“Sinister” is the perfect word for using children’s visuals as cover for evil. The same applies to the proposed official emblem for DOGE; very much an appeal to children’s cartoon style, with embedded Nazi iconography.
i’m reminded of the On Tyranny lessons with the children’s books. “Be kind to the language”. The use of a children’s book to normalize fascist tactics is definitely sinister and not kind to the language or how or who we use it with.
I went to the protest yesterday in West Palm Beach . It was good to see a lot of angry people out there.. The signs covered everything .. From Russia to Canada ..
I am sad beyond belief that Patel will get in. I despise the GOP. I have been a democrat my entire life. I always knew the Republicans wanted to demolish a lot of government agencies. But I trusted that they believed in the rule of law and would obey the laws. And that if they managed to get rid of agencies they hated it would be done legally. Nope not anymore.. Federal employees are under huge stress, thinking they will be next on the firing line. The party of law and order is now the party of crime. Shame shame shame.
This guy is J. Edgar Hoover on psychedlics. Hoover "answered" to no one ; he ran the FBI as his private company, intimidating everyone and prying into their private lives (while he lived with his No. 2 at the agency). The difference is that Patel would be beholden to one person: Napoleon Trump. His private law enforcement agency. All US cititzens will lose, as will the professional abilities and activities of the FBI. The McCarthy era tactics will resurface and disgust. "It Can't Happen Here"?? Check out Sinclair Lewis' response to that naivete.
My recently-deceased 95 year old friend lived under the Hoover red-scare period for 20 years. I am privileged to have a redacted copy of his secret FBI surveillance record. Last intercept by an agent was 1964. My friend had finally stood his ground the last two or three times and said he didn't have to talk about "political" things with law enforcement. They finally closed his file, but he had to move and change jobs often, and always be on guard before that long awaited conclusion (which he was not informed about so lived the next 30 years waiting for the next knock at the door). I realize now I could be facing a long time of hassle for simply following my conscience and speaking out about it. Knowing a decent man who was targeted wrongfully makes it all feel that much more important. It's my duty to speak up. And I damn sure will.
Order and read that book (I am doing so) and also read Phillip Roth's counter-history "The Plot Against America" .The "time has come today".....we're living both scenarios.
Ya think Cash Patel will get access to and use the IRS records from Elon Musk to have leverage over those who speak out against Trump whether they be a politician, a journalist, a news outlet of social media, any CEO, company, regular citizens, etc.?
Looking at the US 2016+ from Poland (myself) is an eerie experience. We know rather closely how the Soviet and Nazi regimes emerged and established themselves. We know the screenplays and performances involved. Though, credit where the credit is due, it were the Germans first (in my experience) who started to sound the alarm in 2016. I wonder why.
Professor Snyder (a specialist on our history here) carries this further, to a desperately needed synthetic view.
For today, to me "the quote of the day" from Professor Snyder is "you cannot have law without facts". For our American fellow humans, my opinion - perhaps this is THE line to dig in. Defend facts, there are no defensible positions beyond, when this line is lost.
Thank you, Piotr. This is a frightening time for millions of Americans and your words of encouragement are soothing, and your advice is clear and sharp.
We’re trying to keep our bearings, keep track of what is happening, keep focused on what matters, keep our sanity, keep our democracy, keep the faith in senators and house members, keep each other angry and active, and (phew) keep eating normally and sleeping regularly.
I love your straightforward message and your crisp, clear directive, “Defend the Facts”. It’s perfect and I’m wondering why this isn’t the number one Democrat message, talking point, hashtag, sound bite, etc.
Once again, the horror is explained to us clearly and unambiguously. Now what do we do? Is it even remotely possible that four or more Senators on the Republican side look at reality and act with courage. And I know it will require courage because their “masters” are cruel.
They look the other way as thousands of government employees are fired, but cower because they will surely be “primaried” if they cross the Trump/Musk axis.
The way Repubs have tucked their tails and cowered in fear of setting Dear Leader and his sycophants on them and their families on them I don’t see any of them having any chutzpah to stand against them. I think they blew their chance to stand up to him immediately and kick him out after the Capitol
riots. They get paid with many (extra and hidden) benefits to NOT work and ask how far should they bend over. I fear we are headed into very dark times. As a Light worker I feel overcome with the heaviness and unavailing forces. I would move out of the country if I had connections and resources-look at the wealthy celebs leaving the rest of us in the muck.
??? What-why would you suggest moving to Ukraine? Is there some humor I have missed. Sorry if I have. My grandparents fled Kiev under Stalin and moved to the US for a Democracy. My ancestors bled and died on that soil. And my relatives are now.
Nothing makes me angrier than their cowardice and greed. They took an oath to support the Constitution and the American people, not satisfy their own ambitions. When push comes to shove, they should resign if they can't fulfill their oath or (here's a thought) let the chips fall where they may. Be primaried if it comes to that. The Democrats in Congress are surely treated far worse by MAGA than they are but many are still standing their ground.
Selling your fellow Americans, the world, your Oath of Office, your democratic Constitutional republic for a freeking JOB???
How can they live with themselves?
Why can't 4-5 GOP US Senators resign in states that require special elections to replace them?
They can claim a mental breakdown, long-term illness, age related weaknesses, family emergencies. They can just faint on the Senate floor and disappear for awhile.
I have such comtempt for GOP/trump/Musk. I will never submit to oligarchs, autocrats, theocrats but do everything I can to knock the crowns off their heads and stop the Robber Barons of 2025.
“Nobody could have anticipated” they would do what they said they would do. I’m thinking of the “Good Germans” who had no idea what was happening in those camps.
Kind of interesting that when Hitler came to power, Germany was the most educated, progressive, liberal society in the world. I hate to use the Star Wars analogies, but George Lucas is really good too. Simply put, as democracy‘s rise and inequality falls, the wealthy and powerful, fearing a loss of their majority and power, rise to combat it, even summoning the assistance of populist demagogues and fascists. It seems to be a recognizable and repeating cycle.
None of us for decades knew of the etiology, the reach, the funding, and the effective evils all wound up in the 1971 Powell memo.
It killed American education -- crippled it, neutered it at all levels. With impunity offshored those millions of jobs. Killed communities. Wrought the Fentanyl epidemic. Corrupted Washington, D.C. with lobbying. Systemized perjury to ensure the toadies on what became the Clarence Court. Effected Citizens United. Guaranteed MAGA.
Lewis Powell wrote it for his colleagues atop the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
He was a clever, sophisticated, rich gentleman of Virginia who for years helped the big tobacco companies lie and profit, lie and kill Americans.
As ultimate reward, same year he wrote his now infamous memo (without any signature -- it was anonymous), Richard Nixon appointed him to what we used to call the Supreme Court.
In addition to each of the Patel issues you identify, I would add that his extremely corrosive style of presenting ideas is — well— extremely corrosive. He is thuggish in the same way Trump and young bullies typically are. How I long for civil, competent leadership while still breathing.
We are way beyond saying "this can't be happening!" Of course it is. The damage is permanent. I am 75 years old. I will be living out the remainder of my life in a country which has become an international pariah. Why permanent? The American people voted him in.
I’m 76 and I so hope you’re wrong about this but I doubt. It may be 50 years before tge US will/could be trusted internationally (and that’s under favorable assumptions).
Given what Trump is doing to Ukraine right now, blaming it "for starting the war," I thiknk there is little hope of things getting better in the US. He is a sick, senile man and his followers aren't worried about him dying because they have Musk, Vance & Co. My conservative friends were all certain the firewalls would hold. They never imagined that the Congress would simply stop doing its job. The firewall simply fell over without anyone doing anything. Even so-called moderate republicans are following along..
Welcome to the second coming of Felix Dzerzhinski and Lavrentiya Berea, and Yezhov! Nobody will be safe and it will make McCarthyism look quaint and like a boy scout camp.
Prof. Snyder, I am astonished that you stated surprise at Patel's lack of credentials for the position ("Much can be said about Patel, who the Senate will now be considering in confirmation hearings. The circumstances of his nomination are quite unusual. He has no qualifications. ")
So I pose a very simple question: can you name any of the nominees of FFOTUS who are qualified?
Unfortunately I think the ship has sailed and Patel will be confirmed. The Juggernaut that supports him, for now, seems to have a death grip on Congress, and who knows what other branches of our government stand by shaking with fear. I'm beginning to ask unthinkable questions, such as who will enforce the judgements of the courts against these guys? Who, or what, or how?
What I don't understand is the fear. One of our greatest said it best. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Fear is paralyzing.
But if the bad thing has already happened, if the enemy has taken the castle, what more is there to fear? The worst has happened already. We should now fearlessly work towards different results.
Worst, people not knowing how to feel comfortable with themselves as individuals.
Trump, Putin, Musk, and Vance all lack this comfort, as I think you know, Tobas. Thus they all seek fantasy lands, of dominating some quest for abstractions, of growing one's wealth, of living ever more perfectly within religious quest, "manly" stereotype, or racial perfection.
But they all know they're lying to themselves, so fear is permanent in them, and lies grow in madness.
No end to it but violence. And death. Maybe lots of death. By war or by the accidental epidemics that sheer idiocy and incompetence occasion.
Yes, I mean, we don't have a choice but to fight back, not just in negative terms but also in positive terms of what a real coalition majority wants (fair taxes for common goods, etc).
I got a large postcardfrom the Trump people, Protecting America Initiative. It asked me to contact my STATE Senator and ask why she isn't supporting Trump's position : To keep Chinese Communist Party chemicals out of our food. I found their website, but it is not helpful. Trump is now also directing our State legislatures.
No, Penelope, for 52 years now it's been primarily ALEC.
Soon after the Powell memo came out (Aug. 23, 1971), those on the far right implementing it funded and began the Heritage Foundation (1973). It became massive and massively lethal at the national level.
But at the state level, founded also the same year, was the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the most powerful and damaging instrument for lobbying state legislatures ever.
These are people suckled on hatred in turn through children’s books and every other process they are repeating this vile behavior. When education is returned to the states patels children’s books will be required reading. On a disappointing note I just caught the tail end of a conversation with Anand Giridharadas and Senator Chris Murphy the question of the shadow cabinet was raised and he said he did not support it. Thank you Professor Snyder. It was good to hear from you today. During Covid Chick Corea had a daily online gathering there were about 3,000 people who joined his live post he called them practice sessions and they meant the world to all of us who joined him. Wynton Marsalis held a weekly zoom Jazz and reading got me through. But now there’s even more because we have this community here
It is sinister and so infuriating the way these GOP people use children for their own ends. Witness Musk with his son in the Oval. A following day we then had a photo of Trump with a grandchild. And all those books of indoctrination for little kids who don’t know any better! I suppose they can use those books to replace the books they ban and remove from libraries. Beneath contempt.
We crossed the line from movement to regime by electing Trump. Still he has no mandate, because by math, his votes amount to about 35% of adult citizens. The problem is the 35% who are cowed or indifferent. That leaves 35% who are capable of bringing down our first fascist government. Each one of the last third can resist in their own way. Seize every opportunity to do so.
I have some thoughts on building that coalition from first principles of governance. Feel free to check out https://stephanbrown2.substack.com/p/proposed-principles-of-governance?r=2rwm5u. It's just to get people talking. I feel a grassroots articulation of something like this might provide a platform for building such a coalition. I will admit I don't know the political landscape for such coalition building though. I know a lot of good smart people and organizations are working on this. I feel it has to be a centrist coalition that is at the same time bold and refreshing! One that is unabashed about embracing its principles.
Whom the gods destroy, they first make mad. Hurry up with the destruction, gods, the madness is getting too much to bear.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/17/a-great-shock-julianne-moores-childrens-book-under-review-by-trump-administration
If you write a children's book about a girl with freckles ....
Weird.
“Sinister” is the perfect word for using children’s visuals as cover for evil. The same applies to the proposed official emblem for DOGE; very much an appeal to children’s cartoon style, with embedded Nazi iconography.
i’m reminded of the On Tyranny lessons with the children’s books. “Be kind to the language”. The use of a children’s book to normalize fascist tactics is definitely sinister and not kind to the language or how or who we use it with.
I went to the protest yesterday in West Palm Beach . It was good to see a lot of angry people out there.. The signs covered everything .. From Russia to Canada ..
I am sad beyond belief that Patel will get in. I despise the GOP. I have been a democrat my entire life. I always knew the Republicans wanted to demolish a lot of government agencies. But I trusted that they believed in the rule of law and would obey the laws. And that if they managed to get rid of agencies they hated it would be done legally. Nope not anymore.. Federal employees are under huge stress, thinking they will be next on the firing line. The party of law and order is now the party of crime. Shame shame shame.
This guy is J. Edgar Hoover on psychedlics. Hoover "answered" to no one ; he ran the FBI as his private company, intimidating everyone and prying into their private lives (while he lived with his No. 2 at the agency). The difference is that Patel would be beholden to one person: Napoleon Trump. His private law enforcement agency. All US cititzens will lose, as will the professional abilities and activities of the FBI. The McCarthy era tactics will resurface and disgust. "It Can't Happen Here"?? Check out Sinclair Lewis' response to that naivete.
My recently-deceased 95 year old friend lived under the Hoover red-scare period for 20 years. I am privileged to have a redacted copy of his secret FBI surveillance record. Last intercept by an agent was 1964. My friend had finally stood his ground the last two or three times and said he didn't have to talk about "political" things with law enforcement. They finally closed his file, but he had to move and change jobs often, and always be on guard before that long awaited conclusion (which he was not informed about so lived the next 30 years waiting for the next knock at the door). I realize now I could be facing a long time of hassle for simply following my conscience and speaking out about it. Knowing a decent man who was targeted wrongfully makes it all feel that much more important. It's my duty to speak up. And I damn sure will.
Order and read that book (I am doing so) and also read Phillip Roth's counter-history "The Plot Against America" .The "time has come today".....we're living both scenarios.
It’s only $2 on Kindle. The Sinclair Lewis one.
Ya think Cash Patel will get access to and use the IRS records from Elon Musk to have leverage over those who speak out against Trump whether they be a politician, a journalist, a news outlet of social media, any CEO, company, regular citizens, etc.?
Probably.
Looking at the US 2016+ from Poland (myself) is an eerie experience. We know rather closely how the Soviet and Nazi regimes emerged and established themselves. We know the screenplays and performances involved. Though, credit where the credit is due, it were the Germans first (in my experience) who started to sound the alarm in 2016. I wonder why.
Professor Snyder (a specialist on our history here) carries this further, to a desperately needed synthetic view.
For today, to me "the quote of the day" from Professor Snyder is "you cannot have law without facts". For our American fellow humans, my opinion - perhaps this is THE line to dig in. Defend facts, there are no defensible positions beyond, when this line is lost.
Thank you, Piotr. This is a frightening time for millions of Americans and your words of encouragement are soothing, and your advice is clear and sharp.
We’re trying to keep our bearings, keep track of what is happening, keep focused on what matters, keep our sanity, keep our democracy, keep the faith in senators and house members, keep each other angry and active, and (phew) keep eating normally and sleeping regularly.
I love your straightforward message and your crisp, clear directive, “Defend the Facts”. It’s perfect and I’m wondering why this isn’t the number one Democrat message, talking point, hashtag, sound bite, etc.
Thank you for your kindness and words of wisdom
Once again, the horror is explained to us clearly and unambiguously. Now what do we do? Is it even remotely possible that four or more Senators on the Republican side look at reality and act with courage. And I know it will require courage because their “masters” are cruel.
They look the other way as thousands of government employees are fired, but cower because they will surely be “primaried” if they cross the Trump/Musk axis.
Hypocrisy!
The way Repubs have tucked their tails and cowered in fear of setting Dear Leader and his sycophants on them and their families on them I don’t see any of them having any chutzpah to stand against them. I think they blew their chance to stand up to him immediately and kick him out after the Capitol
riots. They get paid with many (extra and hidden) benefits to NOT work and ask how far should they bend over. I fear we are headed into very dark times. As a Light worker I feel overcome with the heaviness and unavailing forces. I would move out of the country if I had connections and resources-look at the wealthy celebs leaving the rest of us in the muck.
Move to Ukraine. :)
??? What-why would you suggest moving to Ukraine? Is there some humor I have missed. Sorry if I have. My grandparents fled Kiev under Stalin and moved to the US for a Democracy. My ancestors bled and died on that soil. And my relatives are now.
Don’t be offended! I live here :) It’s safer, cheaper and nicer right now. Even with the war.
Nothing makes me angrier than their cowardice and greed. They took an oath to support the Constitution and the American people, not satisfy their own ambitions. When push comes to shove, they should resign if they can't fulfill their oath or (here's a thought) let the chips fall where they may. Be primaried if it comes to that. The Democrats in Congress are surely treated far worse by MAGA than they are but many are still standing their ground.
Selling your fellow Americans, the world, your Oath of Office, your democratic Constitutional republic for a freeking JOB???
How can they live with themselves?
Why can't 4-5 GOP US Senators resign in states that require special elections to replace them?
They can claim a mental breakdown, long-term illness, age related weaknesses, family emergencies. They can just faint on the Senate floor and disappear for awhile.
I have such comtempt for GOP/trump/Musk. I will never submit to oligarchs, autocrats, theocrats but do everything I can to knock the crowns off their heads and stop the Robber Barons of 2025.
“Nobody could have anticipated” they would do what they said they would do. I’m thinking of the “Good Germans” who had no idea what was happening in those camps.
Kind of interesting that when Hitler came to power, Germany was the most educated, progressive, liberal society in the world. I hate to use the Star Wars analogies, but George Lucas is really good too. Simply put, as democracy‘s rise and inequality falls, the wealthy and powerful, fearing a loss of their majority and power, rise to combat it, even summoning the assistance of populist demagogues and fascists. It seems to be a recognizable and repeating cycle.
Not so recognizable, Ted.
None of us for decades knew of the etiology, the reach, the funding, and the effective evils all wound up in the 1971 Powell memo.
It killed American education -- crippled it, neutered it at all levels. With impunity offshored those millions of jobs. Killed communities. Wrought the Fentanyl epidemic. Corrupted Washington, D.C. with lobbying. Systemized perjury to ensure the toadies on what became the Clarence Court. Effected Citizens United. Guaranteed MAGA.
What’s the Powell memo?
Lewis Powell wrote it for his colleagues atop the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
He was a clever, sophisticated, rich gentleman of Virginia who for years helped the big tobacco companies lie and profit, lie and kill Americans.
As ultimate reward, same year he wrote his now infamous memo (without any signature -- it was anonymous), Richard Nixon appointed him to what we used to call the Supreme Court.
That still doesn't tell us about the memo itself Do you have a link please?
Put it in your search engine, Lidia. You will get the entire text.
OK, thanks.
In addition to each of the Patel issues you identify, I would add that his extremely corrosive style of presenting ideas is — well— extremely corrosive. He is thuggish in the same way Trump and young bullies typically are. How I long for civil, competent leadership while still breathing.
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
We are way beyond saying "this can't be happening!" Of course it is. The damage is permanent. I am 75 years old. I will be living out the remainder of my life in a country which has become an international pariah. Why permanent? The American people voted him in.
I’m 76 and I so hope you’re wrong about this but I doubt. It may be 50 years before tge US will/could be trusted internationally (and that’s under favorable assumptions).
I agree. Trust is something built and growing slowly. Destruction is something that can happen sudden and fast and scorch things for decades.
Given what Trump is doing to Ukraine right now, blaming it "for starting the war," I thiknk there is little hope of things getting better in the US. He is a sick, senile man and his followers aren't worried about him dying because they have Musk, Vance & Co. My conservative friends were all certain the firewalls would hold. They never imagined that the Congress would simply stop doing its job. The firewall simply fell over without anyone doing anything. Even so-called moderate republicans are following along..
Welcome to the second coming of Felix Dzerzhinski and Lavrentiya Berea, and Yezhov! Nobody will be safe and it will make McCarthyism look quaint and like a boy scout camp.
A modern day composite of these three guys makes Kash Patel look like a girl scout...at this time,anyway.
Prof. Snyder, I am astonished that you stated surprise at Patel's lack of credentials for the position ("Much can be said about Patel, who the Senate will now be considering in confirmation hearings. The circumstances of his nomination are quite unusual. He has no qualifications. ")
So I pose a very simple question: can you name any of the nominees of FFOTUS who are qualified?
You can't expect trump to nominate anybody who's more qualified than himself; he wouldn't know one if he saw one.
FFOTUS. Love it.
Trump is picking people based on proven loyalty. Nothing else matters.
Unfortunately I think the ship has sailed and Patel will be confirmed. The Juggernaut that supports him, for now, seems to have a death grip on Congress, and who knows what other branches of our government stand by shaking with fear. I'm beginning to ask unthinkable questions, such as who will enforce the judgements of the courts against these guys? Who, or what, or how?
What I don't understand is the fear. One of our greatest said it best. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Fear is paralyzing.
But if the bad thing has already happened, if the enemy has taken the castle, what more is there to fear? The worst has happened already. We should now fearlessly work towards different results.
Worst, people not knowing how to feel comfortable with themselves as individuals.
Trump, Putin, Musk, and Vance all lack this comfort, as I think you know, Tobas. Thus they all seek fantasy lands, of dominating some quest for abstractions, of growing one's wealth, of living ever more perfectly within religious quest, "manly" stereotype, or racial perfection.
But they all know they're lying to themselves, so fear is permanent in them, and lies grow in madness.
No end to it but violence. And death. Maybe lots of death. By war or by the accidental epidemics that sheer idiocy and incompetence occasion.
Yes, I mean, we don't have a choice but to fight back, not just in negative terms but also in positive terms of what a real coalition majority wants (fair taxes for common goods, etc).
I got a large postcardfrom the Trump people, Protecting America Initiative. It asked me to contact my STATE Senator and ask why she isn't supporting Trump's position : To keep Chinese Communist Party chemicals out of our food. I found their website, but it is not helpful. Trump is now also directing our State legislatures.
No, Penelope, for 52 years now it's been primarily ALEC.
Soon after the Powell memo came out (Aug. 23, 1971), those on the far right implementing it funded and began the Heritage Foundation (1973). It became massive and massively lethal at the national level.
But at the state level, founded also the same year, was the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the most powerful and damaging instrument for lobbying state legislatures ever.
Excellent insight - and something truly new I learned. Thank you.
These are people suckled on hatred in turn through children’s books and every other process they are repeating this vile behavior. When education is returned to the states patels children’s books will be required reading. On a disappointing note I just caught the tail end of a conversation with Anand Giridharadas and Senator Chris Murphy the question of the shadow cabinet was raised and he said he did not support it. Thank you Professor Snyder. It was good to hear from you today. During Covid Chick Corea had a daily online gathering there were about 3,000 people who joined his live post he called them practice sessions and they meant the world to all of us who joined him. Wynton Marsalis held a weekly zoom Jazz and reading got me through. But now there’s even more because we have this community here
It is sinister and so infuriating the way these GOP people use children for their own ends. Witness Musk with his son in the Oval. A following day we then had a photo of Trump with a grandchild. And all those books of indoctrination for little kids who don’t know any better! I suppose they can use those books to replace the books they ban and remove from libraries. Beneath contempt.
We crossed the line from movement to regime by electing Trump. Still he has no mandate, because by math, his votes amount to about 35% of adult citizens. The problem is the 35% who are cowed or indifferent. That leaves 35% who are capable of bringing down our first fascist government. Each one of the last third can resist in their own way. Seize every opportunity to do so.
Yes Jean I think looking at that breakdown is revealing. I think there are opportunities to build a coalition from that math.
That is our major task!
I have some thoughts on building that coalition from first principles of governance. Feel free to check out https://stephanbrown2.substack.com/p/proposed-principles-of-governance?r=2rwm5u. It's just to get people talking. I feel a grassroots articulation of something like this might provide a platform for building such a coalition. I will admit I don't know the political landscape for such coalition building though. I know a lot of good smart people and organizations are working on this. I feel it has to be a centrist coalition that is at the same time bold and refreshing! One that is unabashed about embracing its principles.