Glad to see this piece again. What is clear, even if we whisper it privately or barely let ourselves believe it, is that this administration _wants_ mass destruction--whether to pseudo-legitimize even more encompassing power, grab up the "spoils," pure cruelty, or all the above. Hunger Games on steroids.
All I can say is, God, I hope not but thank you for your perspective & warning. How to reach millions with this warning? Hopefully, some of your major subscribers can reiterate this to their subscribers.
I sense this in my bones. For one thing—and as you say — this regime has very methodically set up conditions that have made the US a Petrie dish for terrorism. It appears to have created a kind of carte blanche by eliminating watchdogs, oversight, vanquishing professionalism and expertise and installing know-nothings. It is not inconceivable that this regime would engender an attack themselves— so that they could scapegoat it, fight it and claim their own heroism thereby galvanizing broad support. Maybe that seems like conspiracy thinking but sadly, horribly, I think it’s a clear appraisal of who they are, what they’re capable of. God help us.
I am just a few years older than you and as a historian and retired military officer of nearly 40 years service in peace and war, I agree with you. Unlike you, I fell for Bush’s lies after 9/11. That haunts me to this day, but serving in Iraq showed me how those lies harmed us, created destruction and mass murder in Iraq, and laid the seeds for dictatorship here through the Patriot Act. I keep waiting for the next terrorist attack, and this time I won’t fall for this criminal Regime’s lies. Like you I believe that it will be a right wing, White Nationalist group that will commit it, or a False Flag operation designed to implicate others, made by operatives from Russia, the White Nationalists, or maybe the Regime itself. The Regime has made it far easier by dismantling the agencies that monitor terrorists, and completely wiped out efforts against domestic terrorism. The attack will happen and the only question is when. You know and have written about what they will do, I won’t repeat it.
All the best and please watch your six. With the greatest respect.
I would like to have a terrorist response disaster plan for my community and family. Please send links or and suggestions so we can be prepared as we would do so for any disaster. That is the best way to stay as calm as possible.
I got very nervous when the governor for Iraq whom Bush appointed was replaced by another officer apparently as Bush's man was boarding the plane for Iraq. I had to ask if a foreign, hidden force was at work to undermine US constitutional authority.
Thank you for so eloquently describing what I believe: we are not safe under this administration. As soon as Pete Hegseth was confirmed I knew the US was ripe for a terrorist attack. Confirmation of all the other cabinet people coupled with mass firings further supported this belief. knowing at least 7 million Americans are in agreement gives me hope.
It's inevitable that Trump and his minions will mimic their beloved idols.
Yes, how 'We' respond is declarative of WHO 'WE' ARE.
It's a testable hypothesis how large a fraction of Americans ALREADY anticipate some terroristic stunt from Trump.
My prediction is that it is at least 60 % of the adult population.
What matters is how BROADLY your wise insights are distributed NOW to EVERY AMERICAN with an Internet connection and the dexterity to 'click' on a YouTube link.
It's entirely your decision how hard you push for your missive to be read/heard, but I'd suggest you contact the folk at MeidasTouch (https://meidasnews.com) and collaborate with them to ensure BROAD distribution. They've got the 'juice.'
Read your books; have admired your insights for the past couple decades, so thank you Professor Snyder.
BTW, it's likely occurred to you that Trump's use of the US military to murder 50 or so folk in motor boats (that couldn't reach the US without refueling numerous times) has a primary purpose to 'motivate' some of their family and friends to perpetrate revenge via a terroristic act someplace in the US.
Reflecting on the TERROR that's been being experienced, for months now, by millions of Americans on ACA, Medicaid, & food assistance I realized that Trump & his minions are likely going to be responsible for more cases of PTSD in our Society than any prior 'terrorist event' other than perhaps the Civil War.
They've done it in months as opposed to 4 years of war.
Murdering folk in motor boats is just one of the ways that Trump & the Republicans attempt to distract from the fact that they have literally weaponized food and medical care and are using those weapons, 24/7, against Americans.
" Read your book; have admired your insights..." Me too.
Check out Tony Judt's writing, esp. "Ill Fares the Land". Dr Snyder and Dr. Judt collaborated on " Thinking the Twentieth Century".
From that book:
" The Greeks knew that democracy is not likely to fall to the charms of totalitarianism, authoritarianism or oligarchy; it's much more likely to fall to a corrupted version of itself.
Democracies corrode quite fast; they corrode linguistically or rhetorically, if you like-- that's the Orwellian point about language"
The calmness. The blase surface of ignorance. People going about their business not realizing that the dam above them is about to break. Terrifying. As an older person, 82, sadly running is not an option, but knowledge helps. Thank you.
Another layer of concern: BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ANY CLAIM BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
False flag operations are standard operating procedure for Authoritarians.
For example, yesterday, Kash Patel claimed “the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”
According to the latest news report (see link below), the government has not shared any details other than the defendants apparently referred to "pumpkin day" and there was a "pumpkin" reference.
An attorney for one of the defendants responded, “I don’t know where this hysteria and this fearmongering came from.” According to the article, the attorney "described the all-male group of U.S. citizens as gamers, and said they range in age from 16 to 20."
Completely agree. My first thought was to suspect Patel was lying. Perhaps as a distraction from the shutdown, SNAP, Epstein, you name it. If anyone in this Regime opens their mouth, suspect lie(s) will come out.
The unthinkable has arrived. This situation is a powder keg waiting for an eruption of violence with each new outrage squeezing us, testing us.. Protest is important but CAREFULLY and PEACEFULLY. There are many ways to protest.
Many good competent people have left their government jobs or been fired.. and are replaced or being replaced by henchmen/women who are making us less secure by design or incompetence.
Vote. Do not be intimidated at the polls. Take your cell phone/camera.
Whatever the singular act of terror is, and perpetrated by whomever, I am guessing the regime would use it as a pretext for limiting cyber/internet communications and transactions.
I agree with the commenter that presenting this through other channels asap should be done. Maybe MTN. Rachel Maddow. Lawrence O'Donnell.
I suppose it’s my illusion of exceptionalism that I had assumed that the unthinkable would fall on other countries. But Dr. Snyder’s post makes more sense. Of course it makes perfect sense that our own country is most vulnerable. I can’t forget that DJT telegraphs everything. Destroying the East Wing was evidently a prelude to the demolition of our country.. “My name is Ozymandias. King of kings. Look upon my works ye mighty, and despair” - Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Yes- we were into "It Can't Happen Here"... but it can and is trying to... almost 10 months in. We ( the people) are having a hard time believing it still- or maybe this is what people still think they want- 40% of them anyway. So it takes time for it to hit the ground level- It is in the process of that happening.
"Destroying the East Wing was evidently a prelude to the demolition of our country"
Demolition of the country started before. The East Wing destruction is a "celebration" of that desire.
Glad to see this piece again. What is clear, even if we whisper it privately or barely let ourselves believe it, is that this administration _wants_ mass destruction--whether to pseudo-legitimize even more encompassing power, grab up the "spoils," pure cruelty, or all the above. Hunger Games on steroids.
All I can say is, God, I hope not but thank you for your perspective & warning. How to reach millions with this warning? Hopefully, some of your major subscribers can reiterate this to their subscribers.
Restack the post! That way your followers will be alerted to it.
Put aside the "hopefully" Act!
Great idea! Thanks.
I sense this in my bones. For one thing—and as you say — this regime has very methodically set up conditions that have made the US a Petrie dish for terrorism. It appears to have created a kind of carte blanche by eliminating watchdogs, oversight, vanquishing professionalism and expertise and installing know-nothings. It is not inconceivable that this regime would engender an attack themselves— so that they could scapegoat it, fight it and claim their own heroism thereby galvanizing broad support. Maybe that seems like conspiracy thinking but sadly, horribly, I think it’s a clear appraisal of who they are, what they’re capable of. God help us.
"It is not inconceivable that this regime would engender an attack themselves" - exactly my thought
Dr. Snyder,
I am just a few years older than you and as a historian and retired military officer of nearly 40 years service in peace and war, I agree with you. Unlike you, I fell for Bush’s lies after 9/11. That haunts me to this day, but serving in Iraq showed me how those lies harmed us, created destruction and mass murder in Iraq, and laid the seeds for dictatorship here through the Patriot Act. I keep waiting for the next terrorist attack, and this time I won’t fall for this criminal Regime’s lies. Like you I believe that it will be a right wing, White Nationalist group that will commit it, or a False Flag operation designed to implicate others, made by operatives from Russia, the White Nationalists, or maybe the Regime itself. The Regime has made it far easier by dismantling the agencies that monitor terrorists, and completely wiped out efforts against domestic terrorism. The attack will happen and the only question is when. You know and have written about what they will do, I won’t repeat it.
All the best and please watch your six. With the greatest respect.
Steve Dundas
I would like to have a terrorist response disaster plan for my community and family. Please send links or and suggestions so we can be prepared as we would do so for any disaster. That is the best way to stay as calm as possible.
US citizens can take a free online course at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), which is FEMA college, called Disaster Preparedness Planning.
I got very nervous when the governor for Iraq whom Bush appointed was replaced by another officer apparently as Bush's man was boarding the plane for Iraq. I had to ask if a foreign, hidden force was at work to undermine US constitutional authority.
The next terrorist attack is already here and it is called ICE.
Thank you for so eloquently describing what I believe: we are not safe under this administration. As soon as Pete Hegseth was confirmed I knew the US was ripe for a terrorist attack. Confirmation of all the other cabinet people coupled with mass firings further supported this belief. knowing at least 7 million Americans are in agreement gives me hope.
Being the goat's attacks on...
It's inevitable that Trump and his minions will mimic their beloved idols.
Yes, how 'We' respond is declarative of WHO 'WE' ARE.
It's a testable hypothesis how large a fraction of Americans ALREADY anticipate some terroristic stunt from Trump.
My prediction is that it is at least 60 % of the adult population.
What matters is how BROADLY your wise insights are distributed NOW to EVERY AMERICAN with an Internet connection and the dexterity to 'click' on a YouTube link.
It's entirely your decision how hard you push for your missive to be read/heard, but I'd suggest you contact the folk at MeidasTouch (https://meidasnews.com) and collaborate with them to ensure BROAD distribution. They've got the 'juice.'
Read your books; have admired your insights for the past couple decades, so thank you Professor Snyder.
BTW, it's likely occurred to you that Trump's use of the US military to murder 50 or so folk in motor boats (that couldn't reach the US without refueling numerous times) has a primary purpose to 'motivate' some of their family and friends to perpetrate revenge via a terroristic act someplace in the US.
Not to mention those with relatives detained and deported by ICE
Yup!
Reflecting on the TERROR that's been being experienced, for months now, by millions of Americans on ACA, Medicaid, & food assistance I realized that Trump & his minions are likely going to be responsible for more cases of PTSD in our Society than any prior 'terrorist event' other than perhaps the Civil War.
They've done it in months as opposed to 4 years of war.
Murdering folk in motor boats is just one of the ways that Trump & the Republicans attempt to distract from the fact that they have literally weaponized food and medical care and are using those weapons, 24/7, against Americans.
" Read your book; have admired your insights..." Me too.
Check out Tony Judt's writing, esp. "Ill Fares the Land". Dr Snyder and Dr. Judt collaborated on " Thinking the Twentieth Century".
From that book:
" The Greeks knew that democracy is not likely to fall to the charms of totalitarianism, authoritarianism or oligarchy; it's much more likely to fall to a corrupted version of itself.
Democracies corrode quite fast; they corrode linguistically or rhetorically, if you like-- that's the Orwellian point about language"
p. 306
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Will be sure to read "Thinking the Twentieth Century."
The calmness. The blase surface of ignorance. People going about their business not realizing that the dam above them is about to break. Terrifying. As an older person, 82, sadly running is not an option, but knowledge helps. Thank you.
“The blase surface of ignorance” is what I encounter here in Utah — to my outright dismay.
And in Blue Rhode Island.
I keep on thinking I'm experiencing a nightmare that I will wake up from. Alas, this is our new reality. As always, thank you Professor Snyder.
A daily nightmare of unforgettable images.
Another layer of concern: BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ANY CLAIM BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
False flag operations are standard operating procedure for Authoritarians.
For example, yesterday, Kash Patel claimed “the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”
According to the latest news report (see link below), the government has not shared any details other than the defendants apparently referred to "pumpkin day" and there was a "pumpkin" reference.
An attorney for one of the defendants responded, “I don’t know where this hysteria and this fearmongering came from.” According to the article, the attorney "described the all-male group of U.S. citizens as gamers, and said they range in age from 16 to 20."
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/national-news/ap-michigan-lawyer-says-the-halloween-terror-plot-that-fbi-director-kash-patel-described-never-existed/
And so, as Prof. Snyder says, we need to "be calm when the unthinkable happens." We also need to be suspicious of any claim by this dangerous regime.
ASB
Completely agree. My first thought was to suspect Patel was lying. Perhaps as a distraction from the shutdown, SNAP, Epstein, you name it. If anyone in this Regime opens their mouth, suspect lie(s) will come out.
18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives....
The unthinkable has arrived. This situation is a powder keg waiting for an eruption of violence with each new outrage squeezing us, testing us.. Protest is important but CAREFULLY and PEACEFULLY. There are many ways to protest.
Many good competent people have left their government jobs or been fired.. and are replaced or being replaced by henchmen/women who are making us less secure by design or incompetence.
Vote. Do not be intimidated at the polls. Take your cell phone/camera.
Whatever the singular act of terror is, and perpetrated by whomever, I am guessing the regime would use it as a pretext for limiting cyber/internet communications and transactions.
I agree with the commenter that presenting this through other channels asap should be done. Maybe MTN. Rachel Maddow. Lawrence O'Donnell.
I suppose it’s my illusion of exceptionalism that I had assumed that the unthinkable would fall on other countries. But Dr. Snyder’s post makes more sense. Of course it makes perfect sense that our own country is most vulnerable. I can’t forget that DJT telegraphs everything. Destroying the East Wing was evidently a prelude to the demolition of our country.. “My name is Ozymandias. King of kings. Look upon my works ye mighty, and despair” - Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Yes- we were into "It Can't Happen Here"... but it can and is trying to... almost 10 months in. We ( the people) are having a hard time believing it still- or maybe this is what people still think they want- 40% of them anyway. So it takes time for it to hit the ground level- It is in the process of that happening.
"Destroying the East Wing was evidently a prelude to the demolition of our country"
Demolition of the country started before. The East Wing destruction is a "celebration" of that desire.
Thank you Professor
Snyder. Please share
this and restack it
everyone.
Thank you for the warning.
In other words, we as a country are a sitting duck. And should this occur, what are our most effective moves? What does history teach us?
Am sharing this.