Since many of us are writers, I will add another rule. Keep a journal, a paper one and write your daily observations. These will be the facts that keep you sane in a changing world full of lies and half-truths.
Also, commune with Nature. The natural world never lies and will keep you stable. If you can, have an non-human animal companion nearby.
I was just thinking about this last night. Physical record keeping by local individuals is how we have accurate portrayals of local events during times of great change in the past. Since local news sources have all been shuttered we don't even know whats going on in most of the small towns of America.
Exactly; so here is where individuals like us can become important sources and conduits of facts and knowledge. The physical town square might once again become an important meeting place.
I live in a tiny town in the Northern Territory of Australia and historically speaking, this is where the KKK originated in Australia. And guess what I'm seeing a lot of lately? Cars and utes with trump's pictures on them. Especially the Fist Up, Fight pic after ear graze 🙄. So, it's spreading. But, we have a very large number of USDF personnel living here because we have our huge airbase, pretty much given to the US government by our government. I'm now wondering if a percentage of people driving these cars are American military men and women?
I've read from a couple of sources that the TVs on US military bases--in the mess hall, for example--are almost always tuned to FOX News. Which means a constant flow of disinformation and propaganda hitting them.
Thanks for this. As an American in London since 2011, I've been watching two countries I love descend into populist horrors for more than a decade. I’m more depressed than ever in the last few weeks, but I’m also determined to find strength in whatever forms of resistance I can engage in.
Are you on BlueSky? I don't find you when I search on your name...
23: Hold on to reality: Trump & Elon may have won the election, but are still losing the culture war. They may rule the spotlight but they will remain among the most despised, uncool, sociopathic, monstrous, rejected humans on the planet. Our arts, music, drama & literature will continue to progress around & in spite of their cruelty, corruption, derangement & lies. All aboard the resistance bandwagon. =^.^= 💜
"The enemy is within" said the kremlin troll to the dork maga cryptobros. Within the Oval now. Subverted & corrupted election launches cold civil war in America. Putin annexation underway, SOS USA 🚨 Resistance is the only option
Thank you! I’ve been looking for a “to do list” since the election. As a public high school librarian whose students are the demographic targeted by the incoming broligrachs, I need to be as prepared as possible. Resistance and gallows humor commence!
What I find so incredibly disheartening and utterly unbelievable is how many teacher colleagues are trump assholes. A teumper social studies teacher has no right standing in front of a class. A Trumper science teacher, the same... they should be fired for being gross hypocrits. The climate is disgusting. These assholes act as if THEY are the 1%. It's so incredible that such feeble minds are guiding our youth. And I even voted for the orange stain the first time, as a lifelong republican! But within 2 months, trump opend my eyes very wide for me to see all that is wrong with the republican party... and what was wrong with me for being a part of it. But I am a teacher who actually practices what I was taught to do as a teacher. Reflect constantly and GROW!!! Something these people are incapable of. I will never be revisiting the republican party, ever. They are all lies and contradictions, just like their religion... that was also a huge part of my revelation, seeing how interconnected the two are, and how hypocritical it is. All of it. I hope we can survive this. I can't believe how absolutely devastated I am over this, and I used to be one of them!!!!
As a trans adult - trans kids are going to need your help. This incoming group has said they want to eliminate gender-affitming care, so it won’t just be their peers or family they might have issues with - it will be that state itself.
If Trump and his appointees were all kompromat to the Kremlin, they could hardly be planning a better job of tearing down US democracy (such as it is). There are strange similarities between what Musk is saying and what Cummings was saying during the Johnson (mate of Lebedev) era. Cummings put a call out for 'weirdos and misfits' to take No10 jobs and to dismantle the civil service. Musk has called for "super high-IQ revolutionaries" to "dismantle government bureaucracy". These matching statements, along with both their regimes' plans to intimidate journalists & "experts" via the law courts, makes me imagine a hideous world where they both have the same hostile-state handlers...
It always surprises me that Elon thinks he is part of a "super IQ" elite. He may be a the product if a satanic sex ritual with a silver spoon permanently up his ass but he has still had to lie and cheat his way through the upper echelon even with all that privilege just like Trump.
As a veteran Army JAGC officer stationed in West Germany during the Cold War years, I am familiar with the Posse Comitatus statute. Only today did I realize, with horror, the connection between the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that gratuitously expanded presidential powers and immunity, and the alt-right Catholic that Trump wants to be his Secretary of Defense. It is all laid out, just as you and Tim Snyder have warned.
Sharon I worry about the military, given that I hear Fox News plays 24/7 wherever they are. I'm seriously concerned about whether the Constitution will still be held higher than the Trumpstitution.
Anne I worry about the same thing. From my observations, the active duty military community is as politically split as our civilian society is. That gives the conservative faction a huge number of apt pupils to obey any order as a lawful one.
This is really discouraging. I’m not naive, I know the military can’t filter out all the psycho’s. Adam Kinzinger has talked about this. MAGA has so little insight, that they can’t understand that THEY are “the enemy within”. Sharon I sure hope enough sanity prevails in the armed forces that the crazies don’t take over the asylum, as it were.
Please don’t be discouraged as the military community is so vast that it mirrors the society it serves. It’s the power that the military is capable of wielding that is the alarming factor here. But for every Pete Hegseth there is an Alexander Vindman who served with honor and conviction. I don’t believe many soldiers see their mission as an unhinged President’s “ retribution “.
The McDonald’s may not be the most important point, but as it is Trump’s signature feast to share, it is telling. But, I write to add that RFK Jr. is the only one who can’t make himself grin over this meal. The World’s Richest Man looks only somewhat happy. Would that they start wondering what they got themselves into!
Only imagine the emotional stunting that had to occur to return that SMFPOS. They’re the epitome of needy. Sophomoric and dangerous.
Obsequious Sycophancy. 🤮
4 years of incessant ad hominem attacks and reading about him being referred to as BOSS among staff. Unbelievable disrespect to any defined protocol about EVERYTHING. Gawd, it’s gonna blow.
Wow, after everything that has happened recently and even to you, to some extent. You still don't get it. How is Trump even relevant to you? Or even Musk? Do you know how you win in the marketplace of ideas? You tell the truth (gasp). You and your ilk didn't for years and now you are completely irrelevant. Even worse, even with all the chips stacked in your favour, including social media working overtime to censor the inconvenient truths popping up everywhere, the truth still got out, as it always does. Crowing that your propaganda empire is crumbling is hypocrisy at it's best. I recommend doing some actual journalism at some point, then your material may once again be in demand.
I read ‘On Tyranny’ by Timothy Snyder in 2017. A no nonsense book on how to not fall for the authoritarian trap. I have it on my night stand for another re-read.
Mr Snyder’s ‘ways to resist’ along with your well thought out ideas on how to survive in these ‘interesting times’ are much needed and appreciated.
Leaving the Guardian as it sinks, and jumping onto Substack. No, you have misunderstood the forces at play by refusing to look into the darker areas, labelling them ‘misinformation’ which is exactly why the MSM has died and why it is so bewildered by the choices that electorates are making.
Right! These people need to be investigated. They hate America and they hate its Constitution. Their own country cannot get rid of stupid monarchy. They want to advise Americans how to vote. They need to be listed as rogue MSM.
Since many of us are writers, I will add another rule. Keep a journal, a paper one and write your daily observations. These will be the facts that keep you sane in a changing world full of lies and half-truths.
Also, commune with Nature. The natural world never lies and will keep you stable. If you can, have an non-human animal companion nearby.
I was just thinking about this last night. Physical record keeping by local individuals is how we have accurate portrayals of local events during times of great change in the past. Since local news sources have all been shuttered we don't even know whats going on in most of the small towns of America.
Exactly; so here is where individuals like us can become important sources and conduits of facts and knowledge. The physical town square might once again become an important meeting place.
I live in a tiny town in the Northern Territory of Australia and historically speaking, this is where the KKK originated in Australia. And guess what I'm seeing a lot of lately? Cars and utes with trump's pictures on them. Especially the Fist Up, Fight pic after ear graze 🙄. So, it's spreading. But, we have a very large number of USDF personnel living here because we have our huge airbase, pretty much given to the US government by our government. I'm now wondering if a percentage of people driving these cars are American military men and women?
I've read from a couple of sources that the TVs on US military bases--in the mess hall, for example--are almost always tuned to FOX News. Which means a constant flow of disinformation and propaganda hitting them.
Did not know that about the KKK. Wow
Thanks for this. As an American in London since 2011, I've been watching two countries I love descend into populist horrors for more than a decade. I’m more depressed than ever in the last few weeks, but I’m also determined to find strength in whatever forms of resistance I can engage in.
Are you on BlueSky? I don't find you when I search on your name...
@carolecadwalla.bsky.social
Thanks. So bizarre that that did not come up while searching.
Their search function for profiles has been wonky, but thanks for asking this!
I hope you're a member of Democrats Abroad!
23: Hold on to reality: Trump & Elon may have won the election, but are still losing the culture war. They may rule the spotlight but they will remain among the most despised, uncool, sociopathic, monstrous, rejected humans on the planet. Our arts, music, drama & literature will continue to progress around & in spite of their cruelty, corruption, derangement & lies. All aboard the resistance bandwagon. =^.^= 💜
"The enemy is within" said the kremlin troll to the dork maga cryptobros. Within the Oval now. Subverted & corrupted election launches cold civil war in America. Putin annexation underway, SOS USA 🚨 Resistance is the only option
What’s Next, America? | PoliticsGirl https://youtube.com/watch?v=Kmeo6eGy1wI&ab_channel=MeidasTouch
Thank you! I’ve been looking for a “to do list” since the election. As a public high school librarian whose students are the demographic targeted by the incoming broligrachs, I need to be as prepared as possible. Resistance and gallows humor commence!
What I find so incredibly disheartening and utterly unbelievable is how many teacher colleagues are trump assholes. A teumper social studies teacher has no right standing in front of a class. A Trumper science teacher, the same... they should be fired for being gross hypocrits. The climate is disgusting. These assholes act as if THEY are the 1%. It's so incredible that such feeble minds are guiding our youth. And I even voted for the orange stain the first time, as a lifelong republican! But within 2 months, trump opend my eyes very wide for me to see all that is wrong with the republican party... and what was wrong with me for being a part of it. But I am a teacher who actually practices what I was taught to do as a teacher. Reflect constantly and GROW!!! Something these people are incapable of. I will never be revisiting the republican party, ever. They are all lies and contradictions, just like their religion... that was also a huge part of my revelation, seeing how interconnected the two are, and how hypocritical it is. All of it. I hope we can survive this. I can't believe how absolutely devastated I am over this, and I used to be one of them!!!!
We recently had an incident where a teacher sided with a student that called another student wearing a Harris/Walz pin a "baby killer" expressing that they didn't like the baby killers either. https://www.whitelakemirror.com/article/2024/11/public-comments-address-politically-charged-incident-at-montague-high-school
As a trans adult - trans kids are going to need your help. This incoming group has said they want to eliminate gender-affitming care, so it won’t just be their peers or family they might have issues with - it will be that state itself.
If Trump and his appointees were all kompromat to the Kremlin, they could hardly be planning a better job of tearing down US democracy (such as it is). There are strange similarities between what Musk is saying and what Cummings was saying during the Johnson (mate of Lebedev) era. Cummings put a call out for 'weirdos and misfits' to take No10 jobs and to dismantle the civil service. Musk has called for "super high-IQ revolutionaries" to "dismantle government bureaucracy". These matching statements, along with both their regimes' plans to intimidate journalists & "experts" via the law courts, makes me imagine a hideous world where they both have the same hostile-state handlers...
It always surprises me that Elon thinks he is part of a "super IQ" elite. He may be a the product if a satanic sex ritual with a silver spoon permanently up his ass but he has still had to lie and cheat his way through the upper echelon even with all that privilege just like Trump.
If you haven't heard of the Heritage Foundation, you might want to take a look.
Thank you for being here. And thank you for this piece. I am listening, please keep writing.
As a veteran Army JAGC officer stationed in West Germany during the Cold War years, I am familiar with the Posse Comitatus statute. Only today did I realize, with horror, the connection between the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that gratuitously expanded presidential powers and immunity, and the alt-right Catholic that Trump wants to be his Secretary of Defense. It is all laid out, just as you and Tim Snyder have warned.
Keep writing truth. Courage, friend.
Sharon I worry about the military, given that I hear Fox News plays 24/7 wherever they are. I'm seriously concerned about whether the Constitution will still be held higher than the Trumpstitution.
Anne I worry about the same thing. From my observations, the active duty military community is as politically split as our civilian society is. That gives the conservative faction a huge number of apt pupils to obey any order as a lawful one.
This is really discouraging. I’m not naive, I know the military can’t filter out all the psycho’s. Adam Kinzinger has talked about this. MAGA has so little insight, that they can’t understand that THEY are “the enemy within”. Sharon I sure hope enough sanity prevails in the armed forces that the crazies don’t take over the asylum, as it were.
Please don’t be discouraged as the military community is so vast that it mirrors the society it serves. It’s the power that the military is capable of wielding that is the alarming factor here. But for every Pete Hegseth there is an Alexander Vindman who served with honor and conviction. I don’t believe many soldiers see their mission as an unhinged President’s “ retribution “.
Thanks for your service, and this response. Much appreciated.
Keep those soldiers in line. Feed them Big Brother’s line.
Such an important post. Thank you. Shared widely. I'm not sure which social media is safe to post communications now.
I'm getting off meta for politics and joining bluesky 🦋. No algorithms there. Maga not tolerated.
yes - thanks - I've just joined bluesky now.
Great! I am WyBlueDot there. Hope to connect with you!
“Broligarchy” is spot on. Bullyonaires is which I call ’em. Spoiled little boys that never heard the word “no”, that grew up to become awful men.
I’m using “grew up” very loosely. More like Gru, but no intended insult towards the fictional character, who has infinitely MORE class.
Very helpful words to begin to live by.
I have one question. If Robert F Kennedy Jr. is going to make us healthy again does that begin by sucking down McDonald’s burgers?
The McDonald’s may not be the most important point, but as it is Trump’s signature feast to share, it is telling. But, I write to add that RFK Jr. is the only one who can’t make himself grin over this meal. The World’s Richest Man looks only somewhat happy. Would that they start wondering what they got themselves into!
Signature feast, like EVERY 7 year old.
Only imagine the emotional stunting that had to occur to return that SMFPOS. They’re the epitome of needy. Sophomoric and dangerous.
Obsequious Sycophancy. 🤮
4 years of incessant ad hominem attacks and reading about him being referred to as BOSS among staff. Unbelievable disrespect to any defined protocol about EVERYTHING. Gawd, it’s gonna blow.
RFK jr dissed the Trump airplane food hardcore as “sucking down poison” and I guess this photo is somehow payback
Maybe you guys already know that
No, I for one didn’t know that; payback is an interesting thought. Payback is certainly Trump’s style!!
You are a total Village Idiot
Wow, after everything that has happened recently and even to you, to some extent. You still don't get it. How is Trump even relevant to you? Or even Musk? Do you know how you win in the marketplace of ideas? You tell the truth (gasp). You and your ilk didn't for years and now you are completely irrelevant. Even worse, even with all the chips stacked in your favour, including social media working overtime to censor the inconvenient truths popping up everywhere, the truth still got out, as it always does. Crowing that your propaganda empire is crumbling is hypocrisy at it's best. I recommend doing some actual journalism at some point, then your material may once again be in demand.
Thank you for the post and the list.
I read ‘On Tyranny’ by Timothy Snyder in 2017. A no nonsense book on how to not fall for the authoritarian trap. I have it on my night stand for another re-read.
Mr Snyder’s ‘ways to resist’ along with your well thought out ideas on how to survive in these ‘interesting times’ are much needed and appreciated.
He has a new book out called “On Freedom”.
Thank you. My next purchase!
I’m not obeying ever. Not in advance and not when they tell me to. Fuck that shit.
Leaving the Guardian as it sinks, and jumping onto Substack. No, you have misunderstood the forces at play by refusing to look into the darker areas, labelling them ‘misinformation’ which is exactly why the MSM has died and why it is so bewildered by the choices that electorates are making.
Ahem. I do not think Carole has left the Guardian....
And The Guardian isn't sinking, either.
IF, it has lost readership, that possibly reflects, perhaps, similar reasons, the idiots, who voted the turd45 in...morons abound.
The Guardian is one of the few msm beacons left.
Satire???
No
Thought so. The perfect bubble here. Enjoy.
Really???
Right! These people need to be investigated. They hate America and they hate its Constitution. Their own country cannot get rid of stupid monarchy. They want to advise Americans how to vote. They need to be listed as rogue MSM.
Nice take! And yeah Media, academia and lawyers/ judiciary 3 primary vectors of totalitarian regimes. Induced and emergent.
“How to survive it?!” Lady, you’re feeding off of it. Give me a break with this hysteria.