This. This. I call my reps every day, as a registered Independent, Retired RN, MPH, US Army Reserves medical officer. I donate where and when I can.My father didn't fight across Europe in 1944-5 to see this come to America, and my Jewish grandparents didn't flee Russia/Ukraine for this. We all swore an oath the Constitution and the rule of law, and that's for life.
People from all over the world came to America, Ilene, for similar reasons.
The U.S. represented diversity -- all the complications of cultural belonging which in turn produced more and more open communities in America, but also more humane, better, greater and greater novels, memoirs, movies, songs, and other arts.
The simple-minded who more crave tyranny hated these arts. Hated, still hate, diversity.
I have been reading Joan Didion's newest volume (3) in the Library of America's collection of her works. This newest centers on the 1990s, when much of the far right was coalescing around vocabulary it was building then more effectively to oppose the openness underway in civil rights, women's rights, gay issues, and environment needs. It saw the left as indulgent, catering to too much divergence from patriarchy, authority, and religious rule.
The Powell memo of 1971 had already rid schools of humanities, and organized and funded the far right foundations aiming for commercial hegemony, rule by the rich. It had already planted standardized testing and its anti-human priorities in all of K-12.
But it was still then gearing up for Project 2025, Trump, Musk, Vance, Netanyahu, and Putin.
Do not use their language. When they fill their mouths with reasonable-sounding bullshit about "waste, fraud and abuse" do not go along. It's a ruse, a con. It's shouting SQUIRREL! to a dog. They might as well be spinning three shells on a street corner saying 'don't look at the left.' Look at the left, and the right, and call out the bullshit for exactly what it is.
Welcome to Canada, Timothy. The world needs you, and if we offer safe haven during these troubled times, all the better. Elbows Up. This reading with John Lithgow is fabulous. Years ago when I first ordered On Tyranny through Amazon, a porch pirate stole it from my mail box. Lol. I hope they read it.
Professor Snyder, THANK YOU for your powerful, prescient, brilliant words, so weepingly moving as spoken by the great John Lithgow. Today, we confront their reality. Today, we need them more than ever. Everyone I know will receive your profound guidance, today.
Poor Donnie & Elon with their Cry for Me complex...
Even worse than tariffs & reckless undermining of the US economy, which only 6 months ago was "the envy of the world" according to the Wall Street Journal, is the attack on public health...MAGA's unprecedented assault on scientific truth & demand for subservient confirmation of misinformation and lies has adversely impacted public health in our nation.
The Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official Dr. Peter Marks resigned and said that Health Secretary RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines was irresponsible and posed a danger to the public.
“It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” to the agency’s acting commissioner. He reiterated the sentiments in an interview, saying: “This man doesn’t care about the truth.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5o5kW678nU
We WILL ALWAYS MAY, that’s the whole point of the entire article… We must convince ourselves that we will oppose anyone trying to make us do something we don’t want!!!!
Practice corporeal politics: I am practicing nearly all of the suggestions you've given us except this one! I have ZERO opportunities in my very red community but am traveling across TN to Knoxville to participate in the "Hands Off" protests on 4/5!!! I can't wait to meet other Tennesseans who are WILLING to show up!!! Hopefully, I can make some connections that I'll be able to have ongoing communications with as we all go forward!
So, poetry was sung. I first read On Tyranny in 2017. Afterward, I bought more copies and gave them to friends. It was the beginning of an education for all of us. You don't read one Timothy Snyder book; you read all of them. Timothy Snyder has provided me with the facts to know what has and will happen. John Lithgow provided the song. Poetry was sung.
These tenets are worth reading and practicing - on a DAILY basis - while we are combatting the dark forces that would terminate our Democracy and the rule of law prescribed in the Constitution - and applicable to EVERYONE.
My husband gave me the book for Christmas 2016, along with "It Can't Happen Here" (Sinclair Lewis). Always good to revisit, now more than ever.
John Lithgow gives such a beautiful, thoughtful reading. He is one of my heroes. I once sent a magazine a note of appreciation for an article by him, about his experience portraying a transsexual character in "The World According to Garp." Unexpectedly, he wrote me the kindest note (on his wife's university stationery) thanking me for my thank-you. A note I treasure. I greatly enjoyed his "Trumpty-Dumpty" book . . . also worth a revisit now, sadly.
This. This. I call my reps every day, as a registered Independent, Retired RN, MPH, US Army Reserves medical officer. I donate where and when I can.My father didn't fight across Europe in 1944-5 to see this come to America, and my Jewish grandparents didn't flee Russia/Ukraine for this. We all swore an oath the Constitution and the rule of law, and that's for life.
People from all over the world came to America, Ilene, for similar reasons.
The U.S. represented diversity -- all the complications of cultural belonging which in turn produced more and more open communities in America, but also more humane, better, greater and greater novels, memoirs, movies, songs, and other arts.
The simple-minded who more crave tyranny hated these arts. Hated, still hate, diversity.
I have been reading Joan Didion's newest volume (3) in the Library of America's collection of her works. This newest centers on the 1990s, when much of the far right was coalescing around vocabulary it was building then more effectively to oppose the openness underway in civil rights, women's rights, gay issues, and environment needs. It saw the left as indulgent, catering to too much divergence from patriarchy, authority, and religious rule.
The Powell memo of 1971 had already rid schools of humanities, and organized and funded the far right foundations aiming for commercial hegemony, rule by the rich. It had already planted standardized testing and its anti-human priorities in all of K-12.
But it was still then gearing up for Project 2025, Trump, Musk, Vance, Netanyahu, and Putin.
Loved using this book during my Holocaust unit in my history class last year.
The students liked it too, and some would borrow the book to read it themselves.
Pretty telling for a high school class.
Do not use their language. When they fill their mouths with reasonable-sounding bullshit about "waste, fraud and abuse" do not go along. It's a ruse, a con. It's shouting SQUIRREL! to a dog. They might as well be spinning three shells on a street corner saying 'don't look at the left.' Look at the left, and the right, and call out the bullshit for exactly what it is.
And reverse the mirror and turn their lies back on them where they belong. We are living under Alice’s Queen of Hearts.
Welcome to Canada, Timothy. The world needs you, and if we offer safe haven during these troubled times, all the better. Elbows Up. This reading with John Lithgow is fabulous. Years ago when I first ordered On Tyranny through Amazon, a porch pirate stole it from my mail box. Lol. I hope they read it.
Yes! Elbows up!
The book is small enough to carry with you in case you have the opportunity to share it with someone.
I've given away several copies to young people.
Me, too, and to other friends -- I often suggest that, when they're finished, they pass them on to someone who says they'll read it.
That's a great idea.
Professor Snyder, THANK YOU for your powerful, prescient, brilliant words, so weepingly moving as spoken by the great John Lithgow. Today, we confront their reality. Today, we need them more than ever. Everyone I know will receive your profound guidance, today.
Love Lithgow’s reading. Will share.
Done!
Poor Donnie & Elon with their Cry for Me complex...
Even worse than tariffs & reckless undermining of the US economy, which only 6 months ago was "the envy of the world" according to the Wall Street Journal, is the attack on public health...MAGA's unprecedented assault on scientific truth & demand for subservient confirmation of misinformation and lies has adversely impacted public health in our nation.
The Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official Dr. Peter Marks resigned and said that Health Secretary RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines was irresponsible and posed a danger to the public.
“It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” to the agency’s acting commissioner. He reiterated the sentiments in an interview, saying: “This man doesn’t care about the truth.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5o5kW678nU
It is a powerful book - and love this interpretation of the key lessons, so powerful to hear them in this way!
Excellent. Thanks to you both. I will share this widely whilst we still may.
We WILL ALWAYS MAY, that’s the whole point of the entire article… We must convince ourselves that we will oppose anyone trying to make us do something we don’t want!!!!
Practice corporeal politics: I am practicing nearly all of the suggestions you've given us except this one! I have ZERO opportunities in my very red community but am traveling across TN to Knoxville to participate in the "Hands Off" protests on 4/5!!! I can't wait to meet other Tennesseans who are WILLING to show up!!! Hopefully, I can make some connections that I'll be able to have ongoing communications with as we all go forward!
So, poetry was sung. I first read On Tyranny in 2017. Afterward, I bought more copies and gave them to friends. It was the beginning of an education for all of us. You don't read one Timothy Snyder book; you read all of them. Timothy Snyder has provided me with the facts to know what has and will happen. John Lithgow provided the song. Poetry was sung.
Have also been telling people about this book since it came out. The message is still urgent, moreso than ever.
These tenets are worth reading and practicing - on a DAILY basis - while we are combatting the dark forces that would terminate our Democracy and the rule of law prescribed in the Constitution - and applicable to EVERYONE.
My favourite actor reading from my favourite book. Thank you both so, so very much.
My husband gave me the book for Christmas 2016, along with "It Can't Happen Here" (Sinclair Lewis). Always good to revisit, now more than ever.
John Lithgow gives such a beautiful, thoughtful reading. He is one of my heroes. I once sent a magazine a note of appreciation for an article by him, about his experience portraying a transsexual character in "The World According to Garp." Unexpectedly, he wrote me the kindest note (on his wife's university stationery) thanking me for my thank-you. A note I treasure. I greatly enjoyed his "Trumpty-Dumpty" book . . . also worth a revisit now, sadly.
Love Trumpty!
Yes that book! Given to me by my daughter.
Thank you Professor
Snyder. Godspeed and
safety in Canada to you
and your family. I know
we will continue to see
you here on Substack.