waited a long time to get into a class taught by a brilliant philosopher. Your intellectual process is calming in these turbulent times and deeply gratifying for me as someone who enjoys stretching into new learning. Happy your voice is discoverable here.
Just up to the bit where you say you appreciate support from other countries. Don't worry, you have it. While we may not understand the intricacies of American politics, or understand how America put Rump in charge, we understand his attack on democracy and the terrible state democracy finds itself in today thanks to big tech etc.
I think a lot of why Trump got voted for, and how he can continue his reign of terror, is that people want a shakeup, a great reshuffle. The crazy prepper people I know (there are more of them around than I imagined), seem to think an apocalypse is a good thing, because the rich will be struck down - it will act as a leveler. I feel like that was why people jumped into the Covid panic without much thought, pause for debate, or fact-checking. In a way, they were excited for it. Nothing much interesting has happened since WWII. Trump is chaos, and I honestly think there are people who take a perverse delight in chaos. Until it hits them in the pocket and they realise that in any 'reshuffle' it'll be same-ol, same ol. The poor will suffer, the rich will benefit. Straight away you can see them squealing because the trade war is all fun and games, until their iPhone cost twice as much. Trump understands this. He probably has a phone. So he's reversed that Tariff. What will be next? He'll just keep exempting things then claim it was what he meant to do all along. Not sure it helps to understand the whole thing, but people are funny, and I think enjoying a bit of a shakeup is in our nature.
Thanks, Mike for opening the discussion to a full spectrum of questions. Your discussion about the possibility of military intervention likely is appropriate. We are rapidly becoming a nuclear-armed banana republic which as the world's largest economy and a nuclear stockpile becomes a real concern for the entire world.
We have already become economic terrorists destroying not only our own financial system but wreaking havoc on friends and foes alike. You start out the discussion with a question about what will be enough for American citizens to push back against the assault to the post-WWII liberal world order and that extends far beyond our borders. Can the world abide such dangerous behavior from a rogue superpower?
The U.S. military prides itself on being apolitical and having allegiance only to the Constitution and the nation. They have a long military history of a military code of conduct and a sacred honor to defend their homeland and its citizens. Their lives are literally on the line and this is a blood oath they hold sacred.
Even in his first term, Trump expressed contempt for those who sacrificed for their country. His attacks on John McClain, his remarks and comments to Gen. Milley at various veteran's memorial events show his disdain for military service. His first acts in this term was to decapitate moderate apolitical military leaders and replace them with sycophants loyal to him rather than either the Constitution or the long, proud heritage of the military. No matter the personal politics, he is no true Commander of the Armed Forces.
The discussion of the deep level of polarization in the general public is concerning. There are more guns in the U.S. than people. We are likely headed for an economic recession to add fuel to the fires of resentment over inequities that got us into this mess. It would not take much to ignite a shooting incident that could quickly lead to a massive replay of the January 6 mob insurrection. If so, the military would likely step in to restore order. I am confident their allegiance is to the nation, not the President.
Martial law was declared after the Civil War to help restore order and reconstruct the Confederacy. Then, we had a sane President Lincoln in charge. Now, we have to put our hope in the honorable leadership of the Armed Forces to do the right thing - stage a coup, arrest Trump, and declare martial law while a new civilian government can be formed. This is not a quick process. We might need to convene a Constitutional Convention first to revise our antiquated document and to devise a Constitution worthy of the rigors of the 21st century. Desperate times require desperate actions. We need to open our minds to the previously unthinkable.
I feel like I waited a long time to get into a class taught by a brilliant philosopher. Your intellectual process is calming in these turbulent times and deeply gratifying for me as someone who enjoys stretching into new learning. Happy your voice is discoverable here.
Just up to the bit where you say you appreciate support from other countries. Don't worry, you have it. While we may not understand the intricacies of American politics, or understand how America put Rump in charge, we understand his attack on democracy and the terrible state democracy finds itself in today thanks to big tech etc.
I think a lot of why Trump got voted for, and how he can continue his reign of terror, is that people want a shakeup, a great reshuffle. The crazy prepper people I know (there are more of them around than I imagined), seem to think an apocalypse is a good thing, because the rich will be struck down - it will act as a leveler. I feel like that was why people jumped into the Covid panic without much thought, pause for debate, or fact-checking. In a way, they were excited for it. Nothing much interesting has happened since WWII. Trump is chaos, and I honestly think there are people who take a perverse delight in chaos. Until it hits them in the pocket and they realise that in any 'reshuffle' it'll be same-ol, same ol. The poor will suffer, the rich will benefit. Straight away you can see them squealing because the trade war is all fun and games, until their iPhone cost twice as much. Trump understands this. He probably has a phone. So he's reversed that Tariff. What will be next? He'll just keep exempting things then claim it was what he meant to do all along. Not sure it helps to understand the whole thing, but people are funny, and I think enjoying a bit of a shakeup is in our nature.
Thanks, Mike for opening the discussion to a full spectrum of questions. Your discussion about the possibility of military intervention likely is appropriate. We are rapidly becoming a nuclear-armed banana republic which as the world's largest economy and a nuclear stockpile becomes a real concern for the entire world.
We have already become economic terrorists destroying not only our own financial system but wreaking havoc on friends and foes alike. You start out the discussion with a question about what will be enough for American citizens to push back against the assault to the post-WWII liberal world order and that extends far beyond our borders. Can the world abide such dangerous behavior from a rogue superpower?
The U.S. military prides itself on being apolitical and having allegiance only to the Constitution and the nation. They have a long military history of a military code of conduct and a sacred honor to defend their homeland and its citizens. Their lives are literally on the line and this is a blood oath they hold sacred.
Even in his first term, Trump expressed contempt for those who sacrificed for their country. His attacks on John McClain, his remarks and comments to Gen. Milley at various veteran's memorial events show his disdain for military service. His first acts in this term was to decapitate moderate apolitical military leaders and replace them with sycophants loyal to him rather than either the Constitution or the long, proud heritage of the military. No matter the personal politics, he is no true Commander of the Armed Forces.
The discussion of the deep level of polarization in the general public is concerning. There are more guns in the U.S. than people. We are likely headed for an economic recession to add fuel to the fires of resentment over inequities that got us into this mess. It would not take much to ignite a shooting incident that could quickly lead to a massive replay of the January 6 mob insurrection. If so, the military would likely step in to restore order. I am confident their allegiance is to the nation, not the President.
Martial law was declared after the Civil War to help restore order and reconstruct the Confederacy. Then, we had a sane President Lincoln in charge. Now, we have to put our hope in the honorable leadership of the Armed Forces to do the right thing - stage a coup, arrest Trump, and declare martial law while a new civilian government can be formed. This is not a quick process. We might need to convene a Constitutional Convention first to revise our antiquated document and to devise a Constitution worthy of the rigors of the 21st century. Desperate times require desperate actions. We need to open our minds to the previously unthinkable.